Soar-Dream-France

Our Other House

There was a time when our other house was in New Orleans. But here we are, back in New Orleans with our pillow from Michel and André back on the bed...Our Other House is in France.

Bayou Blessings

Some days I'm on the hunt for the dancing diamonds that touch my soul. Some days...they just appear in my path and I'm grateful. Sunday morning, on my bike...was one of those days. And, I just happened to have my camera with me!

I leave you with a dancing diamond favorite from years ago...I think it was my first!

 

Royal Street Rainbow Somewhere

I wrote a while back about the short story, collage and photo that were published recently in the book New Orleans by New Orleans. The photo they chose should be no stranger to those of you who've been reading the blog or those of you who attended the 2011 vernissage at the Chatette. Since I shot that photo back in October of 2010, I'd hoped I might see her and hear her sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow again. 50% ain't bad...wandering down Royal Street not too long ago, I saw her setting up on her corner. I went over and introduced myself. I told her I took a photo of her that was published. I promised to return with the photo and some of the other information...such a smile and spirit-I'll be back!

Moon-ish Moments

 

With the advent of Daylight Savings Time, my 7am departures on my bike barely begin at daylight. I'm discovering lights everywhere whose timers are out of sync for the time change. This one on the Tulane campus was particularly pretty. Happy Sunday and Happy St. Pat's.

Bicycle Accoutrement

Anyone who has ever driven the streets of New Orleans knows that they can be an adventure waiting to happen. Imagine being on your bike when: the edges of the streets suddenly crumble into holes, stones and gravel; the centers are full of potholes; and from time to time you come upon a well-sized hole that could just swallow up you and your bike. And I can tell you...they aren't taking you to Wonderland.

 

 

Daily riding under circumstances like these, leads to regular trips to the bike shop to get punctures repaired. After my first puncture, I had them put a "toughie" in my back tire. I teased that they needed to have a "puncture program" for those of us who are regulars...say six punctures and you get a free repair-afterall, you've almost paid for half of a new bike by then!

 

 

Even with the toughie, punctures happen. Back at the bike shop for repair #2, I treated myself to this "Get Outta My Way-I'm Here" warning bell. I love it. Of course, the color was the clincher. I now wonder how I've managed without it...and it works. I particularly love using it going down Broad Street with cars creeping out of side streets. It's also good for walkers, joggers and other bikers on the bike path who are sometimes in worlds of their own. They get the soft, sweet ring-Broad Street-Full Force! Happy Saturday!

 

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Old Habits Die Hard-Beautiful Stamps

As much as I've loved and shared beautiful French stamps here in the past, I just couldn't resist sharing this new issue here in the states of Modern Art in America-1913-1931. Two of my favorites: Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp are included. A quote from Duchamp sets the stage: "America is the country of the art of the future."

The back of the sheet shares information about each of the artists and mentions how "After the International Exhibition of Modern Art, known as the Armory Show, opened in New York on February 17, 1913, the work of Marcel Duchamp and other European artists greatly influenced their American counterparts. Like Duchamp, who became a U.S. citizen, modern art soon found a congenial home in America."

Having just finished the Man Ray Biography by Neil Baldwin; seeing Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp together on this sheet of stamps meant more to me than just a statement of Modern Art in America. I see it as an homage to two great artists, surrealists and wonderful friends.

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Hocking the Homestead for French Cheeses

When you're used to having the wonderful, creamy, gooey, goat Rocamadour or Cabecou cheeses in France, be ready for withdrawal stateside. I am yet to see a Rocamadour, but the Cabecous I've seen run as high as $6 for one. I can get 6 for €6 at home. Anything remotely French is très cher here. Oh, I expected some of this. But when I checked out at Rouse's with a small wheel of brie that I was sure was $5 and rang up as $15, I left it at the check-out. I'm struggling to appreciate the locals, but it's difficult.

 

Imagine my surprise on my recent trip to Walmart when I discovered my favorite brand of Roquefort...and, well within my budget. It of course, came home with me. Walmart-Fine French Cheeses...who'd 'ave thunk it!

Azalea Adventures

Uptown, Downtown, All Around the Town...Azaleas Everywhere. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makin' Groceries New Orleans Style

Yesterday morning I was up for a bit of an adventure, a little something that I thought would be new and different...a first. Funny, it didn't quite turn out that way. One of the things I've promised myself in this return, is to try to live as close to the way I lived in France as possible. Two of those things that I thought might be difficult were no TV, and no car.

I usually do my grocery shopping on my bike with my bottomless purple backpack. I start at Dollar General where they have very good prices. I get what I can and then head to my neighborhood grocery stores: Terranova's and Canseco's. My absolute last stop is Rouses, a big store that you would think would have better prices than my small neighborhood establishments...shockingly, no. I've promised myself that when I need bigger ticket items of greater variety, I will head over to the Walmart in the city.

When I sat down in my seat on the 91-Esplanade/Jackson bus yesterday morning around 9:15, it hit me. At home, I'd frequently be standing at the bus stop heading in to shop at the Carrefour in Figeac. There, we are speeding along the Lot River in the countryside. Here, we are creeping down one lane of Esplanade (road repairs have begun) on our downtown, very urban path.

Walmart is huge and familiar-I found everything easily. The checker looked at me a little strangely when I told her I didn't need bags, I was on the bus and would put it all in my backpack. How nice to be able to practically walk out the door to the bus stop, and have the bus waiting there. I'd forgtten our habit of putting one or two things in a plastic bag. I arrived at the bus stop-hands free-backpack full-to find shopping carts parked and other shoppers hands full of bags, bags, and more bags.

I got home about 11:45-a morning of makin' groceries in New Orleans, not unlike my mornings of making groceries in France. Oh, the scenery is a little different, the people are more diverse, I don't have to walk as far to and from the bus stop, and everybody speaks English so I don't have to struggle so hard with my French. Who'd have thought my life in France would have trained me well for makin groceries New Orleans Style!

 

A Sea of Red Umbrellas

Saturday...the color was red, when hundreds of people gathered and marched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the African American Community. Starting in Armstrong Park, you had groups, music, color, contests and of course...Zumba! But the heart of the event was information-free HIV testing and counseling, nutrition information and healthy food on site, prevention and education information, and a host of agencies making sure the community knew who they were, how to reach them and that they are here to help.

 

Question: What do you do with your red umbrella when the parade is over?

 

I'd planned to take mine home so I could decorate it for next year's event. But as I sat on my bike on St. Bernard  taking pictures, a man and a tiny girl came up behind me. We said hello and I kept shooting. But, then it hit me. My red umbrella came out of my backpack...et voila! This is what the Red Umbrella March is all about...

...communication, information, and sharing!