Vendredi et La Poste

After returning from the airport Wednesday, I went into Jordana's bedroom to find her much-loved childhood toys arranged on her bed (which made me even more teary, after saying goodbye earlier). From left, they are Snuggle (wearing his outfit the budding seamstress made at age three), Paddington Bear (a gift from a friend in London); Glowy (she's had since her first birthday; when you hug him tight, he glows with light) and Gund (her first stuffed bear, a gift from Heidi, my best friend in New York).

Hooray, it's Friday, right? Normally I would agree. But so far my day is best described like one of Jordana's favourite childhood books Alexander Tara and the No Good Really Horrible Very Bad Day. Quel surprise, most of the angst is down to French bureaucracy and the infuriating snideness and pompous attitude of certain male officials, who absolutely revel in wielding power. If I'd been in America, I would have made a fuss and insisted on my rights. Here, I'd be wasting my breath. And do not get me started about a certain American president and his deluded plans for victory in Iraq unless you want to hear my screams of frustration across the Atlantic! Ok, deep breaths, d-e-e-p cleansing breaths. There, that's better.

You know what a book fiend I am. Becky Ramsey's book French by Heart: An American Family's Adventures in La Belle France is about her family's experiences in Clermont-Ferrand. I've just skimmed through a few paragraphs and it looks like a really fun read - adventures good and bad, viewed (by necessity in France) with a delightful sense of humour. Becky very kindly offered to send the book, as my blog prompted memories of her life in France.

Then there's Karen DeGroot Carter's One Sister's Song. Several months ago, Karen asked if I'd like a copy of her book. I forgot all about it, until a couple of weeks ago. Seems the package arrived months earlier, but a substitute gardien received the delivery. She put it on top of a filing cabinet in the building office. Apparently the package then fell behind the cabinet, to be rediscovered only when the cabinet was moved to vacuum! After all that drama, I'm so excited to read this story of a biracial woman returning to her hometown as guardian to her young nephew. When preparing to sell her sister's old farmhouse "a series of discoveries forces her to rethink everything she's ever assumed about love, race and respect," according to the back cover. I can't wait to curl up on the sofa and start reading! Thank you, ladies!

Yes, it's almost that time again! The 75th Foire Nationale aux Antiquites, a la Brocante et aux Jambons at Chatou. Tickets arrived yesterday from one of my favourite antique dealers, Blandine Bavoux. And my blogging friend Di of Designers' Block UK will be coming along on opening day, September 28. The brocante runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through October 7. If traveling by train, take the RER A1 direction Saint-Germain-en-Laye to Rueil-Malmaison or Chatou-Croissy and walk to the Ile de Chatou.

Tulle and ribbon-wrapped packages from my dear friend Kristen Robinson. Her work - including this gorgeous necklace - has recently been featured in several magazines. I'm happy to say, I am now the proud owner! And the adorable bracelet was a gift from Kristen. Both items arrived nestled inside elegant black tulle.

Judie of A Little Room for Art thoughtfully sent these two postcards of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which connects St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida. The first card was printed in 1954 when the bridge was built. In 1980, a freighter collided with the pier support on the southbound span, causing a Greyhound bus and six cars to plunge into the water. The second card features a photo of the new bridge, completed in 1987, at a cost of $244 million. Judie said the design is inspired by a bridge a former Florida governor saw during a visit to France!

Sam, a very kind reader from New Zealand, sent some lovely photos of four churches grouped in and around Leeston, New Zealand. Merci bien, Sam!

Comments

[Erin]

Seeing your daughter's stuffed animals brought back a lot of good memories for me - I had Snuggle & Glowy, too, they were some of my best tea party friends when I was very little.

[eb]

so much loveliness here all at one swoop as is always the case visiting dear Tara - oh those stuffies... can't go there yet with mine and his Sammie the dog who has traveled everywhere with Boone...

much love...

xox - eb.

[Mélanie]

Please , Please , s'il vous plait Tara don't tell anybody about french bureaucracy and above all about la poste !!!
I spend my worst time in there and it is why sometimes I miss so much America

[Frida]

Hi Tara! So much goodness to catch up on after my three week away from the internet. I really hope that you are not having any more no good, really horrible, very bad days this week. I loved your post about your cousin, that's exactly how I would love to be remembered by someon - as a person who took the time to take them seriously, to ask questions because I cared and listen as though it mattered. There are so many things in the world we cann't control (your President being one example) but achieving this simple act of genuine concern, interest and kindness is more than enough to make any day a good day, no?

[tinker]

Oh meant to say lovely jewelry and other gifts, too!

[tinker]

What wonderful books you've received in the mail - happy reading, Tara.
I can imagine how your heart must have swelled, seeing those childhood keepsakes - mine got a little fuller for you, just seeing the photo. It brought back some memories of my own - Bonnie had a glow worm, and 'Alexander and the Horrible Terrible No Good Very Bad Day' was Brook's favorite book as a child.

Hope you've gotten rid of your headache, and that today's title for you would be 'Tara and the Very Good Everything's Wonderful Day' ~ XOXO

[rochambeau]

Dear Tara,
A big Hug and three kisses to you from across our ocean, where mermaids are swimming, frolicking and singing.

Your new necklace and bracelet are beautiful. Kristen is a lovely person too so it makes sense!

