“Etenim sacramentum regis abscondere bonum est: opera autem Dei revelare et confiteri honorificum est." “It is good to hide the secrets of an earthly king; but it is worshipful to acknowledge the works of God." - The Angel Raphael - Book of Tobit 12:7 After an early breakfast, I left the comfort of my hotel room and went to tour the Château de Fontainebleau. The morning was already warm but bearable. I had a ticket for the 9:30 opening, the earliest of the day. I arrived at 9:20 and was...

“I am a part of all that I have met.” - Lord Tennyson Yesterday, I stepped out of my apartment into a welcome drizzle, the kind that softens Paris after a day of heat and, quickly went back inside for my umbrella. Back outside, I began walking to the restaurant where I was to meet some friends. As I headed toward the gardens off of Avenue Foch, the rain began in earnest. People dashed about seeking cover under trees or awnings. A young woman was walking a few feet in front of me, holding her...

"It's too darn hot." — Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate It’s 96 degrees outside and Adam, Marie, and I have settled inside the café for lunch where the air conditioning is on. It’s on, but it’s not the kind of cool down I had come to expect in restaurants back home. But anything is better than being out in the heat. As we entered, Marie informed the waiter that it was my 50th birthday. Of course, it’s not, and I denied it, but then Adam took up the story and confirmed that it was indeed my...