Springtime in Paris

It feels like a whole season has passed since our last post. The cherry trees bloomed brilliantly, but now their pink buds have scattered to the ground as if a wedding procession just went by. Tulips lit up the parks like neon signs flashing "spring," but they too have let go their petals and given way to the next round of plantings.  Michael's mother, Dolly, passed away last month.

We were fortunate to have been with her at the end. We miss her incredible kindness & those big blue eyes. We've had wonderful family time in the past month--in Boston, York, Wellesley, Medfield. And now in Paris. With Rachel and Melissa, we saw modern art at the Pompidou, classic oeuvres at the Louvre, sculpture at the Brancusi atelier, an opera at Palais Garnier, and shops galore in the Marais. We even braved a meal high atop the Eiffel Tower despite at least one queasy stomach.

We've just said à bientôt to Henry, Audrey, Maggie & Jonathan after a week's visit that included an improvised Passover seder with reading the Haggadah from an iPad, a picnic & pigeon chasing in Luxembourg Garden, playgrounds & sandboxes, lines & lollipops at Euro Disney, food & more food, and so much more.

Michael has finished teaching his doctoral class at INSEAD. But next up, Marjorie's co-author, Dixon, has arrived from California so the next few weeks will be busy with even more markets, write-up's, and photos.

Each day we both try to take in how extraordinary it is to be in Paris. And now that the days are already long (it's light until 9 pm), we get the equivalent of 1 1/2 days for every one--a much better exchange rate than the dollar's. We're wondering if any of you has been steadfast enough to stick with us despite our very occasional posts? Thank you!