French Friday: Joyeux Noël

le vendredi 21 décembre 2018 (355/365)

« Noël est la joie…une joie intérieure de lumière et de paix. » -  Pape François

French Friday: Mûr Pour la Paix

 December 14, 2018 (348/365)

« Ce qu'il faut surtout pour la paix, c'est la compréhension des peuples. » - Charles De Gaulle

Located on the south end of the Champs-de-Mars, just opposite the École militaire, the Wall for Peace is a celebration of peace in a place that is historically a reminder of war. The sculpture, surrounded by 32 steel columns, features a transparent wall with the word peace written in 49 languages. Inspired by the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, visitors are encouraged to leave a message of peace in the gaps in the wall or directly on the monument's website.

French Friday: La Paix

le 7 décembre 2018 (341/365)

« Insistons sur l'amour, la gentillesse, la compréhension, la paix. Le reste nous sera offert. » - Mère Teresa

Tomorrow, the Eiffel Tower and several museums, restaurants, and shops around Paris will be closed. Throughout France since November 17th, increasingly violent demonstrations have occurred every Saturday by the group known as the Gilet Jaunes | Yellow Vests. The situation is deeply troubling and I pray that it will soon be peacefully resolved. I do understand the Gilets Jaunes’ motivation to protest planned tax increases on France's already exorbitant fuel prices; yet, I certainly do not agree with their methods which have escalated to violence, injuries, and damage to both private property and historical treasures. Last weekend, a riot at the Arc de Triomphe resulted in the destruction of Le départ des volontaires de 1792, aka La Marseillaise -- depicting Marianne, the embodiment of the French Republic.

Am I concerned about traveling to Paris in February? Yes and no. Yes, I am cautious about safety issues, but then I always am when I travel. Despite what we see on the news, not all of Paris is in crisis, not all Parisiens are protesting. Tourists are not the target of these protests, but they aren't inherently protected from them either. I want my fellow travelers to fall in love with Paris like I did the first time I visited (and indeed every time I return). Ultimately, I do believe that bad things can and do happen everywhere, and that we can't be ruled by fear or what-ifs. Nonetheless, I will be extra diligent as I plan our trip.

Week 4 - Creative: Quiet Moment

January 21, 2018 (021/365) • Peace Like a River

“...something as hopeful and sudden as a January thaw...” ~ Leif Enger, Peace Like a River

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Week 4 - CREATIVE: A Quiet Moment

[Peace. Serenity. Tranquility. Convey a quiet moment.]

#dogwoodweek4, #dogwood52, #dogwood2018 • f/2.4, 1/400, ISO16

Scenes from our walk on a 50º January day

Christmas Lights

December 12, 2017 (346/365)

"Christmas is joy...an inner joy of light and peace." ~ Pope Francis

Meadow

July 19, 2017 (200/365)

"Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, 

like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless 

but all together perfume the air." ~ Georges Bernanos

World Peace Day

September 21, 2016 (265/366)

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. 

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. 

I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.” 

~ John Lennon

Nice

July 15, 2016 (197/366) Nice

For the third time in 18 months, I am deeply sadden by the violent attacks that have claimed so many lives and caused so much fear and anxiety in France. This time the target was Nice as families celebrated their national holiday. I have many fond memories of trips to Nice: of strolling down the Promenade des Anglais searching for sea glass; of swimming in the Mediterranean before dozing off upon the smooth galets; of the worst sunburn of my life (maybe not such a fond memory); of celebrating Mardi gras with students in 2009; of visits to the Russian Orthodox church and the Matisse museum; of Provençal fabric, the perfume of homemade soaps and freshly cut flowers, and the taste of lavender ice cream, white peaches and garinguettes in the markets of Old Nice. Once again, my heart goes out to the people of France. 

#peaceforNice #beNice

All is calm...

July 9, 2016 (191/366)

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” ~  Ralph H. Blum

Peace

March 22, 2016 (082/366)

"Peace is always beautiful." ~ Walt Whitman

Peaceful

November 14, 2015 {318/365} Blessing

"May every sunrise hold more promise 

and every sunset hold more peace."

Prayers for Paris

November 13, 2015 {317/365}
Prayers of peace for my beloved Paris.