Homeless With Manners

On the rue de Grenelle, there lives this homeless man who, in below freezing weather sleeps here outside this market. I observed him for the ten days I have been here and have been amazed by his manners. When sleeping, he covers himself completely so that he maintains his privacy and when he is awake, he combs his hair, buttons his shirt up properly and sips on some coffee that someone has kindly brought him. Mostly, I noticed that when he goes "out" for the day, he makes his bed. It is so neat and tidy, just like him. Without ever speaking with him, or even making eye contact, he moved me. And so, on the day I took this picture, I went to the traiteur and bought him dinner. I placed it on his neatly made bed and hoped that he would be as moved as I was. And then I prayed for warmer weather....for him and all the homeless.

Place Vendome

Each trip to Paris I pay my respects to all of the exquisite jewels glistening in the Place Vendome. I walk window to window and pick out everything that I want for my "collection"--collection of dreams that is! It is a cost saving technique and it leaves me feeling quite satisfied!

This time, the Place was full of paparazzi all lined up in front of the Ritz. Who was it they were waiting for? During fashion week it could be anyone...
Here they all are converging on the black limo and if you look at the top center you'll see a small head of a blond woman wearing dark sunglasses....Kate Moss! I wonder what her jewelry collection looks like...
Then, across the way a bride was being photographed...I assume her gems were already selected!
After taking all of that in, I headed to Dior to see the wonders of Victoire de Castellane.

Then to Bulgari! Definitely added Julianne's carved emerald earrings to my list!
Cartier and the 10 carat pear shaped diamond...
Boucheron and a fabulous pair of sparkling chandeliers....I love diamond chandeliers!
To the darker side with Codognato.

And finishing with the bird set free at Maboussin. Would that it fly into my handbag! Just another day in Place Vendome!

La Verite~ The Truth

You know that I love Paris. I love Paris! But this time, I feel like I'm struggling to get along with a old lover.
Parisians are sharp and pointy right now....aggressive, even.
In my favorite cheese shop, Barthelemy, Nicole (the owner) lost it and started yelling at one of her helpers. All I did was request two of my favorite artisan yoghurts and the fact that their removal left a gap in the line up on the shelf, started a yelling match between them. I paid and scooted out with my head down, trying to avoid the controversy. I felt like I was in a live game of chess....something was moved and something else took over!
Did I already mention sharp and pointy? I make my point!
Yes, Paris is roaring like a lion...no one likes the cold and the weather is unlike any March weather in centuries. People are frowning, growling, screaming and insulting ...a veritable grab bag of emotions.
When I feel unsettled, I need to head someplace peaceful. I heard the Luxembourg calling out to me. It is so cold, but I bundled up and sat in a chair to feel the warmth of the sun.
Empty chairs were never so inviting. No people! Close your eyes and open them again to this beauty!
Shadows became art....how could I not smile?
With all the calm settling over me, I left the garden and walked back to my hotel. In my survival kit is my eye for beauty. Beauty saves me time
and time again. On this visit, Paris is writing prose not poetry. And like in any relationship, I will close my eyes to parts I don't like so that I can remember what it is I love.

To Paris On A Cloud

I'm off to Paris. I'm flying there but if I could substitute a plane for a cloud, I would.

That's what I do when I'm in the plane and we are taking off. I close my eyes and imagine that I am floating in a cloud and that calms my heart. At least part of my heart. The other part is beating so fast and that cannot be helped for I am in love with Paris.
When I arrive, I will find my favorite corner florist and buy flowers for my room. I'm staying for ten days, why not wake up to flowers each morning?
Then, I'll set back out and have tea in a favorite cafe and try to believe I am there. I have been traveling to Paris for over 27 years now and each time I find myself in amazement that I am actually there. It's a magic that I never want to stop feeling.
I'll pay homage to my beloved Luxembourg Gardens and the Medici Fountain.
And I will never stop enjoying people watching like this man in purple pants!
Laduree will call out to me as I walk by...."macaroons for sale!"
Once I've finished walking for the day, I will head to Place Furstenburg for some peaceful beauty.
For fun, I will head to Palais Royal and watch the children race their tricycles. The joy on their faces match the joy in my heart. Beauty is everywhere!
And then, when it is time to leave, I will frame all my thoughts, photographic memories and dreams into gold frames that will stay with me as though I've mounted them on the walls of my heart. Au revoir! A bientot!

Ojai Beauty

After a wonderful weekend visiting my parents in S. California, we headed back out on the road ready for a scenic drive home. With life moving at a slower pace for a change, we decided we were in no hurry to reach our destination. I love Ojai and know that their farmer's market on Sunday is special, so Hwy 133 was our new path.

Ojai is a very artistic and spiritual community and you can feel the great energy amongst the small crowd at the market. We didn't want to leave even when we were finished shopping! So round and round we went taking pictures, sampling food and talking to interesting people.
How could we resist eggs named Lily?
The colors were blinding!
And radishes resting on a cardboard box were more charming than ever!
Sweet organic strawberries ....
The basket man from Dakar! Of course we bought a red one!
More astounding color
And soft green lettuce to finish!
And then, there is Bart's Books. Bart's is one of my most precious childhood memories. It is the most inviting bookstore ever and I spent hours and hours reading used books in quiet corners here with the sun peeking through the sky lights. Throwing coins in the slot to pay for books when the store is closed is just beyond charming.
Today they were brewing very strong, aromatic coffee and although I didn't stop long enough to browse through any books, I took comfort in knowing that Bart's was still there offering a place to rest, refresh and gather new ideas. Ojai means Valley of the Moon but today, in the full light of the sun, we appreciated her beauty.

Momentum

Peace and calm does not describe New York but then, I didn't go there to find that.

From the moment I walked out the door of the apartment where I was staying, I felt that each step on the pavement was like a strike of a key on a typewriter...I was writing a story just by being there.
My view from Anne Thompson's apartment was spectacular. New York simply has a way of making one's blood move faster through the veins... I felt so alive.
Anne was away and as they say, "while the cat's away the mice will play!"
I had to try on her Emmy award...
and her shoes...
In a quiet moment, I captured myself on film getting ready to go to Vera Wang's home for dinner. I wanted to remember what that moment looked like.
Vera, Peggy and I toasted our meeting with a generous vodka martini! The four hour evening was like a slow motion film...I absorbed as much as I could and am still seeing flashes of it in my mind.
740 Park Avenue was the childhood home of Jacqueline Bouvier and has been the home of countless amazing figures in our lifetime. Just stepping inside was like taking a step into history.
The next day, we enjoyed tea and cookies at the bar restaurant, One if by Land , Two if by Sea in Greenwich Village.
We also had a great time trying on clothes with Maria, Vera's assistant in her atelier.


Our evening with Peggy's agent Sue at Megu Restaurant, was a treat.
A month has passed since this trip and I have been asked so many times what will come of my meeting with Vera. My answer remains clear for me... It is difficult in life to see how everything we do and everything we experience adds up. Every minute of that trip counted and each experience is framed in my mind. The sum total of it (if we are adding) gives me momentum. Momentum to do more, feel more, create more, and desire more. Momentum that pushes me closer to living my dream. In life we have to find our inspiration and then we have to put momentum behind it...this is what came from my meeting with Vera.