Hi Hannah, just to to say I always enjoy reading these each week. Still fairly new to substack, but your weekly letters and the writing notes of Hattie Crisell are great and keep my inbox happy, especially on Mondays when I'm sitting in the office wondering what I'm doing with myself. I am intending to start my own musings in a substack, but I haven't quite gotten to that yet...
I've only ever been to Paris in the summer when it is bustling and bursting with life and you can sit and eat and drink outdoors late into the evening warmth. Pretty magical. So, yeah, the grey sky and cold would make it feel quite different and bleak. If it's any consolation, down here in Melbourne it's much the same -- the joy of blue skies in summer, beers in the warm evenings, so much good food (having said that, today and this week are decidedly average and overcast!) but in winter I find it depressing. It doesn't help that no-one understands how to insulate houses here. Double glazing is still some futuristic technology that hasn't ever properly caught on. Baffling. Memories of cosy days by a fireplace back in England carry a special charm.
Pinterest absolutely does seem the most benign of the social media platforms. It's a great space to just search for things and see so much inspiring art/photography.
In my own personal book club, I just started reading (correction: devouring) Bret Easton Ellis' new book, The Shards. I'm writing that because I want to tell everyone about the book, to talk about how I'm all-consumed by Bret's supposed coming-of-age story in the early 80s of LA, how I'm seemingly there *with* Bret and experiencing that vacuous and numb teenage life of privileged upper class teens in the midst of a lot of crazy things. It's as messed up, uncomfortable and dark as his other works, but it's an entrancing read and I just want to talk to anyone about it who'll listen! (So, sorry, forced you and anyone else who's read this to listen just then, apologies.)
Lovely to read your introduction, as I’m relatively new here and to Substack after setting up my own newsletter.
I’d love to hear of any recommendations as we land in Paris for a week at the end of February.
We were married at the church near Jules Joffrin metro some 20+ years ago and spend lots of time in and around the city (my husband is French). Like you, we’re always looking for something just below the skin of Paris.
Wonderful newsletter. So much life-wisdom. I love the photo collection. Entire newsletter, a keeper!
Coincidently to last week, the NY Times is asking, "Are the French Lazy?" This quote from the 16th century should be read daily from age 6 to age 30: "Weary of the servitude of the courts,” Mr. Montaigne declared, “I am determined to retire in order to spend what little remains of my life, now more than half run out … consecrated to my freedom, tranquillity, and leisure.”
Lovely Hannah! Particularly good to see a baby Hannah in the sweet photos of you with your penfriend. Love my Sunday penfriend. Look forward to next weeks !
Hi Hannah, just to to say I always enjoy reading these each week. Still fairly new to substack, but your weekly letters and the writing notes of Hattie Crisell are great and keep my inbox happy, especially on Mondays when I'm sitting in the office wondering what I'm doing with myself. I am intending to start my own musings in a substack, but I haven't quite gotten to that yet...
I've only ever been to Paris in the summer when it is bustling and bursting with life and you can sit and eat and drink outdoors late into the evening warmth. Pretty magical. So, yeah, the grey sky and cold would make it feel quite different and bleak. If it's any consolation, down here in Melbourne it's much the same -- the joy of blue skies in summer, beers in the warm evenings, so much good food (having said that, today and this week are decidedly average and overcast!) but in winter I find it depressing. It doesn't help that no-one understands how to insulate houses here. Double glazing is still some futuristic technology that hasn't ever properly caught on. Baffling. Memories of cosy days by a fireplace back in England carry a special charm.
Pinterest absolutely does seem the most benign of the social media platforms. It's a great space to just search for things and see so much inspiring art/photography.
In my own personal book club, I just started reading (correction: devouring) Bret Easton Ellis' new book, The Shards. I'm writing that because I want to tell everyone about the book, to talk about how I'm all-consumed by Bret's supposed coming-of-age story in the early 80s of LA, how I'm seemingly there *with* Bret and experiencing that vacuous and numb teenage life of privileged upper class teens in the midst of a lot of crazy things. It's as messed up, uncomfortable and dark as his other works, but it's an entrancing read and I just want to talk to anyone about it who'll listen! (So, sorry, forced you and anyone else who's read this to listen just then, apologies.)
Lovely to read your introduction, as I’m relatively new here and to Substack after setting up my own newsletter.
I’d love to hear of any recommendations as we land in Paris for a week at the end of February.
We were married at the church near Jules Joffrin metro some 20+ years ago and spend lots of time in and around the city (my husband is French). Like you, we’re always looking for something just below the skin of Paris.
Looking forward to your future newsletters :)
Wonderful newsletter. So much life-wisdom. I love the photo collection. Entire newsletter, a keeper!
Coincidently to last week, the NY Times is asking, "Are the French Lazy?" This quote from the 16th century should be read daily from age 6 to age 30: "Weary of the servitude of the courts,” Mr. Montaigne declared, “I am determined to retire in order to spend what little remains of my life, now more than half run out … consecrated to my freedom, tranquillity, and leisure.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/opinion/french-lazy.html?unlocked_article_code=HRj8oZmTpd7yyJtzbWoFmU2UdAZVZrBKXkgmFzkzp7CV4cZVvL1t11fL6uLVKNn_BLnXqC6jGm2Umws502Yn6TLo1uchOMWUyrM38CxpQFrDXJEeAQBtd2R2sFZmBOX7WsmJdUBlDU2q7GcgCrr-4xGH22haqdL5_bqCTd3c0SMPhBCUalzfM3G5Vtj9jk1JVpO2k1uUt5k4ItNeREzkXn1W1u0wtyTp8W3M-vj56EzdQ99SZV7CaXOVt7vAX4WOKqEOghbh1ncDWeULT-UweYCjBZdoNXtJpuGdhV89HvqF8C9dofcbsLRuBJ2ytl9_Fk8Jcp8&smid=share-url
Love these thoughts on Pinterest! Fascinating. I did not know you were such a Pinterester and am now going to be badgering you to show me your boards.
Lovely Hannah! Particularly good to see a baby Hannah in the sweet photos of you with your penfriend. Love my Sunday penfriend. Look forward to next weeks !