What does your living room look like? What do you see around you when you are relaxing there?

You must be very energetic to say nothing of ambitious to paint your ceiling!  I have always just made do with whatever has been there.  Was in Paris for a day or two years ago but in the company of a very ardent young man so never got out to see any of the sights!

Thanks. My energy's not bad for an old duck - but the place we live in is very small.

Paris sounds like it was a romantic adventure for you.

My experience was quite different - living with a bourgeois Catholic family who chaperoned my every move, studying at the Alliance Française in the morning, studying with a sculptor in the afternoons, visiting art galleries on Saturdays, and churches and cathedrals on Sundays. No room for affairs of the heart; never even met a potential beau.

You must have been much younger, I was early 30s in France but I had a new job waiting for me in the states so I was unfortunately unable to tarry.  Wish I had thought of art galleries in those days. 

Yep - I was 20.

As much time to read as you have to write.

I know that feeling of priorities for expenses.