Paris Parfait

A concrete rug?

These handpainted concrete tiles were inspired by the famous Ardabil carpet from 16th-century Iran. The carpet is the highlight of an exhibition currently underway at the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The exhibition features 400 priceless objects including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork.

British artist Eileen Elliott painted the concrete in various patterns swirling through the Ardabil carpet's rich tapestry. I admired these tiles 12 days ago at the V&A Museum Gift Shop, but decided even one was too heavy to carry on Eurostar. Instead, I ordered the pieces online. Now where to put them - any ideas? If not for the prohibitive expense, it would be nice to "carpet" an entire room with these beauties.

Tower and trees

Photo of Eiffel Tower, Paris by Qingbo Sun

"The garden" is the One Deep Breath theme this week. For me, hydrangeas on my balcony comprise the only thing remotely resembling a garden. So for my haiku I focused on a manicured landscape of trees along the Champ de Mars, fronting the city's much-touted architectural wonder.

French marvel shrouded
in mist; treeline pruned to match.
Man, nature unite.

Shaping trees to match
stark relief against the sky
obscured by dense fog.

Famous silhouette
accented by row of trees,
echoing design.

Shameful acts

Jesus Christ turned water into wine at a wedding here, according to Biblical narrative. In 1996, the Lebanese city of Qana again drew the world's attention, as the Israelis pounded a United Nations base sheltering Lebanese civilians. More than 100 people died, with an additional 100 people injured in what the Israelis said was an offensive against Hezbollah. The Qana Massacre, as it came to be known in Lebanon, led to international condemnation and brokering a ceasefire.

Israel insisted the shelling was accidental, as its forces sought Hezbollah fighters firing rockets from nearby. But in May 1996 a UN investigation invalidated Israeli claims. Citing the "repeated use of airburst shells" over the UN compound - with shrapnel raining down, causing horrific injuries among civilians - the UN report said Israeli helicopters and a drone in the skies over Qana surely witnessed the massacre.

Qana has recently borne witness to three other brutal incidents, including Israel bombing two Lebanese Red Cross ambulances and an airstrike on Lebanese photojournalist Layal Nejib's car. Most recently, Israel bombed an apartment building, killing more than 54 civilians, including at least 34 childen. Families already displaced by the conflict were sheltering in the basement of a house flattened after a direct hit by Israeli bombs.

The action led Lebanon's prime minister to denounce "Israeli war criminals." Talks scheduled with Condoleeza Rice, the US secretary of state were cancelled.

And Israel's stated defense for the bombings? A few days ago it dropped leaflets urging residents to flee South Lebanon. At the same time, Israel kept bombing the roads, making passage difficult - even if civilians had a vehicle or financial means to leave the area. Never mind all those obstacles, the civilians should have left, an Israeli government spokesperson told reporters.

The latest tragedy in Qana follows on the heels of Israel shelling an outpost near the Lebanese-Syrian border, injuring two UN peacekeepers and killing four UN peacekeepers last week, despite repeated warnings of their location.

Israel justifies such brutal actions by insisting Hezbollah is hiding among the civilian population. But does this give Israel carte blanche to bomb any and every target of its choosing? How many more people will prove collateral damage in these senseless acts of violence?

Shame on Hezbollah for killing innocents - both in Israel, with random rockets and in Lebanon, by making civilians an easy target.

Shame on Israel for sowing a reckless path of death and destruction throughout Lebanon in the name of self-defense.

Shame on the United States and Great Britain for providing weapons to Israel, while pledging aid packages to the devastated country of Lebanon. Shame on the US and Britain for refusing to use their influence with Israel to enact a cease-fire. Shame on both countries for fueling a firestorm threatening to consume the region and for increasing anti-Western sentiment.

Shame on all who elect war, rather than seeking to further the course of peace. As I write this, the United Nations has scheduled an emergency security council session about the deteriorating situation in Lebanon. If only the principal aggressors would stop fighting long enough to listen...

New horizons

Photo, New Zealand by Marie-Claire Holmes

This haiku was inspired by Jessie's move this week to a new house and town and Kay's journey from Singapore to London. Bonne chance et bonne courage, mes amis!

New horizons mean
more challenges unfolding;
adventures welcome.

Fueling the fire

It's no wonder the US and Britain have dismissed calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The US is actually fueling the fire, by providing planeloads of bombs to Israel! So much for diplomacy.

Certainly, it's no secret that the US is Israel's closest friend, repeatedly selling Israel weapons, technology and providing financial aid. Britain also has sold arms to Israel. But the dangerous repercussions of these two nations providing not just tacit support for Israel, but currently sending weapons - as Lebanon falls victim to the onslaught - will ignite a wildfire throughout the region.

As you read this, planeloads of bombs from America are moving through Britain to Israel. Read the outrageous news here and here.

The power of beauty

Photo by Qingbo Sun, Paris

"My two cents" is this week's Sunday Scribblings topic. My piece about the power of beauty and aging gracefully was inspired by a news item that a Malaysian Muslim group has banned the use of botox. While I don't like the way botox tends to leave people looking like deer caught in the headlights, I don't think a religious body has the right to try to regulate what beauty treatments its citizens choose.

In 1997, I frowned as a photographer in Pacific Grove, California handed me my passport renewal photo. He smiled as I stared at the photo, searching for flaws. "It's beautiful, even if you don't think so. And ten years from now, you'll be glad for this photograph."

