Soar-Dream-France

French Quarter Wanders

Dare I say that I returned to New Orleans from St. Louis for more than the Dalai Lama? My friend from graduate school, Ken Perry, was in town and we'd made plans to do the usual...lunch at the Napoleon House and a wander. Wanders take us different paths, but always in the French Quarter.

This visit, it was the French Market. I mostly "table" shopped, while Ken bought masks, candles, crosses, and other gifts to take back home to friends and family in Idaho.

 

It was fun to grab photos, visit with tourists, find old and new friends, and rest our tootsies over a margarita. It was another great visit. I'll be looking forward to Ken's return in the fall, and leave you with a French Market Photo collage. Come wander with us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nescafé Mornings

It began with the rose from my lion and an empty pot of coffee. Ah, I remembered I'd picked up a jar of Nescafe on sale recently. What could be easier?

 

I cracked open the sealed jar to a wiff of that familiar, pungent aroma that carries me to special moments with Vera and Jean: big bowls with Vera on the Rue Ballu in Paris and ivy bordered coffee cups that Jean and I would hold to our cheeks at her table on Lotoise mornings.

 

I love Nescafé. I love it for its taste. I love it for its ease. I love it for that aroma...and, the magic that it mixes in the memories of my life. Maybe it's time for another cup. Oh, I have lots of coffee in my pot this morning, but I'm in New Orleans and Jean's in the Lot. Maybe that cup of Nescafé would slice through the miles and plunk me at Jean's table! Cheers to Nescafe!

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Shadow-Dancing

I've always enjoyed the play of light, whether it's my candlelight flickering in the dark of the Chatette, my dancing diamonds on the Lot in the morning, or the reflections of my place from across the Lot in Saujac. One evening, I discovered another play with light...and fun with shadows on the wall. It was just so pretty I had to take a picture.

Memorial Day Memories...

...of family and a patriotic four-legged friend. I made this collage years ago from France and it's still a great way to pay tribute and celebrate Memorial Day each year. Since then, my Uncle Bud has passed on and so has Bruno boy. It's a startling reminder that my Dad, (the handsome man in that Air Force uniform) is the only one left.

Happy Memorial Day to All!

For Holly: Re-Purposing With a Passion

I'd hoped to get the back yard equipped with a table and an umbrella before the fest was upon us, but that (along with more than I care to mention) got away from me in the midst of way too many spinning plates in my life. And besides, if I had, my friends and I would have been sitting way in the back instead of in the front, and we'd have missed meeting all the interesting people who passed and getting to play good Samaritan from time to time. The chairs have been there ready and waiting. Finally, I had the rental car for the day after I returned from St. Louis, et voila!

A friend of mine had mentioned that if I got an umbrella, I'd really need to get a stand of some kind. I gave it a little thought, but passed on the purchase since I'd bought a small umbrella and was on a limited budget. Everything looked so pretty the day I was out there getting set up. The umbrella wasn't particularly happy resting on the concrete. I worked a little longer, pondering the problem as I cut, pruned, trimmed and planted.

     Don't you think every garden umbrella should rest in an empty wine bottle?

 

This post is dedicated to Holly McKenney-my fellow Good Samaratin and Foxhorn indoctrinate supreme!

Lions and Roses

I've written about "my" lion many times here and elsewhere. He is one of four, 2 pairs, at the Peristyle in City Park. My guy has an expression that I just don't see in the others...a wisdom, a strength. When I sit on him, he has the magic  to return me to the innocent days of childhood in a heartbeat and make me feel my most powerful in my life today at the same time. I see him most mornings when I ride. Sometimes, I stop just to take photos. Sometimes, I stop just to ride or pat him. When I used to stop  before the storm, I would also rest my cheek on his, close my eyes, and then kiss him on the nose when I left.

 

It was a habit I carried with me to my tunnel in France. No lions there, but there is an indentation in the back archway of my tunnel that is centered and my perfect cheek height. The feel of the stone on my cheek carried me to wherever I needed to be. I felt his magic and more of my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't look like I'll be getting back home to France this year, but if I can't , I'm sure you'll see me in City Park most mornings with my lion among the roses, doing what comes naturally anywhere in the world.

 

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A Right Bank Girl

 

I love Paris period, but I must confess to being more of a right bank girl. My first trip I stayed in Montmartre. Madam Vera lived right off the Place Clichy and my ex-pat love lived very close to Les Halles. Those were the quartiers and arrondissements I knew. It's no wonder that when I go, that's where I like to stay. It's home for me.

Imagine my joy when an envelope arrived the other day from Evelyn. Now Evelyn is a left bank girl. While I was in St. Louis last week, she was learning and experiencing even more of the left bank. The ancient book mark and card with postmarks and stamps, carried me to an evening when we sat at a sidewalk café near the Place du Tertre on a sparkling evening, enjoying a very cold beer while we watched the people go by. It brought tears to this right bank girl's eyes.

Evelyn said she didn't make it to the right back this time, but she's ready for another trip when I can finally find my way back over there. I think I'm going to need a day totally alone for myself with my Paris first, but then I'll be ready for exploring with friends.

Thanks for bringing me closer Evelyn-I'll get there just as soon as I can!

 

Celebrating 100...

...at 411 North Elizabeth, with flowers, family, friends and great "flair" in Ferguson! Congratulations to a great place and people!

 

All photos taken by Kathleen Bourgeois-Merello

 

 

Welcomed Home

 

Our favorite flowers,

A favorite chair,

My bike to ride, and,

Friends who care!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOME AGAIN ON COLUMBUS STREET!

 

Special Place of My Heart

Welcome to "Our" Century Home in Ferguson. Today, the old homestead will be plaqued by the City of Ferguson. This year, it is 100 years old. I'm sorry I won't be able to be there to celebrate with the family, friends, and neighbors, but I grabbed a few shots before I left for New Orleans early Wednesday morning.

 

Congratulations to 411, Mom and Dad, and to Kat and Tom who've spent endless hours putting the finishing touches on the yard, garden, front porch and getting flowered up even more. I'm sure it will be a beautiful and memorable afternoon. How can it not, when you see the photos below?