Back in Paris

 

 

Back in Paris 

and it's been cool and rainy here. 

But nice to get some distance from the ad nauseam of US politics.

I've sent my guy down to the South of France

to help a friend look for real estate investments.

Looking at property is one of his favorite things to do

and they get some fun together which usually means eating much good food.

 I'm making the quiet time into a needed writing and reading retreat. 

Though most of my time has been spent sending out queries, also needed.  

 

 

 

Am including a few photos of one of my favorite buildings in the 15th,

the Art Nouveau gem by Jules Lavirotte built between 1899 and 1901.

I have to make a trip by it on every visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

To see a full blog post and more photos on the building,

click here:

Avenue Rapp

 

Below are a couple of another of his buildings 

just around the corner on Square Rapp.  

 

 

 

 

Nice to be back on this forum after too much time away.

Wishing all a colorful and peaceful fall! 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Bountiful Wishes!

Since they are now saying (as I've always said)

that gratitude is good for mind, body and soul,

Giving thanks here for:

*the many spectacular friends and family in my life,

*a wonderful and generous partner who shares my everyday world,

*the many true blessings I've been bestowed

*the gift of past, present and future
*the colors of each season

*and you!

What are you thankful for?

Wishing all of you a most bountiful Thanksgiving! 

(Photograph copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Dear Fall~

I'm sorry to tell you, I'm not ready. I'm just not ready for you.

Yes, I love the way you smell, your crisp, sweet air mixed with that wisp of woodsmoke. My walks along the river lately have been tinged with your mildewed aroma of freshly composting leaves, replaced by the end of August's heady sun-baked blackberries and dirt mixed with the green of lazy river.

As much as I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I haven't yet had my fill of warm sunny mornings and dinners on the deck watching the early evening sun kiss the tree tops. I never got to the pool, never went camping (like I swore to myself I would this year), never had my Pisgah picnic.

I'm not saying I wasted summer. I did park myself in the shade by the lake, book in hand, toting tiny picnic, watching sailboats and children play. I did drape myself over the porch loveseat and read until the huge swaying evergreens and quaking aspens stole my attention (and the swell in my heart). I made Grandma's dill pickles and froze half flats of blueberries. I listened to music at the Saturday Market and drank my favorite hot chai even when it was 90 degrees out. I took a few long drives and got back to Hood Canal.

But I still haven't had my fill of hanging clothes on the line, of fresh berries on my cereal, of walks in warm sunshine. I only went to one outdoor movie, only did one hike. I haven't had enough barbecues with just-picked corn, sliced garden heirlooms with basil and fresh mozzarella. I didn't go to the beach.

I even have a mini-bumper (porch pot) crop of tomatoes this year (first time ever) but they're still tiny and green. They're not even big enough to have fried and green yet.

I'm sorry but you'll just have to wait. Return the sun, please turn the thermostat back up until further notice and stop being in such a hurry. Chillax! We waited a VERY long time this spring for summer's arrival. Can't you give us just a little more of her wafting breezes and starry, starry nights?

Signed,
Not Ready But Soon


Photography (c) Kirsten Steen

A Fall Soak...

After doing massages recently in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon,

I stopped at a couple of lakes for a walk in the Fall sunshine,

then headed to

Belknap Hotsprings

for an early evening soak before driving home.

Belknap has two mineral pools,

a Lodge for overnight guests

as well as cabins and camping options

and a lovely garden walk

(photos to be added in a future post).

The lobby was

dressed for the holiday...

...and the grounds still awash with

summer's last blooms.

Ahhhhhhhh.....

Drunk with minerals, sunshine,

lake and river views,

skyhigh Doug Firs against the deepening blue skies,

the sunset glow and the entire body soaked in hot water.

Divine!

~Pool facilities are $7 per hour or $12 per day per person.

Hours are from 9am to 9pm Sun-Thurs.

9am to 10pm Fri/Sat.

Bathing suits required.~

(Mineral Springs content: Lithium, potassium, sodium, rubidium, cesium, fluorine, chloride, bromide,

iodine, antimony, copper, mercury, bromine, lead, arsenic, magnesium, calcium, strontium,

barium, manganese, iron, phosphate, silicon dioxide, sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate!)