Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Keep Your Eye on the Ball


I fret.  I fret a lot over my blogs. I worry about the quality of my photographs, or if  I'm boring my dear readers when I post  too many photographs on the same subject/theme ...... like pétanque.  This is what I've decided ( for the moment).  When I'm lucky enough to get to Paris, I photograph what pleases my eye, makes me laugh or stand in awe,  or evokes a memory I don't ever want to forget.  Getting to know and photograph the pétanque players at Luxembourg Gardens continues to be an experience I want to revisit each trip.  Watching the diverse group of players and spectators, never ceases to delight.  For me as a bystander ( not to mention a foreigner) watching these men doing what they love everyday, is like being invited into the "inner circle" of Parisian life.   I hope you understand.

18 comments:

French Girl in Seattle said...

... and as a French native living too far away from Paris and France, I encourage you to continuing posting your fabulous photos Virginia. I look forward to my "daily fix" of France every evening, and get it, thanks to you and Genie. Veronique

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Ditto 'French Girl in Seattle's' sentiments, petanque is such an everyday part of French life, it's a joy to observe the many expressions of concentration, not to mention the locations. You might be right about the 'kindred spirit' thing Virginia, I very much go on 'feelings' when I chose an image AND I stress like mad about whether it'll be good enough! The one big problem with the plan to just 'forgetaboutit' and meet in Paris is the FLYING haha! Thank goodness for the little white pills!!

Shell Sherree said...

I can understand fretting over one's blogging, but there's certainly no need to on my account, dear V! I will always lap up whatever you so generously want to show me. Scenes like this whisk me away... sadly my parched grass resembles this surface but perhaps it will make for better games of pétanque.

Malyss said...

1) it's YOUR blog, you post the pictures you want. 2) if we don't want to look at them, we can pass by.3)Even native, and living in France, I like to see the way you look at us, at our way of life, and I like the love you have for my country!

Joe said...

As he strolled to the pétanque area Gilbert fretted about the harsh words he uttered before he left the house. His mind raced. How dare she? How could she? His rage clouded his steps. Somehow he found himself in the midst of the game. The ball felt cool in his palm as he threw it. When it landed with a thud there was nothing but pétanque. Distress vanished.

Maria Babin said...

keep the photos coming! i think you capture paris sublimely! bisous xoxo

Paris Paul said...

I love how intent they are, staring at the balls as though they expect them to perform some magical trick!

M said...

Keep them coming, V-- your photos are a slice of life and it is such a tasty treat! I agree with Paul,MIT does look like they are waiting for the balls to do something!

Tena Russ said...

As Malyss says, it's your blog. Your eye is what makes your blog unique, the same as a writer's "voice." Keep posting what you love because your visitors love it, too.

Daryl said...

Here's the thing .. its your blog .. you should post what pleases you .. we come here to share in what you see/saw and thank you for it .. I shot many pix of the amazing mosaics in Philadelphia and could have taken even more .. I am sharing them on my 'artsy' blog and honestly I dont care if my dear readers mind or not.

LaPouyette said...

Completely understandable! I love to watch them when- and wherever I see a group playing, whether our neighboors or in the village or...
We used to play on our little track just in front of the house...in the good old days...

Love the image! And would never be bored to see more. So, don't be afraid, just keep posting what ever YOU like, and - your photos are simply good!

Greetings from the Périgord,
karin

Virginia said...

Thank all of you for your kind and helpful comments today and every day. Nothing pleases me more than sharing my images and my love of France with each of you.

Joe, your scenarios are terrific. I wish I could write off the top of my head!! Keep em coming.

Véronique, Karin and Malyss, I hope you will always feel I do your country justice!
V

Maria O. Russell said...

Most artists are once in a while confronted with that predicament, Madame!

Believe it or not, it is a good sign.

You are a great photographer and your blog is wonderful.

P.S.This is the first time in a while your comment window lets me leave a message. I don´t know much about computers!

Virginia said...

Maria, thank you. And I have made a change on the comments....again! I was getting a huge amount of Anonymous spam so took that option off for a while. I'm giving it another try so that my Name/URL commenters could join us again. I hope the spam doesn't rear its ugly head again. I appreciate your comments so much.
V

Sheila said...

Love your pics. Show whatever you choose! It's Paris and that's all I care about!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I bet it is similar to the way these men 'fret' over their next move... sometimes that is what makes life interesting.

Jack said...

It is probably a rare person who is absolutely convinced that every daily offering will be greeted by universal acclaim. (And that one rare person is probably wrong.) Show what you like. And, if you didn't show us this picture, we would have missed the guy to the right of center who is playing petanque despite having only stubs for arms.

Virginia said...

Jack, you made me laugh and then rush to see the photo again to see if I'd done some dastardly cropping.
You are hilarious.
V