Soar-Dream-France

Unfolding Lives

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  As I make decisions about what to buy new for the Chatette, bedding is certainly at the top of the list. I love the old fashioned quilts. I may not be looking in the right places, but they seem to be hard to find here. They fit right in perfectly with this ancient stone home. The new and very modern doesn't work for me on any front. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking quilts in Cadrieu, reminded me of all of the gorgeous Mississippi quilts on exhibit at the Jackson Museum. I was grateful we went to the quilt exhibit: Stories Unfolded first. I'd have been too exhausted to see them after our time in the Civil Rights Museum.

 

 

A Later Quilt, also by Phoeba Johnson

 

The quilt exhibit was a perfect companion. They too, spoke to the lives and history of Mississippi and the free and enslaved south. Quilts represented both pre and post Civil War times.

One of my favorite stories was of quilt that was hidden inside the hollow of a log during the Civil War.

 

 

I'm now sorry that I only scooped the story and not the quilt itself.

 

 

  I am not a quilter. I was very grateful that the quilt my Mom made for me out of handkerchiefs belonging to women in our family survived the fire safely tucked away in a suitcase in the far bedroom.

I leave you with a sample of a few of the quilts from the exhibit, as well as a "quilter" quotes" or two.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

New Orleans Blues by Harlee

 

With all my comments about my "delicate blue" ceilings now at the Chatette, I thought it would be nice to have some photos that showed examples of the blue in New Orleans.

I got in touch with my friend Harlee, and asked her if she'd go on a mission to find blue for me on her daily walks.

 

 

 

Not only did she jump at the chance, but she added that the reason the eaves and ceilings of porches are painted blue is that it stops the wasps from building their nests there!

I had no idea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So today, I want to share a few of Harlee's photos with you that display the blue beautifully.It turns out, that Harlee had a stash of the blue in her archives AND went on a hunt for more for US!

 

 

 

HUGE MERCI to Harlee!

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

It goes without saying...all house photos by Harlee. Harlee photos ... by me!

Rolling Romance

 

While my bike is almost always along with me on my meanderings, we enjoy all bikes we encounter along the way.

They speak to a lifestyle and a way of life that screams French villages and countryside.

They are often a subject of photos I shoot and in many ways a center to my life.

 

 

Join me on a little biking meander.

 

 

 

We are often on the road betwen Cajarc and Cadrieu. Whether at the Chatette or at he apartment, the beauty of the area is always at my fingertips...and I guess I should say beside my rolling wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Herons join us on our ride regularly. Dramatic suns and clouds burst through.

 

 

 

Flowering trees and hillsde flowers are spectacular. Of course, the Lot River is a focal point.It is beside us most of the way in both directions.

It makes no difference if we are on a mission, or we're riding for fun...

 

...It's a life I love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

*All of my photos for this post were filtered to attempt to give it a more rollilng romantic feel!

Related articles

Soar-Dream-France: Here Comes the Sun

Soar-Dream-France: Another Last Day on Columbus Street

Soar-Dream-France: Following the Cajarc Cats

Soar-Dream-France: Fast and Furious

Soar-Dream-France: Missing the Lot

Here Comes the Sun

 

After wandering the Rue du Temple and ransoming my last package, I hopped on my bike and headed to Cadrieu. I was pit-stopping at Evelyn's to drop off and scoop some books and visit a bit. Then, it was on to the Chatette to attack the vernissage cave and find out what was left and if most of my treasures had made it to this protected cave.

 

The sun was stunning coming and going. And, I was not alone. Midge decided to get out of the apartment and come along to keep me company. 

She mostly hung out on the stones beside the terrace door while I worked inside and out!

I was really excited to discover that we had electricity and water. I found some helpful papers and was probably the most excited to discover my three deviled egg plates in the last taped up box. Hooray!

 

Needing a pitcher back at the apartment, I scooped the green one that was a gift from the Carlls to take back and clean up and the Chatette journals that really needed to come along. 

 

 

 

MIdge and I had a little picnic in the sunshine on the terrace together, and then she decided to stay at the cave with two of my very smokey girls. She thought they needed the company and moral support more than I did.

Off again to the apartment into fierce wind with a heavy backpack, the sun was still gorgeous.

I decided to stop at my favorite photo taking spot and have a glass of wine before biking in the rest of the way to Cajarc. Riding into the setting sun was spectacular!

 

With a little rest with wine and crackers, I was ready to make the short piece of the trip remaining.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure I'll get back for a bit next week. In the meantime, I hope those girls are behaving.

