Autumn in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
Well, it’s time to break out the jackets and scarves in Paris! Can you believe it after the summer heat that we’ve had? Last night went down into the upper 40’s and yesterday’s temps barely cracked 60. It’s a wardrobe struggle trying to transition; layering is the only answer, By the time we leave next Friday, it could be back in the 80’s. No matter where you are, weather controls our days, mais oui!
I am still struggling a bit with my health issues but working hard with my doctor at home to find some remedies. Good health is our most precious commodity which we so take for granted. Appreciate all your thoughts and concerns, but I am moving forward.
Bernie and I are just being delightfully lazy, doing nothing of significance and enjoying some slow, easy days. We have three more special rendezvous with friends before departing and always look forward to these. Yesterday, we met a dear sweet lady named Lela for lunch at the tea room at Jacque-Marc André Museum. She is Sharon and Johnny Tyson’s cousin. We had a wonderful soirée and hope to keep that friendship alive. If you don’t know the museum, make it a point to go.
On Thursday, we finally made it to a Jim Bilbro recommendation which is always a safe bet when it comes to good food. It’s a unique spot called Maison Plisson on Blvd. Beaumarchais. It’s a fresh market along with a delightful café. 
As we strolled along, we found another doggie in a café and also took in a shop with beautiful wedding gowns and the latest in bridal shoes! Honestly, I’m not a fan.
Based on a comment from one of you, we were encouraged to return to La Félicité which upon doing more research is billed as a “village” housing multiple elements: SO Hotel, Marche, restaurants, gardens, spa, roof-top bar, etc. I have always found that if you act with a touch of smug confidence and just walk into places, you can be successful. Such was the case here. We slipped inside the lobby area and had a drink in the bar area. It is lovely, and we were greeted with warmth by the bartender who was from South Africa. His name if you can believe it was John Smith! As I told him, first impressions are so important and he made us feel totally welcome. Quite a bit different from our first encounter. The Bonnie restaurant is booked and the roof-top bar will have to wait until another time when the “newness” has worn off a bit. It you’ve got deep pockets and want an unforgettable experience in Paris, book this hotel for a long weekend and live as the rich and famous do! 
Here are a few more images as we strolled along including our dinner last evening at Léon. Bernie loves les moules or mussels and wanted at least one hearty potful before we depart. He was not disappointed.
So, the next few days, I will be posting my top contenders of café chairs and dogs in cafés for you to vote for your favorites in each category. There were almost 100 cafe chairs and almost 40 dogs so I had to eliminate. I truly hope I have captured your favorites!
I will number them so all you will have to do is vote for your top 3 choices by number in each category. This is an annual contest and usually a lot of fun. If you have trouble commenting on my blog, you can just email me at lindaspalla1@gmail.com or comment on FaceBook using Messenger. I will tally everything and post it in Thursday morning’s blog.
As usual, I will send out a final post Friday morning as we’re leaving for the airport describing our year here which I think will be made up of what I have found to be different about Paris.
Monday, of course, will be devoted to watching the queen’s funeral until late in the day when we have a gathering with friends.
A personal word if I may. Many times while we are in Paris, something significant has happened:
-I lost a friend I had worked with for 20+ years and could not attend the funeral.
-I lost a dear neighbor whom I adored and couldn’t attend the funeral.
-We watched with horror the great flood in Europe and in 2016, the flood here in Paris!
-Dear friends lost their grandson in a wretched car accident which broke our hearts.
-We watched David Cameron get thrown out as Prime Minister and the advent of Brexit.
-Last year, we watched the gut-wrenching withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan.
-This year, my first grandchild left for his freshman year in college which we were sad to miss.
-This year, the death of Queen Elizabeth, II.
Life does move on no matter where you find yourself. It has been great to be here but of course, we are ready to go home. We love the connections with all of you and the support you render with your very kind comments.
