The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

The Perfect Day

Well, I'd have to say that our 1st anniversary was just perfect. The weather was amazing, sunny, cloudless with some lovely breezes. After breakfast, we eventually made our way to the local marché to buy a melon, just as we did on the day we got engaged... although at the moment we bought the melon last year, I was in the dark about a certain question being popped and even Georges wasn't sure he was going to ask me THAT morning. Here's a peek at the marché as it looked yesterday. See if you can spot my handsome husband... Marché at Saint Raphael on the Cote d'Azur from Lisa Taylor Huff on Vimeo. By the way, I have the same hat; we bought a pair of them last summer on a super-hot beach day where we had no shade, and they may be a bit funny-looking but they sure keep the sun from baking our heads and faces. Then, we walked toward the beach area here in Saint Raphael, and made our way down to "our" beach -- Melon Beach, as we now affectionately call it thanks to our friend FWaB who first coined the phrase after hearing how Georges... Read more →

Ah yes... I remember it well

Today, as I awaken, I think immediately back to one year ago and what I was doing. I was then waking up and realizing it was MY WEDDING DAY. Yes, it was ONE YEAR AGO TODAY that Georges and I got married! I remember everything about the day: how Georges and I were both giddy with happiness from the moment we woke up (none of that "can't see the bride on the wedding day" superstition for us), how we had so much fun with my family and his daughter getting ready for it all, how beautiful the house looked and how grateful I was that my sister and brother-in-law "gave" us their house for the entire event (she's so great at decorating that she could give Martha Stewart some lessons), how gorgeous my Georges looked in his suit with the lavender shirt and green tie to complement my green dress -- and the look on his face when he first saw me in that dress before the ceremony. I remember greeting my friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in a while, and how happy I was they could be there to share in this huge moment in my life... Read more →

URGENT: Need a cat-sitter for 3 weeks in August in Paris

If you live in Paris and will be IN Paris during the first THREE weeks of August (August 1-23), we have a DESPERATE need for someone to take care of our cat, Clachat, during that time. All our "usual sources" will be out of town during the entire month of August and we've been unable to find someone. We also can't take her with us because we'll be staying with family who already have a cat and the two have been introduced before with fairly nasty results. Obviously we'd still like to find a good permanent home for her and we're still open to discussing it if someone would love a healthy 9-year old cat (neutered). But in the short term we just need someone in August to feed her twice a day and clean out her "sand box" twice a week, and maybe pet her a little bit (assuming she'll let you). Possible to care for her in your home/apartment instead of ours, if that's easier for you; we'll even transport her along with all the necessities. Please contact me ASAP if you would like to help us out with this: [email protected] or send me an SMS at 06.09.13.75.55... Read more →

First glimpse of the Med

Taken while on the TGV yesterday afternoon. We're in St. Raphael now... just got back from the BEACH. (Eat your hearts out, Parisians.) A Glimpse of the Med from Lisa Taylor Huff on Vimeo. Read more →

Round 2

I've had several lovely, peaceful months without any French red tape whatsoever, after more than a year of constantly jumping through hoops. It's been wonderful not to worry about immigration issues for a while. Then, the other day, Georges reminded me that it's nearly time for me to start the process of renewing my Carte de Séjour, which is funny because it feels like I just got it -- which in a way, I did, receiving it in December even though I'd applied in August and the card was dated October. So tonight I dug out my folio of notes from the immigration classes I had to take in January and February. The powers that be had thoughtfully provided a sheet with a phone number printed in GREAT BIG TYPE, so that I could easily find the number to call to make the rendez-vous for my renewal. (Unlike last year when it was my first time around, I will not have to go without an appointment and wait in line for FOUR HOURS. Merci to the Préfecture for this!) Then I noticed in smaller type on the same sheet, it said I could also go online to a web site... Read more →

A Jet-Lag Haiku

Can't sleep when I want, Sleep too much when I don't want: Effing jet lag sucks. It may not be very poetic, but I gotta call 'em like I see 'em. Read more →

Revolving door

Enfin, I am back in Paris! To say I'm overjoyed to be back is a huge understatement. I got the most wonderful welcome when I came into the courtyard, too. First, Georges started to walk towards me, and then the little boy next door shouted "LISA!" and then I heard our Little Guy asking "Elle est là?" and Georges confirming it. Well, I barely had a chance to throw myself into my husband's outstretched embrace when a small projectile came hurtling toward me and LEPT into my arms... and he wouldn't let go. It was all I could do NOT to tear up in front of him but my heart completely melted from the huge hug he gave me. (I was told later that he'd been asking every day for several days "When will she come?" How cool is THAT?) Especially since when I left I didn't think I'd be seeing him again until August but things just worked out nicely this way, that he happened to be here to spend a few precious hours with him before his vacation started. Lots more hugs and kisses all day... can't get enough of those from this adorable boy; he is truly... Read more →

Making the best of it

So I'm still here at the family ranch (house) in New Jersey, until Sunday afternoon when the car arrives to take me to the airport -- and home to my wonderful husband and kids. I'm really glad I came back to help my mom and to see for myself that she is doing better than I could have hoped, even though she won't be driving again for at least a month and she's still dealing with a fair amount of pain. But she'll have my sister nearby to help out with cleaning, laundry and food shopping, and there's a physical therapist and home health aide who will also come until she can drive, so she's got lots of support. Thank you all for your good wishes and thoughts for my mother's recovery; they must have worked because right now I hear her out in the kitchen preparing her own breakfast and she couldn't do that when I first got here! I admit that I really had mixed feelings about making this trip. Of course I was happy to be here for my mom and to give my sister a break for a while, but this trip was unplanned and therefore... Read more →