After my friend Marcia, who lived in France died, I remembered special times spent with her over the years. She lived in an old walled farmhouse in the countryside outside of Compiègne. Whenever I would go to France, Marcia would drive into Paris and take me on an adventure to see a special exhibit or visit a part of Paris I didn’t know or just have dinner and catch up. The farmhouse and several adjacent buildings were surrounded by a tall gated wall that still had bullet holes from the wars that passed by it over the years.. The main house was restored, but the remaining buildings were in various states of repair and collapse. I had been to the farmhouse several times and was struck by its ancient charm. After Marcia passed, I came upon this image that reminded me of her and my times with her. I love this painting and have kept it because whenever I look at it, I am reminded of my special friendship with Marcie.