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Related articles

Soar-Dream-France: From the Floating

A Golden Path to the Moon

Soar-Dream-France: "C" is for More than Christmas

What Would Bennie Say?

Memories and Moving On

Following the Cajarc Cats

 

 

Yesterday morning was supposed to be a day at the Chatette going through the vernissage cave to see just what I do and don't have anymore. In the meantime, package ransom required a trip to the Poste first. 

With all the time I spend at St. Etienne, I also enjoy watching the village cats scamper and run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day they disappeared into an opening.

 

I didn't think much about it until I peeked in the other day. It was more than an opening...it was the Rue du Temple! I promised myself I'd come back. My detour on the way to the Poste was a real treat.

Entering the Rue du Temple, I saw a favorite golden cat. He was faster than me. All I caught was his tail end sneaking though this enclosure.

 

I wandered the various strange alleyways and rues, knowing that they would put me out somewhere on the circle and the Poste wouldn't be far. I'd never taken this route before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't know what I was missing.

 

 

 

 

With St. Etienne behind me, it was fun to explore, wander and shoot. I was in beautiful stone heaven!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found more markings for the Rue du Temple and made sure to NOT miss the Rue that emptied me back out on to the circle.

 

 

It wasn't quite as close to the Poste as I thought it would be, but the extra steps and the treats in stone along the way made a great start to a day that was not going to be all treats and charms.

 

 

Happy Friday!

 

Pansy Smiles and Package Ransom

 

 

Yesterday was going to be my day for me, but low and behold...Christiane came for a visit, Jane invited me to lunch at La Pause, packages arrived from the states AND I decided to treat myself and the apartment to some flowers for the window ledge.

Allthough all three packages had arrived, one is being held hostage at the post office for customs ransom. I'm not exactly sure why.

 

Maybe I filled the form out wrong, but the other two produced both Dad's cat and my Kate Calendar. I had the perfect place in the apartment for them. They match well and look so Happy Together! (I'll be off to ransom my third package this morning after 9:30.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading over to Gamm Vert on my bike, I'd already measured the window ledge to make sure whatever I purchased would fit.

 

Flowers are always so expensive in the states. Pansies were one of Mom's favorite flowers, so I chose them and three other larger brightly colored ones that were just so pretty. I'd only planned 3 pansies, but they were sold by the six pack. Now, I'm sorry I didn't get a second six.

 

 

There was a very pretty red ceramic planter that was calling my name that already had flowers in it, but it wouldn't fit AND would have been too heavy for my bike basket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm feeling like we're pretty well set at the apartment.

 

All this for a little over 5 euros!

 

 

Even though I'm not at the Chatette at the moment, it seems like we should have some flowers there too. Hmmm, that red ceramic window box would fit on any one of a number of my window ledges, staircases, or terraces. And of course...the barn and the wagon!

 

 

 

We shall see!

 

 

 

Happy Thursday-Smile like a pansy!

 

Fast and Furious

 

I am finding that I need to give myself the gift of a day on and a day off when dealing with anything related to the Chatette. With so much change and so much swirling; I find myself in a whirlpool of fast french and huge euro signs. By the end of these days, I try to treat myself and then give myself the gift of a day staying put when I can. Until now, that has meant staying in the apartment. 

 

 

Yesterday, I ventured out. I had promised myself that as the weather got better, I would explore Cajarc more. 

I headed to some old haunts to hang out. In the past, I'd been just passing through for photos on my way back to Cadrieu. Yesterday, I stopped.

It feels different to be here like this. I kept thinking that life in Cajarc would be the in between of life in Cadrieu and New Orleans.

The life I love and live in Cadrieu is not for everyone.

Cajarc would certainly be a middle of the road alternative for many people that I love back in the states.

 

 

 

I wandered a bit, but no sooner had a scooped a bench along the river path, it began to rain.

Initially it was just mist. Undaunted, I stayed to crack open my can of beer and began writing in journal #106 from Ron and Wilson. There were some beautiful shots to be had. A friend passed by in his SUV unexpectedly to say "bonjour!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the drops got big enough to run the ink on my page, I moved under some bamboo.

 

 

It worked for a while, but then I decided that writing near better cover might be best. I moved to a spot near the bridge so I could run for cover if need be.

 

 

The views were spectacular and dramatic.

 

The fish were jumping.

 

A few hardy tourists were wandering around all buttoned up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was nice to feel comfortable and home here too!

