Soar-Dream-France

Barning

Having fallen in love with the barn the moment I saw it, the comparison from then to now is shocking! I had come to look at it as a piece of living art. It really couldn't be anything more. It was only mine in spirit. Then last May, the barn became part of our "we". It's only been a little more than a year. There are times when I feel like I should be doing more...I should be further along...we need a new roof...and on and on. I am deliberate in my steps. I take it a step at a time. As I touch every inch of it and love on it while I work, it speaks. This September, it will house the piece of the vernissage entitled: "I Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans." I've been pondering the installation as I work. I'm going to start piecing it together here as I go. As to the future?...Stay Tuned!

 

Teams of Roses

I'm not quite sure what is going on this season with the roses. At first I thought it was only this beautiful, citrusy aromaed, pink bush from Michel and André that was running amuck...as many as 12 buds on one stem! Now I can see that every bush on the terrace is full of buds once more. Again, multi-buds per stem! They are all growing taller as they reach for the sun above the roof. There are times that they look like huge bouquets just for me. I'd guess that cooler weather, more rain, the amazing fertilizer provided by Dali on a very regular basis in just that spot, and the fact that I've actually been here to take care of them; has turned them into monster roses. I don't remember a summer season of roses as beautiful and prolific as this one.

Magical Morning Moments

 Most sunny mornings the sun rises above the causse and dances diamonds on the Lot River in front of the Chatette. On those mornings, it also creeps into the Chatette and works its magic. Yesterday, it shot rainbows everywhere through the prisms...even with the windows closed. I was sitting at my table writing in my journal, so I just turned around and opened the window to let the light in unobstructed behind me. This beautiful dancing light carries me to amazing places whether I'm in the Lot or elsewhere. I watch it. I feel it. I love the energy and movement that reminds me of the constant power we cannot see. And, that even if things are difficult-there is always hope and something to be done. And now-the rest of the story.

 

Peaches and Projects

These donuts peaches are some of the best I've had this season. I have to confess though, I rarely buy this much fruit unless I'm doing the cabbage soup diet. I felt so good after the last week of it, that I decided to continue to keep lots of fruit around to nibble on through out the day. I need easy-grab a peach-grab a green gauge plum...and I learned to halve those kiwis and dig them out with a spoon without having to peel them! Those melons aren't easy at first glance, but I've been having lots of melon shakes as a treat when I come in from an afternoon of working. One project down...one to go. Whether it's peaches or projects...where there's a will there's a way!

Happy Pumpkin Places

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of our three guys from last year's Halloween, came from Auguste and Simone's field that runs from the road all the way to the river. We saved some seeds, et voila...we have our own little garden out in the yard where I already know it's a happy pumpkin place. Since I was a little tardy getting the seeds in this year, we don't have pumpkins yet. Evelyn suggested watering them with diluted milk, and I have. Judging by the number of flowers, I'd say we're well on our way to pumpkins in October!

 

Panes of Pleasure

 

Peeking in and peeking out through the door at Jean-Luc's provides a range of beauty...Odile's flowers, the sunflower field they've planted that floats the church, and then there's lovely Vanille who peeks in on us while we're having lunch. If we're walking up into the village for our walk and talk, she joins us. As you can see, we couldn't ask for a sweeter walking companion.

 

 

Two Toasts to Friendship

You know you've had a wonderful lunch with friends, when you're on your way home and it isn't till that moment you realize it is 7pm-7 hours of lunch!

Double Cheers to Kirs (Royale) and Friendship!

The Rock Girl Grows Up

I often say that I was meant to come to this very spot. I've loved playing in the rocks every since I was tiny. As kids, we played "rock school" on the steps at home. At UMSL, I was one of the teaching assistants for the Geology Survey Course's Rock and Mineral Labs. Although I traded in my rocks for seashells during my time in New Orleans, it appears I've come full circle. I'm now living in stone, working in stone, and listening to their hidden messages that scream more than whisper.

  

Forget Me Not

 

When you're out stalking seas of sunflowers, it's easy to get caught up in just their drama and beauty. Last Monday, I found a tiny patch of wildflowers tucked in between their huge and beautiful pals. I don't think they're forget-me-nots, but I could hear them saying: Hey, don't forget about me over here! As you can see-I didn't.

HOME at Last

Although that top shot is not one of the prettiest photos of the wagon in its permanent location, it offers the best total picture. Getting it over there was quite a task, but my friend Renaud was up to the challenge. When we were finished, he asked me what I would do if someone tried to steal it? After everything we'd been through, you'd have to really want that wagon to try to steal it from that spot...you've got the train tracks, two hills and two stone walls to contend with. We finally decided the only way would be to chopper it out! And I guess if all else fails, I could chain it to the tree. I don't think that it will be necessary, do you?