For the first four years of the Chatette and I, our "WE" looked something like this. I came as often as I could. With each passing year, it became more-longer periods of time and more often. I struggled to blend my professional life into this equation and continued to try to move forward. I'd finally decided that the two places I loved...New Orleans and the Lot were it-HOME for me. Enter the levee breaches after hurricane Katrina.
I was here at the Chatette when the hurricane hit. Dali evacuated to St. Louis with my brother. Sam was on Columbus Street with Gaynell-my Miss Williams of More. All signs that first day were that everything was fine. According to Gaynell, the day after-the sun came out-everyone was out cleaning up and grateful...and then that line of brown, murky water came down the street. Sam was floating around in a canoe with Gaynell and her three dogs. I returned to New Orleans as soon as I could. We were excited to be among the first 60,000 or so people back. But after 8 months of hell-in May of 2006, I decided to bring Dali and Sam with me to the Chatette so I could clear my head and make difficult decisions. I came believing that I would repair the house to rent and keep the apartment for us. I went back that November to close down Columbus Street and rent both.
I'd brought my childhood piano from Nannie and Papa to New Orleans. It sat in my living room in 6 inches to a foot of water. Every time I played Moon River in my empty, ravaged home of almost 30 years, most of the keys sounded like plywood crashing on cement. I cried. Eventually, I got used to it. I knew I had to have a piano in France. I've told you the story of Monsieur Winkelmann before here on the blog. "He" was a dream of mine ever since I began to play at 9 years old. Between "Moon River" and "La Maison de Laury", our music magic joins the water magic and everything that moves and swirls in this amazing place.
I fell in love with the barn behind the Chatette from the first moment I stepped out onto the terrace. I've been checking into buying it ever since. It had been vacant, un-cared for, and for sale for over 30 years. It was a piece of art in and of itself. I've photographed it often. I'd go sit inside and feel the history, romance, and magic held within that place. I must confess to a conversation or two..maybe three. I believed that if it was meant to be-the barn would come to us. I often wondered what I could do to "divine" her to come.
And so today is very special for the is of us. We add the barn..."La Grange Dentelle", perhaps "L'Ange Grange" to our WE. There is still more to feel and do, but now our WE is complete. I'm off shortly, "en velo" to the Credit Agricole in Cajarc to make sure we have "assurance" set up to protect us and then later this evening, Greg and I will head up to Raoul and Christelle's to celebrate with some champagne. I learned the other day that it is up to the seller to provide the champagne! I'm learning, but you can bet there is an even bigger party in our future. It is a saga for sure. It feels like meant to be. Our magic continues.