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Betting on Blue

 

Prior to my departure to the states, it was important for me to decide on colors for the inside of the Chatette. I went to work making choices, even though I was unable to make any true kind of sample comparison. The whole interior was still black upon departure. I did my best, but my pale grey looks more white next to the contrast of some of the stone. It will be okay. But, it was the blue that made my day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the living rooms of both the house and the apartment in New Orleans, I chose to paint the ceilings in the palest of pinks, with the trim on the walls and baseboards in different shades of grey. I was modeling it on the beuatiful sky blue you find under porch and terrace ceilings wandering New Orleans neighborhoods.

 

When Christiane asked me what I'd want between the beams and on the ceilings, I chose "Delicate Blue" when we went to the shop in Villefranche. While still in New Orleans, a decision needed to be made on the color of the ramparts in the mezzanine...you guessed it: delicate blue.

I love all that's been done so far. I knew I got this one right when Raoul looked up and said: "Ah, ciel!" Yep, that's it-it's like looking up at the sky; in a very subtle way of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are coming together bit by bit. I'm looking forward to taking my time and living wtih it for a while without rushing to make furniture decisions. I'll shoot for the essentials, and then feel the new and different of our magical place

Happy Tuesday!

 

Fete de Femme

 

Leaving France for the states in December, I found myself at the Cafe du Centre a few times over the couple of days that I was in Paris. I have a habit of getting to know the people in a place and becoming so comfortable that I like to go back often. 

 

 

The Cafe du Centre was no exception.

 

Having been befriended by one of the staff, I had reason to return. And,  since we'd kept in touch a bit by email I had more reason to return in March.

He was working, so I plopped myself down at the bar and immediately ordered an Irish Coffee. After a horrendous flight in, I deserved (and had) two. My friend was working so we grabbed snippets of time.

As fun as that was, I found myself also making new friends at the bar.

There I sat with my Irish Coffee when an older woman came in for her coffee and stood beside me at the bar.

We struck up a conversation "en francais" and shared so much.

 

 

 

 

She reminded me that Thursday was the International Day of Women. We were off and running. We spoke of our lives, loves, losses, and just had so much fun. She teased my friend that he should give me a rose for the day. She made me smile.

It made him come over with a big bear hug for me and a comment to her that I was his amie and "extraordinaire!"

 

Every woman should feel extraordinaire on the Fete de Femme. 

 

  Soon, another woman came in who was friends with my new friend. While they had their coffees and spoke in Serbian, I ordered my second Irish Coffee. Both women: lived in the neighborhood, were friends, were Serbian, had recently lost husbands, were on their own AND came to the Cafe du Centre at the end of their days. Eventually the three of us were talking and sharing more. They very sweetly gave my friend a thumbs up, that made me smile.

I was exhausted and went to say goodby before heading to the SuperU and Stohrers for a few things for the evening. 

While I don't plan to be back in Paris again until December, it was a definte a bientot not au revoir. We shall see.

Isn't that the prettiest Irish Coffee you've ever seen? 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

Day Making

 

My return to France began a little differently this sojourn!. I spent a couple of nights at Mahogany Oaks and then on Wednesday morning, Mike took me to the airport from Covington. That was the easy part. With snow dumping in the northeast and a connection in Philly, I was fortunate to be able to reroute through Miami.

 

That meant a 5 hour layover (and more for another time) in Miami, but it was worth it to be able to get to Paris and get to my hotel and train home on time.

At various points along this route, many waiters, waitresses and taxi cab drivers were particularly good to me. Maybe I should say that I was particularly grateful. Having been a waitress, I am a big tipper under normal circumstances.

 

 

Bring on unusual circumstances, I am more grateful and tend to tip even more.

In Miami, I had lunch at the Jose Cuervo Taquerria. I sat there a long time and left the waitress a large tip. She very sweetly came back to my table and said, very excitedly: "You have made my day!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Cafe du Centre on the Rue Montorgueil, I enjoyed two beautiful Irish Coffees at the bar. I'd gone back to say hello to a friend, and as it turned out made more. It was fun to see my bartender's eyes light up at a large tip by Paris comparisons.

Friday morning, I'd forgotten that the metros don't start running till 5:30 and I had a 6:37 train out of the Gare d'Austerlitz. Normailly no problem, but I was just a little concerned. Two blocks from the hotel on my way to Chatelet, there he was...a cab waiting just for me. We spoke French all the way to the Gare, much of it was him telling me that waiting around in the Metro that time of morning isn't safe. His eyes lit up too!

 

I was so grateful so many times during the course of this trip. All of those moments made me smile too.There in lies the value in the gratefulness beyond the cash!

 

 

Happy Sunday!