Click on and be surprised. I’m hoping at least one of these websites is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a short list to not overwhelm.
paris, the city
Have you met anyone who doesn’t like Paris? I love Paris. What’s most amusing about this statement is, I hate to say this, I’ve never been to Paris. France, yes, but somehow Paris remains elusive. For me, it’s a love affair experienced second-hand through books, magazines, and people. Every day I read eletters from International Living www.internationalliving.com, and although all the writers are top-rate, first I read what Adrian Leeds is up to in Paris, and a bit beyond. She’s really witty, has lived in Paris for over ten years (coming from New Orleans), loves her adopted city, and, when writing, covers all things French, and mostly of Paris. And in so doing, makes you feel you’re there. She, along with other professionals, helps IL subscribers who want to live and/or work in Paris, and beyond, find their spot there, or those wanting a summer rental, or needing to learn the language, or desiring to take a course in travel writing. It all sounds . . . very nice.
Now what is it about Paris that captures the imagination? Wish I could answer that question from first-hand experience. For the most part, I find people vague about exactly why they like Paris. And why is that? Is it because it’s a feeling, and feelings are personal? Ah, well, when all is said and done, wherever you are, stay happy. And if you get to Paris this summer, say hello for me.
Here are two websites of things French: www.parismarais.com www.parismarais.fr/blog
thomas paine
Thomas Paine served as the first Secretary of State for Pennsylvania, and I’m not seeing many statues of him as I meander around Philadelphia. Though perhaps there are too many of Benjamin Franklin. When delving into this matter, I found a website, www.virtualtourist.com that mentioned the Thomas Paine Plaza, and this is what is written: “Right across City Hall in Penn Square, you’ll find Thomas Paine Plaza. Named after the author of “Common Sense.” There are two sculptures as part of the Thomas Paine Plaza – one is of Benjamin Franklin the craftsman, the other a tribute to the US Bicentennial in 1976.” The lack tells its own story.
I continued searching and found an article in Namaste magazine Vol.9 Issue 3, www.namastepublishing.co.uk,
I learned about his commitment “In the establishment of a free government.” And that he “Coined the title ‘United States of America.” That he wrote Common Sense and Age of Reason. And he was “First to call for independence from England and provided the tone and content for the Declaration of Independence.” He was “First to advocate the abolition of slavery and write the first law regarding emancipation (1775).” And “First to publicly call for complete equality for women.” He “Organized the first bank in America to fund the Revolution and took the lead in funding the Revolution, organized supplies and donated all proceeds of Common Sense to the cause.” He was “First to call for a constitutional convention in 1778 for the Articles of Confederation.” And was “Instrumental in the first victory of the Revolution at Trenton when, with the first of his Crisis Papers, he inspired the troops. He wrote, ” ‘These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.’ ” – something he never received. Yet, “Robert Inglesol (1833-1899), wrote of Thomas Paine, ‘With his name left out, the history of liberty cannot be written.”
I continued reading, “Thomas Paine was nothing in England. He belonged to the lower classes,” as did Benjamin Franklin. “There was no avenue open for him so he left England at the age of thirty-seven for America.” I find this sad, and, as usual when reading this about our history, immensely informative. Truthfully, I’m ashamed for not attempting to learn about this brilliant individual called Thomas Paine until now.
At The Philosophical Society at 105 South Fifth Street in Philadelphia his manuscript collection, letters he wrote, letters written to him, documents, and a poem of his can be viewed and homage paid to a man who “was one of the foremost political philosophers of the 18th century” and whose “ideas influenced the courses of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution and are still of significance today.”
Imagine, Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was accorded no recognition, given no thanks, and died in dire straits, in total poverty. I’ll say a silent thank you to him as I think it’s never too late to say thank you.
“My country is the world and my religion is to do good.” – Thomas Paine (1737 – 1809) – one of the great polemicists in American history
oops! father’s day has come and gone
Oops! No post here on Father’s Day. How can that be when so frequently I look around and admire all the fathers attending to their children. It’s never too late to write about this big wonderful change. When did this happen that men are sharing parenting big time? Of course, there always have been great fathers, just not in the numbers we’re now seeing. It’s exciting. Yeah to Michael and Toshi and to men the world over who understand how much they’re needed by their children. Good job men! Happy Belated Father’s Day. www.fathers.com
is it time to detoxify?
