Soar-Dream-France: October 2016

« September 2016 | Main | November 2016 »

October 2016

October 31, 2016

A Bonnet Carre Time Machine

As much as I have traveled the route between New Orleans and St. Louis during these last forty years, I can be certain that one memory will always rise when I'm making that turn where I-55 south feeds you on to I-10 east. It happened again with John and Mike as we were returning from Madison, MS on Friday.

I'm 22 again. I'm on the Greyhound Bus leaning forward to rest my chin on the top of the seat in front of me, while hugging the rest. I have tears in my eyes. For the first time, I knew that the break with St. Louis was beginning and I was on my way home.

You see, I was supposed to be (or at least I thought) getting married to my college boyfriend. We wrote a lot while I was in New Orleans and he was in St. Louis. He'd been to visit in New Orleans over Thanksgiving and nothing had changed. By Christmas in St.Louis, he'd announced to me in the restaurant where we used to work together that he was marrying someone else.

It amazes me how near that memory rests. It transports me to times to which I would not want to return.

But, that Bonnet Carre Spillway memory lets me know that I am on my way and home is near!

And that, is always a good feeling!

Posted at 11:04 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2016

A Snuggling SAM

In all my recent good news about foster and forever homes being found for some canines that I've been keeping my eye on; I can't forget that Sammie Cat in my life!

She's such a good girl. I've always said she's more like a dog than a cat. But then, it makes sense because she really had been raised by Dali since she was a tiny kitten.

She was by my side at the computer the whole time I was working on the photos of others, posting, sharing, connecting and reconnecting with others in France, and hoping that these sweet, innocent creatures found foster or forever homes. This morning I found out that everyone we'd been watching had.

When Sam wasn't by my side, she'd found some new snuggling places now that the weather here is just a tad bit cooler. She is a "doll" girl too, and snuggling up with a teddy bear is a good idea no matter what your kitty cat age.

Huge merci to all my friends who fell in love and shared all those sweeties that were looking for foster/forever homes. And a special MERCI to my faithful Sam who is always there for a nuzzle and a hug when things might be just a little too sad.

Happy Sunday!

And, it's an even Happier Sunday than usual today!

Posted at 12:35 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 29, 2016

A Middendorf's Munch

On our way home from our drive to Madison and back yesterday, we decided way before we were even back on I-55 south that we'd stop at Middendorf's and treat ourselves to a catfish lunch.

It meant a lot to me to be able to go to Madison with John and Mike. It was good to be there with Bill and Glenn during this time of loss, and to have a little visit with Kelly one more time.

Stopping at Middendorf's was the best idea we'd had in a long time. We all had their famous thin fried catfish; John and I had the small dinners and Mike had the poorboy. As you can see, a lot of the fun at lunch for me was watching Mike handle his humongous poorboy!

And, Mike is always such a good sport about the photos!

We wolfed down our catfish while we people watched, saw the Amtrak train cross right behind us, and the sunshine danced on the water.

We actually sat out on the deck in the back, which was a first for me.

A large party of guys came in the door near our table, but we didn't discover until it was time to go that they had actually arrived to that back door by boat!

What fun that would be!

Back out to the car and ready to be home, we looked forward to a quick drive in. No such luck...traffic backed up on I-10 that then also meant that John and Mike were driving back to Covington in the middle of the Friday rush hour traffic.

I, of course, did my...if only they hadn't had to bring me home they could have gone straight home to Covington on I-12 from I-55.

But, they would never think the way I do. It makes me love them even more.

HUGE MERCI to Mike and John. No matter the circumstances, being together is always grand!

Posted at 01:54 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 28, 2016

Flowers in the Dark

It's been more than a week of loss and passing. It doesn't seem to stop. It just keeps coming. There are: friends younger than me; friends my age; friends and family members who are much older; and then, there are the 4-legged darlings that pull on my heartstrings as hard or harder than the rest.

Even when you know about a passing already, the sadness keeps coming.

Yesterday morning I woke to one post behind the other of: a 4-legged sweetie who belonged to one of my friends in France; and, a wonderful, loving, tear-inspiring post from a home health nurse who had taken care of both of the parents of a friend of mine. I just balled my eyes out.

