Keto

Today I'll talk about keto. I was introduced to the concept by our kitchen contractor, Paul. He lost some weight and told me he had gone "keto". I didn't even know how to spell it, but soon was pretty well informed due to some judicious google-ing. Basically you avoid sugar and carbs which are one and the same. The healthiest keto diet features lots of green veg and a good balance of healthy fats and protein. Dr Eric Berg on youtube has lots of informative videos.   In my situation I realized that I was generally eating toast and drinking coffee, with sugar and milk (my delicious homemade latte) for breakfast. Toast = carbs and sugar is sugar = carbs. I love potato chips. Lay's potato chips btw. They are carbs.
  I also have never been much of a breakfast eater - for 15 years (thru 2005) I was a traffic reporter on radio and TV and was on the air at 5 am. I drank coffee non stop and almost never ate a thing until I got home at 9:30 am.  So when I read about intermittent fasting (which is also recommended on keto) I realized I naturally did that for years while working (almost, the sugar and milk in the coffee broke my fast somewhat) and I have always been slender. My bff is slender and she never eats until dinnertime. She's an intermittent faster and doesn't know it! She just follows her body's signals and eats when she is actually hungry.
The benefits of keto are weight loss and less joint inflammation - which is arthritis.  In my case I lost 10 pounds almost effortlessly and could feel that my aches and pains were definitely lessened.  When I stopped watching carb intake I gained back the weight and felt the joint pain again.   I don't follow the 'diet' religiously but I do my version. I don't eat until about noon, just my apple cider vinegar in a big glass of water and black coffee till then. I don't buy Lays. I read labels and choose my food more thoughtfully. I have my favorite keto friendly foods: egg salad - really anything egg, poached, scrambled etc. Avocado, broccoli, asparagus, cheese/salami (who doesn't love a good cheese plate? - just avoid the crackers!, almonds and other nuts..and again an emphasis on green veg. I have never been a big fruit eater and fruit is very sugary, so I don't miss fruit. I do have keto friendly blueberries on my yogurt sometimes.
xo,
La

Castor oil packs?

Happy Monday.
Today we are meeting a financial planner/lawyer. We have a will, living will etc but the move in 2019 is to shore everything up financially. I'd like to travel more and work less (at some things) and 'work' more at others. She may refer us to someone else ultimately. We need someone who is knowledgeable in rental properties, avoiding medicare charges, when to collect social security. Not glamorous but gotta be done.

In other news, I've been suffering all winter with bronchial issues. Awful breathing issues. Inhalers, antibiotics and breathing treatments. Things finally settled down a few weeks ago and then resurfaced. I have to say I found a treatment on the internet/youtube that works for me.  Yesterday I inhaled steam and nothing expectorated.  So I remembered to do this at bedtime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLqwHJnANUg    It's the Edgar Cayce castor oil pack. The video's fairly simple, I simplified even more last night as I couldn't find the heating pad. I put the caster oil on my chest, an old t shirt over it and a hot water bottle on my chest. This morning I had a very productive coughing session clearing my lungs considerably.  Odd but true.

Taking lunch to Dad before the lawyer's appointment. Tomorrow we see Dear Evan Hanson at the Playhouse and Wednesday I have a girl's night with my friend L.  PopTarts even have a day gig this week and one on Friday night. I have a few appraisals to wrap up as well. Cinqo de Mayo is Mom's birthday and we'll all go to brunch.

Jake just informed me that tickets to the Anne Frank House are sold out! A month in advance?! Bummer, that's one of the main attractions in Amsterdam, obviously I guess.

