My mom loved Paris. At the end of her time with us, even as her memory and energy faded, she still remembered everything we did here. Maybe that's the power of Paris. If you've followed our adventures, you'll remember that the last time we were in Europe, a giant Tweety bird was staring at me from a flea market square in Belgium. My mom loved that silly yellow bird and I have a tattoo to commemorate her. So, when we passed a shop the other morning and I saw a Tweety umbrella in the window, I had to stop and get it. Of all the shops for me to look at, and for my eyes to be at street level and see it in the window? How could I not purchase it? I knew that the day was going to be - despite the heat that was intensifying - just right.

Our plan this time around in the city, is to have a destination in mind and how we get there being the adventure. This time, it was to visit the Pantheon. We had gotten there too late last year to go inside and its history fascinated us. After shopping, coffee and, of course, pastries, we made our way to the Latin Quarter. This time, we had our water, our neck fans (which, we've decided are just okay. There are some design flaws that were more evident by wearing them and when the battery wears out, they are just too cumbersome. So, alas, that was the last of the neck fans.) At any rate, armed with my umbrella to shield the sun (both Tweety and a UV protected one), we got to the Pantheon to spend plenty of time exploring its history and art. It was humbling to be walking around such a massive construction of engineering. To pay respect to the men and women entombed beneath its floor was something neither of us will ever forget. While John spent another visit inside another church, I relaxed at a sidewalk cafe not far from the Midnight In Paris steps. After dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant we'd discovered over the holidays, we had dessert and wine and a charming restaurant on Île Saint-Louis called  L’ILOT VACHE. (Which we loved so much, we went to dinner there the next night) By then, the sun had finally left the sky and we wandered back to our hotel.

As mid - week dawned, the new agenda was simply to shop and eat. And, boy, did we shop. In fact, a woman who clearly spoke English couldn't help but laugh when John said, "You'd think by what we've bought today, we'd won the lottery." Between the incredible products in the French Pharmacies, the shirts, the wine and the Limoncello, we made good use of the bag we brought with us to hold our purchases. And for sure, we are at home in Paris. The proprietors of Valdico remembered us from January. And once again, due to their taste tests, we walked out with more liquor than we bargained for. Serving us complimentary espresso was the perfect way to end our shopping spree. (If you find yourself in Paris, the L'épicerie italiennes is a must visit.)

And of all the visits we made today - none were more meaningful than the Marie Rose cafe. Last summer, our attempt to visit it was thwarted when we discovered it was closed on Sunday. That last day of our honeymoon was so special because of it.  Over the holidays, the cafe was once again closed, so we figured we weren't meant to walk through its doors, but this time, with its sign lit up and its cafe tables beckoning, we finally were there. Turning around to see the sign inside that read "We love Marie Rose," made it even more special. At one point, I looked at an empty table of four next to us and pictured our mothers sitting with us - laughing, smiling and enjoying all that Paris has given us. Our mothers may have left us physically, but they are here - in every step we take in this city and in every work of art we admire and, yes in every glass of wine we drink. Don't be fooled, Rosemarie drank her share of wine when she was with me in Europe, and John tells me that Marie was all in favor of red. The four of us would have had quite the wine bill here. Well - we already do, but my mom would have just insisted on paying for it.

For now, the sun has set and the heat isn't as horrible as social media and the news report. Yes, it's hot, yes, air conditioning is few and far between, but it is hardly the depths of hell that are reported. The night brings a breeze that makes you feel as if Paris is wrapping you in its embrace. Tomorrow, one of my best friends from LA arrives. Along with our friend Nicole, there will be more adventures. And no matter what we do, not matter what signs we see along the way, I've just one request of them. Simply to put our phones away, take a look at where we are, breath it all in and remember with our minds, not pictures, of what we see. Being with one of my best friends and my husband? How much luckier can I get? Well, maybe, it could help, like John said, if we won the lottery.