Paris Parfait

Transparent webs and secrecy

Spider's web across the garden path in late-afternoon sunlight. Click images to view detail.

                                                                                                                               Photos © Tara Bradford

 

This week has been a bit like Christmas at our house.  On Tuesday, our Isamu Noguchi coffee table arrived via Germany (despite the irreverant coffee table reference, have you seen this hilarious Tumblr site?). And today, our custom-made sofa was delivered  - finally, we can put aside the stylish, yet uncomfortable Napoleon III cream linen-covered chairs! Soon they'll be off to an Amsterdam antiques shop, awaiting their next owner.

On a more sombre note, have you ever wondered where old computers and electronics go to die? Nyaba Leon Ouedrango's powerful photograph depicts the harsh consequences for Ghana.

If you're planning a visit to Amsterdam, you might find this tattoo museum intriguing.

As a night owl, I can identify with the lovely sentiment here.

My friend (and talented artist and writer) Christine Mason Miller suggested this gorgeous book and I'm so glad I bought it. The Divine Home is of a similar nature. I collect handmade Spanish crosses, Italian and French antique prayer ornaments and Madonna crowns. I find these heartfelt symbols of reverence and devotion not only beautiful, but somehow reassuring.

The secrets of the rich and unaccountable

Alas, I see nothing reassuring about Mitt Romney's presidential candidacy. If he has nothing to hide, why is he so secretive? Mitt and his advisors really should study geography and history, as they can't seem to grasp how the world map has changed.

Ann Romney is with her expensive horse at the Olympics in London, denying all photo and interview requests for "you people."  But Romney claims to know little about their prize horse. Meanwhile, so much for Anglo-Saxon heritage and diplomacy: Romney made multiple gaffes, offending his hosts in Great Britain.

For someone running for the highest office in the land, Mitt Romney doesn't seem to know much about anything, i.e. how much money he has in offshore or Swiss bank accounts; how much income tax he has paid; how long he was CEO for Bain Capital. He appears to have a bare-bones minimum grasp of foreign policy.  One has to wonder what Mr. Etch-A-Sketch believes about anything at all, with his adamant refusals to 1) reveal financial and tax records 2) declare any policies his administration would follow or 3) propose actual solutions to any problems currently facing the US.

Think Progress has compiled a remarkable list of 99 Facts about Mitt Romney. Would you really want such a crafty chameleon as president??!!

Olympic rings

Olympic rings suspended between floors at Printemps, Paris.                                 

 

This week, a French friend privately expressed relief that the 2012 Olympics were awarded to London - rather than Paris - due to the enormous financial burden of hosting the games. In case you've been avoiding the news lately, the opening ceremony is Friday night.

And congratulations to Bradley Wiggins, who today became the first Brit to win the prestigious Tour de France!

Truths and roses

Une rose rouge dans le jardin.                                                                                  Photo © Tara Bradford

"Truths and roses have thorns about them." - Henry David Thoreau

Back to Paris for another doctor's appointment, a few photos and maybe vin rouge and a rose or two. Bon weekend!

Our garden by the canal

Click photos to view detail.

Hortensia beginning to bloom.

A different type of hortensia (hydrangeas).

This part resembles a cottage garden. It is a challenge keeping it from taking over...Over a period of many years, the previous owners filled practically every inch of space with plants. David and I are making a few changes.

Another type of hortensia.

Velvety red roses planted in the shadow of a palm.

Blooms next to the canal.

Lilies growing in the canal, alongside our deck.

Water lilies.

Les visiteurs.

Water lilies galore, their blooms closed in the twilight.

The neighbour's cat snoozing on a wall.                                                      All photos © Tara Bradford

A little romance

In Paris, the bridge behind Notre Dame is now jammed with locks! It's often been covered with padlocks placed by les visiteurs, but I've never seen so many at once. The bridge is weighed down with locks of every description, meant to symbolise undying love and affection. Keys to the padlocks typically are tossed into the Seine; the bottom of the river must be covered with the tiny mementoes.

From time to time the City of Paris removes the locks, as they're considered a health and safety risk. But many, many pedestrians  - struck by the romance of the gesture - add their own padlocks. And soon, the bridge's mesh siding is again bursting with declarations of love.

Some of the locks are quite elaborate, featuring engraved names or initials and tied with ribbons, handmade lanyerns or plastic ties. Other locks simply were liberated from suitcases and handbags. If you're strolling along and have the sudden urge to add your own lock, you might purchase one (at an inflated price) from two men standing on the bridge, their pockets bulging with padlocks. Whether or not they'll be allowed to continue their entreprenurial efforts is anybody's guess.

Even the emergency rescue sign  - in case of an accident or fall into the River Seine - is obscured by the locks.

Across the bridge a young couple pauses to admire a photograph.

An accordion player/jazz singer at work, despite grey skies. Ah, Paris! Always a pleasure.

Related post: A lock on love

Off to Paris

My poor neglected bicycle, leaning against a garden wall.

I'm surprised ivy isn't covering my bicycle! It's been months since I could ride, thanks to these crazy dizzy spells. Living in the Netherlands, surely it's the law or something that you must ride a bicycle.

Am off to Paris for more tests to help sort out the vertigo. It is hoped I'll soon be riding my bike! Meanwhile, at Red Room I've written a piece about lost letters that may interest you. À bientôt!
 

Tea and sympathy

Tea and sympathy at my friend's petit chateau near Versailles.

 

Bonjour les tous! In Paris, I had the great pleasure of spending time with my dear friend Gabrielle in her gorgeous, newly-renovated home. Gabrielle met me at Gare du Nord. But our rendezvous turned out to be a comedy of errors, thanks to the Thalys train's hour-late arrival; my phone's lost network coverage and mad traffic jams in the city. Of course the main purpose of the trip was visiting an ENT to determine the cause of recurring dizzy spells. Initial tests suggest it's an inner-ear problem; further tests are scheduled next week.

Also in Paris, I had lunch in my old neighbourhood, then stood in line for ages during les soldes. En route to Amsterdam, Thalys abruptly decided to end its service at Schiphol. Passengers were sent first to one platform, then another to catch an inner-city train to Amsterdam. I felt sorry for all the confused and angry travelers scrambling with their luggage, with little advice and no assistance from Thalys staff. Upon boarding the inner-city train, most passengers were left standing, trying to balance their luggage all the way to Amsterdam.

Again, we were well past our scheduled arrival at Amsterdam Centraal. Habitual delays seems to be a problem with Thalys. Their Ill-timing is due in part to slow-moving trains through Belgium, with international and local trains sharing a single track. Belgium really needs to get its act (and its government) together. These days, traveling through the country either by rail or by car (every journey interrupted with multiple roadworks and diversions) is rarely pleasant.

Falling into the canal

At home Saturday, I went in the back garden to inspect the hortensia (hydrangea) growth. Suddenly I felt dizzy, lost my balance and fell backwards into the canal! Needless to say, a very long hot shower followed.

Now I'm trying to catch up with ongoing projects and correspondence - with time out to photograph the summer's first  "Kasemarkte Marches au Fromage" in Edam -  before the next dash to Paris.

Wishing a very Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!