Looking back to the earliest days at the Chatette and their evolution over the years (amazingly, it has been 16!), I've come to realize that I hit a routine and a pace all its own during the various stages of life here in Cadrieu at the Chatette.
During those very earliest years that began in 2002, I came on my own and began by staying a month or two at a time. Those were times when I: rode my bike every morning; journaled; photographed; worked on my writing; wrote lots of letters; called my parents once a week or so; invited friends over; celebrated the Chatette; blasted my stereo with Jim Brickman, Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Abba, Chopin, Mozart, and disco for cooking, clearning, and exercising; and,
sometimes dancing in the rain!
By 2005, I was able to come for 4 months and offer workshops here to mental health professionals. My patterns that summer were much the same, but I had improved connectivity with pay as you go internet and phone that still had expensive calls to the states. That summer, I didn't manage to stay the planned four months. The levees tumbled after Katrina, and New Orleans, Columbus Street, and Dali and Sam needed me to return.
With our home and city devestated by the flood waters, Dali, Sam, and I returned to Cadrieu together in May of 2006 and lived here full-time until fall of 2012.
During these times: Monsieur Winkelmann came down to join us from Paris; friends and family came to visit; we began annual vernaissages; I began to blog; and, the barn and the land became part of our "we" in 2010. This is when our connectivity became what it is today.
Even so, routines included: walking Dali every morning and sometimes more; hanging out with Sammie Cat; playing Monsieur Winkelmann; reading ravenously; riding my bike; writing; photography; enjoying friends and village events; making the Chatette comfortable and our own; and, flowering up.
Looking back, I can say that during times of less to no connectivity, I found that there were many things that helped me.
Having Dali and Sam with me was huge. They were both such great company. Walking Dali around the village was a joy and just being with Sammie Cat since she survived Katrina always made me grateful to have her with us. Working on my writing and writing more letters to friends and family at home helped me feel connected over the distance. Reading is another huge piece to my life.
And so, once I get past the hysteria of no connectivity and have let everyone know what is going on for me, I can usually get myself back to those good old days of no internet and no phone and still live a very full and wonderful life.
Happy Sunday!