Lazy Sunday yesterday. Jake painted the inside of the linen closet and I am happy. We have a lovely older home and I don't think that closet interior has ever been painted. Can't wait to get all the (curated) items put back away. BTW I love the word curated. Curated closet, curated everything! Curate your life!!
Curate something today :)

SnoT

I do crack myself up sometimes. Like with the title of this blog. SnoT is my acronym for "Sensations no Thoughts" - snot. It's easy to remember and it's how I help myself fall asleep sometimes.   Often when trying to sleep you experience mind racing thoughts. I've found that my snot mantra is a good reminder whilst I conciously relax every toe etc. -  relaxing all muscles and tendons - all the way up to my face. If I start thinking about anything but relaxing I say snot and go back to feeling sensations of relaxation not thoughts.
I've tried to find a prettier mantra but this is what I've got. And it works for me.  As my blog says 'your thoughts create the world you see'.  True dat.

In other "news" I've been so super 'on' about blogging everyday. Don't think anyone else is reading this but that's not the main thing for me. I just want to write and get into a rhythm. Set the timer for 20 minutes and GO.  I'll share my thoughts, hints, ideas etc and hopefully they resonate with someone else, but the reality is that I'm currently doing this for me.  I used to belong to some french chic groups on the net/facebook but am not currently on facebook so I don't have a (possible) group of readers to reach out to. I also don't know if I have anything interesting to say or if I say it particularly well.  No promises but I'd like to do this everyday until we leave for Europe.

I want to remind the family to get a good book for the trip and a travel dairy. I have some colored pencils that we can use to dress up our entries if we're into that. I love reading my travel dairies from my previous visits to Europe. As an aside, we'd like to do more exploring of the N.A. continent, perhaps starting this  summer with a trip to Montreal. We can borrow my sister's camper van and try out road life. Stop in Boston to see relatives, stay with them or at the yacht club and then up to Montreal  to stay (perhaps) in a campground for a few days and see how we like it. Then we could swing thru Toronto for a few days on the way home. Big Circle Tour I'll call it. I do enjoy Canada.
Home of Alex Trebec - who is married to a playboy bunny btw - I never knew! Go Alex, lol.
love,
La

I'm rambling here.....

So we gigged last night, very nice audience. They stayed all night and gave us many kudos, but I really dislike the owner and her staff. It's always something with them. We're having a meeting soon so we'll see what happens with this. It's a once a month job and I wouldn't mind dropping it. We play over 130 gigs a year so we don't need this aggravation.

I wonder what society is going to be like in 10 years? We are definitely losing our civility and manners as a whole. So much emphasis on self. Kids playing video games are at risk of losing touch with reality. The rich getting richer.  Lots of negatives that I can see playing out poorly.
Got the Amsterdam train - air b&b route down.  We've got the bones down and lots of ideas for each city so we'll flesh it out now. If there's anybody out there please feel free to chime in on 'must do's' for Paris, Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

Today I'm looking to buy a combo mini fridge/microwave for second floor of my parent's condo. Dad sleeps up there and has an office up there and is having some difficulty keeping his balance. He won't move downstairs so we have to find a way to keep him safe. He has trouble sleeping and often gets up for a snack or warm chocolate milk, we're concerned he'll fall.

Mom's birthday is Cinco de Mayo. These days it's such a massive event. My sister had the brilliant idea of going for Mexican food. Uh, that's not gonna work. All my sisters and almost 90 year old parents trying to squeeze into a crowded, noisy restaurant!! Plan B.

La

I quit facebook - now I watch too much youtube!! Jessica Smith TV

I've been going down the rabbit hole with youtuber videos on Europe! I 've also gotten fascinated with people who live, by choice, in a van/camper/truck. They have a huge youtube presence. Since I quit Facebook last year I've probably substituted - a bit too much - with youtube.  I don't miss facebook!! I'm sure I have missed some things, but what's really important will surface elsewhere. I hope.  Anyway less youtube is in my future now that I've called myself out on this issue!!

Been intermittent fasting -my schedule is to basically eat between noon and 8 pm - it's really not difficult for me and I believe that my body is repairing itself when it doesn't have to work at digestion. Also just not thinking about eating frees up a lot of time.

