But he’s 100 years old today. He’s a Yonkers, New York native. Beat poet and publisher. Co-founder and owner of City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco. He is now a centurion. And to me, he is a rock star.

“I’m on a vision quest of sorts: What does it mean to be a woman artist in her 40s? And how can I lay it down so that’s like, something fucking awesome.”

What a journey it was. Paris. A simple life where I initially knew two people in town and was there to work— and which evolved into one of the most profound chapters of my life. It was exhilarating, challenging, rewarding, indulgent, fun, insane, frustrating and, ultimately, triumphant. It was everything.

I’m making cookies. It’s 10:21 am. On a Thursday. And not just any old cookies – Farmhouse Inn Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies. Because… I can.

One year ago, I was in Hawaii for a photo shoot, while my book Brooklyn In Love was officially launched into the world. 

Since I missed the window for any relevant forward- or backward-looking reflections, I will just share this photo because both Leon Bridges and Paris are fabulous.

The new thing in travel? Ditching your kid(s) with your parents or in-laws and heading to Paris for a long weekend. Before Andrew and I went, I solicited addresses from a handful of friends and acquaintances. Since then, a few other traveling parent-friends have requested ideas on where to go and what to do on their own Paris jailbreaks. Et voila.

It’s been seven months since I left my full-time job and jumped into freelance. If you’ve followed this (sporadic) blog or my social channels (what? You’re not! Get on it! @GodILoveParis and/or @amythomas.nyc ) you’ll know that I’ve been thrilled with my decision.