From Paris With Love

While we lived in France, Vincent was working for Cryo-Diffusion. It was a division of Minnesota Valley Engineers, itself a division of Beatrice Foods. The company made cryogenic containers for the storage and transportation of liquid neutral (non explosive) gases: nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, argon, helium.   These containers were used in off-shore drilling.

Photo of a container courtesy of Cryo-Diffusion site.

Initially the company produced cryogenic thermos bottles that were used to transport semen extracted from prized Charolais bulls.  Those spermatozoa found their way to far flung lands like India, Australia or even Texas.  This caused Vincent to quip at a cocktail party that his business was in the exportation of “French sperm."  Très drôle!

A handsome Charolais bull!

When Vincent began working at the plant, they were losing money.  With financial skill and the development of an improved product, he was able to turn the company around. Beatrice Foods named him employee of the year and we were invited to a dinner at Taillevent.  I believe there were 7 of us and the dinner cost 3-4 thousand dollars!!  Much of that was due to the excellent wines.  I remember delicious veal medallions and an exquisite dessert.  Strawberries were arranged in a meringue nest. Hardened caramel strands had been woven over the the whole…like a cage.   Too pretty to eat!

I found this photo on Pinterest.  Apparently you can weave hot, liquid strands of caramel over a lightly greased ladle or small bowl!

In spite of Vincent’s admirable success, there continued to be problems.  Minnesota Valley Engineers disagreed with the production of a new type of container developed by Cryo-Diffusion.  Vincent was under a lot of pressure.  He was caught between the Americans and the French who often didn’t see eye-to-eye.  Eventually, the French company was no longer able to sustain its profitability, and Vincent resigned.  This was a difficult time.

Eventually it was decided that the children and I should leave France to stay with my parents in Yucca Valley, California.   Talk about a change of scene...

My parents house.

The view from the living room windows.