Catching Up

I spent the first week of March in Spicewood, babysitting three Italian greyhounds - The Italians for short. Ernie, Ellie and Emma. They are super sweet and extremely affectionate. It's quite nice out there, not only are the dogs fun, but I get to bird watch, enjoy squirrel antics, and watching the deer come so close to the house is my favorite. I take that back, watching the fawns frolic is my favorite. They stop what they're doing when I come outside, and we just look at each other. Well, they look at me while I'm talking to them; I talk to all animals (remember, I live alone.) Last time I was out here, a deer standing about 6 feet away pharumpted at me! I was shocked and quite offended, so I pharumpted him right back and suggested he work on his deer/people skills.

The hummingbirds are also a goodly treat. There are dozens of them buzzing around, all different colors; I love that they aren't scared of me. That about covers the wildlife for now. As for the Italians...

We walked down to find the lake and eventually found water after trudging halfway across the lake bed. It was pretty weird. Also, quite the workout walking through sand (uphill) on the way back.

short respite on our journey

The rains came. And came, and came. It was also in the 40's, so out came the jackets.

Emma in a lovely pink and black number

Ernie in a snuggly leopard print

Ellie rockin' the fancy fur

In addition to snuggling with the dogs, playing French grammar games on line, and watching old movies, I practiced dancing. Yes alone. I came up with an ingenious plan: The Hot Club of Cowtown* playing on Pandora via my laptop, and Balboa videos on my phone. I even had my dancing shoes with me!


Goodbye Again 1961- set in Paris.That's why I stopped scrolling and came to a screeching halt. Anthony Perkins is so incredibly young!

Speaking of practicing... French class is getting deep - It takes quite a while for french words to swirl around in my brain before settling in the region where they finally make sense.

Until next time -

Journée internationale des femmes!

International Women's Day


I got carried away reading about so many fabulous women, that I let the day slip away and now it's almost over. I chose three to share with you. I hope you'll check out the link at the bottom of the page and read more. We all know Ella of course, and you simply must give the video a listen. I teared up immediately. Listen and you'll know why. 


Many streets, plazas, and buildings in Paris are named after remarkable women from all over the world.   Sometimes the translation goes a bit pear-shaped.  So, if you're a Parisian reading this, feel free to make corrections. That goes for any past and future posts as well.

 Crédit photographique : © Claude Poirier / Roger-Viollet 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3ahbE6bcVf8#!

Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) was one of the most important jazz singers of all. She became "The First Lady of Song" after the climax of "Swing", she won numerous awards including 13 Grammys. She is remarkable for the purity of her voice and her ability to improvise.

     

Ella Fitzgerald was named to the way BH/19, starting at No.22 rue de la Cloture and opening on the bank of the Ourcq Canal (19th)

Crédit photographique : © Studio Lipnitzki / Roger-Viollet

Delphine Seyrig (1932-1990) was a French actress and feminist activist. She was originally from Lebanon, and moved to New York while still a child. More people remember her role as Colette de Montpelier in Day of the Jackal. Read more here...

Delphine gave her name to the town road BJ/19, starting at 45 rte des Petits Ponts in Paris (19th) and av du Gal Leclerc in Pantin and leading to the bank of the Ourcq canal (19th)

Genevieve de Gaulle Anthonioz (1920-2002)   General Charles de Gaulle was her uncle! She joined the French Resistance in 1940, arrested in 1943, imprisoned, and then deported. Read more here...

Genevieve gave her name to the location adjacent tot he intersection of Vaugirard, Alain Chartier and the convention (15th)

She wrote a book that I simply must read - La Traversée de la nuit (literally, "The Crossing of the Night", translated to English as "The Dawn of Hope: A Memoir of Ravensbrück"

If you would like to read about many more remarkable women, please click here.