near Jardin du Luxembourg

So walking from 'home', my friend's father's apartment near Montparnasse, to meet Rae - she organized SF Bouchercon - the light fell in such an amazing way.

 A shot through the lion's legs to le Senat

 And this unexpected swoop from a pigeon

 Here's Rae in the 5th where she likes to stay near the Sorbonne

 Walking back past the Pantheon

Stopping at Penelope's bookstore the Red Wheelbarrow which she opened two months ago - it's at 9 rue de Medicis just across from the garden. I've known her for years - since our kids were little - and we had so much fun trying to figure out how to Instagram this photo while greeting customers

 Returning I saw a light in le Senat....someone was working late!

 And a couple walking down the narrow rue where I defenestrated someone in Murder in Saint Germain

Yes, this was F. Scott and Zelda's place for a while in Paris.

Cara - Tuesday 

heat wave in Paris and too much fun in Penelope's bookstore

At the cafe today someone was saying it's the hottest October in 75 years. It's almost 80 every afternoon...not complaining but the trees on the boulevards seem confused. Their leaves are crinkling brown and orange but some have green leaves on top.

I felt like hopping off the bus and jumping in the fountain at Saint Sulpice.

Instead I hung out with Penelope Fletcher who has opened her Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (formerly in the Marais) bordering the Jardins du Luxembourg. 

Here she is with Bruce, her pal and Canadian publisher who just came from the Frankfurt book Fair. 

 We all had lunch next door and who's sitting in the cafe but my fave French actress Sandrine Kimberlain ! I shamelessly asked for a photo and she graciously agreed! No shame is my motto!

Back in the Red Wheelbarrow 

Caroline, a documentary film maker joined us!

Cara - Tuesday