Just a very quick post to say Hello and Welcome to those of you who might have come here via Sue “High Heels” post on fashion consumerism. I hope you find a few reasons to stick around and/or to stop by again — if you’re following Sue’s directions, we might just be like-minded souls . . .
I’m also posting this to test whether my subscription mailing service is working. My latest post — with which, to be honest, I was quite pleased, and which I was looking forward to sharing with you and chatting about — didn’t get delivered on Friday. I’m not sure whether this was a one-time glitch (it’s happened once before, I think because I clicked “Publish” just as the cyber-postie was collecting the mail, so that my mailing fell in the cracks between a 12:00 and a 12:30 pick-up. Or something. I try for old-school analogies, but sometimes it’s easier just to think the magic wand of technology temporarily lost its mojo. . . .)
At any rate, if you missed that one, please click through or scroll down or somehow navigate your way to it. There’s a good conversation building there, somewhat complementary to the bigger one at Sue’s place.
At any rate, I’m not keen to send out another post I’ve worked hard on IF I think it might not reach many of you, and apparently the person who can right this wrong is away from the office until Wednesday (unusually, and it seems a much-deserved and needed break to me, just poorly timed for my needs 😉
But I do have two other posts almost ready to publish, and it may be that the problem has corrected itself, so consider this post a Trial Balloon (would a newsletter folded into a Paper Airplane make less of a mixed-metaphor situation here?) and forgive me for the extraneous mailbox clutter. I’ll try to make it worthwhile with a few Paris windows, shall I?
And if this works, in short order I will be publishing the follow-up to last Friday’s post on Travel and Clothing and Slow Fashion, so I’ll be sharing the packing list for a 3-week carry-on-only wardrobe and evaluating how that worked out. I’ve also got my October Books post almost ready to share — yes, I’ve broken my record for tardiest posting yet, but it’s coming, soon. . .
Okay, I’m going to cross my fingers and hope this lands in your mailbox this morning. Meanwhile I’ve got a pudding to steam here. . . and a dress to finish for a wee knit mouse (photos to come, be warned).
That’s it, then. Whether a Trial Balloon or a Paper Airplane, off she heads into cyber-space, my little missive. Let me know, would you, if she lands safely somewhere near you?
xo,
f
It has landed quite safely,as well as the last one,Frances! Looking forward to the next one (and next and next)
The coffee(:)) cups are so lovely!
Dottoressa
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Imagine us sitting down to coffee together with those lovely cups (lots of room for šlagom 😉
What a treat! We will Frances… one day… and “sa šlagom”!
D.
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Big smiles here! xo
A pigeon has arrived here in Bristol with your post tucked safely under its wing.
Love those Parisian windows but not sure if I find those white rabbits a little too realistic.
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Thanks for letting me know — I do love a pigeon delivery!
And I know what you mean about the bunnies — I don’t think they’re taxidermy, but can’t be quite sure. . . .
Got it! But I didn’t get the previous one so I look forward to reading that and continuing the Sue conversation. Personally, I’m still wearing clothes which are 30 years old as well as newer sale/ thrifted and inherited! The ‘30 wears’ test tickles me – only 30 or at least 30 or 30 years? I’m so glad that some sense is starting to prevail and that the clothing industry is being exposed so that hopefully it can clean up its act on the industrial side as well as paying fair wages. I really enjoy your posts and am glad that your European trip worked out ok despite the additional red tape. Keep blogging!
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I’ll admit that I had too many clothes until our big move a few years ago, when I found them new homes. Having a small closet helps keep me focused now. But yes, at least 30, and 30 years is worth aiming at. . .
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Thank you; I love Mater’s posts on darning (there is also an occasional series in the Guardian – I’d like to find others. Yes, fair wages and working conditions in Bangladesh and in industrialised Northern countries – and an end to the fast-fashion rubbish nightmare.
Both of your posts made it to the US East Coast without problem.
Thanks for sharing the Parisian window scenes–lovely to peruse them while sipping my tea. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Mary — thanks for letting me know you got them.
