On a flea market outing I bought some old photos of a young fellow named Jean Paul. I made up a story about him in my mind. It was very detailed. I’m having trouble now remembering what I made up and what is the truth. I decided that my travel journal needed a patron saint. Jean Paul is it! I stayed up v.v. late one night searching online for my saint. Found the small town in France he came from. Then I found something remarkable.
We share a birthday! Both of us born on January 8th 10 years apart. Of course, he’s gone now. Died in a terrible fire at sea. He was a merchant marine. While all the other sailors pushed past him away from the smoke and flames he displayed a rash, uncommon bravery and ran toward the fire! Always putting the needs of others before himself. In other words, the most perfectly fabulous patron saint anyone could want for their travel journal. sigh.
Of course no one will ever know whether it was due to heroics or smoke induced confusion. But I know. I know. I also found some letters he wrote his dear grandmother. Chrissy translated them for me.
He writes,
“Father has calmed us by telling us that the STRANGLER has been arrested – his first name is Lucien. He has an easy name and I hope that the law will punish him severely.”
Um. Excuse me, but that’s only the bestest letter a person could ever hope to find! Especially this person who is always on the look out for crimes that need solving.
Dear Jean Paul,
Wherever in this big wide world you are (or aren’t.) I thank you for your imaginative contributions to my journal. It wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t found you! I’m sorry your photos ended up at the flea market. But I’m awfully glad I was the one to gobble them up. Also I like your shorts and your little dog. You look very happy on the day this photo was taken.
love & air kisses all around,
mary ann
p.s. about the tragedy at sea. you did the right thing.
another letter I found at another flea market…who knows what I’ll find in there!
That just might be the coolest flea market find, ever. I think his photos were meant to be found by you, because you would appreciate and respect them.
oh my gosh, i am so in love with your blog/trip/journal! i’m always checking to see if you have a new post, reading it over and over, soaking in the awesome photos and then dying for the next one!!!!
Greetings Moss Cottage, Im with you when do we leave:):)You find the best stuff. You should of been a writtermy dear I love the stories you tell, they trally keepme on the edge of my chair wondering as I urn the page what will be next case in point Paris.
Have a great day,
Bojour,
Linda
Loving every minute of these pages! Strangely I was in Paris at the same time but camped out on the Left Bank. How fun it would have been to cross paths! As I read your entries…we were close..but not quite.
Loving you sharing your adventures from Paris, and especially loving your sense of humour 🙂
Love it, love it, love it!! Wee wee!!
Ooooo, I love magic! Starts with M like Mary Ann.
Mary Ann you are so funny! I love the journal and have already promised myself admission price into your next online journaling class once this semester is over. YOu might like this travel web: http://www.triptrotting.com/
Angela
You are quite the imaginative woman. I love your patron saint Jean Paul. He will be forever in your heart (and in your journal). I am so happy you are keeping the memories of Paris alive and in fine fettle. Now for a cup of espresso and one of those caramel crepes freshly made and warm and drizzly with deliciousness. v.v.fun I say…
You slay me, Woman.
You are too hilarious for words! You AND Jean Paul. What a pair!
Oh. And yes Jean Paul, you did the right thing.
I cried thinking of Jean Paul. Thank you so much for caring enough to honor his life. What an inspiration you are. You make my day.
Ooh la la! I am so relieved that the STRANGLER has been arrested! Your journal is magnifique!
Mary Ann … I agree with Pat P … I hope this journey just keeps on and on … until your next adventure :-).
I agree-best letter ever. But, am still trying to figure out how having “an easy name” is cause for severe punishment. I hope this trip never ends.
Amazing pages. I just pour over them and stare for the longest time. Mary Ann you have a brilliant mind and such a wonderful beautiful spirit!
Love, love, love…
Awesome pages, loved your letter to the ephemeral memory of a stranger turned saint.
Mary Ann, did you know that April is the “fake journal month”? to make a fake persona and journal from that perspective? Maybe jean paul needs a journal of his own, it just sounds like he would have a lot to say to the world about bravery etc.!? 🙂
Take care!
R o A D T R i P!!!! Can I be a relief driver? That’s a long journey – especially in REVERSE. I love the Bonjour Page! Jean Paul is way too fashion forward for a simple halo. He’s got his Oz lenses on. & you – Mary Ann – I know you are an introvert BUT PULeaZe, you simply must add something mahvelous to your image on the opposite page. The tableaux set-up demands it and you are, Bien Sur, our Patron Saint of Paris. I also love the “Haussmann”, “Paris”, “Medici” moment – never dull! and the young JP singing with his hands in his pockets. Jaunty. Tres charmant!
That card is like a permission slip of sorts. It looks to be for a private boarding school and indicates where the child would be allowed to go (on outings) when not in the care of the school, during holidays and weekends or free time. Interesting!
And this is where having French as one of two national official languages comes in handy. Good for reading labels in grocery stores, translating the plays for the husband when the hockey game is only televised on the French channel (I told him all he needs to know is “Il but!”-he scores!) and identifying random art ephemera. HA!
Too cool! Someday I might tell you about Gorgeous George, a Tibetan fellow I saw at a monastery near Lhasa…I had a whole story made up in my mind about him.
Your Jean Paul is perfect and your journal is ever-so-much enhanced with his photos. I’m glad you got them. Now they will be appreciated and cherished.
Oh my gosh … this trip and journal just keep getting better and better!
oh, such fun. as if paris itself is not exciting enough, but you have found a way to make it even more intriguing! what an interesting travel journal you’ve created.
I had to de-lurk to tell you that January 8th is the BEST birthday! We share it with David Bowie, Elvis, and Charles Osgood of CBS Sunday morning.
Oh mon dieu…c’est triste n’est pas? That is about all the french I can muster at the moment. How I wish I were in Paris right now…maybe next year. I have enjoyed riding along on this trip with you.
Sea tragedies, stranglers, small dogs, oh my! Nobody does a travel journal as succulently as a certain Ms. Moss!!!
I admire the imagination and adventure that is put into your journal!