A few of the doors of Paris.....
Most of them were brightly colored and large, really large. I would imagine they are scaled large due to the massiveness of the buildings that they provide entry to. We never went to a neighborhood in Paris, individual homes, so not sure if that color and massiveness carries out into the other parts of Paris. We did ride the train to Disney France, about a 40 minute ride and all I saw thru the windows were apartments, no neighborhoods like I see on my train trips to downtown Chicago. A world apart.
Ask me what I have done this last week of July.....nothing, absolutely nothing. It has been hot which the swim pool owners are thrilled with, my yard and garden, not so much. I have had to actually water the grass for the first time this summer....gasp!! All that complaining and bitching about the rain, now we need it....figures.
The daylilies did exceptionally well this year, probably due to the enormous amount of rain we had in the spring and early summer. Eventho they will bloom without much moisture, they certainly thrived with the addition of more water.
As the summer begins to wind down, the kids will be back in school in a couple of weeks, I am spending as much time as possible on the back porch. Even with the heat it is pleasant with the breezes and the overhead fan if needed.
I have finished reading "Longbourne". You will love it if you are a fan of "Pride & Prejudice" and Jane Austin. The language is beautiful, the descriptions are like poetry. I will admit that it is not a page turner in the sense of "Girl on the Train" but a pure joy to read. And speaking of old English, anybody watching "Poldark" on PBS? Oh yum....another Masterpiece gem.
It was 4 years ago today, Aug 1st that I placed my sweetie in a care facility, one of my life's most difficult decisions. I don't regret that decision, nor have I ever second guessed my decision, what I do regret is not being able to share trips like to Paris with him. That was the plan we had but life took a different path. I am forever grateful and blessed to the caregivers that are with him each day so that I can continue to enjoy life, feeling guilty at times, but I know he would want me to carry on. I did shed a few tears while in Paris, knowing how much he would have enjoyed the beauty.
Going now, either to sit on the porch or go thru more pictures. Porch sounds good....
The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy, they come when the mind is still, when silence speaks loudest." -- Leon Brown
Until next time.....
Beautiful detail shots of Paris, didn't you just love this city? I am still going through my trip and it will probably last me through the summer, can't think of a better way to spend the summer. How cool we were at the same hotel, I loved the hotels we stayed at in Europe. Now if we had been there at the same time that would have been awesome. The weather was perfect while there and understand it got really hot in July. So glad we did it in June, as I can get heat here at home. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my . . . the light posts, buildings, architecture . . .
ReplyDeleteYour photography . . .
Flowers . . .
Four years . . .
Sad for you, and the life path . . .
Happy for you that you have continued on, creating new memories
and sharing with us . .
Deanna, Your photos of Paris deserve some card stock or poster-sized mosaics! I love the white on white of butterfly and daisy. The porch does sound good - I'm thinking my deck might be beckoning me, too! I often think of the decision you had to make. One of the hardest decisions in your marriage, I'd guess. We can't control where life leads us, just carry on and do the best we can.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be so hard to do those trips without him, which is why I make Glen do the trips we do now, you just never know. Can you dial down the heat before I get there next week :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very moving -I can' t imagine how hard that decision was. But, if he loved you, which it sure sounds like he did -he would not wish for you to do anything else but live your life.
ReplyDeleteI am getting so much from your pictures. My trip a year ago is like a dream, but comes immediately alive when I see you photographing the same things I did. I actually recognize three of those doors! If I weren't too lazy, I'd be tempted to say I would post one pic for each of yours!
Yes those buidlings and lamps are amazing. I also love your close ups of the flowers. They are always stunning. Yes it is very sad that your husband was not with you but that was never meant to be and he is being well looked after. can you not sit on the porch and putyour laptopon your knee to see your phtographs? Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
ReplyDeleteYou took such amazing pictures of Paris! So glad your garden is flourishing. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures of street lamps and so well framed! What wonderful colourful doors too. Gorgeous flower shots and it sounds as if you've been doing some good reading too.
ReplyDeleteYour husband is always in your heart - and that is the very best place for any loved one to be. Life has many unexpected twists and turns and we can only adapt ourselves and do the best we can with what is given and what is taken away. I hope the rest of your summer will be full of beauty and wonder.
I have enjoyed sharing your trip through your photos. I will probably never get there myself. My parents did...it reminds me of them too. Glad you are taking the time to weed out your photos too. I'd much prefer a hundred good ones than 1,000 I don't love. I've gotten better with that over the years. Thank you for being so honest about this anniversary...I think about these things. Grateful for the wonderful caregivers...thankful for the joy you can still have.
ReplyDeleteYour photos bring back wonderful memories for me, too. In fact, I was culling and editing right before popping over here. Will we ever finish it all? I didn't do doors in Paris but I did in Italy. However, I do remember some of the doors from Paris. The one on our apartment building was massive and heavy but then all the buildings are so old. In Italy, it was the same thing. The doors were fascinating. Funny though, I didn't even notice the street lamps in Paris! I think I'll have to go back and check them out ...
ReplyDeleteOh, my, I don't know where to begin. I love the lamps and the doors, too....show all, show more...show anything you want as far as I am concerned. I may be slow getting to them, but I will enjoy them. Your flowers are gorgeous...love that day lily.
ReplyDeleteWe have enjoyed Poldark...last night was the last episode and wouldn't you know that our PBS station was having problems. I am hoping they are up and running by the weekend when it will repeat on Saturday. Did you happen to see The Crimson Field? It was so good, but left me wanting more. Hope it means they will do another series of it.
Wow, your Paris photos are simply amazing. I understand the tears while there, missing your husband. Hope he is well. My dad is in the beginning stages of Parkinson's AND Alzheimer's. Very sad. Well, it's good of you to continue on, making memories with your family and friends.
ReplyDeleteA tough decision indeed, Deanna, but I too know, that he would want you to continue on.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing all of these beautiful images here. What a wonderful trip this must have been. I am so in awe of the architecture. Can you even begin to imagine what it must have taken to construct these buildings????
You have a wonderful week, my friend.
I know you carry our sweetie in your heart everywhere you go and I am so glad you continue to explore and live life to the fullest. Your images are beautiful as always. I can't think of a better way to spend a long summer day than on the screen porch with the fan going reading or culling through your wonderful images.....
ReplyDeleteDeanna,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your quiet time on the porch with your "kiddos." Also, enjoy the memories that your photos bring you.
Your flowers are gorgeous! I keep thinking I need to plant some day lilies. They are very hardy and would add a different color and style to my "wild flower" garden on the west side of the house.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Love the architectural details in these shots. Really beautiful. Lovely shots from your garden too.
ReplyDeleteLove your shots and you have really gotten a good variety showing the amazing architecture. Every part of paris is just amazing... you might have to go again. Glad you are still able to enjoy the summer on the porch. 106 degrees here and no fan would be able to offset that. Working and being out in this is miserable. Your flowers are also gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous series of photos.
ReplyDeleteYou took some amazing pictures of Paris, Deanna. :) It such a charming city, full of beauty everywhere you look. :D
ReplyDelete