Neighborhood

Hello lovelies!

Walking home from the grocery store this afternoon, I ran into my neighbor, Monique. Monique is 94 years young and is a doll. Two Sundays ago, Monique's key got stuck in her door. Neither of us could get it to work, so she came over to my place and we called her insurance company and eventually got a locksmith out. A couple of hours later, she was in. There was climbing through bathroom windows involved with the locksmith securing himself to my towel dryer for safety (it wasn't going to help him much if he'd fallen), but everyone and everything came through relatively unscathed.

A bit later this afternoon, Monique showed up at my door with a beautiful orchid. I told her, of course, that it wasn't necessary, but she insisted. I'm really happy to be able to help her, and I couldn't ask for a better neighbor. From time to time we have an apéro together at one our apartments. She tells me about her travels (she's been all over the world), and we talk about whatever is going on in my life.

On the other side of my apartment is a nice lady named Nana. She's Iranian and has lived in the building about as long as I have. She's currently in pastry school, and three times now I've been the lucky recipient of her test kitchen results. Chocolate cake, raisin bread, and croissants. I'm no expert, but she seems talented to me! 

Maria, who lives upstairs with her boyfriend Lionel, has become a good friend. She is hilarious and loves to come over for afternoon snacks and snuggles with Luigi. I also met my great friend Gaëlle living here.

When I tell people different things about my nice neighbors, they're always so surprised and impressed that we even speak to each other! As for me, I'm really grateful for all the friends I've made in my neighborhood and am so happy that we aren't what too often passes for normal in a big city.

What are you grateful for today?

bisous

Le Soleil

When I looked at this week's forecast on my telephone yesterday, I was disappointed. Rain, rain, and more rain. The sun was scheduled to, perhaps, make an appearance around Thursday. When I woke up this morning, the wind was blowing so hard that I actually heard it break something in the courtyard. I could tell from the sound that the something was made of glass, but I don't know what the glass thing was because I couldn't find it when I looked out the window. Later, when I was reading the news, I saw that the summit of the Eiffel Tower as well as all of Paris's gardens and cemeteries had been closed because of the dangers related to the high winds. And the cherry on top was that it was also raining. You know how easy it is to stay dry when it's raining and super windy.

But the rain has stopped, the wind has calmed, and the sun is fighting valiantly to break through the clouds. From time to time, a ray escapes. I'm grateful for those rebel rays.

I'm also grateful for the sweet friend who invited me to her book club this morning at one of Paris's beautiful palace hotels, The Hôtel de Crillon. The other ladies were lovely, and the venue is hard to beat. It was a really nice way to start off the week.

Another thing I'm grateful for - good books. I hadn't read the book club book (I was only invited late last week), but I'm going to read the April book, The Man Who Outshone the Sun King, because it's an interesting and sad story. The subject is a man named Nicolas Fouquet who was the Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV. Long story short, he built the Château de Vaux le Vicomte, but just three weeks after throwing a reception for the king at his new château, he was arrested on the king's order and thrown into prison where he would stay until his death almost twenty years later. The beautiful château which was the model for Versailles is still privately owned. It was given to its current owner as a wedding gift. If I ever get married, I hope someone gives me a gorgeous château as a wedding gift.

As I type this, I'm bookended by Gracie on the left who is snoring softly and Luigi on the right who is completely silent. My heart.

So there you have a few things I'm grateful on this windy, rainy, chilly Monday. And you? What are you grateful for today?

bisous

Sunday

Hiya!

Ah, Sunday...the day when I let myself stay in my pjs all day if I want to. Usually I change into yoga pants and a top when the weather's cold or a light little dress when it's hot, but I do have the option of all day pjs if I want it. Today I went with the yoga attire. Yoga practice optional.

So if you're still here after THAT boring paragraph, bless you. :) Alright, gratitude. Here are just a few of the things I'm thankful for:

My sweet neighbor. We had a little locksmith intervention last Sunday afternoon because her key got stuck in the lock and refused to budge, so yesterday, she invited me over for a little apéro to thank me for helping her get back into her apartment. She's 94 and so interesting. She's traveled to so many places, so every time we get together, I end up asking her about some fabulous place she's been. She is truly delightful and sharp as a tack, and we'd all be lucky to measure up to her at that age.

Youtube. I've been watching Seth Godin interviews, and I feel like I've got a few new ideas to try this week. Exciting!

Avocados. I picked up two earlier this week and had one a day or two ago. It was like buttah! Seriously, so delicious. The second one is on the menu for tonight.

I'm going to let myself stop with 3 things. I always have tons of things to be grateful for, but three is enough for now.

And you? What are you grateful for today? Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy your Sunday!

bisous