#3 Two Syllables

"Well, we really meant for you to visit in May,

but the rhythm required two syllables."

- Vernon Duke, April in Paris (1932)

Inspired by his song, a friend of Monsieur Duke's decided to spend the month of April in Paris - the weather was terrible. When he complained about the dissapointing weather, Monsieur replied: "the [song's] rhythm required two syllables." All I could think was if you're going to Paris for the weather, you're missing the point. What makes Paris Paris is the rhythm!

When I'm in Paris, whatever the season, I am inspired by the many ways Parisians insist on infusing an intense, profound, and effortless sense and sensibility of beauty, into every aspect of their lives. And they do this in a myriad of large and small ways: freshly baked bread (every day), correct table settings (even when paper napkins are used), framed artwork in the Metro stations, kissing on both cheeks to say bonjour et au revoir. But perhaps my favorite Parisian staple is that there are flowers, trees and green everywhere, in every season...

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" 'Til Paris...I never knew my heart could sing...

what have you done to my heart?"

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Boutique de Fleurs along rue Cler

Along every rue, flower shops tempt you with their amazing variety of flowers and plants - a glorious kaleidoscope of color.  How can you resist? I can't and I don't even try ;-}

Au Nom du Rose, rue Cler, 7th er

In Paris, even a child's ice cream cone

becomes the pallet for a floral inspired work of art

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"...Paris, this is the feeling no one can ever reprise."

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While the city has so many gorgeous parks and gardens, my favorite is the Jardin des Tuileries. Ringed by Musee du Louvre, Muse d'Orsay, L'Orangerie, rue du Rivoli and Place de la Concorde...

Tree lined pathways invite you to leisurely stroll;

stone benches, metal chairs and two outdoor cafes invite you to sit, read, nibble, sip,

daydream - take it all in...just breathe.

"Blackbird...all your life you were only waiting

for this moment to be free"

- The Beatles, The White Album (1968)

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I think that the English poet - John Ruskin - says it best: "Flowers seem intended

for the solace of ordinary humanity."

Peut-etre qu'il etait un Francais au coeur?

(maybe he was a Frenchman at heart?)

You don't fully realize it, until you're away, how positively is affects your life to be surrounded by flowers and green, in an urban setting, everywhere, all of the time. It is a continuous delight to the eye, a forever soothing tonic for the soul.

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple