...but we have iris for days! Rounding the corner at Simone and Auguste's on the way to the apero at the Salle de Fete, there they were! These gorgeous very deep purple iris in full bloom. I couldn't resist!
The depth of the color and the fullness of the blooms took my breath away. I also remembered that there is actually a variety of iris named "Bourgeois" that are this color.
The Bourgeois variety is not as fully petaled and has more gold in the center, but it is just as beautiful in its simplicity!
I know the iris won't be long for this season either. I plan to get out and enjoy them while I can. Hmmm, maybe it's time to plant a few of my own.
...so much more than just being home. It means being here and feeling this place and all that it and life in our village has to offer. Yesterday proved to me once more just how important it is to participate in the life and flow of this place I call home.
Yesterday was Victory in Europe day. We gathered at our village war memorial beside the church. Two young people from the village first laid the floral bouquet.
Our Mayor, Jacques Durand, and our Mayor Adjoint, Christine Duponchelle said a few words. They also read the names of each individual in memorial, followed by our response: Mort pour France. It is always moving. La Marseillaise was played, with singers and many of us hummers!
It still brings tears to my eyes.
We disbanded and walked up the hill to the Salle de Fete of the Mairie for an afternoon apero.
Those 3 kirs I had meant that work I'd planned to get done before another evening apero at the Chateau didn't happen.
Oh well, I'm not on anyone's schedule except my own.
At 6, I tried to get a little dressed up and headed up to the Chateau. Christiane was already there. Followed by Annie and Willie, Josie and Patrick, and Jacky and Yannick.
Everyone shared their stories and memories of the Chateau over the years.
I have a feeling that Jade, Constance, Zoe and Yula still have their work cut out for them for Les Archives Imaginaires project to be ready for the Festival du Chateau de Cadrieu-Madistan this coming August 3rd and 4th.
It was a full and beautiful day for me...another step back on the road to being home in Cadrieu!
And look, someone left the light on for me at the Chatette on the road home!
Sleeping in the newly appointed mezzanine has been a real treat for me during these times since my return. Of course, there are the rainbows and the moon in the evenings into night, but it has been my mornings that are bringing me the most memories and joy.
The undivided, curtainless, double-glazed windows and floor to ceiling French doors, make me feel like I'm living outside without even opening them up.
It's fun to look at my blue ceilings and watch the morning blues sneak in while i'm in bed reading my latest book.
Not only can I hear the birdsong in the silence, but big and small birds frequently go soaring or bouncing by!
I am a convert!
I'm now loving these windows AND I've decided no curtains.
In fact, I may decide no curtains for all over the Chatette.
So much of the Chatette is a fresh canvass for me to work with. Over all these 16 years here, I'd brought my special art from New Orleans, had been gifted with many pieces, and purchased others. All is gone.
But, I am also left with intense feelings of NOT wanting to "fill up" this very gorgeous place. I also have beautiful pristine walls and ceilings that make me NOT want to put new holes in it anywhere. That said, there are some spots where a nail or picture hanger or two remain. Most of those can be found on the stone. So far, I've cleaned the mirrors I'd been able to save and hung them there for now.
I realize, that I don't really have to do anything.
Fortunately, Mom's Handkerchief Quilt had been safely tucked into a suitcase in the private bedroom and came out unscathed.
It will always have a spot of honor in the Chatette that is all its and Mom's own.
Even though I'm bringing things up from the vernissage cave bit by bit to clean, I still don't really know everything that is or isn't down there. It's a new adventure every day, with often happy discoveries. One of the biggest puzzles for me is the space in the picture I've placed at the top and at the end of this post. While there is one hook there and a couple nails on the staircase supports, it is pretty much as is. It's a showcase.
Your mission should you choose to accept it is to think about the space in the top photo and again at the end. There is one large hook on the wall above the staircase, very few below that would be useful.
What would you do with this space as is to make it a piece of art in and of itself?
I'm looking forward to hearing any and all ideas. Oh, there are other areas that I need help with too so there may be other missions to follow!
What better way to start a second Sunday home than with lazing in bed with a John Irving novel and rising to find the sun reflecting a dappled heart on the Lot.
I was grateful that I was lazy this morning and hadn't rushed out on my mission without taking the time to check my emails.
I had some special invitations that I had promised to hand deliver for L'association du chateau de Cadrieu for an apero coming up this Tuesday evening. Although they were finished and in their envelopes, I discovered an email from them that meant there was a minor correction we needed to make. So, I did. I thought they were very pretty, if I do say so myself! I hope they do the trick.
