how clean is my palais ...

I have long net curtains on most windows. Today I discovered that they were not, in fact, grey after all. I washed a pair. They are my air filtration system to combat the pollution and dirt which waft through the gaps in the window frames. In spite of this decorative membrane, a layer of brake dust covers everything before very long. This is the only place I have lived where I need soap and water to wash down the TV...

At the back of the flat we overlook a "garden". Ha! Rustling and scratching noises have been heard at the bedroom window and the cause can now be revealed. The horse chestnut tree, five floors up , has had enough and wants to move in.

english conversation

I take an English conversation group once a week. We are all members of an umbrella group consisting of relative newcomers to Paris, who take part in various activities e.g. walks, museum trips, cultural visits etc. and I take the English language group.
We meet in a different member's flat each time and usually I print off an english newspaper article which has a French interest, for us to translate and chat about. These articles are all, without exception, negative towards France - its job market, its politicians, its strikes. I had to apologise for this today and think I'll have to change tack.
My french friends, as they all are now, enjoy the texts and although they find some things hard to hear, they say it's good to experience a different perspective now and again.

But massive cultural differences appear sometimes as we read.......

One article was describing the extra marital affair of Nicolas Sarkozy with a journalist. Not only did the article name the journalist - shocking news to my friends - but "the flight of Mme Sarkozy, 48, to New York on March 3rd" was universally misunderstood as "Mme Sarkozy took flight 48 to New York" !! They could not believe a) that a newspaper would be so ungallant as to print a woman's age and b) that she was so old, anyway. Satisfied sighs all round.

technophobe in a china shop

I've just got back to Paris after spending three weeks in the UK weeding,planting hellebores, painting the shed and .... oh yes, seeing my children. The latter are thriving.
I've returned with renewed determination to "do something" so, since yesterday , I've enrolled in an Art group, had my eyes tested, had a blood sample taken and stowed away the 25 kgs of porridge oats we brought back with us. Yes, Paris is such a romantic city.
I also found out about my friend's new blog and she has inspired me to have a go with one of my own. I have no technical knowledge of computers, software or anything with a plug on the end of it but here goes...