and here's to new creative talent featuring long living style

From L'Armoire de nos Coeurs>
timeless designs for easy feelings, fresh clean and ethereal-
 

No, Mr. Potter of It's A Wonderful Life, was not Right- that would be Thomas Jefferson who over 200years ago knew the score!

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

Thomas Jefferson 1802

"je pense que les institutions bancaires sont plus dangereuses pour nos libertés que des armées entières prêtes au combat. Si le peuple américain permet un jour que des banques privées contrôlent leur monnaie, les banques et toutes les institutions qui fleuriront autour des banques priveront les gens de toute possession, d'abord par l'inflation, ensuite par la récession, jusqu'au jour où leurs enfants se réveilleront, sans maison et sans toit, sur la terre que leurs parents ont conquis"

Thomas Jefferson 1802
so throw out all the adoration for those who have for too long been adored and who for too long have merited unwarrented trust- here's to new beginnings, simple and clean and fair!

Post Holiday Shopping, nope- I will have none of that!

Just like the guys at
Extremely Poor Richard’$ Almanac we are working on the premise that old fashioned fun is back in style. yes, how cozy can sitting around the fire playing cards and making cookies or preparing a luscious pasta dinner be....no reason to feel consumer deprived...saving is what it is all about,the cool crowd do not waste nor want...a return to the basics, heck, I may try knitting. From their site you can check out Jane Fonda's Dad in the photo from Grapes of Wrath, a cheerful film for the kids -it will make them count their
blessings for internet and all things techy! and I thank corine at
Hidden in France for her lead to yet the new funny link above-Bravo!


ps photo credit unknown save for Julien24340612 jpeg, if you know please ,do tell

simplify and reduce the stress and the associated cost

get comfy on a couch in front of the fire!

Summer children and dreamy vintage photography

why do black and white photos make us dream? capture our imaginations the way they do? as a pediatrician I wonder if it how we first viewed the world ,the images seen by infants are in black and whites and grays? hum?

here are some fabulous vintage photos of Frank Horvat from the 50's and 60's- magical and different in that they contain children along side the models! I know my children are finished with school and are beachside and very much with me...

and this one is fun because it reminds me of the feather duster when the children help with chores before beach time!


ps Frank Horvatland
1928 :Né le 28 avril, à Abbazia, Italie (maintenant Opatija, Croatia).
Mon père Karl, était médecin pédiâtre. Ma mère, Adele Edelstein, était médecin et psychoanalyste.



pss I have been studying for my continuing medical credits and as such have not been blogging,but, thanks for stopping by- it is always great to hear from you !

What was the contagion at the French outdoor village dancing fetes?

Ok,it is Saturday night and this is the second night of our village fete--this is how it works in our region: each village,no matter how small,ie a 1000 inhabitants or so, hosts a full weekend or 5 day feast,partying, meals and a live,talented 12-20 piece bands...and the French are very clever having each village takes a different weekend so there is always a live event-FREE live event---community, connections... joyous, real, palpable...everyone is included ....ok,are you, still with me?



What exactly was it that was so contagious? we were some of us strangers,some were descendents from generations of wine makers...I suppose it makes sense that my family and I would catch it....!!!



www.paulselmer.com




I did not expect it to happen so fast though...

Picture this...folks of all ages from babies in strollers to the elderly ,to the handicapped all partying from 6pm to 2-3am....of, course there is a 3 course meal, luscious wine and dancing mania,clapping and tonight they even did a line dance orginating from the middle ages but, with a country western-like tune...oola!!! ... here above are the photos from the this delightful soiree fete !!

By now it is not a surprise really, in a setting of old fashion, non consumerism fun.... with movement, music and laughter we all got it ,yes, an intense infusion of PURE JOY!!! Utterly devine!



For this reason, I am reminded why I am thrilled to live here and have my children catch this bug of authentique living,breathing outdoor fun! Gratitudes abound- definately no need for treatment here! And for those of you coming soon to France in the summer months...you might find yourself at risk of catching this so be on the alert-LOL



stephanecambon.com

old and dear,life-giving friends are great medecine

you know those special life-giving friends....when you meet someone who transforms your path into an adventure,a kind of surreal,magical,awe inspiring place??
I have heard it said that we are lucky to have a handful of such friends who serve as mirrors into our best selves,who make the ordinary seem and feel truly extraordinary?
Who are those people in your life? When did you last connect via a telephone chat or e-mail or visit?
Today I had such a connection with a dear friend - a professional dancer & pilates teacher- who,telephoned from the states while I was at the beach with my daughter,Miss A. We laughed,caught up and for me I remembered the best parts of myself in hearing this voice from the past honoring the present,like an echo!

