...Still elusive...Madelyn Mulvaney taking photos at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver. Rarely is she without her camera.
You may know this photographer and blogger extraordinaire through her sunny, uplifting words and unique photos. She's fond of hiding her face behind books, behind her camera, even behind a green typewriter! It's a privacy thing.
Earlier, Maddie had agreed to let her face be shown on Paris Parfait, so I posted her photo. But sometimes she is shy and she asked me to take the first photo down. So I reluctantly agreed. Maddie is not only beautiful, she's witty, smart, talented and compassionate with a warm heart and wise and generous spirit.
I could go on for ages about this remarkable woman, whose friendship is a tremendous gift in my life. We communicated for nearly two years, by email and phone before we finally met in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Maddie and I wandered around the Granville Island Market, where we had lunch al fresco, took photographs until my camera's memory was exhausted and spent too much money buying beautiful journals. We had an elegant dinner at the former speakeasy Lucy Mae Brown's and on my last evening in Vancouver, a more lively meal at a Thai restaurant in Yaletown. We exchanged gifts - including lovely treats sent from our mutual friend Gillian - in my apartment in downtown Vancouver.
We walked and talked for hours about the usual suspects: children; art; poetry; travel; photography; friendship; men. We discussed ongoing creative projects and plotted ways to meet again in our travels. We shared secrets and fears; wishes and dreams. After I returned to Paris, Maddie's detective work helped reunite two long-lost friends...someone special, who plays a key role in my upcoming novel.
Yes, there's something magical about Maddie, the bright and shining Persisting Star!
this made me feel so loved and happy Tara ~ you are truly
my kindred sister ~ and destiny brought us together:)
and i just can't wait to see you again:) oh! and
the banner
*gasp*
wow
thank you for including my photo:)
i LOVE you lots!!!!
Posted by: maddie | 06 July 2008 at 01:32
Oh! Here she is! Now this is a big DEAL...she never lets herself be seen but YOU managed to get her here. And I'm so delighted to see her. :) Her ears must be burning right now hehe
I didn't know you posted so often, so I was surprised to find so many new posts. Delish :)
Posted by: devil mood | 05 July 2008 at 00:48
ps.
Yes, Maddie is very pretty indeed!
Posted by: rochambeau | 04 July 2008 at 20:14
The fact that your two of lovely woman could meet in person makes my heart smile too!! And thinking about the amazing way the blogosphere connected you like magic!
Here's to two beautiful people getting to meet and connect in person!
So happy it is!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 04 July 2008 at 20:14
Again, I'm amused and impressed to have a virtual friend in Paris introduce me to someone right back here in my back yard! I'll be visiting this new blog regularly, thanks to you.
Posted by: materfamilias | 03 July 2008 at 18:43
Tara,
Thanks for sharing your lovely friend. I will be visiting her blog daily for inspiration, just like I do yours!
LIsa & Alfie
Posted by: Lisa Wilson | 03 July 2008 at 18:26
Maddie looks just great. She is a beautiful lady. The fact that you have developed a good communication and friendship is important. No doubt you are both good personalities.
Posted by: Philip | 03 July 2008 at 17:03
OH MY GOD!!! ALL hail to the Queen! How did you finagle this? Your majesty my hat's off to you! I am so happy to see her lovely face. She has touched so many people with her words and her art. It is truly a pleasure to see her face at last.
Posted by: Yoli | 03 July 2008 at 16:39
I'm totally in love with her photos ! they are so inspiring ! I'm happy to be abble to put a face on a beautiful art
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | 03 July 2008 at 15:23
Hey Tara, I sent you an email but it might be an old one - I think it was gmail... did you get it??? Talk soon... Vida x
Posted by: vida | 03 July 2008 at 14:29
Now there is the face I adore! Tara, I walked that market with Maddie, we shopped til we dropped too...but I came away without a photograph of her. I know I took one. It magically disappeared from my camera's memory for some strange reason. I was so sad! Looking at this picture just brought it all back for me. Yes, she is beautiful inside and out. Charismatic? Check! Passionate? Check! Caring? Check! Yes, I too could go on. My sister in law fell in love with her too. What's not to love about Maddie. Glad you two had the luxury of so much time together...I am jealous!
Looking forward to August when I am able to meet her again (without little ears listening to our every word!), she is going to be here. Yay!
Now, about YOUR visit to Canada....! When are you coming??
xoxox
Posted by: Gillian | 03 July 2008 at 13:39