Paris Parfait

One wall

Work-in-progress, my home office.

The bookcase contains language and photography books, an antique book press and my iPod. Vintage American typewriters from the 1940s and 1920s rest on an alphabet chest handmade by Luke Ellis of Kent & London. On the wall is an original Henri Cartier-Bresson photo of boats in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris (my old neighbourhood); a Mucha Art Nouveau alphabet drawing from 1901 and an oil on wood painting of nightfall over Santa Fe by Greg Moon of Taos, New Mexico. The 1950s Tolix stool is French and the Louis Poulsen suspension light is from Denmark. The colour-block tiles belonged to the house's previous owners; am still searching for a rug. The door leads to a balcony overlooking the garden and canal.

Missing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

With the exception of 2006 when I was in Seville, it's the first time in 11 years that I'm missing the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. It's disappointing not seeing the beautiful racehorses and the unusual hats in person. So I'm doing the next best thing and watching the festivities on television.

Here are photos from the 2010 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (click images to view detail):

Trying on hats.

A little girl looks through a hatbox of fascinators.

Race winner.

Serving Belgian waffles.

Buying sweets.

All photos from the 2010 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Holiday decor at Les Passages

Sparkly red tinsel and baubles hang from the skylights at Les Passages, Boulogne-Billancourt.

Giant snowflakes infused with gold pinpoint lights.

A glittery Christmas grotto entrance.

Trees dressed with tiny gold lights in the grotto.

Elf workshop vitrines.

Joyeuses Fetes and the outline of a Christmas tree on this window display.

Exiting Les Passages to snowy streets.

I took these photos a couple of weeks ago with the pint-sized Sony Nex-5. Thankfully, I'm not out braving the crowds to shop for holiday gifts. Instead, am on the way to Amsterdam. Back soon, it is hoped with good news about the future abode. Hope you're enjoying some lovely holiday festivities!

Snow-dusted palms in Paris

Snow-dusted palms and motorcycles during the season's first brief snow flurry in Paris today. Images were shot through the glass of a shopping complex.

No Black Friday holiday sales here, but there were quite a few shoppers at Les Passages, beating the Christmas rush.

Friday fete

Fall leaves for sale at a florist, Ile Saint-Louis, Paris.

Gorgeous stained-glass pieces at Vitrail de Bievre, 26 rue de Bievre.

Shop assistants, sweets shop, Ile Saint-Louis.

Scrawled drawing, Ile Saint-Louis.

Vintage wooden Pinocchio puppet, Ile Saint-Louis.

Wreath of mushrooms, Boulogne-Billancourt.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend

Horse sculpture near The Sculpture Park, Churt, England.

Europe's biggest horseracing event begins Saturday, Oct. 2 at Longchamp. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2010 features some of the world's top thoroughbreds competing in races beginning Saturday and culminating Sunday afternoon with the thrilling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The pre-race favourite is the three-year-old Behkabad, owned by the Aga Khan, trained by Jean-Claude Roget and ridden by French jockey Christophe Lemaire.

Another strong contender for the Arc title is Fame and Glory, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh. Workforce, trained by Sir Michael Stoute is also expected to do well Sunday.

Tickets are available at the gate at Hippodrome de Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. Entry to Saturday's events is 4 euros per person. Tickets for Sunday's races are 8 euros each. Admission is free for ladies wearing a hat and students under 18 and children.

For more information, visit France Galop's website, featuring a short film capturing the exciting atmosphere of the 2009 Arc. For my photos from the previous Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, go here.

Weekend sports

Learning to water-ski on the River Seine. Photos by David Holmes.

A more experienced skier wearing a striped shirt.

Roller hockey in the Bois de Boulogne.

Of course the biggest sport this weekend in Paris is the Tour de France finale on the Champs Elysee. Spainiard Alberto Contador is set to claim the top podium spot for the second year in a row. This will mean that in 2010, Spanish athletes have been victorious in the French Open, Wimbledon, the World Cup and the Tour de France!

 

  

 

Solidays 2010

Colourful clocks, Covent Garden, London. They remind me of the old vinyl records.

Never mind the transit strike, the Solidays music festival begins Friday, June 25th in the Bois de Boulogne. Thousands of people will be camped out on the grounds of Hippodrome de Longchamp (that's right across the street from the apartment; we're headed for London)! Headliners include French actress/singer Vanessa Paradis, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Hocus Pocus, Kasabian, Toots and the Maytals and Olivia Ruiz. Check out the full list of 80 musicians here.

