Soar-Dream-France

Ins and Outs

 

Hot-footing it into Cajarc on Sunday morning, I saw a number of sights that I wanted to photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm always in a quandry about whether to stop on the way in or the way out.

 

 

 

 

 

Knowing that I wouldn't be as loaded down as usual, I opted for on the way home.

 

I so enjoy the "art" of farming and its beauty.

 

 

 

Most times it can only be seen from special angles AND when you stop to enjoy it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also enjoy seeing the flow to life as old friends fade and fall; leaving sweet pink kisses on the road, sidewalk and walls.

 

 

I remember many bike rides from the early days of life here before Dali, Sammie Cat and I were full time French Girls.

I was always in a hurry on my bike. Even then, it was still a little more of a race than a way of life.

Looking back, I wonder what I missed.

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Aha Adventures

 

 

After a full week of mostly rain teases from heavy over long periods of time to  rain sun rain sun rain sun...yesterday morning dawned with le SOLEIL! I immediately got on my bike and headed into Cajarc for a few essentials. Those gray heavy clouds were swirling above me on my bike ride home, but it didn't dump again until about 2:30.

Once it stopped (and didn't start again) I headed out to the garden to look around. I already knew the wisterias were even more gorgeous and fuller since last week.

 

 

I take all my photos on my phone. This one seems to be more touch sensitive than others, so I frequently stumble on the video button by accident. Yesterday, I decided to use it. I ended up taking a long one at first and then a shorter one to correct a mistake I discovered.

I need to learn better movement, captures and PAY a little more attention to my wandering sing-songy voice!

 

 

It was still fun. I posted the long one on FB and found so many of my friends who actually enjoyed hearing my voice-maybe it was that big glass of red wine!

I still got some stills that I loved. The top one says to me that:

 

"Yes, Laury...you do live in the country!"

 

The rest of the grass is saying:

 

"We've been waiting all week...it's time"

 

And an old friend is saying:

 

"I'm still here, don't forget about me!"

 

 

SOLEIL again this morning. I'm going to be running out in my overalls to crank up the lawnmower in a little bit and see how far I get. It's about time to hurl the lawnmower across the train track wall and cut those small, but treacherous pieces of land over by the barn.

 

 

Now that I know what to do with the video feature, I may share some videos of here from time to time.It is going to come in particularly handy as we go through the summer with the barn and Septembers new roof work,

 

Happy Monday!

 

Roads Home

 

So many events and happenings occurred on my road back to the Chatette last year. On my way into Cajarc this morning and on my way back home, I remembered how every trip last year between the two (no matter which direction) was full of mistral type winds on every journey. It was as if the universe was saying:

Just how badly

 

 

 

 

 

do you want to get home?

 

 

And then, there were the reflections of waking up on a Sunday morning in a REAL bed that was MY bed. And, a comfortable one at that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sat on the front steps that first morning waking up home again. I remembered other trips back.

 

I especially remembered the day I sat on the same front steps and realized for the first time that just being able to sit here and look at OUR VIEW was enough.

I didn't need anything else. I smiled to read these words in my journal from that day:

You aren't in Cajarc, Laury!

I am home 

 

 

And, I am!

Happy Sunday!

 

Days and Dates and Anniversaries

 

Even though the date of my return to the Chatette after the fire was April 28, 2018, it was a Saturday last year. Thinking date...tomorrow would be the anniversary. Feeling day...Saturday-today-would be the day. For some reason in this instance, I feel the day more than the date!

That Saturday last year, I'd moved what I had at the apartment to the Chatette with Evelyn's and Christiane's help. Very little was here besides the coffee pot, microwave, some chairs, and of course, my Monsieur Winkelmann.

 

 

That day, we had our first appointment with Monsieur Jolly to tune, repair, and generally show me what I could and needed to do to get Monsieur Winkelmann back in shape. A year later, we are still a work in progress. He may not look so pretty, but my Monsieur still sounds grand!

 

 

That day was also the day that my bed was delivered from BUT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Eric told me before I came home:

 

 

"all you really need is a table, chair, coffee pot, bed, your Monsieur and that beautiful place."

 

 

Snuggled into my brand new bed upstairs on Saturday night, I knew that Eric was right!

 

 

I made my first journal entry on Sunday morning. And what a morning it was. Of course, it was only the beginning of a very long haul that in some ways still goes on.

This is when I am really pleased that I journal. As much as I try to be an in the moment person, there are answers and strength for me in looking back. I'll be sharing some of that with you over time. For now...

Happy Saturday!

 

Weeds and Wanderings

 

 

I have absolutely no idea what this pretty little vine is. I'm assuming it's some kind of weed or wildflower growing all on its own in the front, roadside flower box beside the post box. Even with all the wisteria and columbines, it was this sweetie who came inside and became part of my flowers dramatic arrangements inside the Chatette.

