Monday, January 12, 2015

Crossing to Safety

Since the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, friends who know that I've been living in France have been wondering whether I'm safe. In fact, I left Paris on Wednesday at around the same time as the massacre was taking place at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, and I only found out about it when I arrived in JFK later that day. This is now the third time that Al Qaeda has hit close to home. First time: the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam when I was living in Tanzania. Second time: the World Trade Center when I was living within view of the smoke cloud and working in SoHo. So yes, I am safe, sort of. But is anybody safe anymore? The cartoon is by Patrick, who is still in France. I will return there the end of this month. Meanwhile, it feels good to be spending time with loved ones in a relatively quiet corner of the world.

Friday, January 2, 2015

A Gift from Hélène

"Our House in Arusha," by Sara Tucker . . .
Hand-bound by Hélène Durguel. 
Cover illustration by Patrick Texier.
My sister-in-law, Hélène Durguel (Patrick's little sister), has been studying book-binding at an atelier in Paris. One of her projects was presented to me on Christmas day at our family gathering in Issey-les-Moulineaux. "Our House in Arusha" is dedicated to my mother, who was a champion of this book from its inception. How I wish she could see this elegant one-of-a kind edition!