Pouvez-Vous le Lire?

Well to be honest, I really can't either. Oh I can pick out some words and perhaps get a sense of what it says, but I have to admit, I've not made much progress even with frequent travels to Paris over the last 3 years. It 's not from a lack of desire or numerous books on how to speak French better and in a record number of days. I have a number of excuses. Want to hear them?

1. Most people in Paris speak English and it's just easier to let them.

2. My friends speak French better than I do, so it's easier to let them.

3. My southern accent plus my poor French pronunciation skills are a deadly combination, and I'm frankly embarassed to even try most of the time.

Hopefully I've turned a corner of sorts. Yesterday was my first lesson with my new French tutor Mme. Dupree. I think she's just what I need. She's not going to let me slide by with my "southern French" and she's going to converse with me in French and insist that I do so as well.

Wish me bonne chance! I'll keep you posted.

Today's photographs are from a delightful day last summer spent at the Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Bologne. I shared some photos of the children last summer right here. It's a great little amusement park and the perfect spot to take children when you travel to Paris. The mural and all the signage were done by the same artist. I would love to purchase some prints if anyone knows a source.