Soar-Dream-France

Celebrating Gratefulness

 

As painful as anniversaries of traumatic events can be, I try to find ways to focus on the positives that have presented themselves over the last year and be grateful.

Thinking about gratefulness, I continue to come back to the Sapeurs-Pompiers de Cajarc who saved our Chatette. In addition to Cajarc, there were also representatives from the Figeac and Limogne Units.

So yesterday, I sat down and wrote another thank you in French to each unit and put together a collage of "us!" WE are grateful!

Huge Merci to the Sapeurs-Pompiers du Lot-Cajarc, Figeac and Limogne!

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Marking the Day

 

I don't want to let today go by without mentioning that it is the one year anniversary of our horrendous fire here at the Chatette when I lost my Sammie Cat. I've shared the journey with y'all to this day, and am sure there will be so much more to share beyond.

I took a photo this week that reminded me of a photo I'd taken when I first bought the Chatette back in 2002. When you compare the two, as different as they are...the love and spirit are similar. I would say that one year later we are MORE!

I believe in the power we cannot see and the meant to be. As hard as this has been, there is more.

 

 

I have no doubt that there are other surprises that lie ahead that there is no way to predict or even consider in this moment.

 

 

So today, here's to: loving my life; missing my Sam; playing Moon River with my Monsieur; paying attention to the universe; and, just going on!

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Return Paris Engagement

 

  Surreal times with the fire at the end of last year, left me searching for hope, new normal, and centering every day.

Long before the fire struck, I'd planned to have a day for myself in Paris.

I'd reserved my train ticket and two nights at the Hotel Tiquetonne.

 

 

 

Even in the rain and cold, I enjoyed my time and really didn't do too much. To be honest, I'd been sleeping on a sofa bed in the Cajarc apartment so having a real bed with a nice, thick mattress was heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

This year, I thought it might be fun to actually be in Paris on Christmas Day. With a flight on the 27th, I looked at train tickets and my favorite hotel.

 

 

I figured out that I could catch the train from Cahors on Christmas Eve.

I would rest up that night, and then have all day Christmas Day and Boxing Day with Paris.

I've looked at lots of holiday related activities, but have decided that I don't want to be boxed in. 

I know myself and Paris well.

 

 

Two days of wandering, shooting, and soaking up Paris as I let her come to me is "our way!"

 

 

 

Friends have suggested that I'll be lonely.

Some asked, won't you miss sharing it with others?

My response should be no surprise to those of you who know me well:

"How can I be lonely?

I'm going to be with Paris!

I, of course, will be bringing you along.

Wi-fi at the Hotel Tiquetonne means that I can write and blog and keep in touch while I'm there.

 

 

Are you ready?

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Rainbow-maker

 

While I was busy doing that above...right outside my windows the valley was doing this on the left!

Fortunately, nature called AND I've gotten pretty good at knowing what the valley does when a rainbow is on the way or already here. It takes on a bright, magnified greenish rosie hew that screams at me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as I walked over to the window...there it was.

 

 

 

 

There were actually two of them, but the Cajarc side was on the way out. It was the Montbrun side that was gorgeous and brilliant. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a treat!

 

Nothing like sweet curled up kitties and rainbows! 

Have a great week!

Happy Monday!

 

Sweet Saturday Night

 

Little did I know there was a reason last night to go up to bed with my book a bit early.

No, it wasn't the dark, rain, and cold.

Settling in with the kitties, a cup of coffee, and Michelle Obama's Becoming; I looked up and there was the moon perfectly perched right outside my window, looking in on us. It's rare to be able to see it from that sweet tucked in spot...such a sweet good night sweet dreams for us!

 

 

 

Special Saturday night moments.

Happy Sunday!

 

Full Moon Overdose

 

Last night was clear and cold and perfect to show off the full moon over the Lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The clouds made it particularly dramatic in the sky and reflecting in the river.

 

 

We moon-river-ed together of course, and I even got it together to do a small moon animation.Click on the last photo and it should go to work!

Hmmm...maybe we can call it a "Moon-imation!"

 

Happy Saturday!

 

 

Moons and Munchers

 

Our Thanksgiving moon over the Lot was absolutely gorgeous last night. It was truly something to be thankful for. It snuck into the Chatette and lit us up. It did its "moon-rivering" thing. I was also thankful that we had a clear night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While inside the Chatette keeping warm, after sharing our Thanksgiving meal together...the boys provided me with a perfect shot of the two of them.

