With our new additions to the family poised beside St. Therese of Liseux, it was even easier to see their imperfections that Jane pointed out as they were gifted to me. She'd suggested various patchings and painting. I told Jane that I preferred the imperfections...it gives them character and those tiny repair jobs never quite manage natural again. I mentioned that I hoped I wasn't being "irreverent".
This led us back to the point that none of us are particularly religious. For me, each figure represents spirit and values that are universal. I also love that they represent the history, energy, and spirit of the valley. Yves and Jane took it another step in a little different direction. In their gift was the belief that I would love and cherish them as much as Yves Dad has done. As Yves put it, that's what reverence is all about!
Working with "Team Jolly" brought back more than ten years of memories, that were about a whole lot more than yard work. Not only have Jane and Yves shared their wonderful family with me, but their friendship, constant encouragement and knowledge of the area have been invaluable resources.
2005 was a particularly big year since I was able to be here for longer periods of time in both the spring and summer. Spring brought a trip to see Yves's family's house in Larnagol that they had up for sale at the time. I couldn't stop taking photos. It was full of amazing and interesting items. Both of the shots above, were taken during that spring 2005 trip.
On one of Jane's recent coffee visits, she walked by St.Therese of Lisieux on our way to the terrace. Jane took one look at her and reminded me of the Mary I'd photographed in Larnagol. Of course, St. Therese is particularly special to me. She must have been a little lonely, because Jane immediately offered me Mary. Then, as we sat on the terrace looking at the cliffs and niches she remembered another Mary. "She'd look so pretty on one of the ledges out back." Of course, I accepted her offer.
Our Friday work and pizza ended with Yves presenting me with the two Marys. I was touched. I knew they had been Yves' Dad's. Yves and Jane mentioned how his Dad kept them outside so we went on to discuss some good spots for them in the garden. For now, they're resting in the evier in the living room just below St. Therese.
St. Therese and I are glowing. She has a little company and I know that every day we're stirring the magic and spirits of the Lot. A very huge MERCI to Jane and Yves!
There are so many nice things about being home. One of the nicest is that my friend Jane Jolly comes over from Larnagol regularly for a little coffee and conversation. On one of her visits, we walked around the "grounds" to see all my hard work and progress.
Of course, there's always more to do. I'd mentioned that I was triaging my garden projects this summer and that I was probably going to surrender to the overgrowth on the train tracks. I also asked if her son Sidney, might come over and teach me how to mix mortar and replace some of my falling out stones. Jane looked at my land behind the barn and said: "I'll come over with the strimmer and get the cut for you in no time."
Yesterday turned out to be the day for "Team Jolly". Sidney and Yves went to work on the stone. Jane geared up for strimming, even though I said: "I can do it. Just come have coffee with me. You don't need to work too." How wrong was I?
Those before and after shots above tell only part of the story. During a break, the four of us bemoaned once more how sad it is that the train tracks are becoming so over grown all along the route that runs between Cahors and Figeac-Capdenac. Most sections are impossible to walk. Moving on to "touching up" I see Jane continuing up and down the tracks with the strimmer. She was on a mission. She was driven. She didn't stop until the tracks that range the length of my property were completely cleared. I had tears in my eyes.
By "pizza time", my tiny staircase between the traintracks and the terrace had been rebuilt, some additional stones had been replaced in the wall further down the tracks, my land behind the barn and been totally cleared, as well as the train tracks. I told Yves and Sidney that "Jane works harder than MOST men I know." They agreed.
But, that's not the end of the story...More tomorrow!
I am more of a solitary traveler. Actually, I prefer to travel alone. When I'm alone, I am plugged in to the place. I meet new people. I savor those experiences. Through those on my own experiences in Paris, I met my x-pat love in 1992 and Wendy in 1995. Neither would have happened, if I hadn't been traveling alone. Both carried me to the connections I made that brought me to the Lot and the Chatette.
These days, I'm only passing through Paris on my way home. I've promised myself a day in Paris this trip just for me. I'm planning a midnight train ride up, arriving at 7am. I'll have a whole day unencumbered, to wander, visit old haunts, stir old memories, and pull the Paris I love to me once more. I'll catch the midnight train home to Cahors that will put me there in time to catch the 6ish am bus home to Cadrieu. Now, that's a day.
In the midst of all the birds, butterflies, budlhea, bikes and bells...I'd be remiss not to add:
ALLEZ BLEU!
Kat and Tom are big World Cup fans and Kat reminded me very early this morning that France plays today. The French Flag was still hanging up out in the barn from the last vernissage.
It seemed like it should be hanging out somewhere visible to show support for the home team...et, voila! Is your French Flag hanging today? Allez Bleu!
Having parked near the church, Mad and I came down past the stalls and then up again to get to the rest of the market that rims the circular road to the Chateau.The music always pulls me. I'm not the only one.
These two women burst into dance back and forth and all around this cross-walk in the center of town. As long as our one-man band played, they danced. They were excellent dancers. It was also fun to watch, because everyone around them just kept going on their way. No stopping. No clapping. No audience. It was as if: this is just what we do here.
Madeleine scooped me up at the Gare de Cahors on Sunday morning, and we immediately headed straight for the market in Montcuq. This was a real treat for me.
First, I love markets. Second, I'd never been to this one. Just as each of these villages are jewels to be discovered and savored, so are their markets. I find that each one takes on a personality and spirit all their own. Oh, there are similarities in wares, attitudes, aromas, and music; but, it is the feel of these sweet, tucked away places that gets me every time.
Mad and I were on a mission for fruit, vegetables and rotisserie chicken that she would prepare for our Sunday lunch together with Stu that afternoon.
What a luxury...straight from market to kitchen. By the time we left, Mad's carrier was so full that I offered to carry our hot, steamy chicken so as not to crush the rest of our delicate treasures. Little did I know, there were more treasures awaiting me Chez Stu and Mad. While catching up over cutting, chopping, and slicing all those courgettes, pomme de terres, and fraises; aromas of ail and epice oozed out of every corner of a kitchen to wrap our memories made with those in the making.
Mission accomplished! But for me...Montcuq was more than a mission-more tomorrow!
I had a bit of a shock this morning when I arrived at the Cathedral in Cahors. (St. Etienne has always been a touchstone to my times in the Lot.) When I left in 2012, there was scaffolding and artists working on the main florette stain glass window. Approaching St. Etienne today, I noticed the work had been completd. But, when I got inside all of the windows surrounding the congregation had been repaired and "updated". Initially, I was shocked. They are vey modern and very colorful, and so not what I expected to see.
Even so, I sat with them. I studied them some, and came away still missing what I had known, but with an openness and appreciation for this new. They are beautiful. I am left wondering how they will impact photographs inside. But, it's just more new adventures to lie ahead.
I leave you with some shots of a few of the new windows from inside and out.
One of the things I plan to do while I'm here is take a day trip to Paris. As I've realized, being away for an overnight is much more doable without Dali. I'd forgotten that there are other things I've wanted to do, but haven't. I've developed a short list.
So, today I head out on the 9:12 bus to Cahors. I'll be meeting Madeleine at the Gare d' Cahors, and will be spending the night with her and Stu in Sauzet. I'm excited. It's been a while and we have a lot to catch up on. I'm on the road again, even if it's a short road. I'll be blogging again when I'm back!