We have, and I do not necessarily recommend this, a Traveling Cat.When we travel to the States, Vino goes with us, in the cabin; see the picture at the top and you get the idea.
But we hate to leave him behind. Jean Cocteau, the famous French writer and artist, put it this way: "I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."
I'm an animal lover (especially les chats) and most every year I do a post on French cats and dogs, with photos I've collected over the year.
Let's get started this year with a shot of The Favorite Cat: Vino Bambino, our own "visible soul". Vino is the perfect example of this quote, from Bill Dana: "I had been told that the training procedure for cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days".
We live in a 4th floor apartment in Beaune, where Vino has arranged his own concierge services: after he tires of playing in the building's large courtyard, if we don't show up to fetch him in a timely manner, he's trained all the residents to let him in the lobby as they arrive and plop him into the stairway, where he mounts the stairs to our front door.
Next up: we were lunching outiside one day in Nice across from an atelier d antiquaire, with a cat in the window who could give GrumpyCat a run for his money. Everyone who went by had to stop and coo over him. He was unmoved.
And speaking of grumpy, this cat was spotted in a village in Provence one morning, clearly displeased that he was made to wait at the door.
Midnight cat: We were leaving a friend's house near Beaune when we spotted this feline, with amazing eyes.
Can you find the cats in these two photos?
(here is his close-up)
We've featured our friends' cat Belle-lie before, a drama queen who loves the camera. She looks stylishly French and she knows it.
I spotted this boot scraper at a house in Vézelay, then peeked in the front door…
…and found the boot scraper's inspiration
I also spotted this fun greeting card, the perfect picture of a French feline gourmand:
Now let's go to the dogs: we will start with a Dave Barry quote, that speaks to their appeal. “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’”
In a Lyon brasserie, a puffball on a string.
Gotta love this Chalon-sur Sâone chien–in the driver's seat at last!
In the COMMENTS: Virginia, Kathie, Christine, and Francine have all been to Les Baux, and they have more good tips for you if you go. And by the way, our reader Kathie is a fiber artist who does amazing work, which you can see here.
Favorite READS: Jean has a good site for us where you can read French stories, called French Tale Troop. You may not be familiar with Natalia's recommendation this week, called Wine and War: T he French, the Nazis and the battle for France's Greatest Treasure. But it's a book most expats we know have passed around, and as she says, it will hold your attention. Christine says, if you love the cozy mysteries of Louise Penny, you'll also love the Donna Leon’s series about the inspector Brunetti in Venice. Francine is reading My Antonio by Willa Cather, and that French classic, Le Petit Prince. Ron just finished The Day the World Came to Town, the heart warming story of what happened on 9/11 when 7000 airline passengers landed in a small Newfoundland town.
12 thoughts on “A Visible Soul”
Bellie (nick name which is easy to understand) or Belle Ly ( more respectable name she uses on her LLC here in the states), sends her appreciation for the publicity. She’ll take it either way. I personally prefer the more demure portrait pose. We’ll be seeing her soon!
Love Vino on the puzzle!
Bellie (nick name which is easy to understand) or Belle Ly ( more respectable name she uses on her LLC here in the states), sends her appreciation for the publicity. She’ll take it either way. I personally prefer the more demure portrait pose. We’ll be seeing her soon!
Love Vino on the puzzle!
Bellie (nick name which is easy to understand) or Belle Ly ( more respectable name she uses on her LLC here in the states), sends her appreciation for the publicity. She’ll take it either way. I personally prefer the more demure portrait pose. We’ll be seeing her soon!
Love Vino on the puzzle!
Hi dear Lynn,
Well(once again) my heart has been stolen and I am wrapped in hugs!
(THANK YOU!)
Without doubt,for these wonderous feelings,I have your beautiful Vino (and all the other accompanying cuties in your post) to thank.(!)
Having traveled with our beloeved mignons throughout the years,I can personally attest that it can be (to say the least) a most formidable(yet totally worthwhile) challenge;one wrapped in reciprocated love, gratitude and happiness to be able to avoid the temporary au revoirs in favor of YIPPPEEE!!! WE ARE TOGETHER!!!
Dear Lynn,congratulations to you and Ron for your dedication to keep Vino with you.
And I can’t forget:Bravo a tous, les amoureux des animaux, qui est d’accord avec ces sentiments!