Stages have already been set up within Longchamp and some bands are currently fine-tuning their sound systems. I can hear the evidence through the open balcony doors.

The annual event raising funds for HIV prevention, treatment and research continues through Sunday. Take Paris Metro Line 10 to Boulogne Jean-Jaures, exit the station to your right and follow Avenue Charles de Gaulle all the way to the Bois de Boulogne. You'll see signs pointing to various festival entrances. Enjoy!

P.S. My piece "The art of seeing" is featured today at Two Maisons. Merci, Susan!

Wildflower garden

A bee flies towards a poppy in the accidental wildflower garden.

For at least eight years, hortensia (hydrangeas) bloomed in this giant plant space on our balcony. Sadly, damage when the balcony was sand-blasted doomed the hortensia. When weeds started to grow in its place, I looked out the window and thought 'I should go pull them up.' But I was busy and traveling, so the weeds kept growing. Daisies and other wildflowers arrived, including a mass of poppies. My husband suggested we could consider it as a wildflower garden; certainly an improvement over a bed of weeds. As I snapped a photo, a bee buzzed by... Perhaps pulling the weeds can wait a while longer.

A plethora of pandas in Paris

1600 panda bears were on display Saturday at Les Passages at Boulogne-Billancourt. Pandas are increasingly under threat, as their native habitat - bamboo forests in Southwest China - diminishes. The World Wildlife Fund exhibition is in conjunction with the United Nations Year of Biodiversity initiative.

This little boy ran past the ropes, in his enthusiasm to touch the pandas.

His mom ran to retrieve him.

 

A group of pandas enjoyed the carousel.

This trio of pandas stood guard on top of an adjacent building.

A panda in the ticket booth.

This black-and-white dog moved closer to investigate the curious creatures.

 

...but seemed to lose interest.

The carousel at dusk. Thousands of excited children - and plenty of adults - visited the pandas, now an endangered species.

 

 

Go here to find various ways you can help assure the pandas' survival.

 

Children's t-shirts were selling like hotcakes Saturday at the WWF booth.

Triple snowfall

It snowed twice Wednesday and today as well in Paris: huge fluffy flakes that quickly coated everything in a blanket of white. An hour later, the sun shone and the snow melted. This afternoon, another flurry came down hard, only to vanish in an hour. That's the thing about weather in Paris: not only is it unpredictable, it changes every few minutes.

Of course, this is mere confetti, compared to the East coast of the United States. And Canada. Oh Canada! Hope some of my favourite Vancouver bloggers will be posting about the Olympic games, which commence on Friday.

Tiny little writing space

For days I've been waiting for enough sun to photograph my little home "office" (really just a corner of the salon, divided from the rest of the room by a bookcase). But the cold, grey winter's gloom  persists. Finally, I took photos using only lamplight (the zinc urn/lamp once was part of a weather vane on top of a French chateau) and with the flash (below). The cabinet d' curiositie to the right of the desk is a Napoleon III bookcase, which belonged to a professor at the Sorbonne. His grandson - who prefers modern furniture - sold it to me for a song. The "Louis Louis" chair was a gift from my friend Di Overton.

 

My new 17" Macbook Pro and 24" display screen. Until late last fall, I was a lifelong PC user (I still have a PC notebook loaded with photos and a netbook for travel, as well). At left is my iPod and speakers. The rest is decidely low-tech, i.e. an Arts & Crafts clock, an Art Nouveau frame accented with silver and opals and featuring a photo of an unknown French soldier; two Napoleon III globes; a 19th-century wooden sewing basket holding stationary and several 18th-century books.

The mercantile drawers containing computer gear and office supplies are 19th-century French. The art at right is by Vanessa Valencia. (At left, washed out by the lamplight, is a watercolour of a woman walking in a storm near the Taos Pueblo). A tall scientific speciman cloche holds 17th-century French documents and a gilt fragment, while a small cloche contains Christine Mason Miller's  collage "Your voice matters."

 

The red desk and bookcase are from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The wireless printer is on top of a small blue-grey chest from a French mercantile. A framed photograph of Afghan children is by Marianne Elliot. The Native American pottery oil painting is 19th-century French. A framed Italian prayer ornament is also 19th-century. Beneath it is a 2008 art piece by Jennifer Valentine. The Habitat bookcase (at left) holds mostly art and photography books featuring the work of Reza Deghati, Steve McCurry, David Alan Harvey, James Nachtwey, Galen Rowell, Sebastiao Salgado, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, William Albert Allard and others whose work I admire.

