Soar-Dream-France: February 2014

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February 2014

February 18, 2014

Mon Chez Moi a Cadrieu

As much as this second leg of my 4-4-4 plan should be the easiest for me, it isn't. When we left, I had no idea that I would be gone a little more than a year and a half. But, home is waiting for me.

There's much to do to be ready to go. But, more than that; is that the life I lead in Cadrieu is the opposite extreme of my life in New Orleans. I have a picture in my mind of arriving, collapsing, bursting into tears, and hermiting myself away for a while to recharge the peacefulness batteries.

I teased with a friend the other day that I'm going to kiss the Chatette, kiss the barn, sit in the middle of the living room floor in front of the fireplace, sit in the middle of the barn, put my feet in the lavoir, and of course...play Moon River on Monsieur Winkelmann! I am walking back into home. Everything I need is there...my books, my music, my favorite overalls, and my art; along with my silence, peace, romance, heart and soul. I crave the senses of timelessness and boundarylessness in my magical place. I long to be there.

And then, maybe I'll be ready to: get rid of the cob webs; clean the Chatette, cut the grass; tend the garden; buy some flowers; continue excavating the barn; host an apero; have coffee with Jean and Evelyn; visit friends, hike with Greg and Jean-Luc, welcome visitors from around the world, host a workshop or two, and enjoy a few "Wines at the Wagon". Four months will fly by. I know it's not enough for me. But, my family needs me in St. Louis.

As I've said before, I lead a luxurious life...just maybe not in the way you'd think!

Posted at 01:14 PM in Barn of Our Heart, Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 17, 2014

What Does it Mean to Have New Orleans?

Having shared my plans for the rest of 2014 and beyond, I wanted to delve a little deeper to share what it means for me to be able to be in New Orleans, Cadrieu, and St. Louis. Sammie cat and I may just have the best of all three worlds.

Being and living in New Orleans from January through the end of April, means that we are here during those beautiful New Orleans springs. It's also a time of fun with Mardi Gras, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Festival, and just being able to spend time with friends and do the things I love.

That means: bike rides in the hood and City Park; lunches and leisurely drinks, while writing at the Napoleon House; riding the bus and the street car; wine and books with Eric, Stew and Louie; coffees with Ron; lunches and photos with Barbara; parties and evenings catching up with Carol; parties with friends "partout"; and so much more.

Of course, there are the practical things too. It allows me to: be home on Columbus Street; keep up with tenants in person; do my taxes; sort out possibilities for ongoing work and workshops; keep up my professional connections; and, have a place in New Orleans.

I hesitate to make note of this last item, but it also means that Sammie Cat and I will not be in New Orleans during hurricane season. I must say, that makes me happy.

So, we are well in to our first 4 months in the first of our 3 places. I continue to feel and see this path we are on. I don't doubt that there will be surprises along the way. But for now, we are home in New Orleans.

Posted at 01:25 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 16, 2014

My Professor of Home

As much as I'm often laughing at Sam, and play "find Sam" games with my visitors; the bottom line is that Sam is my "Home Professor". She can walk into any place and immediately: make it hers, be comfortable, and snuggle right in to her daily routines of daily living. I could learn a lot from Sam. I'm going to pay a lot more attention to her and how she approaches running all over the world with me the rest of this year. I know I'll learn a lot. I don't expect that I'll be hiding under bedspreads...but you never know! Happy Sunday!

Posted at 11:53 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 15, 2014

A Magic 4-4-4?

One of the most difficult things about the last year plus, has been the dangle dance of the unknowns in my life. I've teased that I'm living into the questions and being "flexible". I've tried to take each step along the way as it came, and respond accordingly. It now looks like I have a plan.

I'm calling it my 4-4-4. It's already begun and it's looking like four months in New Orleans, four months in Cadrieu, and four months in St. Louis. I'm finding comfort in having some idea of what the months ahead are going to look like for Sammie cat and I. I believe that there are two elements to success in this plan: first, it appears that my life and my work are "portable", and second, it is going to be important for me to do everything I can to make each place mine and to be able to feel "home" there. I realize that I'm ahead of the game. I'm set with work opportunities, I have family and/or friendships networks already established in all three places, and I have a place to "be" in each.

Looking back to those times in October of 2012 when Dali, Sam and I left Cadrieu, we had no idea what our lives were going to be. I knew we had to be able to respond to what was happening for Dali, what was happening with my parents, and that Columbus Street needed to be a happier place. Adding in this St. Louis piece feels natural and necessary. We've spent almost a year and a half trying to see what was happening around us, and now we know. That doesn't mean that it might not change, but for now I believe that this will work.

Trust me. I know that this is a luxury in having the freedom and flexibility to be able to respond to all that is happening in my life and for my family. But then...there is this part of me that is feeling that I very might well have the BEST of all of these three worlds. Ah, that's a story for another post!

Posted at 12:50 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 14, 2014

A Favorite Holiday

Funny how you can know someone their whole life, and still discover new things about them. The talent and creativeness of my sister Kat is a given, but I didn't know till this year that Valentine's Day is her favorite holiday. Everyone would love to have Kat in their family on Valentine's Day. I'm not sure that the collage above does all of her goodies justice, but I had to give it a shot. What a treat to get 3 Valentine's Day cards in the mail, full of things I love.

