Soar-Dream-France: November 2015

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November 2015

November 19, 2015

What Price Rainbows

When I knew I'd be returning to the states and needed to be stirring lots of positive energy on Columbus St.; I chose to bring a couple crystals and prisms back with me. I've had these two above, hanging in the kitchen window on the morning sunny side of the house. The kitchen has been bathed all over in rainbows on a regular basis. Sometimes Sam becomes a "rainbow cat".

They are even pretty in the rain.

Apparently, the two in the kitchen were just not enough to do the energy stirring job. I wasn't even looking when I discovered a bounty of prisms (and many other treasures) at the French Quarter Gem and Lapidary shop on St. Phillip Street. At six dollars a piece, I couldn't resist. I bought two, not really being sure where I'd hang them.

I pondered placement and hanging for a bit. Now, every window on the morning sunny side of Columbus Street has its very own prism.

We are set above the window that already sports the stained glass.

We are set with the window in our new green "library".

We are rainbows in every room that we live in on Columbus Street.

Rainbows and Lace!

I don't think it gets much better than that!

Posted at 01:23 PM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 18, 2015

Hooray for Jorge

Once introductions had been made all around that morning at En Vie, Jorge handed Ron and I each a card. The painting was called: "Flowers for Helen". You couldn't miss darling Pepper beside her. (Helen also just happens to be my Mom's name.) It was fun.

We learned that Jorge is an artist and a veteran who has come to New Orleans from New Mexico. He spoke of New Orleans with that twinkle in his eyes. I could tell our city had found another convert.

You can see more of Jorge Lovato's work at shop.taosartcompany.com. Be sure to go over and take a peek. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for sharing yourself, your art and your wonderful Pepper with us Jorge Lovato!

Posted at 12:59 PM in Art, Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 17, 2015

Wonderful Ways to Work

Working at a New Orleans coffee shop is one of the best things about being back in New Orleans. I frequently meet friends and colleagues at CC's on Esplanade and Morning Call in City Park. Believe it or not, even that can begin to feel like a rut. So when Ron suggested we head to "En Vie" in the Quarter on the corner of Barracks and Decatur Street, I was ready and excited about going. En Vie is one of Ron's favorites.

Ron got in line to get our coffees. I held down the table, and yes...shot a few photos. The very wise proprietors have put two sets of tables by each open set of French Doors-twice as many patrons can enjoy the sights, sounds, aromas and flow to the rhythm of life that is morning in New Orleans.

I got very excited about:

the reflection of the beautiful building across the street from our soon to be neighbor's table...

...what a bike city we've become...

...that even grafitti can be beautiful...

...and, the glory of meeting our neighbors.

Long before Jorge came to join us, I noticed his beautiful dog waiting patiently under the table for him to return with his coffee. Jorge smiled at me from the line. Dogs are such great conversation starters (not that I need one). Ron returned with our coffees, with Jorge not far behind. Ron and I had such a nice conversation with Jorge. We learned a lot about him in that very brief time together, and discovered that "Pepper" was a sweet and lovey guy. But, that's not the end of the story. I'll be back tomorrow with more! Stay tuned!

Posted at 01:22 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 16, 2015

Sheets Simply Speak

Making the bed around here can be a challenge. Sam is usually in it and sometimes dares me to disturb her. I've been known to make the bed around and over her, or sometimes just leave it so I can to let her come out at her leisure.

Some mornings I find I enjoy making the bed. It's a simple, routine, everyday (mostly) task that gives me pleasure. I'm making home when I make the bed. I have the same feelings in Cadrieu and in New Orleans. There's something about fluffling the pillows, smoothing the sheets, and tucking the spreads and the comforters that feels good. I am touching and holding those feelings of home.

Last week I ran my hand over the pinstripe sheets with roses that are on my bed here in New Orleans. Looking at these sheets while I smoothed, I realized that every piece of bedding on Columbus Street has come from my parents. Everything I had before the storm that I loved and wanted to keep, went to Cadrieu with me.

As I ready to bring more bedding with me from Ferguson over these next couple trips north; I felt a very strange melange-ing of these places. Cadrieu, New Orleans, and Ferguson are finally coming together in a way that I can clearly feel the mixing, blending...the melange-ing of my lives. They are beginning to feel like one.

