21 Comments
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Anne-Marie Epp's avatar

Again, this story so warms my heart. Thanks.

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Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

OH my goodness, Bob, this francophone and former French teacher LOVED this story! Not only because of the charm of the ongoing Barbara/Bob love story, but also because for ONCE those French came through in the name of ROMANCE and LOVE, REAL love, not tawdry fake stuff with lotharios and DOXIES - now there's a word I've never heard before, but I promise to find an excuse to use it soon. MERCI, and BRAVO, for a truly great story! Here's a toast to Paris!

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Thank you, Sandy, and as the French say, "Drink up!" Oops, gotta go. My Francophone is ringing!"

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Sandy Read Reiberg's avatar

Bien sur! A toast to THAT!

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Paul Mindus's avatar

Keeps me and my Barbara happy with your 5 am stories!

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Paul Mindus's avatar

Huh? No kidding?” I craned my neck to see what a mistress looked like. Priceless, Bob!

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Thank you, Paul... Not priceless, though, just fairly priced at $5 a month...

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trixiebettsDornoch's avatar

Aww. That is so sweet.

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Jane Rea's avatar

Speaking of dinners, you probably won't remember this but when we were in a restaurant interviewing a prospective rector for AS, you swept in, ordered a martini, and saved me from being the ONLY one at the table not sipping ice water.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

I do remember, Jane. I scoped out the situation and told myself I should help you by ordering a very Christian dry Bombay Sapphire martini...

And also with you...

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Kristen Aliotti's avatar

PARMEEGGIAN. Love it! I've heard that, and worse. Good story. PS I'm very envious of your ownership of the Ritz ashtray. I do not have any hotel ashtrays (some I did seriously covet), but recently I absconded with 2 cork coasters from a hotel in Canterbury. Gave them to my daughter, who was not amused! Learned my lesson, at this advanced age.

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John C Abell's avatar

Clearly this is fake news. Everybody knows there are no nice French people.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Busted, John....

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Susan Applegate's avatar

Here's a novel idea. Since you are my rich relative, why not spring for a couple of night at the George V for me foe the next time I am in Paris? Pay it forward.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

It's all taken care of, Susie. Just see the guy at the Hertz counter...

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Dean Lokken's avatar

Magnifique. Great read.

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Johanna Gabbett Klesh's avatar

Great story! As another of Midwestern upbringing, we can’t help ourselves when the hay that is still in our hair comes out of our mouths! Been there, done that, wouldn’t buy the tee shirt!

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Susan Applegate's avatar

What a charming story and what a wonderful life! It is only now, in my seventies that I am finally comfortable with not asking the price of something first!

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Rita Jane Gabbett's avatar

You old romantic, you! Love everything about this one. Reminds me of being chastised for using the wrong fork at a Reuters dinner. Illinois isn't that far from Indiana...And how about those Parisian waiters? Busting all the negative stereotypes of the French. Lovely.

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Robert  Basler's avatar

Wait. You went to a Reuters dinner where there were FORKS? La De Frickin' Da!

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Chris Malone's avatar

Cosmopolitan is a drink? I thought that was the ice cream with vanilla strawberry and chocolate. Wait, no, finding out that’s Neopolitan. Growing up next door in Kentucky I didn’t do well with big words myself. 🙂

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