Mr. Simon Simba, Esq. Vincennes zoo, Paris, early 80’s.
Kenya-born Minette, Paris, c.1972. My parents brought the cat back from Africa. They did not bring her BFF the dog back. We had words.
“Silently a flower blooms.” Zenkei Shibayama. Tlalpan, Mexico city. 2020.
A small Gothic church. Taverny, north of Paris. This church was finished in 1240. Almost 800 years ago. There are still thousands of churches as this one across the countryside. Many in disrepair.
“A tan is health for the winter. I tan five times as fast and without burns using Ambre Solaire.” A 60’s ad I found on “Le Point”. My mother was a big fan of Ambre solaire… Not good. Sun is bad for you.
Vernon Goutière was a first cousin of my grandmother’s. All born in India. He and Kay married in 1944 in New Guinea, only recently taken from the Japanese. The war still raged in the Pacific and in Europe. Vernon’s brother, Peter Goutière, was then a pilot for Tchang Kai-Check, with Chennault’s Flying tigers. Last I heard, Peter was still alive and kicking at 109. Stay safe, Uncle Pete.
“Be brave, wear it.” A campaign led by City Hall. Tlalpan, Mexico city. 2021.
The three Musketeers, by Manuel Urrutia, an Argentinian painter, frequent supplier of ours. That one fell off the wall. Needs reframing.
Branding – and vaccinating – cattle, Colombia, mid 80’s. The faithful Lisandro running the show.
This one is for Harleyte, aka Mélie:
https://harleyte.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/question-du-soir/
Tlalpan, Mexico. 16th century window. For Flavia:
Vico Equense – Roofs
A celebration of harvest. Probably in Oaxaca, Mexico. This is called an “Amate”. Ink on the bark of a tree called Amate. I’m not sure there are many trees left.
Church door nearby. 16th, 17th century. Tlalpan, Mexico city. That one is for Manja. A door fan: https://mexcessive.photo.blog/2021/01/17/january-2020/
Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919). Zapata was one the leaders of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. He defended the poor landless peasants. His motto was “Tierra y libertad”. Land and freedom. He was assassinated in 1919, as most – if not all – leaders of the Revolution. Note the very fine horse – or pony rather -, the delicate work of the saddle. And the rifle. (Photo from an expo at the local City Hall)
Malinalco, 2020, a century later. A fine horse and saddle. Sans rifle. Note the sandals on the owner’s feet.
Little red riding cap. Tlalpan. At an outdoor theatre performance. Yes. People sat on the pavement close together without masks… (once upon a time)
Beyond the shadow of a tree. Tlalpan. Been working on shadows a bit lately.
The “India room”, aka my library/study. (Better a Snob than a slob, right?) Mostly, but not exclusively, Indian art. My Lord Krishna is playing the flute top left (Hare hare). This and the tiger hunt to the right, is a common “Indian” graphic style imported by the Persians when they invaded India in the 18th century.
“View in perspective of the island of Bombay in Africa, on the coast of Malabar, kingdom of Vinapour…” A fascinating geographic mistake. Placing India in Africa! The handwritten sentence in Dutch (Gesigt van het eiland Bombay in Africa) below says the same thing. Late 18th, early 19th century.
New Year’s eve, with my little sister in Paris. Costume party obviously, old chap. Early 80’s. Been a while.
Thank you again for flying Equinoxio Airways’ Time-Space shuttle. Stay safe. 🙏🏻😷
🙂 ultra travelled person, beautiful, nostalgic images Guglu ji. A joy filled new year to you.
Nara x
Shukriya Narayan. The same to you and your family. Thanks for visiting. Phir milenge. 🙏🏻
Merci pour cette belle photo (entre autre) avec le drapeau français, en plus 😀
Bonne soirée Brieuc
Ah. Ce beau drapeau… Je suis un fan de l’Aiglon de Rostand. La meilleure description du drapeau que j’aie jamais lue. Bonne nuit mon amie. biz
Bonne journée à toi Brieuc
Biz
👍🏻
Pour la photo, je ne faisais guère attention aux motos avant de vous “connaître”, chère amie. (Mon petit-fils en raffole). Maintenant c’est qqc de plus à regarder dans la rue. A +
Ton petit fils a bon goût !
