Soar-Dream-France

Vines, Vines, and More Vines!

 

Encroaching vines are everywhere around the property.  At the moment, I'm allowing the beautiful red creeper to do it's thing on the front of the Chatette. But, it's time to get out and begin to get the grasping ivy off the barn. You can see it starting on the front of the barn. There is a very small amount on the back and then up the hill side. But, the side along the tracks is full.

It isn't a big job YET. That's why I'm getting out there and beginning to get it done and then spraying some weed killer on all of the roots! 

 

 

 

I know it's so much easier when I can keep up with things.

I am always reminded what the barn looked like when I bought it...it was covered with ivy.

I know...it's pretty, but it is damaging too!

I want to get us off to a good start with the barn. 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

Roof-Roofs-Rooves

 

Roofs have intrigued me ever since my first visit to the Lot. This shot above was taken in St. Cirq Lapopie. I called it "Patchwork Slate!"

The shot on the right is a favorite from St. Pierre Toirac.

Here, their beauty, texture, purpose, and history speak to me. Ah, the stories they could tell.

 

 

 

I try very hard to listen to the messages from our barn...roof or otherwise.

So far, I think I've done a pretty good job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I've been "roof saturated" as of late. It isn't any wonder that I'm zeroing in on roofs while I'm out and about.

 

 

 

There were some particularly beautiful ones in Faycelles on Saturday.

 

 

 

I don't think I have to worry about going through roof withdrawal in the Lot!

 

Happy Monday!

 

New Orleans Comes to Cadrieu

 

With all the "barning" that has been going on over the last couple of weeks or so, I found myself staying pretty close to home and only venturing as far as Cajarc. Yesterday, Jane and I did a Figeac tour. We started at the Recyclerie and ended up just outside of Figeac at Faycelles trying out a "new" place (according to Jane).

 

 

Getting lots of errands done and having some fun along the way is always great. Jane and I do this well together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While there is more to write about the day, it was in the getting home that grabbed me.

 

 

 

I'd treated myself to a bouquet of roses and a basket of pretty fall gourds at Aldi. I'd put both on the table while I put everything else away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It felt more like my "making groceries" in New Orleans yesterday. I wasn't on my purple bike outside of Canseco's in New Orleans, but red roses on a lace table cloth took me there.

 

 

It must have been a New Orleans day yesterday. I chose a movie off of youtube to watch last night before bed, called A Little Bit of Heaven with Kate Hudson and Whoopi Goldberg. A very sweet and poignant tear jerker for sure, but the real pull for me was that it was set in New Orleans. At one point she is riding her bike on what looked like down Chartres Street in the Quarter to me and all the scenes just screamed many moons of my memories.

 

 

Yesterday and last night, New Orleans came to Cadrieu!

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Friday Finish

 

 

 

Yesterday afternoon, we were almost finished.

In clean up mode at the moment, I thought that I'd just share a Friday collage and a photo or two with you.

More another time! 

 

Happy Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

My Two Roofs

 

It makes no difference if I'm on my sweet swing on the covered terrace, by the fosse-septique working, or coming up the back terrace steps from groceries or a bike ride; I have numerous views of the new roof work.

I'm learning though, that venturing out across the tracks from time to time is a must. That's when I discover views and happenings that I might not have otherwise seen.

 

Those dancing, partying spirits made my day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These ladders everywhere that only in that moment, reminded me of Mardi Gras along the Endymion Parade Route in New Orleans.

 

 

And then, there was a sweet comparison when I was able to see the roof of the Chatette side by side with the roof of the barn. My two roofs are my two girls!

 

 

So much stirs the magic here. I'm trying really hard to give Didier his space and stay out of his way. Once we're finished, you can bet I'll be out there regularly.

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

A Whole Lot of Workin' Goin' On

 

Yesterday morning I'd set my sights on putting a dent in the nasty, monstrous roots and vines that have taken hold of the wall by the fosse-septique. I'd gotten a pretty good start, but there was still more to do.

I am plodding and determined and know that I must be patient.

There I was pruning and lobbing away, while Didier was up on the roof and Cedric was caulking and winterizing next store.

Pretty soon Cedric came over to chat a bit. He is much better equipped than I am.

 

 

He also helps out often with stubborn situations beyond my equipment capabilities! (Ha-ha!) 

 

While we were hanging out around the fosse-septique (not as much fun as the water cooler or coffee pot), a friend of Didier's came walking up the train tracks. Turns out, "Gerard" was interested in the buddleias along the road. We had a 4-way conversation for a while, then a 3-way, and lots of French-bien sur!

Finally, Cedric and I decided it was time to "continue" with our work! I did a little more, but was out of the mood. It was almost lunch so I stopped and planned to do more the next day.

 

Heading in up the front steps, Gerard was coming down the road with one of the buddleias from our volunteer buddleia alley in front of the Chatette. I told him to take them ALL! He laughed and said this was enough for now, but he'd be back next year and maybe take me up on my offer of some of the other colors that I have growing behind the barn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took lunch to the porch swing. Then after my call with Dad, I went out to sit on the swing and read a little bit.

I glanced over to the wall and pondered where I would start in the morning, but quickly went back to my book.

 

 

When I looked up again, I finally noticed that the wall was completely CLEAR!

 

 

That Cedric had sneaked out and cleared all the pieces that I could and couldn't do. What a sweetheart!

 

 

It would probably have taken me a week or two given my moods, plodding pace and basic equipment. What a gift!

Happy Wednesday!

 

Color is Coming

 

 

Here we are at October first in France, and I'm thinking that fall is my favorite season here. Oh, spring is beautiful and I love all the flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, the brilliance of fall that surrounds me here and the cooler weather coming or here already; make me happy and energized.

 

 

It could also be because we have NO real fall in New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess I've been going through fall withdrawal up until life here!

The front of the Chatette is going to be devastatingly gorgeous here shortly.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled!

 

 

I can even see the beginnings of our annual beautiful golden tree that is a beacon on the road from up around the bend!

 

 

And of course, the work is continuing on the barn.

 

We are getting close to done...last night I noticed that the ladders across the back are gone. It is really looking new, fresh and pretty back there. All the more incentive to me to get out there and re-start the work on clearing the cliff!

 

Happy Tuesday!