Conversation – 15

Notre-Dame Cathedral: A Short History

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, where a large fire broke out on Monday evening, is among the most famous landmarks in Paris, drawing about 13 million visitors a year.

The cathedral, whose name means Our Lady, is the seat of the archbishop of Paris.

Part of the church’s spire collapsed as the fire raged.

When was Notre-Dame built?
The cathedral was built on a small island called the Île de la Cité, in the middle of the Seine. Construction began in 1163, during the reign of King Louis VII, and was completed in 1345. It is considered a jewel of medieval Gothic architecture.

It was damaged and neglected in the 1790s, during the French Revolution. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, “Notre-Dame de Paris,” published in English as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” informed readers about the building’s decrepit condition.

The book helped spur significant overhauls from 1844 to 1864, when the architects Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus and Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc redid the spire and flying buttresses.

What historical events took place there?
Henry VI of England was made king of France inside Notre-Dame in 1431.

Napoleon Bonaparte, who also sought to save the storied cathedral, was crowned emperor there in 1804.

In 1909, Joan of Arc, who had helped France battle the English and was burned at the stake centuries earlier, was beatified in the cathedral by Pope Pius X.

What was happening when the fire broke out?
The cathedral, where Mass is still offered on Sundays, is currently undergoing extensive renovation. In 2017, The New York Times wrote that the cathedral was in dire need of a makeover. Weather and time had taken a toll on the building. Broken gargoyles were replaced by plastic, limestone crumbled at the touch.

The renovation was expected to cost nearly $180 million.

God give us courage. Grandfather would weep.

Poetry as Meditation

Sculpting your thoughts into a poem can take you on a journey where your conscious mind is momentarily cast adrift.

The creation of any kind of art can be as much a form of meditation as a vehicle for self-expression. Energetically splashing colors of paint onto a canvas can be like casting the weight of the world off your shoulders, while raising your voice to hit the high notes of a song can inspire you to release your fears so you can reach new heights in your own life. And then there is the act of meditation that can take place when you create poetry. Sculpting your thoughts and emotions into a poem can take you on a journey into your inner universe where your conscious mind is momentarily cast adrift.

Like other forms of meditation, writing poetry requires that you stay fully present during the process, rather than focusing on any outcome. In doing so, you release any inhibitions or ideas of “what needs to happen,” so that your thoughts can flow freely through you. When you write poetry, you are able to see the reflections of your innermost self imprinted on a page.

If you’d like to experience poetry as a meditation practice, you might want to try this exercise: Set aside twenty minutes where you can be alone in a quiet space. You may want to look at poems other people have written to see if there is a style of poetry you would like to try. You can also try writing in freeform. The structure of the poem will then organically reveal itself to you. When you are ready, sit down with pen and paper and let the words flow. Don’t think about what you are going to say next, and don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or logic. Instead, be as descriptive, visually precise, rhythmic, or lyrical as you want to be. When you feel complete, put the pen down, and read over what you’ve written. Appreciate this work of art you have created. You may even find that thoughts and emotions you had repressed before are now making themselves known so you can process and release them. Writing poetry as a form of meditation lets you slow down your mind long enough for you to get out of your own way, so that your soul can freely express its deepest yearnings.

Cherie,

Good Morning to you and Captain. I hope your weekend was great. I heard Ariana Grande
performed yesterday. Ariana is such a cutie and she has a very good voice. ♥

Well Easter will not be long I am looking forward to it. I still have a lot to do but that’s life.

I love the action scenes on Into The Badlands. I hate to see it go.

Have you and Le Chef decided on Easter yet? I have not finished planning but I am going
to do something. ♥

@bichon18,

I read your post and it brought tears to my eyes. I much prefer Ann Frank to any book.
Such a sad time in history very sad. I was wondering how you felt and I wanted to give
you a few days to get your footing. I know that is something you will never forget.

I know it is good to be home. ♥ Good to leave and good to comeback to. ♥
Hugs to little Ari from Poppy and me. Sunny day just a little chilly and I like it. 🙂

Amy you and Jerry enjoy this day. I will get my Andrew Lessman Products tomorrow I
ordered this last week. I am drinking the Marine Peptides now. ♥ Thank you for understanding
me family matters as I always say. LOL!

@Sheba,

I’m glad Dad is doing ok and mom is well. I hope your labs go well. I feel I have to do a lot because I see both cardiologists on Wednesday and Thursday so those days are shot. I know what you mean about having to be quiet or you will scare the bunny away. The new kittens will be emerging from the bushes soon and will scare easily. I am pacing myself. Just came in to take my meds and check here so see? I am taking a few minutes for myself. I have to when I am doing yard work, it really wears me out. Although the garage has been a lot of lifting and moving, it is actually easier then bending down to cut the ferns (I get dizzy). Well, back to work… You take it easy too!

I am having trouble signing in and posting today. Anyone else having a problem or is it just my cable company? Can’t wait to cut it! Have a good one! 😀

@loaf,

Good Morning in the Rock and Roll Capital. I wish I could come and visit you. 🙂
I know your Easter meal will be a delight. We are still in the planning stages. I would
like to go to someone else house for Easter after Mass. ♥ i will let you know what I decide.
i am so glad your family made it safely from Africa. I would love to go on a trip like that.
The kids are all safe. Airports are shut down all over. My neighbor just got home from
out of town. This is the neighbor who is moving to Palm Springs, Cali because he do not
like our winters anymore and he has a problem climbing stairs. The house sold quick.
Loaf I like all the Anthonny pieces I posted yesterday. 🙂

Anyway it is just me and Poppy today. i am spring cleaning it never ends. 🙂

Let’s eat. ♥ I hope you have a great Easter Loaf. I am missing Mcpoopoo and your MIL. ♥

@kittengirl,

Top of the morning to you slow down a bit. I understand when you are on a roll.
Stay in the groove and you will be done in no time. We had a lot on our plate.

First our kids are safe now. Father is doing alright and Mom is well. ♥

I have labs later in the week and I have a lot of irons in the fire. Nice day here
a little chilly but plenty of sun. 🙂 Enjoy the kitties. MEOW! Kitten I see the bunny
at night I have to quiet because any noise will scare him away. I glance out of my
kitchen window. 🙂

@taci,

Good Morning in Cali enjoy the view today. 🙂 I saw the Bunny’s tail last night.
I never see him in the sunlight. This happens every year. ♥ I will have Andrew Lessman’s
product tomorrow. 🙂