Richard: I do, too. Did you go this summer with the Spalding group? My friend Roy Burkhead, Spalding, MFA, did and enjoyed it. How could one not? As for the swift passage of time, like a river in flood, I am trying to live in the present, not in the past, except for recalling good experiences, like Paris, and as for the future? I trust God. Peace, Ken
Richard, You bring Paris to life. I recall my wife’s and my visits there, including one with our then-young daughter. Now, she is 34. Where did the years go? I rejoice in my experience, as you do in yours. Thanks for awakening my memories. Peace, Ken
Great story, Richard. You describe the feeling of discovering a city, a culture, with such ease and humor. Beside having had American author Richard Goodman live on it while in his twenties, rue d'Alesia also boasts the oldest house in Paris, I believe.
Reading your description of the streets and the people made me think of a documentary film shot by Louis Malle in 1972, called _Place de la République_. Not the same neighborhood, but the atmosphere of the street, the colors, the clothes, the cars, take you instantly to the early seventies in France. C'est magique. Comme ton histoire.
I missed this when it first popped up (moving house, got confused) and so glad to find it now, four days later. Thank you! We should all have Paris, right?
It took me about three days of mixing with locals that I picked up on how to get around like a local. The best moment came when I saw a white-haired woman trying to operate one of the ticket (if memory serves, it might have been a token) dispensers for the metro. This was an apparently older machine because it had a two-step process. In broken French I offered to help and then handed her the ticket (or token), and drew a smile from her.
I adore this, Richard. I love your writing, as always, but because of my very brief visits to Paris, I love this especially. There is so much I cannot identify with literally but can identify with culturally. It is not exclusive to the European experience but it seems to me that it is more common that, at least historically, they understand some essence of life. I write this understanding that these words represent a brief generalization and that there are many who struggle to survive in every land. But for those of us who are fortunate to be able to have enough to sustain us physically and are prescient enough to grasp on to as much as we can to that which truly nourishes us emotionally and spiritually, it is paradise. Seldom do we have the courage to boldly experience this, the wisdom to recognize it and understand the preternatural essence of it. But if and when we do, then we experience a glimpse of heaven. As do those fortunate to read the lovely words and sharing of your experiences. Being close to heaven, sometimes, is close enough. Merci beaucoup, Richard.
You drew my thoughts to a a week's worth of days and nights in Paris when I was 28, wandering the streets guided only by landmarks and a small map I carried in a camera bag.
Richard: I do, too. Did you go this summer with the Spalding group? My friend Roy Burkhead, Spalding, MFA, did and enjoyed it. How could one not? As for the swift passage of time, like a river in flood, I am trying to live in the present, not in the past, except for recalling good experiences, like Paris, and as for the future? I trust God. Peace, Ken
Richard, You bring Paris to life. I recall my wife’s and my visits there, including one with our then-young daughter. Now, she is 34. Where did the years go? I rejoice in my experience, as you do in yours. Thanks for awakening my memories. Peace, Ken
Great story, Richard. You describe the feeling of discovering a city, a culture, with such ease and humor. Beside having had American author Richard Goodman live on it while in his twenties, rue d'Alesia also boasts the oldest house in Paris, I believe.
Reading your description of the streets and the people made me think of a documentary film shot by Louis Malle in 1972, called _Place de la République_. Not the same neighborhood, but the atmosphere of the street, the colors, the clothes, the cars, take you instantly to the early seventies in France. C'est magique. Comme ton histoire.
I missed this when it first popped up (moving house, got confused) and so glad to find it now, four days later. Thank you! We should all have Paris, right?
It took me about three days of mixing with locals that I picked up on how to get around like a local. The best moment came when I saw a white-haired woman trying to operate one of the ticket (if memory serves, it might have been a token) dispensers for the metro. This was an apparently older machine because it had a two-step process. In broken French I offered to help and then handed her the ticket (or token), and drew a smile from her.
I adore this, Richard. I love your writing, as always, but because of my very brief visits to Paris, I love this especially. There is so much I cannot identify with literally but can identify with culturally. It is not exclusive to the European experience but it seems to me that it is more common that, at least historically, they understand some essence of life. I write this understanding that these words represent a brief generalization and that there are many who struggle to survive in every land. But for those of us who are fortunate to be able to have enough to sustain us physically and are prescient enough to grasp on to as much as we can to that which truly nourishes us emotionally and spiritually, it is paradise. Seldom do we have the courage to boldly experience this, the wisdom to recognize it and understand the preternatural essence of it. But if and when we do, then we experience a glimpse of heaven. As do those fortunate to read the lovely words and sharing of your experiences. Being close to heaven, sometimes, is close enough. Merci beaucoup, Richard.
You drew my thoughts to a a week's worth of days and nights in Paris when I was 28, wandering the streets guided only by landmarks and a small map I carried in a camera bag.
Wonderful, Richard! Many thanks.
Poignant and vivid as always. Your French certainly improved.
You bring Paris and youth alive again for me. Many thanks. Please do Write On!!