Paris Where You Are

Is This Blog for You?

Writing a blog requires shameless promotion—an activity that goes completely against the grain unless you are a narcissist.  Remember how badly you felt when someone called you a showoff?  So it is very hard to say to friends, family and acquaintances, “Hey, take a look at something I’ve done.” 

But it’s easier to do when we think someone might be a kindred spirit.  And like Anne of Green Gables, I’m discovering that “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think.  It’s splendid to find out that there are so many of them in the world.”

Yesterday, I ran into a former acquaintance at Barnes and Noble (look at my checkbook, you’ll see how often I’m there--first affinity); she introduced me to her fourth child—born sometime after her 40^th birthday (as I’m quick to tell anyone, I had my first child at 44--second affinity); she was buying Rosetta Stone to prepare her and the children for an upcoming trip to Italy (loves travel to and study of European culture--third affinity).  I was pretty sure she was a kindred spirit so I took a chance and mentioned my blog.  Here’s a shoutout to Kristen Bonola and all my friends at Harvest Christian Academy.

 At the risk of sounding like Barry Manilow (If You Like Piña Coladas), this blog’s for you if you . . .

 ·      Love traveling to Paris or have traveling to Paris as one of your ambitions.

That’s pretty much everybody, isn’t it?

 ·      Have a whimsical side and enjoy sometimes being utterly frivolous.

My scooter bug logo--designed by my good friend and kindred spirit Diana McPhail, formerly of Southlake and now of Kansas City--says it all.

 

I will, on occasion, address a serious topic.  For example, I think I’m going to post an entry about The Kindly Ones, a prize-winning book written in French by an American about WWII’s eastern front, a book that is the antithesis of frivolous.  But when I do have something controversial to say, I’ve adopted Michael Sowa’s Fowl with Pearls as a warning label which I will display at the beginning of the post.

 ·      Have a creative side that is not fully developed.

My trips to Paris are a way for me to affirm that it is okay to make creativity and personal expression a priority.  As I wrote in one of my columns for the Fort Worth Star Telegram, “I have paid my dues to the good and the true, now I want to turn my attention to the beautiful.”  Frankly, I’m in a more lighthearted place now than I was then.  I have no pretentions about writing a blog that drifts upward, reaching for the sublime.  I would much rather amuse you or make you laugh. 

My first success as a writer was in Jean Routzong’s senior English class at Smith Cotton High School, Sedalia, Missouri, the spring of 1971.  I can’t remember the assigned topic, but the class was broken into groups.  The best essay from each group was peer-selected and then read aloud to the class.  My humorous essay was selected, and I vividly remember not being able to continue reading because the class was laughing so hard that I got tickled too.  It was the best feeling in the world—hands down, the best.  I can understand how comedians get addicted to the laughs.  There’s nothing better.

In a future post, I will tell you about my second most enjoyable writing experience—and it is directly related to Paris.

Main Street Boulangerie, Grapevine, Texas

Just a pleasant five-minute walk from our church is a popular Sunday morning destination for both pagans and Protestants--Main Street Bread Baking Co.  Owned by Fabien Goury and Yasmine Bohsali, this little touch of Paris in the Tarrant County suburbs is just what the doctor ordered when one needs a break from the tidal wave of chain restaurants that line the freeways.

Lots of restaurants in Texas offer outdoor seating--it was one of the things we loved when we first moved to Texas--but especially in the suburbs where we live, the outdoor views are mostly of freeways.  Main Street Bread Baking Co has that rare American experience—sidewalk café seating with plenty of pedestrian traffic for people watching. 

Located in the village of Grapevine, the bistro creates just the right café atmosphere.  The décor is a little world-weary, but isn’t that just like the French?  And there are touches of elegance like the beautifully detailed brass door handle at the entrance.  You’ll love Fabien and Yasmine’s playlist.  Here are a few of the songs on her iPod 

• ·      Amapola
• ·      Les Feuilles Mortes
• ·      Mr. Chow
• ·      Jamaica Heartbeat
• ·      Ya Mama, Tu M’As Tant Donne

And oh yes, there’s the boulangerie!  You’ll find all the traditional French breads and pastries—rounds, buns, croissants, Napoleons, and tarts—all displayed in the gleaming glass cases.  My knowledge of French pastry is fairly limited so I can't really address the quality of these pastries; but when you are in need of a taste of Paris, you will find these to be utterly transporting!

The café has free wireless access for its customers and thus is perfectly suited for a lazy morning of reading, web surfing, and people watching--and that’s the best formula for creativity I know. 

If you go, wear a flowing skirt and your sexiest shoes.  (Remind me to take my own advice.)

I can’t wait to tell you about Ralph and Reba Ferrell’s favorite French restaurant in Addison and Zellia Rendon’s guilty pleasure of listening to others practice their French at a La Madeleine in Plano. 

Please!  Write me back—tell me about places you know in Dallas--or elsewhere--that transport you to Paris.