December 2024 – Spicy…

December 24, 2024December 29, 2024

Last Paris Blog Post…I Promise!

Image of Mr. K. and me in front of a poster for the Legends musical. (Reed treated us). They were French actors killing Black American songs from the 1940s to 2024 There was only one American actor, the rest French, and they could really sing in English! It was on point, from the arrangements to the lighting and the band. And yes, we were up dancing! (The French girl beside me and I had a routine). What?!

Y’all, I been gathering images for you and discovered that Google Photos did some great reels of er’thing, sites, food, and fun. So…enjoy us lighting up Paris!

On our second day in Paris, we visited the fabulous Galleries Lafayette and dined in one of the small restaurants tucked away in the corner of all the cheeses, wines, chocolates – to die for. We met a nice French woman who guided our menu choices and told us a bit about her background. I discovered it’s not unusual to see an individual dining alone with a full meal, including wine. (We saw a guy wearing a Chicago jacket, and I had to do a shout-out, “Hey, I’m from Chicago!” The other diners laughed. (I bet Mr. K. was like…I can’t take her anywhere. What?!)

This video shows some of our Black Tour with Ricki Stevenson. The Black Tour was extremely educational and highlighted the many accomplishments of Black French and how they impacted the world – DuSable, Dumas, Solitude, Baker, etc. Y’all, we started with breakfast at 10 AM, walked, went up and down stairs, and rode the subway and bus, all while being schooled by our guide about the wonders of Black French history.

I was intrigued by the story about Isis, the Goddess of Water. Paris was named after Isis, whose spirit protects Black folks and all of Paris. (The irony is that that terrorist group, Isis, terrorized Paris in future years).

I needed Isis and all my Ancestors (Y’all know I have French ancestry) to help my aching knees after the 10AM-3PM tour on cobblestone and STAIRS! After climbing the stairs in the Louvre and our tour, my knees were like, “Honey, you will be home for the next day!” And I was. (Y’all, Mr. K. didn’t miss a beat! He is five years my senior, and he was helping me)!

Not much to say about the splendor and beauty of the Louvre except c’est magnifique! Wait! I do want to mention the Egyptian exhibit. You will note that in the reel, Mr. K. and I are leaning into a display of sculptures WITH NOSES. The rest of the ancient sculptures have noses chiseled off. Why do you think? No links here. I would like to hear your opinions.

Of course, we had to get in some jazz. We were right in front of the musicians, loving every minute.

Here’s one last link: L’Escargot with Reed and our Neighborhood Walk in Paris, 2024.

I was out of commission for one day only during our two-week visit to Paris, and we left no stone unturned. I must leave you with my lasting impressions.

Paris style was blurred by the cold weather. Scarves, coats, and gym shoes were in vogue during the winter. But when I glimpsed a stylish Parisian, he/she was cover-ready.
French folks walk fast and look straight ahead, but they are charming when they engage with you.
Women walked and dined alone, day or night. No fear.
No guns.
Good food with no additives tastes better.
I will learn conversational French. Oh yes, I intend to visit again. What?!

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

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Victorine, Bio

Author of Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by connecting with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id%

December 15, 2024December 29, 2024

Ahhh, Paris

Where do I start? The people, always the people. For me, people provide immersion into the culture of any country. Several posts will dive into my first visit to Paris (It was Mr. K.’s fourth visit) and the people who made us feel the soul of this magical city.

PART 1.

It’s a Family Affair

We’re here!! After providing an Uber pickup, Mr. K’s son, Reed, greeted us at Apartments du Louvre, the 4 Rue Etienne Marcel location (there are several), our home, for a two-week stay in the City of Lights. Reed has lived in Paris for almost 9 years, and I was primed by his dad and mom for how accommodating he would be.

We loved our apartment. We had full amenities and were close to so many sites in Paris. Reed’s greeting began a remarkable vacation guided by him and hosted by his wife, her family, and their friends.

Our doors at Apartment du Louvres, 4 Etienne Marcel

We were treated to a casual dining experience filled with delicious food, wine, and lively conversation. A French dinner is at least 4 courses, including appetizers with fruit, cheeses with fresh bread, entrees, and dessert, all with copious amounts of wine and coffee. (I tried to get with expresso, but I had to succumb to Americana) What?!

The breathtaking view from the apartment showcased the illuminated Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, mesmerizing me. What?!

We were also invited to Houdan, a small quaint suburb of Paris. We posed before their dungeon, the site chosen for a fete at the Para Olympics. What?! We also stopped at the boulangerie for the delicious bread we would consume at lunch.. Our co-host and his sister were originally from Guadaloupe, so we had a Guadaloupean meal with couscous. Delicious!

Indeed, the global culture is alive and well in Paris, and Reed’s family enabled me to experience its texture of diversity and warm hospitality.marguax and the boys.

NEXT, PART 2 – THANKSGIVING DAY IN PARIS

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

Please Subscribe and Follow my blog! Name(required) Email(required)

Please support Spicy…a blog by Victorine, through Patreon.

Victorine, Bio

Author of Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine, Celebrating our differences.

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id%

December 11, 2024December 11, 2024

Everybody has one…

…a memory of Nikki Giovanni. Mine is from 1973 in an Oral Interpretation class at the University of AL. Randy Marsh was my professor, and I was Slick Vick, the Chicago Chick introducing my class to revolutionary poetry. I interpreted several of Giovanni’s poems, but I remember one most: Dreams.

It invoked a dream I once had to be a singer, except Giovanni coveted the Raelets’ “”dr o wn d in my youn tears.” Unlike Langston Hughes’ Dream Deferred, Giovanni’s poem was a call to conjure up the vital badass powerful Black woman, the “baaaaaby nightandday
baaaaaby nightandday.” And so, I did.

That assignment found me belting like the Raeletts. ( I had practiced my intonations with the Black students at UA.) And I ended my performance, as she did, with the understanding that I could be just as powerful as a “sweet inspiration.”

Years later, I would stir up Shoals, AL, with Giovanni’s Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why):

I was born in the congo
I walked to the fertile crescent and built
the sphinx
I designed a pyramid so tough that a star
that only glows every one hundred years falls
into the center giving divine perfect light
I am bad

And this was only the first verse!

But how many Giovanni verses did my daughter, Camille Bennett, interpret as she won a National Championship in Poetry in Oral Interpretation for the University of Alabama. She became Nikki-Rosa, just as we all became purveyors of Giovanni’s masterful poetry illustrating Black folks – our secrets and power.

Cool, explosive, curious, introspective, whimsical, and profound, Nikki Giovanni interpreted our angst, soul, and splendor through her words. And I am grateful to have finally met her right here in Alabama and to tell her what she meant to the Black community and to me.