And of course, I am particularly thankful for them on this Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had finished cooking my dinner before I walked up to Christiane's for French at 2:30. I knew that if I waited till I returned after 4, there was a good chance that it would be hot dogs for me. 

 

 

 

I brought enough chocolates and cookies for the three of us who I knew would be there. It was fun to say Happy Thanksgiving to a French and an English friend.

I'd marinated a piece of pork for me and also had mashed potatoes, corn, and a variation of applesauce that was apples, peaches and apricots.

The boys agreed...that marinated pork was excellent.

 

Happy Friday!

 

From the Archives: Nannie's Hands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holidays have different feelings and depth of meaning depending on the family.

When we were growing up, Thanksgiving was our big holiday that we spent with our Nannie and Papa.

Today, I share a post from the archives that speaks to memories, holidays, and holding those we love close...

 

...even when they're gone.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

From the Archives

1/8/2012...Even though my Mom often tells me that I have her Mom's eyes, I've always felt that I have my Nannie's hands. I look down at my hands when I'm writing, working, or playing the piano; and I see my Nannie's hands.

I feel her touch.

I wear her band of diamonds that Papa gave her when they got married.

She wore it on her left hand, but I wear it on my right. It often captures the light and brings Nannie close.

She is never very far from me.

She is especially close today.

 

 

 

 

I'd guess she feels closer to me today, because she (and many others) would be welcoming Uncle Bud.

It reminds me of a Thanksgiving when I drove up from New Orleans to St. Louis. I'd stopped to stay with Uncle Bud and Fran when they were living at Lake Wawanoka near Pevely, MO. We had a very nice meal and visit together.

 

 

There was lots of talk about family, stories, and history shared.

I went to bed remembering that Thanksgiving was always a huge holiday for us with Nannie and Papa. I loved her turkey, lace tablecloths (that are now at the Chatette with me) and especially her shrimp cocktails. 

Very early the next morning, a tiny girl hugged her Nannie, with her head in her lap. Nannie patted my back, brushed my hair out of my face, and I hugged her tighter. A tear fell on my pillow that morning...another Thanksgiving shared.

 

Thanksgiving Looking Back

 

Last year at Thanksgiving, Sammie Cat and I were celebrating beside the fireplace together. Who would have known that not even a week later, the Chatette would go up in smoke and flames and I would lose my Sammie Cat to the smoke. 

She was my sweetest girl. I miss her all the time.

 

 

 

 

For some reason, looking back at this holiday last year that she and I shared together is important to me today.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.

The one year anniversary of the fire is next week.

 

 

Even in the midst of the sadness, trauma, and loss; I see and feel our love and such a truly beautiful time of the year here on the Lot in Cadrieu.

We shared our breakfast and coffee every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We shared our Thanksgiving dinner. There was even a little heart-shaped piece of turkey with all that pasta.

 

 

She helped me review the cookbooks and gave her critique of recipes we should try.

She was part of me and I was part of her.

 

 

So today, probably for the next week...when I look at the valley and the photos of this amazingly beautiful place; I will feel her close and she will be beside me all the way.

 

 

It will have to be enough. 

It is enough. 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Second Handing

 

 

Even though many of my books went up in smoke and flames, or were too damaged to be kept; I'd decided that I would not replace them. 

My journals were irreplaceable, so smokey, singed and all...they occupy the bottom shelf of my new bookcase.

There was one exception, however. I love cookbooks. The cookbooks I love, I love for the beautiful photography as much as the recipes.

 

 

 

My cookbooks that were in the kitchen survived, but the one that I had on the hutch didn't make it. It was part of a series of cookbooks of different countries. Mine was FRANCE-The Beautiful Cookbook.

New on Amazon, it would have cost a fortune. I'd discovered used made it doable and so I did!

Last week, it was delivered. The cover was a little worse for wear, but inside...beautiful photos, my favorite pumpkin soup recipe, and it made its way to a new place of honor in the Chatette on the buffet under the staircase.

 

 

If I've learned anything in the midst of huge losses twice now in my life; it's the little things that make me happy and grateful!

 

Happy Tuesday!