I don't usually think much about my first Mardi Gras. By now, most of my friends and family are Mardi Gras Pros.
This year, not only do I have the first Mardi Gras excitement of my students; but my friend Ron Milburn is coming down from St. Louis to share Mardi Gras with me. It's his first Mardi Gras too! I expect to see Mardi Gras through a whole new set of eyes. I already know that: mine starts today on my own with Carol Miles and the Divas marching in the Quarter, and then at 10pm (yes, I said 10pm) this evening, Barbara and I are going to the Bunch Club Carmival Dance at the invitation of John Wilson and Mike Edwards.
Ron arrives sometime after noon tomorrow...just in time for the Endymion parade. We're trying to hang loose and have fun...we have lots of invitations, and so much to pick from. Over the next few days, look for Mardi Gras Shots Through Virgin eyes. Hmmm, maybe I should say "older eyes" too!
Sometimes it's the silly little things you miss about a place. St. Cirq Lapopie was the siren that pulled me back to France time and again, before I made Cadrieu home. This guy is everywhere. It makes no difference if I discover him wandering the streets of St. Cirq Lapopie alone, or he pops up in the midst of my many many photos; I miss him. Here's to my many four-legged friends of St. Cirq Lapopie. I'll be seeing you soon!
During May of 1996, Mom and I spent a week together in Paris. It was only the beginning for me. I still had two more weeks of travel, fun and life-changing experiences ahead...Barcelona, a train strike, Tarascon sur Ariege, Toulouse, Cahors and Tour de Faure.
Mom's favorite was Giverny. It always amazes me that you get such great photos there rain or shine. I've been twice. It's rained both times.
After that trip, Mom made a beautiful quilted collage for me of "Treausured Moments". And, they were.
Looking through all the photos on this memory card, I came upon some gorgeous shots of 411 in the spring. I took these last May on my first trip back to St. Louis, since the holidays and my parent's move to assisted living. It's difficult to walk into a place that is in the throws of change and so chock full of feelings and memories. Everything was different. Mom's flowers have always been so beautiful. It's always a pretty place, but it really shines in the spring. It's spectacular!
I seem to feel the sadness in places and houses deeply. The Chatette spoke to me in that way more than 12 years ago. Once we became a "we", I could feel it breathe again and almost scream: "Yes! I'm open, alive, loved, and we're celebrating with Jim Brickman wafting down and through the Lot!"
I knew another part of my return to Columbus Street was to get the positive energy flowing there, as well. I haven't written much about what I found here in the apartment upon my return in 2013. I try not to think about it. Let's just say; huge patched holes on every wall; knife stabs in the refrigerator; stolen nobs, chrystal door handles, switch plates, sink stoppers; and, the list goes on and on. The positive energy needed to get moving here again. And, it has.
Sleeping at 411 during my many returns last year; it wasn't unusual to feel the: sadness; history; family spirits: and, wonder what is next. It is not mine to do. But, being there for some months this fall gives me an opportunity to get the positive energy flowing there, as well. I've come to realize that the most important thing that I can do in the process is to involve my Mom. She can help me. I can help her. This is her place. It is important to her. And, therein lies the magic of moving on.
...sharing a nice lunch of potato salad and boiled shrimp with Sammie Cat is the best. She sits beside me in the red chair. I dip the shrimp in my homemade cocktail sauce. Take my bite. And then, I break up the tail in pieces for Sam. The only thing missing is Dali on the rug to get her share too. We are a mess, but who cares! Happy Saturday to everyone!-The Shrimp Girls
Although there are some altruistic elements to my 4-4-4 plan, I find myself chuckling about it because I really have the best of all seasons.
I'm in St. Louis in the fall when it is strikingly beautiful. I'm there for all the big holidays with my family. I'll be spending part of hurricane season here. It can be cold and snow in December, but by then I'll be thinking about heading back down to New Orleans.
I've already mentioned, I love spring in New Orleans. Add in all the festivals, flowers, and opportunities for fun with friends, and you can't beat it. Just look at those azaleas. My friend Sister Ann used to say, "These are the days when we know why we live here!" She'd also say: "If it were like this all the time, we couldn't afford to live here." She always made me smile-so true-wise woman that she was.
And then there's summer in Cadrieu. It's beautiful. The Chatette with it's huge stone walls keeps the cool. Then you have those sweet off-the-river breezes that flow through parallel windows and doors on each floor, often to the tune of Moon River. I can tend my roses, cut my grass, dig in the barn, have wines at the wagon, spend time with my friends, make a fool of myself at the village fetes, welcome friends from all over the world, and I am also spending part of hurricane season here. I manage to head out before it's time to hump those meter long logs up the back ten stone steps and snuggle up in front of the fireplace all winter to keep warm.
You've probably noticed that I've managed to completely avoid hurrican season in New Orleans. It wasn't planned that way. It just kind of happened. So, mostly spring in New Orleans, summer in Cadrieu, fall in St. Louis...looks like the best of all seasons to me.
The newest addition to my puzzle pieces of place is St.Louis. I have not lived in St. Louis, for close to 40 years. Why now, you might ask? Others have asked: Are you out of your mind? I very well may be out of my mind, but there is clearly something going on in St. Louis that is bigger than me and my usual focus on my own life.
My parents and my sister need me. Dropping in here or there for a couple of weeks at a time has proven to more of a hinderance than a help. Oh, it gives Kat a little bit of a break. We get to commiserate. But, there are big things...no, HUGE things that have to happen that need a family team...certainly more than one of us shouldering the burden for all four of us. Even with a Geriatric Care Manager, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, a Geriatrician, Physical Therapy for Dad, and living in Assisted Living; it isn't enough. I'm realistic enough to know that I'm not enough either. And, that we may never get there, but I will be MORE and different to add to the equation. It is important to me that I do my best.
So, I've looked into teaching into St. Louis which is possible. I've researched reciprocity for my social work license in Missouri, which is also doable. I'll be working to put both of these pieces in place so that I can walk in to being relatively set-up in St. Louis in Septmber, when Sammie cat and I return from Cadrieu.
There is much to look forward to on Elizabeth Avenue. Our century home is a pleasure. It will be a joy to make a litle corner of home for myself for the time I will be there. (Just NOT in the basement this time.) I am surrounded by neighbors who are friends and great supports: Mike Kelly, and Theresa and John Smythe. Maybe Theresa and John will have me over to play "Moon River" from time to time. (Hmm, maybe bringing a little sheet music from Cadrieu will be necessary.) I'm most looking forward to being able to spend more time with Kat. We've generally done pretty well with my drop-ins over the last year or so, but we're putting our plans into place for September. We shall see.
I do know that there'll be lots of retail therapy, pretzels at Auntie Annes, donuts at Krispy Creme, a dinner or two at Spiro's, and a settling in to see what our next steps are to try to move Mom and Dad forward from a very stuck and unhappy place. Four months doesn't feel like very long, but it's better than two weeks.
I opened this post with a shot of the stained glass window, touched by the movement of prisms that rests in the living room on Elizabeth. I have to believe that by harnessing the energy and light...somewhere in there between Kat, her husband Tom, and I; there will be movement.