Nine years later, I'm happy to report that my face has barely changed since that photograph was taken. Wasn't it George Orwell who said "at 50, you have the face you deserve?" Now I am closer to 50 than 40 - and don't ask, that's just rude! - the years of religious moisturising combined with high cheekbones and a round baby face have done their job fairly well. Yes, there are a few laugh lines around the eyes. And a line or two appear on my forehead if I frown. Otherwise, no real complaints. (As for the body, that's a different story. You women out there know what I'm talking about).

I was briefly engaged to a Nashville rich boy, who was notoriously tight-fisted. When discussing projected finances he often referred to "pink balloon" purchases, or little luxuries. At dinner with friends he famously said, "I don't mind if you spend five dollars on a jar of moisturizer." I looked at him incredulously, as other women at the table averted their eyes in horror. "Five dollars? The moisturizers I use cost $50 or more." "Well I'm sure you could find something for much less," he replied, failing to note my obvious chagrin.

That little exchange pointed to a lifetime of having my choices questioned, the stress of which would certainly undermine benefits of all that moisturizer. So it was adios, amigo to the rich boy hoarding his pennies! (Needless to say, the important thing about moisturizer is not its price, but how well it works for your particular skin type).

Remembering that long-ago conversation, I am reminded of a scene in the first season of the American television show Desperate Housewives. The character Gabrielle uses her young lover's credit card to buy shoes. As his credit limit is quickly reached and he wonders how to pay the bill, he suggests she take the shoes back to the store. A shocked look appears on her face, as she dismisses his idea, "RETURN THE SHOES?? I can't talk to you when you're being hysterical."

It's all in the eyes

In my early '20s in New York, an art gallery owner invited me to dinner. Arriving at my apartment to pick me up, Lee noticed a black-and-white photo of me. Next to it was a portfolio containing head shots of my tall, willowy roommate, who was then house model for Saks Fifth Avenue, while trying unsuccessfully to make inroads into editorial work. Her photos had been shot by a professional photographer, using various hairdressers and makeup artists.

Lee picked up my photo, contrasting it with the professional ones. "You see this - it's an amateur's photograph, but it's better than any of these professional ones. Because it shows the light in your eyes, which reflects real beauty. All these photos of your roommate are technically good, but her face is flat and lifeless, like cardboard. There's nothing there: no expression; no sign of what's going on inside; no joy," he concluded. So that was my first big city lesson: that it didn't matter what clothes you were wearing or if you had a $200 haircut. What counted was brains, personality, charm, good manners and the art of conversation. Like our grandmothers were fond of repeating, "Beauty is as beauty does."

I was 19 when I first began to understand the real power of beauty. The power to enthrall a man; intoxicate him; to bring him under my spell. And I quickly learned I didn't have to be the most beautiful girl in the room to realise that power.

Food's varying roles

19th-century French soupcon and tureens

The prompt for Poetry Thursday is "food." This poem is about our varying relationships with food, at different times and places.

Food as solace
Food as a drug
Food as medicine
Food as love

Food as comfort
as a source of despair
food as heartbreak
a waist was once there!

Food as fashion
as decoration too
food as companion
for a long journey blue

Food for thought
for picnics so bright
food to calm you
through a long dark night

Food that's healthy
food that's just not
pumped with preservatives
and sugars - a lot!

Food as magic
from box to cupcakes
food as challenge
more souffles to bake

Food as glamour
a gateau or eclair
or perhaps a nice tart:
more sophisticated fare?

Food as sorrow
there's never enough
for refugees in Africa
finding sustenance is tough

Eat with your hands
in a Bedouin tent
a feast of roast lamb
and yoghurt with mint

Food at a banquet
a palace supreme
Don't mistake the rose bowl
for a single soup tureen

Food when camping
a day without care
keep it well-hidden
from the paws of a bear!

Watch this space

The canicule has dissipated somewhat, thanks to thunderstorms last night. Sadly, so far 64 people have died from the heatwave in France. The storms knocked out our broadband internet connection and cable, until about ten minutes ago. Please check back later for another post.

Heatwave antidote

Photo - New Zealand by Marie-Claire Holmes

Personally, I'd rather be in these snow-covered mountains in New Zealand than sweltering in the canicule affecting Paris, much of Western Europe and the United States. The French government's advice, as people literally are dying from the worst heatwave since August 2003? Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned grocery stores and movie theatres. No suggestions as to how we get any sleep! How are you coping with the relentless heat?

Will the real America please stand up?

In Abraham Lincoln's day, 34 states were part of the Union. Even after the South seceded, President Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag.

Ed. note - As an American, I love my country. But I am ashamed of the weak and ineffective way our government is behaving, particularly on the world stage. The opinions expressed in this piece are just that, my opinions and are intended not to offend, but to highlight dangerous mistakes the current administration is making.

When I think about recent actions - or more accurately, inactions - of my country's government and wonder at the remarkable lack of real care and concern for the world - other than in a self-serving manner - I just can't believe it. This America is not the country where I grew up: a nation strong and steady, always prepared to do the right thing. Yes, this young democracy made mistakes, but its heart was in the right place. I long for the great and noble country once admired and emulated in the international community; for the optimistic America that inspired Abraham Lincoln's insightful words to Congress on December 1, 1862:

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility...We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just - a way which if followed the world will forever applaud and God must forever bless."

The following haiku and poem were inspired by Condoleeza Rice's clueless attempts at diplomacy and by the Bush administration's appalling lack of true understanding and respect for the Middle East, its rich history and its people.

Careless disregard
for a region's history;
Shocking arrogance.

Where is my country
once so strong and brave?
I hardly recognize you now;
you keep fueling the rage.

