Soar-Dream-France: March 2015

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March 2015

March 31, 2015

Pit-Stopping North

Breaking routine can be a good thing. I left New Orleans on Saturday afternoon to head north to Ferguson. Anyone who has ever ridden with me, can attest to the fact that I'm usually pretty hard-driving and direct. Some of it's age and some of it's temperament, but I decided that this trip I wanted to take my time and enjoy myself with friends along the way.

The first stop was Covington with Mike and John (I know, I know...I didn't get very far) and then on to Madison to spend the night with Bill and Glenn before heading on north to finish the rest of the trip.

Special times and surprises awaited me at every turn. I tease all the time that the surprises are better than anything I could have planned. This trip proved it. I also comment regularly on the blessings of the friendships in my life. It was wonderful to arrive in Ferguson after being pampered and petted by my wonderful friends. I am very spoiled.

And so, I hit my last hundred miles with a smile on my face and arrived at 411 tired as usual...but, I had been: wined; dined; patted; petted; picnic-ed; able to live in my overalls; and, even had a surprise opportunity to give them a real workout. I'm saving the surprises. Who knows-there may even be a tease or two! Huge merci to the guys from Sammie Cat and I!

Posted at 03:21 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 28, 2015

Write-On Blessings

My "Angels Among Us" seemed to receive

a sweet surprise blessing in this photo.

We're getting ready to "Write-on".

Join us for a letter a day in April-

Celebrate National Letter Writing Month!

Learn more at www.writeoncampaign.com

Posted at 11:19 AM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 27, 2015

Rounding the Roses

Rounding the bend after catching the azaleas, I was shocked to see that this lake in Armstrong Park was surrounded by huge beautiful rose bushes of many colors and shapes. Missing mine like I do, this was a real treat for me. I got off my bike and wandered...so many colors, so many interesting shapes, such fun. Some required up close and personal, and others were just more stunning with the water and the fountain behind them.

Here are some companion pieces that I'd like to share...

And the grand finale...

...a yesterday "tease" encore!

Posted at 11:38 AM in Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 26, 2015

Holding Out

Being an almost daily blogger, I've learned that there are people out there in the world that I've never met, but they "know" me. It can be very odd. Getting an email doesn't feel strange, but when people walk up to you on the street in Figeac and say: "Are you Laury?"; it can be a little surreal.

While Pat and "Monsieur Honey" were here recently, we covered a lot of territory in two days. When I mentioned that I'd gotten married in Armstrong Park, we stopped dead in our tracks by the tracks on St. Charles. Apparently, the "married" part was a shock to Monsieur Honey.

He said: "You've been holding out on me, Laury." He surprised me and made me smile. It was a long time ago. But, I told them the story while those seven street cars passed us by NOT going our way..ending with what I always say: "If the marriage were as nice as the wedding, I'd still be married."

With Armstrong Park on my route to Tulane, it's been a treat to catch it through the seasons. When I got married there in 1981, it was brand new and just as beautiful as it is now. I decided to stop and get some shots of the spot where I got married-as you can see, azaleas galore!

And, a wedding photo for my friends and you.

Posted at 11:00 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 25, 2015

Wishing Wisteria

With the wisteria blooming on my bike rides through the neighborhood, I've found myself wishing for wisteria over here on Columbus Street. Once Evelyn reminded me of my "rogue" wisteria at the Chatette that has been trying to take over the far end of the garden; reality set in.

My wisterias at the Chatette are growing along the long, high, stone railroad wall that runs the length of my property. They are beautiful when blooming, but heavy and need attention and lots of re-directing to keep them heading in the right direction.

Here, I have a wooden fence that has a little special lean all it's own at the moment. With very little soil available and nothing as sturdy as stone nearby, wisteria is off my list for Columbus Street. I'll just have to shoot for "neighborhood joy". Happy Hump Day!