We shared a dream with others when slowly a group formed and the dream grew bigger until we were choreographing multi-media performances for hundreds in cities in the pre-9/11 USA and in Europe. It seemed our creativity and convictions inspired things far bigger then each of us alone could have attained! Waking Dreams was the name we felt best described our shared vision of connecting the Arts and Medecine!

Lastly,just to pass on some inspiration ,I will add some gorgeous photos which depict dance in this breath taking,for me healing, fashion- these photos are from Felicity at All things Bright and Beautiful
Photographer: Ralph Mecke

art and the blessed variety of women's form throughout the ages

This great presentation was created by a talented french graphic artist CALI REZO



This work depicts the evolution of the female form using art!

I sure wished I had had this tool in my pediatric and adolescent office when I was working on art and healing projects with teens with body image destortions and eating disorders!
Get this,I used to use long pieces of examining table paper which my patient and I would put on the floor and then we would trace his or her body shape. Most often they had determined it would have been much bigger than it turned out to be in reality. Then they would take the paper tracing home and creat a collage within the space using words,objects or colors which later we would discuss.

It was very rewarding work for both of us-They discovered their unconscious symbols by using them to create a rich,detailed mosaic which portrayed their inner beauty.

They told their story in a visual way full of textures and subliminal meanings and they learned to honor their own stories within their own forms!
It was a wonderful collaborative connection and made me feel grateful to be witnessing a healing they brought about for themselves.

Let's face it the mass media is still pushing stick figures forms,prepubital at that! so when I came across this piece by CALI REZO I thought hooorah someone has taken the time and used her talents to give women a wake up call that no, the beauty of the female form has varied over time and within cultures.

It has been altered by the socio-economics and the art and design of the times!
Here the artist shares that fullness and curvatiousness of a women was initially related to her strength and potentially a sign of fertility!

So lighten up , it may be bathing suit season soon but, let's reframe,after all choose any form and it relates to a work or period of art!

reminiscing- the beauty of visual memories

Sitting in the pink room full of sunshine with the light dancing off the chandelier and the long antique spotted mirror above the rose marble fireplace, I am blessed with snoring, yes,with the snoring- like hum of my two canine friends. Bailey is a Cavelier King Charles,red haired and a tad overweight and Nutella, a yorkie with an attitude like that of a New York City Cop. He stands at attention upon hearing the slightest noise. Right now they are both snuggled on the old iron bed by my feet. Sounds simple enough, not fancy or very exciting but, it does summarize the peaceful, simple pleasures of my lifestyle as a french mother living with my soul mate,thierry and my sweet children.Now how come this interlude is ever so special- because it was a long road here from the fast paced lifestyle of a New England Doctor .And for this passage I am grateful.


This was our old kitchen and I dare sare I miss it sooo much! I will have faith that our new old house will be transformed with more love ,care and €€€€ 's

who knows who the little girl is in the photo banner?

Here are some hints:
She lived in the late 1800's
She is french.
She believed in doing good in little ways.
She had 2 sisters who chose the same life work.
She has a special relationship with roses.
I am almost sure you know who it is?!!!

Strikes and fonctionaires

Ok,so I did the lazy,I do not want get out of my car/golf cart sized vehicle to pump my own gazole thing and was running on fumes to take my youngest to school when I began to detect long lines at all Petrol stations!
hoorah for electric cars!!!
***
Alas, huffing under my breath that Bush and his cronies at Haliburton( spell much?) have struck another deal with the oil mongers to raise the price of oil to 130$ a barrel, I sighed " great another day of feeling ashamed of the USA's policies which inconvenience the rest of the world "
-huh,down another couple more streets, an illegal U-rurn and I am still noting the lines getting longer at each new station! So when I finally stopped it took me only an hour to reach the pump to find out that my lane had no more gazole! eeek!

