• Germaine I could have cried after the FAT ARSE gibe. This article is what I crave.. Julia Gillard is an outstanding Prime Minister. I hope all women and fathers of women can see what a strong person she is and vote for her..After the disgusting things written and said in the MSM about her it is time every right thinking person takes a stand against such rubbish. . - Cheryle Beattie
  • @ Jaqueline Great . My thoughts exactly - Carole/m
  • Mel, I'm constantly asking the question of people who say they despise/detest/ hate Julia Gillard. Why? What has she done that makes people use these words in relation to her? Is it because Australia has a AAA credit rating? Or because we now have plain cigarette packaging? Or may it's because we now have DisabilityCare? No, hang on a minute, I know what it is. We now have a carbon tax which, since it's introduction, has resulted in reduced carbon emissions and an increase in investment in renewable energy sources. That must be it. But then again, a woman recently told me one of reasons she disliked Julia Gillard so much was because of "her red hair and that whiney voice". - ColleenD
  • @Robertf What a revelation . I can't vote directly for Julia Gillard , I'll actually have to vote in my own electorate OMG how can I ever thank you and here I was about to get on a bus and head straight for Canberra to vote !!!!!!!! - Carole/m
  • I will vote labor because Julia Gillard has been a good PM with good policies; because she has not been cowed by the bully boys of the opposition and her own party; because she manages to get out of bed each morning to handle with dignity and grace the shovel loads of vileness heaped upon her; because the thought of Tony Abbott as PM fills me with horror; and lastly because she is a good woman. I would not vote for her just because she is a woman, eg I would not vote for Julie Bishop if she were leader of the Opposition under any circumstances. And I will not vote Labor if Rudd regains the PMship. He and his followers sabotaged Julia Gillard in 2010 . They betrayed their own party and everyone who voted Labor. Now they are doing it again. I thought I was a rusted on Labor voter but Rudd is like a squirt of WD-40. - Jacqueline
  • Victoria, I live in a rural area of a Labor held electorate. I am not rich and idle, and I don’t know any Labor supporters who are. I'm very happy with this Government, but fear how much Tony Abbott will wreck. We have SAVED money on electricity bills thanks to ‘pink batts’, solar panels, and using power more efficiently; looking forward to better broadband access with the NBN; building has commenced this year thanks to Labor on a badly needed new hospital; PBS has lowered prices on popular medications we use; a handicapped relative will get more support with NDIS; all my grandchildren will get better education through improved Gonski funding; the ‘school kids bonus’- big help; ‘plain packet cigarettes bold move towards tobacco-free kids; action on carbon is insurance for future generations; security of employment for myself and family thanks to low unemployment, and Labor’s Fair Work legislation; superannuation reforms means more money in the future for my husband and I; my parents also appreciate the genuine increases in their pensions - not pre-election bribes. - JoanneH
  • Assumptions about others lives and positions are always dangerously unpredictable things Victoria. AS for the Carbon Tax, even China is now putting its own tax on carbon. The whole world agrees that something must be done to ward off the extremes of climate change. So, as you state that you live in a regional area, I would like you consider who it is that has to bail you and your neighbours out when there are floods, bushfires, tornadoes, cyclones and droughts. It is all the other taxpayers who must stump up emergency payouts. As climate change will only increase these events and most of them occur in regional areas, I think it would be smart of you to consider the carbon tax as something all of us will help you help yourselves. As the day of the election gets closer the choice becomes all the more obvious for me. - Janet G
  • Stopped reading when I got to "this quote from the Australian" - Ian
  • I have a handbag organizer in my handbag. I think that just about sums me up really xx - Kelly Exeter
  • Good on you Helen but no use arguing with them. Human beings throughout history have shown an alarming appetite for propaganda. The age old tricks are in play here once again. Destabilize, appeal to fears, character assassination. It all finds easy acceptance by those who feel personally aggrieved and resentful. It is always someone else's fault. Put up a straw dog for them to hate. Roll up ladies and gentlemen to the Punch and Julia show. - Dianne
 
9
Categories:  Entertainment, Lifestyle, Wellbeing

LUCY KIPPIST’S JULY ALMANAC

By Lucy Kippist
July 2, 2012

Julie, Julius, Julius mensis, quintilis mensis.

Everything you need to know about the coming month is taken from this painting. It’s dramatic, I know. Dark and delicious. It’s called Liberty Leading the People, painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1830 and it’s one of my favourites.