Posted at 12:26 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 24, 2015

One Friend and a 1000 Figs

Having lunch with friends in the neighborhood is always fun. Especially, when you haven't had any one on one time together since November of last year AND there's a new restaurant to try.Saturday, Carol and I headed over to 1000 Figs over on Ponce de Leon between Canseco's and Fair Grinds-right behind Cafe Degas.

Being the first to arrive, the place was empty, but filled up quickly. The big picture window feeds you right out on to the street and ancient oaks, while the inside was sparse, fresh and new. We started with hibiscus tea and then shared a beet salad, Falafel Platter and a hot Mozzarella Sandwich. It was certainly way too much food-I could have gotten by on the salad. Not only was it exceptionally good, but beautiful to boot!

Waiting for our lunch, I noticed drawers in the bar along the window where you could eat from a stool looking outside. Of course, I had to take a peek...et voila-each place whether at the bar or at a table, has a drawer with your napkins and silverware inside. What fun and a great idea!

It was fun to catch up over lunch, and then retire to the Columbus Street yard to spend the rest of the afternoon sharing iced tea and even more of the loose ends of our lives that we'd been unable to share between teaching and Mardi Gras parading. Even though my herbs from my morning nursery voyage with Barbara hadn't been planted yet, I could sneak some fresh mint into our iced tea to enjoy.JazzFest is up next.

If you're in the neighborhood for the Fest, stop by 1000 Figs-

-They have carry-out too. You'll be glad you did!

Posted at 11:24 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 23, 2015

End of Season Beauties

Yesterday, I posted the photo above as a "tease" on Facebook for today's post here. The tulips were so pretty, I just couldn't wait to share them somewhere. They were even more beautiful for me, because I expected to arrive to totally dead. I didn't expect that beautiful blanket of tulips laid along the shore of the Big Lake near the New Orleans Museum of art to be close to photo-worthy. Wrong!

The new morning light was soft and the air was sweet. Raindrop kisses brought aromas and a sparkling beauty. I was reminded how both visits to Monet's Giverny were made in the rain. You don't always need a lot of light. With the lake in the background, you could capture the delicate details of the remaining tulips. Even the remnants of the flowerless stems and leaves made a colorful and delicate show.

I felt like these were my special guys who'd waited just for me.

Posted at 11:30 AM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 22, 2015

More Than a Dollar's Worth of Fun

I get a little crazy running around in the garden sometimes. New discoveries abound, but mostly it's about paying attention to the little things.

My friend Gaynell, brought over this garden item for us for when the weather got prettier. I'd hung it up a while back, then discovered it on the ground. It found a new home over by the bird-feeder.

I saw them over at Dollar Tree the other day. After yesterday, I may have to go and get a few more to sprinkle throughout the garden. Look at what they capture!

I'm having way more than a dollar's worth of fun. Special thanks to Gaynell for the great garden surprises and to Barbara for catching this great shot of Gaynell and I on New Year's Day.

Wishing you a Happy Sunday and as much fun as you can find!

Posted at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 21, 2015

Ten Years Too Long

What do you do on the first day of spring in New Orleans? I don't know about you, but I took my journal, my favorite orange cup full of flavored cafe au lait, my camera and my pen, and planted MYSELF in my own garden.

It was my first time to: enjoy sitting out under my new umbrella; appreciate all of my day by day-step by step hard garden work; feel the green; and enjoy new friends. As I went to sweep the seeds and such from the table I paused; hidden within the debris were tiny snails. These guys are nothing like my snails in France, but up close and personal they are pretty too. They are also just as much fun to watch make their way across the table; snail art that reminds me to stop, slow my life down and enjoy the moments.

As I sat and pondered, it was difficult not to look at the house and all that needs to be done. With a very tight budget, it all could have been overwhelming. But, I've learned from my snails before. I am reminded by my snails again, just take it a step at a time and do what you can. It will come. It always does.

I was most struck by the peeling paint on the pillars and cement stair cases. It's peeling everywhere, but then it hit me...this part of the house was under water too. It's been ten years. It's time to paint. My snails and I are ready...it's been ten years too long!