Today I have to look our Amsterdam airb&b up on the map. I guess we are at the last stop on the metro from the train station. This weekend I'm going to wrap up some of our travel planning. The PopTarts only have one gig, tonight, so I'll have some time to do this.

Weather here has been typically of Spring in CLE - awful. Rain and cold, then we'll have a nice, warmer, sunny day and bammm another chillfest the following day... the ups and downs in barometric pressure really make me tired....

Next week I'll weigh myself and take my hip and waist measurements and see if I'm back on track. I need to pack for this trip! I love a youtuber for my exercise : Jessica Smith TV. She's knowledgeable, has a ton of workouts of all levels and lengths and has a sweet personality that keeps you inspired. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-np8waLATtkpcahy0UYWVhEjChLtueFB
That's a link to my favorite workouts of hers, I usually do one video workout of 15 - 20 minutes every morning. Really good.

I have to make potato leek soup today - bought the leeks (expensive!) a few days ago and have the cream and half and half so good to go. This soup, a traditional French soup called vichyssoise, is so easy to make and super delicious. Not keto but this Irish lass needs her spuds sometimes. And I'm not a dramatic keto devotee. Just being aware of carbs makes me make better choices all the time.

We had an issue at one of our rental properties - needed new hot water heater and this one is expensive. They also need extermination (lots of construction in the neighborhood has stirred up the rodents!) and so that's an expense we really don't need with the upcoming trip. ALSO: should be getting our tax information today or tomorrow. (We had an extension). Our accountant is not charging us this year, due to the delay and that's great cause he's expensive/good but I don't know what or if we owe!!!
yikes, La

Just another day

We found another place in Amsterdam, I'll look at the address and get my bearings later. I have another rather busy day. Looking into micro blading my eyebrows, two of my sisters have done it and their's look really good.  Would do it later in summer, need to pay off Europe first!

This writing routine has been good, at least enjoyable, for me. My mornings with this and my other routines are very pleasant and productive, setting me up for a good day. I am not an early riser but am going to get up earlier for the vacation in order to fit in better with my family's internal clocks.

I found a pair of Topshop jeans, moto style with frayed hem. These are soft black and hit me nearer the ankle than most cropped cause they are a 'long' length. They are also high waisted. I just like the way they look on me and usually never like black jeans (no idea why). First pair of this brand, they're on sale at Nordstrom so the price makes me happy too. Also got navy linen drawstring pants, Caslon - Nordie house brand - and used a $20 note. Very happy with these. And yes the jury is still out on me getting back to 'fighting' weight. I never realized what ten pounds (or less) translates into in inches or sizes. Sizes are so wacky you can't really know until you try the garment on! But inches don't lie.

Our trip is so close!!!!!
bisous :)

Amsterdam dam snag

Expensive in The Netherlands (The osu) and inexplicably busy when we're going (adding to The tourist glut). Today I'm going to explore: cancelling Amsterdam- which entails cancelling a flight and a train trip and booking more nights in Paris and passage from there to CPH; or paying a lot for a place in Amsterdam.  Reason: the air B&B can't take us on our dates, I complained in yesterday's post about the hotel we do have booked and I don't want to stay at! Quelle decision. We had to think on our feet several times in 2015 and this time is proving no different except last time the footwork took place in Paris and Rome. Air flight controllers on strike in France and whatever....

And it's getting close.

Our friends are in Venice, just arrived. He surprised her with a new wedding band. Lovely Ken.

Our niece will be in Paris overlapping us two days. Fun! Our son hasn't seen his cousin in awhile. Perhaps we'll do Montmartre with G. She needs a caricature done by an artist there - my sister and other daughter have one, framed, in their family room, from their trip in 2016 (?). Sacre Coeur is on the short list so.....

What have I been doing to make my vie quotidian (now I have to look that up..., good it's ok) more relaxed and thoughtful, smoother and more luxurious, better smelling and bathed in joie de vivre>>??!! Ummm, Keeping to my routines is very nice. Today I stalk the stores of the East side. Very focused.


