Letter From Paris: The Springing of Spring

Spring is beginning to unfold in Paris.  Tiny leaves thrust from their buds on the vine outside my door, and pose themselves in stages of unfurling.  I can see only a few from where I'm sitting now, but I know there will be more and more and more. 

The deep well of cold in which this winter so lovingly embraced us has fled for better climes.  She was quite an icy vixen, which pleased me well.  There is nothing like a cracking cold and clear day or snow falling softly around me, lighting on my tongue and nose.

Baby green is the color of Spring, clear and bright before the sun has given it the blood of light and toughened it. 

Spring at the Monoprix

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In current events, there are spring rumors of the Sarkozys having affairs peppering our news.  Of course, the First Couple are denying it. 

And spring elections were held the other day. 

From an article in the Telegraph:

France's far-Right National Front (FN) has re-emerged on the French political scene after enjoying a surprisingly strong showing in regional elections on Sunday.

....Martine Aubry, the Socialist leader, instantly accused Mr Sarkozy of “re-opening a door for the FN”. The President, she said, “led this debate on national identity aimed at opposing French from here with French from elsewhere or foreigners, well (in doing so) he opened a door".

Mr Sarkozy, via his immigration minister, Eric Besson, launched a national identity debate aimed at getting citizens to define what it means to be French on Internet forums and public meetings.

These often descended into anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rants. France has around six million Muslims, Europe’s biggest minority...

During its campaign, the FN played on fears by releasing a poster that read “No to Islamism”, and depicting woman wearing a full Islamic veil and an Algerian flag superimposed on a map of France with minarets portrayed as missiles....

A question I'm fascinated to ask people here, and it's especially interesting for feminists:  Should women be banned from wearing the burqa?  This is a question being studied and discussed in the National Assembly.

Here are some of the political posters I saw on the street today...

Jean-Marie Le Pen is the leader of the far Right FN

Racism never seems to go away.  

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One of the best things about early spring is my daughter The Cheese Princess (who you'll be hearing more about) Blair's birthday, which happens to be today  Happy Birthday, Blair!  What a momentous day when her sweet newborn soul emerged on this Earth (although I can tell you it actually was very wise and old yet with many new lessons to learn).

I'd like to give Blair a present this grand:

This building on the Place du Palais Royal so nicely wrapped up.  If you happen to be a mother, you know exactly how I feel. 

Celebrate yourself and life today--and have a toast to Blair.  Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone--and here's an Irish blessing:

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

Unless otherwise noted, photos taken by Beth Arnold with her Canon PowerShot SD750.

                                                                        ---Beth Arnold in Paris