Soar-Dream-France

The Journey Begins

 

 

Today, is the day that my journey begins ending at just this spot...the front door to the Chatette.

These are the days when I wish that all I had to do was click my ruby red slippers and...

...BE HOME!

 

 

With so many pieces to coordinate this trip, Sammie cat and I will be heading to Covington with Mike this afternoon to spend the night at Mahogany Oaks. This lets me have some quality time with John and Mike before heading out for two months, spend the evening and night with Sam getting her settled for her two month stay with her uncles, and makes for a direct run from Covington to the airport when Mike takes me in for my flight in the morning. 

 

 

I'm going to miss my rainbow girl!

 

It's meant getting us ready to go a little earlier than was absolutely necessary, but I've learned the hard way that unrushed, quality departures are important. A huge part of that for me is being able to be with the people you love who love you back. 

 

 

And so, yesterday afternoon I had time to head over to Dupre Street to say my a bientots to Eric, Stew and Louie Boy. Today, Mike and I will have some time together before John gets home from work and then I'm sure that the MOB will be in full swing with John, Mike and Carmen for a grand send off this evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very last niggler for me is always a big one. It's hurricane season. I've already had the conversation with my tenants about the refrigerators, turning off the electricity at the main if they leave, and paying attention to garden items that might turn into catapults during a storm. 

 

 

At the moment, I'm thinking HIGH! It's difficult NOT to remember that anything on the floor was mush after Hurricane Katrina. I'm taking inventory of what's under the beds, what's in suitcases, what's on the lower shelves of book cases, AND do I need to move them and just how HIGH do I need to go? There are moments when I feel foolish, but then I remember that this is what I came back to in 2005...and it doesn't feel foolish at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, we're off. 

 

 

My heaven on earth is waiting for me. My wonderful friends in Cadrieu have made sure that the Chatette is ready. All systems are go. Evelyn asked me what would be the first thing I'll do when I get inside. That's easy.

 

 

Just on the other side of that front door rests my Monsieur Winkelmann. I don't even have to take my back pack off. I can: unwrap my baby; open him up; play a few lines of Moon River; and I would guess, shed a few tears for my Mom.

 

 

I'm Home!

 

 

 

 

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A Monarch Mom

 

It's been fun to see the interest everyone has had in this monarch experience of mine. I began with 4 caterpillars and 4 jars. One didn't make it, one did, and two went to "foster-homes" once their chrysalises were spun. Feeding them and cleaning up after them was interesting...eat, eat, eat, sleep, go, eat; eat, eat, eat, go, sleep, eat; and, so on.  I wanted to be sure that they were firmly established and didn't require too much more attention than watching them emerge, before I sent them on their way to friends. Everyone has been excited. 

 

 

I very much enjoyed the one that I got to experience. They are so rich and lusterous after they emerge and their wings are drying. Steward teased me about being a "Mom". Hmmm, baby birds and butterflies-that works for me!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

A Last Batch...or?

 

Most of my friends know that I've sworn off cars and television. Books and phones are two other areas that I have strong feelings about, but that didn't stop me from looking into devices that could make my life easier in those departments.

 

 

I'd actually explored getting a Nook (the Barnes and Noble equivalent of the Kindle), but as I spoke to the salesman about it at the store he discouraged me. Since I was living in France at the time, I would NOT be able to download books from there. That made the decision easier.

These days, it appears that everyone has a smart phone. Not only do they have it, they live with it and are on it constantly.

 

 

I told myself that I would consider getting one if I could find something that would work for me easily in both the States and Cadrieu. I'd noticed the quality of the photos, as well. Just because you have one doesn't mean that you have to behave like the rest of the world. 

 

 

It now appears that the universe has aligned. I discovered something called Project Fi that will make my global life more workable. It also came with a bargain deal on a Nexus 5x android smart phone. It arrived about a month ago. I'm taking it all a step and a time and learning as I go. Then, what I thought was a "last batch of books" from Marion, has turned into so much more. I've inherited one of Marion's Nooks. It has close to 165 books ready to read...talk about traveling with your library! As Eric said: "this would make Mom really happy." But, I will sitll go to my grave preferring to touch, hold, turn the pages, and love on books.

 

 

When I told Evelyn my news the last time we talked, she teased me about "crossing over" and pushing limits. She made me laugh when she said: "Better watch out, pretty soon you'll be getting a car and a television."

 

 

I don't think so, but I do still fantasize about these deux chevaux!

Happy Saturday and

another Huge Marion Merci!

 

 

 

 

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Another First Step

 

Yesterday I wrote about a first step to HOME.

 

Today, I need to remind myself that the UK vote to leave the EU is another "first step" on a long road of many more steps and wrungs of negotiation that must occur for official exit. It is complicated and the issues are many faceted.

But, as a result of just that vote: the value of the pound plummeted; stock markets are in flux; banks are reeling; the British Prime Minister has announced his resignation; and, the rest of the world is seeing what it means to live in a global market and NOT pay attention to what is going on in the rest of the world. We are all impacted. Some are impacted more than others. 

I'm trying not to be hysterical. Thinking about stair steps and wrungs of ladders helps me to visualize the petit a petit for myself in how this impacts me personally.

 

I have options. Fortunately, I have time and can make my own decisions accordingly. During my first step home this summer, I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time in my overalls, digging in the barn, dangling my feet in the lavoir AND pondering what these next steps are going to look like for me. As my French friends would say, petit a petit...pas a pas...on verra!