I hit the road to Cajarc with my 10 special invitations and a letter for Dad.
I knew the minute I walked out the front door that I was over-dressed. The Chatette is generally much cooler than outside. But, today it was hot. Going in was fine, but I'd waited to deliver my invitations until on the way home. It was a gorgeous ride in.
The iris are out everywhere.
First I hit La Poste to put Dad's letter in the box.
With two holidays this week en France, he might get it by Christmas.
Then, on to Lagarde for 3 ham and cheese croissants and a Chantilly sweet.
The Petit Casino was hopping and the most crowded I think I'd ever seen it. I teased the owner: "Vous etes tres populaire dimanche matin!"
Then, on to the Presse.
I needed another John Irving for when I finish this one. Luckily, one of my invitation recipients was in line at the Presse and I could deliver it there.
Circling my way out of town, I couldn't resist a stop at Roux's. My favorites: the Caroc, Creme Noix and a Tarte CItron were in their box in my basket in no time.
With all the hills in the village I was off and often walking up...sweating!
I'd already pealed my scarf off on the way in and couldn't go any further.
But, there were even more gorgeous iris as I made my deliveries around Cadrieu.
On my visit with Pam before heading to Ipswich, I fell in love. Look at these gorgeous sheep! Wouldn't you fall in love with them too? They were sweet, wonderful, attentive and focused on me the whole time I was taking their photos!
I wish my students had been so attentive in class!
Icould see that they each had their own personalities, and of course you find a "ham" in every bunch.
I teased that this one shot below looked like a class picture!
I confess that I went to hell with myself.
I even tried a little sound video that had me giggling all the way back to the house.
What fun!
I'd even make another visit just to be able to see these guys again!
What better way to soldier on petit a petit at the Chatette, than with a nice glass of Cahors Chateau Eugenie to grease my rusty working wheels. So much of what I do is wander around and just do what I feel like doing in that moment.
Needless to say, Monsieur Winkelmann is always a stop along my wandering way.
Playing every day is grand.
But, that's the fun part. There's also all that cleaning that needs to be done a step at a time. I try to do a little bit each day. There is a real sense for me that I am touching him, loving on him, and bringing him back to life. I often tease that "he" is the only man in my life, but it's true!
After our first beautiful sunshiny Saturday, the next three days were rain, rain and more rain. That meant NO grass cutting and limits to what could be hauled up from the vernissage cave to continue cleaning.
I attacked the tiny first floor bathroom where I was able to hang my new shower curtain and hooks. Proudly, installed the new toilet seat and tiny black bathroom garbage can.
I also managed to clean the faux leather sofa that had been stored out on the covered terrace.
It began with each of the 6 pillows one at a time.
I carried them inside to dry and then moved the frame of the sofa/sleeper into a spot under a light in the living room.
Ah, now I have someplace "upright" to read besides the bed and/or a hardwood chair.
That remnant from the new carpet in the upstairs private bedroom made a perfect resting spot for the sofa and my cold feet.
The ongoing saga continues. It's fun and there are epiphanies along the way.
Isn't Kate's artwork for May just gorgeous? It's in a spot of honor above the sofa that's easy for now!
I've decided that today is a day of rest for me. Hmmm, if I only had a tree house!
...in more ways than one! Saturday morning I set off early on my bike from Cajarc to the Chatette and Cadrieu. I was riding my bike home and then walking down to Evelyn's to meet her so we could return to the apartment together with her car to get the rest of my stuff, lock up, and leave the keys in the mailbox. What a pretty ride it was!
Saturday was piano in the morning and bed delivery in the afternoon.
Monsieur Jolly arrived with my repaired piano leg and ready to work. I'd been able to get the sand paper and the products we'd discussed so Philippe went to work showing me what to do with the wood.
Most of it is going to be good, but the top of the lid is badly buckled and bubbled so we'll have to come up with another plan.
After a four-hour lesson, watching the master at work, Monsieur Jolly got Monsieur Winkelmann tuned up and sounding even more beautiful. I had tears in my eyes. Of course, there is much more to this story.
The bed made it and the guys from BUT installed it for me in the upstairs mezzanine.
I am up there with the rainbows and the moon that moves around the corner of the Chatette from the front river rise to the almost morning moon set behind the causse.
I'd forgotten how beautifully it shines right in my side bedroom window and blankets me with moon beams!