Sign of the Times

I enjoy British humor and this plaque sums it up. Expecting to read a commemorating blue plaque about an important event, I was surprised to learn Nothing Happened.

In British history this "nothing happened" date refers to an event off the coast of Long Island during the Revolutionary War when an inconclusive ship-to-ship battle took place between French forces supporting the colonists and English forces.

On this site it appears nothing did happen on September 5, 1782.

Ugly Duckling

This year’s spring swans have started to change from their dirty teenage gray to somewhere in between. Like a teenager who goes through the awkward hormonal phase with facial outbreaks and then starts to blossom, our swans go through much the same transformation except in pantone shades.

Raised with H.C. Anderson's fairy tales,The Ugly Duckling or "Den grimme ælling", I am entranced by swans. Anderson's tale sums up the eternal story of rejection based on appearances, being different until you become your authentic self and truly shine on your own merits, quite surprising those around you.

The feathers are lightening especially on their necks.

Swans are gregarious and enjoy a party with appetizers. They don't mind asking for a handout and seem more demanding than the street people selling the Big Issue that I encounter. They effortlessly glide up to you as you walk the river or canal offering up their straight forward gaze, gracefully arched wings and ask to be fed. Their beauty is innocently astounding, their manners patiently hopeful. They offer me friendship and beauty for a nibble in return. And then of course if there's a generous host, they go crazy.

Mother swans are still nearby their pens (females) and cobs (males). I am curious to see when these extrovert children are no longer chaperoned. I might even offer, when asked, that if I were to come back as an animal I would prefer to be a swan in Bath.

About Town

The Museum of the Moon came to Bath Abbey and I am so very happy. We saw it in the Bristol Cathedral. It's an amazing art installation by Luke Jerram mapping out all the moons crevices.

Henry Fielding

Henry Fielding lived here and wrote "The History of Tom Jones". A saucy satire on British society in the 1700's. Albert Finney portrayed him in the movie version.

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens stayed often in the Saracen's Head, the oldest pub in Bath. He found Bath individuals to pattern his characters after, one being Mr. Pickwick and another Little Nell. Charles Dickens was not a fan of Bath. It seems that Bath didn't give him his due, even relegating him to a terrible hotel on his visits.

Paris side trip

11 months ago we fled Paris 2 days before Boris Bamboozled the British with Brexit. Not wanting to complicate the paperwork with more paperwork we headed to our new assignment in the UK.

A recent business trip for Youssef allowed me the opportunity to return.

Museums I haven't previously seen was the theme of this trip and a chance to see the old neighborhood and some friends.

Marmottan Monet Museum

The museum's exhibition highlights the art collection of Julie Manet, niece of Edouard Manet, daughter of Berthe Morisot and child muse of every impressionist from the Renoir, Degas, Monet, to Sisley. Her collection whether collected, gifted, painted by her or her husband or inherited, showcases her portraits by various artists and her role as an important benefactress.

With so many portraits of Julie on display I have to think she spent half her life sitting for artists.

The museum holds the largest collection of Monet's art.

Maison Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo wasn't only one of the most renowned and famous authors in his lifetime but an amazing artist. What started as a hobby became a passion later in his life which he only shared with his family. His home has an exhibition of some of the 4,000 pieces he created using numerous techniques in each art piece. The detail in his prints become a book in themselves.

Window view to his garden, small portion of the detail in his art, his mistress actress Juliette Drouet.

Luxembourg Museum

The documentary we saw on Vivian Maier was a major reason to visit her exhibition. Maier, a nanny, had a gifted eye for everyday life. Her photographs were found in stored boxes after her death. The extent of her body of work and critical self trained eye as a street photographer floored photographers, collectors and art critics. The images of 1950's 1960's everyday life was a fun glimpse into my early memories of fashion, cars, hairstyles, most often the subjects are unaware they are being photographed.

A quick trip past Notre Dame to see how she's doing. Lots of cranes and construction tending to her wounds.