What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
I admire the “makers.” People who make beautiful or interesting or useful things—artists and craftspeople. I went to Michael’s yesterday to buy some special glue and a frame and was hoping I might get inspired to start a holiday craft project, but it didn’t happen. I’m just not crafty, but I admire it in others.
The reason I needed the special glue was to repair a beautiful glass object that I bought in Paris. (I think I did a pretty good job. You can barely tell which little ornament had to be reattached after its transatlantic flight.)
I no longer watch cartoons, but as a kid, my favorite cartoon was definitely The Flinstones–a GenX cornerstone. If you never pictured yourself going out for a Brontosaurus Burger with Fred in his foot-powered vehicle, you must be a millennial (or younger). And I still think of any one-shouldered dress as a “Wilma.”
The Flinstones
But sorry, I’m not done relating these “daily prompts” to my recent trip to Paris. As I mentioned, they were very busy gearing up for the 2024 Olympics, while we were there. The mascot is The Phryges – pronounced like “fridge” with a long E sound and an “uh.” He/She/They? (I’m feeling like “they” is the correct pronoun in English) are described as “being part of the Phryges tribe, those little Phrygian hats that have come to help the French with their revolution through the power of Sport.” They’re cute, n’est-ce pas?
I didn’t buy one, but I thought about it.By 1791, the Phrygian Cap or Bonnet Rouge had become de rigueur for sans-culotte militants to wear to show their loyalty to the cause. (I’m hoping US citizens don’t need to adopt something similar after our 2024 national election.)
I should probably drink less coffee, but I do love it. Sometimes I can feel it make my heart race. I have 2-3 cups in the moring and usually another one around 3pm to motivate me for the afternoon. I find if I drink coffee in the afternoon, I’m much more likely to close all three rings on my Apple Watch.
Are you tired of hearing about Paris yet? (Apologies in advance) Our hotel had an in-room espresso maker. Espresso is not satisfying for me. My husband enjoyed it, but I like to sip on hot coffee for an extended period of time. (That’s why I really like my Ember smart mug.) While in Paris, I took the tiny French elevator down to the lobby each morning for a “coffee long” from the fantastic machine they had there. It made everything from espresso to cappuccino, with “coffee long” being the closest thing to American coffee. I typically made two trips to the lobby each morning, as I need at least two cups of coffee to get out the door in the morning.
While sipping my coffee longs, I enjoyed these incredible views from our room – Room 802.
That’s the Sacré-Cœur in the distance on the left.
Although this pic is zoomed in quite a bit, here’s the view we had from the other side of Room 802.
Night version of the Sacré-Cœur view Night version of the Eiffel Tower view
Hello blogging friends. I’m back from Paris and it was definitely a highlight of the year! My husband was a real trouper and enthusiastically went “full tourist” with me. (I wasn’t sure if that would happen, but he really rose to the occasion, despite having bad knees. Thanks Mario!) I had been to Paris once during my semester abroad in Italy in the 80s, but I always wanted to return to Europe’sgreatestcity. I’m sorry Rome, London, Madrid…but Paris is just…PARIS. I’m extremely fortunate that this was my second bucket list trip of 2023. I also visited the Grand Canyon, for the first time ever, in June. (That trip was motivated by the passing of my dear friend from college in 2022. Carla loved the Grand Canyon and her ashes are spread there.)
But back to Paris. We bought six-day museum passes (at the recommendation of my new BFF Rick Steves) and saw a ton of stuff. Notre-Dame is still closed due to the horrific fire in 2019, but everything else was open and the entire city is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics. We had dinner in the Eiffel Tower, visited the Louvre, the Orsay, l’Orangerie, Sainte-Chappelle, Arc de Triomphe, Carnavalet Museum, Versailles, the Army Museum and Napoleon’s Tomb, the Sacre-Coeur, and the St. Germain-des-Pres. We took ubers, taxis and the metro and visited many neighborhoods including the Marais (my favorite), Rue Cler, Montmartre, Rue Monorgueil, the Left Bank, and the Champs-Elysees, which was all lit up for Christmas!
We ate in cafes, fine restaurants, Bon Marché (Paris’ oldest department store) and one Burger King. I’m very jet-lagged at the moment, but cannot resist sharing a couple photos.
The Eiffel Tower is painted a mustard yellow and they light it beautifully at night.
Bonjour from Paris! We’re having a great time, but it’s a little chilly. My puffy coat and headband are currently my two favorite clothing items.
They’re very busy getting ready for Christmas and the Olympics here. Very exciting! Sending good vibes and a delicious warm croissant to all of you, wherever you are around the world. 🥐 🇫🇷 🌍 ☮️
My family is the most important thing to me. If they’re OK, I can live my life and have fun doing things I like. If something is wrong with one of them, it’s hard for me to concentrate on anything else.
When I wake up in the morning, I sometimes think about all the people around the world who are struggling with so many things – from chronic pain or addiction, to loneliness, to war. I know circumstances can change for anyone, anytime, anywhere. I wish everyone could have at least one happy hour a day – pain-free, safe, loved.
On a related note, it’s been heartwarming to see some of the hostages released in Israel. The moment when they’re reunited with their loved ones is so powerful. I’m happy for those families.
I’ve always liked giraffes. I like their spots, their long necks and legs, their big eyes and eyelashes, and their gentleness. And the calves are so cute, wobbling around on those long legs. Maybe I’m anthropomorphizing, but I think giraffes are cool.
Now I know people have mixed feelings about zoos, but if an African safari is not in your budget, zoos are the only place you’re ever going to see a live giraffe herd. The very best giraffe exhibit I’ve ever seen is at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. You should make a point to visit, if you’re ever in the area. The giraffe exhibit is a real showstopper 🦒
Visiting the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 2009
I’m a beach person. I love swimming in the ocean and sitting in the warm sand. I’m extremely fortunate to have a close and generous friend with a home near the greatest beach ever. Here’s the view of her beach, as you first see it from the dunes above.
Ah, beach
I do appreciate a mountain view and I’ve climbed a couple of them. My husband and I hiked/camped overnight in New Hampshire’s White Mountains a few times. (This was something he used to do with his friends before we met.) Man, that is HARD work. The exhilaration of reaching a summit is tough to match, but the pain of carrying a heavy backpack and trudging endlessly is not for me.
Atop Mt Garfield (elevation 4,498 ft) in NH in 1993
Same trip, different day
I think that was as close to a smile as I could manage with that backpack on.
I make a pie that can be eaten for breakfast, dessert or snack. It was a hit at Thanksgiving yesterday and my son just had some for breakfast. I recommend buying some whip cream to spray on individual slices. (I like it better than the traditional “sweet potato casserole” with mini-marshmallows on top.)
I use Pillsbury pre-made pie crusts (in the red box); Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?
I was very excited to see the new film Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix, because of my upcoming trip to France. We went on opening night.
Sadly, it’s not a good film. I’m sure it had a huge budget, but it just doesn’t work. My husband and I both fell asleep in different parts. It’s really boring, even with all those battles. I’m not sure what Phoenix was going for in his portrayal, but he comes off as a strange, quiet, boring creep.
The two most exciting scenes are when Marie Antoinette goes to the guillotine and when the soldiers at the Battle of Austerlitz fall through the ice.
Based on the film, I’d rather go back and meet Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France. I’d want to meet her during the fun Versailles years — you know, before they turned on her.
Catherine Walker as Marie Antoinette on her way to the guillotine in Napoleon (a bad film by Ridley Scott)
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