Postcards from the Lake: Just Life!

It has been an odd summer, one where we aren't quite sure where we are going or when we are going there -- or are we just staying put for a bit? You know what this one would like!

Paris In July: Some of My Personal Faves

This is the final week for Paris In July, a month-long blog event focusing on all things Parisian hosted by Tamara at Thyme for Tea and Deb at Readerbuzz. This week I'm taking a trip down memory lane and featuring some of my favorite Paris photos from various journeys. 

Walking in Paris -- or any city -- is filled with surprises. Look up, down, behind you, to the left and right. Into shop windows or lesser known attractions. Inside, outside. All times of day. Some of these will mean nothing to anyone but me. But I hope some of these take you a bit off the well-beaten paths! (Although I couldn't resist my favorite Eiffel Tower photo!)

Postcards from the Lake: A Birthday, Some Art and Summer Life

Summertime and the living is easy. So they say, at any rate, but this summer seemed decidedly odd. There is a hint of instability, melancholy and uneasiness in the air, a sharp contrast to the blue skies, puffy clouds and stunning sunsets. 

Summer at Home: Harry and Robbie

If I am at home, I will visit the Ditch. And if I visit the Ditch, I will probably encounter my Big Bird buddy, Harry the Heron.

He was in a particularly lovely setting in one of the most recent visits. 

Paris In July: The Paris Key

If I had to sum up "The Paris Key" by Juliet Blackwell in one sentence it would be "It was a good book to read while suffering with a moderate concussion and cut up face."

The Gargoyles of Notre Dame

Which may be damning with faint praise.

Postcards from the Lake: The Art So Far

A year or two ago, a blogger friend gave me several partially used and very lovely sketchbooks that had been passed on to her. There was a hitch to it -- She said, "you must use them and fill them up!"

It has taken awhile. The paper is beautiful and the artist who started them was very good and I didn't want to just doodle in them! But I've finally filled the first of them (and worked in others as well)! And I've been rather pleased to open them up and see progress and diversity within.

Postcards from the Lake: A Quiet Summer

You may have noticed there haven't been as many postcards from the lake as usual. It's been an odd summer.

Paris In July: Adding to My Fave Guidebooks!

During 2014's Paris in July, I did a post on some of my favorite guide books and maps to Paris. Those remain some of my favorites and you can find that post HERE. (Photos in this post are mine.)

The antique market at Vanves

But what about a more recent option? I have found it in the very delightful and well organized and illustrated "Paris," a Curious Traveler Guide by Eleanor Aldridge. The back of the book blurb calls it "An Insider's Guide to Paris without Pretension." It lives up to that hype.

The Books of June

Time for the June book review -- a bit late this time! There were some good ones -- a mix of mystery, fiction, bio-fiction and history! From England, Sweden, and Paris to Berlin and Italy, pre-WWII to the present, there should be something in this list to appeal to any reader!

"The Sable Messenger" by Francis Vivian

Postcards From the Lake: Concussed!

Some days are good. Some days are not-so-good. You may have read about our fun day with the Little Guys, our own Dynamic Duo. It was fun in the sun, summer food, good times. 

Then they left and things went downhill from there.

Postcards From the Lake: What It's All About!

What could be happier than a beautiful, sunny summer day at the lake? Spending a beautiful, sunny summer day with two little boys and their mom and dad!

Our grandlittles had a grand time at the beach when they came to visit us last week. The boys hadn't been to the cottage for a couple of years -- Covid did that to our gang! So, we were thrilled when they finally arrived! The weather couldn't have been better, which made outside time absolutely perfect!

Paris In July: Marc Chagall

I recently read the book "The Bridal Chair" by Gloria Golderich, about Marc Chagall and, equally and perhaps even more so, his daughter Ida, and the role she played in saving his art and getting it out of Nazi-occupied France in World War II. 

(Most of the photos in this post, unless otherwise credited, are those I've taken at Art Institute of Chicago, Paris Opera Garnier and on the Chicago streets at Chase Tower Plaza on Dearborn Street.)