Today is Mark Twain’s birthday - send him a gift if you can. Wait! He’s dead … send it to me instead.
Having dinner tonight for 10 - we shall surely be "in the mix" (as Jimmy Le Watt says) given the people coming. Mo’ later (pix, too) - gotta get back to "le four".
Anne’s veggie for dinner … and a discussion about "responsability" (fiscal, civic, moral, etc. - more about all this later since I’d like your comments on how in relation to responsabilities, often, we find ourselves in situations that push our humanity out of shape).
Sunday
Heading over to the Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants (Hall 5 – Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles) later this afternoon (3ish) - join us for a snooter of fine wine.
Saturday
Walking back with my apples from the marché Edgar Quinet via snow-covered Montparnasse cemetery (take a 360° look) I passed by Daniel’s grave (to the right of the angel) - he was the former owner of Le Limonaire (the caberet originally owned by the Philippe of last Thursday’s party).
I also gave a tip of the hat to Gainsbourg (to the left of the angel) and Baudelaire. It is bitterly cold today or I would have stopped to munch an apple and chat.
Friday
Preparing, as the first (of the season) snowflakes waft through the skies of Paris, to go down to Corbeil-Essonnes for the vernissage of a friend, Arlette Testanière.
UPDATE: The expo was fine, a lot of fun to see all the Testas (Arlette and her husband, Jean had 8 children, who all had large families too!) … so, at one point, I think over half the people at the expo were related. I met Arlette’s grandaughter, Marguerite (from Denmark) - I loved her ceramics and wanted to buy a white cup (just like the one on the invitation above/left), but she’d sold very well and none were left.
Thanks for/to friends (some of whom are also family) …
Off with Alain H. to Chez Mary (140, rue Saint Maur 75011 M° Parmentier ou Couronnes) … join us for drink, song, victuals and dancing!
How/what/who we did there … come back later.
.
.
.
It’s later … going on midnight … cabbed it back from the 11th and am skipping dinner; that’s OK ’cause the other categories are more than covered (drink and music). Jacquot (the captain) and his 13 piece brass band (that’s a lot of brass) played up a storm and during their breaks our friend Phillipe started up la limonaire.
Met new folks (Didier & Fanny) who know friends and are FOFs. Plan to meet at Vosves in the near future.
Had an EXCELLENT meal at Kirakutei, an authentic "sushi bar" (like I haven’t been to in a while). The place is tiny (7 counter seats and only 5 tables) and cozy. The chef is super … he takes time to answer questions and explain the food, ingredients techniques, etc.
And the food … I can only tell you to RUN there if you are in town. Odile had the eel maki and, as a chaser, the eel sushi (hence the "‘eel me", as Tommy would sing) … actually there is no "ouch" (or heavy touch) as the prices are reasonable - given the quality. The Côtes du Rhône is servicable and a steal at 12€.
The last time was back in May or June - when this pic was taken. You can almost hear Yoda in the background saying "Try,not … DO!" Sure, that works for a pint-sized, greenish Jedi … the rest of us "try"! (Actually, today I just wanted to get my mug up on here.)
How do YOU (dear readers) stay "zen"?
"Men will always be mad, and those who think they can cure them are the maddest of all."
Voltaire (born on this day in 1762)
Not cure, fix or even improve … but it is so tempting!
La suite … glad me? Yes! Especially to dine with Odile, Sylvie and Jean-Marie(thanks for the excellent Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC Château Musset Chevalier, 2002) - we’ve been amiss in not getting together more often, a baum to the heart to be together.
Midafternoon we dropped over at the local mairie to listen, I thought, to some music being spun by a recent DJ acquaintance, Bernard, in the Salle des Fêtes. He was there, but it turned out to be older folks (well, actually about my age - upon closer inspection!) dancing up a storm to R&R … I would have stayed all afternoon - but there was no wine/beer (and I dance like a log).
