Soar-Dream-France

Happy Halloween and...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Halloween upon us, and All Saints and All Souls Days following close behind; the Saturday afternoon Cajarc Market was busy and ablaze with the flowers of the season. I'm sure you'll agree, it was quite a display. 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkins-Potirons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween brings some of my favorite holiday activities here in the Lot.  There are generally pumpkin events that begin with a still life of some kind and end with a jack or jill o'lantern. In years past, Jean had pumpkins, I had pumpkins, or I discovered a pumpkin on the terrace that was a surprise delivery from a friend of mine.  This year, I knew the first two were impossible and no surprises arrived, so I had to re-evaluate my pumpkin options.  I knew Simone and Auguste had lots of pumpkins, so on one of our morning walks I stopped by to see if I could buy a couple.  I clanged the bell outside of their gate, while Evelyn kept Lucie and Dali on their leashes a little further on down the road so as not to disturb their dog.  Simone came to the gate smiling ear to ear-kiss-kiss-kiss, and I explained that I wanted to buy pumpkins.  I could tell that I wasn't getting my point across in French, when suddenly she said: Oh, Potirons! I was saying Poitirons-me and my mixing of French vowels in strange combinations. She wouldn't take my money, but took me out behind the house where I chose my two.  We talked about what I'd do with them...bread, cake, soup and so on, even though she knows me and none of those options would be first on my list. It was sweet because she was worried about me. First, that I would get "sale" (dirty) and second, that they would be too heavy for me to carry home.  When I showed her my Popeye muscles and pointed to my already very dirty working overalls (salopettes),  she gave up on worrying about me, and just kiss-kiss-kissed me on my way home. They are very beautiful, don't you think?

Essential or Obsolete?

Every time I return to Columbus Street, this arrangement of Gaynell's on an art deco piece of furniture catches my eye.  I love the piece and the roses, but the rotary phone is the source of my pause.  Most would consider rotary phones obsolete.  I had one left in my house before the storm.  As Gaynell and her neighbor were finding their way in a flooded New Orleans, the only way they could be in touch with the outside world was through a fixed line rotary phone.  Heaven knows where my old one is, but Gaynell told me that she will always keep one for just such another emergency. And, voila...this one is ready and waiting, hopefully to never have to be used.

Home at the Napoleon House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Napoleon House years are full of smiles and tears. We discovered in graduate school that we could: take the St. Charles Streetcar from uptown to the Quarter and back, have a quarter of a muffelata and a soft drink at the Napoleon House, and then share a plate of 3 beignets and have our own cup of café au lait at Café DuMonde for a grand total of $5.  On a budget, my friends and I burned up those tracks most weekends.  Over the years, friends came and went, romances began and ended, but the Napoleon House was a focus and a rock in my life in New Orleans.

 

I always loved going to the quarter on my own in the evenings after work, and frequently started my evening at the Napoleon House.  After a snack and a diet coke with friends, I was off to Bourbon Street to hear friends of mine play music before I headed home.  Most nights went well.  Rarely was I sad or hassled for any reason, but if I was, I'd just head over to the Napoleon House and visit with Larry, Mark, Jeff, Laron, or any one of the many other waiters I'd come to know over the years. They made the Napoleon House feel safe and home.

Everything was different everywhere immediately after the storm and the Napoleon House was not exempt.  Hours changed because waiters weren't back, but neither were the customers.  I was excited to be the one to get the first Reuben Sandwich they made after the storm.  I'm happy to report that everything is back to normal these days.  I dropped by every chance I had this trip, and enjoyed meals there twice with friends.  Regardless of whether you're a regular or a tourist...or just somebody in between like me...The Napoleon House is not to be missed!

 

Forever Favorite-The Napoleon House

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Napoleon House in New Orleans. No matter how far I wander or travel, this will always be my favorite bar.  We've shared history together since 1976, when I moved to New Orleans to go to the Tulane School of Social Work for graduate school.  We share unique culture within its walls, that's only clear to those of us who have been regulars our adult New Orleans lives. Tourists may come and tourists may go.  Although I don't fit in the tourist category or the regular category anymore;it's still incredible to walk in the door and have Sal seat me at my table, say hello to all the familiar wait staff, and then have my favorite waiter-LaRon-burst into a huge smile, with hugs and kisses for me before he brings my drink.  Tomorrow, a little inside tour and stories.

 

 

Jet Lagged into Music Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After many hours of traveling to get to New Orleans on Friday evening, I was quite proud that I still managed to get up and out early the following morning to meet my friends for coffee at Rose Nicaud on Frenchmen Street.  Russ and Angela Carll are regulars at this spot, owned by Ken and Melba Ferdinand.  I was early as usual.  As I walked in the door to an almost empty place, Aaron Neville was singing in the background and I felt home.  Later that afternoon on my way to the Napoleon House, clarinet and tuba-ed Somewhere Over the Rainbow stopped me dead in my tracks at the corner of St. Peter and Royal. Fortunately, I was early once more.  I stopped. I sat on the curb. I cried when that instrumental only grew into her deep, resounding, lyrics that clutch at my heart. I caught these photos and left my tip, before I ran over St. Peter to Chartres.  Everything is more poignant for me in New Orleans now.