It’s impossible to get through the day without hearing or reading something about detoxifying, at least in my world it’s that way. Today aol had a blurb on Oprah’s 21-day detox, and mention of her daily posts on her blog. It rang a bell because I’m preparing for another cleansing session – the benefits are so great – physical, mental, spiritual – providing one pays attention to what’s happening by clearing time for stillness. Rushing about and carrying the same ole stress load changes the meaning of detoxifying, and tends to curtail what could be a powerful time. I say this because Emi gave me a few pages of an article in Elle, more or less about fasting and the various methods. One person said when talking about The Master Cleanser: “It was surprisingly filling, but the experience was isolating. . .” and, he continued, “And inconvenient. After the salt-water, I couldn’t leave the house for at least two hours. If you know what I mean.” And I say, of course, that’s what happens when fasting. (I have only this one page and no author or date, but it must be current if it came from Emi.) www.oprah.org www.elle.com
My ideal scenario when detoxifying would be to be near the sea; walking in the water, walking in the sand, time in the sun, staying happy, meditating, attention to what the within is saying, and being grateful for the experience. And yours?
Detoxing is agreeing there’s lots to be gained from the experience, and remembering what these things are. Focusing on a specific food, or drink (like coffee. Ha!), will create an internal tug of war. The thing is that doing something for a limited time should be a snap. Right?
A lot of people don’t believe detoxifying is important. They feel in their gut that it’s not for them, and that’s fine. Theirs is a different path. If something’s pulling you toward it, however, maybe that something is from within and is trying to get your attention. Perhaps then it’s important to go with that feeling.
Know what you’re doing and why, read and research. There’s a lot out there in the market place in recent years. And there’s the tried and true, also. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
sebastian and me
Have you spent time with a two-year old recently? The days are amusing, simple, fun – once needs are filled. I stayed with two-year-old Sebastian last week when Alicia and Michael flew to the Bahamas. They had the perfect vacation, and well, Sebastian and I did, too. We got to know one another better. The 105 degree temperature hovering around Raleigh the week before left. Sebastian and I abandoned the indoors and played in the yard with water toys, balls, toy cars, and when those things were exhausted he ran back and forth in the yard with his eyes closed, hair flying, and face looking toward the sky. In watching him, I felt free, too. I’m always wondering what goes on in the mind of a little one. A long time ago I came to the conclusion that it’s a lot more than we adults realize.
Did you happen to catch Brian Weiss on Oprah, along with Dr. Oz? Dr. Weiss wrote Many Lives Many Masters twenty years ago, and the book has earned a permanent place on the shelves of bookshops. When I read the book I had already made a decision about believing or not believing in reincarnation, and Many Lives Many Masters deepened that belief. When I spend time with a little one, I see a small body already having had many life experiences.
Though taking care of a little one is non-stop, looking back on the week with Sebastian, and, given a choice of the Bahamas or being with Sebastian in the backyard – without a doubt – I’d say, the Bahamas can wait.
www.exumabahamas.org
www.oprah.com
www.brianweiss.com
www.fourseasons.com/greatexuma
for mind body spirit
I’ve got something for you that’s even better than the best of the best of chocolate cakes, or creme brulee, or homemade papaya sorbet, or, okay I’ll stop. What I have is in the form of websites that you just might find informative, enlightening, inspiring. Want to give them a whirl? Here they are, just a few to keep things beautifully simple:
www.earlytorise.com
“One of the most popular newsletters on the internet.
www.20minutestolessstress.com
It speaks for itself.
www.centerpointe.com
“This website contains information on Bill Harris, his books and research, and the Holosync Technology-one of the best programs I’ve found for deepening the experience of meditation and increasing the brain’s capacity to handle stress.”
– The Unmistakable Touch of Grace by Cheryl Richardson
www.cherylrichardson.com
www.greatpeace.net
“Jerry Thomas, a former scientist who shifted gears and began practicing a monastic way of life.”
