The Birth of Department Stores exhibition, Paris

The Birth of Department Stores exhibition, Paris. The exhibition “The Birth of Department Stores” – “La naissance des Grands Magasins” – at the Museum of Decorative Arts – Musée des Arts décoratifs (MAD) – in Paris from 10 April to 13 October 2024 explores the evolution of Parisian department stores from 1852 to 1925. It focuses on fashion, design,Continue reading “The Birth of Department Stores exhibition, Paris”

We did it, We did it! J’ai fait les Jeux! (I was in the Games!)

We did it, We did it! J’ai fait les Jeux! (I was in the Games!). I’ve received my official Badge for volunteering at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. ‘Paris2024’ and its Official Partners have awarded the volunteers of the Olympics and Paralympics with a J’ai fait les Jeux (I was in the Games) Open Badge in recognition ofContinue reading “We did it, We did it! J’ai fait les Jeux! (I was in the Games!)”

NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: STORY SCENE AND SEEN – Blog # 25        

NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: STORY SCENE AND SEEN – Blog # 25. Can you visualize a scene in your book – is the story scene seen? Are the words forming a scene in your mind – can you see it in your mind? Or do you need to see the scene before you writeContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: STORY SCENE AND SEEN – Blog # 25        “

Non, je ne regrette rien – No regrets volunteering at the Paris 2024 Games

Non, je ne regrette rien – No regrets volunteering at the Paris 2024 “Wide Open” Games. As Edith Piaf sang in 1960, Non, je ne regrette rien – No regrets. She was singing about no regrets in letting go of years of emotional baggage, and I’m writing about no regrets in not letting go of an opportunity ofContinue reading “Non, je ne regrette rien – No regrets volunteering at the Paris 2024 Games”

Working in the Grand Palais, Paris

Working in the Grand Palais for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The Paris 2024 Paralympics begins with the opening ceremony on Wednesday 28 August and, unlike the part-time, on-call, intermittent volunteer work in the Olympics, I’ll be working full-time, frontline, and the weekend for the 11 days of competition at the venue called the Grand PalaisContinue reading “Working in the Grand Palais, Paris”

NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SPYING – Blog # 24        

NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SPYING – Blog # 24. Why is spying an effective inspirational method when writing a book? It provides the fine detail to character development.  In a café, on the street, at a concert … people do stuff, people have habits, people have mannerisms, people have idiosyncrasies. Idiosyncrasies make a characterContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SPYING – Blog # 24        “

Australian truffles in France – and cooking up a recipe

Australian truffles in France – and cooking up a recipe. I’ve been gifted unusual things in my life and a gift of an Australian truffle while living in France is no exception. By weight, the truffle is one of the most expensive foods to purchase, so I was thrilled to receive this birthday gift –Continue reading “Australian truffles in France – and cooking up a recipe”

The first Women’s Olympic Games – it began in Paris!

The first Women’s Olympic Games – it began in Paris! The 1922 Women’s Olympic Games – Jeux Olympiques Féminins – was the first global sporting competition for women. The event was held on one day – 20 August 1922 – at the Pershing Stadium in Paris. The 1922 Women’s Olympic Games was established because the International Olympic CommitteeContinue reading “The first Women’s Olympic Games – it began in Paris!”