The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

A Peaceful 2013, Please

Wishing us all a more peaceful year ahead in 2013. And I hope there will also be good health, much happiness and prosperity for all. A peaceful sunset moment in Saint Raphael, France. [Panoramic photo; click on it to move side to side.] Read more →

See-through

Tiny images of my step-daughter and my sister-in-law, as seen through the stem of my wine glass. Read more →

All you can eat

Georges and I were just saying to each other that we're eating way too much on this vacation. You're about to discover why. We arrived in Saint Raphael in time for lunch on Christmas Eve afternoon. We tried to "eat light" for that meal (huh) because we knew what was coming that evening. In this family, Christmas Eve is when the big event takes place, including opening all the gifts, so the dinner is a very big deal. Plus, this IS France, where food reigns supreme. This was our first course at Christmas dinner, to go with the champagne: a caviar-substitute (the real deal costs a fortune) and assorted spreads on "toasts". Oh, and there was foie gras, too (California doesn't know what it's missing). Personally, I could have stopped right after this course and been totally fine for the rest of the evening. But we followed that up with capons in a lovely mushroom cream sauce. Then there was the usual bûche de Noël and the traditional (in Provence) "13 desserts" which is mainly a plate with 13 different little dried fruits and things (and you can't put chocolate on it, it doesn't "count" according to Georges). The next... Read more →

Marseille sunset

From the garden of our friends' home outside Marseille, a winter sunset. Read more →

Still the best gift I ever got

My wonderful husband Georges. Here, playing a little piano Christmas Eve. Read more →

A Provençal Christmas

Because of course, 2012 years ago, downtown Bethlehem looked just like a little village in Provence. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night! Read more →

Le chien qui lit

In an upholsterer's shop window; très mignon, ça! Read more →

Time's (not) up

So, will the world end today? Or not? My money's on "n ot". Mainly because, selfishly speaking, I haven't accomplished everything in my life I've wanted to accomplish. The bucket list isn't complete, not even close. Therefore, my time isn't up yet. I also haven't finished my Christmas shopping. Have you? So the world can't possibly end today. You may quote me. Of course, if I'm wrong, then... well, see you all on the "other side". Where I expect I'll still have a lot to say. Because why should the hereafter be any different? Read more →

Noël

Decorations and lights at the Carrousel du Louvre. Read more →

Illuminé

A little peek at the Christmas lights on the Champs Elysées this year: Read more →