I'm hoping that next year when we move to Amsterdam, there will be enough space for a real office with a window, rather than a lamplit little corner. Won't you post photos of your own desk or space where you create?

Winter's chill

Furry on avenue Jean-Baptiste Clement. Winter photos by David Holmes.

 

Bois de Boulogne.

 

 

No takers for the velo (bicycle).

 

Graffiti on a restaurant's gates.

Last-minute preparations

A Christmas tree and reindeer in my neighbourhood.

Today I braved the crowds to photograph the last-minute Christmas rush in Paris: the multitude of shoppers; glittering store windows and seasonal decorations. Check back later for more photos.

Hope your own holiday plans are going smoothly. I plan to spend tomorrow baking; my British chef (husband) has responsibility for the main Christmas dishes, including a turkey.

Tall Christmas tree surrounded by miniature potted trees at sunset in Boulogne-Billancourt.

Blanc neige

Snowflakes falling this morning in Paris. Click photos to view detail.

The courtyard of our apartment building, coated with snow. It's the first real snowfall of the season.

 

A street lantern is at the center of this photo taken from my second-floor balcony. Beyond is the Bois du Boulogne, blanketed in white.

 

Bamboo and other snow-covered trees.

 

As the world turns

As the world turns, Selfridges, London.

Ten years ago today, David and I met in New York. A few months later, my daughter Jordana and I moved to London. A year after that, we moved to Paris, for David's job with an international organisation. Jordana attended high school at the American School of Paris and I resurrected my college French and struggled to adjust to French logic. It was my first experience not working for a salary since age 16; initially I didn't appreciate the loss of steady income and control. To lift my spirits, I began frequenting brocantes, flea markets and antiques shops. Soon our apartment was filled with an eclectic collection of art and antiques.

After discovering the endless bureaucracy required to get married in Paris, Jordana, David and I flew to Santa Fe, N.M. Our wedding ironically was at (French) Archibishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy's private chapel. Jordana's friend Vince played acoustic guitar, while she sang Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind."  A dozen friends witnessed the happy occasion and later joined us for dinner at the Inn of the Anasazi.

We traveled to many, many places in Europe and the US.  At home in Paris, David honed his cooking skills as we hosted hundreds (!) of guests. I became a fan of rugby and horse-racing at Longchamp (although I never bet on horses; just admire and photograph them).  My daughter went off to college in the US.

I started this blog and picked up a camera for the first time in many years. I took Eurostar to London at least once a month. I worked on my novel. I wrote poetry. I campaigned for Barack Obama and worked on human rights initiatives. I had a few health woes, but was lucky to have quality medical care in both Paris and London. I studied Spanish in Seville, Spain and photography in London.

I have lived in Paris longer than any city in my adult life (followed by San Francisco and New York). Ten years ago, when David was a guest speaker at an e-commerce conference (at the World Trade Center) and I a writer, covering the conference, I wouldn't have imagined this life. It's had its ups and downs, but for the most part, it's been rich with blessings. While Paris has never felt like home to me, I know we are fortunate.  Having traveled as a journalist for much of my adult life, I've learned, as John Cage said, that "we carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly."

Balancing act, Selfridges, London.

P.S. Don't miss your chance to win a copy of Leonard Pitt's new book Paris Postcards! Go here to enter.

Hats at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Traditional Qatari costumes. Qatar sponsored this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

 

Fuschia hat at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Check back Monday for dozens of images from the festivities at Europe's biggest horse-racing event. Photos by David Holmes.

A hat shaped like the Eiffel Tower. While these two photos are slightly fuzzy, am posting them because  this was the most unique hat at the races.

This hat reminded me of the movie "Alien" or perhaps Medusa.

While I have to give this woman credit for originality, doesn't this shot look as though she's communicating with outer space??!!

Highly collectible: antiques, images, words

Dazzling turquoise now transparent, once guarded potions, elixirs.

Collection of vintage glassware and pharmacy bottles at Gunnar Petterssen's stand at the brocante at Chatou, now underway. See more of Gunnar's finds at 1-3 Allee Pele. The brocante continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through October 4th. Tickets are available at the gate.

