Yesterday, as dinner cooked and the sun set, a group of gypsy performers wandered onto my street coming off thier daily train rounds. I smiled down at them because I’d seen them before – I guess that they live in somewhere in the neighborhood. They waved back up and me and started me a serenade, smiling and tooting their trumpets charismatically. At the end, they asked for a coin or two and I was happy to oblige. A euro is a small price for high entertainment in Paris. They continued down the street as the neighbors happily leaned off their balconies to throw them their spare change. The music faded into the evening.

I cherish those simple moments. They remind me why I love living here.

Last night was one of those « it’s too hot to sleep » nights, probably the last of the summer. Today I couldn’t help but notice that the chesnut trees had already begun to shed their yellowing foliage. I am not ready for the cold of winter. I need to buy new sweaters and tights. I still need the sun.