Window shopping in Greece

So while I'm waiting for the sun to show itself again 

in the Pacific Northwest,

I thought it would be fun to do some 

Nafplion window shopping. 

In Greece,

worry beads are all the rage. 

Every window has at least a few. 

And a tourist town is nothing

without shops of sweet smelling goodies

and tasty treats. 

You can't go a mile anywhere in Greece without running across 

these little Greek altars. 

Always interesting for a look inside-

filled with sweet devotionals

and covered with kisses. 

Some Christmasy fun. 

And iconic beauty.

January has never been my favorite month

(though this one was broken up with a special visit from my sister)

so it's always fun to dress things up for some fun. 

When the sun refuses to shine,

a little window shopping helps, 

especially in Greece. 

Happy nearly end of January to you.

We're almost there. 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Making Art in an Unpredictable World~Teaser Tuesday

Hosted by MizB at should be reading.

Here's how to play:

*Grab your current read,

*Open to a random page,

*Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page,

*Please no spoilers!

*Share the title and author.

"One day, particularly discouraged about the global environment, I asked my friend the playwright Charles L. Mee Jr., 'How are we supposed to function in these difficult times? How can we contribute anything useful in this climate?' 'Well,' he answered, 'You have a choice of two possible directions. Either you convince yourself that these are terrible times and things will never get better and so you decide to give up, or, you choose to believe that there will be a better time in the future. If that is the case, your job in these dark political and social times is to gather together everything you value and become a transport bridge. Pack up what you cherish and carry it on your back to the future.' 
"Near the end of the twentieth century, the Dalai Lama was asked if he would want to return to the earth in another century, even though it is certain that poverty, pollution, and overpopulation will make the planet a miserable environment to inhabit. 'If I could be useful,' was his response."

"...In order to 'make the music more intense,' you must first examine your intentions. If the motivation for action does not transcend the desire of fame and success, the quality of the results will be inferior. If your aim is intense engagement rather than self-aggrandizement, the results will be richer, denser, and more energetic. The outcome of an artistic process contains the energy of your commitment to it." 

From "And Then, You Act: Making Art in an Unpredictable World" by Anne Bogart.

Starbucks on Montmartre? Vive les petits cafes!

This little beauty is on one of the side streets 

down the hill from Montmartre's Place de Tetre.

Sad to say that as soon as next month,

the famous square, filled with painters and artists,

 will become home to a Starbucks. 

Members of the association Paris Pride (Paris Fierte)

have vowed to fight it to the end using

petitions and demonstrations. 

I myself have some very strong feelings about it. 

What's your feeling?

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Un Petit Cafe

Just a little French cafe vert, and news, to take your mind off the January blues.

I found this cafe on one of my American Writers in Paris walks

and couldn't resist snapping its sweet photo. 

On the French front:

It appears that Gerard Depardieu has received his Russian passport for tax exile

and famed French actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot 

is also threatening to follow suit if Baby and Nepal,

two elephants diagnosed with tuberculosis

and soon to be put down at the

  Tete d'Or Zoo in Lyon, 

are not given reprieve 

and allowed to live.

And Russia is now happily awaiting a mass migration of wealthy Europeans. 

Somehow I always feel better after reading French news!

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)