Like in the movie “Inception” I could imagine the suburban street with it’s plain vanilla buildings turning inward and then downward like the cubelets on a Rubik’s Cube and transforming into a Parisian street adorned with gold-embellished wrought iron street lights with the gentle hum of steps on centuries old stone streets, bells tolling in the nearby cathedral, and the air arush with activities of clergymen and lovers alike…

As the Bell Tolls and Lovers Go

Hot asphalt, familiar brick buildings, and the clanging reflections that stretch to the top of the clouds of another day

Another blue sky absorbed in the noise

Feeling like a ghost peering out from behind a veil that loosely blocks the vision of another place, another time

Revealing the sounds of sweet voices mingled with grand cathedral prayers in praise of the bells that toll for an empire of beauty that caresses the footsteps of lovers, pilgrims, leading them into a mist of devotion and purity

Constraining them from the mundane

Luring them toward the passionate intercourse of life, love and reflection

The asphalt cools as the streets absorb the sound into a crush’ed block of stone upon stone upon heart, ascending toward a world unknown…

A gentle man quickly rushes by me and his flowing cloak brushes against my skin.

© Sandy Hibbard

You know, I sometimes think, how is anyone ever gonna come up with a book, or a painting, or a symphony, or a sculpture that can compete with a great city. You can’t. Because you look around and every street, every boulevard, is its own special art form and when you think that in the cold, violent, meaningless universe that Paris exists, these lights. I mean come on, there’s nothing happening on Jupiter or Neptune, but from way out in space you can see these lights, the cafés, people drinking and singing. For all we know, Paris is the hottest spot in the universe.

~ Owen Wilson 

Image by #SandyHibbard from her forthcoming book, “Paris is in the Details” – see more images on Instagram @J’aime_Paris

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I started my day today on a solo excursion up the street from our hotel.  I stopped at Cafe Pierre on Boulevard Magenta to have my morning (or actually early afternoon) cappuccino.  The sky is overcast today and the it is windy and a bit chilly, but when the sun comes out it warms quickly.  I spent time at several street corners with my camera in hand snapping cyclists – I was amazed at how well they navigate the traffic and the streets – people of all ages, sizes, men, women and kids!  I snapped the photo below of a beautiful Parisian dressed to kill and on her bike!  You would NEVER see this in Dallas!!!   The city is bustling all around me and inspires my muse….

Pulsing, living, breathing, in and out
Paris the city of people – diverse, beautiful at it’s core
Inspiring, magical, elegant, cryptic, crazy, wild
Only people mar the landscape
….or embellish it

Like flowers and weeds existing together to make a perfect garden
a city of lights where love lives in the consciousness
open, free, passionate and lovely –
the wine of life served up at breakfast, lunch and dinner,
and before your final goodbye.

Love Love!
Sandy

Hemingway loved them. I have always been repulsed by them. That is until an insistent friend, Philou and his beautiful wife Dominique, properly introduced me in Paris. They took me to a cafe in the St. Germaine area that served the “best oysters in Paris”, they urged me to try them. I thought, “OK I am in Paris, why not?” After holding that ice-cold oyster doused in lemon juice up to my lips and sucking it down, I was hooked. Now I understand the feeling Hemingway was talking about. The sheer joy of daring something new, or partaking in what you love, truly does bring happiness.
Then my dear Melissa introduced me to a little bar in Brooklyn that had an oyster happy-hour. When she invited me, I thought “no way, I can only eat them in Paris”, but I discovered The Colonie’s offering of fresh oysters were as delicious as the ones I had in France. (Unknown to me that Brooklyn has quite a history for being THE place for fresh oysters.) Served by the dozen, these delicious little treats packed a cold zing when topped with their unique vinegar/garlic sauce. Add a bottle of Miraval Rosé Côtes de Provence with your dozen or so, and voila!
There was nothing better than being in the moment with my niece, following her lead, letting her introduce me to something SHE loved. Beautiful. I suppose you could say the same thing about a scoop of gelato or a perfectly grilled juicy piece of steak. However, in my case, there was something exciting about learning to eat oysters (something I had avoided my entire adult life)  and not being afraid of the texture and the taste. It made me feel a little fearless (thank you Hemingway), which did fill me up and make me happy!
 

 
I am talking about taking chances, living outside your current routine, not being so judgmental, opening up to new things, not always having to get your way, and above all, being present in the moment. When we are aware and stretch ourselves to reach beyond our fears, it promises to bring us to a new level of patience, understanding, and satisfaction. But not only that, it also expands our horizons to confidently see what we are made of and what our limitations are. When we boldly go outside our comfort level and beyond our preconceived opinions and experiences, the whole world becomes our oyster! That in and of itself is very satiating.
I am about to embark on a new adventure in my personal life. It’s scary. The task seems daunting and the emotions I am dealing with are pushing all kinds of buttons. Being uncomfortable and choosing to embrace the unknown is requiring me to cowboy up, focus, stand tall and take many deep breaths so I can leap past my insecurities toward unlimited possibilities.
After living in Plano Texas for 23 years, I have decided to pull up stakes and begin a new chapter in my life. I am very grateful that my business is a virtual model, so I can work from anywhere. I am single with no young children, and able to go and explore anywhere I want. The sky is the limit! Yet, it is taking everything within me to make this decision. I believe, I doubt. I trust, I don’t trust. I am confident, I am scared. Nevertheless, deep in my heart I am settled and focused and expecting that life will meet me and the Universe will guide my heart along the way.
Leaving my little nest is a lot more serious than popping salty, cold oysters. I mean wow!  But when I read Hemingway’s quote from A Moveable Feast, it became real to me in my current situation. I connected with him and could imagine him sitting on his beloved fishing boat eating oysters. Even with all of his problems, in a simple act of being present he found solace, he felt the emptiness leave and happiness return. Perhaps it wasn’t just the salty cold essence of the sea that had this effect on him, but also the joy of experiencing something he truly loved.
More to come on this journey…
Love and hugs,