A spot for me to blog on life in my garden, where I grow things, read things, drink tea and ponder. An important principle for me is living a simple life - to live simply so that others may simply live
Readerbuzz and Thyme-for-tea are delighted to bring you the annual blogging event that celebrates all things Paris and French. These buttons highlight just some of the great things we love about France!
Button 1
Button 2
Button 3
Victor Hugo has been quoted to say
"Breathe Paris in. It nourishes the soul"
So, for those who are new here, What is Paris in July?
The aim of the month is to celebrate our French experiences through reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking and eating all things French!
There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of this experience – just blog about anything French and you can join in! Some ideas might include;
reading a French themed book – fiction or non-fiction,
watching a French movie,
listening to French music,
cooking French food,
experiencing French, art, architecture and travel
tasting French wine, or testing French cocktails
celebrating le quatorze juillet or Bastille Day
Whatever it is that you love about France share it with us all!
How it works:
we use Mr Linky widgets each week for you to leave us a link to you Paris in July posts, that way others can find you and we can share the Paris Love...
Once you've signed in here, I can create a participant list in the side bar of my blog so you can navigate to your other blogging friends easy.
Buttons: the three buttons above have been created for your use in 2022 to mark your Paris in July posts.
Each week:
Deb and I will take it in turns to provide a weekly summary posts pulling together the highlights we see occurring across all the participants activity.
In partnership wit Deb at Readerbuzz, we are delighted to bring to you, Paris in July 2022.
Allow us a few days to get our selves ready to host, and in the not too distant future we will have some gorgeous buttons designed by the amazing Deb Nance, and I'll get the Mr Linky sign up post ready...
For those who dont know about this long running blogging event, I'll put some details together soon, but here's a link to last years launching post.
In this crazy lockdown world, my workplace has been enccouraging weekly gatherings online to share work updates, news and keep everyone connected. One of the recent developments to the agenda, has been the addition of a career highlight story. Individuals are invited to share something about themselves and their career. Its a really nice way of staying connected, and getting to know your team better. Although, it was my turn this week. With a career as long and varied as mine, I had to reflect on alot of things to find something to share with my peers.. it was emotionally challenging.
This week i am also embarking on a new course, online... focusing on women in leaadership. But whats different about this course is that it will be focusing on self in leadership... self acceptance, self management and self development.
I am proposing tou se this blog as my weekly reflection on these learnings, if i dont get too busy... which is my way, and to some extent, my distraction...
Authenticity — which can be described as a healthy alignment between your values and behaviors — is a powerful factor in the lives of women.
At this stage in my life journey, as i am more and more in roles of leading people, leadinv programs and strategy, i am seeking to ensure that alignment of values and behaviour. What i know about myself is that when that alignment is out of whack, i loose bits of me to stress... and the balance of sleep, nutrition, activity, social connection, spiritual reflection, and ability to pause.
This week, colouring in has braught me to pause.. podcasts give me external connection and inspiration, and im readying myself for the 6 week program on women and leadership...
Paris in July 2021 was not really on my radar until some special blogging friends of mine started asking about, some of whom may have been begging for the experience... I was not certain I could offer much commitment to hosting the event this year - but so, so glad I was convinced 2021 was the right year to make it happen again. I really have loved, as many of you have commented, the diversity and breadth of the contributions offered this year. I have popped in from time to time to see that some people have been prolific in their posts, others regular in their own way, and some found time for just one post - but all have shared our love and passion for the nuances that Paris offers - in literature, art, film, history, food and memories. It truly has felt like I've been walking with my friends through Paris and beyond. Who could ask for anything better to do when in lockdown?
I regret that I have not had time to dig into a few good books, or post on some of my memories, or watch more French films, or prepare a French meal or drink more French wine during July. Life has the tendency to throw curve balls when you least expect it. But to my advantage, as I was supporting a girl friend with breast cancer, or working too hard on a report for the boss, or supporting my partner with house renovations, and updating my 12 year old laptop...... I have had a little place to go to in my morning peace and meditations - Paris, has been a delightful escape. Thank you to you all for joining in and sharing so much.
I have one little memory I want to share with you now. Tour de France, 2011. This was the 10th anniversary of our chance to travel alongside the Tour and to be an Australian on the Champs Elysees the day an Australian won the Tour de France. I have so many wonderful memories of that trip, of wearing an Australian flag on the Champs Elyees, of riding my bike up Alpe d'huez and Mt Ventoux (at my own pace), and staying in the same hotels as cycling teams from around the world, and mingling with the faces and voices of the Tour that we've watched on TV for years.
