The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Sister Act

Nuns take the metro, too. You just don't often see a large group like this, all together. Oddly, no one seemed to want to get on the car with all the sisters, but wouldn't you think that would be the safest one? Read more →

Sometimes looking at art is about learning what you DON'T like

I had a free afternoon today, and was delighted to spend it with one of my friends, checking out something we'd both never seen before: the Musée de Gustave Moreau I was only a tiny bit familiar with Moreau, just barely. Like, I'd heard his name and knew he was an artist. Beyond that? If pressed, I would be unable to tell you which of his works I might ever have seen. However, I had heard that the museum was interesting especially because of the building itself and the story behind it, and I'm very interested in architecture. The museum is in the former private home of Moreau. His parents apparently bought it for him. Moreau was one of those rare things in the art world: an artist who was well known during his lifetime rather than after his death. And he did something else quite rare as well: he turned his home into a gallery of his own works! So, he lived, painted and exhibited his paintings all in the same space, and that space is now open to the public, including several key rooms in his private apartment. Writing tools on his desk. His "sleeping room". Some majolica... Read more →

I'm just a little black rain cloud...

Thunderstorm over north-eastern Paris and Charles de Gaulle airport. I'm guessing flight delays out that way tonight. Read more →

Nothing to do but check out the shoes

When I take public transportation, I no longer read because I get motion sickness, so that leaves me with nothing to do but people watch. Although I will never be a fashionista or Paris' Next Top Model, I do enjoy looking at what other women are wearing. It's especially fun to spot people dressed badly. I mean, I don't have to be a fashion expert to know that wearing clothes that are two small, too young, too tight or just plain TACKY is a big mistake. Don't these women bother to look in the mirror, like, EVER? And we're in Paris, for Couture's Sake! In fact, I'm considering starting a new photo blog entitled, "French women DO get fat and dress like frumpy housewives or crack whores, and here's the proof". Because I can be really snarky that way. Sometimes, though, I do find myself admiring what certain women wear, especially when they put an interesting outfit together that really shows some personal touches or flair. I'm not especially confident in my own fashion choices sometimes (plus size women have challenges in this area), so when I see someone who stands out for all the RIGHT reasons, I'm intrigued. Yesterday,... Read more →

Color me excited!

We have a lovely sunny day here in Paris today (although I hear rain is on the way, again) and there are thousands of tiny green leaves springing forth on the trees in the Place de la Sorbonne as I write this. It's just a great day for a little café-writing. Even on a rainy day, sleepy little Burano seems filled with sunshine Still... the one thing Paris doesn't have is COLORS like this. I can't wait to go back to Venice! Read more →

Feeling the siren call of the gondolier

While Georges is down in sub-Saharan Africa (and can I just send a big shout-out and thanks to the folks over at Apple for freaking inventing the iPhone and Facetime, because my husband was able to video-chat with me from his hotel in Yaoundé), I have decided to take care of some long-overdue spring cleaning projects around the house. I want to purge a lot of clothing from my closet and that is packed away in storage, à la "What Not to Wear". And I have documents to sort through because the piles are getting too out of control, and this is the year when I will be applying for my 10-year Carte de Séjour so it will pay to be organized early. I also decided to get serious about planning my 50th birthday trip to... VENICE. Starting with going through some of the photos I took back in 2007 when I was there on my own. Last night I watched "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn, about a woman of a certain age who goes on the trip of a lifetime, to Venice, and of course falls in love with Rossano Brazzi (can we blame her) even though he's married. Seeing... Read more →

The One

He's the one who lights up my world and makes every experience better and brighter. And he just got a haircut. That's MY handsome husband. Read more →

Already lonesome

Georges remarked this evening that I hadn't posted anything on the blog today (he checks daily, being my biggest fan and all that), and I replied "Yes, I know, but I guess I didn't have anything good to say". Then I went and posted the photo of the cafe terrace with the pretty blankets, because I DO like to try and post something as often as I can, even if I don't have the time or inspiration to write. The truth is, I was not much in the mood to write anything Bold Soul-ish today. I'm not in a bold mood, not at all. Georges is going on a business trip for nearly six days, starting tomorrow afternoon, and I'm just dreading his absence. Like I always do. So as the trip has gotten closer and closer, I've felt moodier and moodier. Which is pretty much par for the course when he travels for work. I know he has to do it. I know people travel on business all the time; hell, I used to be one of 'em when I worked in the corporate world. I can be a grown-up about it. But I don't WANT to be a... Read more →

Keeping the customers comfy

I love how this restaurant at the Palais Royal had red or white lap blankets ready on the terrasse for the lunch-time crowd... and also ashtrays, since that's where the smokers generally need to sit. I've seen blankets at a cafe in Montmartre, but really it's not all that common. Usually the cafes might provide outdoor heaters to try and keep the patrons warm, but the blankets? A classy touch. Read more →

A little something for those who are sick of the effing snow

All taken today as I passed a florist on rue Vavin in the 6ème. Just to remind you that the flowers WILL be blooming again... Really, they will. Read more →