SHARING WITH ME

Many years ago my father told me that from his point of view, the Japanese did not have a sense of humour. He must have known something as he lived in the country for over ten years, worked there and spoke the language fluently. For over ten years, I too went back and forth from France working with the Japanese but really never understood if they were sending me up or being very serious. Was it black humor? After years of to and fro, one Japanese colleague finally asked me to dinner at a sensible hour, 7pm and not at 5pm. Women’s dining time. I thanked him and he added, «You are no longer an object of desire so I can ask you out late.....» Charming. I had just had my 40th birthday but he wasn’t to know that. During the same visit it was hot and I asked to go out and buy a suitable Tshirt. The young woman accompanying me took me to a second hand «grandmother’s outlet». I scowled and asked her how old she thought I was - «very old» she answered» - «like my grandmother who is 55». Getting

The Bee's Hotel One of those gray Parisian days when the night closes in before 5 and the skies are ominous. It was the last day of an annual FIAC display (International Contemporary Art Fair) in the Jardin des Plantes. I wandered down. I felt like one of the many school children dashing around the gardens looking for the sculptures. I only came across three or perhaps four, but there were a couple of other oddities which amused me. Then I heard a passer by comment ....."looks as if they have already taken most away" Oh well, have to wait to see  what next year brings.  A discovered stone formation FIAC FIAC FIAC FIAC ?