Tu sauras quoi lui offrir pour ses 18 ans 😀
Il a déjá eu une petite moto en plastoc pour ses 2 ans… 😉 (Il adore)
Je te donne la suite du programme ?
La moto électrique à 4 ans
La pocket bike à 6 ans
La moto cross à 8 ans
Le scooter à 14 ans
La 125 cm3 à 16 ans
etc…etc… Courage ! 😀
Haha. Tu veux me déprimer là ou quoi? 🤣
Et d’abord “quesse” tu fais encore debout à c’t’heure? Allez. Au lit!
😴
Fascinating stroll. I enjoyed it a great deal.
Thank you. Hope all is well with you?
I’m hanging in there. Glad to see new leadership over here in Whoville. The Grinch was scaring me. 😬
I agree 150%. I am relieved. Lots of work ahead, but the moron has been sacked. And since he’s lazy, he will disappear. Personally I would issue warrants and send the IRS to search all his properties tomorrow… 😉
Take care
I do think the anger will continue until it burns itself out. What a nightmare for all of us.
Not sure it burns down. I’ve always thought one should attention to what extremists say. There are usually deep-rooted reasons. Not all acceptable of course. Let’s say, not all french who vote for Le Pen are bad people. (Some are) Some have… how can I say? identifiable reasons that need to be attended. otherwise another lunatic will come by and blow on the embers again… anyway. Let’s enjoy yesterday and the following days…
Be good.
Thank you, my friend. I agree, and wishing you joyful adventures for 2021
Thank you. I’ve just started to make the changes for our tickets to go to Paris in the Summer. I hope it will work out.
You too. (And stay safe)
Another wonderful, enjoyable post!!!! The Goutières sound an interesting lot!
My great-grandmother was a Goutière. Those were her nephews. French born in India who later emigrated to the US and became American. Working on the family story right now.
Another branch of the family with a great story!! 😉
Yep. As I said, working on it… Cheers. One… indiscrete question: I hope you are not affected by the time limitation of 180 days stay a year in two periods… (That pissed me off so much)
No, I live here permanently but last year might affect my carte sejour 😦
Jesus Christ! Now I’m p.o’d for good. A carte de séjour is valid ten years? Or used to be? I hope the waters will have settled when yours is due for renewal. Kenavo arbechar.
Yes, still valid ten years but new ones are now needed, no matter how many years are left on the old one.
Lord almighty! Pray spare us from all bureaucrats.
😉
La flor coloreando la pared y esa ventana, como aguardando las miradas…especialmente preciosas. Quizás por lo que tienen de naturaleza aparentemente estática. Un abrazo
Exactamente. Lo viste perfecto. Abrazo.
So many cool images and themes. The tree shadow turned out well. Zapata lives on today, since land rights remain a problem. I like the parrot painting. The wear a mask ad is awesome. Nice ending with you and your sister!
Gracias Rebe. As you know the opening and closure are vital… Cuídate. Abrazo. 🤗
Nice to see that Paris 80s photo and I saw the younger pics of your sis so that was fun
And cool costumes
Also – perfect title for the variety in this post
Thank you. The pot-pourri posts are very fun to put together. Also the fastest to “write”. Take care.
you do excellent artsy posts (just in case I have not said it in a while)
Thank you Yvette. One tries one’s best. have a nice week-end.
😊
And side note – I took a photo in key west that I took with you in mind and will link you when i post it
–
And not sure if you recall that I had some masks to share – the wooden ones I used to own – well sorry to not follow up with it – I just couldn’t find any photos and thought I had them digitally – but they are boxed somewhere in attic
Just fyi and hope your week is off to a njce start
Key west now? I am honoured. (Also saw – again – Key largo last week with Bacall and Bogart)
I remember your mentioning masks.
The whole week’s been screwed by idiots since last wednesday. And I don’t see much solution ahead. So I have to keep fighting. Oh well.
Take care.
yes – let us all keep on keeping on 🙂 and link you soon
🙏🏻
Another wonderful trip through the past. So much beauty. Love the wall art and the costume party. Adorable !
🌷🤗
Thank you Coeur de feu. Always a pleasure to have you aboard. (Did you get your shots already?)
