Paris In July

If you've been reading The Marmelade Gypsy (or my other blog, Chopsticks and String) for awhile, you know that I have trouble resisting anything about Paris. Ever since my first trip to this astounding city a wee bit over a year ago, I have been more than smitten with its beauty and architecture, the culture, the history, the food, and anything related to it!

So, when Ruth mentioned the "Paris in July" blog event hosted by Karen and Tamara this month, I not only had to start blog hopping (dangerous at best! Oh, the things you'll discover on these links!), but participate, too. (Below, l'Hotel de Ville, a painting during its construction. This city hall and "official" home of the Mayor - who actually lives elsewhere - is a gorgeous building that houses a museum, glorious rooms and has a wonderful location just across the Seine from Notre Dame.)

We interrupt this year's vacation for a look at last year's to talk all things French and particularly Parisian. Maybe some of the pix from the trip (just humor me, OK? Pretty soon I'll stop using them!), maybe a little art and maybe a memory or two.

Actually, this comes at a rather fine time, as friends of mine are planning their first trip to Paris this fall and we're meeting to talk! So, I'll be sending them onto the Paris In July links, too!

One of the museums I most enjoyed when there (and I have to confess, until several people said "you must go to Carnavalet, it wasn't on my itinerary) was Musee Carnavelet, which is located in a gorgeous hotel particulier that was formerly the home of Mme. Sevigne.

It is a combination of artifacts, paintings and drawings, and historic room recreations that tell the story of Paris -- it's famous and infamous, it's events, and its places, including Notre Dame, below.

(And, being as this is Tour de France time, which is taking an enormous toll on telly-watching time in my household -- I'm addicted, listening live at my desk at work, then watching in the evening!), I must share this entry from the art section!

Painted by Alexandre Ganesco in 1930, this is actually not the Tour, but it is a bike race!

These are others from those galleries that I've not posted on the Gypsy before -- some wonderful etchings from the days of big hoop skirts!

I love the humor, and the satire!

There was quite a selection of these witty cartoon/etchings.

I loved them all!

Please do stop by Karen and Tamara to see the links they've posted. And don't forget to check out Ruth's Paris Deconstructed (I found this indispensible when preparing for my trip, and delightful); Peter's Paris, with a wealth of photographs and history, and Vagabonde, who writes often of her native France for more things Francais!

(And I'll have another post or two as well on this before the end of the month. And, at Chopsticks, several books related to France can be found as you scroll through the older posts!)

Blog Hopping

I've been visiting a number of blogs lately and seeing some interesting things, so I thought I'd share a bit with you. (Especially since my blogroll is out of date and I haven't updated it in a bit!)

First, Peter (Peter's Paris) is taking his visitors to wonderful sites in Paris and elsewhere in France in every post. Sometimes I fall in and feel like I may never crawl out! His photography is beautiful (but this picture is mine) and I learn something new with every visit!

Speaking of food for thought, Shoreacres will always inspire with her beautifully written, in-depth essays, one of the latest being about creativity, sharing and sustaining it. The post on one of her mentors in boat varnishing is a gem. If you're not a regular visitor, check it out!

Becca has been writing some astounding and thoughtful posts at Becca's Byline. Every now and then it's a Write on Wednesday post -- something I used to participate in often! There's lots of food for thought in Becca's posts. Recently she wrote about hidden talents, as she spoke of "Dancing with the Stars." We both agree it is a guilty pleasure! She also has a thought-provoking post about parents/children and role reversal as they age.

I've recently started visiting Bella Rum at Cul de Sac Chronicles. This is yet another of the blogs I've been stopping at that isn't on my badly outdated blogroll. Do check it out! Be sure to scroll down a bit and check out the post about the bathroom poofs -- you know, those net things we use in the shower. All I can say is "who knew?"

Mama K has reviewed a book by a cancer survivor that she heard speak. The author is a columnist at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland -- her story sounds wonderful and inspiring. And another cousin, Annie, has started Annie's Omnium. It's a brand new blog -- and she's quite the artist! Check out the cute rain barrel she painted for a commission! Stop by and say hi!

Finally, if you remember Anno from the dearly departed Anno's Place, she is back with a couple of sites. You can link to her photography and Postscripts site here.

But she is also hosting a new site -- and one in which I've been honored to participate called Unconventional Beauties. The blog is a series of conversations and -- this is the main thing -- self-portraits by various participants. Including me! (This isn't it, but I needed a spot for a Gyppy pic!)

The idea is to take a self-portrait (and you don't need to be Annie Liebovitz to pull this off!), and then write a narrative about you, the photo... Well, don't listen to my words; visit the site and check it out! I found it to be an interesting and soul-searching process.

Harry the Heron

Think glorious autumn day -- crisp, cold -- but not that biting cold. Just the bracing morning chill that keeps us walking briskly, hands in gloves, scarves wrapped around the neck, leaves rustling at our feet.

Add a bright blue sky speckled with puffy white clouds. The first sun, I might add in days. And color. Glorious color.

I decided to take a walk around the ditch (thank you, Rick), camera in hand, for what could be the last of the color. Certainly the walk down brought some splash!