Bonjour Frances
Got your e mail, enjoyed the parisians photos and also my reading (good exercise for me actually, learning 3or 4 new words every 5 lines !!) Still wonder how you can manage all these activities of yours!! i just admire you !!👏🏻
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Aw, kind words, Sylvie. Thank you!
Yes this first one was waiting for me and I’m enjoying your Parisian windows with my morning tea. I found you through Sue and send greetings from Portland, Oregon!
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Glad to have your company. Hello Portland! 😉
Your paper plane landed safely in Wales as did your previous one . It was good to know that you had reached home safely after your recent travels .
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I’m glad to know this, Mary. Thanks!
Hi Frances… Got this one but not the last one. That mail service is picky. He/she/they deliver to some but not all your contacts. Technology is a BIG pain. As I am finding this week while trying to choose a new host for my blog. Why does everyone in the tech world think I should know what all those thingies are on my WP dashboard??? Ha.
xo
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Ugh, I know! I’m glad I’ve got that behind me for now. And I got really great support on this once Phil was back in the office.
Got it in Seattle! The pictures of the window are lovely – and so glad that you enjoyed your trip to Paris! Maybe someday…soon…
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I will cross my fingers for you. 😉
I’m crossing fingers and touching wood for all the flooded people and other animals in British Columbia and Washington state…
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Yes, another atmospheric river is flowing over us right now. Your concern is appreciated.
Received! So looking forward to reading your posts!
Thank you,
Susan
Forgot to add that I did not receive the first one.
Happy Thanksgiving to all your US readers….
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In fact, that earlier one didn’t go out, but all should be working now.
Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Frances – this balloon landed, but I dont think I got the earlier one. I do seek you out , but also like to get my email reminder. Marvellous collection of windows – I am just back from London and not many to match those of Paris .
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Thanks, Margaret — your London jaunt looked great! I’ve never been in London through the festive season and would like to check out those windows some day.
Those rabbits – I agree with Ceci & some of the birds are rather creepy too but the vase with the golden bird is lovely & the crockery of course . Hope you technology wrestling will soon be over .
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Thanks, Wendy. You and Ceci are making me think it might be a good thing that I didn’t have grandkids with me. . . don’t need rabbits in their nightmares! 😉
Such beautiful windows. I am enjoying with my cup of tea!
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Glad to hear it!
When I was little,many,many moons ago,I thought that when we grew up we would get small again(never die). enjoyed your past post on Teacups. Somewhere our daughter got the same idea and I w as amazed that history was repeating itself. (Of course, I never told her that!) Covid did one good thing-made us use old fashioned ways of communicating. My family and I had good intentions,but after a while Facetime,Portal, Skyping,etc. got old and it has sort of slipped from use. Mine have never been much with phones,except for gaming which is so not me. Loved the Paris windows and all the travel pictures bloggers are posting. It does make it easier to stay home and travel vicariously! Please keep posting, even without the rabbits the pictures are wonderful to see! Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!
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Cute anecdote about your Inner Child (and your daughter’s)
I think a few of us turned to “snail mail” during this pandemic time. I’m pleased to have the technology as an option, but it takes a certain energy, doesn’t it?
Thanks for the good wishes.
London calling (well Bedfordshire actually) announcing safe arrival of your message! Loved the Parisian windows. How I would love to see them in person, notwithstanding the nightmare bunnies, but looking forward to more of your travelogues.
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Thanks for calling, from Bedfordshire 😉 I’m pleased to know you enjoyed browsing those windows.
I really enjoyed looking at the items in the windows. I did not receive the fisrt email. I live in Oregon.
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Hello, Claudette from Oregon. Really pleased to have you here.
Balloon has landed — thanks foro the window shopping!
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You’re very welcome!
No problem with email here, but I feel I should explain why I rarely respond. To be honest, by the time I’ve read through your post and the comments that follow, there’s nothing left for me to say! Everyone else has said it all much more eloquently than I could have, which I find rather intimidating. I realize, somewhat belatedly, that I should at least thank you for the time and effort you put into all your posts. I do enjoy reading them and reflecting.
Frances in Sidney
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No need ever to explain or apologize, but I’m always pleased to hear from you and know you’re out there reading (and reflecting” as you say).