So happy you and Di will celebrate together. Makes me happy too!

xox,
Constance

[My Melange]

Tara,

My younger sister had a 'glow worm' growing up too! She went everywhere with it....including to sleep. Haven't seen it in a while...thanks for the memories!

[Jeanne]

That post brought tears to my eyes about you going into your daughters room. I hold my son's Paddington bear from childhood often and dream about our lovely days spent side by side.
How I miss them.
Thanks for all that you share.
Love Jeanne

[artzyjudie]

One Sister's Song is going to be my next Amazon purchase (waiting for another to come out in October so we can save the shipping fees!). I've already checked it out....5 stars...yes! Thanks for the reference.

[Kristen R]

I could not help but tear up reading about your journey into Jordana's room, it is difficult to think of the future hard to even digest that one day Conner will go on his own journey in life. Hmmmm I'll only be 50 perhaps Travis would not mind if I go off to college again in another 13 years.

I am enthralled by the books, the covers offer a nice welcome to the world, perhaps I must read them.

As always I am honored by your words it brings me an incredible amount of joy to know you own this piece.

XOX
Kristen

[mgm]

awwww daughters bed all those reminders of her...ok the glo worm! hahahahha! I've got one of those too...it's packed away now tho, thanks for making contact! ..lovely packages to get in the mail!

[Sophiehoneysuckle]

What beautiful parcels to receive, you defintely deserve them this week. I was so sorry to read about your cousin, your recent posts really touched me, and as always gave me lots to think about.
Hope you and your friend Di have lots of fun at the Brocante and find plenty of treasures xx

[Merisi's Vienna]

Could have been one of my children's bed: the Glo Worm, faithful companion through the nights, Paddington Bear, Gund stuffed teddies. We also have Cabbage Patch Kids, oh gosh, the only time I stood in line for toys at Toys R Us, that Christmas when they first were all the rage. *giggle* They were so ugly and my oldest loved them so much. Steiff stuffed anything? For heaven's sake, much too fancy (with friends giving them a three foot bear *autchie*).
And then "Alexander and the Horrible ... ", how often have I read that book to them? (And there was even a production at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC!).

[cate]

I recently farewelled my 23yr old son from Sydney,Australia to New York city for 2 years......Skype and blogging keeps us in touch, and I'm planning a visit next year. Airports are sad!!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Hola Mi amore, Oh, I almost cried looking at Jordana's toys... arranged.... Oh, my heart.... I am so glad you came home to treasures. Miss Robinson is a lovely girl indeed, and her creations.. Well, wonderful just wonderful! xxxoooo

[Gillian @ Indigo Blue]

Tara,
You are such a great mom. Keeping a room for Jordana like that. Some mothers would have converted it to a study already!
Love the glow worm. Olivia has one somewhere, although hers is the 2000 version. Those things have been around forever.
You received some wonderful treats in the mail, I guess you make an impression on some people huh!
xo
Blue

Tara responds:
Well it's still Jordana's room, but it's frequently occupied by guests and the decor has changed. The stuffed animals usually live in the closet. And one corner has been cleared away for an art/sewing table, of which Jordana approves.

[Becca]

Jordana's stuffed animals lined up in the bed nearly made my cry, too! How sweet.

I'm so envious of your wonderful mail deliveries. That necklace is gorgeous (I am such a jewelry girl!)

[simon]

Bridge building inspired by france? I can understand that.

did you know Melbourne city is designed based on Paris?

[marita]

i can imagine you entering jordana's room after she left...looking at her compagnions on her bed, put together waiting for her return in a few months.
the tule packages from your friend look very lovely!!

[designflute]

Such a wonderful package you have given for weekend! Feelings, books, bridges, gifts, family and prayers! May I come on Monday for tea?

[Becky]

How sweet you are to put my cover on your blog! You've brought me such happiness with your pictures and writing that I'm hoping French By Heart will do the same for you!

And don't get me started on the deep breaths needed for the speeches...I'll hyperventilate!
Take care Tara!

[Becky]

How sweet you are to put my cover on your blog! You've brought me such happiness with your pictures and writing that I'm hoping French By Heart will do the same for you!

And don't get me started on the deep breaths needed for the speeches...I'll hyperventilate!
Take care Tara!

[maddie]

Ohhhhhhh!

I loved seeing the stuffed animals on her bed - and
don't be sad sweetie - they are waiting for grandchildren
to come and play with them:)

[Tammy]

I thought of you as I caught the gist of "B's" speech on the news. I can't watch his speeches because d e e p breaths don't work.

Those stuffed animals made ME sad...precious!

Give Rel a big Tammy hug. :)

Much love!

[Amber]

Wow, so much here! I just wanted to say how cute that cover of the book about the American Family in France is. Adorable.

:)

[Delia]

Such loveliness today...catching up on your blog--sigh!
Love,
D.

[Colette]

Ah, la poste! Don't get me started either. Someone somewhere is sitting on the package you sent me a long time ago: Grrrr.

As for certain presidential speeches last night, don't get me started there either. Doublespeak was the order of the day.

Enjoy your goodies!
xoxoxo

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

Tara, what a nice surprise to see my book featured on your blog. You've made my day. Your post about your cousin and the impact of simple acts of kindness, coupled with your post about the critical need for all people to treat each other humanely, create an important message to consider this week. 9-11, Ramadan, Rosh Hashana; so many reasons to remember who we are and why we're really here. On a much simpler note, the photo of Jordana's favorite lovies says it all.