 

More Than Just Not Wanting to Leave Here

Prior to departing for this trip to the states, I shared the difficulty I was having in leaving here once more.  I chalked it up to just not wanting to go and leave here, but on the plane to New Orleans I discovered it was so much more.  During that summer of 2005 prior to the levee breaks, I sat on the porch swing on my terrace with my friends Joan and Sue.  We were talking about my upcoming interviews in the UK, my place here in France, my house in New Orleans, and the direction my life might be taking. Sue turned to me at one point and said: "Why would you keep your house in New Orleans if you'll be working in the UK and you  have this place here?" I remember railing at that question and saying: "I could never get off the plane and not go home to Columbus Street." About that, I was very clear...at least for a few more months.

On the plane from CDG to New Orleans, I was having a wonderful conversation with my seat mate Maya.  Maya was from Honduras, and knew New Orleans well. Our conversation turned (as these conversations do) to the storm and conditions five years later. Our love for the City and our ongoing sadness over the events were shared.  And then, there it was out of the blue: "This is the first time in the five years since the storm, that I have flown directly into New Orleans from France." As my British friends would say, I was "bloody blown away"! Here I was five years later, and only now flying directly into New Orleans for the first time. That, then conjoured the number of times I got out of planes and rental cars in New Orleans over that last five years somewhere other than Columbus Street. I'm not sure what it is about this five year mark for me.  Sitting on that porch swing with my friends and digging in my feet about New Orleans then, is sure a long way away for me from my New Orleans now...never in a million years!

 

 

Mission: Fancy Schmancy Overalls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I've frequently shared in the past, overalls are me.  I love them! When my friend Niels suggested that I get in touch with a woman named Jan who designed and made overalls in various materials in a wide range of designs, I didn't have to be pushed to reach out.  Jan Revier and I have been in touch about an overalls project since the summer.  I originally thought I'd order one pair, but once I knew I had an upcoming work contract, I decided to order two.  Before I got much further with that, Mom and Dad said they wanted to buy both pairs for me for my birthday.  It doesn't get much better than that for this old overalls girl!

 Jan was a pleasure to work with.  She e-mailed some shots of the overalls in different patterns and suggested a site where I could choose the fabric and design I wanted.  Fabric choice was daunting, but I eventually settled on the two patterns you see above.  The plan was that they would be ready and mailed to my parents so I could pick them up in the states.  As it worked out, Jan finished way ahead of schedule and instead mailed them to Stew and Eric in New Orleans.  Stew and Eric showed up at the airport with the box in hand, and everyone at Sunday's potluck wanted to see my new overalls!  My parents were thrilled.  Mom thinks the black floral pair should be saved for special occasions.  Dad is still worried that I don't have a place for my hammer, but I don't think I'll be wearing these out in the garden or for DYI projects.  I'm still trying to decide if they are close enough to "Casual Professional" to be able to wear them for work with a long jacket or 3/4 length pretty sweater.  I'll just have to see how that goes.  Niels will be happy to know that I wore them on 2 separate plane rides.  New Orleans security was a breeze-walked right through. In St. Louis however, the TSA woman looked at me and said: "What a pretty outfit, but I'm going to have to frisk you just to be sure." I laughed, it wasn't because of metal...there isn't any on these wonderful overalls...it was because they're loose. 

I have more overalls stories to share that just might push you to contact Jan if I haven't already.  You can reach her at her email at: [email protected] She will be unveiling her website sometime soon. I can promise you loads of fun, high quality product, professionalism and a person who is a pleasure and easy to work with.  Happy Sunday in Overalls!

Welcome Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After much strike worrying and consternation throughout the end of my trip to the states, I am happy to report that all was for naught.  I arrived at the train station in Cahors last night a little late, to see both Jean and Evelyn waving furiously.  There were a couple of tiny hitches between the airport and the train station and a little confusion when we were told to detrain from track 4 to track 15, but I'm home and happy to be here.  I'll share more of this adventure with you soon.  But for now, off to walk in the sunshine with one of my favorite four-legged girls below. Special thanks to Evelyn for the photos!

Stateside Break in Blogging!

 

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be taking a break from blogging while I'm stateside from now until October 23.  I'll be back with more photos and stories of my travels and times in New Orleans and St. Louis, as well as a few of the pit stops along the way.  (I sure never thought I'd call Paris a pit-stop.) Be back as soon as I can-Laury