My husband is currently reading an earlier mystery by Higashino (Under the Midnight Sun) that I spotted at the library last week and grabbed even though I’m already committed to a few other titles first — so I gave it to him as an intro to a mystery writer you introduced me to. So it’s a reciprocal conversation, and I thank you very much as well.
Your letter arrived in my box and was a joy to open post chilly hike. I am a dedicated coffee drinker and the mugs behind the tea cups look just about perfect.
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I love reading this! Can picture you back home and reading after your tromp through the hillsides!
I ahve it…glorious! I live the Paris windows….we visited in Spring. Enjoy thevrest of yiur visit.
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Aren’t the windows great, any time of year, in Paris?!
I got this one as well as the last. looking forward to continuing the conversation in the next. and I did enjoy the look at the Parisian windows.
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Good to know, Darby. Thank you!
That bird vase! That window! C’est moi!
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Right? I feel as if I could move right in (as long as I had someone who could do all the dusting!)
This one arrived safely in Melbourne, Aus, but not the previous one, which I will now hunt down in the ether!
Always appreciate your posts, and I’ve enjoyed the window shopping in Paris immensely, despite the angry bunnies😏
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Thanks for letting me know, Jules. (Do you think we need a bumper sticker now? Stay Away From Angry Bunnies! . . . mind you, you Australians already have a history with these hoppy little guys)
Am reading this from Southern California! Thanksgiving is a day away with company arriving and lots of cooking going on…even though I’m not hosting for the first time in 40+years! Son and his in-laws are taking the honors this year. Two great-grandmothers in their 90’s, who have become sweet friends, will be in attendance!
Thank you for sending, Frances! Looking forward to reading your next post!
Charlene H
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Happy Thanksgiving, Charlene! Enjoy your wonderful extended family gathering, more precious every year with those two nonagenarians.
Never mind the kids…..there are at least four things in the windows that I would buy for me and for others….why is there nothing like this anywhere around me?
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It’s true!
Always love Parisian windows, especially Christmas ones. They seem less commercial and more whimsical than most. I too seek you out and I read and enjoyed your last post. I hope the awful storms you’ve had in BC are finally over and that things will gradually getting back to normal.
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Thanks, Maria. I love the commitment to art/creativity and community that the windows represent. Of course they draw eyes to a commercial enterprise, but they seem at least as much designed to contribute to an overall aesthetic, a collective enjoyment of the visual world. Or something.
One more storm this week, and we’re crossing our fingers. . . .
These random thoughts should be in bullet form but here goes:
I am 100% certain the rabbits are not taxidermy and 99.9% certain they are not made of real fur (based on years of living alongside and watching wild rabbits).
I don’t get email reminders, I hate them (ha!), I just visit as time permits. So you will have at least one reader no matter what.
I seldom wash my jeans (I looked at them after reading your post, and thought ‘hmm’)
Am formulating some thoughts on clothes and how many. Something to do with confidence in your body. Will continue thinking.
Lots of reading lately but never take notes. Must strive to remember before you post.
Buona giornata 🙂
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Your certainty bolsters mine. In person (well, through a window) they struck me more as akin to a good stuffed bear . . . a Steiff, for example.
I don’t like many email reminders myself and prefer to drop in fairly regularly. Very glad to know I won’t lose your reading presence if the system fails 😉
I’m working my way to seldom on the jeans. Not quite there yet, but close.
Yes! something to do with confidence in one’s body — as manifestation (or extension?) of some core self? Maybe? Or not? Will be curious to know where your continued thinking takes you.
And yes, please do strive. . . I’m always interested. Still haven’t got Swann’s Way on my nightstand, but have plopped Ovid’s Metamorphosis there, and there’s progression through the text at slightly better than iceberg pace. Iceberg in the old days, I should say.
Buona giornata anche a Lei 😉
This one landed in my inbox, but the previous one didn’t. Thank you for linking to it as I would have hated to miss it.
You might be interested to know that I’ll be mentioning both you and Sue in my Friday post this week, with appropriate links, of course.
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Thanks for letting me know — I’ll look forward to reading your post.
Hi Frances
It’s here and your book post arrived today as well.
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Good to know, thanks!
Got it, thanks!
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Thanks for letting me know