Sunken Gardens

Repurposed

One of the favorite things I had from my grandfather was a little clock he had repurposed into a picture frame. The picture that he used was a photo of himself, my grandmother, and my father from April 1959. It was the only photo of all three of them together. My grandmother would pass away a year later from complications with diabetes. 

I treasured that photo and the old clock it was set in. The one my grandfather gave new life to. For years it was the only thing I had that he had touched. 

A few years ago my father decided that he wanted it back. I was heartbroken but I couldn’t argue. It has always been his more than it ever was mine. Time passed and I always missed having it. 

Recently, I was in TJ Maxx and a small clock caught my eye. It didn’t look anything like the original frame but the retro design got me thinking. I bought the clock and the next time I went to visit my family I took photographs of my grandfather’s old frame.

Although my clock was lighter and the mechanisms were more simplified, it was a little more difficult than I had anticipated. 

There were small bits and pieces all over my desk and for a brief moment I though this was how my grandfather must have felt all those years ago. 

Slowly all the pieces can pack together. I had a copy of my grandfather’s photo from 1959 in a clock frame I had repurposed myself. Now, more than an object, I had a new memory I could attach to my grandfather. A simple act of history repeating.

My original post about my grandfather’s photo: https://currentsandcolor.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-only-one.html

Little Birdie

I walked outside on my break and this little birdie was just sitting on the ground in front of the glass doors. Poor thing had probably flown into a window. 

She let me pick her up and hold her until she felt well enough to fly away.

The Farewell Walk Through Paris

The Luxor Obelisk in The Place de la Concorde.

The lights in The Eiffel Tower just coming on in the dusk. 

The Petit Palais. 

Walking around the Champs-Élysées.

 The Arc de Triomphe.

Our delicious macarons.

Photo by Elizabeth Kasper.

For our last meal in Paris we stopped in Au Cadran Voltaire. I ordered the French onion soup and escargot (snails). All the way back in middle school my best friend Rochelle made me promise I would try escargot if I ever got the chance. What better place to try it than Paris? 

Photo by Elizabeth Kasper.

They were a little bit tricky to get out of their shells but they were tasty. Thank you Rochelle! 

Photo by Elizabeth Kasper.

Mom enjoying the view from our Airbnb one last time. 

The Galeries Lafayette

A colorful metro station. 

The Galeries Lafayette is a large department store. It has an enormous, ornate glass dome with a walkway that lets you get a great view. 

But the best view was the one from the roof.

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica in the distance. 

We decided to punctuate the lovely views with some tea and chocolate cake.