Soar-Dream-France: April 2014

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April 2014

April 30, 2014

A Reason to Return Sandwich

Leaving John and Mike in Covington, Sammie cat and I were on our way to Madison, MS-just north of Jackson, to spend the night before continuing on the rest of the way to St. Louis. We'd stayed with Glenn and BIll on our way back to NO at Christmas, and now try to factor in a stop-over in each direction. It can be fun when your friends' friends become your friends. I first met Glenn and BIll on Columbus Street when they came with John and MIke to celebrate International Overalls Weekend.

I have to admit to chuckling all the way to Madison last Saturday. Here, I'd left John and Mike in Covington, spent the night in Madison with Glenn and Bill, and then on Sunday, Glenn and Bill were heading to Covington to leave with John and Mike the following morning for vacation in Orlando. Here I was with another reason to add to my return list, and I was sandwiched between both of them. I'm a lucky girl.

We'll see how really lucky I am this summer. We've had some conversations about a trip to the Chatette in July...what fun to share home with my guys!

Posted at 11:32 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, French Funnies, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 29, 2014

More Reasons of Return

After my sweet send off with Stew, Eric and Louie on Friday night, Saturday morning felt frenetic and crazy. Sammie cat and I were loaded up and ready to go by 1pm, with a pit stop in Covington to see Mike and John before we hit the road for an overnight in Madison, MS with Glenn and Bill.

Mike had promised a shrimp salad for us and special shrimp for Sammie cat, which I had nixed far in advance thinking we wouldn't have time. Crossing the Causeway at 1 and having had nothing to eat, I was regretting nixing the shrimp and hoping maybe Mike didn't listen to me. Mike didn't disappoint me. I arrived a basket case. I'd gotten a "keyless" rental car. I knocked on the door and said: "I don't know how to get the car to turn off!" Mike and John calmly came out with me. Mike got in the seat, sat a moment, and then just pushed the button.

How wonderful to sit on the back veranda, enjoying shrimp salad, iced tea, friendship, parting gifts and a bientots. I began to calm down, and maybe even breathe a little bit. I've said before, that it turned out that there were many more reasons to return to New Orleans than Dali. My list has become a long one that now inlcudes John and Mike. I teased that when I came back, I was going to have to come over and spend a week with them at Mahogony Oaks. It's a date!

Posted at 01:20 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 28, 2014

Graduating from...

...wine to whiskey on my last night in New Orleans with my guys; Eric, Stew, Louie and I decided to go sit on the front porch and watch the world and Jazz Fest stragglers go by.

Eric and I rocked away, while Stew watered and Louie barked his little heart out. I'd brought one last book back to Eric, and it just felt so good to relax, chat, and get in those final hugs and kisses before departure. Even in the midst of minor porch swing catastrophe...it was a wonderful evening.

All I have to add is that I was not alone on the porch swing when it crumbled! Everyone survived un-injured! What a send off!

Posted at 02:12 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 25, 2014

On the Road Again and...

...coming home! Cadrieu-here we come!

Posted at 12:26 PM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 23, 2014

Nannie Arrived

Loving people keeps them close, even after they're gone. I have regular visitors that I so enjoy. In the midst of yesterday's insanity, it crossed my mind that it was Nannie's birthday. She arrives every year like clock-work on her birthday. Yesterday, it was during my morning journaling.

I've been sitting at my driveway side window at my round table, in a family rocking chair, thinking about how different this New Orleans view is compared to my round table view from the Chatette. There was an overwhelming sense of peace in the morning quiet...a presence...a love. And then it hit me, the view may not be the same, but the sweet morning peaceful feelings are. I say it's hard to find peace here. I say I have to work at it. But, with Nannie it was easy. Thanks Nannie for the visit and the aha. Even though I miss you, you're never very far away, and you always manage to get me to a peaceful, loving, place.

Posted at 12:22 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, French Funnies, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 22, 2014

A Sample of the Work of George Dureau

I'll never forget the first time I passed this gate at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I thought: "That looks like George Dureau!" And, it was. Losing George last week, brought me back to look at the gate a little closer and take a few shots. I didn't know that he and Ersy Schwartz created this gate together. It's powerful, whimsical, and a wonderful guardian to the restaurant side of the museum. I'm hoping that there will be a study of his work in the offing soon.

Till then-Enjoy!

Posted at 11:18 AM in Art, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 20, 2014

Saujac Sounds Happy Easter

Across the Lot River from the Chatette, one of the sets of church bells that we hear ringing throughout the day sounds in Saujac. I miss the bells. I will be hearing them and the bells of Montbrun very soon. Happy Easter to All!

Posted at 01:43 PM in France Life, Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 19, 2014

Today, Paris...

...mist, rain, and Seine River magic beckon.

Hmm, I wonder why?

Posted at 12:06 PM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 18, 2014

Phases of Farewell

This process of heading out again to Cadrieu from New Orleans has been an interesting one. So many feelings of home have been always bubbling just below the surface. It's been quite a juggling act keeping them in check. I've done a pretty good job of pushing them below the surface...until now. One by one, they are escaping. They've been kept in the mist and the far recesses of my heart, mind and soul. The closer departure, the more frequently they appear. It's as if they come from some fairy tale, Brigadoonish place, in shades of pastels and mist to become the reality I remember.

On my bike to Tulane one day last week, I was riding over the Jeff Davis Overpass that crosses I-10. It's very steep. I need no interference and no wind in my face to be able to make it over without getting off my bike. Walking up, the sunrising to my left, the time of day, it hit me just as I hopped back on...I'll be sitting a my table journaling again soon. I was there. It was heaven. I'm ready.

I wonder which bubble will be escaping next. Happy Friday!

Posted at 12:02 PM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 17, 2014

Iris and Oak

Discovering iris in other parts of City Park can be a real treat. It's funny, but sometimes they feel a little more special than those in the Sculpture Garden because you do have to hunt them down. I'd actually passed this batch up, but after stopping to get a shot of my lion and the peristyle on the opposite side of the lagoon; I had to turn around.

I'm feeling the gone from here feelings a lot more these days. I've felt them before, but I have to remind myself that this time isn't the same as when I left in 2005. I must confess, the feelings of gone and may not be here when I get back; pushed me to return to take photos of the things and places I love so much. So, I went back for the iris.