You pay casual lip service
as two nations weep,
Where is your compassion;
your promises to keep?

Peace prospects flicker,
dim with every passing day
why won't you intervene,
help them all find a way?

You talk of drawing new maps
to suit your latest whims;
of refashioning alliances
to help all your friends.

Abuse of such power means
many innocents die
The region in chaos;
just spreading more lies!

The effects of this madness
could engulf the whole region
in a wildfire of trouble,
consuming all seasons.

These problems affect us
each and every one
Until we walk a peaceful path,
Our work is never done.

May God have mercy
on all nations involved,
while world leaders argue;
can such sins be absolved?

Where is my lost hero
a nation once revered?
We must rise to this challenge;
and with wisdom, persevere!

Children live or die by our actions;
can't we make them proud?
Look beyond differences
seeking peace; no war allowed.

A moment of peace

Photo - New Zealand by Marie-Claire Holmes

Beautiful vista
longing for serenity;
a moment of peace.

"A new Middle East?"

Just what does Condoleeza Rice mean when she talks about creating "a new Middle East?" The seemingly glib statements made by the American secretary of state during visits to Beirut, Ramallah and Jerusalem are sending ripples of alarm throughout the Middle East. Do these statements made so casually signal the Bush administration's alliance with its oldest friend, hoping to redraw maps and boundaries in an increasingly volatile region?

The Independent in London has an excellent article outlining five options for resolving the current conflict.

Israel-Lebanon developments

This post is compiled from news reports and information from personal contacts. Parts II and III of my pieces about Israel and Lebanon will appear later this week.

On Tuesday, a defiant Israeli prime minister vowed to continue incursions into Lebanon and attacks on suspected Hezbollah outposts. While acknowledging he was "very conscious" of humanitarian needs of Lebanese civilians, Ehud Olmert said Israel would continue to "defend itself against terrorism."

Overnight, a family of seven Lebanese civilians were the latest casualties from Israeli bombs intended for Hezbollah. As of 4 p.m. GMT, nearly 400 Lebanese - the majority of them civilians - have died in the conflict, while 1,596 more have been injured. About 35 Israelis have died, either civilians falling victim to Hezbollah rockets or soldiers directly involved in the conflict.

As Hezbollah continued to fire rockets into Israeli territory, Condoleeza Rice, the American secretary of state, met Olmert in Jerusalem. She said conditions must be established before a ceasefire can take place. Those conditions reportedly include the release of two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Further, Western countries are expected to seek a new Security Council resolution, calling for implementation of Resolution 1559, adopted in September 2004. That resolution called for disbanding Hezbollah as a militia, with Lebanese government control to be extended to the border with Israel.

Rice talked in vague terms about "a new Middle East" and appeared to greenlight continuing Israeli actions in Lebanon. Rice's attempts at diplomacy during visits to Beirut, Ramallah and Jerusalem have been dismissed as "disappointing" by several leaders in the region.

French Foreign Minister Phillipe Douste-Blazy told reporters he is convinced "a ceasefire is possible." "In Jerusalem as in Beirut, my message is the same: reaching as rapidly as possible a ceasefire which meets Israel's legitimate aspiration for security and which ensures the survival of the Lebanese state, because the survival of the Lebanese state is in Israel's interest," Douste-Blazy said.

The Saudi foreign minister has also requested a ceasefire. Prince Saud Al Feisal said cessation of hostilities would allow Lebanon to establish its sovereignty "over the whole of its territory." "That is the important thing," he noted.

In a visit Monday to Beirut, UN humanitarian aid chief Jan Egeland accused Israel of using excessive force in seemingly indiscriminate bombing of Beirut and south Lebanon. The UN has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe. In the last two weeks, more than 750,000 Lebanese civilians have been displaced by Israeli aggression aimed at Hezbollah. Egeland said Hezbollah has compounded the danger by "cowardly blending in among women and children," in effect making them vulnerable targets.

Flowers shatter stone

Wildflowers emerge
fighting stone, defying odds
hope springs eternal.

We live together
in this vast global village.
Harm one, affect all.

Half a world away
horrors on the evening news
shocking our senses.

Oceans of our tears
won't bring back to life
innocent victims.

History bears proof
lessons failed are repeated.
Some fools never learn.

Just look away, dear
complacent world citizens;
chaos reigns supreme.

This week's One Deep Breath prompt is "perspective." The first haiku was inspired by a photo taken earlier this year in New Zealand by Marie-Claire Holmes. I also remembered Steve Wariner's and Henry Jarvis's 1989 song on MCA Records, The Flower that Shattered the Stone. An excerpt: "...In the hearts of the children, a pure love still grows. Like a bright star in heaven that lights our way home; like the flower that shattered the stone."

For ten haiku related to the situation in Lebanon, go here.

Another American wins the Tour de France

Another American has won the Tour de France! Floyd Landis overcame physical pain and various obstacles to finish the world's greatest cycling competition wearing the yellow jersey. I was unable to watch today's finale other than on television. But my husband took photographs as the cyclists sprinted through Boulogne-Billancourt, before descending upon the Champs Elysees. We've been privileged to witness five of Lance Armstrong's seven wins in Paris, so another American winner was a big surprise. Read the good news here.

Collateral damage

This is the first of three posts about the tragic situation in Lebanon.

That child on the ground:
the collateral damage.
How many must die?

As a reporter, I started covering the Middle East in 1979. And I can't remember a more dire situation than the one that currently exists. The extreme actions of both Hezbollah and Israel have sent peace prospects spiraling back 25 years. Make no mistake, events of the last eleven days will have far-reaching consequences, for the region and for the world. The entire Middle East will shudder with aftershocks from the reckless destruction of Lebanon.

