From Ann Arbor (in reality) to Paris (in memory)

Grocery Shopping

The Guinness mascot at our Kroger store.

A Cheerful Fence

 

More Olympics

We watched Biathlon because an acquaintance of Tom, Evelyn, Miriam, and Alice was competing.
I managed to get a photo of my TV at the moment of her arrival at the finish line (she was thirteenth).
We also continue to watch figure skating and a few other sports.

Unfinished History Book

The Bookseller of Florence is interesting, but I don’t feel compelled to finish it.

“The Bookseller of Florence by Ross King tells the story of Vespasiano da Bisticci, a major Renaissance bookseller who created magnificent, hand-copied manuscripts for Europe's elite before the printing press disrupted his business.” (Goodreads)

Paris Today and in the Past

Headline in the Times of London this week: the famous Poilâne bakery in Paris is in financial trouble. Baking continues — at least for now. (source) What a shock! I have always thought that Paris food institutions were immortal.

Paris, 1976. Poilâne bakery on Boulevard de Grenelle, Paris. (My photo)

The Poilâne bakery was across the street from the apartment building where we lived in 1976. The elevated Metro line, which you can see through the bakery window in the photo, ran down the middle of the street. The tracks (with all their noise) went right in front of our apartment windows. 

The bakery had wood-fired ovens in the basement, and we could see the wood-delivery trucks each morning. We loved the bread that we could buy there. At first, we didn’t even know that this bakery was famous, we knew only that the bread and pastries were extraordinary. A Parisian friend explained how lucky we were to live near this culinary landmark.

Poilâne bakery is now more famous than ever. All baking is done at a central location in the suburbs where rent is much lower. Over the years, more shops have opened: there are five in Paris and one in London. This famous bread is also sold in many other food stores and is exported to the US and elsewhere.

Paris, 2018: Bread and Pastry at Poilâne on Rue du Cherche-Midi. (My photo)

The bakery today, still selling bread at the location that first opened in 1932. (From the Poilâne website)

A recipe book that we bought years ago.

From the Times Article

Blog post and original photos © 1976, 2018, 2026 mae sander

Other photos as credited.

Not Much Going On Here

 

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

The characters in this novel come from Greek mythology. They are familiar figures from the Iliad, the Odyssey, and ancient Greek drama, as well as various modern reprises. Author Costanza Casati has recreated this drama as fiction about a family who embody what I see as completely modern self-awareness. Despite their modern outlook, they live in the ancient Greek world that has just suffered through the Trojan War. This treatment has good points, like the way she creates character development. It has weak points, like the excessive detail, which makes it a somewhat tedious read all together. 

The food references are disappointing. Example: “ There are no nobles and warriors tonight, only Clytemnestra’s family, and the servants set out bowls of pears and apples, cheese and nuts.” (p. 112)

From our trip to the Greek islands last summer:
a vase with images that relate to the Trojan War.

A temple from the era of Clytemnestra from our trip last summer: the ancient Greek Temple of Posidon at Soumion. Picky note: the columns of that era, as shown here, are Doric columns. On the cover of the book the columns are Corinthian: an anachronism. But I guess that the book is full of anachronisms.

A Brief Weather Reprieve

What do you do in a Michigan thaw? You try to get the salt and mud off your car.

It’s still a bit cold and messy for outdoor sports, but we have the Olympics.
(Brought to us by a pharmacopia of unpronounceable drugs).

We drove out into the rather desolate countryside. No signs of spring here.
The town of Dixboro, founded in 1824, has one or two old buildings.

Right now, I’m cooking a stew for this evening. I still love my crockpot, and haven’t replaced it.
NOTE in response to comment: Crockpot is the brand name of this pot, which is also called a slow cooker.

Blog post and photos © 2026 mae sander.

Another week of Beautiful Olympic Contests

Paris: a Perfect Place for Sports!

Watching the Olympics, I’ve been especially appreciative of the splendid settings created in Paris and many other French locations for the numerous sports. I've at least briefly watched surfing in Polynesia, sailing in the Mediterranean, equestrian events in the gardens of Versailles, fencing in the Grand Palais, cycling past the Louvre, swimming in the Seine (oops, pollution problems there), outdoor sports near the Eiffel Tower, and wonderful indoor facilities for gymnastics. Here are a few photos -- mainly from news sources with a few from my TV screen.

I once went to a book fair in the Grand Palais, which was built for the 1900 Paris Exposition.
Now — having been refurbished for the Olympics — it’s an incredible indoor sports arena.

Triathlon competitors diving into the Seine near my favorite Paris bridge: Pont Alexandre III.

Simone Biles at the Bercy Arena in Paris, which was built in 1984.

From the Guardian: Olympic images projected on walls.

Throughout Paris, the Olympic images are being posted on walls in all sorts of places. See this photo essay for some wonderful pictures:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2024/aug/07/paris-olympics-2024-projecting-the-light-fantastique-in-pictures

Events in other parts of France

Surfing in Tahiti

Caroline Marks from the United States won the women’s surfing gold medal on Monday
at the Paris Olympics in Tahiti. (source)

Sailing Races Near Marseilles

Catamaran racing.

Kite surfing.

An Amazing Course for Kayaks: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium

Noemi Fox, Australian Kayaking Champion at the unbelievable rapids built for the games.

An Equestrian Space Fit for a King

Riding events on the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles:
“It was a day of mixed emotions for the Australian Equestrian Team in the cross-country phase
of the Eventing competition.” (source)

The Bears of Les Goblins Watched the Cycling Race

During my very brief stay in Paris in May, I discovered the teddybears (nounours) who inhabit the area
around the Goblins Metro stop in this photo. Evidently, they watched Olympic cycling.
Photos are from the Instagram site “Les nounours des goblins.”

Another interesting detail: Emotional Support Dog for Gymnasts

During Olympic training in California: Simone Biles with Beacon the emotional support dog.
“Beacon, the four-year-old golden retriever has been trotting around with America’s best and brightest
gymnasts for the past year with the aim of helping keep their serotonin and stress levels in check.” (source)

I feel as if my life this week has been in two places: one at the Olympics and also at home in Michigan.

So I have two posts to share with Deb’s Sunday Salon, this one and one more tomorrow. 

Also shared with Eileen’s Critters.

Photos from news sources and from my TV

Downtown Street Art

New Welcome Mural

A Welcome mural on this railroad overpass has just been completed.

Planter Boxes

Planter boxes along the streets downtown are whimsically decorated.

More Murals

Gnomes at home on a mural next to a surface parking lot

Windowpanes in Color

In winter the Snow Bears are made of snow (at least they were years ago).

A beer at Bill’s (for Elizabeth’s Party)

Skyspecs is a service for inspecting wind farms via drones.
I like the drone depicted on their shop window.

Downtown Home & Garden

In the Neighborhood

AND: at the Olympics (on my TV)

Can you see the mural on the seawall behind the Olympic windsufer?

Finally: From Evelyn in Hawaii

Photos © 2024 mae sander

Shared with Sami’s Monday Murals.