"But Grandma Faye Said . . . "

See earlier post entitled "Santa Claus" dated Dec. 6th.

Plotting

I think my girls are plotting something.

Ben with Milu (1 yr old)
Frankie with Zadie (3 yrs old)

Paris, je t'aime

I'm spending my last day in this beautiful city.

It's overcast, with a steady drizzle, that quite frankly kept me inside yesterday, but today I weathered the elements to see some more of all there is to see.

I toured the Latin Quarter, which is home of the Sorbonne, The University of Paris, and a lively art and music district that dates back centuries.

The Sorbonne
I downloaded this picture because mine was fuzzy.

This area did not appear to be as well traveled by tourists, but seemed to be mostly occupied by Parisians.

I've had a wonderful time here, but this is city that must be shared.

Thanks for letting me share it with you.

A flower shop.  There was at least one on every block.
The floral scents were heavenly.

A fruit market.  These were plentiful, too.

A church.  I walked into one, close to my hotel,
that was referential.  Somehow it projected holiness
in its physical being.  I didn't take pictures.
It just didn't seem right.

An intersection in the Latin Quarter

I was surprised at the number of bookstores around.
Not the big megastores, but these were neighborhood stores.

This storefront is called the Galactic Store.
I'm not into these action figures, but the way there're displayed,
it looks like they're ready from battle.  Really cute.

Au revoir Paris

How to Fold a T-Shirt

Too cool not to share.

http://www.howcast.com/videos/241348-How-to-Fold-a-TShirt-in-Two-Seconds

Lessons From Football

Football.

It's silly, dangerous, and can make a lifetime impact . . . sometimes good, many times horribly bad.

In spite of these contradictions, there are lessons to be learned, as noted from a woman who loves the game.

http://www.marieclaire.com/career-money/jan-crawford-cbs-career-advice-college-football?click=list4

Bon Appetit!

The food here is amazing!

Even the junk food, sold on the sidewalks, is incredible.

The crepes!  The waffles!  The hot chocolate!

In fact, the hot chocolate tastes like melted chocolate.

So smooth.  So rich.

And . . .

The bread.

The smell of fresh bread is everywhere!

I've spent the last couple of days very leisurely enjoying the sights and sounds of this magnificent city.  Like Prague, this is a walking city.  I've seen a few taxis and buses, but it looks like many folks walk to their destinations.  There is a subway system I haven't explored, that I'm guessing is pretty active underground.

Although this is a large city by any measure, it feels quaint and inviting.

The French have a reputation for being rude, but that has not been my experience at all.  People have gone out of their to be nice and accommodating.

This is also a city that represents a wide cross section of people.  They're whites, blacks, Asians, Indians, and everything in between.  The blacks I've met are from French speaking African nations.  The funniest thing was seeing Southeast Asian women - Vietnamese, maybe - speaking fluent French.  It confuses your eyes and ears for a minute.

Side note - It's cold, for real now.  I would not be surprised to see snow.

Side note 2 - The days are very short.  The sun rises at about 9:00 am, and the sun starts to set at about 4:00pm.

This is a place where you quickly feel at home.

The Eiffel Tower peaking through the trees.

This is at the Notre Dame.
What I described in an earlier post as the back of the building
 was really the entrance.
There was a sign stating that.  Not sure how I missed it.

These are lovers' lock.
There are thousands of them attached to a fence 

This bridge is over the Seine River, next to the Notre Dame.

A view of the Notre Dame from the bridge.

Many of the streets are really narrow.
This one is especially so.

Many of the trees are trimmed in this fashion. 

A gallant warrior

Until next time.

Au revoir.

C'est Excellent!

Wow!

What a city!

I'm staying in a quaint hotel, less than a mile from the Notre Dame.  By US standards, it's tiny, but it has everything I need.

My plan was to get a panoramic view of the city via the Big Bus Tour.  So, with clear directions from the hotel folks, and Google Maps on my phone, I was ready to find the bus stop I needed.