Here is a saying that resonates:
The Purpose of Work is to Create.  The Purpose of Earning Money is to Have Enough Money.
(capitalization mine).
So I had a slow year in 2018 in terms of my 'real' job, however I have several streams of income and didn't really feel the financial pinch. I loved the freedom. Our tax preparer has extended our deadline and we haven't seen the results yet - which has me a bit nervous. Finances and planning are up, we are ready to shift some focus and estate plan fine tune etc.....waiting on the (tax) man.
xo La

Aldi cosmetics in Europe - Lacura - Movin' on out from the city center Amsterdam

In a turn of events I decided to look for more options in Amsterdam.
Reading the reviews of Hotel Ben woke me (it's 2019 - wake up!) as one or two jumped out. I mean I love their slogan 'cheap and clean' - or the opposite - I'm paraphrasing this entire paragraph btw; clean is IT. But when 4 twenty-somethings share rooms, rave about the smoking and you see photos: the brown, afghan (think Gramma's couch) bedspread. It became too much. Amsterdam is pricy you see. Could be noisy near this place all night long. So we're hopefully getting a "rare" find air b&b studio a bit further out from city center. Should hear today I'd think. Maybe one day we can ride bikes from there into the canal area, other days we'll bus/tram/metro. We're near a stop for whatever it is.
 I looked at food - street market food - on youtube. Jake said today he wants to eat a real meal every evening. So that's a bit more than I thought. We don't generally eat a lot but we like to eat very much. M and C are young and he'll eat cause that's what he does, lots to fill at  over six/6 feet. With walking and street food and dinner and drinks in the evening, we'll be covered even tho we now have kitchens in all three cities.
 I actually tried to look up Aldi near us but I'll have to look harder. I'm thinking they might have some good face stuff - Lacura and other items not carried here, sadly, anymore. We have some night and day creams but not the entire line and I want it! I also want the frozen potato pancakes we saw at the Aldi in Naples Fla. Aldi: are you listening, you're the only follower I want!! I went to Aldi in Belgium cause I love it, items were actually in Trader Joes packaging!
 I won't cook, pretty sure. This is a vacation and I don't do what I do at home, generally speaking.

Essie nail - Copenhagen

Six blogs. In a row.  Do you prefer six or 6?  Do you care! 6 seems stronger somehow.
It could become a rhythm. Coffee and words. I like to hear myself write. But like many things I don't make a habit of it.
Keeping the focus mainly on the upcoming trip keeps me reigned in, in a good way. Booked an AirB&B for Copenhagen! Looks so adorable, very homey. Trip of all things travel: Air France, railway/train, VRBO, AirB&B, hotel, KLM Airway, car. Total four countries: Canada, France, The Netherlands, Denmark.  I found a blog from a cute Nordie couple who travel but live in CPH and they have a '3 days in' post, in which funnily, they do not mention Christiania. Everyone else does. So point being, really, there are certain things one 'does' when in a city for the first and brief time. Parks, museums/monuments, waterfronts, cafes and restos, shopping, sites of interest. Christiania.
I found the best item. Well for me. I like a natural nail generally. But lately I've wanted to do some polish. A foray into gels a few years back was mixed: loved the look for 3-4 weeks! but hated what the gel did to my nails. Could not do that more than once. I can pedicure the heck out of myself but with hands it's different. Enter Essie nail polish and Seche Vite. Base coat Sally Hanson. one/two pulls of Essie and the Seche fast dry top. So easy and fast and lasts. About a week if you take care. Playing keys could be hard on them for example but since that another thing I don't make a habit of...
Habits. Crazy things.
It's an odd morning as I've got to go and do some 'real' work. Usually I schedule for afternoons if at all possible.  Hi ho.