But the ditch itself was looking more muted. There may still be leaves on the trees, but clearly, we are moving toward the end of fall, even though autumn continues until the solstice.

I reveled in the tons of brown and gold.

No flaming red -- just deep burgundy.

A jogger, a few dogwalkers, the occasional duck surrounded me as I walked around the giant pond.

Can you see the heron in this photo? (Harry, I call him)

What about this one?

Or this?Yes, now you have him!

This heron reminded me of a very rich post I read by Anno on Saturday. "It's all junk," she said, and then richly created four scenes she had observed the following week in such detail that one could feel the story beginning. She'd had no time for writing, yet I contend she was "writing" all along.

Why does this heron remind me of Anno's post? It's simple. You really had to look to find him.

I'd been walking about and I thought I was really looking at things -- framing them, mentally editing as I looked for the right view.

Yet he blended in with the environment so completely, I missed him. He certainly wasn't obvious. In fact, it was only at certain angles that I could see he hadn't disappeared.

He stood, straight, tall and very still, surveying his pond. His neck would extend, slowly, deliberately. I wasn't sure what he was looking for -- but he knew. When he saw it, his head dipped quickly into the water. I was too far away to see what came out, but I suspect it was the first course.

I would contend that the first skill of any writer, artist, doctor, teacher, cook, parent, scientist isn't a technical one. No grand vocabulary, mix of media or surgeon's knife can bring about an ideal end if the artist doesn't first observe.

It's in "seeing" (or "listening," if you like) that we note the little things that may seem irrelevant, yet carry an importance all their own. Try people watching (read Anno's post) -- there are stories there. The child or partner who says, "OK," when asked "how was today," may not mean "OK" at all.

I'm not saying we have to read between the lines on anything that is said. But sometimes there are important messages in what isn't said. Messages that require further investigation.

It's very easy to fall into the patterns of our lives. We go to someone's house and we don't notice things have changed. A new outfit, a haircut, a new chair. The mess finally cleaned off the table. Maybe we notice and don't say.

I nearly missed Harry the Heron. That would have been oh, so sad.

* * * * *

Some folks will go to great ends for photography. In Michael Maurer Smith's case, it's New Mexico!

Mike's Dissent Decree often gives me more food for thought than my brain can handle. He's a gifted photographer who is in love with New Mexico.

He's traveling now -- or has been. If you're into the Southwest or just want to see some blue sky for a change, check out his travel blog.

I've Been Catching Up on Blogs!

Later in this post, I'll talk about zombie chickens.

No, this particular chicken isn't a zombie (or is it a rooster? I am farm-animal challenged) -- at least I don't think so! They're from Monet's garden in Giverny. But I just wanted to put them in!
Before I forget, I want to tell you that I've posted my thoughts on another foodie-in-France book, "A Pig In Provence" by Georgeanne Brennan, on Chopsticks and String.

And later today, if it isn't there already, you can read my take on another Cara Black Paris mystery, "Murder on Ile Saint-Louis." With photos, of course!

But first, I've been trying to catch up on blog reading and wanted to highlight a few stops I've made. You may want to make those stops, too. (You may need to scroll down to catch some of these specific posts, but it's worth the time to do so!)

(And, I just updated my links. Still working on it, but lots of you are now in place!)

Labor Day may be past, but Shoreacres has a post worth reading any day of the year. In fact, all her posts are worth reading any day of the year! And so are the comments, which really carry on the story.

Qugrainne has been in Bali and has many glorious posts with even more glorious photos about her time there.

Robin Bird has had some most thoughtful posts lately. I direct you to one I particularly mulled over for a bit, but encourage you to check out some of the others.

My cousin Bonnie recently had her first blogaversary over on Mama K. Get in on year two!

Joanne is making the most remarkable and delightful dolls! She's just reopened her website store, and you can get a good look at some of the featured dolls at her blog. Read down a few posts to get the full gist of her creations! Her current post also shows some of the store items. Click on the link in her post to visit!

My pal Judy Winter will soon be going to Fort Bragg to talk with military families about special needs, and in particular focusing on the important role siblings play. For more related to special needs issues, visit Winter Ramblings. This post is especially touching and timely, relating to special needs children and school.

Nathalie -- that talented and creative artist -- has opened an Etsy store. Link to her Etsy store from her most creative and artistic blog!

Janet at Lavender Loft recently had a birthday. So, using her family's vintage photos, she's cruising down memory lane. Lots of September days left to go along with her!

Finally, a big thank you to Diana, aka "Oh" (Oh, Books, Oh Paper, Oh Life!) for sharing with me the "Zombie Chicken" Award.I love laughing, and the description on this one is four-star! (And the graphic is fabulous!)

Here's what it means:

“The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken– excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.

Five Bloggers who inspire readers willing to brave the evils of a torrid flock of zombied hens in order to read those Bloggers would have to include any of the people above, plus all of the ones over in my blog roll!

Now, I've given up "tagging" people to do this, so don't feel compelled, and if you do -- you can list as many as the rules say (five) or more, or less! The point is, I love the blogs I visit, and I hope you'll visit some of them, too!

Even though I don't get around to everyone as quickly as I wish I could, I still get there!