Running in the Heat

Had a brisk walk to the post office ~1.5 miles away and ran back winding back and forth over the neighborhood streets - wow - it's hot at 11:30 in the morning! I did carry a bottle of water with me...good thing because I drank it all. Think I need to use my Zoom! membership when it is so hot and humid outside.

Quick Knit

I knitted up these two cotton dishclothes for a friend with a pink retro kitchen while watching my husband play in a Texas Hold'em tournament the other night. My next project is to finish the Bookcrossing afghan and send it on it's way - I'm off work the next two days...

The Last Knit

when you just can't stop...

Paris - Random Thoughts

I enjoy cities that are easy to navigate by foot or public transportation - Paris is certainly one. I hope to perhaps retire to a city where I don't need to have a car ...
New York City is first on my list - Is Paris too much a dream? Speaking of cars, I was intrigued by the Smart cars I saw all over Paris.

When I returned to work a friend said she had found just the car she wanted and guess what it was a Smart car! Do I put down a deposit for one when they're available in the U.S. next year? Hummmm.... I loved all the parks tucked away throughout Paris and seeing people enjoying them. Eating,napping,reading,studying,visiting,playing were all common park activities. I wish our green spaces were appreciated as much.




Finally, the key system at the hotel was energy conserving - I'll explain...The card key is attached to a heavy metal fob. After you open the door you slide the card into a slot just inside the door and your electricity is turned on. When you leave you remoe the card from the slot and the electricity is turned off. Smart huh? You then turn in the key to the front desk and pick it back up when you return. We plan to rent an apartment in Paris next year for a month .... it can easily be done and is less expensive than staying in a hotel. I'll also get to shop the markets and cook! Working the overtime now and saving up - Paris, France I'm coming back...

Paris - Pere Lachaise Cemetery

On our last full day in Paris, I decided to venture into the 20th arrondissement to explore Pere Lachaise cemetery. Many people probably know that Jim Morrison is buried there even though hundreds of other well known people make this tranquil area their eternal home including Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde. I particularly like the story of Victor Noir's bronze statue at his grave site - I'll look for that one when I go back. The cemetery is easily found close by several metro stations and a map is located just inside the main gates. The cobblestone walkways were wide enough for vehicles since it continues to be an active burial area. The tombstones were so close in most areas that grass could not grow between them. Most were large, ornate tombstones with many designed as small palaces or other grand structures. I found Jim Morrison's site with little trouble....I left a book near his site that seemed to be rather appropriate...

Throughout the area were small parks with benches where people were reading, eating lunch or just having contemplative time. I plan to go back another time packing a lunch and having plenty of time to wander and take pictures.

Paris - Le Marais and the Islands of the Seine

This walk began at the Place de la Bastille. We had a little trouble figuring out directions but soon enough found Rue St. Antoine and headed on our way. Place des Vosges is the oldest square in Paris and houses shops, art galleries and cafes around the perimeter under the arcades. We saw younger children playing together and adolescents lounging on the grass in small groups talking and smoking. I was amazed at the number of young people I saw smoking. Most of the teenagers wore blue denim jeans and black pullover snug fitted shirts - I didn't see any of the immensely oversized clothing that seems to be the style here in the States. Soon enough we found Rue des Francs Bourgeois to seek out Pelote - a yarn shop I had read about and was eager to visit. Pelote carried a wide variety of Anny Blatt yarns and I chose a varigated pink to knit up into another wrap.
Musee Picasso is in this area and I plan to visit it during my next trip to Paris. We didn't visit any art museums this trip - just felt like we didn't have enough time. I enjoyed exploring Rue des Rosiers which is the Jewish/Eastern European part of the Marais. I noted the many falafel shops in this area and planned to return another day.
The gardens of the Hotel de Sens were beautifully tended
and the fortress like buildings surrounding the gardens were built in 1475! We crossed the Seine via the 17th century Pont Marie to reach the Ile St Louis - a small island in the midst of busy Paris and in the shadow of the magnificent Notre Dame.
Hundreds of people were waiting in line to visit Notre Dame -
we'll save this exploration for another time...

AEP Run

This morning was a great time for one of the biggest 5k/10k in the valley - this run is held in association with the annual Festival in the Park. Festival in the Park is an art show and music festival that encompasses Elmwood Park and the Downtown Market area. I have attended the festival since I was in high school and have ran the race the last three years.Was my number a predictor of my speed today? Well, I ran the 5k at a slow 39 (ouch) minutes which is equivalent to a thirteen minute mile. At least my number wasn't 20! I'm OK with my time since I have just recovered from a left foot strain....will have a better time next year...