Monday, March 30, 2009

Jed was up and gone early for his first Astronomy class at the UChicago Center. He's had to get creative to make sure he gets all his credits, thanks to the strike (greve) that lingers on at the University of Paris. He's excited about the subject matter and a bit disappointed that the class is taught in English rather than in French.

After he left, I packed up a small bag and found my way to 49, rue Saint Roch where my old friend from San Francisco Magazine days, Véronique Vienne, lives. She has invited me to stay in her guest room for a few days. She lives here with her very independent 90-year-old mother who I only know as Madame.

An amazing location!

Really close to the Tuilleries and the Louvre!

Véronique was the Art Director at the magazine and I was the Associate Art Director. She was my mentor -- as a designer and as a woman who wears lipstick. We used to take "lipstick breaks" when the stress got too intense at the magazine. She was intriguing then and she still is now. After living in the U.S. (San Francisco and New York) for 40 years, she has returned to Paris. She and her mother share this apartment but have rather separated quarters, so it works out well. VV has lunch with her mama most every day. And it's always something delicious and fresh, made with the best ingredients. Véronique is a prolific writer and has published several books, some of which have had a very successful run. Click here to see some of her work. (Some of the books were done in collaboration with her daughter, Jeanne Lipsey, who is a Vassar and Columbia graduate and lives in Vermont with her husband.)

You take the elevator to the 3 1/2 floor

A look down the stair well at Véronique's

The view from my window to the pre-school across the street. In the mornings there's a constant sound of happy little kids. I don't know how they sustain that state of constant screaming, but they do!

My little comfy bed

A lovely chair in my room, and candles

Books galore, mostly about Paris

A detail in the dining room. Check out the mouldings! Pictured in the photo is Veronique's family castle ("all French people have them"). Jed will have to help me fill in the stories about this place, but one thing I remember is that the river rises every year and dumps copious amounts of sand INSIDE. Veronique met her first husband via the tradition the family had of hiring (or providing room & board for) young students in the summer to come and shovel out the sand. Jed's eyes lit up at that idea, thinking that would be a great way to spend some summer time. Maybe he'll get that opportunity if he's still in France in June and goes down there for a visit!

The view from the dining room window