The last few days have been a whirlwind of brocantes and dinner parties, with four sets of friends in town. Great fun, but exhausting! My husband is off to Oslo and Brussels this week, while I escort said friends to a secret brocante in Paris and again to the brocante and ham fair at Chatou.

This weekend is the stellar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, Europe's largest horse racing event. I'll be there Saturday, shooting photos of dashing jockeys and sleek racehorses tearing down the track. On Sunday, I'll train my lens on chic Parisiennes wearing stylish hats. This year I won't be wearing a hat, as I'm more concerned with balancing the weight of heavy camera gear while wearing flat, comfortable boots!

More images of Chatou, as well as photos of the antique Madonna crowns that came home with me, soon.  I'll leave you now with "The Poet Always Carries a Notebook" from Mary Oliver's new book Evidence:

"What is he scribbling on the page?

Is there snow in it, or fire?

Is it the beginning of a poem?

Is it a love note?

This week, what will you scribble on your page - or see through your lens, paint with your brush or shape with your hands?

Bent and twisted

Rusting fence with bent iron finials near Parc Edmond de Rothschild, Paris.

How did we get so far off the path?

Update Sept. 4: Right-wing hysteria and racism

Steyn delusional; proof we need better education

More evidence education essential

Dumb and dumber

Pfizer fined for fraud (another reason we need health care reform).

Health care, not politics

Flights of fancy

Butterfly, Paris. Click photo to view detail.

These flights of fancy
help create what you desire.
Aim high as you dream.

La vie en rose

The famous Berthillon ice cream and a pink car, Ile Saint-Louis, Paris.

La Charlotte de l'isle, a chocolate shop on Ile Saint-Louis. Vintage chocolate moulds are on display.

Purple shoes at Shakespeare & Co. "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple..."

Searching for bargains at the popular bookstore across the street from Notre Dame.

Tourists taking a break at Shakespeare & Co.

Complex flower.

Pink rose.

Weekend guests

On Friday, the daughter of a long-time friend came to spend the weekend with us. Sarah is a smart, funny and engaging linguistics student, currently studying French in Nantes. On Saturday, we met the delightful Jeanie, visiting from Michigan, for a trek to the flea market at Vanves. All three of us bought some lovely things.

For me, the find of the day was a bound set of The Studio for 100 euros. Last week I saw The Studio books, filled with illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley and other Art Nouveau artists, at an Arts & Crafts exhibit in London. The books were priced at £400 each! To get an entire set for 100 euros was incredible; I think the dealer didn't realise their value.

I also found two more aqua opaline Hermes wine glasses to add to my collection; they're so rare, I come across maybe one per year. Saturday, I was doubly lucky.

Jeanie and her friend Jerry came to our apartment for dinner Saturday night, Thanks to my husband the chef, we had delicious food. We also had a lot of fun! Jeanie brought lovely treats from the US, including a beautiful set of her handmade collaged cards. Plus she brought gifts from two other Michigan girls, Judy Winter and Jane Rosemont. Judy sent a signed copy of her book Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs, while Jane sent cards and a magnet featuring her gorgeous photography. For me, it was just like Christmas! Many thanks to the three Js!

On Sunday afternoon, I took Sarah to the train station. Along the way, we saw well-dressed senior citizens rummaging through the garbage near a grocery store, looking for discarded vegetables. So sad. We often see older people looking through too-ripe or damaged fruit and vegetables that vendors throw out on market days.

I was so exhausted from racing around for three days, I completely forgot about a brocante at Parc des Princes - in my own neighborhood! The weekend was also Fete de la Musique in Paris, so we listened to noise music from across the street in the Bois de Boulogne until early this morning.

Solidays

Beginning this Friday, it's Solidays in the Bois, the annual three-day music festival which raises funds for AIDS charities. We're going to skip impossible-to-sleep-due-to-booming-bass-from-bands-performing-on-three- stages Solidays and spend four days in Amsterdam.

Nattering neocons

If only the nattering neocons would take off their rose-colored glasses and stop talking! Their aversion to reality is pathetic, not to mention their numerous attempts to rewrite history.

Decluttering a small space

Recently I have been trying to simplify and de-clutter, particularly in my tiny studio/guest room (which formerly was my daughter Jordana's room). Previously, the space was very lively and colourful - but overcrowded. The early 19th-century wine-tasting table from Bourgogne serves as a work surface for art and photography. The baskets beneath the table contain a netbook, books and photo files.