Just a year ago, the Bush administration praised Lebanon as a shining example of democracy. But now this good friend has been abandoned by the United States and Britain. The United Nations has stepped in, seeking an immediate cessation of hostilities. The UN is trying desperately to staunch the gaping wounds, as Lebanon's hemorrhaging blood begins to stain the region.

A humanitarian disaster looms. More than 700,000 Lebanese citizens have been made homeless by Israeli bombs. Forced into mass exodus, many are flying white flags of surrender from car windows - that is, those lucky enough to have cars. Where will these refugees go? Syria's and Jordan's infrastructures already are reeling from the dramatic influx of refugees from the Iraq War, some 450,000 in Jordan alone. Absorbing thousands more refugees from Lebanon will prove a strain on their already overtaxed resources.

When British cities were victim to IRA bombs, did the government respond by bombing Ireland into oblivion? Did they punish an entire country for the actions of a few extremists? Obviously not. So why aren't the U.S. and Britain insisting on a ceasefire, rather than allowing mass casualties and utter destruction of Lebanon?

Last week, George Bush refused to sanction stem cell research, saying he believes "all human life is valuable." Does his philosophy apply just to American lives? Hundreds of Lebanese civilians and many Israelis are dying needlessly and Bush - supposedly the most powerful man in the world - has done nothing to stop it. Israel's response to Hezbollah rockets, however provoked, is disproportionate. Ten Lebanese civilians are dying for every Israeli. From any moral compass, how is this escalating violence even remotely acceptable?

Diplomats dither
amidst death and destruction.
Where is the outrage?

A sad tragic end
to a young wife's life;
missles fired too near.

Their homes have vanished
in a blaze of smoke and ash
Innocents suffer.

Fleeing their village
beset by exploding bombs;
A narrow escape.

Nations held hostage
by two enemies' mad rage
Pity the people.

Weep for Lebanon
staging ground for old battles;
More devastation.

Bullying tactics
a country lies torn to shreds;
Too many victims.

A war they never
wanted, these war veterans,
adapting to peace.

World superpower
gives carte blanche; turns a blind eye.
A nation's plundered.

Thief of hearts

Marble sculpture at The Louvre, Paris

This week's Sunday Scribblings topic is "thief." I could relate a few stories about theft. But I decided on a lighter approach, contrasting with the bleak news currently poisoning our atmosphere.

"Stop, thief!"
With a wink and smile, he stole my heart and ran
off to another continent,
my heart concealed like contraband.

A ransom demand followed;
messages and letters too
and a long-awaited phone call,
promising this love was true.

The "drop" a neutral country
where love could bloom and thrive
I had to get my heart back;
how else could I survive?

A rendezvous on foreign soil
enveloped in his power
My steely resolve slipped more and more
with every passing hour.

I pleaded, "Give my heart back,"
He smiled, "It's mine, you know.
Even if you turn away,
get on that plane and go."

"I'll always live inside your heart,
no matter where you are;
This connection is the purest thing
We'll ever have, by far.

"You knew it from that instant
our eyes met and we smiled.
You knew we'd be together
No matter what life's trials.

"So shall we strike a bargain;
do you want to make a deal?
I'll always keep your heart safe,
my hand on yours a seal."

Time, tide and circumstance
conspired to keep us far apart;
despite that fateful meeting
on the Ides of March.

Now I have my heart back,
but it's never been the same
since that moment, that first look
that night in Bahrain.

Bonjour les tous!

Marble sculpture complete with winged visitor, Paris - photo by Qingbo Sun

Hello everyone! Back from London, where my surgery went well. Of course, it turned out to be the hottest day on record in England! Thankfully, the hospital was air-conditioned, although the hotel wasn't.

My husband and I spent our days prior to the surgery buying a new laptop, enjoying a celebratory dinner with family at Laseez - our favourite Indian restaurant in South Kensington - and trying to stay cool in air-conditioned bookshops, stores and restaurants. Until two hours before the surgery, we were at the Victoria & Albert Museum seeing the fabulous Modernism: Designing a New World exhibition, including Russell Wright pottery, Breur chairs and other iconic American and European designs from 1914-1939.

Thank you all for your prayers, positive thoughts and lovely messages of support. I have been deeply touched by your thoughtful words and many expressions of kindness during these past weeks. Merci bien, mes amis!

I am moving rather slowly and hope to catch up on e-mail and your blogs over the next few days. As you might imagine, having spent years reporting from the Middle East, I have some things to say about the current crisis. Please check back later for more posts.

Au revoir, mes amis!

The sea as metaphor - Photo of seagulls at a seaside harbour, New Zealand, 2006 by Marie-Claire Holmes. Poem by Langston Hughes from his book Selected Poems, 1959.

Long trip

The sea is a wildnerness of waves
A desert of water
We dip and dive,
rise and roll,
Hide and are hidden
On the sea.
Day, night.
Night, day.
The sea is a desert of waves,
A wilderness of water.

These last few weeks, I have had flashes of deja vu, like living in San Francisco and experiencing the first low rumblings of an earthquake. Seismic shifts: first with health woes; then my computer crashed. That disaster was followed by a rental computer that's tried my patience while manuevering through its quirky minefield of bugs. All this was capped by Typepad's service outage in the midst of writing a piece.

The ground beneath my feet has felt fragile and shaky. I've noticed that many of my friends and fellow bloggers have been undergoing similar shockwaves. While this undercurrent of tension and anxiety expressed is temporary, it seems to reflect the general state of the world. I fully expect that soon we will be standing on firmer ground.