First, we have our well-known "coffee" theme. We are also a bunch of lovers of beautiful stamps, and of course, hearts a plenty.

One of the things that Kat does that I particularly love, is taking a colorful envelope and then lining the inside with even more colorful printed paper that makes everything she sends a joy and a surprise to open. You always find something you love inside, before you even have a chance to look at the contents.

Then there are the hearts (scalloped or otherwise) made out of antique photos of our ancestors. The often come attached with strings so you can hang them around the house or as ornaments on your Christmas Tree! These two women on the left had Kat and I smiling. They looked very much like the women on a card I posted who were telling each other how wonderful they were. We thought we might make one of those cards of our very own to keep each other going.

The rest of the relatives that Kat sent, are all people we knew well and loved over the years. It's such a treat to see: Aunt Ethel and Uncle Bill's wedding; Nannie and Grandma Mamie; Louise and Collie Ruest as children; a happy Nannie and Papa, with Scrapper in the country; and, my favorite is the solitary, tiny heart of our Nannie as a little girl.

A special Happy Valentine's Day from Kat, me and the rest of our family.

Posted at 03:39 PM in Art, Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 13, 2014

A Favorite Red Umbrella

One of the events at the Red Umbrella March on Saturday, was a Red Umbrella Decorating Contest. Although I wasn't one of the judges for the event, I'd have chosen this red and black number as my favorite. It may have been the different mix of red and black, instead of the red and white presented by most other contestants.

Or, maybe it was all in the presentation and fun of its maker. When I first saw her, she looked like a big red umbrella with legs. And, she was very happy to pose for me for a final shot so you could see...she's a lot more than just an umbrella with legs!

Posted at 11:26 AM in Art, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 12, 2014

A Red Umbrella Sandwich

You never know who you're going to meet or what you're going to discover on your way to and from events in New Orleans. Ron and I decided to have a coffee in the Quarter before we headed over to the Red Umbrella March. On our way back to get ready to march, we ran into a Quarter resident whose beautiful terra cotta pots (probably 2.5-3 feet in diameter) and some of his front porch had been hit by a huge passing truck the night before. He was sweeping up the debris and told us all about it. We also met the rest of his four-legged family.

All along what was our first route of the day, the Mardi Gras decorations were decking most of the homes in the lower, more residential, section of Quarter.

We meandered the rest of our way up the Rampart Street median to line up in Armstrong Park...

...and then discovered this beautiful residence in the Treme, just the other side of Rampart Street on our way back to get the car to go home.

Everywhere...a visual feast!

Posted at 02:07 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 11, 2014

Marching for Awareness of HIV/AIDS...

...in the African American Community with our red umbrellas on Saturday, was the 5th time this important event took off from Armstrong Park.

It was a morning of old friends, new friends, student support, creativity, and fun.

Not only were we raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in our African American community, but remembering that the cause continues.We cannot set aside our involvement, just because HIV/AIDS has become "more" manageable. We must hold others accountable and continue to pay attention to how we provide financial assistance for medication and other essential services for all persons living with HIV/AIDS.

I leave you with a favorite photo of our day!

Posted at 01:04 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, New Orleans NOW, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 10, 2014

Whole Foods Market Broad Street Day

One of the hardest things for me about being back in the states has been cheese withdrawal. As you can see, cheese withdrawal no more! I knew the moment I walked up to the cheese counter at the Whole Foods Market Broad Street (WFMBS), that I was in "cheese heaven"...fromage partout, and enough of it French for me to feel right at home. All that cheese, but the best part was how wisely pieces were offered small enough for people to be able to sample and afford. I spent $20 and took home 5 different known and unknown French cheeses.

My biggest concern had been that I wouldn't be able to afford to shop here. I'm discovering that the prices are comparable to the neighborhood stores and the big chains a mile away, but the Circle Food Store will still be best for every day and big shops with consistently lower prices.

The other fun piece is that the staff is so friendly, informed and helpful. I realized I wanted a little pate for a Friday evening get together. I didn't see any wrapped in the cheese section, but when I asked...voila-I got the virgin cut on a beautiful mouse of chicken and goose liver with tiny truffle bits. I was thrilled to see their selection of oils and every market must have flowers! I looked for accacia honey, but didn't find any. When I asked, the young man told me that they didn't have it, but: "Let me write it down and we'll order some. We've been told to order whatever our customers want." How nice is that? Oh, and they have a bike rack!

It's just so much fun shopping there. I'd hoped to be able to shop at the French Market for fruit and vegetables upon my return, but there is very little of that left there now. The brightness, the selection, the color, and the presentation at the WFMBS lend themselves to feelings of market day in France. It's not Cahors or Figeac, but it might just be as close as I'm going to get until I step off that train in Cahors in April.

I leave you with shots of Friday night's spread. As nice as it will be to shop my old market haunts in Cahors and Figeac, I won't be able to carry my friends along with me. Hmmm-maybe some day!