That New year’s eve party was fun. Happy days… Stay safe dear. 🙏🏻😷💕🤗
It was my pleasure indeed ! I got my first dose of Moderna a couple of weeks ago. 2nd dose in Feb. 🌸stay well!!
Moderna now? Interesting. Daughter and son-in-law got Pfizer. Some of their colleagues have already had their second shot.
Will do. And you too. We still don’t know all about the extent of the vax protection. 💕🤗
It all depends on who has what with the vaccine. I have a friend who got Pzizer, already had his 2nd dose .
With all the mutating happening it’s frightening, one doesn’t know what’s Head. Take care dear Brian.
We don’t even know the duration! Only time will tell.
Meantime, one step at a time.
🙏🏻🌹
I suspect we will need a booster …. it’s very scary. 🤗🌸
It is. yet a t the same time challenging. Look at the moron. Until the very last minute many of us thought he might stay. Well, he was kicked out. Good riddance. Now I’m just waiting for the warrants so the IRS can search all his properties. 🤣🤣🤣
I’m hoping he will be held accountable for the attempted coup on our government. Also crimes against humanity in the caging , suffering and deaths of kidnapped children by his Hitler like ICE. I also hope to see him indicted by NY ‘a 9th district. We will se if he is held responsible for his sins.
I have a distinct feeling he will. Maybe not tomorrow, but at one time and one way or the other. The IRS got Capone…
Hope you’re not on guard this week-end. Enjoy the week-end. 🙏🏻
Not this weekend. 😊🌷
👍🏻
Ooh, we get too see so much plus you in flesh! Thank you for thinking of and linking to windows and doors fans. I especially love how that growth on top of the door doesn’t care much but just keeps growing. And I love that tree shadow. But snob or slob? Hmm….. got me there…
In the flesh? That was a long time ago…
I try to link when I remember and if I have the time.
Slob? Untidy, messy, lazy. Me? I’m a snob. 😉
Hahha, I know what it means and it fits. 😀
😉
(So I am a snob, right?) 🤣
Hihi, I meant it fits me!
😉
Why ‘The three musketeers’ when there are four? I remember the Amber Solaire ads. We were young snd foolish in those days. Tan now, regret later. 😳
If I recall, the first three were d’Artagnan, Athos and Portos. Aramis joined them later and they kept the “three musketeers” though they were four.
Ambre solaire? yes. My mother spent her time im the sun. In India and Africa. She later had lots of skin problems. No cancer, but a sort of hardening of the skin. Had to have stuff removed regularly. And as a child raised in Indian Africa, though I left there before I was 20, I have spots every where… Such is life.
I’ve also had too many beach holidays. We don’t realize the damage the sun can do until its too late. 😱
What’s done is done. I use a lot of body cream. 🤣
Yes, me too. Wish I had shares in it. 😅
I don’t either, but I had Ponds and other cream brands as clients for many years…
You’ve outdone yourself with the varied mix of this pot-pourri offering! I’ll have to go with the parrots as my favorite. I love the textures and bright colors.
Parrots? yes. We have many, many works of this artist. He’s from Argentina. Though he’s lived here 30-40 years, he still his a typical Argentinian accent. I like his drawing style very much, and his colours. All well with you? Fingers crossed for today.
Yes, all is well with me. Today went well, I am happy to say. Last night, President Biden led a memorial service on the National Mall for the victims of the pandemic and their families. It was a very moving tribute and such a relief to see an act of simple human decency for a change.
I am so happy at the way it went. Symbols are important. A memorial service for the victims of the virus is a great gesture… Good start.
Today I’ve been feeling like I’ve awoken from a bad dream. The country is still in serious trouble, but at least we’re no longer being held hostage by a madman.
Absolutely. And i do hope the media will just ignore him form now on. So should we. 👍🏻
Ignoring a narcissist is the best way to take away his power.
Hehehe! 😂
That was how my mother dealt with a three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum, so as not to reward bad behavior with attention.
Would you know that 3-year-old? 😉
We could have exchanged notes with your mother. One of my daughters, now a well-published MD, threw a tantrum once when she was two, in a store, on the floor, hollering. I told her: “stop right now. Or I will leave you here.” Since she didn’t, I turned around ever so slowly and started to walk away. Slooowly. She stopped yelling. Got up, reached out to me and took my hand. Hiccuping from the tantrum. never happened again. 🤣
That was very interesting again, thank you!
