Soar-Dream-France

Figeac Friends

 

Ever since the bus schedule changed on the wings of new ownership, I've found myself going into Figeac and Cahors less and less. Even though I can make it work, it isn't as easy as it used to be. I either have too much time, or not enough. One of the things I've missed most is going in to La Cazelle to have a glass of wine before catching the used to be noon bus home.

It was always fun to visit a bit with Marc, have my less than a euro glass of red wine, and then run to catch the bus. I've been missing those visits.

Yesterday, Jane and I stopped in for a glass of wine at the end of our successful shopping for the Chatette.

 

 

Not only could we have wine, but lunch was being served and we decided to stay.

This is when I know that my French ear is not as tuned in as it needs to be. Ages ago, I thought Marc had said they weren't doing lunch anymore, but if you call to let them know you were coming they would.

Well, yesterday with Jane I discovered that they still do lunch everyday BUT if you want something special and call ahead Marc will make it for you! I seem to only get the beginning and end of sentences and sometimes miss the parts in the middle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were thrilled. 

We began with the regional onion soup with bread and a sprinkling of carrots. It's wonderful when they bring the whole bowl to the table so you can serve yourself.

 

 

Next up, Jane had the Tete de Veau (Head of Veal) and I had an incredible Shepherd's Pie with Duck and a side salad. This was followed by the cheese tray, dessert and coffee.

 

  What a feast!

As you can see, all that was left on my place was a little chunk of lettuce.

The best was yet to come. When Jane asked for a doggie bag, our server came back with a huge tupperware container of more Tete de Veau with an extra potato or two thrown in.

Turns out the Tete de Veau is the special every Wednesday, so Jane scooped all of the leftovers.

 

 

It felt like Thanksgiving with family and friends. That's when you leave already stuffed to the gills and still have a tupperware container full of leftovers for the rest of the weekend. What a treat!

HUGE MERCI to Marc and the staff!

We'll be back!

Happy Friday!

 

 

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So Much Sam

 

  This morning I thought I'd write about how the little wild guy kitty is still around from last summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though he spends his time back and forth between Christiane's and Josie and Patrick's;

 

 

Christiane assured me that he will be down to see me too once I'm back at the Chatette.That made me happy. I miss a fury presence in my life.

So, I went looking for his photos, of which I took many while he was hanging out with us too last summer.

I couldn't find them.

What I did find was so much Sam...Everywhere...Always!

 

That's my girl.

 

 

Always!

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

The Right Foot

 

Yesterday was the day!

Desperate to get the grass cut at the Chatette for quite a while, I started with the most difficult: the land behind us where the barn, lavoir, and wagon rest.

Some spots were approaching knee high, which is still quite a bit shorter than the impossible waist high that I found when I returned last year by mid-May, 2017.

 

It had been so high last year that I had to wait for the village grass cutters to come. Even then, the mown grass laid around and made it difficult to cut afterwards.

By the end of the summer we were looking good again. I promised myself that I would keep up this year and start off on the right foot. That meant, early in the season! I really had to seize this good day, since the weather has been unpredictable AND I leave next week to spend some time with Jean in Ipswich.

I began with the wagon's land, and then criss-crossed back and forth between the barn and the lavoir before, making my way up the hill to the road.

 

I'd considered just cutting a path to make it easier for me to short-cut up to the village, but pretty soon I found myself doing more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I'm sure you can imagine, hills, irregular terrain, stones, soggy terrain, and damp grass do not make for an easy chore.

 

 

Still I persisted, and felt "fulfilled" with the final results. There's more to do. There's always more to do, but I'm pleased with our great start for the season. It is going to make it easier on me.

I'm all for as much "easier on me" as I can find these days.

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Timing Trials

 

With the time change in France two weeks behind the states, I often foundd myself confused when trying to keep up wth my regular morning calls to Dad.

When the time finally did change here and I was back on track with Dad, my mornings here were off a bit because it is darker longer for a while. 

 

On my way to Lagarde's to scoop a couple ham/cheese croissants, I thought they opened at 7. No, 7:30.

That gave me a little time to wander around the circle and around Cajarc on my bike. It was a little cold, but the birdsong was incredible. Favorite haunts took on a whole new look and personality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a treat being able to get to know a place during all times of the day and night.

 

  It began to rain. I finally surrendered. I'd remembered the bench with cover near Lagarde's and parked myself and my bike there till opening. 

I don't know what I enjoyed more, the photos I scooped in the gently brightening morning sky, or those wonderful ham and cheese croissants!

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

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I Live in a Painting

 

Yesterday's post about Jolly Surprises surprised me! I never know what the reactions might be when I write a post. I try to write about something I love, something that speaks to me, and something I want to share. I often build a post around photos that I've taken. The Jolly house is always a treasure trove for me. It feeds my passion.

 

 

Little did I know yesterday, that the photo of sweet Dolly would get the attention that it did from friends and family. One of my friends wrote that it was difficult to tell if this was a photo or a painting. And, even after enlarging it; it was still difficult to tell.

I'd also mentioned that it might be fun to try other filters.

 

 

 

Since the black and white photo challenge from another friend, I find myself wondering how some of my beautiful color shots will translate to black and white and sepia.

Today, I am sharing some of these photos filtered. I know I have a preference. Do you?

I often say I live in a painting and my life is a movie. I am truly surrounded. As with this shot of Dolly above, it's sometimes as if the shot burns itself onto my eye balls before I can actually get to my phone/camera. Fortunately, I had my phone in the front pocket of my overalls that Dolly Day waiting to call my Dad back in the states.

 

Even here, there are meant to be-s.

Happy Sunday!

Joyeuses Pacques, aussi!