Amongst some favourite memories, was the fun and excitement of standing in little villages with the locals, waiting for the Carnival Parade to come through before the race and riders did. Adults and children alike, screaming for the treats to be thrown towards us, and reaching across the barriers to gather the goodies....
Some of the floats and displays had global connection for kids and adults alike, while others were uniquely French ( or particularly not Australian!)....
And those French specific floats, introduced us to sweets and treats we would become addicted to and search for when we got home.... 10 years ago Haribo weren't in Australia, but now we see them more and more...
So, as Paris in July the annual blogging event closes out, I want to thank you so much for being a part of the great parade, the Carnival, and the show. When time opens up for me, my TBR list is now thoroughly spiced with wonderful French and Paris themed books, and my appetite for more French food, wine and cheese has been enlivened, and my dreams of getting back to Paris has been ignited. So many wonderful new things on my travel list now - thank you. Here's my 2011 Tour de France memory, and one of the highlights for 2021 ...
And here's to one of the best Aussies in 2021 Tour de France - Ben O'Connor, came fourth overall, and won his own stage....
We've reach the final station on our Paris in July 2021 journey. One last week, or half a week... But who says it all has to stop here.. there's always more books, films, recipes, artists and memories to review and share.
In the past week we've been through a few stations along the metro of Paris - we went to the Cafe du Dome, walking through the flea markets in the streets of Paris, we stopped for a French dinner out of the camper and of course, the mandatory visit to Shakespeare and Co. We've also learned more about Anais Ninn, what French books you can read in one sitting, and the Wondrous Words: Coup de Foudre, or special moments that feel like a lightening strike. I have to thank Mel U and NancyElin for their prolific reading and reviews of French literature, and books about Paris and France.
So here we are, almost at the end of the line, and we all have that sinking feeling - it cant be over yet. But yes, Paris in July is about celebrating all things Paris and French during July. I know myself, I had hoped to do a few more posts before the end of the month, but I may be continuing into August, and maybe even a return to Paris later in the year to wind up the trip...
My quote this week comes from a large book I have in my library (now known as the home home office) which I flick through from time to time - French Essence: Ambience, Beauty and Style in Provence by Vicki Archer.
There is a certain something about the French and the style in which they live that creates a unique ambience. Their success lies in the inherent ability to blend all the senses, which makes for a life that is filled with emotion and a life in which the sense are forever stimulated. Ambiance permeates every aspect of French life, whether it be in private spaces or public places.
As you may have noticed in my interview with Karen (here), I believe there are those who love the dream of Paris, and those who know and love real Paris - and in particular about the people we never think of in our romantic visions of the beautiful city. Earlier this year I had the chance to see a couple of movies during the Alliance Francais French Film festival. This movie was a stand out for me. I loved it.
Hors Normes or The Extraordinary - ( or in other parts of the world I think its called The Specials ). It was made by the same directors who made the totally awesome movie, The Untouchables.
The story is based on a true story. For twenty years, Bruno and Malik have lived in a different world—the world of autistic children and teens. In charge of two separate non-profit organizations (The Hatch & The Shelter), they train young people from underprivileged areas to be caregivers for extreme cases that have been refused by all other institutions. It’s an exceptional partnership, outside of traditional settings, for some quite extraordinary characters. [ref:]
Why this movie touched me? my cousin is profoundly autistic, and is lucky to live in a country where our social welfare system supports those who need care. Our taxpayers expect the system to care for these people. But this movie shows the reality facing families and communities with the extraordinary struggle of caring people people who need extra help... and the extra ordinary people who provide that care even when the system doesn't....
For Paris in July, I have been looking to a charity in Paris that I could donate to .. and in my searching I found these in-depth analysis of the history of support and advocacy for people living with disabilities in France. The disadvantaged in any society are disadvantaged by our mainstream focus on 'normal'... I'm happy to be stretched beyond the normal.
Nearly 20 days into July and how excitingly diverse has this journey been? I'm loving it, and I'm hearing from many that it's been a great joy. In the past week, we have been enlightened by posts about classic literature, films, images from Paris now, and memories of Paris past. We seen recipes, reviews of novels, essays, posts about the authors themselves , and more of Maigret! and of course, it was Bastille Day.
For me, the highlight this week was spending time with Karen, my fellow co founder of Paris in July, and being reminded of why this idea even got started. So here's a quote I found to reflect on this week, and our shared passion to spend time in Paris in July each year together....
“The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers & cities; but to know someone who thinks & feels with us, & who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.” ― Goethe
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