A tout à l’heure
L & B
September 17, 2022 @ 9:15 am
You and Bernie have what it takes to waltz into any fancy place just like you belong there! It’s a talent! As for the wedding shoes, I would wear them in a heartbeat, even though I hate wearing tennis shoes! I remember how miserable my poor feet were in my wedding heels! Take care of yourself dear friend. We look forward to seeing you and comparing our Paris and Italian travels when we are all home and healthy.
September 17, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
Well, I would prefer the tennis shoes to cowboy boots which some are wearing these days! EVERYTHING in Paris is tennis shoes this year. I believe that shoes make the outfit and somehow they just don’t always work! Maybe little ballet slippers would be my wedding day choice. I’m just such a traditionalist. Not always a good thing, I realize. I like to color in the lines…ha!
September 17, 2022 @ 10:51 am
I would trade your weather for what’s coming up here next week, 90s! Love the new places you have discovered. Beautiful photos of your meals and new surroundings. Look forward to your cafe chairs and doggie photo contest.
September 17, 2022 @ 11:23 am
The photo from your stroll with the water, clouds and buildings– just seems like a perfect depiction of Paris. We’ll miss these morning “walks” with you. Hope you’re feeling well for your closing days there.
September 17, 2022 @ 2:35 pm
I am feeling better after a brief relapse. Merci!
September 17, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
I have been so sorry that you have health issues on this trip. You are indeed in our prayers. I know personally how those things can put a damper on a trip. We are looking forward to having you home though. Though we keep up with you through the blog, you are both always missed.
September 17, 2022 @ 1:52 pm
I’m sad to see your sojourn come to its conclusion also. What fun it’s been to travel along with you for so many weeks. We all feel like we’ve been little spirits having a good time with you ( minus the ER visit -ha ha).
There was some hint that this might be your last time in Paris. i sincerely hope not. You give us a unique experience with your daily doings including many pictures. So many wonderful adventures and memories. And, of course, there’s more that you didn’t get to do. We always leave Paris with half our list of “to sees” left undone. Reasons to return. I hope you and Bernie feel healthy enough to plan for next year.
Sadly, in our later years, friends neighbors and others can leave us unexpectedly. My condolences on those you’ve lost.
September 17, 2022 @ 3:47 pm
Ooooh the food, the coffee, the 60 degree weather, the pic of the beautiful stranger, (Linda)! I will look forward to seeing you when you get back to Ala.
and hearing even more of your trip.
September 17, 2022 @ 4:12 pm
Hi Joelene, so good to hear from you! Yes, let’s do lunch very soon!
September 17, 2022 @ 5:51 pm
Totally agree about how good the Jacquemart-Andre museum and tearoom are. We found out that if you arrive ten minutes before the noon lunch opening that you can avoid the long lines.
September 17, 2022 @ 6:02 pm
So glad you are getting better. Philip and I never leave home without doctor’s prescription to cure almost everything. Except Covid.
Love your posts everyday, but especially today.
September 18, 2022 @ 7:13 am
I appreciate your ending ; love moves on no matter where you are indeed. So glad I see y’all made it to the river. Bernie looks fantastic sitting in that swanky hotel like he’s ready to inherit it all!! Oh gosh that food!! Miss it SOOOO much!! The first year I found it hard to find things to eat. Whatever you get is so good bc it’s fresh! What are the little green leaf/sprigs on top of so many of the dishes? By the way- I like the wedding shoes 🙂
September 18, 2022 @ 4:04 pm
I think in here in Minnesota the tennis shoes would be a hit!! If not in the snow of course.
And having grown up in NW Louisiana, I can assume the cowboy boots…. Especially in white or a pastel…..would be a big hit there!
September 19, 2022 @ 5:39 am
I agree with the gorgeous river scene photo!!
September 19, 2022 @ 8:21 pm
Especially nice photos today – Walking along river, Bernie in hotel chair, those mussels, the Marche, the chestnuts, the foliage and botanical shots, your photo with coffee (you look especially chic in your denim jacket with sleeves cuffed), and all the rest. I am sad that your days there are coming to a close, as I shall miss your blog very much. Enjoy your last days in Paris, and get well soonest.