On the wine-tasting table are two 19th-century glass items: a pharmacy measure and cloche covering an orchid in a porcelain pot. Also pictured: a Laura Ashley glass lamp; a handmade journal, a gift from Karen Cole; an oil on panel painting by Taos, N.M. artist Greg Moon; a Pottery Barn retro telephone; a John Derian decoupaged tray, bought at The Paris Market in Savannah, Ga. and my Sony DSLR-A900.

The oeil de boeuf window with leaded glass (one of two) is originally from a chateau in Bourgogne. I hope that someday they will serve as windows in a house. The framed heliogravures are Lehnert & Landrock images of early 20th-century Egypt. Two Moroccan vintage sequinned wedding blankets purchased from Maryam Montague are on the bed, as well as an "eye" pillow by Julochka in Denmark.

I put one blue wooden chest of art supplies inside a closet; other supplies and photo equipment are in this chest of drawers from Agape Deco. The iron arched window frame is from a French chateau. The painting - which reminds me of a Spanish flamenco dancer - is by Vanessa Valencia. The pottery pitcher is by a Santa Fe artist and the numbered books are by Noel Solomon.

The art dolls sitting on an old wooden box are handmade by Christine Alvarado and the framed photograph is by Madelyn Mulvaney. The antique iron book press is from Scotland.

But lest you think my job is done, that's just one room; the rest of apartment also needs de-cluttering. I have put some furniture in the cave (wine cellar) and am selling a few antique pieces. As any Parisian apartment dweller can attest, finding enough space to breathe is a never-ending quest!

P.S. Karen Kingston's book Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui will make you want to clean out closets, clear shelves and ruthlessly toss things out to create space.

Yes, we Caen!

A pop art take on Barack Obama's presidential campaign rallying cry "Yes, we can!" in a shop window.

To honour President Obama's visit to Normandy for D-Day ceremonies this weekend, the City of Caen has changed its road signs and town banners to read "Yes, we Caen!"

Agape special sale

Today my friend Gabrielle and I went to Agape's vente emphemere at La Biscuiterie de France. Alas, there were so many enthusiastic shoppers, I couldn't take a photo without someone stepping into the shot. These photos were taken in May when Di Overton and I went to Agape.

Tableaus at Julie Isore's Agape.

If you're in Paris, Agape's special sale continues from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 6 on Sunday. La Biscuiterie's entrance is at 60, rue de Billancourt in Boulogne-Billancourt. Take Metro Line 10 to Jean-Jaures or Pont de Saint-Cloud.

Peace begins at home

Paris apartment, June 1, 2009.

"I believe that to meet the challenges of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for oneself, one's own family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace." - The Dalai Lama

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Model girls

On Saturday at Les Passages, hundreds of excited young girls and their anxious moms were lined up, hoping to be "discovered" at a beauty event hosted by New York's Elite Model Management.

Why isn't there this kind of excitement at science fairs or events that actually require more clever and creative thinking? Why must the focus for females always revolve around physical attributes??!! It would be a wonderful thing if self-esteem was fueled by one's accomplishments and intentions, not simply one's looks. As my grandmother always said, "Pretty is as pretty does."

At last, some real progress for women in Kuwait.

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The way we live

Paris apartment, May 16, 2009.

This is the first of a series of vignettes of everyday life.

Pink petals

Petals from pink blossoms scattered on the street where I live.

Breaking news: Senator Arlen Specter, a Republican since 1966, has just announced he is switching parties! Specter said he decided to become a Democrat because the Republicans had "moved too far to the right."

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry called for secession from the Union; then appealed to the federal government for help, at the first sign of swine flu. Talk about an abrupt about-face! And the Republicans continue to try to block Kathleen Sibelius to head Health and Human Services. Seems like we need someone in that position at the moment, politics aside. Of course in this case, it's a little like casting pearls before swine. I'm so tired of certain politicans putting their own interests ahead of the people.

Speaking of swine (flu), I'm not exactly thrilled to be getting on an Atlanta-bound plane early tomorrow morning, especially after the European Union health commissioner cautioned against non-essential travel to the US and Mexico. But I suspect attending my daughter's wedding in Savannah counts as essential.

Thanks for all your lovely email and good wishes. Will catch up with you next week!

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Muguet des bois

The first Muguet des bois (lily of the valley) of the season are not quite at their best. In France, nosegays of this delicate perfumed flower are presented to friends and family on the first Sunday in May. But my husband got these early examples at the market today, as we'll be in Savannah next Sunday. Hope you are having a lovely Sunday, wherever you are!