Europe Nitty Gritty

That's a decent title. But what do I mean?
Well, what have I ordered thus far: some clothes, most of these have been returned. Sunscreen - both lotion and powder, I want full ones for all of us to use. Wall outlet charger with 3 usb and 4 regular three prongers (genius) again to share. 4 pc various sized packing cubes. Suitcase. Eiffel Tower magnifying glass pendant (love this, maps are small!!). I'm getting picky about the wardrobe bit, the green Kensit cropped soft army green pants are perfect except fit. That's being addressed. I believe that's all I've bought for the trip this far. The charger is especially cool, it'll make the area under my desk sleeker when home. We have the universal adaptor already and, I think, the twisty clothesline. Let's go.
Seriously we should: learn some Dutch, hell learn what the language they speak is called at least. It's a murderously hard language. Tipping culture? Euro based? Bike rules and signals.  I'm sure there is more but that's a start. Get Jimmyz on Whatsapp/ also CFJ. Um....... making my list here.
Plan to buy first day : Jake's shaving kit, body lotion to share, corkscrew, tablecloth (marche des puces?), picnic-y items. Bulbs in Amsterdam  - great souseonir (useful souvenier).
 I have pretty much settled on a garden theme, which may replace some of our water theme. We're so close to Jardin Des Plantes and Luxembourg Gardens in Paris and Amsterdam has a great garden/flea market shopping area that sells stuff that can pass customs!
Getting so excited.
Happy Easter.

Satvic Movement and Madewell dress, which I love

I mentioned fitness/weight, obliquely, in the prior post. Intermittent fasting with a ketoesque bent works well for me, I found fairly recently. Then I kept the fasting (cause that's my preferred way to eat anyway, I've never jumped out of bed to eat breakfast. But breakfast food, yum...and coffee) and  returned to some of my bad carb ways. It's been a mistake in terms of my hip measurement. Then, perusing support and love on youtube I see one from the _hey I tried to get the green back but couldn't do it!!_: Satvic Movement, which admittedly sounds a bit wicked. I digress.
Satvic propose fasting and eating a very restrictive diet of only things that would sprout if you put it in dirt/the ground/you get what I'm saying here: whole, fruit, veg, legumes/seeds/nuts. They love lentils - those little sprouters! - and frankly fruit and grains, lentils really, aren't that appealing to me. I love veg, egg/dairy (some moderation here with the creamest stuff), charcuterie/jerky (Aldi has a teryiaki pork that is wonderful), some nuts. Soup is a food group to me and my family. What knocks me off keto is the potato: chips and any other way. Irish. And ice cream. But once I get going I'm good.
So, the Satvic say fast for 16 hours, then get your sprout/coconut(they are big on this and milk,water) thing ON. Maybe first meal have tons of fruit, then another 4 hrs later of veg/grains/nuts. NO dairy/meat,
which you understood but....they also advise an enema. Really regularly. I don't think that's medically over the top? Would have to get my researcher on it. ha.

Okay Europe. Oh yes please. Found some Paris reading/map stuff yesterday when cleaning the upper hall cabinet. Fun!! To clean and find stuff and to be going to Paris, win win. This weekend we must book our Copenhagen lodging. Easter breakfast/brunch tomorrow, so if you thought intermittent fasting was in my future, non, but I am only drinking black coffee now, so I am mid fast. Not hard when you count the hours you are sleeping! As a note I'm going to try and exchange a Madewell dress that I wore and discovered a weird pull on the back seam last night. It's new, but I have worn it and the pull is in a spot that I wouldn't have created this by wearing it (I don't think). Their stuff is pricy so......hope to get a new one.
XXOO

Nine Days - Three Super Cool European Capital Cities

Going to meander a little bit and then title this post. What a nut! I've gotten several Cara Black books from le biblioteque and requested a Ruth Reichl 'what i ate in paris'  book also. I'm crazy and oh so intellectual. I have been enjoying the travel prep quite a bit tho.