And shadows can be very intriguing …
They are. Some photographers I know are very good at shadows. Not me. I seem to not see them. I must do a special effort to do so… Viel dank Freundin.
Great set of pictures Brian. And the explaining words that come with it. A series like this seems to sew the whole world and parts of the 19th, 20th and 21th century together in a kind of drapery, like the old Flemish tapestries. They somehow match. It is not at all strange to have an image of a cat in the vincinity of Emilo Zappata and a krishna flute player. It’s all our world, our times, our being.
Dankje wel. The pot-pourri series is fun to write. I will check back the old Flemish tapestries. Remember my ancestors were Flemish, Kortrijk and Lendelede, Around the 15th-16th century… And I’m glad you see the relationships. We are all of that. Tot ziens Peter.
some fun and wonders on the Time-Space shuttle…hoping your doing fine Brian ~ Bedankt voor je mooie post ☺️🤓 hedy 💫
AUB, Hedy. I was very pleased yesterday when Amazon delivered a copy of your book. It is now on my bedside table on the to-read pile… Dankje wel. 🙏🏻💕
🤦♀️🙃🙂🤓well it’s old now…I have those piles around my place too Brian…happy day 💫
I can imagine. I keep shifting the piles. Just looked the date. 1999. Wow. Still I will read it and let you know. Hugs mee vrouw… 😉
Loved the kitty and the beautiful birds.
I thought you might. Minette was beautiful inside and out. And the birds? They’re (were) on my wall, along with other works from the same artist. All well with you? My best wishes to America for today. 🙏🏻
Love the tree in front of the orange building.
“Be brave. Wear it!”
Gorgeous photo of that Lion!
Thank you Jenny. i’m not very good at shadows. Most times I don’t see them.
Those ads are good. I will put more. And the Lion was “easy”. Up close in a zoo…
best wishes to America for today.
It’s a big day for us. And for the rest of the world.
👏🏻 yes, for all of us. We may now start working together again as allies. And get things done together…
J’adore tes “pots-pourris”! Toujours un joyeux bordel 😉 Du pur plaisir.
Merci. You made my day. C’est exactement le concept. “Un joyeux bordel”! 🙏🏻
Love the array and range of photos you’ve shared with us here.
Thank you. It’s a scheme of posts I developed a bit by chance a few years back. Fun to put together and – apparently – enjoyable for the readers…
Take care.
What about Ivermectine…? Would that help to stop seeing muzzled people in the streets and those horrible ads?
I dunno. I must say I am bit sick of this entire situation. Take care Dragos. (I’ve treid to find your s/ç letter on the keyboard to no avail. There must be an ascii code?
The situation is so complex and so intricated that we can hardly understand what is really going on. I already had a few theories that I put together, and few minutes ago I got both confirmation and extra information through a video interview as part of a larger documentary that is yet to be compiled and released.
Bottom line is we all want to get back to freedom and the normal life as we knew it, while the higher powers deemed most of us as unnecessary – starting with the elderly and the chronically ill or otherwise incapable of sustained work – and as such we will be disposed of. More information here.
The character you’re looking for is ş (Unicode #015F old style), or ș (#0219 new style, incompatibile with older fonts used in Win9x/2000/XP).
Can’t do it on Mac, I think I already need two keys for the #… Pas grave.
Oh yes you can, just not directly through a single key or combo. See here for question and answer(s). Someday you might really need it. 😉
In Linux one can create their own keyboard layout or modify a preexisting one and save it as a variant. Even M$ used to have a tool for creating/editing keyboard layouts. I wonder if Apple have such tool available for their Mac OS.
Thanks for the link. I have another route I want to explore. I’ll let you know. (Linux is not my thing. Mistake of mine, I guess, never had the time to go into it…)
Cheers
As you know I always was and always will be in favor of choices – real choices, not illusions. So it’s good you have different paths to follow. Hopefully one of them will yield the best result. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Found it my dear Dragoş
😉
Wonderful, cher Brieuc! Hopefully it will help you get closer to many others that may use uncommon characters in their native language. Now all you have left to do is learn how to read/write Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Arabic, Hebrew… 🙄 Hee-hee. 😀
🤣
P.S. The link in last reply on that page (by Barney-15E) is not available directly anymore but it can be reached through the Wayback Machine here.
