Saturday, July 14, 2007

Vive la France!


As I drank my OJ this morning and surfed (TV channels, that is), I happened on the channel from France, where Paris was celebrating Bastille Day, or, as it's usually called in France, simply "Le 14 Juillet". Quite a thrilling show, staged on the Champs d'Élysée. The Republican Guard, all the military services, a children's choir--Les Petits Chanteurs de la Croix de Bois--and, of course, the President of the Republic, M. Nicolas Sarkozy, with dignitaries from other countries. The marching bands, the singing of both military and children's choirs, the flyby of military planes overheard, the first planes streaming red, white and blue smoke, the crowds lining the street, all made for an exciting atmosphere. By the time the Marseillaise started up, first by the bands, then sung, I felt as proud of my French blood as I do when celebrating my Irish blood on St. Patrick's Day.

I celebrate France and the French people, but not the Revolution, which not only deposed Louis XVI, but slaughtered him after a mockery of a trial. The Revolutionaries sought also to eliminate christianity and to put The State in its place. Their efforts were only partially rewarded.
Now that two hundred plus years have passed, historians are starting to take a less prejudiced view of the last pre-revolutionary King of France and his spouse, Marie-Antoinette. The layers of revolutionary propaganda are being pealed back to reveal a very different Louis XVI and wife.

If you understand French, I highly recommend the book by French author, Jean-Christian Petitfils, titled simply, "Louis XVI".
The card was made some time ago, for an ink-stains swap.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Challenged!




I finally made cards this week! The one featuring Tigger is for the ink-stains July Challenge, and the other is for this week's challenge, for ink-stains.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Heading Picture

The picture in the Heading is, "Mme Renoir Reading", by Renoir. It isn't quite how I want it, but I've worked at it long enough. Hope your weekend is sunnier than mine--it's 68F, chilly, windy, and cloudy. Perfect day for reading, stamping, surfing (the net, that is!), catching some z's with the cats...

Friday, July 06, 2007

Smile! (Even if you're not on Candid Camera)


The next time you're out for a walk, take note of how many people you meet who are smiling. I've been doing that, and it astounds me that the vast majority of people are not only not smiling, many are actually frowning, and many of those go along with eyes glued to the ground. I don't feel dressed without a smile! We all have problems, days when we're down in spirits, days when it's actually painful to smile. Here's a fact; scientists (don't ask me to cite my source, but I did read it somewhere) have discovered that if we smile if we don't feel happy, our mood will soon change.

The reason? When we smile, endorphins are released, and endorphins give us a sense of well-being. Smiling is also contagious, so the next time you meet an unsmiling stranger, smile! You may just make someone's day.





The cards, "Lazy Afternoon," and "Red Sails in the Sunset," use a technique called CD Reflection. I found it on Java Judi's website. Here's the link: http://javajudi.typepad.com/javajudi/ When you get to JJ's site, scroll down almost to the bottom.
The photo card was done for the ink-spots June challenge; anything summery. This is me and Blackie.