It’s Delacroix’s impression of the “second revolution”; when Parisians overthrew King Charles in favour of his cousin Louis-Philippe, way back in July 1830. I’m using it here because it was widely believed that Delacroix captured the true essence of Paris at this time in history (only the French could look that good in battle). Add to that Bastille Day celebrations on July 14 and we’ve got ourselves a damn fine excuse to spend this Alamanc yakking on about how great French stuff is (with the obvious exception of the current economic situation that is best described as woeful).

 

July’s fresh produce is anything but woeful. Avocados, custard apples, limes, pineapple, parsnip, ginger, olives and celeriac. It’s such a fresh and vibrant array of colour this month, almost too fresh and vibrant for a Sydney July when it is mostly windy and a bit grey.

 

 

 

 

Nothing beats a bookshop on a rainy day. According to this gorgeous piece in the New York Times, France is among the only countries in the world where bookshops are still booming. I find this completely unsurprising. Old stuff still counts for something in France. Furthermore, check out that picture, can you blame the French for wanting to hang out in bookshops when they look like that? GLORIOUS.  There’s not a trace of “retail” about it. The best bookshops are like this one: clean but not ordered. They have bohemian layouts, a chair here, and a book there. Also, see how every single person standing in this gorgeous store are being left alone? There’s not a salesperson in sight. For all we know, they ARE the salespeople, standing around reading books, just for the sheer pleasure of it.

 

 

JULY’S FLOWER IS THE WATER LILY.

In Asia these flowers are revered as symbols of truth, light and pure beauty.

 

 

 

Beauty is akin to a philosophy for the French.  At least that’s how it seems to a visitor. Every possible daily ritual is just another opportunity to cultivate something truly effortless and lovely to the eye. Literature, music, art, food and wine: few countries have managed to inspire so many people, through so many ages in the manner of France. I think it starts with how they dress. Writer and actor Rachel Ward did a much better job of conveying this wonder with a series of photographic despatches for The Hoopla. She walked the streets of Paris photographing older French women’s fashion. I adored it. Especially her comments on scarves, closely followed by the woman’s camel coat. Effortlessly gorgeous.

 

Would.  You. Just. Look. At. That. If you can’t smell the fresh chocolate ganache glaze, or imagine the effortless fluff of the smooth vanilla cream and buttery-yet-wafer-thin crunch of the choux dough, then I’m not sure we can be friends.  Etymologically speaking the éclair, one of the most wonderful of all French gastronomic pleasures was named after lightening. Apparently bestowed because of the way its chocolate glaze glistened. Oh yes it does.

*Photograph of eclairs via Gourmet Traveller’s July French issue.

 

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9 Responses to this article

  1. Wendy Harmer July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I just love your almanacs, Lucy and this is the best yet. A feast for all the senses ( and yes, I need an eclair,right now)

     
  2. Lucy July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thank you very much! This one was particularly fun to write. It’s 3pm: perfect time for a cafe au lait with an eclair. Or a bottle of red and a cosy bookshop – really depends on how your morning was!

     
  3. Helen July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Found a French style vineyard on the weekend at Wollombi (Hunter Valley). Bought the ‘verandah’ white and the ‘breakfast juice’ spritzy rose. That was how she described them. I spend a lot of my time on the verandah, with a book.

     
  4. Benison O'Reilly July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Oh I loved this, thank you! I recently read ‘ The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ (alas, in English translation), which while quite critical of French in many ways, still celebrated art and literature and good food. I can’t remember a recent novel that’s affected my outlook on life so much.

    I have some very dilute French blood in me but like to play it up. I have a facial every month these days, so I’ll blame that on my French side. PS I’m sure Nora Ephron was a little bit French too. So elegant.

     
  5. Caroline Roessler July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Benison, I adored that book as well. But the ending stunned me. I was in shock!

     
  6. Lucy July 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I agree with you about Ephron being elegant. Couldn’t believe she was in her early 70s either.

     
  7. Kate Southam July 10, 2012 Reply
     
     

    My copy of Crazy Salad by Nora Ephron is a treasured possession – a gift from an equally treasured friend. Laughs, barbs, wit and wisdom. July Almanac; a great read Lucy.

     
  8. Tina July 10, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Nora would have loved to read this piece – fun, succinct,filled with undeniable truths and so so chic!! Pass me that buttery pastry now!!!

     

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  • Cheryle Beattie: Germaine I could have cried after the FAT ARSE gibe. This article is what I crave.. Julia Gillard is an outstanding Pri...

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  • Carole/m: @ Jaqueline Great . My thoughts exactly

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  • ColleenD: Mel, I'm constantly asking the question of people who say they despise/detest/ hate Julia Gillard. Why? What has she don...

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