Louis-Phillipe scales with the original weights used to measure gold (more weights are in a small compartment beneath the wood piece on the right). I purchased this rare example from Gunnar Pettersson at the Antiquites Brocante at Bastille, as an anniversary present for my husband. Visit Monsieur Pettersson at Stand 514 for many intriguing finds, daily through Sunday, May 17th at Place de la Bastille.
Since returning to Paris, I've been trying to catch up with deadlines and email. Am still feeling very much in the breakdown/breakthrough mode I wrote about recently. So please bear with me, as I try to get back on track. I'm also bothered by a carpal tunnel issue in my left hand, so any posts will be brief.
Meanwhile, some news of note:
The bright and light
The Cannes Film Festival opened and French television has full-blown coverage, with virtually non-stop interviews and photo ops.
Is the "French Elvis" really bidding adieu to his fans?
The dark
Blame the victim. This is just wrong, on so many levels.
A humanitarian disaster is brewing in Sri Lanka.
President Obama, what are you thinking??!! Surely you learned what NOT to do from your predecessor's bad judgment!!
And why is anybody listening to that torture-loving and fear-mongering former vice-president Dick Cheney? Seriously: enough is enough!
You have the neatest finds...photos. I so enjoy coming here.
Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Se'Lah | 16 May 2009 at 06:11
Couldn't agree more on every count. And what a fabulous gift! Happy weekend!
Posted by: jeanie | 15 May 2009 at 21:14
Hope your wrist feels better. Off to read your links. : )
Posted by: Christina | 15 May 2009 at 16:54
Absolutely more then enough.
(I was going to mention that I am reading a book that reminds me of you. The girl is in France and finds it difficult to feel accepted there; the struggle to speak french perfectly so as not to be seen as an American. I have no idea if it really is that way there; but thought I would mention the book: "The Virgin Blue" by the author of "Girl with the Pearl Earring")
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 15 May 2009 at 07:06
Tara -
Breakdown/breakthrough.
Bright/Dark.
These opposing circumstances ( OK - I'll say it: energies)
are ripping through with such force in so many ways.
Finding even a bit of balance is the challenge.
I must remind myself that I believe in a greater plan ... .
and the chaos will lead to greater harmony.
Jjjj
Posted by: judith | 15 May 2009 at 04:09
Ew! Sending healing vibes to your wrist...! CT stinks.
I refuse to read anything about Dick Cheney or Rumsfeld. Sorry! :)
The lady screaming WAR CRIMINAL at them recently was bril.
Okay a treat for you, on my LEFT sidebar is a link to "A Cup of Jo", she posted about three or four posts ago a tattoo post...one of the girls had the Vivian Girls! tattooed on her wrist...go see. Speaking of wrists and all.
Love you!!!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 15 May 2009 at 03:41
Hope you are up to snuff soon. I've had to sleep in wrist braces for several years now because of my CT. Keep an eye on it! xoxo
Posted by: Rosa | 15 May 2009 at 02:11
I have missed you, I am so happy you are back. Thank you for catching us up. I am sorry about the carpal tunnel.
Posted by: Yoli | 15 May 2009 at 01:09
I hope your hand will heal. I have bad arthritis and carpal tunnel- so i sympathise!
Love the photo..
Sadly I think many leaders are followers....Obama will perhaps not be as great as he seemed....
Posted by: simon | 15 May 2009 at 01:03
Oh no! I wonder if Burma would have found any excuse possible to keep her in prison for the rest of her life? They must know the support she has in the rest of the world, if mobilized, would be enough to bring them down. But Yettaw is most definitely a fool. A total fool.
And D. Cheney! Bleggh! He wants to preserve his legacy, and damage the democrats, probably. He'll probably reach those who want to believe what he says. But I hope most Americans have learned not to listen to him by now.
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 15 May 2009 at 00:16