While The Blog and I are taking a Summer Vacation, I thought I’d line up a few posts from Way Back in the Archives in case you want to browse them while I’m “away.” Here’s one from The Blog’s very first month, July 2007, 15 years ago (I know, I can’t believe I’ve been here that long either!). That fellow’s birthday’s being celebrated again today, and to me, he looks scarcely any older . . .
I know you’re all here ’cause I promised you more nudity, but today’s my husband’s birthday and he just wouldn’t cooperate with the nude modelling request. So here he is fully clothed, my own little piece of Utopia (see the French graffiti behind Paul–clicking on the photo will enlarge it and make the graffiti very easy to read). This was taken very close to the Beauborg Centre (Pompidou) on our May 2006 trip to Paris, and it’s one of my favourite photos for all sorts of reasons. First, you have to admit, he looks pretty good for a guy who won’t see 50 again (and that’s as specific as I should probably get — the man deserves some privacy even as I post his photos on the net!). As well, for me this photo captures a bit of why we love our Paris trips — the kilometres and kilometres of walking that we do on streets that aren’t always tourist-shot perfect (this one’s pretty grubby, isn’t it?) but that yield surprising rewards: in this case, the great graffiti — really, click to enlarge, totally worth it. The photo also suggests, in the green Arcus bag Paul carries, his tolerance for shopping, something I was lucky to find in a husband. Not that he wouldn’t rather be doing this (as on our recent wine tour of the Okanagan)
but until he reaches his limit towards the end of a Paris week, he’s willing to “lecher les vitrines” (window shop–literally, lick the windows– and forgive the missing accent, that’s beyond my Html skills for the moment) right alongside me.
Indeed, he’s the perfect travel companion, for wine tours, walking the streets of Paris, and, happily, for a full life together (33 married years so far). Happy Birthday, Paul.
And one more Paris shot, just for balance. This photo obviously shows Paul’s tolerance — would you pose in front of this sign just to amuse your travel partner?
This particular sign is in the 13th arrondissement, but we passed several of them across the city when we were there in May this year. It’s obviously part of a campaign to encourage Parisian dog owners to clean up after their pets, and it says, roughly “All the left feet should tell you, more and more owners are picking/cleaning up dog shit in Paris.” I’m not sure how effective the campaign is — we didn’t notice the little-plastic-bags-tied-to-the-dog-leash that have become ubiquitous on the West Coast — but the sign caught my attention anyway. “les crottes de chien” are regularly an issue on our little island–as with septic tank discussions (scroll down at this link for a scintillating paragraph on septic tanks), complaints about dogs inevitably arise at island parties and annual ratepayers’ meetings.
Now I’m going to go and spend the day with my birthday boy — and I did, way back in 2007, and that’s what I’ll be doing again today on his birthday in 2022. Feel free to leave birthday greetings and/or comments (how different did you find my 2007 blog-writing?!, for example. Do you even recognize me?!). . . but as I’m still on vacation, I will surely read these but not likely respond to them, for now, at least.
Summer on, readers!
xo,
f
i have the world’s most handsome dad! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD
Love Megan
I have one of those great husbands as well. We have taken back street walks around Paris, my favorite part of any trip really.
33 years is great and I hope that we can achieve the same!!
Happy Birthday to Paul! I hope you two have a fabulous day celebrating!
This Tuesday, August 2nd, will be 45 years for us! We will celebrate at Auberge du Soleil in Napa, CA. Would that we could be in Paris, but… next year en Provence… reservations have been made!
Happy Birthday, Paul! Enjoy your special day!!
Happy birthday, Paul! And even though it’s apparently not your anniversary, congratulations to both of you for all the happy years together. May you have many more.
But wait, you promised more nudity!? I must have missed a post….Or, as the saying goes, the best is yet to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Paul. A glass of your favourite. Let the festivities begin….
Ali
Happy birthday, Paul! Sorry you’re not in Paris, but since you’re in Vancouver, you’re close enough to Paradise, so that counts.
Happy Birthday Paul! Wonderful day to you both!
Dottoressa
As a newcomer, I feel a bit presumptuous wishing Paul a happy birthday (and a happy many years together to you both) but I will anyway!
Happy birthday, Paul! Hope it was a great one!
Cheers Genevieve
Happy Birthday. Hope you both have a wonderful summer with family.
We are slogging through a bitterly cold winter, even my husband (of 47 years, my goodness it seems such a large number) who much prefers cold to hot weather has been complaining. Plotting a possible trip to Europe for next year, preferably in the South helps to distract.
I think first found your blog around ten years ago, this earlier post does read differently, it seems more personal than your current writing. A sign of the times on the internet?
Yes, there is also an oddly coy attitude to nudity in public art among many in Australia, perhaps it’s an Anglo Saxon thing.
To clarify, in case my last paragraph doesn’t make sense to other commenters, it refers to the post linked within this one.
Happy birthday, Paul!
I’m late again, as usual, but still: Happy birthday Paul!