Soar-Dream-France: April 2013

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April 2013

April 30, 2013

To Fest in the Hood

Festing on Columbus Street over the weekend took on lots of faces of fun and friends. Who cares if you can't park? Take the bike taxi!

Who cares if it's scorching? Bring your very best hat and sunscreen.

Who cares if it's raining? Ponchos if you please.

And who cares if you can't get to the fest? We have our very own bluesy guys in the neighborhood. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em and turn Columbus Street into a neighborhood party.

Now, what will the second weekend hold? We've got 4 days instead of 3. Stay tuned to find out!

Posted at 12:37 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 29, 2013

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As much as we work hard in the hood to do everything we can to enjoy the Jazz Fest; it's a time of highs and lows, wet and dry, and there's no predicting surprises that may come your way. After a not too pleasant surprise one day, I wanted to do something nice for myself. I asked: What would make me happy? For some strange reason, the answer was a kir.

With summer on the way and memories of wines at the wagon at the Chatette, I was on a mission...find some cassis.

I set off on foot with my backpack-ready for a big bottle, but if not a small one would do. I stopped first at the corner store, then Terranova's, and Canseco's; all with no success. I was undaunted. Cafe Degas is across from Canseco's. Surely, they would have some cassis. I was in luck-but for a price of course. At that point, all I wanted to do was take my plastic cup a third full with 2 shots of cassis, and get home so I could sit on my front porch, kir in hand, and pretend France. It's a good thing I have a vivid imagination.

Columbus Street Jazz Fest Weekend in Review to come!

Posted at 02:00 PM in Food and Drink, France Life, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 28, 2013

Re-Purposing in the Spirit

Looking at my very long drive on Columbus Street, you can see why I'm so popular during Jazz Fest.

Much has been done in the spirit of the Fest and Dali this season. She seems to be at every turn since she returned to rest on the book shelf in the office.

The two halves of her travel torture chamber make great parking pig preventers and driveway protectors. My friends and I have toasted Dali more than once in the aftermath of their day at the Fest. The sun sets on Columbus Street, with wine, iced tea, corn chips and a very special dish...Chicken Salad a la Dali. She's never very far away. Happy Sunday-Happy Jazz Fest-they're cleaning the streets right now...better get out to the drive!

Come back tomorrow for the recipe

for Chicken Salad a la Dali and why it's so special!

Posted at 02:12 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 27, 2013

A Fond Fest Memory

With so many firsts for me in New Orleans this year, I don't want to forget the fonder memories along the way to our seventh year return to New Orleans. A day of Jazz Festing with Carol tops my list. I'm not an all day kind of Jazz Fest girl like Carol, but I hung in pretty well for a rookie.

This year, I'm back to some of my old routines...parking cars in my drive for friends, making groceries on foot, having a drink on the stoop with my neighbors, having an end of the day wine with friends in the back yard, and opening up every window and door to let the sun and the music shine in.

The crowds come bigger and earlier than I remember. But hey, a lot can happen in seven years. Happy Festing!

Posted at 12:45 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, New Orleans NOW | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 26, 2013

City Park Saturation?

Back on yesterday's way, my first stop was the garbage can on the path. Permit me a moment: I just don't understand why anyone has to leave their trash in public spaces. Pretty or not...how hard is it to walk to the trash can with your bottles, left over food, etc.? NOT VERY! Could it be LAZY? It's just plain lazy and inconsiderate.

Okay, then. The rainbow boats called me back and just looked so pretty. I discovered 2 geese on the path. Having had prior "Goose Experience", I gave them a wide birth. As I got closer, I could see the three baby goslings toddling along between them...out for a family morning stroll and breakfast together. Amazingly, they paid me no mind.

And you know...you can't go wrong with the streetcar through the roses. Jazz Fest begins today in the hood. The world will be passing in front of my door and maybe even parking in my drive. Happy Friday-Happy Festing!

Posted at 01:53 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 25, 2013

Music in the Air

I'm living in New Orleans. We live with music in our air. Some of us have been known to exhale amazing tunes. I could have sworn someone was exhaling the other morning on my City Park bike ride...sweet, melodic, tingling in the air surrounding me and not a person in sight. I stopped. The breeze blew. Et voila...quite a distance away I discovered the source of my melodies on the wind. I decided to walk over in hopes of letting their notes hold me in their arms.

Dali came by to remind me she's waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. She's already found Prince, Cotton, Stinky, PJ, Khaki and Hazel. Sammie cat and I are going to have quite a crowd.

As much as I could have sat on that bench all day, last classes beckoned...along with other sweet City Park morning moments.

Posted at 12:43 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 24, 2013

Comforting Old Friends

I love books. Books love me back. In the midst of my sadness and loss, curling up in bed with a good book, a cup of hazelnut cafe au lait, and my sweet Sammie cat can be just what the doctor ordered. And when you are joined by Kiki, Man Ray and Peggy Guggenheim (who brings along her very own huge cast of characters); it's hard to be sad for too long.

Once again, special thanks to Eric for providing my supportive company of late. Paris is calling, but with JazzFest in the hood starting tomorrow...we are all going to have lots of other things distracting us!

Posted at 12:10 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 23, 2013

Irises of the Aveyron

After yesterday's irises in City Park, these Aveyron Irises spoke to me...reminding me of a wandering day in the Lot and the Aveyron with friends who had owned the Chatette prior to Stuart. These were so pretty and dramatic against the stone, blue sky dappled with clouds, running in crowds, and contrasting their softness to the strength and power of the surrounding gorges.

Today's post is dedicated to Ron and his special love for irises!

Posted at 12:58 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 22, 2013

The Love of Good Friends

After my visit from Dali at the Dollar Tree, I knew just what I needed next...Louie Boy kisses! So, I stopped for hugs and a white wine with Stew and Eric, and kisses from my Louie Boy. Not only did I get those kisses, but he settled down, laid and stayed beside me, and just let me love on him a little more while he slept.

Sunday, I let Ron drag me out to City Park, but I was glad I did. Coffee and beignets at Morning Call, a stroll through the Sculpture Garden, irises everywhere, and a walk around the lagoon (which I think they're calling Big Lake); made for a very nice morning together. Come share a little stroll with Ron and I through the photos below:

Posted at 02:29 PM in Art, Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 21, 2013

Signs

And, I should know. It happens all the time in unexpected ways after a huge loss.

First, I realized that this is that time of year for me. It's April. It's Jazz Fest. I lost Cotton dog in April of 1998. She was 14, just like our Dali. And then there is the long list of friends and Jazz Fest Weekend Memorial Services in the living room on Columbus Street.

A friend had already told me to "pay attention to the messages from Dali". I told her I always do. You never know when or where they're going to come.

Mine came at the Dollar Tree yesterday. From across the aisle, this sweet card spoke to me. And then, as I crossed the aisle to look at it closer, my foot hit something on the floor. I picked it up.

There in the middle of the card aisle was a plastic squeaky dog toy shaped like a hamburger. I held it a minute. Put it on safe shelf and thought...okay my Dal, I miss you too!

Posted at 11:22 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)