DEAR FRIENDS

Sharing what's on my agenda and mind....

Mar 31, 2026

My Dear Friends and Readers,

And I think of you as dear friends whom I want to motivate and encourage.

How are you doing? Seriously, as we experience perplexing days, I urge you to take care of yourselves.

From my first Substack letter, I have aimed to share good news and to provide art, travel and well-being tips! As a mom and older friend, I often find myself searching for words and stories of comfort.

Let me share what’s on my agenda and my mind.

RETURN TO FRANCE

I’m excited to be returning to France this spring, and travel always takes time and planning: lodging, a schedule, activities and meeting up with friends I have made on former trips. I’ve created a paper calendar for myself (because I work better with real paper) and I’m now scheduling lunches and coffee with friends and museum tickets. And most important-time to wander, explore, meditate and allow for the unexpected. I travel solo-and I have the luxury of planning my own days!

And, of course, I need time to just be a flaneur, or

a flâneuse (feminine of flâneur) is a woman who explores city streets, parks, and cafes at her leisure, observing urban life with an observant, detached, or artistic eye. Originally denoting an idle stroller, it has been reclaimed to represent a woman reclaiming public spaces, embodying independence, and navigating cities with intentional curiosity. from The Guardian

There are always fabulous art exhibits in Paris.

My resources include Paris je t'aime - Tourist Office Paris Exhibitions Calendar (very extensive and potentially overwhelming!), Claudine Hemingway’s podcast once a week and numerous Substack letters

So, what have I booked? I always go to the museum website to avoid added on tour fees. Look for the EN of English version.

Exhibition Renoir and Love | Musée d’Orsay

Calder. Rêver en Equilibre - Fondation Louis Vuitton

Matisse, 1941 - 1954 | Grand Palais

The Musée d’Orsay is housed in a former train station, the Gare d’Orsay. Opened to the public in 1986 and inaugurated by President François Mitterrand, it houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, spanning the years 1848 to 1914. Today, it is a must for most Paris visitors. I have been fortunate to see several extensive exhibitions at the d’Orsay: Van Gogh in “Auvers-sur-Oise,” Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise | Musée d’Orsay Exhibition Sargent. Dazzling Paris | Musée d’Orsay “Sargent. Dazzling Paris” and “Le modèle noir de Géricault à Matisse” (Black models: from Géricault to Matisse) Black models: from Géricault to Matisse | Musée d’Orsay

The Louis Vuitton Foundation Fondation Louis Vuitton opened on October 20, 2014 and was designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, with groundwork starting in 2006. The foundation showcases a wide range of art. The collection is structured around four main themes: Contemplative. Pop, Expressionism and Music & Sound. The collection aims to reflect creativity and rapidly changing reality and to challenge our thinking. The innovative building resembles an enormous ship on the horizon, and after my visit last summer, I strolled through the Bois de Boulogne (park) Bois de Boulogne - Wikipedia I attended the David Hockney 25 https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/david-hockney-25 retrospective exhibition, and words like fabulous, extensive and mind-blowing are not over the top!

THE WELCOMING FRENCH

And, dear friends, you may be wondering what the French are thinking about Americans right now. I have always found people throughout my travels to France to be warm and welcoming. Yes, one must pay simple courtesies like saying “Bonjour !” when you enter a shop, “Merci” and “Au revoir.” Make an effort to speak even a few French words. I am still, as George Clooney said of himself, “horrible” at speaking French, but I try!

This note in Janet Skeslien Charles’ Substack this week is a beautifully written explanation of how the French are supportive of Americans. Janet’s Substack | Substack

Also, this week I received a treasure envelope of hard copy maps and brochures from a French friend I have never met, actually the friend of a spouse of a European Facebook friend! What kindness! She lives in Provence near where my art residency will be. We both are using Google translate!

GOOD ONLY YOU CAN DO

As you navigate these crazy times, what good can only you do? There seems to be so much, but I encourage you to think of those people put in your path who need a little extra attention. Perhaps an elderly person – a telephone call or a note can do so much. And if you can provide more, a little goes a long way. Age does not matter-it’s your willingness to take time.

Listen! Don’t jump in with fix-it answers. Share a good or fun story if you feel it will help.

CREATIVE BOOST

I’ve repeated it, but find creative tasks. Organize your supplies for a boost! Try new mediums or ones you haven’t used in a while.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Don’t forget – you have to be true to your schedule, and needs. This became abundantly clear this month, as I tried to combine packing, medical needs and artist dates. It’s good to gather inspiration and build community--but a full day of abundant sensory intake can drive me into overload. Stick to your priorities and purpose. Not everything that is offered is right for you!

Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson advised one to “Trust Yourself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
People of faith often realize the importance of sticking to a purpose.

March in the Southwest US has been incredibly warm. It was 108 degrees Fahrenheit last week when I drove to an appointment in Palm Desert. Our flowers and cacti are blooming out of season! The ocotillo, which usually flowers in May at our house is a vermillion blaze. The cacti and rose are in bloom.

Ocotillo, yellow roses, beavertail cactus just feet from our door

I think the April Fools’ joke this year will be March weather in April!

In France, April Fools’ Day is known as Poisson d’Avril (April Fish) and is celebrated with a charming, fish-themed tradition. Children (and adults) craft paper fish, trying to sneakily tape them onto unsuspecting victims’ backs. When discovered, they shout “Poisson d’Avril!”, often accompanied by fish-shaped chocolates and pastries.