Crossposted at the HuffingtonPost.com. Comments not included here.
The sky was azure blue, and the sun had warmed Paris up to summer hot as the Lone Wolf and I made our way around the Place de la Bastille. We were headed to the Metro's Line 1 for a straight shot to the Place de la Concorde, where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded. From there, we would continue by foot to the official residence of U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin and his wife Susan Tolson on the rue Faubourg Saint-Honore.
We were attending a reception in honor of the inauguration of the jardin
potager ornemental (the organic herb and vegetable garden) for the
American Ambassador's residence that Ms. Tolson had initiated to
support the work of America's First Lady Michelle Obama and her organic vegetable garden at the White House. This
movement called "The People's Garden" at the USDA is not just a
symbol to encourage all of us to eat healthily and well and to care for
the earth; at the same time it's also a living, growing reality that has
crossed the Atlantic to Europe. I also appreciate Ms. Tolson's effort
to support her husband's official policies in France which include a
"green" theme.
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the garden a week before the event. Ms. Tolson and I discussed how imperative it was for each of us to take personal responsibility to protect our earth and seas. This project is a terrific example of what we can do in our gardens, containers, or in pots on our terraces to make a difference (L.W. and I planted herbs over the weekend).
More exceptionally in Ambassador Rivkin and Ms. Tolson's case, this
garden is a joint effort of both Americans and French, and quite happily
so. USDA Agricultural Economist Xavier Audran asked students at the
horticultural school Ecole du Breuil if
they would like to be involved in the garden's creation. They jumped
at the chance and spoke to their professor, Herve Dardillat, who
directed their work, from design to planting to the finishing touches of
identifying signs of exactly what-is-what.
As we all well know, the French detail to gardening is exquisite. The students planted a variety of vegetables and herbs, including tomatoes, artichokes, and rhubarb; basils, tarragon, and mint; strawberries, blackberries, and red currants. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the Pioneer - DuPont Corporation helped sponsor the garden.
Guests to the residence will find the garden produce on menus whenever possible, and Ms. Tolson also has other plans for the garden, including cooking events with chefs.
The Lone Wolf and I arrived at the gorgeous residence and glided through the blue salon before stepping into the garden, where a tent had been set up with cooling drinks and delicious hors d'oeuvres that were beautifully presented with herbs and blossoms from the thriving garden.
The students' plans and drawings were displayed, and they, their friends
and family proudly looked over their appetizing work.
Ms. Tolson spoke to the gathered assembly and then presented the
students with framed certificates.
Ambassador Rivkin and Ms. Tolson cut the ribbon and the organic herb and
vegetable garden was officially inaugurated.
