Good morning! Brrr, it’s SO cold in Washington this week. I’m huddled under a quilt, have my apple cinnamon tea at hand, and am happily noshing my way through my first bag of mandarin oranges. Woohoo!! Those little beauties always feel like the holidays to me. ๐Ÿ™‚

Today I thought we’d continue our walk through stormy Paris, admiring gold-tipped wrought-iron gates and stunning apartments while thick, black clouds roll in, preparing to drench us.

When in Paris I am compelled to wander, amble and stroll. There is something so lovely about not having a specific destination, simply starting out in one direction and seeing where it takes you. I even like not knowing what I’m looking at. It’s much more fun to imagine the stories behind those stern gates, curved windows, and massive doors.

I wonder if the people who live or work in the above building ever climb that tower for a stolen moment to read or watch the people passing by. I know I’d have to.

Who are the people living in these apartments? Do they mind not having a yard or a patch of grass to sit on? I wonder if there is a rooftop garden hidden behind those chimneys? Or perhaps a courtyard in the middle? I’d sure like one if I lived there. And maybe some window boxes overflowing with red geraniums, pink petunias, fragrant alyssum and royal blue lobelia. Wouldn’t that cheer things up beautifully?

If you could spend a month in Paris, where would you like to stay? A fancy hotel, modern apartment, gabled attic room, a creaky walk-up, a villa hidden behind gates?