Comments on: Biking (and writing) like it’s no big deal

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:02:00 +0000

In reply to Diane Jones. I live in the Dunbar neighbourhood and am in Stong's at least once a day! Where are you?

By: Diane Jones

Diane Jones — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:32:00 +0000

Dear Daphne, Thank you for your insightful notes on how everyday experiences can connect and teach us about writing. I find your notes very encouraging and helpful. As I live in the same city as you, I hope our paths will cross some day, because chatting face to face would be a treat.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:07:00 +0000

In reply to Lisa Ham. Thanks for your kind words!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:07:00 +0000

In reply to Jeret. I really enjoyed that book and I'm envious that you thought to follow through on it by visiting Ephrussi's sanctuary in Paris. How I wish I'd thought to do something similar when I was there!

By: Jeret

Jeret — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 05:33:00 +0000

Dear Daphne –

You’ve been generous in sharing your summer travels with us. I’d like to return the favor with one of my European experiences from this summer that I owe to you.

It feels like arriving at a dear friend’s home when you come upon Charles Ephrussi’s former sanctuary. I experience mixtures of relief, awe and pride as the words “I found it!” escape my lips after multiple Metro stops and a dozen wrong streets. Vibrant images of Van Gogh and Monet amongst a collage-like wall of paintings accented by a plush yellow arm chair flood my mind as I strain to see through the windows. I almost have enough courage to enter the open doors to the courtyard – but I know enough French to make out the firm warnings to all would-be trespassers. In this moment I wish I was American!

I sense the dichotomy of love and fear Charles experienced among friends and anti-semitic critics as I walk his street. Modern Parisian Jews know this well – with the arrival of summer come riots, molotov cocktails and hate signs at their synagogues, restaurants and businesses. I wonder if those who pass by know who built this home, if they know why I’ve come to visit, and if this places me in danger. History becomes present life and I forbid myself the luxury of tears.

I owe this treasured experience to your recommendation of The Hare with the Amber Eyes in last summer’s reading list. Please accept my attached selfie in front of 81 Rue de Monceau as my sincere gratitude for introducing me to the Ephrussi family.

By: Lisa Ham

Lisa Ham — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 19:38:00 +0000

Lovely post! Thank you!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:57:00 +0000

In reply to caseyhibbard. Glad you like it!

By: caseyhibbard

caseyhibbard — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:39:00 +0000

Nice imagery and use of the term “higgledy-piggledy!”

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:00:00 +0000

In reply to Gyorgy.

We saw a bike like this too, in Amsterdam. Only it wasn’t billed as a “beer” bike; it was a “dining” bike. It wasn’t operating when we saw it — just parked in the rain. It was ENORMOUS.

By: Gyorgy

Gyorgy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:25:00 +0000

Biking culture in Sydney (Australia) is a long way behind Europe and probably behind Canada as well. There are more and more cyclists on the roads but there aren’t enough bike roads so we have to share the lanes with large SUVs, pickups (we call them utes) and car drivers are definitely not ready for cyclists. They change lanes without properly checking the blind spots… you can imagine the rest. 🙁

On the other hand, when we were visiting family in Budapest, we saw the weirdest bike ever: http://beerbikebudapest.eu/

At least 14-15 people pedalling this monster and drinking beer. 🙂