The small mill town that lives cheek by jowl with my hometown calls itself, with all due irony, the' Paris of the Piedmont.' For a few years, the town even held a Fête de la Musique, as French towns do, each summer. Now, there aren't many Parisian vestiges, ironic or not, to be found here---except one. It's Carrboro's own version of the Wallace fountains you see tucked here and there, in Parisian quartiers. Here it is, with a sketch I made in 2006 of a Wallace fountain in Saint-Germain des Près.
One of these fountains has understated elegance and a sense of proportion---it's the fountain version of the Little Black Dress. The other one, trying to be all uptown and stylish, has loaded itself down with frills and furbelows. It's the fountain version of Dolly Parton. The world is, thank heavens, big enough for both.
If all goes well, I will be in Paris and then Brittany in less than two weeks. I'm packing lightly, knowing I may have to turn around and come home fast, if my mother takes a turn for the worse. Right now, her big health issues are resolved. Pain management is coming along nicely. She has family members and home help with her 7 days a week. Until I leave, I'll be driving back and forth to her hometown, as I have since early August. It's so wonderful seeing her recover, even if slowly, from her traumatic fall .
I'd completely forgotten you were aiming to visit Paris again! We're there at the end of the month before heading down (on a circuitous route) to the Loire and Ronell.
Let's check dates! I'll email you.
Posted by: Katherine | September 13, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Ooooh, I am glad your mum's mending well, and that you're still on track. I'll e-mail you my phone no.
We were in Josselin a week or two ago.
Posted by: Lucy | September 09, 2009 at 11:01 AM
That sounds like pretty good news all round, Laura. How exciting - France! Again!
As for the fountains - gorgeous sketches - but isn't if funny how there's always someone who wants to improve on a good thing. Reminds me of the polystyrene fountain the producers of the film, Under the Tuscan decided to erect in the heart of beautiful Cortona.
Posted by: Robyn | September 09, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Oh I know the situation all too well, currently my MIL is recoperating from a stroke - "growing old ain't for sissies" I wish your mother all the best.
The fountains are lovely and I wish I were planning for a Parisian gettaway!
Posted by: Sandy | September 08, 2009 at 03:55 PM
I love your sketches and these make me want to visit France.
Posted by: Helen | September 08, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Oh, YES, I love them both too, but the second one is SO elegant--and elegantly drawn, as well. I do hope all goes smoothly...thank goodness your brother is handy.
Posted by: Cathy (Kate) Johnson | September 07, 2009 at 07:52 PM