Side note -

It's cold.

Not bone chilling sub zero cold, but cold nonetheless.

Side note 2 -

I was here about twenty years ago when the boys and I accompanied Frank on one of his layovers in the city.  It was a real quick visit.

After waiting a while for the bus, I discovered I was waiting at a "retired" bus stop.  A friendly merchant pointed me in the right direction, and after a few minutes more, I was on the bus, seeing the city.

Notre Dame

This entryway at the back of the Notre Dame is so incredibly ornate.

A close-up of the entryway.

 Across the street from the Notre Dame is an automatic public toilet.  You press a button and the door rolls open, you step in, and it closes.  It's fairly big, but very spartan, just a toilet and sink.  After you complete your business, you push a button, the door opens.  Once you get out, the door closes and it self-cleans before the next person enters.  There was no cost to use it and it really was pretty cool.

Once on the bus, I opted to sit on top in the open air, to get better pictures.  Well, the pictures I took were a real disappointment.  I was cold, fiddling with my gloves, and fighting to keep a cute cap on my head.  Why is it "cute" is rarely practical?

Anyway, the best of the lot is below.

The Seine River that runs through the city.

Avenue Des Champs Elysees -
 Shoppers' Paradise, with retail shopping along both sides of the boulevard.
The Arc De Triomphe is in the distance.

Arc De Triomphe - Can be reached via tunnels to get a close up view.
You can also go to the top.  The view of the city must be spectacular from there.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower up close

More soon.

Au revoir.

Bonjour!

Later today I'm headed to Paris.

I'm reminded often of my parents' ability to speak Creole French, but it was looked down upon, so they choose not to teach us.  And of course, I didn't push it because I couldn't see the benefit.

I was so young and dumb, about so many things.

Anyway, I love the French language.  No matter what is being said, it has such a lovely, warm, romantic sound to it.

So, for a few days, I'm immersing myself in all things French.

More soon from the City of Lights.

Festive Cheer

Kids lip-synching a Christmas song.  Hilarious, although some of the choir members don't seem amused.   Check it out below.

http://www.flixxy.com/kids-lip-syncing-a-wonderful-christmas-song.htm

Now that you're in a festive mood, check out this article about ex-0ffenders starting over.  Send your Boston family and friends over to this place.  This is the kind of venture we all need to support.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2013/12/ex_offenders_learn_restaurant_biz_at_boston_s_whisk.2.html

My Guys With Their Girls

Frankie and Ben and their families were together recently.  Their girls met for the first time.   Zadie just turned three years old and Milu has her first birthday later this month.

Check out the fun below.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e31mwxj2gfk52kk/IDgZ3EnpP6#lh:null-IMG_0844.MOV

A Powerful Message

This article is in today's New York Times.  I hope you're able to open the link, but if not, it's entitled "A Lesson Before Dying" by Charles Blow and it can be found in the Opinions Pages.  It is an absolute must read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/07/opinion/a-lesson-before-dying.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0

Big Government

In the United Sates, there is always lots of talk by those on the Right, especially the Far Right, about how big our government is, and how we should strive to keep it out of our lives.

I disagree.

Here's why:

I want the government to have regulations and safety systems in place when buildings are erected.  A lack of government oversight is why the buildings in so many places around the world are death traps. Bangladesh garment factories come to mind.

I want the government to inspect the building of our homes, so we can go to sleep at night confident that the workmanship is solid and safe, from the foundation to the roof, and everything in between.

I want the government to oversee the processing and packaging of food items, so that I'm reasonably certain I'm getting what the label says I'm getting.  In many places, you buy food with your fingers crossed.

I want the government to oversee the disposal of garbage and waste, to ensure that it's properly disposed of, and to be sure that it's taken care of on a regular basis.  In Egypt and in India, it looked like mounds of garbage had been piling up on the side of the road for years.

