Flowers in the Rain Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic on canvas 16 x 16 inches
ARNOTES: A DOG'S LIFE
On Wednesday we received a notice a package was awaiting us
at “la Poste”. We took our yellow slip
and on Thursday retrieved our treasure. And what a treasure it was: two 8 x 10 photos
of Harika and Blair and I, taken by a photographer in the Luxembourg Gardens
last fall. Enclosed were forms to
authorize use of the photos in “Les Chiens en France”, a picture book by Rachel
McKenna to be released in September, 2012.
We signed YES and sent the forms back to Ms. McKenna at once.
“You’d better not let that dog get too fat,” barked F,
walking her dustmop of a dog in the Luxembourg Gardens, today. “No problem,” Blair told F, “Harika’s going
to be in a book you know.” F bristled
and snorted as only certain French women can.
Blair told her about “Dogs in France”.
“Why, she isn’t even a French dog,” F continued, “she’s from
Africa.” By now, other dog owners
congregated. “Excuse me,” I said, “she
may have been born in Tunisia, but she has her French passport.” The crowd laughed and we left F and the
dustmop in the dust. (I guess we know who she voted for last election)
Harika and her friends are oblivious to race, creed or
political persuasion. I try to be more
like her when it comes to things: if it
doesn’t work out, just walk away and go on to the next page. I dispense this advice when asked. Count on a full dinnerbowl.
On the evening of June 7, a friend, with whom we share a mutual
acquaintance in California, came to visit from Tehran. He brought us caviar from the Caspian
Sea. Iran borders on the deepest part
of that sea, producing the finest sturgeon and caviar. I love to think about sturgeon, who can be 150
years old and 20 feet long. We talk
about the opposite of deep or profound:
shallow. Our friends first language is Farsi, French second and English third. We alternated between French and English, but
mostly English. He is actually an
American citizen and taught French language in California. I love
America for that.
We went from drinks at our house to dinner in the St.
Germaine neighborhood. We finished with
ice cream and awalk along the Seine, reveling in the beauty of the Louvre and
Pyramid at night. The juxtaposition of
old and new, in an older form (pyramid) makes for one of my favorite
architectural projects. We stayed up to
midnight to wish ourselves happy wedding anniversary: 32 years.
I have been having my doubts about Paris: only three paintings this week because of
poor weather. But when I walk outside in
the fading summer light, after 10 PM, I fall in love with this city all over
again.
Trees Saturday Morning Blair Pessemier Acrylic on linen 16 x 16 inches
Trees: Purple and Green Laurie Fox PESSEMIER Acrylic on linen 11 x 16 SOLD
