Category Archives: Seen on the Street
Found: One Red Poodle
It made me smile to myself when I spotted this “red poodle” 
— I love these sorts of “finds”. Silly perhaps, but guess that’s part of me.
Layers of the past.
Last week we were in Sarlat with an exciting visit to France Telecom, hoping to get a phone line installed for our new place. Of course as luck would have it, the agency opened later than usual, and thus we were obliged to “flaner” (walk around) for an hour and a half….am I complaining? Non! Cobbled streets, usually very crowded in summer, were deserted (relief)!
This collection of street posters caught my eye: I loved the flamenco silhouette, paired with the French puppet illustration and the little sign for African drum lessons. Layer upon layer of colorful paper attestations to lifes’ possibilities.
Bon Weekend!
Almost B and W
Almost B&W, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
No Comment Monday – almost B&W.
Le Velo
Le Velo, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
I thought this was the cutest bike – especially the saddle bag with brown leather piping! I imagine a pretty, happy girl in a flowered dress, riding along a shady tree lined path, carefree and day dreaming…..
Pense – Thought
Honneur a la Pense, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
Words for thought on a Sunday afternoon….
Brillant Window
Brillant Window, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
And coming into third place: Brillant Window (no, there is no typo, that’s what I can read from the sign!) – in fact, I think I can read “Brillant Belge” (Belgian Brilliant).
Gee Whiz, I make this text sound as if I am at the opthamologist (scene: in a darkened white room at 3 pm somewhere off of Park Ave., pupils dilated, the always pleasant doctor asking me to “please read the third line from the bottom”, and then as I have Frankenstein spectacles weighing very heavily on the bridge of my nose, in order to see (ha ha) if I need a new perscription: “Better / Worse” as they flip between two lenses. Ugh. Glad those days are over (smile at Mr. Lasik).
Chocolat Menier
Chocolat Menier, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
In continuation from yesterdays post featuring painted wall advertising, here is “Chocolat Menier”: one of France’s traditional dark baking chocolates. It is still available in shops today, and a basic item in my cupboard. (Yum!).
Le Petit Journal
Le Petit Journal, originally uploaded by On Linden Way.
One of the things I love when we drive the “routes departementales” (small roads) in France, is that they take you thru villages, some more alive than others.
In the good old days: sometime after milestones but before bill boards, marquees and neon, advertising on walls was painted by hand. Vestiges of this almost-lost art immediately catch my eye as they are simple, graphic and beautiful in that they capture a very specific time is history.
Life and Death
Seen on a side street in Assisi were these public announcement supports: on the left (“Life”) colorful posters for upcoming concerts, movies and gatherings; while on the right (“Death”) were sober black and white death notices (some with photos of the recently deceased).
The epitome of it all.
Street Surprise
On Christmas Day we went for a walk around the “Petit France” district in Strasbourg, where houses date back several centuries. While admiring the lovely little streets and antique buildings, I found my gift for the day: this little girl looking out her “window”. She watches endlessly as the world and time go by. I wonder what she’ll see in 2010?!
Happy New Year to all!