In prep I've purchased a smaller size, rolling carryon. Samsonite from Marshalls. Needs a cute thrift store scarf bound to it somehow tho as it's pure black. The European concept of a carry on (on some airlines) is smaller than the US standard  - not surprised. I also got amazon basics packing cubes caving to youtuber pressure. For $20 I'm sure they'll be useful, maybe more than that.  We will see. Not 100% sure of my carry on accessory  bag yet. Didn't like the one I tried from ones I own when I flew to Boston in January for a commercial job. Don't think a backpack, however cute, is for me but want something that 'works' for the plane/travel portion of the gig. As for my purse:  I don't mind my trusty Hedgren crossover bag which will be with me, as it is at home, everyday.

 Finally got onto Amsterdam and know that we'll be about a 20 min walk from train station (Centraal) to our hotel on Beursstraat, red light baby. Well, it's near the district and supposed to be fabulously located. We have 4 beds and a bathroom so we'll be out and about for everything and that'll work from here I think. Of course a canal ride, need to look that up. Also the Bateaux Mouche and whatever canal ride we'll do in CPN.
Water is the only theme that will follow thru this 'weekend - like'  traipse thru 3 super cool European cities (capital cities?, check this.... YES, the fact has been verified).   At least so far. We're flying, taking the train, metro. Staying with a friend (hi Andrea), VRBO, hotel and ???  The 36 hours theme, change of venue, walking , eating, hanging out, exploring.

Back to reality; gigging tonight in North Royalton. I must not eat altho they have excellet food and feed us. Part of the trip prep that I'm not focused enough on is eating properly and getting back into the shape I've been in. Winter in a word is a large part of the issue. However, my version of keto is a good way for me to eat - I feel lighter, more alert, less achy and I am leaner, despite the season. Because why wouldn't I want those benefits? It is a discipline developed tho, especially starting up.
We're getting the deck prepped and have eaten al fresco when possible. Keto, and the one big meal - if you eat it with friends/family - is very social, healthy and you can enjoy it every day! Live life like a European.
xo

Aldi's crab legs - Paris in May

Rolling our way toward May, toward our ten day folly in Europe. A quick, weekend-like visit of three days to Paris, then three in Amsterdam, followed by the Copenhagen trois. This will be our third time in Paris, my love, and my first time the elsewhere. I feel overly prepared for Paris and not a bit for the others, ha. I can't get enough of Jay Swanson rolling arrondissment by arr. on his wheel, smile perfect. Or what Ruth Reichl ate in Paris. - youtube to paper/books to my in the flesh account, coming soon. I'm trying to get a good head plan around what we'll be doing. Of course the daily routine is smashed to hell (and I like mine.....:)) sleep is different, the four of us will be together basically 24/7. (we know we travel well together, huge).  So beginning now I'm attempting to get up between 7 and 8 am. Not as many gigs yet and the ones we have are earlier now so I need to be prepped for that. Working as many appraisals as I can accept and not feel pushed.  Trying to get some home stuff done pre trip - deck washed, windows etc. We've been cognizant of eating out - and not doing it as often - for about 2 months, also in prep for the trip. Last night we made 2 large bags of crab legs, 4 of the most humongous artichokes ever, cheese/charcuterie plate and had a delicious wonderful meal with our daughter and her boyfriend. Spendy seeing the trip prep statement above but still much less than eating that dinner out and was really good. Not too much work either!! Aldi's crab legs, tested more than once and highly recommended. I'll put that in the title, click bait.
Anyway more prep: bought shorts (!!!??) and linen cropped pants in soft green. Weird sizing but I liked that both items were very different for me and I think very wearable. Shorts are Jones NY, black and white pattern (chanel-ish) and I'd wear with one of my many white t shirts and black  sandals or tennies. White Kors blazer I've never worn might look good with them too. So....in addition to the sizing on the garments I'm a bit super sized this month. I think the 10 should work fine, but I'd love to be in the 8. I can see both items going to Europe.
Pretend day in Paris: wake, get coffee, prep for day, walk/sightsee, snack, relax, walk sightsee dinner, walk/ boat ride,travel the sites bus, picnic meal, bistro meal, street market, flea market, Marais, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Effiel Tower, Louvre etc.
See ya!

