I'm off to a short vacation, but first, a quick hurrah for the Democratic women

I'll be gone for a little over a week, returning to my old haunts in Paris, this time, as many of you can guess, alone. Paris won't be the same without my late and wonderful, and very beautiful girlfriend. Every day I shared with her was one of the best days in the universe.

But I can't go without a shout out to  the fabulous speeches at last night's Democratic nominating convention.

I'm talking about Lilly Ledbetter, Elizabeth Warren and especially Michelle Obama. Each of them, in her own distinct and anything but plastic way, was a national inspiration.

And of course, to the one man who stood out head-and-shoulders, bless you Bill Clinton.

To paraphrase — way, way paraphrase — an ancient historic text, when the Republicans spoke, everyone said, "How eloquently they speak." But when the Democrats spoke, the crowd rose up, prepared to march to the polling booths and assure Barack Obama of another four years.

Will it really happen in November? Was Bill Clinton's speech, on the heels of the moving and inspiring women enough? I can't predict the future. But I will sleep better at night knowing they have been heard.

See you all mid-September.