Another great collection. Loved the Harley.
Thanh you Ark. That was a pretty HD. Just sitting there. Easy shot.
The cat next to the lion is hilarious – I am anthropomorphising but domestic cats always seem as if they have ‘big cat’ pretensions. On the suntan oil ad, not old enough for the 60s, but into the 1980s getting a deep tan was the focus, recalling Piz Buin, Coppertone, etc.
The photo with your sister is charming, lovely.
You’re absolutely right. I’ve always thought (though a cat person) that if cats weighed even just 100 pounds, we would be in a lot of trouble.
I remember those as well. Coppertone in particular. Luckily, after Africa I’d become cuatious, then late 70’s on a beach in Yucatan, we fell asleep after a late boozy night. Woke with a mega sunburn. 🥵
I don’t spend time in the sun since then. At least not lying down to burn.
That last picture is nice. Fond memories. (Sadly, she’s been gone for years now…)
Take care.
I am a cat person too. No idea what it means – probably not much except I accept her absolute rule over the local territory.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have a sibling that passed away, too. Present and past tense together. Never get over it, just living with it.
Very sorry about your loss. I know how you feel. And how your parents must feel or have felt. And yes, you just live with it.
I think there are patterns about cat and dog people. I like freedom probably above almost anything else. Which what I like about cats. I also have green eyes. Must have been a cat in a previous life… 😉 🐱
Nice placing of sequence for lion then cat 🙂 We need a Zapata right now.
As you know from your writing sequence (of words or images) is critical.
You may be right. Though I have qualms about revolutions. We do need a new vision and a new script though. Definitely.
Yes, revolutions fail, they are merely temporary in my view, but the passion for collective change for the common good …. a lightening rod is helpful sometimes. Yes, we sure do need a new vision. 🙂
As the arrogant Frog that I am, I have been looking for one, but I guess I’m a bit too old now… And yet, yet… I’m sure there is a way.
We’ll meet at 398 rue Saint Honore, Paris, Max is expecting us 🙂
What time?
Sunset 🙂
GMT?
Indeed 🙂 but whenever we arrive will do.
Robespierre’s house? My, my…
Brandy will be served 🙂
Tempting….
🙂
This post is so “life-y”. I find your wonderful posts to be filled with life. When I look at life today, the past, all of the places and times, it breaks my heart. I’m not sure why, but I think it is something about all I cannot embrace, and all want to. I don’t even know if I make sense.
Well, thank you! xoxo
Thank you. It’s interesting how others “read” a post. I hadn’t thought of that. I do try to put a lot of variety in the pot-pourris. Plus I live in a place with lots of light and colour. It helps.
Now, I can also understand why looking back and forward and left and right might break your heart. We are already the witnesses of many a lost world… It’s ok. We’ve seen and lived it… And those worlds we witnessed were unique. Other worlds will come.
xoxo indeed.
Yes, new worlds with lots of animals that are all respected and cared for.
It’s a wish! 😀
Let’s rush to the nearest fountain and drop a coin.
❦❦❦
great shots as always! 🙂 big cat vs small cat was cool!
LOL. MInette was a small tiger in the garden in Africa.
Chennault’s Flying tigers? That’s extraordinary. Your family’s history continues to amaze me Brian. Wonderful post, and liking the 80s fancy dress!
Many fought bravely. Peter was with Chennault in China. My Uncle Gérard was with Leclerc and the 2nd Armoured division (2eDB) from Brazzaville in Congo to the liberation of Paris all the way to Germany in 1945. Cousin Henri Onraët was with the RAF I believe… Another cousin (FFI) was shot over Saint-Malo. Those were the days when did what one could.
The fancy dress was fun. I lost that hat though. Very fancy authentic “Haut de forme”.
Cheers
you are such a master at arranging these together — going thru your pix is oohhh — then ahhh — then lol — over & over again 🙂
Thank you kindly. It is quite a pleasure to select and sequence… Glad you liked it. How’s recovery? Slow, but steady I hope?
we’re well – yahoo!!! & your daughter?
Good. On both accounts.