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When I think of Paris sounds, I hear music...jazz, especially Claude Bolling and his many collaborators, classic café accordion songs, Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour, and street performers of all kinds. And my favorite Impressionistic and Post-Impressionist classical composers: Debussy, Satie, Saint-Saëns...just to name a few. I love French music.

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Many years ago, during a dark British Columbia night, in a little cabin hidden in a thick forest as snow fell silently, I listened to this for the first time:

https://youtu.be/eW-7S9fjyfU

Debussy (https://youtu.be/c977QdbTImU)

Satie (https://youtu.be/FS6o3qFimsc)

Now I must figure out how to go about my everyday business with these sublime sounds fresh in my mind.

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Joan, thank you for such a lovely comment, and for opening up a whole new dimension of sound to Ashley's story from France. The thought of café accordion music especially just took me right to Paris, and I love the other names you mentioned, too -- it's a rather rainy Sunday here in Antwerp, so I know what Jose and I will be listening to the rest of the day now :)

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I'll be sharing this with my daughter, who just spent 10 months studying abroad in France (we live in the States). She's been home a few months and misses France so much (and the sound of the language, which she's studied for six years). So glad to find your publication this week, love your art and the generosity of this series.

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Thanks so much for sharing that, Aimee -- what an experience that must've been for your daughter. I can absolutely imagine how much she's missing France right now, so I hope Ashley's story will help her feel she's back there, even if for only a few moments :)

PS -- I love the sound of your newsletter! It sounds like it's right up my alley, so I'm off to check it out now 🤍

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Thanks for checking out my newsletter. I'm really enjoying this endless discovery of art and beauty around here! Your art is exquisite. Inspiring.

I enjoy being a student of art, always growing and playing. It's not something I do for a living, but it brings a lot of joy and healing to my life, so I include it in my newsletter because it's part of me.

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Ahhhhh Paris smells like fresh pastry and burnt butter. Sounds like dogs going for walks and shoes clicking on pavements. Looks like white with grey tiles. Tastes like decadence. And feels like silk sweeping across one’s face.

Beautiful 🇫🇷

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