Am off to London to buy a laptop and have surgery. Thank you all for your lovely supportive messages and good wishes. Alas, I will miss participating in the upcoming Sunday Scribblings, One Deep Breath and Poetry Thursday. All being well, back in Paris on the 21st with better health and a working computer! A bientot, mes amis! And Bonne Fete to my French friends celebrating Bastille Day!

Laughing on the outside...

...crying on the inside. In our troubled world, reading the newspaper can prove a dismaying experience, with bad news often outweighing the good. Photo of man in China by Marie-Claire Holmes, 2005.

This week's Poetry Thursday prompt is to find humor in poetry. At the moment, I don't feel much like laughing, so didn't attempt to write a funny poem. But I found offerings from the After Hours group of Langston Hughes Selected Poems, first published in 1959. When I read the poems, I couldn't help but smile at the bittersweet comedy and tragedy of life.

What?

Some pimps wear summer hats
Into late fall
Since the money that comes in
Won't cover it all -
Suit, overcoat, shoes -
And hat too!

Got to neglect something.
So what would you do?

Gone Boy

Playboy of the dawn
Solid gone!
Out all night
Until 12 - 1 - 2 a.m.

Next day
When he should be gone
To work -
Dog-gone!
He ain't gone.

Angel wings in China

Child wearing inflatable "angel wings" in China, one of the places I'd most like to visit. Photo by Marie-Claire Holmes

UPDATE JULY 13 - This post has been republished, after vanishing during Typepad's service outage on Wednesday, July 12.

This meme has been popular lately; I read BB's (Becoming Amethyst) take, then Susan's (Soozphotoz), who challenged me to join in the fun.

10 Favourites

Favourite season: Fall, followed closely by spring
Favourite colour: Aqua blue like the ocean; red is a close second
Favourite time: Midnight
Favourite food: Bread - multigrain baguettes; San Francisco sourdough
Favourite drink: For day, tea; for dinner, Burgundy wine; for celebrations, champagne!
Favourite ice cream: Italian gelato or Pralines n' Cream
Favourite place: Must I choose just one? Impossible! San Francisco, Santa Fe and Seville enchant me.
Favourite sport: Bicycling and swimming; to watch, rugby!
Favourite actor: Gabriel Byrne (I met him in San Francisco)
Favourite actress: Diane Lane and Catherine McCormack

9 Currents

Current feeling: Anxious
Current drink: Iced Chai tea
Current time: 12:01 p.m.
Current show on TV: BBC World News
Current mobile used: Nokia
Current windows open: All of them - it's hot in Paris! As for the computer, BBC and Typepad windows
Current underwear: Victoria's Secret cotton
Current clothes: Cropped jeans and gauze shirt over tanktop
Current thought: I have too many things to do today!

8 Firsts

First nickname: I don't remember
First kiss: Allen in first grade
First crush: Jamie
First best friend(s): Angie and Marianne; in college, Pam, Dinah, Marci and LaJuan
First vehicle I drove: My parents' champagne-gold Buick LeSabre
First job: Babysitting, picking pecans, picking tomatoes
First date: I don't remember a real first date - we tended to hang out in groups
First pet: My dog Allen (named after first kiss guy)

7 Lasts

Last drink: Water
Last kiss: My husband, goodbye this a.m.
Last meal: Dinner - Spanish pork dish with red peppers and tomatoes
Last web site visited: Soozphotoz
Last film watched: Matchpoint
Last phone call: My daughter
Last TV show watched: CSI Miami

6 Have you evers

Have you ever broken the law: Technically, yes
Have you ever been drunk: Yes, in my early 20s
Have you ever kissed someone you didn't know: Yes! We do it all the time in France (kisses on both cheeks, when greeting)
Have you ever been in the middle/close to gunfire: Yes, as a reporter
Have you ever skinny dipped: No
Have you ever broken anyone's heart: Sadly, yes

5 Things

Things you can hear right now: Traffic, computer whirring, television news
Things on your bed: Summer-weight Rachel Ashwell quilt, sheets and pillows
Things you ate today: Watermelon
Things you wouldn't want to live without: Reporters' notebook and Waterman pen; laptop; digital camera; books; music; art; moisturizer; eyeliner; smiles, kisses and hugs.
Things you do when you are bored: I'm never bored.

4 Places you have been today

A bicycle ride
Home
Market
Post office

3 Things on your desk right now

Books
Arts and Crafts inkwell
Writing paper

2 Choices

Black or white: Black
Hot or cold: Cold when it comes to drinks and the weather; hot and spicy for food and music

1 Place you want to visit

Asia (I'd love to see India, Thailand, Bali, China and Japan) and South America - well who can choose just one??!!

Now, what about you??

Again, terrorism rears its ugly head

Your fate is ours; we
share all your pain and outrage.
Nations must unite.

Tonight my thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Mumbai, India as they face the terrible aftermath of seven simultaneous explosions on rush hour trains. As you must have heard, news reports indicate more than 160 people have died in the blasts, while scores are seriously injured.

This madness - reaching its tentacles to the far corners of the world - will never end until all governments face the consequences of their actions; of their effect on others. We inhabit the same precious planet and must try to bridge the gaps between rich and poor; between the haves and the have-nots. We need to encourage more dialogue; more discussion of opposing views. We must find solutions to stem this tide of terrorism, lest every country on earth be scarred by senseless violence.

