Soar-Dream-France: Five Years Gone

I confess. During the last five years of our back and forth between here, New Orleans, and St. Louis; I didn't have the energy to face the work in the cave. I could barely face the things that had to be done.

With the vernissage on the horizon at the end of August; I finally got to work on the cave and the lower terrace just this week.

I hear the sweet, French voices of my friends saying:

petit a petit, Laury! And, I listen.

My first day, I decided that I'd start with the window and the beautiful wooden door. With overgrown vines, moss, dust, broken glass, cob webs, spiders, and other creatures; I had my work cut out for me.

It can be a slow and cumbersome process at times and feels like a huge job. Once I get started, it comes easier and I realize just how much I've missed the feelings of touching and loving on this place. It always speaks to me. Although I've known just how fast nature takes over, the evidence that I can no longer ignore is everywhere. Working through, I ponder these last five years. I ponder how difficult it was for me to be away at all. I am sad to know that so much of what I had worked so hard on and accomplished in the garden, the train tracks and around the property, is going to take a lot of time and energy to get back to where it was.

The reality that it may not get back to that place also set in.

I've cleaned the cobwebs off of this guy on the left, who was a gift from Stuart when I bought the Chatette from him back in 2002. He's ready and waiting to welcome everyone to the vernissage on August 26!

And so, I'm celebrating each little step along our way to return. I'm starting with the cave, the lower terrace and the vernissage for this summer. After that, I have time. I'm here. Petit a Petit, Laury!

I plan to celebrate each success and surprise along the way.

Sometimes it's the small things that make that day. Pulling out some of the vines as I finished up, there amidst all that green were my tiny pink tea roses! I was so happy I shouted. I thought they were gone for good, but no...under all the overgrowth and brush-there they were!