I want the government to oversee public safety.  I want to walk around without having to watch every step for fear of falling in a pothole left uncovered, or an uneven payment that is not marked.

I want the government to ensure that all public spaces are accessible to the disabled. They should feel welcomed wherever they go, with easy access.  Of the places I've been, the US leads the pack in accessibility.

I want the government to build and take responsibility for roads and highways, so that the infrastructure is solid and reliable.

I want the government to monitor work conditions, so that safety procedures are in place and adhered to, to monitor and reduce the number of workers hurt on the job. OSHA comes to mind.

I want the government to stand ready to help in times of need.  The many natural disasters, and the government's response to them to help the people recover, comes to mind.  Remember FEMA?

This list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

One of the greatest aha moments I've had living abroad, is recognizing how much we're protected by the government in America, and how those protections greatly impact the quality of our lives.

So for all those who would prefer not to have big government in their lives, I suggest they take a moment and consider the alternative.

Then . . .

They should be thankful for what they do have.

Santa Claus

WARNING!

SPOILER ALERT!

IF YOU STILL BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS, STOP READING NOW!

Contrary to popular opinion, Frank and I chose to tell Ben and Frankie that Santa wasn't real, and didn't bring the gifts they found under the tree.  We told them this when they were little guys.

Our rationale?

Why lie?

Plus, no big, fat guy in the red suit and long beard was going to get credit for all of the work I/we did in buying and wrapping all the presents.

Did they miss out on a fantasy?

Yep.

Did they need counseling as a result?

Nope.  Not yet.  I don't think.

I always thought that at some point, you're gonna have to fess up and tell the truth, and then the kids would think, "What else have you lied to be about?"

So, we were the truth sayers,

Or

The Grinch personified.

Either way.

We had Merry Christmases.

Here's wishing yours are, too.

You Gotta Love This Critter, Too

Who's in charge?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/04/monkey-crushes-leaves_n_4387659.html

You Gotta Love Cats!

Priceless!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/dogs-terrified-of-walking-past-cats_n_4276499.html

An Extraordinary Man

The world woke up today to the news that Nelson Mandala has died.  This tribute, from Mohammad Ali, is amazing.  There will be thousands of remembrances of this great man, but Ali's statement encapsulates his life perfectly.

Rest in peace Mr. Mandala.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/muhammad-ali/tribute-to-nelson-mandela_b_4340781.html

A Flying Thief

A bird steals a camera and the result is pretty amazing.

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/01/5962180/bird-steals-camera-in-australia.html

National Pride

National pride was on full display for the 42nd anniversary of this country.  Check out this article below, and note the pictures in the parade.  Also note, the man who owns the featured truck, owns 15 vehicles!

Only in the UAE!

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/i-have-15-cars-but-i-decided-to-bring-this-one?utm_source=Communicator&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=%5b%5bADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.ADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.LATEST_NEWS_SUBJECT%3a%3a%7b1%7d%3f%3fThe+National+Newsletter%5d%5d

Stronger Together

Whatever your political affiliation, whether you believe in unions or not, this is a powerful message.  And at 53 seconds, it's brief, too.

Side note - I think the band is from my alma mater, FAMU's Marching 100.

http://www.upworthy.com/and-now-for-your-1-minute-of-inspiration-how-change-happens?c=upw1

Thankfulness

I just read a quick article about a man describing five things he's thankful for after overcoming homelessness.

I dare you to read it and not thank God for where you are and what you have.  It may not be where you want to be, but I guarantee you're better off than most folks in the world.

It's so easy to get caught up in what we don't have, (God knows I've been guilt of that), instead of being grateful for what we do have.

Take a minute and peruse the article.

Read it.  Share it.  Remember it (especially when life gets crazy).

http://www.salon.com/2013/11/28/5_things_im_most_thankful_for_after_being_homeless/

We have so much to be thankful for.

And you . . .

You're at the top of my list.