chroniques d’une fraise

An incredible article by Lesley Downer was published in the Times today: The caged concubines. Those who know the flower and willow world have certainly recognized Downer’s name, as she is one of the foremost non-Japanese experts on geisha (I have loads of books on Japanese culture, kimono and geisha, but her book Women of […]

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This is the vicious feline attacker who pounced on me after an intercom buzz, causing a scratched eyelid, throbbing headache, a visit to my opthalmologist and untold emotional scarring. It is clear from his beady, calculating eyes, threatening ears and bushy tail that […]

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This is my eye. My left eye with a reflection through my balcony French doors, to be precise, and bloodshot because this morning my cat pulled a stunt somewhat like this cartoon. Instead of a baseball bat, it was one of his hind […]

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I’m still recovering from my nasty flu bug, thus the reason for contemplating the plants on my balcony yet again. Also called stone pine, these trees are abundant in this part of France. Thanks to a commenter on my previous stone pine attempt, […]