Parc Montsouris.

Today I jubilated. The sun was shining in full glory and I was on a bike under its rays. Then it was Parc Montsouris in the 14th arrondissement.





I came to this spot in the park, which was very near a dazzling tree that seemed to dare me to jump in a pile of its perfect yellow leaves. I took the dare, even though a certain lady on a bench - yes, that lady - did not stop staring and sneering at me. I am getting better and better at just pretending #1. that I am not doing such things alone even when I am, and #2. that their assessment is of absolutely no value. Besides, I think this photo is evidence that she was hankering to do the same - she was scoping out my pile of leaves before I even arrived.



The jump in the leaves was worth it because when I looked up I saw this and when I looked down I saw these.



And when I lay down in the leaves...



And when I left the park, I saw her. She was an angel of grand proportions and she reminded me of that poetic quote which hangs above one of the doorways in Shakespeare & Company (a famous bookshop in Paris): Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise.



Actually, it was this dog who first reminded me of that quote and then I subsequently walked into the park and was then met by the angel. Out of nowhere on the sidewalk he appeared and he was charming enough, but looked completely lost and abandoned. I crouched down to pet him for a little while hoping his owner would surface. Time passed and then I felt guilty walking away from him because no one came for him and he looked like a stranger who needed some hospitality. He left a little pang in my heart, especially since Mlle. Angel came around to hover above as a reminder.