All about the hunchback

Hello Friends & Family!

I am perfecting the art of self-catering: I pick up the fixings for breakfast at the bakeries the night before, eat an exceptional French cuisine lunch, then mine the grocery store dinner for whatever looks good. I have discovered even the grocery French wine is delicious, the salami top notch. Cultural note, all the mustard is dijon -- must be a union thing or something :-)

I toured Notre Dame this morning. I have been there before and still am humbled by the awesome structure. I lit a candle and said a prayer of rememberence and thanksgiving for the lives of dear Granny and Uncle Matt, as I do at every cathedral I visit.

I learned its restoration, centuries ago, was started due to the resurgence in popularity it received after Victor Hugo published The Hunchback of Notre Dame. So it was only fitting I next visit Hugo's home, which was not far away. His apartment had been restored to the original decoration, designed by Hugo himself. All I can say is, it is a good thing he could write; the man had a design sensibility of loud colors and prints that could harm the weak eyed!

I spent the afternoon (after lunch of exceptional pea soup, mushroom risotto and sweet crepes-- made me quiver), strolling down Champes Elysees until I got shopper fatigue and headed home. I bought a hat :-)

Thanks again so much for your notes and emails!

Love Tory