Less than two days of freedom left for NatWest 3

Second update, July 13 - Curiouser and curiouser. A potential witness in the NatWest 3 trial has been found dead, apparently a suicide. The senior bank executive in Britain recently had been questioned by the FBI. Read the sad story here.

Update July 13, 8:43 a.m. GMT - The NatWest 3 have been handed over to US marshals at Gatwick Airport. Their flight to Houston is expected within the hour. On Wednesday British MPS protested the extradition, adjourning a House of Commons session after a three-hour emergency debate.

Cahal Milmo has an excellent article in London's The Independent about the harsh treatment the NatWest 3 can expect in the United States. On Thursday, the bankers will board a plane in London. US Marshals will accompany them on the long flight to Houston, Texas.

For more background about this strange Enron-related case that defies all legal standards, see my previous pieces here and here.

What are they thinking??!!

Fish at Belize Barrier Reef

Sometimes it's brutally obvious that immediate action is needed, as in saving 125 historic world heritage sites at risk from climate change. So it beggars belief that UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) is failing to adequately protect these sites, even when possible solutions are presented.

Meeting in Vilnius, Lithunia this week, the WHC has already rejected plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Further, the WHC has dismissed scientists' recommendations about environmental guidelines for assessing sites in potential danger, due to climate change.

Environmental groups say the WHC is concerned more about politics than about protecting natural and manmade sites including Mount Everest, Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Tower of London. Several groups have lodged petitions with UNESCO urging action to combat problems created by greenhouse gas emissions.

The sites most in danger include the Belize Barrier Reef, Huascaran National Park in Peru, the Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas and the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park on the United States/Canada border. Coral, glaciers and wildlife in these areas are threatened by rising temperatures and ocean acidification.

To read more about this situation, go here or to the World Heritage Committee's website. You can find related information at Climate Justice and Friends of the Earth International websites.

Waiting and waiting

Photo China 2005, Marie-Claire Holmes - Click to enlarge.

The prompt for this week's One Deep Breath was to write Haiku about rituals. Since time immemorial, waiting has been a necessary ritual: waiting for rain; waiting for a sign; waiting for a birth; waiting for death. Waiting for wars to end and governments to form; waiting for things to get better; waiting for a clue.

Waiting is sometimes an angry position to be in; often it is a humbling experience. The person waiting is - for the moment at least - virtually powerless, at the mercy of forces beyond one's control.

These seven Haiku were inspired by memories of various times in my life when I was forced to wait - for a phone call that never came; for a careless friend who didn't bother to show up; for critical news from a hospital; for word about a job offer; for my daughter to return home from a trip.

I've always found waiting difficult, which is why so many images sprang to mind. The last one was inspired by the current political climate.

The view can't reveal
the story he waits to hear;
A child coming home.

Looking down the street
Waiting for joy's arrival;
Long-delayed embrace.

Waiting for something
or someone long overdue
Minutes seem like hours.

Angry position
powerless right now, waiting
for someone to act.

Waiting by the phone
secretly fearing the worst;
Miracles needed.

Longing for a sign
of grace, a reason to smile
Waiting for the news.

Peer at the heavens
searching for portents of hope;
Troubles down the road.

Zizou's tarnished crown; sad night for France

Update 11 a.m. - Zinedine Zidane has been named the best player of the 2006 World Cup, earning the Golden Ball Award. Read the story here.

The French were headed for World Cup victory Sunday night in Berlin - that is until a trio of trouble arrived. Patrick Viera sustained a hamstring injury and Thierry Henry was sent off in overtime play, after suffering stomach cramps. Then the French captain Zinedine Zidane lost his temper in a very unsportsmanlike manner, capping his noble career not with the expected trophy, but a red card.

No matter what allegedly racist remarks the trash-talking Italian player Marco Materazzi made to him, Zidane blemished his own reputation, as well as the team's by reacting with violence. Read the sad story here. And congratulations to Italy, who broke the 1-1 tie in penalty kicks!

NatWest 3 face extradition this week

Three British bankers accused of aiding Enron have exhausted their appeals to face trial in the United Kingdom, rather than in the United States. The men known as the NatWest 3 are scheduled to be extradited to the US later this week. They deny conspiracy to defraud NatWest of 12 million pounds, six million of which allegedly was shared by two Enron bosses.

I wrote about this story months ago, just incredulous that under the guise of "relevance to terrorism" the Bush administration could seek extradition without producing any evidence of the NatWest bankers' alleged involvement in a crime. Perhaps even more disturbingly, the British government has complied with the request. These actions raise numerous issues about Transatlantic business transactions and the Bush administration's double standards.

Many British politicians and business leaders are outraged that the British courts have refused to hear the case, subjecting its citizens to a lengthy, expensive legal process on foreign soil. The men are expected to spend up to two years in a Houston, Texas jail while the US government tries to compile evidence to actually bring them to trial.

The Bush administration considers the trio "fugitives from justice," simply because they dared to appeal their extradition through the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The extradition is being pursued through a 2003 Treaty designed to fight terrorism. Unsurprisingly, the treaty has not been ratified in the US, effectively leaving the UK without a reciprocal legal arrangement. UK government officials are urging the US to formally ratify the treaty, as the US government is adopting the agreement as a means to extradite white collar workers.

Defense lawyers have argued the case has nothing to do with terrorism, but the British bankers are eager to defend any charges in a British court.

Hotels in France

Chateau de Sully, Bayeux, Normandie

Ah, hotels! This week's Sunday Scribblings topic has reminded me of many adventures while traveling.