Seeing double

Airborne - Horses fly to the finish line at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. The second horse is literally off the ground.

Hope you're having an action-filled weekend, whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover or simply enjoying the company of family and friends.

Changing fortunes

The small neighborhood park next to an eglise has been under construction since 2006. It was uprooted - along with a memorial to Gen. Charles de Gaulle - to create an underground parking garage. While this children's playground appears finished, the photo below indicates construction is still underway. Completion is expected by June.

What a wonderful thing to see Europe embracing America again, first at the G20 in London; now at the NATO summit in Strasbourg! But it made me smile to read that New York bankers were less enthusiastic after their meeting with President Obama.

Time to travel

Anyone who lives in a big city knows that no matter how beautiful or exciting the city, every three months or so, you need a break. After being home nearly four months without travel - even missing my usual side trips to London - it is time to get out of town.

So I'm off for some peace and sunshine elsewhere in France. Back soon, with photos and perhaps an adventure or two to report. Hope you're enjoying your own sunshine-filled weekend, wherever you are!

P.S. If you haven't seen the film Once, rent it! It's very sweet, not least because of this song.

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Bicycles in the Bois

To say that cycling is popular in France is an understatement. La France is not host to the Tour de France, the world's most famous cycling event, without reason. Every day, hundreds of cyclists traverse the perimeter of Hippodrome de Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne. But nearly all of them are men, as in France it is considered unseemly for a woman to sweat in public! Very few women joggers can be seen in the Bois, either; walkers, yes, particularly on the weekends. But if you see any female joggers or cyclists, chances are they're foreigners, like me!

The cyclists are a curious mix of professionals training for events, amateurs enjoying the sport and those who simply want to keep fit. Some members of the rugby team Stade Francais cycle and jog in the Bois. And a group of local pompiers (firefighters and paramedics) also cycle in the Bois, the city's largest green space.

Leader of the pack. Most days a huge group of cyclists ride together in lap after lap - rain or shine - around the two-and-a-half mile perimeter of Longchamp.

Lone riders.

Opening day at the races

The Prix du Louvre race on Thursday afternoon at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. I used a telephoto lens and ISO of 100 - due to bright sunlight - for these photos, but forgot a filter! I'll have another chance to get it right Sunday at Longchamp.

Cristophe Soumilion is France's most famous jockey. He rides into the Winner's Circle, after guiding Tassara to win the Prix du Louvre. As always, click photos to enlarge.

Riding into the Winner's Circle.

Escorting Tassara back to the stables.

A. Crastus riding Ville d' Avray won the Prix de Chaillot race.

Coming from behind in the Prix de Chaillot.

Almost there...

Overtaking, to claim victory.

Ville d'Avray in the Winner's Circle.

Horses and their handlers parade before the crowd.

Pre-race chatter.

Handlers lead the horse out of the Parade rink to the racecourse.

Contemplating the race ahead.

Leading the horse.

Headed home.

Longchamp lass

I have spent this bright and sunny afternoon with some beautiful racehorses at Longchamp. Check back later for photos of winning jockeys, champion thoroughbreds and fit cyclists.

April fools amidst signs of spring

A vintage Indian sari, The Paris Market, Savannah, Georgia.

Backpacks filled with flowers, Les Passages, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, snapped with my pocket camera.

Another flower-stuffed backpack at a store entrance.

Window display, Les Passages.

Giant Easter eggs, birds and birdhouses in a chocolate shop vitrine in my neighbourhood.

April fools

It doesn't look as though Miss Universe will choose a career in diplomacy.

And Avigdor Lieberman certainly is starting off on the wrong foot in his role as Israel's new foreign minister.

On the eve of the G20 Summit in London, most protests have been organised and peaceful. But live news feeds showed a group of 30 to 40 hooded and masked guys shouting obsenities and deliberately trying to provoke police in a cordoned-off area near the Bank of England. Some of these "protesters," - who weren't carrying any signs, so appeared to be just thugs and troublemakers - were brandishing sticks and throwing smoke bombs; one young man even bashed a police officer in the head. Still, the police showed admirable restraint, refusing to rise to the bait.

Other "protesters" smashed windows of the Royal Bank of Scotland and entered the building.

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Ready for the races

Preparing for the races, Hippodrome de Longchamp. Read more about the spring season beginning Thursday, April 2 at Longchamp here.