Six weeks of anticipation

Anticipation. The best part of a trip? It might be. From my comfortable surroundings I imagine all the highlights of world class cities. "The best is yet to come", it screams to me. Airplanes figure in very little if at all. Lines. Other people in airplanes that I can see, hear and smell. So there's that for anticipation, selectivity. I suppose if you aren't anticipating it's called dread. Totally different.
So let's embrace anticipation. In the perusing,planning, packing - put your arms around it and ride the wild semi unknown. Yesterday I mentioned packing and distilling your style and that idea stuck with me. I have my travel essentials list, one I created and has everything for travel in planes and cars so I simply cross out anything that's not going this time and add my daily clothes, shoes and accessories to it. For this trip we are driving to Toronto so we'll need all the car stuff. Then we fly (overnight, yay, best way) to CDG, Paris. So first night is in Toronto, night two is on airplane, nights 3,4,5 are at VRBO in Paris. Nights 6,7,8 are in Amsterdam. Nights 9,10,11 will be spent in Copenhagen and night 12 is a flight, landing in Toronto that same evening, so I'm treating it like an overnight if I can, we leave Paris at 5 pm arr. TO 7:30 pm so...... Drive to CLE next am.  Break it down: 2 days car, 2 days airplane,  9 days of eating, sightseeing, short travel, sleeping/lounging.  A travel outfit really works great and I love black. Generally I wear black rayon pants with a drawstring and elastic waist - this waistband combo is essential, mine are GAP. Wear black tights underneath if it's cold (if not, pack those tights anyway, you never know! and they take up no room). Cool tennis shoes - currently: black leather with one white star on each shoe or low heeled booties. In the car footwear might be my sturdy leather thongs. In all cases supplemented with black ankle sox when lounging en route. 3/4 sleeved black scoop neck t in rayon/non wrinkly material. Army green vest with several pockets and breaks up the black, lol. Jacket, loving one from Zara which we also bought our son. Navy, looks like a well tailored blazer however has a zip in/out hoodie hat and neck layer. Genius. Looks polished and cozy all at once.  Time's up lovelies.

Notre Dame is burning and I'm not

Well it's been awhile. I'm planning our trip to Paris*Amsterdam*Copenhagen which will be happening in 6 weeks and realizing that all I want from life is to wonder the first 6 arrondissments of Paris aimlessly and endlessly. Seriously, I watch youtubers wander those streets and wonder why NOT ME!?  So what is it. What is it that I really want?  I just heard BHL on NPR about the ND fire and he mentioned the 'spirituality' that comes from old, old things, such as the wood beams of the roof, now lost forever. 8, 9 centuries old - you had to be there dude there is no replacing that shit.
So is that ineffable, gorgeous net of spirituality what I love about Paris? Walking the streets and simply being is enough there. I started this blog to help remind myself that while I live here, in CLE, and it's not anything like Paris, perhaps mindful thinking could make it more like the experience of being in a world class spot.  I think I've failed and it's probably not my fault. So now what? I don't know but I'm going to blog daily and see what comes up.......

So today it's 59 degrees/cloudy here and 56/cloudy in Paris. Remember we're on the same longitude(ish) and both are divided by a river. 

Plans for our three days in Paris: vrbo rental in the 5th, near the famous Rue Mouffetard and close enough to our preferred area around St Michel, Ile de la Citie and Notre Dame (sadly looking at a map of the area when I heard about the flames breaking out!).  We'll fly in nonstop from Toronto.
After Paris, three days in Amsterdam. We take the train from Gard du Nord. I'll have to get our airb&b info from Jake on Amsterdam. Then we fly to Copenhagen to meet our friend for three days!
Back to Paris for the flight home. Rather a fast trip. We'll have two of our (adult) children with us as well. Nothing like packing for any travel to make you think about your style. Here's where you take it on the road!! And you have to carry it.
Later