Grenouille Economic Lesson Part 3

S'il vous plait, what conclusions do you draw from this lesson?

Happy Birthday to Moomin Light

Dearest,

What fun to compose this birthday wish which you won't see right away. I'm here thinking about your birthday ahead of it, and I'll maybe remember this post on the day, and then you'll read the words some time after that. "The mechanism," as Grenouille calls it, is a wonderful gadget, almost a time machine.

I can't express the feelings of destiny I get when I think of your birth, and of the lives we led that brought us together. I'm amazed I was so well looked after. It makes me a bit dizzy. What if it hadn't happened? What if we hadn't met, or you hadn't been born? That thought is like leaning out over a precipice, the kind of thing that gets into my worst nightmares. But I shake myself and look up to find you beside me.

You're my colors. You're my song. You're the greatest joy of my life. Happy Birthday, sweet Moomin Light.

Grenouille Economic Lesson Part 2

Grenouille Economic Lesson Part 1

This is, in no way, a comment on DCup's tres serious posts on the recent economic debacle, and its effect on many Americans.

Voila, this is how the economy seems to moi.

More National Cathedral Windows

Click images to zoom in. They reward a closer look.

Art Deco Diners

We love art deco diners. I recall as a kid going to the old diner near our church in West Taghkanic, NY. The link sausages there were the best I've ever eaten, or that's how I remember it, anyway. In Herndon, VA we ate at Amphora's Diner Deluxe, which has a reputation, and deserves it. The Greek food there is great, and so is everything else. Before we went in to eat we admired and took photos of the exterior.

And I got funny looks just inside the door when I photographed the dessert cases. You have to admit, they're amazing. The desserts were amazing to eat, as well. We had three different desserts and spread them around: a deadly chocolate dessert, of course, lemon meringue pie, a diner standard, and baklava, in honor of the Greek cuisine that is Amphora's specialty.

Later in the trip we ate in Tysons (it was on the way back to our hotel from our stop on the orange line of the Metro) at an old favorite, the Silver Diner. It's not as beautiful as the Amphora, and it might not be authentic art deco, but we still like it, and we have memories from this place.

>>>> Appendix de Grenouille <<<< When I look at Smiley's damaged grin, and pierced face, and see that yet he smiles, I am wondering if he is ignorant or wise. How can he continue unflinchingly to register cheer when there is so much gloom and life has taken a toll on him? Is he unaware? Or does he know something deeper, something we should all be seeking?

Et moi, I believe these other smileys have reason to wink. They are trying to tell something to all of us, but we must each work it out for ourselves. Where is joy? Is it far from us or always within reach? And if we find it, will it be walled off from the rest of our life, or will we, as DivaJood said in comment, "Bring it all out into the light," tres bon et tres mal, the work and the play, the mundane and the art.

Au revoir,

Grenouille

Grenouille's Own Voice

I realized recently that Grenouille and I owe a debt to another blog artist, Susan of Adventures, Ink. Grenouille had been part of my posts for about two weeks when I found her blog through DCup's Politits. This particular post was the first I saw of Susan's work, in both words and art. When I inquired about Crow (in the comments) Susan replied and provided a link to an example. It's inspiring reading.

And it was a week later that Grenouille wrote a post on his own. Until then I had quoted him in the "Appendecis de Grenouille," and he had already been commenting on life etc. before I met Susan, but on August 8 Grenouille wrote the post without me. Since then he has mostly spoken for himself. We were inspired by Crow, I think, to go that last step.

So a toast to Susan and Adventures, Ink!

>>>> Appendix de Grenouille <<<<

Mai oui! Bravo! Merci, cher Susan, for pushing Etienne to let me have the keyboard. The mechanism now works for us both.