Soar-Dream-France: November 2013

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November 2013

November 19, 2013

An Almost Week of Overalls

Peeking in from Calvignac to say:

Celebrate International Overalls Weekend...November 23 and 24, 2013!

Posted at 12:10 PM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Overalls and More | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 18, 2013

Why Writers Wrote & Write in New Orleans

INSPIRATION, AMBIANCE, FUN!

Posted at 12:00 PM in New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 17, 2013

When you're THE WRITER, it really should be your day...don't ya think? Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a book signing at Garden District Books for: "Where Writers Wrote in New Orleans" by Angela Carll, Featuring Illustrations by Loyd L. Sensat, Jr. and Eugene D. Cizek.

Angela had interviewed me for my first job in New Orleans, in 1978. So, I've know Angela and Russ for a long time and have enjoyed having a window into their lives all these years. I was so proud, pleased and really- honored, to sit in the audience with family, friends, and a stray or two, to share in Angela's special day. Taking two streetcars of two different colors home; I had a chance to begin my signed copy (with one in reserve just in case). The cover is beautiful. The illustrations add that special touch. And, Angela's writing is Angela...free, easy, funny, full of great information, smiles and never dull.

I'll be back with more when I finish. What better way to begin than: rumbling down St. Charles to Canal on a full green car; waiting for the Canal-City Park Museum red car as a Lucky Dog vender passed; enjoying the ride with a couple from Brazil who asked "What do you call this?"; and, watching a Dad with his little girl and her Ariel mermaid balloon toy bounce up and down as the car shimmied from side to side. We know why writers write in New Orleans. Congratulations Angela! You promised, and we'll all be looking forward to #2!

Posted at 03:48 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 16, 2013

A Colorful Catch

Fisherman's nets off the coast of Alicante, Spain...on the Mediterranean with Jean!-Fond Memorires!-Happy Saturday!

Posted at 12:39 PM in Fabulous Friends, Mélange-ing Magic, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 15, 2013

Cheesy...

...moments of fun, celebration, and withdrawal! Happy Friday!

Posted at 01:17 PM in Food and Drink, France Life, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 14, 2013

Let's Go

All I wanted was a shot of this beautiful painting in the side window of a Royal Street Gallery. Instead, I got an illusion of movement and destination! Happy Thursday!

Posted at 01:23 PM in Art, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 13, 2013

Brunssum Black Swans

Arriving in Brunssum, Holland for the first time in November, 2010; it was beautiful, crisp, and full of fall color. One of the best things about this work assignment was the beautiful lake in front of our hotel. Here, I found my first black swans. Even though they chased me off the first time. I was able to come back for more. We began our time together in that beautiful fall, and wrapped up with endless snow.

Posted at 01:28 PM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 12, 2013

Christmas Lost

Looking at some of my photos of the last two Christmases I spent working abroad in Holland; I thought how nice it will be to be with my family this year. It has been too long. But wait, I was with my family in St. Louis last Christmas. Somehow, I'd managed to wipe that one out. Here we are a year later, struggling to plan things that will make it fun, festive, and in the spirit of the season for us as a family in flux. Talking with Kat on the phone yesterday; it became crystal clear that "no plan" is the "go plan". Too many things are out of our control. I teased that the most we can probably count on is pretzels at the Galleria, and if it snowed, and I had to...I could walk over to their house to celebrate. Another adventure in Christmas lies ahead!

Posted at 12:28 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 11, 2013

Papayas, Pecans, Puppies and Pals

It felt funny walking over to Stew and Eric's on Saturday. I'm usually on my bike, but getting the apartment ready for new tenants; I was in my overalls and just didn't want to have to change to get on my bike and visit. The walk was wonderful. It gave me a chance to ponder walks to friends in Cadrieu, enjoy a fresh angle, and listen to Louie boy run from the Juliette Balcony down the wooden staircase to greet me at the door. Bearly in the door, and Eric offered me some of their papaya. I wasn't sure if I'd had papaya before. But, I found heaven.

Nothing like sharing white wine, papaya and pecans with friends. Stew was cracking pecans like crazy. Eric pushed yet a second hunk of papaya at me (he didn't have to push to hard), and Louie boy turns out to be a papaya puppy for sure. He loved that papaya. I've never seen anything like it. He had "papaya lust" in his eyes, if I'd ever seen it. Funny thing, after Saturday...me too! Thanks to Stew, Eric and Louie boy for another wonderful weekend interlude together. It's nice to have so much to look forward to so close to home when you're working like a dog!