"Never judge a book by its cover:

My feet are recovering from walking the many

cobblestone streets that I wandered for


the past month in Israel, Zurich and Paris.

I love the quaint streets and the many patterns and colours cobblestones streets have.


When walking on them I cannot help but wonder about all those who have walked before me and the history of the lives of those who have trodden the same path.

These boots have walked many a mile with me, in many a country and now they too have a story to tell.

In a Paris Flea Market, at the "Puces" I made Michael and my daughter come with me to the antique booksellers row.

We went the day before but rain cut our trip short.


A little voice kept telling me to go back - there was too much to 


discover,

to savour,


to find a prize hidden within the many stalls.

Whenever Michael and I go "on the hunt" for "that" object that 


makes our hearts race just that little bit faster, 


I always get stuck at the front of the stores.


I examine everything with fine detail.




He, on the other hand, scans the entire store with a type of x-ray vision


Spotting something he moves in grabs it and then calls me and says:


"Hey Bebe, come look at this"!


Usually, I am deep in wonder thinking about how I could use an object 


or 


pondering the history of some object that I just know I will not see again



Not wanting to be distracted at all!!!

But I have come to know that "Hey Bebe" , only too well...


For it means, as usual, he has hit the jackpot,


Yet again


No doubt


Two very different artists and collectors, we may be, but when

in a good store it almost becomes like a competition - 


Who can find "the prize" of the hunt for the day?

In the end, though, its really about finding the perfect object for 


him


or 


he for me


Not really for ourselves


For there is no greater pleasure for us than finding something that 


the other one knows, will appreciate fully

Michael's speed and his radar hit the jackpot yet again.


He spotted this wonderful unassuming book in the window of

one of the shops.


Usually, he hates entering or even coming into a bookshop

with me as I have been known to spend entire days in them.


I was so absorbed in the moment of perusing books and engravings 


from centuries ago, thinking of my other artists friends who would 


be able to use so much of what I saw to even wonder why Michael 


had begun the bargaining process on this precious book.

No, it is not a journal

It is a long handwritten story,

complete with paintings by the author.


A story about "LOVE" that was written for publishers


But it never got printed.

I stood there in that shop and thought,


"Oh he has done it again"


Found "The Find" of the trip


I recall thinking for a brief second why would Michael like

this.


Other than appreciating the nievity of the original drawings.


I, meanwhile, was pour over the handwriting;


and the oiled stained paper from so many hands passing over it;


and feeling the thin tissue like paper  upon which the elegant script was written- gaining inspiration at every turn of the page

And each time we turned to yet another image, 


we would gasp


knowing how simplistic


yet 


how hauntingly beautiful it is to view another artists handi-work


no matter how nieve


For we booklovers and artists alike, appreciate the time and

effort that must have gone into this antique book from the early 1800's


And the dissapointment the artist must have felt at not having it published.

The beauty of the handwritten word and the original artwork


precipitated a discussion between us of just how important artist 


books and/or journals really are


Their innate innocence and beauty renders us speechless when we 


happen across one


The book becomes a treasure that needs to be had, kept, bought

by one who would savour in its beauty.


Michael bought the book!

And on the last day, just prior to him leaving, he presented me with 


the book


And in the end


It was I


Who won the prize


Both in receiving the book


But more importantly in knowing that being together with

someone who "gets me"


With whom I can travel  and enjoy the smallest of pleasures


Not only a lover and best friend but another artist who just


understands the pleasure I can gain from a humble book

such as this.


It takes that artistic passion to know this.


For that I am so appreciate


Thanks Bebe!


You are the best!


xxx