I cleverly asked a kind and stylish french woman if she would let me back up into her lane to access her pump- et viola, diplomacy and human connections worked ...then after filling my tank, miniscule that it is for a mere 80usd ,I reached into my trunk to offer her a smashing reusable shopping bag with chic lipstick covered smiles in various shades! She was delighted as ,was I- kindness being passed on in the midst of chaos and panic. You never know when an few extra gifts in the trunk will come in handy?

You see in France there are strikes by all transit related businesses, as well as the unhappy fonctionaires and sanctions by the fisherman and mariners because the price of gas has risen so steeply infringing on profits and increasing expenses. True activism at its best even if rather inconvenient. So get this, to make a point the fisherman/mariners have blocked all the ports where the petrol arrives to coerce the government with true French dramatic flame that their rights have been messed with- kind of like the docs in the USA blocking entry of medications at hospitals and pharmacies bec/ the rights of patients and folks who care for them are being threatened....hum, bold moves,yes, effective? yes...the mariners just recieved some 47million euros in gov funds and created enormous awareness with their antics!

so to relax I took a gander at some fun and well worth visiting blogs:they are coming to France too- intelligent and well read ,talented expats to shake up the norm here!
According to b
Funtions of Time

no folks,these spots are not really contagious!

ok ,they are kind of catchy- in that they are cute and colorful and fun for yogurts, petit swiss,fresh fruit or individual quiches or tartes! and the mugs are real coffee sized --reminiscent of a Starbucks grand! These cute little items I found at McDan's with my friend Teresa. This store is an inexpensive deco type store- the closest thing to TJ Maxx-when one needs a little gift in a hurry!If anyone finds them irresistable they are so inexpensive and tiny enough to post!





These are cool for lining shelves or drawers or the French use them for their outdoor tables-I still prefer cloth!


and as I promised some of my new finds for gorgeous blogs related to deco!
An Indian
Summer a special blog with heavenly photos, real eye candy!!

Poppy Fields-another american expat who has captured the glory of the poppies! super photos!
La Belette Rouge
an extremely well written blog which can move us and inspire us,oh and also soon to be here in France!

fresh air and good food and blog viewing ,this weeks prescription for myself!!

wowie- I can not believe it is the weekend again and I have been enjoying too many great blogs this week, working on my funny garden and eating lots of cherries, which are ripe now in the region! I have been on passementerie a traveler and francophile,style diary, fun blog! -she and I were certainly on the same ecologic track when we found these shopping trolleys which my kids too ,refer to as my grandma trolley!
trolleys from MacDans for going to the marché
and below the one passementrie featured-

these days in a french life
another expat american living in france who is a down to earth food writer and mother and travel enthusiat with authentic convictions to simple living- in practical ways! also adorable photos of her beautiful little girl!

I believe that sharing is the essence of blogging for me and honoring other like-minded,creative, earth loving bloggers with good taste! I have more shopping bags to share that put a smile on your face at check out-but, that will be tommorrow! as well as more inspiring blogs I have discovered!
have a super weekend,may the sun shine where ever you are and remember to stop by and say hello again soon!

yes,long weekend in France, recommending rest and moving meditation ---

inspiration can come from sacred yet,abandoned spaces!!!



designers guild colors reminded me of these sublime photos below of Fulvio Romiti







very talented artist who can translate a form of pentimento in such a sublime way --it makes me want to hear the laughter of the students at the abandoned boarding school

it makes me want to dance to their old songs,

it makes me think of the colors of early spring,

it conveys, joys and sorrows

it was created by a

very talented artist and, Italian of course,Fulvio Romiti



photos cna take you to places of the spirit-

http://www.flickr.com/people/wenevereverlied/Fulvio Romiti

a waking dream of hope for change OBAMA

I am an Ivy league trained physician.

I am a teacher of medical students and residents.

I am a patient too, who learned 1st hand what it meant to be ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES -- one of THE insured in America, as a cancer patient!

I am a doctor who picketed and bucked the system to advocate for my patients rights and their care!

I was audited! I was sanctioned and eventurally, even I ,as a physician, could NOT keep up with the 20 percent yearly increases in healthcare premiums- so I left the USA---a healthcare refugee!

I emmigrated to France where everyone has the right to receive healthcare!