The spring calendar at Longchamp.

An ivy-covered tree and foliage next to Longchamp.

The windmill on a small island next to Hippodrome de Longchamp. See more photos here.

Let's take the hint

Spring blossoms caught between rain showers, Paris. As always, click photo to enlarge.

"How many times it thundered before Franklin took the hint! How many apples fell on Newton's head before he took the hint! Nature is always hinting at us. It hints over and over again. And suddenly, we take the hint." - Robert Frost, 1874-1963

Millions of people around the world are taking the hint and turning their lights off for an hour this evening. If you'd like to participate in Earth Hour, simply switch your lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The annual event is a reminder that we all need to play our part in conserving energy every day.

US President Barack Obama has invited leaders of the world's 16 major economies to a climate change summit April 27-28 in Washington. The summit will center on topics including supplying clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

An afternoon in the Bois de Boulogne

Windmill in the Bois de Boulogne. As always, click photos to enlarge.

The moat surrounding the windmill and a caretaker's cottage.

The caretaker's cottage and steps leading to the windmill on its little island.

A glimpse of the windmill through the trees.

Trees reflected in the moat leading towards Hippodrome de Longchamp, Europe's largest flat-racing course. The spring season at Longchamp begins on April 2.

Buds on trees and a small creek and dilapidated fence in the Bois.

A willow blowing in the fierce March winds along the bank of a pond.

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Fragile

Both fragility and strength lie in these intertwining branches, Parc de Edmond de Rothschild, Boulogne-Billancourt.

Remember the Sting song "Fragile?" After reading the latest installment of Australian artist Judy Wilkenfeld's Visual Anthologies, I was reminded that despite our fragility, we also carry vast hidden reserves of strength. And when necessary, we can summon that strength to push us forward through difficult challenges.

Judy's work is truly stunning, artfully blending beauty, humanity and history. Go here to see her thoughtful creations.

Green decor, a brocante and a giveaway

More photos of the crumbling remains of the Rothschild family chateau in my neighborhood. Every single zinc window casement on that upper floor would sell for around 1,000 euros at a brocante or antique fair in France or England.

The once-grand chateau in ruins, apparently due to years of legal wrangling over the property.

Faced with the twin issues of a weakened economy and the need to protect our environment, green home decor has achieved new importance. And what's the ultimate in recycling furniture? Why antiques and vintage furniture, of course! Julie Isore at Agape Deco in Paris and Di Overton at Ghost Furniture in the UK artfully take past-its-prime furniture and revamp it to blend with any decor. Because most of this furniture is well-made and sturdy, with a little attention and care, it will continue to stand the test of time. Sometimes all old furniture needs is a bit of freshening with paint or layers of beeswax.

Danny Seo's blog Daily Danny offers ideas and steps you can take every day to improve your home's "green" quotient. Did you know we can recycle wine corks?

The 78th Foire Natonale aux Antiquites a la Brocante et aux Jambons

My favourite French brocante - affectionately known as "The Ham Fair" - begins earlier than usual this year. It starts Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. and continues daily until 7 p.m. through Sunday, March 15th. More than 800 dealers are participating. Stop by and visit my friend Blandine Bavoux's Jolietrouvaille stand at 10, rue de la Gaite.

Tickets are available at the gate. Take a taxi from Paris or the RER A1 train direction Saint-Germain-en-Laye to Rueil-Malmaison or Chatou-Croissy, then walk the short distance to Ile de la Chatou. But don't count on finding a taxi to take you back to Paris, unless you arrange your return in advance.

The Creative Entrepreneur giveaway

Leave a comment here about what you're doing to help make your home greener for a chance to win a copy of The Creative Entrepreneur. I'll draw the names from a hat on Monday, Feb. 23rd. Bonne chance!

Photo of my friend Gunnar's stand at a recent brocante at Bastille. I'll let you know if he'll be at Chatou.

Scroll down the page for a post about privacy issues at Facebook.

Scenes from a Sunday

The red Japanese bridge at Parc de Boulogne - Edmond de Rothschild at 3, rue des Victoires.

The bridge and its Impressionist watery reflection.

A boat, reflection of trees in the water and blocks of ice on the pond's surface.

A confabulation of Mallard ducks.

Soccer games in the park. In the background is the ruins of the Rothschild family chateau. The park was part of their private property, until they bequeathed it to the city.

This lovely woman extends a helping hand to her husband. As always, click photos to enlarge for detail.