Adore October 2021

patience, simplicity, and presentation is the rule. There's no multi-tasking. "This was one of my most important lessons," Deb explains. "If you asked for cheese, bread, and fruit, the vendor would sell you: Cheese. Bread. Fruit. One at a time. The French naturally mono-task, and they are almost never in a hurry. There is artful parceling; packaging by wrapping twine the color of corn silk around very thin waxed paper; and, finally, payment." "I had come to Paris in search of Colette," says Deb. "I'd packed three slim. well-read paperbacks for my journey. Traveling muses; three for the road." As she explored the nooks and crannies of the City of Light, Colette's classic two-volume set on love, Chéri and The Last of Chéri ; Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, and Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer were steady companions. She also includes delightful recountings of meeting Catherine Deneuve, touring Coco Chanel's apartment, visiting Claude Monet's former home in Giverny, and staying at the Hôtel La Mirande in Avignon. She even gained access

T he French leave. Back out of the room, with eyes straight ahead. Or feign a powder room visit and head for the hills. Not exactly a finish, but a quiet intermezzo, a halftime, an intermission. A much-needed timeout to consider one's options.

- D e br a Shr i v e r

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ADORE • OCTOBER 2021