Soar-Dream-France

Happy Second International Overalls Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Away from home and working hard, I am a little limited in what I can do in the photo department at the moment. This photo was taken by my brother Tom, on my June trip to the states.  I've been out wandering around and shopping today as I try to rest and regroup.  I'm wearing my dragonfly overalls made by Jan Revier and revelling in being able to relax in them.  It's a much quieter celebration than last year's first at the Chatette.  I miss my friends and their exuberance for life.  Everyone isn't willing to get out and putoveralls on for just any crazy American! Most of us were together on the night before I left for work. Francoise even asked: Laury, what about International Overalls Day this year? We had so much fun last year, last Saturday, and always. I am blessed again and again in this life of mine. Remembering Last Saturday's a bientots, the hugs were longer and tighter than usual.  I left with tears in my eyes and wrote from the train station in Cahors the next morning; "It was hard not to just hug them all forever." Happy Overalls Day to Everyone, but especially my wonderful bunch below that you can see celebrating with me last year!

Me and Blanche Dubois

Standing at the bus stop in Cadrieu on Sunday morning, I knew I was up for another adventure in travel.  I was in (what I expected to be) familiar territory.  I encountered: reservations that had been canceled, hotel key cards that refused to work on three separate occasions and had to be recoded, a French cell phone that (yes, once more) won't work where I am, and an @ on my netbook that is yet another mystery of the universe that may or may not be discovered.  But, many people many places pulled together to help and finally got me where I need to be when I needed to be there.  It's a good thing I'm not shy.  "Excuse me, do you speak English?" And from there-I depended on the kindness of strangers. No one disappointed me. I'll be back with more posts and fun on the road.  Happy-whatever day it is today!

Deux Chevaux Dreams-Another Journey Begins

Coming into the home stretch of yet another departure, I've begun the mind games that push me on.  Of course, there is always the value of the work contribution made...but sometimes I need a little more.  In the midst of yesterday's hysteria...international cell phones, travel printers, laundry, visitors, laptop and netbook angst, and last minute changes that impact clothing necessities; I stopped it all and went on Ebay.fr to see if I could find a Deux Chevaux that called my name.  I found pages and pages, in every color under the sun, ranging in price from 750€ to 9000€.  There were even some darling little pickup trucks.  I've always said that I don't want a car here, unless it is a Deux Chevaux.  I still feel that way.  The most recent picture I've painted in my mind's eye is: Dal and Sam and I (in my overalls, of course), closing up the Chatette for 2 months or so, hopping in our Deux Chevaux, and taking our time to make our way together to these work contracts, and taking our time to make our way home.  I know it would be slow, noisy and maybe a little uncomfortable.  I know it would mean taking mostly back country roads, but what a wonderful way to see Europe and take care of the business that is my life! Come to think of it, we might need a couple of weeks on each side of these two month gigs to really be able to have fun and enjoy this adventure I've painted in my mind. So-I'm taking a break on blogging until I see a little better what will be realistic from afar.  I'll keep this photo of the Duponchelle Deux Chevaux in my mind as a little bit of a carrot at the end of the two months, to add in with the very sweet faces waiting for me below. 

  

 

 

 

An Old Four-Legged Friend in St. Cirq Lapopie

Although I should be pushing hard to get myself ready to leave here on Sunday morning, Evelyn and I took some time out to go to St. Cirq Lapopie to have coffee with a fellow American we met on afternoon at the Ecomarche in Cajarc. Even though there is much more to tell you about our new friend and our visit, I ran into an old friend in the village who managed to entertain me once more. I've captured him coming and going and another time just resting on the steps of the Tourist Office. Yesterday he was particularly sweet, sporting a very large green leaf on top of his head.  He wore it proudly as he pranced through the village and followed us on our ramblings. He's quite the charmer...tongue and all!

 

A Little Time Left To Window Shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those hundred or so times I walked passed this store when I was staying with my American expat love during 1992 and 1993, I'd always look in this window and think of all the things I'd love to have.  I never stopped for more than a gander, and never actually went inside, because I'd have to carry it all home on the plane.  I didn't go inside this time either.  But, I promised myself that the next time I come to Paris I'll make sure I have enough room in my backpack and enough money in my pocket to stop, go inside, and treat myself to something to bring home to my kitchen in the Lot.  It'll probably be something red and small. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  What would you bring home from this store window if you could?

And, where might you go to be very grateful to have had any time to spend in Paris at all?

 

 

 

 

 

Paris Wander Continues...

...à table et-CHAIRS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Hours in Paris to...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading out from the Gare d'Austerlitz on the #5 Metro in the direction of Bobigny-I made the change at the Bastille to the #1 Metro line in the direction of La Defense, exiting at one of my favorite stops...the Palais Royal Musée du Louvre.  I wanted to pick up a couple of thank you gifts and knew that the Rue de Rivoli was going to be my my easiest and best bet.  I set out on foot, and found the perfect coffee mug for Evelyn and coasters for Jean.  Continuing on down the Rue de Rivoli, I saw St. Eustache framed by buildings at the end of the street on my left. I decided to wander through Les Halles, and maybe make my way there.  I came upon:

A darling spot to curb your dog, not too far from some of my favorite style benches and fountains. Needing a "curbing" spot of my own, I found my way to L'Eustache and treated myself to la toilette and a cappuccino before I headed back out to visit an old friend, light a candle or two, and  continue my stroll past some old favorite haunts newly named.

 

 

When I looked even closer-my old favorite, Le Commerce, had become L'Assiette Aveyronnaise-that department I gaze at out my window every morning on the other side of the Lot. Old favorites might be gone, but home is around every corner...even in Paris!

 

We'll Continue My Paris Wander Tomorrow-A Demain!

 

You Have Five Hours in Paris...

...between your plane and catching your train home.  You have whatever luggage you brought with you on your two week journey. You've already been traveling for 20 hours, but you are wearing your comfortable shoes. It's chilly and overcast, but not raining.  You are standing in the Gare d'Austerlitz and must return there. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to tell me what you would do with those five hours, in great detail. I'll be back tomorrow, with my five hours in Paris.  Until then, enjoy the last hurrah of our pumpkins through the back window of the barn!  A demain!

 

Solidarity-One Last Breath...For Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evelyn and I encountered a little extra excitement on our expedition into Figeac for the market yesterday morning.  We knew it was an official strike day, but as we got off the bus we encountered this demonstration.  If you look at the signs carried above; you can see that even though changing the retirement age to 62 has been passed by the government, there continues to be very strong feelings among the French people.  It was quite a crowd!

 

 

 

 

Tucked in Along the Lot

A couple of days ago I posted about this spot along the Lot, and heard from my friend Ileen who lives back in the states in Denver.  She had a couple of questions that I thought I'd answer today, with these photos of our fall here just this morning.  Today's first photo was taken above the Chatette from the causse.  Directly behind the Chatette, on the other side of the train tracks you hit a huge cliff.  We really are nestled between the river and the road, and the train tracks and the cliff, directly beneath the Château. Being tucked in so sweetly, makes for a: nurturing, historical, romantic, magical place that (as far as I'm concerned) rivals any other place in the world.