 

 

It is special. It is photogenic. I'm even pressing a few to use to make some of my greeting cards...last year columbines were the stars. (We had "Comey Columbines" that were pressed inside James Comey's Book!) This year, I began with primroses, will return to columbines, and then add these guys into the mix.

 

 

Who knows? You might be the recipient of one of these guys in your own mailbox this year!

We are slowly coming back around to natural flow around here.

 

 

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my return to the Chatette after the fire. Lots has been rolling around in my heart and soul.

 

 

All of these beautiful flowers are a part of so many things that I love that carry me here.

Happy Friday!

 

A Wisteria World

 

I confess. My day of grass cutting treats went over the top with the wisteria. I discovered at the end of my day that I'd taken more than 100 wisteria photos. I told myself: it's so pretty; I have two varieties; and, it's not easy to photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During my first grass cutting of the season out there, I was afraid they were dead.

 

 

But, when I got to them and looked more closely, there were millions of buds looking ready to bloom soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing at the top of the terrace steps, I could see a pale haze of purple that I hadn't noticed before!

 

It rained yesterday morning so I didn't get back out to cut any more grass yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who knows what today holds? 

 

Enjoy my wisteria gang.

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Camera Eye Candy

 

Yesterday's grass cutting was not all chore! And, why not? It's spring and we are blooming or about to bloom all over the "compound!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to wander around a bit before I cut and also carry my phone/camera in the front top pocket of my overalls.

 

 

They even have a smaller pocket in a much larger zippered pocket to protect it. I LOVE these Duluth Trading Gardening Overalls! 

 

While anticipating blooming roses (I have 10 buds on a yellow one in the front of the house on the road), I still had camera eye candy at every turn. One may have even  been a "weed," but who cares. Pretty is pretty.

 

 

 

Enjoy these first flower favorites of the season, with a little artistic filter or two. There are many more to come!

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Let Us Have Lettuce!

 

Back and forth with recyclables the last week or so, I noticed the beautiful lettuce that Jacky and Yannick had all along the construction road home. It was so pretty, in such perfect lines, and then a few other things caught my eye under closer inspection!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There weren't any carrots in the patches, but I could almost see a Peter Cottontail sticking his head up between the heads of lettuce.

 

 

 

I'm not sure what the blue streamers and other items are for, but I would guess that they are meant to keep the bigger varieties of creatures out.

So much wonderful and interesting can be found if we just pay attention...

...blues, grays, textures, lone soldier pale lettuce, noisy frogs next door and so much more.

Maybe you noticed something I missed!

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

In the Shadow of the Barn

 

Holidays are always a little bit different for me in France. I always try to find a way to make them special, even it I'm on my own. As I described Christmas on my own in Paris last year, I realized that from Thanksgiving to Easter I was working for many years away from home and got very good at making each one special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday evening's dinner invitation was so much fun.

 

 

My little chick at the top was one of that dozen that I contributed to the evening. Making my way down the hill in the dark with my phone/flashlight, I realized that a Sunday Easter picnic would be fun. I have a couple of favorite picnic places, and could easily throw late lunch/early dinner into my backpack with a bottle of wine and go.

 

As the day progressed, it looked like picnics weren't going to happen. I knew that for sure after my second trip to the poubelle beside Eddy and Helen's house.

 

 

 

 

 

Taking some pix of their place, the gorgeous lettuce of Jackie and Yannick's, and on the construction road home, I was plopped with a few big drops.

 

 

 

 

So, how about Easter with the Barn this year! That would be fun. A little table inside...all very pretty and colorful.

By the time I was ready to take everything down the tracks and out to the barn, it was raining pretty hard AND it was getting chillier. 

Instead, I made a few dramatic flower arrangements and pondered.

 

 

 

I decided that I'd eat on the covered terrace from the swing and gaze at the barn from there.

It would have to do, and did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I began with a little guacamole inside while I wrote a bit in my journal and did some cooking for into this week. 

 

 

 

 

Then, it was off to the terrace with my dinner of stuffed meatloaf, baked potatoes, applesauce, salad with beets and mushrooms. 

 

That chocolate bunny will live to see another day, since other chocolates and cookies made a fine dessert all their own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a special place.

 

 

 

I love having so much pretty, romantic, historic, and so many CHOICES to make my holidays, days and my life special. What could be better than Easter in the shadow of my barn, lavoir and Chateau with my bittie birds singing in the rain?

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

Joyeuses Paques de Cadrieu

 

From a Good Friday Full Moon River Moon over the Lot, to a Saturday morning dancing diamond sparkling sunrise, and an Easter morning shower...days of holiday roll on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitors stop. Neighbors pass. Monsieur Winkelmann and I commune.

 

 

And, if it clears up there could be an Easter lunch at some out of the way or special location in my future!

 

 

We are Beautiful!

We Sparkle!

 

Happy Sunday and Joyeuses Pacques!