Soar-Dream-France

Not so Fond Farewell

Who'd have ever thought that I would be the one helping my friends check on car repairs, provide moral support for the fosse-septique inspection, make vet appointments and round up a gardener...all en français? I still struggle and make mistakes. But, I apologize less and I try more...both good things. Joan and her daughter head back to England on Thursday. It's been a wonderful visit so far. I expect more wonderful before their departure with Aris on Thursday. It will be hard to say good by, because once again-I don't know how long it is going to be or if they will even be coming back. So as they're heading north on the A20 on Thursday, this is the picture of my friend taken at the Gouffre de Lantouy that will be etched on my mind and in my heart. Dali, Lucie, Sam and I will miss you guys.We hope for an a bientôt, not an au revoir!

Photo Collage-Gouffre De Lantouy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gouffre De Lantouy

One of the great things about being home has been that my  friend Joan is here on vacation for a couple of weeks. We haven't seen each other in three years, so we're making up for lost time. Each morning before 8, she and Aris appear at the back terrace for a coffee and visit. Aris sticks his head through the plastic gate. Sammie cat runs upstairs. Lucie barks like a banshee to let Aris know she has a huge personality. And Dali, she just runs over, tail wagging and bonjouring to her old friends. Joan said she had some place special to take me yesterday, and indeed it was. The Gouffre de Lantouy is across the bridge from Cajarc, and then not to far down country roads off to the right just past Salvignac Cajarc. I think I could make it there pretty easy on my bike and will return. Here's a little tease for today and I'll be back with more for you tomorrow.

Happy Saturday!

 

The Third Time's A Charm?

If my three days of posting about French stamps is only leaving you wanting more, head over to: http://timbres.laposte.fr/ and take the opportunity to go to hell with yourself. There's so much to choose from. Even though you may not be able to use them for postage (and maybe wouldn't want to) like I can, they are: artistic, interesting, educational, funny, beautiful, romantic, historical, and fit my great gift designation for light, reasonably priced, easy to carry, and not setting off any bells and whistles at airport security. This set belongs to Kat. As much as she told you she loved yesterday's in the comments section, she hasn't had enough of Maurizio Galante . Evelyn special ordered these for her, along with some other special ones for me. There are going to be a few surprise cadeaux with me on my next trip to the states in October. Happy Friday!

 

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Stamps!

The color of the inside of this heart is a little hard to see on this scan, but imagine red reflecting foil. I love these Maurizio Galante's because they are actually heart shaped stamps, you can write a message on them if you choose, and they are more than enough postage to get a letter to the states! Some people choose to send them as a square that includes the tiny hand, pen and heart; but that's just not as much fun. How do I love thee? Write it on your stamp and send it to someone special in the states!

For Paris Lovers Partout

For anyone who loves Paris, this sheet of four stamps is a must. Like the chocolate ones I loved, these only have enough postage to cover letters in France. But then, who would want to tear them out and leave holes in this beautiful sheet? (I had enough trouble parting with the chocolate ones that came in the standard format.) Dad told me about these. Evelyn and I searched all 3 Postes within distance of here with no luck. She did, however, hit the jackpot ordering on-line. I'll share more of our beautiful purchases and discoveries with you tomorrow. Paris is always a good idea.

Dark Sides of Sadness

Everyone struggles with acceptance in some way in our lives. Being different-or being "perceived" as different is never easy. How dull my life would be if everyone were "just like me". I know I'm different. I was never mainstream or conventional when I lived in the states, so you can imagine how different I can be considered in the south of France. I must say, that I'm just as proud of my differences here as I was in the states. However, I don't wear them quite the same. I do enjoy being the crazy American. That said, I've worked very hard to be clear about who I am in this tiny village of 150 people here in the Lot. Not unlike the men in my life, I seem to be able to get where I want to be by recognizing what I DON'T want instead of what I DO.  I'm NOT a millionaire American and wouldn't want to be seen as such. I'm NOT interested in telling anyone else what they should do or how they should live their lives. I'm NOT interested in coming here and trying to take over the village. I'm NOT interested in changing this place, its way of life, or our people in any way.  It must be working. I feel very accepted. I wish that were the case for everyone. It saddens me to hear stories of people who aren't accepted for no good reason, just as much as it saddens me to hear the stories of people who come with superior attitudes trying to force their "better" or "best" on others and not being accepted for those. So, today's photos show the other side of yesterday's beauty and peace where the dark sides of sadness lurk within.

I discovered how striking these photos were "solarized" while I was looking at the "metalic" treatment in my HP photo program for some other photos. These screamed at me. I hope you enjoy them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cedar Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

You already know that I'm no stranger to Montbrun. Last week I had the pleasure of being invited over to have lunch with some friends. I rode my bike over a little early and took photos along the way. They live up on top, so I took my time, walking my bike up, shooting shots, stopping to soak up the dappled light and yes, even catch my breath a bit. During lunch, my friends mentioned that the owner of the Château had planted all of the cedar trees himself and that they had grown into these beauties over the years. That story and others, inspired me to take a couple of photos of the cedars this trip. I had never really focused on them before. The sky, the clouds, the cedars, and just a tiny bit of the corner of the cemetery, made this (and the photo below) a much more interesting photo than I had expected. Tomorrow I'll share something with you that I stumbled on that made them even more interesting.

A Demain!

 

 

Overalls and More

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back home and writing in my overalls, I must share this shop with you. Go to the corner of Rue de Turbigo and Rue Française and you will find the Hippy Market...that's right-in Paris. After a red wine/potty break at Le St. Eustache, Evelyn and I stumbled in here and had a blast. Our music, our era (or at least a part of mine), and a real trip down memory lane. We were tempted to buy, but didn't. Evelyn would have had to have squeezed it in her luggage to the states. I was still shell shocked from 2 months of stressful work to feel like buying anything. But boy, it was fun. Niels would have loved this place...overalls and more! I know I'll go back!

 

 

Phantom Post and Gratefulness

I surrender. A post I'd just written on Monmartre and Paris poofed away into cyberspace somewhere. So instead, I share this shot of me taken back in April of 2005 right behind the Chatette. I look at this shot and remember where I was at the time, all the unknowns that were yet to play out, and now six years later...how grateful I am to be here. Happy Weekend!