My new habitat

I've left behind the sights, sounds and tastes of Paris in exchange for a much quieter existence in Portland, Oregon.   I am now spending my days reading, writing, and cycling in my new neighborhood near the Willamette River - enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

Sellwood riverfront park

Springwater corridor bike trail - a 40 mile loop

Houseboats and sailboat on the Willamette River

Portland skyline seen from the Willamette

 

Heron in the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

I've also seen a family of bald eagles. Too bad the eagles are hard to photograph in flight.

Portland Japanese Garden

A perfect place to meditate on my decision to leave Paris and to return to the U.S.

Sunday bike ride

Cool temperatures and menacing clouds didn't prevent us from taking our Sunday afternoon bike ride along the Seine.

But several minutes later we had to take refuge under a bridge during a cloudburst. Brrrr!

Oysters

This rainy Saturday morning we went the rue de Lévis to pick up some oysters and to chat with Frédéric Dubourg, son of my dear friend Francis, owner of la Cabane à Huitres. Francis has been battling cancer for the last 18 months and has not been well enough to leave his home on the Arcachon basin near Bordeaux. Business at the Cabane has suffered in his absence, as Francis is the heart and soul of the tiny place.

However, the oysters are still delicious, and Francis' son Frédéric makes the trip from Arcachon to Paris each week to sell oysters in the rue de Lévis market on Saturdays and Sundays.

Most people buy the tasty mollusks to take home, but Frederic also has a faithful group of clients who come each Saturday at 1PM equipped with bottles of Muscadet to sit and chat while enjoying a plateau of the briny treasures accompanied by several glasses of wine.

I was lucky enough to visit the oyster beds where these are grown. You can read more about that adventure here.

Springtime in Paris

Winter in Paris passed without a single snowflake and now an early spring and unseasonably warm temperatures have Parisians out enjoying the sunshine.

Sorry to hear that my friends who live in Calgary are still buried in the snow.

Happy Birthday Eric

Today is my son Eric's 36th birthday. Already. Another year has flown by. You may be able to tell from his smile that he loves life and brings joy to all those who know him.

He is currently following his dream and studying for a PhD in Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong. Some of his classes include medicinal plant anatomy and microscopy - taught in Chinese! But he loves it and I'm incredibly proud of him.

I'd like to take this opportunity to share a few of my favorite photos of him.

 Eric (right) reading with big brother Philippe

I feel blessed to have two wonderful sons. And I love the women they have chosen to share their lives.

WICE Member Gallery

I was pleased to have another photo selected for display in the WICE offices. Do you remember this photo from my trip to Portland in January?

We had some interesting discussions with other artists and photographers during the vernissage last night.