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Windows, wandering and wondering …

September 9, 2011 by Patricia Sands 14 Comments

If it’s Friday, It Must Be France …

One of my favourite buildings in Nice is where the artist Henri Matisse lived for many years beginning in the 1920’s. There is no plaque marking this history  of the building and the space is not open for viewing. It was after a number of years of visiting this fabulous city that I learned about it. But I had always loved the building. It’s right at the end of Cours Saleya, the market street in the old town, and can’t be missed. Most tourists probably have a photo of it in their vacation collection because it literally hollers at you to take it’s picture.

I spent today wandering around Nice with a BFF who is visiting us for a week from the States. If you’ve read my novel, The Bridge Club, she’s the character Cass and we were in Nice together 44 (yikes!) years ago when we were 21. We shared a lot of memories today and laughed way too much! It was so much fun.

She’s a photographer too and we took a lot of window shots as we wandered. You can’t help yourself!

 

The colour combinations of buildings and shutters are striking. Old, restored, peeling, pristine.  Don’t ask how many photos I have of  them … it’s crazy …

These shots fall in the restored and pristine category. I’m saving the old and peeling for another day.

 

 

I often wonder who looks out the windows I photograph.

 

Sometimes I see faces in the windows as my shutter clicks away and I hope they don’t mind.

But as we wandered and reminisced and laughed and photographed and appreciated the beauty around us, we became increasingly aware of a very strong police presence throughout the city.  Unusual.

We speculated as to the cause and realized that Sunday is September 11. Everything that day symbolizes remains strong and clear ten years later and we wondered if that was the reason for the seeming increase in security visibility. We thought about the windows in the Twin Towers. How life can change in a fraction of a second.

We reminded each other that none of the horror or heroism of that day will ever be forgotten. We wondered if the world will ever truly be at peace. Everyone, every day, must work towards that goal.

 

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, ForeWord 2010 Book Of The Year Finalist, lifelong friendship, Nine Eleve, Patricia Sands, The Bridge Club, the power of friendship

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

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Comments

  1. jennifer tanner says

    September 10, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Lovely pictures…and not a single window air conditioning unit! I wonder if that’s an American thing! I love old buildings and the different types of friezes. Even the worn shutters add character.

    Reply
  2. patriciasands says

    September 10, 2011 at 6:11 am

    Thanks Jen. The details are lovely aren’t they? I’ll do another blog of worn and aging windows that have their own special beauty.
    Trust me, there are lots of a/c units … I just don’t tend to take pictures of them!

    Reply
  3. Marcia says

    September 10, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous pictures, Patricia! So much character in the details. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. patriciasands says

    September 10, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks Marcia! It’s such a buzz taking these photos.

    Reply
  5. Linda Burke says

    September 10, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    As usual, your very interesting photographs take me to your world. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 11, 2011 at 6:09 pm

      I’m so delighted to have you along and appreciate your comments. Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Marion Spicher says

    September 10, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    The shutters are such a quaint touch, as are the plants hanging in the windows. The bright cheerful colors on the buildings made me think of San Francisco as I’ve never been to France. How lovely to spend time enjoying such delights with a BFF, repeating some experiences of time together in the past!

    This is my first visit to your blog. How did I miss it? I’ve subscribed so I won’t miss it again! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 11, 2011 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks Marion, I’m glad you found me!

      Reply
  7. Hartford says

    September 12, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Love. Love. Love. The tour of France we are getting. Your Friday posts are a highlight for me. Stunning pics. Keep em’ coming!

    Reply
  8. patriciasands says

    September 12, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Thanks Natalie! I love to share the experience. (And I can’t stop taking pictures over here so it’s great to be able to share them. I’m going to have to join Snapaholics Anonymous when I get home!)

    Reply
  9. Angela Orlowski-Peart says

    September 13, 2011 at 4:35 am

    Beautiful architecture of old Europe will never stop amusing me. I said that already at least once that you make me miss Europe more than ever (and that’s a good thing)! Thank you for sharing, I love your Friday posts.

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      September 13, 2011 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks Angela. Does it remind you of your childhood? I’m going to keep posting about France for a few more months. I’ve just got way too much I want to share!

      Reply
  10. Bridgette Booth says

    September 13, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Patricia, I love the architectural details on these buildings. It’s such a fascinating subject. I was struck also by your tie in to the Twin Towers windows. It’s not something I’ve thought about but what a moment of change.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 14, 2011 at 11:43 am

      Thanks for stopping by! Yes it was quite a jolt to be enjoying the beauty around us and suddenly be drawn into the memory of 9/11. The whole world was touched.

      Reply

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