This morning, this very dramatic spray of flowers from the garden in Cadrieu spoke to me. It reminded me of the joy each one brings to our lives and that even in their loss; we know that we wouldn't have traded knowing and loving them for anything in this world. They are our flowers in the dark.

Special love and embraces to those who are experiencing or continue to experience great loss.

Today, I send you flowers in the dark, with love.

Posted at 11:23 AM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 27, 2016

I am a Snail

I have been known to spend a lot of time "shooting" snails. Some days, I'm happy to sit in the rain outside on my terrace in my overalls and BE with them. I've spent the majority of my life in the DOing, and really had to work hard to learn how to just BE.

The snails have taught me a lot.

Living in the Lot has taught me a lot!

You'll notice that the first two shots I "worked" on and had some fun with them. The rest are just my snail guy in the flesh (or shell as the case may be). Isn't he a beauty?

I'm in a snail kind of mood today. My pajamas are my shell. I may just move slowly from the coffee in the kitchen to the book on the sofa!

Happy Thursday!

Posted at 12:59 PM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 26, 2016

Monet's Footprints

Yesterday, I wrote that there is much more to City Park than the water lillies.

While true, I can't resist them.

They are pretty durn spectacular.

Monet runs across my soul and tiptoes on my heart.

Happy Water Lily Wednesday!

Posted at 11:17 AM in Art, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2016

From New Orleans City Park to Cadrieu France

City Park oozes wth beauty in the mornings. These shots were so pretty and carried me home to Cadrieu in their own special way.

As you can see, you will find MORE than just water lillies in City Park.

It was that hint of yellow that carried me home!

We are golden!

From the tip of my triangle shaped garden and up around the bend, this tree is spectacular. It is a roadside beacon announcing that fall is on its way to Cadrieu!

Then, there's the Lot River...

I can only imagine what these scenes would have looked like if Claude Monet had gotten his hands on them!

Simply Stunning!

Posted at 12:27 PM in Art, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 24, 2016

In Cadrieu...

...Nature's Handiwork!

Posted at 11:41 AM in France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2016

Wood, Walnuts and Waggings

This shot of Dali grabbed me this morning. I'm finding ways to fill the "missing her" gap in my life with fostering when I'm in France and pushing some on-line and with Facebook when there are sweet dogs in France who grab my heartstrings. I'm not there, but I can work just as hard on the computer from New Orleans as I can from the computer in Cadrieu.

As Sammie Cat and I prepare to return full time again in the spring of 2017, I am struck by what an era it was for me and Dal and Sam during those six plus years when the three of us were full-time French Girls.

When we left New Orleans in May 2006, it was a quick and dirty kick to Cadrieu by a Hurricane named Katrina.

This time it's different. Our time in New Orleans has been a petit a petit of puzzle pieces that continued to swirl for over four years now and never quite fell into place. As they are falling now; I am able to make my decisions about next steps.

This return is a clear and certain choice that is informed in a way that the first return never could have been. I am grateful.

The "Katrina Kick" pushed me and prepared me in ways I never could have imagined.

This morning I've been thinking about the theres that can't be here...things that became a daily part of our lives in Cadrieu, that for many reasons just aren't possible here. Among them are: meter long logs; walnuts; and, candlelight.

My photos are such a gift. I sat with them this morning, scrolling through and seeing them in a whole new way once more. They: brought back our Dal; made me miss my "Paulette Bunyan" days; helped me remember the early days of walnuts; and...

...reminded me just how happy that Sammie Cat is at the Chatette!

It's not just a Sunday of looking back.

It's a Sunday of being there!

Wishing you just that kind of Sunday!

We can't wait to return in the spring!

Posted at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 22, 2016

Say Paris-4

As much as I do like to walk and wander in Paris, sometimes taking the metro is necessary and your best option. Once I do my feet, shoes, and distance assessment; my decision can be made.

I'd planned to take the metro up to the Place Blanche from my Hotel Tiquetonne the night that I met Jen to go to have dinner and go to the Moulin Rouge together in Montmartre. I thought I was set. Since I was wearing my knee-high, high-heeled boots, walking that well known distance was not on my agenda. Once the zippers on my boots crumbled in my hands; I was off on foot once more!

It's so nice to have choices.

The metro Says Paris to me!

Happy Satuarday!