Saturday, July 14, 2012

Le quatorze juillet - La Fête Nationale




Le quatorze juillet,

a day of celebration in France and not coincidentally my second blog anniversary!


Two years ago I posted the above photo as I ventured into this daily Paris photoblog, never thinking that I would be able to manage a post every day.  Please look here for the story of how it all started and the friendship I share with Virginia (Paris Through My Lens) who helped me "birth this baby." 

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The photo above shows two French sailors preparing for the grand military parade on Avenue des Champs-Elysées.  I stood on the baricades for hours in order to have a good position to capture the excitement and emotions of the day. 
Now, I have a small oil painting created by Carol Schiff of this moment,
a treasured work of art that I enjoy daily.




Le quatorze juillet
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
75008, Paris
(on this festive day there is no nearby Métro,
bus, taxi so be prepared to walk for miles)

 

45 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Congratulations on your second "blogaversary", Genie! I'm in my fourth year and find it hard to believe! I love the photo and the painting! What a wonderful way to celebrate the day! Have a beautiful weekend, mon amie!

Hugs
Sylvia

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

It is difficult to express the impact of entering the blog world and the amazing friends I have met from all corners. Your comments and blogs have enriched my life as I learned about cities, countries and cultures. As a result I have read amazing books you recommended, have tried many recipes, have discovered new wines and restaurants, and more.

Thanks for all the times you stopped by for a look, even if you did not comment. It is not always necessary and we do afterall have much living to do away from the computer.

Thanks to each of you for being a part of this experience and I look forward to another year of photographing, posting, traveling, and writing... I hope to meet many of you along the way. Mille mercis!

Bises,
Genie

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Sylvia, I am humbled by your dedication and thank you for your many comments. You beat me to the first comment by only a moment or two. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bises,
Genie

Lynne with an e said...

A truly extraordinary photo!
Happy bloggiversary!
Will there be cake?
bisoux,
Lynne xo

Rob-bear said...

«Alons enfants de la patrie» and all that good stuff.

Good catch, those two sailors. And a great painting by Carol.

Gros bisoux, Genie.

Aloïs said...

Très bon anniversaire à ce joli blog
Bonne journée

Pierre BOYER said...

Bon anniversaire !!!
et belle journée...

Pierre

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Congratulations on meeting this milestone. I never miss visiting your blog.

Malyss said...

For many reasons, i feel an absolute love for french sailors. So I'm very glad to see this wonderful picture to celebrate both my country and your bloganniversary!
Congratulations for those two rich years , and may you go on blogging for a long time!

This is Belgium said...

Hourah for Paris and Beyond!
Vive la France! (et la Belgique et les Etats-Unis!!)
Enjoy the day!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I remember your great photo and Carol's lovely painting. What a great memory you've created Genie.

Happy Bastille Day.
Sam

biebkriebels said...

What a very nice painting the artist made of your photo. It is wonderful. I always read your blog and still like it. Hope you go on for another two years!
Greetings, Marianne

M said...

Je vous souhaite un seconds anniversaire plus heureux! Et vous remercie de la joie quotidienne! Gros bisous ma chère amie!

Alexa said...

Bon blogivérsaire, Genie! I remember very well the start of this wonderful blog, and it's still one of the few I visit every day (even when I'm too busy to comment). Bisoux to you, ma chère!

Melissa said...

Congratulations! And how nice to have a painting of one of your photos!

brattcat said...

happy anniversary! happy 14th july. happy friendships.

Virginia said...

I love this photo and I love sharing blog world with you!
Bises,
V

Janey and Co. said...

May your two.. multiply into many more!
I too try to visit daily and will always remember that you and V were an encouragement to me by being my first two followers!

Love the painting!

Cezar and Léia said...

Nice hats! :)
God bless you!
Cezar

Starman said...

The guy on the left looks so pensive.

Merisi said...

Best wishes for both celebrations, enjoy! :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy Bastille Day, Genie! I love the photo and the oil Carol Schiff created from it for you....a stunning work of art!

My name is Riet said...

