Who is Victor Noir and why do people make pilgrimages to his tomb year after year? A stroll through Paris' gothic city of the dead, Père Lachaise Cemetery, becomes a hunt for a legend in this thoughtful piece exploring the history of this world-famous cemetery and the many soulmates residing there. (Approximately 2000 words; illustrated)

Claire Splan is the author of California Month-by-Month Gardening, which received a Silver Award of Achievement in writing from the Garden Writers Association, and California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, both published by Cool Springs Press. Claire began her garden writing career by blogging about her growing interest in gardening and environmental issues at her garden blog "An Alameda Garden" (www.alamedagarden.blogspot.com). A member of the Garden Writers Association, Claire has written for several garden-related websites and done presentations at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, the UC Botanical Garden, the Los Angeles County Arboretum, the Southern California Spring Garden Show, and numerous garden clubs and other venues. She has also been interviewed on radio shows such as "GardenLife," "Bob Tanem in the Garden," and "Gardening Today."

Claire lives and gardens in Alameda, California, with two under-gardeners-a cat named Linus and a dog named Roxie.