It's wonderful when the sheets speak!

Posted at 01:16 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 15, 2015

Lakeshore Moments and Memories

Out bike riding with a friend earlier in the week, I oohed and aahed when I got to the crest of the hill on Canal Boulevard. The blue was screaming. It was worth every bit of that major pumping I had to do to get up the hill. But that wasn't all...I discovered even more blue and a very new and improved Lakeshore Drive. It really was stunning.

The nasty mud and dead grass leading up to the sea wall were gone.

These very blue trash barrels just about matched each light pole in number and color.

We scooped a seat on the bench together and just enjoyed the peace and reminisced a bit.

I wrote some of my best graduate school papers sitting further east along the sea wall.

My brothers and I acutally swam in Lake Ponchartrain on a trip to visit our grandparents and I remembered riding the roller coaster at Ponchartrain beach.

Our Louisiana Pelican kept us company,

while the real guys flew along the shore.

It was nice to sit and share memories, watch the boats, and psych ourselves up for the ride home. We agreed. It was peaceful. It was heavenly. In moments, I felt like we were in the middle of a painting. Yes...there is much more to New Orleans than Bourbon Street! Happy Sunday!

Posted at 01:49 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 14, 2015

If I Were in Paris Today...

...I would be up very early. I would sit with "my" head in front of St. Eustache. Eventually, I would go inside.

I would light MANY candles.

I would visit old friends.

And, I would entrust this day and these times to St. Therese of Lisieux.

Posted at 12:47 PM in France Life, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 13, 2015

Sunny Strands

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Posted at 01:01 PM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 12, 2015

Morning in My Hood

I am a morning person and savor it. Just because I'm up, doesn't mean I'm OUT. Yesterday I was out on my bike before 8am and loving it. I didn't need anything at the grocery store. I was on my way to deposit a couple of books each at two of our Little Free Libraries, and then see where the rest of my ride took me...maybe even a tool through City Park!

Down Paul Morphy, passed the Stallings Playground (where I said hello to my friend Frank who is always out playing basketball), cross Gentilly onto Grand Route St. John, right on Crete and then a left on Maurepas...

My first stop was at the Little Free Library at the corner of Lopez and Maurepas. There's lots of renovation going on all along that street and all over the neighborhood. The house at the top grabbed me first for its color. This house below has been fun to see in progress, and is one of many very tiny houses that are being beautifully renovated on this street. This one is caddy corner from the library.

These gorgeous flowers surrounding the Little Free Library caught my eye, but that blue sky only background for them is a little difficult to capture around here.

Everyone was foggy yesterday morning...the Little Free Libraries, Fortier Park, Lopez Street, Rendon Street, and Urusline Avenue most of the way home.

I discovered:

a new bike rack;

a display of Mardi Gras Beads

that sparkled in the sunshine; and,

...had a ride home down Ursulines

in the early morning, misty, glowing sunshiny light

that would take anyone's breath away.

I'm saving City Park!

Posted at 12:29 PM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 11, 2015

A Poignant Quote

This morning, I finished reading "A Secret Kept" by Tatiana de Rosnay. Her narrator, Antonio Rey uses the following quote to describe his father:

"When he walks into a room faces turn to him like sunflowers to the sun."

It took my breath away. Enjoy!

Posted at 01:44 PM in Books, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 10, 2015

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Although I do have White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Let it Snow, and many other old favorites waiting in the wings this Christmas season; as soon as I knew "Violette" was returning to us from Sewanee-I ordered the book of music for A Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus and Lucy.

We're struggling along a bit together, but it's fun. (I'm actually hoping to see my sister do the dance at some point, and maybe even join in!)

And wouldn't you know, the United States Postal Service has joined in the fun by issuing a set of A Charlie Brown Christmas stamps for this holiday season? This makes me really happy!

So,we will keep practicing on Columbus Street. I'm going to be pulling out the Christmas Cards I bought last year, but never sent. We're going to try to make this Christmas a special one. We are in the midst of a season of change, as we're looking at an estate sale before the end of the year and putting 411 on the market in 2016.

Keeping us up, happy, and moving might be a tough bill to fill, even for Charlie Brown and his gang! But with them in our corner, we have hope!