Where to begin? Should I tell you about the time I arrived in London from the volatile Middle East, only to have my sleep disrupted by a bomb scare in the hotel? Or the heartfelt marriage proposal in a charmant Paris hotel?

Or maybe you'd be interested in the haunted 9th-century inn in Devon, England? Or the lovely hotel in Exeter, England which was brimming with 18th-century antiques and a world class restaurant? My husband and I returned a year later, only to find the new owner had thrown out the room-size 18th-century gilt French mirror that had graced the dining room - literally put it out with the trash. She had also discarded most of the hotel's remarkable antiques, replacing them with framed modern prints and cheap furniture totally out of character with the building's architecture.

Or perhaps you'd like to hear about the month my daughter and I spent at the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman, Jordan, refugees from the winter cold and an uncooperative landlord, who refused to turn the heat on for more than an hour a day? Or the hotel in pre-war Baghdad, its lobby filled with reporters, government minders and spies?

As a journalist and a traveler, I've visited many places in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East and stayed in numerous hotels, from ultra-luxurious to basic. At various times in my life, hotels have served as a refuge and escape; as a celebration and a delight. When I worked as a television reporter, hotel rooms were sometimes places to conduct political interviews, the hot camera lights focused so closely, I could feel sweat trickle down my back and my nose begin to shine.

I have dozens and dozens of hotel stories. Instead of telling those stories, today I'm going to recommend some unique hotel experiences in France. I promise you won't be disappointed:

1. Grand Hotel de la Reine, Nancy, Alsace-Lorraine. Located on the Stanislas Square in this beautiful city famed for Art Nouveau architecture, this former palace once hosted Marie Antoinette. Breathtaking surroundings for reasonable prices, depending upon the season. We had a huge suite, comfortably furnished with antiques and a Murano crystal chandelier for the equivalent of about $100 per night. UNESCO designated the hotel a World Heritage site.

2. Le Hameau de Barboron, Savigny-les-Beaune, Bourgogne. This beautiful stone farmhouse is in the countryside near Beaune, wonderful museums, restaurants and Burgundy wine country! Friendly owners and stunning rooms. On the winding road to reach the Barboron, deer may leap across your path. And the manicured grounds around the hotel are big enough to land a helicopter!

3. Ferme de la Ranconniere, Crepon, Normandie. Family-owned for several generations, this renovated farmhouse and stables features two locations, one about 900 metres down the road from the other. The stone buildings are elegant; the rooms filled with carefully-chosen antiques; the restaurant food and wine list superb and the family management very helpful.

4. Chateau de Sully, Bayeux, Normandie. When we were there, the restaurant's chef had been voted one of the Outstanding Young Chefs of Europe. The former chateau recently has been bought by an insurance company. Even with the change of management, it's hard to imagine staying here could be anything other than pleasurable. The rooms are stylishly furnished, with every modern convenience. And the restaurant's food and wine list are inspired!

Temporary reprieve

As you know, my computer crashed on Monday and I am unable to get a new one until July 18th when I'm in London. The French keyboards have a different configuration than English ones; alas, computer companies will not deliver to France. But thank you for your many messages of commiseration and suggestions!

Besides being unable to post or read your posts the last few days, I missed an opportunity to participate in a radio program about immigrant children trying to avoid deportation. Alas, I saw the invitation only this afternoon, when a rented (available for one week only) laptop was delivered. Being without computer access is like having a hotline to the world suddenly cut!

Thank you for your wonderful and heartfelt messages of support and solidarity, with regards to my upcoming surgery. I am deeply touched by your immense kindness and generosity. Truly, I am blessed to be part of such an amazing worldwide community of writers, artists and kindred spirits. Merci beaucoup, mes amis! I will be responding to your lovely messages.

Allez la France!

Photo of French football captain Zinedine Zidane, known as "Zizou."

Much ado in France this weekend, as World Cup fever has seemingly engulfed the country. As anybody who's been near a television screen or newspaper knows, France faces Italy in the World Cup Final Sunday in Germany.

The French team, fairly confident after defeating the powerhouse team Brazil and a semi-final win over Portugal, hopes to triumph.

Much of France is talking of what a fitting international career cap it would be for their retiring captain Zinedine Zidane.

The French won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, but followed that victory with a poor showing in 2002.

On Saturday, French tennis champion Amelie Mauresmo will meet the Belgian player Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Women's Final at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in Wimbledon, England. Following her semi-final defeat of the Russian Maria Sharapova, Mauresmo said she expects a tough match against Henin-Hardenne. American Venus Williams defeated her fellow American Lindsay Davenport to claim the Women's Wimbledon title in 2005. This year, no American players reached the semi-finals.

Update July 8 - Amelie Mauresmo clinched the Wimbledon title, defeating Justine Henin-Hardenne 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling match.

Meanwhile, the Tour de France sans Lance continues, with the American George Hincapie in third place overall, behind Australia's Michael Rogers and Belgium's Tom Boonen in the yellow jersey. Friday's Stage six extends 189km over flat country from Lisieux to Vitre in Northern France. Floyd Landis of the USA is in ninth place overall.

Closer to home - right across the street, in fact - the annual Solidays music festival is underway. Stages are erected on the grounds of the Hippodrome de Longchamp in the Bois du Boulogne. Highlights include music by the French group Tryo, the Dandy Warhols and Keane.

The music continues until around 3 a.m. through Sunday. As you might expect, neighbourhood residents won't be getting much sleep. The participating bands were performing "sound checks" until after 2 a.m. Friday. The Bois is filling up with music enthusiasts bringing sleeping bags, camping gear and tents for the weekend's duration. Sadly for them, it's starting to rain!

