Currently • March 2023

“Paris is always a good idea.” — Audrey Hepburn

READING:

• Books:

  • Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley — “Nobody ever talks to strangers on the train. It's a rule. But what would happen if they did? …an eclectic group of people with almost nothing in common except their commute discover that a chance encounter can blossom into much more. It turns out that talking to strangers can teach you about the world around you--and even more about yourself” (Goodreads)

  • The French House by Helen Fripp — “In sleepy little Reims, France, grieving Nicole Clicquot watches her daughter play amongst the vines under the golden sun and makes a promise to herself. Her gossiping neighbours insist that the rolling fields of chalk soil are no place for a woman, but she is determined to make a success of the winery. It’s the only chance she has to keep a roof over her head and provide a future for her little girl…[The] stunning historical read, inspired by the true story of how Nicole Clicquot blazed her own path to build the world’s greatest champagne house: Veuve Clicquot” (Goodreads).

• Links:

  • A Cathedral of Sound: The Quest to Restore Notre Dame’s Unique Acoustics

  • Notre Dame is Scheduled to Host Visitors for the Holidays in 2024

  • Inside Christian Louboutin’s Paris Penthouse

  • A Casual Guide to Shopping in Paris

  • Dining in a Parisian Bouillon

  • The Case of the Dreamy Detectives: Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson Remember The Hardy Boys

WATCHING:

• Emily in Paris on Netflix — One more time in preparation for Paris.

• Ted Lasso Season 3 on AppleTV+

LISTENING TO:

• Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono — “Bono--artist, activist, and the lead singer of Irish rock band U2--has written a memoir: honest and irreverent, intimate and profound, Surrender is the story of the remarkable life he's lived, the challenges he's faced, and the friends and family who have shaped and sustained him” (Goodreads). I usually prefer to read books, but this audio book is narrated and sung by Bono and has wonderful sound effects.

• U2 Songs of Surrender released on St. Patrick’s Day.

• Instapuzzle Playlist for March (a Paris mix)

  • L’Amour, Les Baguettes, Paris (Stella Jang)

  • Bistro Fada (Midnight in Paris Soundtrack)

  • French Café (Mark Le Vang)

  • C’est si bon (Emilie-Claire Barlow)

  • J’ai deux amours (Madeleine Peyroux)

  • Petite fleur (Jill Barber)

  • Can Can (from Offenbach’s Orpheus)

  • Memories of Paris (Paris Café Society)

FEELING:

• Grateful for answered prayers.

• Excited to be in Paris again — I just returned from a week in Paris — my first time back since 2019 (pre-pandemic). I have lots of photos and thoughts to share.