– Cheryl Richardson
www.first30days.com
Oh, yes, check it out
www.ammachi.org
A beautiful life from the moment of birth
www.spiritbearyouth.org
Always amazing and so satisfying is a story of what a few have done, and are still doing, along with the millions who’ve joined them.
bottled water? tap water? a good water filter?
Because there’s a lot of concern for the environment, and many concerns about the quantity of plastic bottles accumulating, and concerns about the shorebirds and fish dying “with bellies full of plastic pellets,” Bottled Water BACKLASH by Melissa Knopper, www.emagazine.com, it’s beginning to seem that we should help our environment and save our money by using tap water with a good water filter. It’s time to get clear about what we’re doing because there are many, many excellent reasons to not use bottled water. And why are we buying bottled water when there’s absolutely no guarantee it’s better than tap water, and in some cases worse than? And why aren’t we more concerned about those plastic bottles made of toxins which, under certain conditions, leak into the water in the bottle? Who are we fooling? Who’s fooling us? Frankly, sometimes it seems that we’re really not too bright. Ouch!
Things to think about:
“The Environmental Working Group (EWG) makes it easy with its Tap Water Database. You can plug in your zip code and find out whether your local water system is up to par.” www.ewg.org/tapwater
Water and Water Filters:
from the Edgar Cayce website:
www.baar.com
NATURAL CURES REVEALED by Kevin Trudeau www.naturalcures.com:
www.ewater.com
www.futurewatertoday.com
www.thewolfeclinic.com
www.johnnellis.com
Vitapur
(800) 815-5151
Waterwise Distiller 9000
Nutrition and Healing (800) 851-7100
E MAGAZINE May/June 2008:
www.turntotap.com.
Oh, yes, there are other possibilities – always.
joseph at signatures in phila
Cutting hair the right way is an art. Lots of people get paid to cut hair, but there aren’t a lot of people having the passion of their trade, or the vision to produce a hairstyle that goes with their client’s face structure and features. After moving to a new city, there’s always the process of elimination in trying to find someone. After two terrible attempts, and walking around slightly dishelved looking for not wanting to try yet another place, I got lucky on the third attempt with a place called Signatures, and a hairstylist called Joseph in Philadelphia at 116 S 19th Street, (215 567 1456), a few skips from Rittenhouse Square Park.
When you sit in Joseph’s chair, and watch his fingers work their magic on your hair, you get a feeling you’re in the right place with the right person who’s really liking what he does. Should you visit Phila and want someone with patience, skill, and creativity to work wonders with your hair, you might want to step into Signatures and sit in Joseph’s chair.
Before you go, check out www.philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8950387. It’s strange to have such a wide range of reviews. Life is like that sometimes.
a witless one, a camera, sjp’s hands
As I was logging on to my laptop I saw a little photo zeroing in on someone’s hands with words like man hands, veins, etc. It turns out they are Sarah Jessica Parker’s hands. The photo is irksome for a few reasons. Many things are happening in the world at the moment. Thousands in China have lost their lives, others have lost families, and others have lost homes. There are fires blazing elsewhere in the world, in different ways and in different parts of the world people are experiencing tragedies.
Then we have a witless one with a camera in our midst who can see no further than a pair of hands. Too bad. I think that if a palm reader were to look at the palms of SJP’s hands the lines would surely have love, success, friendship, abundance all nicely etched there. Another thing about the witless one with a camera is that we’ll have girls and women now wondering and worrying about their hands, as if they need more to be concerned about in our society’s obsession with a body’s surface beauty. Sarah Jessica Parker happens to be thin, there’s no meat on her bones, so to speak, hence the showing of veins. So, all you females out there, don’t get any ideas, your hands are fine just the way they are. There’s no need to start hiding them. In fact, think about their strength. Sometimes when I’m traveling, and carrying heavy bags, I marvel at the way hands were created, and all they’re capable of doing. Their strength is awesome.
Now to get back to the subject, O’ witless one, what was the point of a close-up photo of SJP’s hands, and the disparaging comment?