Soar-Dream-France

Rare Moments

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Me, the sunshine, and an almost empty streetcar!                                                                                                                                                                                                        

A Special Day for Mom and Dad

Sixty years of marriage is a big event any way you slice it! It must be celebrated, and we did. Family, life-long friends, neighbors and Hidden Lake staff and residents gathered by the "Hearth", to celebrate Mom and Dad's sixty years together. The "moments" were many. More than a few tears were shed. But the day was about laughter, great sweets, years of love; and showing that it doesn't matter where you live. You can still celebrate, have fun, be together, see your friends, make memories, and keep on moving even when things are changing all around you. (And, they are.)                                                                                                                                     Although there's much more to share, the moment for me was captured by Theresa in the midst of one of the shots she took for me as we were doing the "family" thing. Mike and Theresa were behind the lenses. At one point, I hear Mom say to Dad: We really should be kissing." I watched Dad lean over, as Mom reached over and lifted her face up to look into his eyes, et voila! Quite a day for one and all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                This day and the greeting card shower couldn't have happened without my sister Kat and her husband Tom. A very special thank you to them for this day, and all the days when they are the only ones who are here to hold down the fort. We love you guys! (Photos-Mom and Dad-and then L-R-Behind-me, Jim, Joan, Jesse, Tom, Kat and Carol.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Trimming Ancient Oaks

Every day that I walk from the St. Charles Streetcar to the Tulane School of Social Work for my classes, I pass this tree. It's hard to miss. I took this shot during the winter season, but had no idea at the time what the addition of leaves to the tree would do. As pretty as this is...there is something more magical in the filling out.                                                                                                             I leave you with some "filling out" fun.

                

Bon Voyage/Bienvenue

                       My friends and family know how to do it up right! After a hellatious week of meetings, classes, trip preparation, and then a Sammie cat who refused to travel on the very early morning of departure ...wine, nibbles, and grand people on both ends of my journey was just what the doctor ordered. I'd streetcar-ed down to Canal Street in all directions to pick up the rental car at Budget. The cell phone went off while I was driving down Canal on my way to the post office to pay bills before leaving. I waited to call back till I got to the post office lot...it was Eric. I needed no encouragement to head over for a glass of wine (that Eric milked from the bag with great expertise), Louie boy kisses, and a card for Mom and Dad's anniversary. I don't know what got into me, tired, overwhelmed, bordering on weary...I raised my glass to say "Cheers" and said "Chips" instead. We roared, et voila...corn chips and pineapple salsa appeared.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The almost 700 mile journey became more stressful before I even left Columbus Street. (That's a Sammie cat story all its own for another time.) Forcing me to leave later than usual, I then had a minor issue with this brand new rental car that began at the Missouri border. It niggled at me all the way, with multiple stops to try to call Budget. At many exits all the way up southeast Missouri, there was only emergency cell phone reception. (That too is a story for another time.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I made it to Kat and Tom's to pick up the key to 411 an hour behind schedule, but there it was...a sausage and mushroom Imo's pizza (with a side bowl of healthy broccolli) for a little dinner together. By the time I got to Elizabeth it was 6:30, and I knew by then-Michel would be waiting. And he was, with one of the prettiest tables I'd seen in a long time. I'm here. I'm a little more rested. Huge thanks to be friends and family...really-friends who are chosen family in so many ways! Love y'all!                                                                                                                                                                         

Road Warriors

Even though Sam and I just made this trip in the middle of August, we are on the road again to St. Louis. We'll be celebrating Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary with them, and then making a pretty quick turn around to get back so I can make my classes. I'll be back-but for now-off to pack and load and hit the road

Best Laid Boat Plans

With the rain, Saturday morning's birthday paddle boat ride in City Park with Barbara didn't materialize. It was pouring, when Barbara arrived on Columbus Street. What better rainy day activity, than breakfast at La Peniche?                                                                             

Neither of us, had been in a while. We sat for hours, catching up on our "busyness". What a treat, to have a leisurely breakfast with a great friend while you listen, watch and enjoy the raindrops on the sheet metal awning out front! As much as I enjoy breakfast at La Peniche, it's the burgers and the seafood boats that keep me coming back. There's a return trip in my future!                                                                                                                                 

The Rain and New Books

Sprinkled in between Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edgar Degas, Faith Ringold and my other Zafons; you will find my two newest Carlos Ruiz Zafons resting on the "read" book shelf. I treated myself to The Prince of Mist and The Watcher in the Shadows for my birthday. I knew when I purchased them that they were two of his first four novels that were originally written for young adults, and published as such. Both were an easy read, and full of the things I love about Zafon...mystery, magic, suspense, and the feeling that I've found a kindred spirit in the author. Whether it is the love of books, or the meaning of "rain", he always speaks to me. In The Prince of Mist, the young man and protaganist, Max describes rain in a way that I've searched for myself, as I watched it from my windows on the Lot:                                                   

"He wolfed down the sandwiches and then closed his eyes, listening to the rain drumming on the roof. He loved the sound of the rain and the water rushing through the gutter along the edge of the roof.                                                                                                                                                                              Whenever it poured like this, Max felt as if time was pausing. It was like a cease-fire during which you could stop whatever you were doing and just stand by a window for hours, watching the performance, an endless curtain of tears falling from heaven. He put the book back on the bedside table and turned off the light. Slowly, lulled by the hypnotic sound of the rain, he surrendered to sleep." -Max, The Prince of Mist, p. 46, Carlos Ruiz Zafon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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Falling Big

What a coup! Saturday's rain brought cooler temperatures. On our Sunday first day of fall, I opened the back door and exhaled for the first time in months...cooler temperatures...low to no humidity, I was in heaven. It's Monday, and I have heaven still! Now, I'm enough of a realist to know that this won't last, but what a wonderful respite for all of us.                                                                                                                                                                                  One of the things I miss most living here in New Orleans, is that the summers really are too hot and humid to enjoy being outside the way I am in France. Columbus Street has been all closed up. Late July, I finally had to run the air conditioning. Living all closed in, with constant noise, feels like prison to me after living at the Chatette with its silence, openness, and outside opportunities. There, we breathe together and feel free. On Columbus Street...soon!

                                                                                                                                                                  

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Rest your weary bones in Bayou St. John Sunday sunshine.

                                                                                                                               
                              

Feeling My France Falls

Although I am in New Orleans and we're still waiting for that cool-er weather we've been promised, I can't help remembering the beautiful Lotoise Falls I enjoyed each year in Cadrieu. There, we have fall. By now, I'd be: having the fireplace swept; ordering wood for the winter; adding an extra coat of varnish to the shutters, barn and wagon for a little winter weatherization; rethinking plant placement; gathering walnuts; and checking out the pumpkins and other fall foliage that might make nice centerpieces or jack/jill-o-lanterns. Those activities won't be in my repertoire this fall. As much as I miss them, I will miss the color more. Happy Saturday!