My aunt's cat, the sexually ambiguous Zelda, has been featured before on this site, but lately Zel has a new habit that I find amusing:
Zelda in the Tub
lying in the bathtub. Now, I know some cats like to lie in sinks, and some like to lie in a big bowl, but I've never known one to take to the tub as a favorite retreat.
And she hates it when someone looks at her in there:
Do you mind? I'm thinking here.
The Louvre, approaching from Metro Station
Anyone who knows I went to Paris asks if I've been to see whatever museum they loved the most -- Musée Auguste Rodin, or the Musée Marmottan to see the Monets, or Musée Picasso... and, of course, the most famous museum in the world.
My grant for the trip was for a specific purpose -- to soak up the atmosphere and find the locales that were needed to finish my book and, unfortunately for the art lover in me, most of the action of the book does not take place in art museums.
However, a good deal of the events take place by night and on Wednesday nights, the Louvre is open late. So, for atmosphere and information (as well as for the art lover), I did manage to shoehorn in a quick trip to the Musée du Louvre.
The night we went was cold and raining, but it was quite beautiful as we approached the Pyramid entrance to the museum.
Inside the Courtyard
Photo A
Paris or New York?
Photo B
NYC dogwalkers are one of those essential services that have noticeably increased in the past few years. They make life much easier on pets and their people.
These guys and gals fascinate me. They manage to walk dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and temperments -- all at once!
This guy had thirteen dogs!
All of them under control:
And moving fast!
Tulips in Manhattan
The weather here in NYC has been spectacular and I was walking around Central Park the other day, armed with my camera. I think I can just let the pictures speak for themselves.
Spring Time in New York
Continue reading "Local Art Fridays: Return to Central Park in Spring" »
I don't know how it is, but my cat always seems to know when my activities mean a longer time away than the usual hours of a working day. For at least a week, if not longer, before leaving for Paris, Nualla laid on my clothes, my bag and the laundry bag, as if to say, "Noes! Don't be going to Paris..."
She even went so far as to grab ahold of the wheels on my suitcase.
Fooled her though; that's not the suitcase I took with me.
As I've mentioned a time or two, I bought a new Olympus camera before going to Paris. I'm still getting used to it, and familiarizing myself with its many useful settings (though I'm not always successful at using them usefully). One thing on the camera I absolutely love is the 5x zoom setting.
A demonstration:
Photo One from the Champs Elysee
This is a picture taken of a lovely little beaux arts building in the gardens at the beginning of the Champs Elysee. I took this from the foot paths, probably 150 or 200 feet away. Please note the cupid cupola topper and keep in mind that all of the following pictures are taken from the exact same spot.
Photo Two from the same spot
After using the first zoom setting, you can see some of the decorative detail on the cupola.
I never knew the charm of spring...
Till. . .
April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in Paris, this is a feeling
That no one can ever reprise
...
April in Paris
Whom can I run to?
What have you done to
My heart ?
There is a story about the song "April in Paris." E.Y. Harburg, the writer of the lyrics, was approached by a fan of the song. This man had saved for years to go to Paris in April because Yip Harburg's lyrics to Vernon Duke's melody were so evocative. But he found the weather so miserable, it bore no resemblence to Harburg's words. "But my goodness!" Harburg exclaimed, "Why did you go to Paris in April? It's cold and rainy and gray! It's so much nicer in May!" Then why, the fan asked, did you write "April in Paris?" Because, Harburg shrugged, May in Paris didn't scan.
Harburg was right. The weather was cold, damp and gray. The first day it poured rain. We got soaked. And cold. Still, it was raining in Paris. Then, the last two days were so beautiful, the song came totally alive. And "May in Paris" doesn't scan.
But next time, I'll go in September -- or May.
Technorati Tags: Paris
Walking through Central Park the other day, I realized that New York and Paris have a great deal in common -- at least in the more high priced areas of the City. There are beautiful gardens, breathtaking boulevards and stunning architecture. So, I'm starting a new occasional feature called "Paris or New York?" where I'll show a picture and invite my readers to guess which city it was taken in. Some will be easier than others, I'm sure. No prizes, just for fun.
First photo:
Paris or New York?
