Soar-Dream-France

Overalls Everywhere

Meanwhile, out by the barn: I put Evelyn to work taking some overalls photos for me so I can begin to celebrate this year's International Overalls Day with a new profile pic. This was my favorite of the bunch, but there were many more that were certainly more fun than flattering! I think you can see why ladders are necessary! By the time I get back from the states at the end of November, winter will be here so it's important I get out here and protect all my hard work from the summer...signs of fall are everywhere! Huge MERCI to Evelyn and a Happy Weekend to all! Or, as Niels would say: Happy Overalls Weekend!

The Lure of Ladders

No, this is NOT a DIY blog, but I can see where you might think that after wheelbarrows yesterday and ladders today.

When I first bought the Chatette, I was hoping to find a ladder that I could hang on the wall and hang quilts and such from. I have lots of pretty things that would be happier displayed than in the armoire. Nothing came or worked. But then, when I bought the barn it came with a ladder up to the loft that I cleaned, iron brushed, varnished, "installed" with ancestors for last year's (and this year's) vernissage, and then moved into the sal de sejour of the Chatette. I've also discovered that it is the only safe way UP in the barn, so it comes in and out of the Chatette from time to time as needed. 

Last week, one of my friends in the village brought by this ladder he'd promised me earlier in the summer. It is HUGE! So, I went to work doing my usual...talk about sucking up the varnish...I bet it took almost 2/3 of a can, but the results were well worth it. This wood is much darker, so I'm guessing it's a walnut and the first is a cedar or an oak. They are both incredibly beautiful and are now gracing the Chatette. Be careful what you wish for-I've quickly gone from no ladders to two! The question is, if another appears do I have room in the Chatette for a third? We can only wait and see.

Wild for Wheelbarrows

During one of our spring time walks, I discovered this wheelbarrow waiting for action in one of my neighbor's yards. It wears its years well and could become quite an aritistic centerpiece-still useful. Two of the first words I learned in French were: Emprunter-to borrow, and Brouette-wheelbarrow. I was excavating the lower garden terrace and discovered I needed to be able to haul all that soil, grass, and gravel somewhere. I wandered over to see Patrick-armed with my: "Je voudrais emprunter une brouette." Miraculously, I made myself understood. (Patrick's wheelbarrow was just as artistic as Andre's, but not quite as colorful.) Later that summer of 2005, Jim and Joan came to visit. They took off on foot one afternoon to wander into Cajarc. As I was laying dinner out on the terrace later that evening, I saw it...my own very beautiful deep green wheelbarrow waiting for me there. They had wheeled her all the way home from Cajarc! What a treat-wonderful memories-and Huge Merci to Jim and Joan! My green girl is still going strong and getting regular workouts!

A Special Treat

 

Evelyn is teaching me how to put videos on my blog. I'm a dinosaur, but we've made it! I hope you'll enjoy this video of the lavoir rushing after a heavy rain storm. Huge Merci, Evelyn!

A Tiger on the Tracks

There's no excuse! The village already considers me the crazy American, but now there are two of us! Mon Dieu! After wandering down the tracks to Evelyn's the other morning with Dali and my cup of coffee, in my tiger suit onesie pajamas; it took absolutely nothing to convince her we needed photos! She even joked about blog posts every so often with the "tiger" showing up in interesting places. As much fun as my onesie is, the best thing is how warm it is. You can bet I'll be snuggled into bed beside the fireplace in this outfit. It's even got tiny rubber scuff paws on the feet and a hood with ears on it. I hope I don't confuse poor Dali and Sam. I first saw this onesie on Joan's daughter Jameson and fell in love with it. How wonderful for me when it appeared in my mailbox on my birthday. Huge Merci Joan-You are always so wonderful...all year long!

 

More Magic Morning Moments

These treetop spider webs are so pretty and artistic that I had to share a couple more shots with you. I imagine their journey up to the tips of the trees and marvel at what it took to make it. What a view!

From Wild Roses to...

Last fall's push for rosehips tea in an attempt to recapture fond New Orleans Jazz Fest memories, was so successful that I began harvesting even earlier this season. I have a couple of wild roses out along the tracks that are perfect. I haven't decided whether walnuts or rosehips are more dangerous-the walnuts often fall on my head from the tree while I'm picking and the prickly rosehips thorns get my fingers and try to capture my overalls. Later, I even found Sam looking for a drink of water with her head in the bowl of rosehips. I had visions of thorns in her tongue and nose, but she just kept on drinking. Apparently, the danger is worth our reward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Gift of Magical Morning On The River Moments

Surrounded by Light

I write a lot about light. It speaks to me. I guess that's why I take so many photos of the different manifestations and reflections that surround me here. It's in those morning moments in the candlelight, when: everything electric in the house is OFF; the dark night sky is moving to pale blue; the deep silence is broken by bird-song, Sam sighs and Dali knocks on the door; that I am most able to center and respond to the natural flow of our place from within...not without. Communion comes.

 

Celebrating Life and Overalls

Logo-ed up and ready to go, the third International Overalls Day will be upon us in less than 2 months. I've already shared my plans for the day that will be spent with my family in St. Louis. Fortunately, I already have a pair of overalls waiting for me to wear at Mom and Dad's. I've been thinking all year about getting another pair. Last year, I had my two new custom made pairs waiting for me at Stew and Eric's in New Orleans. My pink pair was waiting for me in St. Louis on an earlier visit. This time, I think that the fun may be in the shopping while I'm in the states. I bet I can drag Kat out with me. What will you be doing to celebrate International Overalls Day-2011?