From here, I have watched the primaries and the unfair war in Iraq ,the dropping dollar value, and the plummeting USA reputation!

I have ONE CURRENT HOPE---- THAT THE USA WILL WAKE UP TO THEIR FOUNDING DREAMS BY ELECTING BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!!!!

">The world needs him and America NEEDS HIM---now!!!

this came to me tonoc from PARIS PARFAIT



please pass on the hope for change and vote for OBAMA!!!!

please note Clinton, Hilary sold out long ago and ruptured the chance to honest healthcare by selling out to the highest bidder, namely the 3rd party payers !!!

EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH!! and it shows!!!

MICHEAL KORS NORTROM
JANTZEN
jUICY COUTURE

ok,it is bathing suit season à la plage! and yes,I agree with All Things Bright and Beautiful,blogger,that we need some retro one piece bathing suits which enhance by suggestion and are not of the string variety! At least for me because I like the comfort of a one piece for swimming and sun protection yet, I do not want to look like I am in a swim meet!

However, here in France the mediterrenean beaches sport all sizes and shapes-of women of all ages who comfortably opt for topless-the french are great about loving their own body images, embracing the way nature changes us over the years! does this not broaden my own warped, media influencedd size 2 for all women or else you have become a close cousin to the beached whale point of view? Alas, there I was in a mini dress,size 8, while the glamorous french women sported olive skin tanned toplessness! I know, get over it!

asking for prayers for another ex-pat and her father who is in intensive care

photo courtesy of Tongue in Cheektongue in cheek,author,corey amaro's dad is sick and each day she writes a gorgeous post about the surreal life of caring for a loved one who is critically sick- she is gifted in many ways! please visit her blog and more importantly send a prayer or a positive thought her way!!related to this:

the intangible,unseen,formidable power of prayer is real and somehow when most needed, palpable- finally medicine is realizing that while often not quantifiable by scientifically sound methods -prayer is beyond a doubt REAL!! In a 2006,book I was asked to write a small chapter about the medicine and spirituality-called  "The Arts: A Nondenominational Tool for Reconnecting Spirituality & Medicine", Oxford Press chapter 20 of Christina Puchalski, MD's A Time for Listening and Caring End of Life Issues.
Interestingly,it was prefaced by the Dali Lama who,among others, has joined Dr. Herbert Benson,(of Harvard's Mind,body, Medicine) to explore further these amazing questions and feelings about spirit and healing and life and passing on to our other home...all this to say, it is a good book made for all readers for precisely this juncture of decision making and it is done in a way to honor the whole person,not just the physical, through this extraordinary journey!
my prayers abound for you and your dad and family!
betheanne

followings one's inner voice,intuition and/or faith?

sometimes I wonder why I chose the name of my blog to be dancing doc design- it is a good question really!
when I was little I loved to dance,I studied classical ballet under a strict yet, talented teacher,among any other types of dance I could find,save tap! I choreograghed pieces using modern and jazz and ballet technique as early as 11 years old. I soon found a school where I could dance 3 hours a day and get this,even merit a varsity letter-who knew?
Northfield Mount Hermon,a small boarding school in the hill of western Massechusetts, was where I learned to believe in myself and my dancing! It is where I felt my wings grow, where I felt my faith connect with music,lyrics and movements to tell a story or highlight a sentiment.

Dancing made me feel whole,tall,large,and connected with a creative force which I knew to be not entirely mine, I was but, an instument of something greater,(this was also how I felt when practicing medicine!) Dancing to me is about resonance! Resonance is about connections and I BELIEVE WE ALL FEEL MORE ALIVE WHEN WE DANCE!
at least I do! Hence the dancing in my blog name. I will share more about the rest of the title as I go on.....

Concrete Diagnosis Under Foot!

these fine patterned tiles are concrete tiles of late 1800's and are typical for the southern french village homes of the period-âpparently the previous owners,being antique dealers,appreciated their monetary value and striped our home of virtually all of them,except for one room,the salon which we use as our bedroom! Our former village house sported 10 rooms all in different yet related patterns! I would love to retrieve photos of more examples of these patterns. Note that the tiles are said to be cool on the bare feet of the hot southern French summers!a kind of airconditoning for the feet,sort of reverse theory for floor heat,I would say!