My book suggestion this time is by Kristin Hannah( always a terrific author),”The Women”–feauturing stories of the courageous women nurses in Vietnam,(while also giving proper accord to all the incredible veterans who served there.) Being part of that generation and those events in time which happened to transpire then in my life,I associated with them.This book grabs and holds your attention;I had a hard time putti`ng it down. .
Hi dear Lynn,
Well(once again) my heart has been stolen and I am wrapped in hugs!
(THANK YOU!)
Without doubt,for these wonderous feelings,I have your beautiful Vino (and all the other accompanying cuties in your post) to thank.(!)
Having traveled with our beloeved mignons throughout the years,I can personally attest that it can be (to say the least) a most formidable(yet totally worthwhile) challenge;one wrapped in reciprocated love, gratitude and happiness to be able to avoid the temporary au revoirs in favor of YIPPPEEE!!! WE ARE TOGETHER!!!
Dear Lynn,congratulations to you and Ron for your dedication to keep Vino with you.
And I can’t forget:Bravo a tous, les amoureux des animaux, qui est d’accord avec ces sentiments!
My book suggestion this time is by Kristin Hannah( always a terrific author),”The Women”–feauturing stories of the courageous women nurses in Vietnam,(while also giving proper accord to all the incredible veterans who served there.) Being part of that generation and those events in time which happened to transpire then in my life,I associated with them.This book grabs and holds your attention;I had a hard time putti`ng it down. .
Hi dear Lynn,
Well(once again) my heart has been stolen and I am wrapped in hugs!
(THANK YOU!)
Without doubt,for these wonderous feelings,I have your beautiful Vino (and all the other accompanying cuties in your post) to thank.(!)
Having traveled with our beloeved mignons throughout the years,I can personally attest that it can be (to say the least) a most formidable(yet totally worthwhile) challenge;one wrapped in reciprocated love, gratitude and happiness to be able to avoid the temporary au revoirs in favor of YIPPPEEE!!! WE ARE TOGETHER!!!
Dear Lynn,congratulations to you and Ron for your dedication to keep Vino with you.
And I can’t forget:Bravo a tous, les amoureux des animaux, qui est d’accord avec ces sentiments!
My book suggestion this time is by Kristin Hannah( always a terrific author),”The Women”–feauturing stories of the courageous women nurses in Vietnam,(while also giving proper accord to all the incredible veterans who served there.) Being part of that generation and those events in time which happened to transpire then in my life,I associated with them.This book grabs and holds your attention;I had a hard time putti`ng it down. .
Thank you for the recommendation of Wine and War – can’t wait to read it. Many years ago we spent the night at the chateau of the Comtesse de Loissy (sp?) in Nuits St Georges. She took us on a tour of the wine cellar and told us how when the Nazis occupied France (and eventually their chateau) her father had a false wall built in the cellar. Behind it was hidden the valuable excellent wines of their vineyard, and stacked in front were cases of cheap wine with fancy labels. The Germans never knew the difference, and the family’s fortune was saved. Not unlike the efforts to hide the great works of art from the Louvre and other priceless treasures for those awful years under occupation, the French spirit and determination to save their heritage is still a model for the rest of us.
Thank you for the recommendation of Wine and War – can’t wait to read it. Many years ago we spent the night at the chateau of the Comtesse de Loissy (sp?) in Nuits St Georges. She took us on a tour of the wine cellar and told us how when the Nazis occupied France (and eventually their chateau) her father had a false wall built in the cellar. Behind it was hidden the valuable excellent wines of their vineyard, and stacked in front were cases of cheap wine with fancy labels. The Germans never knew the difference, and the family’s fortune was saved. Not unlike the efforts to hide the great works of art from the Louvre and other priceless treasures for those awful years under occupation, the French spirit and determination to save their heritage is still a model for the rest of us.
Thank you for the recommendation of Wine and War – can’t wait to read it. Many years ago we spent the night at the chateau of the Comtesse de Loissy (sp?) in Nuits St Georges. She took us on a tour of the wine cellar and told us how when the Nazis occupied France (and eventually their chateau) her father had a false wall built in the cellar. Behind it was hidden the valuable excellent wines of their vineyard, and stacked in front were cases of cheap wine with fancy labels. The Germans never knew the difference, and the family’s fortune was saved. Not unlike the efforts to hide the great works of art from the Louvre and other priceless treasures for those awful years under occupation, the French spirit and determination to save their heritage is still a model for the rest of us.
Awaited for each year – furry fun as ever. Happy early spring days!
Awaited for each year – furry fun as ever. Happy early spring days!
Awaited for each year – furry fun as ever. Happy early spring days!