Congrastulations on your second blogaversary. I love that painting.

Mary said...

Beautiful Genie! Just beautiful. And congratulations on two years of blogging. :) Your site brings me so much joy. I love all your photographs. You are such a talented, wonderful woman, my friend! And Happy Bastille Day to you.

Connie said...

Hi Genie, Congratulation on your anniversary. I think that it is wonderful that Virgina was your mentor and persuaded you to start your marvelous blog. She is an awesome photographer and she knows talent when she see it, because you also have an awesome eye for the camera. I truly enjoy both of your blogs and follow both of you.

It was such a delight to have you visit. I hope that you do give the guitar a try. If you play other instruments, you'll probably pick it up incredibly fast. I love guitar for its portability . . . it so easy to take with you and have for camping trips and front porch sing-a-longs. Thanks again for stopping by, it is wonderful to see your smiling face. Connie :)
P.S.Maybe someday I'll see a photo on Virginia's blog, of you playing guitar in a Paris park :)

Amanda Summer said...

genie,

congratulations on your anniversary! you should be proud of all your have accomplished with your blog - posting every day is no small feat - it takes a lot of thought and effort and clearly you put so much of your heart into your creation.

enjoy your big day and hope you do something wonderful to celebrate!

xo
amanda

tsw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ds said...

Now that is a photo that speaks volumes. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, Genie. I'd never have found you otherwise, and that would have been a great pity as I love your blog.

Happy Blogoversary, and Happy Bastille Day!

TheChieftess said...

Happy Blog-Birthday!!! I remember this photo!!! And that you were gifted with that superb oil painting by Carol Schiff!!! Congratulations for two years of great blogging!!!

Holly said...

Happy Bastille Day and 2 years of beautiful blogs! I look forward to many more photos, and trips to Paris and beyond with you!

Amanda said...

It's been two years already? Congratulations and happy anniversary Genie! (are you ever going to change your banner?)

Jack said...

Congratulations, Genie. It is a marvel that you can keep it up from afar with all the other things you do!

AL said...

A double celebration...does that mean two glasses of champagne and two slices of gateaux? I love your blog and am looking forward to another year ahead Genie. HUGS!

Randy said...

What a wonderful painting. I do love this photo.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Merci, merci, merci! Your comments have made it a joyous celebration. I only wish that I could have spent it in France, perhaps awaiting the riders of Le Tour in Le Cap d'Agde with a nice drink of French rosé with a large group of my blog friends.

Bises,
Genie

Rob-bear said...

When I write to you before, I forgot to share how much I appreciate your blog, and congratulate you on your second blogversary.

Felicitations!

Joe said...

Two years Genie. Bravo! I so enjoy your view of the world around you portrayed in both images and words. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Shell Sherree said...

Happy second blogoversary, dear Genie! And how beautiful that Carol has painted you a memento of your first blog post - that's special. Congratulations, and thank you so much for the Paris beauty and intelligent posts you bless us with. Bises.

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Thank you for sharing so many beautiful and interesting images of your Paris. Happy anniversary Genie!

Best wishes,
Ruby

Vreni said...

Happy Blogiversary!! You are doing a great job! Unfortunately I don´t have the time any more to continue my Paris blog. I love the red pompons in this photo! BTW, tomorrow early in the morning I will take the plane to our favourite city!

Sketchbook Wandering said...

It is a powerful photo. The expressions on their faces, the interaction, the colors...Féliciations on your anniversary. I love that you chose to launch your blog on Bastille Day, relecting your passion for France. Rita

Esme said...

Viva la France pour le 14 juilette.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

HUGE belated happy second anniversary Genie, it was such fun to go back to the first anniversary and read all the comments again, nothing has changed, I still love looking at Paris through your eyes and will hopefully continue to do so for years to come.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Congratulations Genie, on two wonderful years with your blog! This photo is one of my favorites of all you have posted...which is why I painting it! Thanks so much for posting it again.

Happy travels!

Paris Rendez-vous and Beyond said...

Fantastic image that you have caught....and a fab painting by Carol.