July 7th remembrance

On July 7, 2005, my husband and I were en route from Oxford to Devon when electronic signs overlooking the motorway flashed, warning drivers to "Avoid London; roads closed. Turn on radio." And of course we did, to hear the somber news that sent chills down my spine.

That day 52 people lost their lives and hundreds others were injured in bombings on the London Underground and a bus. Today, I join with millions of others in honouring those who died one year ago. I salute the courageous police, firefighters, doctors, paramedics and rescue personnel who helped save so many lives, as well as the ordinary Londoners who bravely came to the aid of their fellow citizens.

I also pay tribute to the survivors who have overcome numerous physical and emotional handicaps to rebuild their lives. May we all seek more tolerance, understanding and respect for one another, so that such a tragedy is never repeated.

Serious computer woes!

My computer worked briefly today, but has crashed and burned and must be returned to the manufacturer. I won't be in London for another two weeks to buy a new one - the French ones have different keyboards - so in the interim, I will have extremely limited access to e-mail and may be unable to post regularly, respond to your messages or read your blogs. I'm doing my best to resolve the problem ASAP, particularly as I need the computer for work! Thanks for your patience. Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans!

Jerash festival

Phantom production
shifting sands of history;
new roles envisioned.

Performers on stage
Assume the Roman mantle
Ghosts echo the past.

These Haiku were written for One Deep Breath. Photographs are of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre at Jerash, Jordan. Each July the Jerash Festival of Culture & Arts stages musical and theatrical productions on site.

Computer woes

My computer keeps shutting down every two minutes. Sometimes it will be fine for half an hour, then crash and I can't restart it for hours. So I may not be able to respond to your lovely messages or read your blogs for a day or two. I'll be back ASAP!

Two peas in a pod, ready to explode

Howard Rainier photo, courtesy of Blue Rain Gallery, Taos, New Mexico

Two Peas in a Pod is the prompt for this week's Sunday Scribblings. My husband says there's only one "p" in a pod, but that's another story. He also mentioned pea soup and some other things that might offend the sensibilities of all you cultured readers. He's British. Need I say more?

At the moment, the two peas in a pod that interest me are the Israelis and Palestinians. They're bound together in a pressure cooker, bubbling along, ready to explode. Undoubtedly you've read the news reports about Palestinian militant groups kidnapping an Israeli soldier. In exchange for his safe return, they're demanding release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

The Israelis refuse to negotiate with the Hamas-led Palestinian government, which in turn refuses to recognise the State of Israel and all previous peace accords. The Israeli military has positioned tanks and soldiers on Gaza's borders. In bombing raids under cover of darkness, Israel has destroyed the Gaza Strip's electrical power, cut their water supplies and bombed the Palestinian Interior Ministry.

These provocative actions have left millions of Palestinians in stifling summer heat, without drinking water or electricity to bake bread or cook meals. The United Nations has warned of an impending humanitarian crisis.

And the two peas in a pod? Each refuses to budge from their intransigent positions. The young soldier at the heart of the current dispute reportedly is in stable condition, wounded by shrapnel that killed two others.

Meanwhile, the people suffer. I'm sure I've written that sentence before, when reporting about the Arab-Israeli conflict. Yet somehow the situation rarely changes. Civilians of both sides suffer, while politicians and militants argue political points or proffer bargaining chips.

Many Palestinians and Israelis are friends - they play sports together and successfully collaborate on projects. One organisation that seeks to encourage dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli children is The Dialogue Project. The group hosts monthly meetings for Jews, Muslims and Christians to discuss issues of the day. Participants are urged to suspend their opinions and judgments and truly listen to opposing views, then engage in constructive dialogue.

The thing about two peas in a pod is that sometimes they rub up against each other, creating friction. Sometimes each wants to go his own way, but it's impossible: they're stuck together in that compact little pod. So they have to learn the art of compromise; to find new perspective for their common ground.

They have to believe that their similarities are greater than their differences; that their goals are linked and not mutually exclusive. Only after each side makes some hard concessions can the two peas in that pod learn to peacefully co-exist.

Liberty Arts & Crafts furniture

Many of you already know I'm mad about Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau furniture. Liberty of London is famous for both, so I was thrilled to spend some time this week admiring some of my favourite designs.

The traditional sofa (pictured) is covered with William Morris of Morris & Co.'s original velvet. The book on the sofa contains samples of other Morris & Co. fabrics still manufactured today. Note the fireplace behind the sofa. Liberty retains most of its charming 19th-century architectural features.

This Arts & Crafts settee at Liberty of London on Regent Street features original William Morris fabric.

One is not supposed to take photographs inside Liberty, but I managed a few discreet ones. The photos above and below are different views of the same buffet cabinet. I like the elegant simplicity of the piece.

Another handmade Arts & Crafts settee available for sale at Liberty of London.

This oak dining table and chairs is an original Arts & Crafts Design for Liberty & Co. The book on the table contains a selection of Arts & Crafts fabrics to cover the chair seats.

Liberty of London furniture

Never mind the big lorry (that's truck to Americans) turning in front of it - could there be a more welcoming sight than "Sale - 50% off" at my favourite store, Liberty of London?

At one of the Liberty of London entrances, a profusion of seasonal blooms greets visitors.

The iconic Barcelona chair is splashed with Liberty of London's famous Art Nouveau design. For a trifling £3,150 (about $2,495.75 or 1,951.18 euros), it could be yours!

A classic 19th-century high-back sofa is given a makeover with pale green silk upholstery at Liberty of London. Note the sofa's ball and claw feet.