 

My First Step

 

 

By this time next week, I should have already opened the doors to the Chatette. I will be home. It's been a hard-fought, too long in-coming, visit; that will not be long enough for me, when all I want to do is drop my bags and never leave. As much as I share so many of the reasons for return, heavy tolls have been taken during the years away. I return richer, clearer, and more settled; but I know that it's still a step at a time and all the plans in the world may not amount to a hill of beans.

This, is my first step. I want to plant myself home. I want to feel the now. I want to nurture myself in ways that are close to impossible for me in the states. This place of my heart, with all of its history, romance, magic and boundarylessness awaits! And...a whole lot of work too.

I'm ready!

 

 

Hot-Footing it to Home Grown

 

I've written before how spoiled for vegetables and fruit I am at home in Cadrieu. We are a farming village, plus I also have friends who have garden plots along the river and around Cajarc.

The plums and wild blackberries are mine, but the vegetables you see in that basket all came to me as gifts.

That's when I'm ready for that head of lettuce from my "Lettuce Man" that has been as large as 18" in diameter. Spoiled? Me? Mais, bien sur!

There's nothing like going out on the back terrace in the morning and discovering a wonderful stash of lettuce and vegetables.

 

 

In all my moaning about the flavorless cardboard that impersonates fruit and vegetables here; I had a grand surprise at Terranova's the other day. The Creole Tomatoes are here! I looked closely. Usually there are stickers that say: Louisiana Creole Tomatoes, but not this time. I had to ask Mr. Terranova, and YES...I scooped 5, ate three the first day and went back for more over the weekend so I'd have enough to last pretty much till I leave next week.

 

 

 

They are huge and beautiful, but most of all juicy and tasty!

 

 

 

And so, my trip home to home grown is starting off on the right foot. I'm ready. The sad thing about the Creole Tomatoes is a very short season. At least I'll have two months at home in Cadrieu this summer that won't include tasteless cardboard.

 

 

 

Lovin' my Creoles, but can't wait for home!

 

 

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...all you need is a glass of Cahors and a view.

 

 

 

 

 

Then, there are others

when you might need

a little bit more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last week, Eric's Mom, Marion Holsapple, moved on. Friday morning, Eric called to tell me that Marion had passed in the night. 

Marion and I have become great friends in the last year or so through her books. I've been borrowing them now for quite a while and started sending little notes and sometimes handmade cards to say thank you. Marion started writing back, et voila...fast friends. 

I was so blessed this last 96th birthday of Marion's in April of this year. I'd run over that afternoon to visit with Eric and have a glass of wine together.

 

They'd had plans to go out to dinner for Marion's birthday, but decided to stay in instead. From the kitchen table, I hear Marion at the top of the stairs: "Eric, is Laury here? Send her up." I was surprised and pleased. Marion and I write because she really doesn't come downstairs except for very special occasions. This time, I had a command performance that thrilled me. We sat a while at the top of the steps together and chatted. I got to give her the birthday card-but best of all was that great big HUG and Eric scooping some photos of us together.

I miss Marion already. I miss her presence in my life. But as I already know and Eric is experiencing; strong spirits and strong love live on. Loving Marion and holding Eric, Stew, Louie Boy and Sweetie Cat close in these coming days and always.

 

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My YES You Can Men

On this Father's Day, it's only right to homage Dad-Laurence T. Bourgeois.

Dad molded me in immeasureable ways. Being the first born, I was Laury to his Larry. He always showed me love, respect, and encouraged me. Even though in the eyes of others, I was just a girl; I was never just a girl in my Daddy's eyes. He always told me: you can be whatever you want to be; do what makes you happy; you can go to college, and, if you want to go beyond, don't stop.

 

I didn't.

When I hear my Daddy's voice; I hear YES you can.

 

 

It's important for any child to hear YES you can. To be honest, I only just realized this morning that Dad was and is my man of YES. That YES you can from Dad helped me to become the woman I am today.

Even though Dad is THE man, I don't want to forget another man who was a stable, loving, unconditional force in all of our lives...our Papa-Hubert H. Bohland. I was the lucky one. Mom and I lived with Nannie and Papa for a while when we came back from England, and Dad had to finish up his tour of duty in the Air Force. How wonderful to be blessed with not just one, but two YES you can men! 

So, today-a very Happy Father's Day to my Daddy and to our Papa who I'll always love and never forget!

 

My YES YOU CAN Men!

 

 

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I Just Want A Rock!

 

When my former student, (now friend) Allegra told me she was going to Peru with her brother and his partner; I was psyched. Could she be going to Macchu Picchu too? Prior to the trip, Allegra came over for dinner and YES...Macchu Picchu was in her future. She asked me what I wanted from her trip and I told her: "I would love to have a rock from Macchu Picchu." She was funny. "You wouldn't want a sweater or something?" NO! All I wanted was a rock.

When you look at the photo above, you can see that I got so much more than a rock. Sammie Cat and I got to be there with Allegra and her family in spirit. AND, I got 2 rocks. Allegra brought them over to me last night, when we shared ham sandwiches on an end of the work week Friday evening. 

 

 

I was so excited with my Macchu Picchu rocks and what they symbolize. I've decided to put them in my passport pouch along with other items that carry special love and emotional significance...an angel charm from my sister, a Paris charm, and an Indian Arrowhead given to me by an old flame. Now, we have two rocks from Macchu Picchu too. Imagine the history and magical energy carried in just those two small pieces of stone! (Okay, that Luftansa folding plastic fork is a practicality!)

 

Happy Saturday!

 

 

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