Le Parc Monceau 1878 Claude Monet
Me in our garden window Fontainebleau! 2026
Le Parc Monceau 1877 Gustave Caillebotte
Le Parc Monceau 1876 Claude Monet
Sister in the bathroom window! Fontainbleau 2026
A travel journal is a container, a logbook, a diary. We worked in ours daily on various French tables. In public and private, by daylight or moonlight, in rain or sun. These upcoming posts about my sister and my visit to France will be like the table you see above. Disorganized, a bit chaotic. Going nowhere, but maybe somewhere. Similar to the trips we take. The logistics are planned, but everything else is day-by-day for the most part. Up in the air. Where will our feet and the wheels of the bus take us that day?
The photos could be better if I had taken my old Nikon with me or a better iPhone, but no matter. That’s the main thing that’s changed as I’ve gotten older: I can’t be bothered with photos. I do love capturing snippets of my day on video, but I arrive home without a corresponding stack of photos. The videos are on Instagram, the travel journal is on Substack in case you’re interested.
For now I leave you with a few unpolished scenes from our trip to France. I wish I had taken more photos of the sublime Parc Monceau in Paris, but instead I have found some paintings. The impressionists captured it better than I could have. How lovely it was to sit on the reclining green benches there and observe other mammals of our species in their natural habitat. We sat in the pockets of sun we found and absorbed everything. Doorways in our minds unlatched and swung open and we began to drift along. Smiling, content, carried by the current of soft commotion and muffled conversations.
So my friends and longtime companions, I send to you the first in a series of short postcards from France. I hope you’re well. Peaceful in your own worlds, absorbed by things of your own choosing. I’ll just be here taking more naps than necessary and guzzling more cups of souvenir Parisian hot chocolate than prudent.
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What a wonderful trip. If we had smell-la-vision you could smell the freshness in the trees, the smell of the wet walkways, ponds twinkling with raindrops. I could almost feel I’m there with you two. I’ll be in Paris in two weeks I can’t hardly wait.
I’m so excited for you Margarita and I hope you get to meet Christine and Max. They were so wonderful. I look so forward to hearing about your trip to Paris and the retreat you’re going on…it’s sure to be lovely. xoxo
Dear Mary Ann, Oh… how lovely you will be sharing with us, while in Paris. Anything you share with us is always interesting to me. I admit that I will be more devoted to my email, while you are in one of my favorite places. Your photos are so nice to see, especially the sunset or sunrise( I forget which it is ). Have the best, delightful time, you and “sister “. You always do, from what I’ve experienced from your various methods of sharing. I will think good thoughts, as you adventure forth. Thank you so much for sharing!!!🌅
my pleasure to have you along with us, thanks Leslie
Maryann— Exactly which tiny travel palette did you get from Amazon? I’ve been wanting one for the gouache. Looks like a fabulous trip and memories to savor with your Sis.
Kate Jocelyn
just posted the link in new post!
omg! taking the walk w you and your sister! enjoy and thanks for taking us along am inspired to take out my paints
Lets go visit Quentin at Dose in the morning and then take a walk to the park and watch all the Parisian joggers zip by and then go look and see if the baby ducks are getting bigger!
It looks like it was a wonderful trip and I lived vicariously through you for a few days via Instagram! I’m sure just being out of the American news cycle for a few days was hugely refreshing. The French, I think, have a better sense of life balance than we do, although if there’s a labor strike of course that all goes out the window lol. Glad you had peaceful days and Monet-like scenery to enjoy!
Thank you for letting me tag along.
It looks like a marvelous trip!!!
I enjoyed your travel videos immensely! Thank you for taking us along in your pocket! I’m off to Substack to see what your recorded in your journal!