Soar-Dream-France

An Afternoon of Many Seasons

 

Yesterday, I was on the attack.

The train tracks and the land behind the barn were needing immediate attention since the rain is making another jungle for me.

I didn't get that far.

As I swung my overall-ed legs and hiking-booted feet over the wall to the steps down to the tracks, they needed attention too.

Ash, nettles, moss, and other weeds were running rampant so I started there.

 

 

 

"We" are very pretty when it's all cleaned up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started pruning, scraping, digging, raking and pulling.

My aha of the day was that I can actually pull up the dreaded nettles, if I'm properly gloved and clothed to avoid the stings.

I am no longer dreading the monster nettles waiting for me behind and beside the barn in quite the same way!

 

 

 

 

I took a few before photos while I worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I already know how stunning "we" can be when we're all cleared and cleaned up. 

 

 

 

I was ready to soldier on, but the weather was not cooperating. An in and out sun couple with on and off rain of varying strengths, made me surrender. The hard rain was the final straw. 

On to the covered terrace where I could continue to finish up potting my flowers from last week.

 

 

 

All that pretty color helps in the midst of the rain storms! 

Happy Thursday!

 

A Figeac Favorite

 

It's pretty bad when you realize that you are repeating old stories. The best part of that realization is that it's truly wonderful that I have those memories and experiences of almost 20 years ago now, to tell!

I have been stopping in at La Cazelle since that first summer here during 2002.

Initially, it was to rest my can of "vernis" on the table, while I drank a small glass of red wine on my way to the bus home after a shop at Weldom.

Of course, I was in my short overalls.

 

 

 

Over the years, it became a stop for a wine with my Carrefour groceries and then I began having lunch there with friends. It became a lunch place of choice for Jane and I.

After the 2017 fire, I "invited" a group of friends there for lunch on the patio to say thank you for all of their help and support during those difficult post fire times.

Now, I have a feeling Jane and I will be surrendering McDonald's and finding more time to stop in to see Marc and have a true dejeuner at La Cazelle.

I'll have to check it out and see if and how it's going there. 

 

 

I will keep you posted on La Cazelle and many of the other old restaurant and coffee "haunts" as re-opening unfolds. 

Let's hope everything goes well as more people get vaccinated.

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

(*All photos included in this piece were taken in previous years, not this season.)

Early Visit Photo Fun-Calvignac

 

There are so many gorgeous medieval cliff-clinging villages in the Lot, and each one is prettier and more unique than the next.

Even so, taking a friend from the states around to many of them, he commented: "It starts to feel like going to all the different plantations in one day!"

I knew what he meant, you've seen one you've seen them all!

I confess, I do begin to feel that way about plantations, but NOT our medieval villages.

 

 

 

So many of my photos over the years take my breath away. Calvignac is a favorite of mine. These are a few photos from my early years of dropping by or "hanging out" in Calvignac.

The first two are both sides of the same arch. Capturing the village through one side of the arch and the hills through the other was lots of fun. 

This cross is nearby and has always been one of my favorites!

Here I am at the bottom of the arch back in 2005!

 

 

2005 was a pivotal year for myself and my friends. Little did we know in the midst of that glorious Lotois summer, we'd shortly be facing Katrina, moves, divorce, and loss. There is a short story or a novel in here somewhere!

I leave you with my most favorite shot taken in Calvignac, inside St. Etienne!

Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday!

 

Close to You

 

 

There are many things about here that I long to bring "close to you!" 

I've tried with the birds, bells, rainbows, morning sun rises, setting suns and moons galore. It's time for the roses. I find them irresistible, even in the rain.

On both of the trips I took to Monet's Giverny (one with Mom and one on my own), I learned a very important lesson.

Bring on the rain!

 

 

 

It made no difference that it was raining the whole time, both trips; it seemed the flowers and ponds were even more beautiful.

 

 

I'd say the same for my rose garden too!

 

 

Just like me, they long to be...

...close to you!

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

Disrupted Flows of Life Recaptured

 

I have always been someone who found comfort in my routines and also found ways to blend the people I love within them. 

I had a group of friends that had breakfast together every Sunday morning.

I had another friend who I met for coffee every Friday morning at the Monteleone with our favorite waitress, Lucille.

 

And then, there was the Friday night after work Napoleon House gang. Most of them continued past Katrina, but for various reasons, none of them survived much longer than that.

 

From here in Cadrieu, it was less about routines and more about "events!" Village Fetes, Classical Music at Chateaux, Aperos at the Chatette whenever friends were here to visit, Vernissages, Quatorze Juillet, Holidays, and other village celebrations were all on the calendar or added. Most were annual or less, so maybe I can't really call them routines. 

My visit to Les Fleurs de L'lle was an annual event for me here too!

It began with Jean and I going together. After Jean returned to Ipswich, Jane and I began going together.

 

 

Last year I wasn't here, so I'm hoping that this year's visit will get us back in the flow of at least annual visits once more.

I chuckle. Even as I write, I realize that there may be a spring trip planned to the states for 2022 for less than a month for sure. But, this last one was supposed to be 3, not 8.

We shall see!

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed all my goodies in progress so far.

 

Up next are the terrace hanging baskets and the barn window box that hangs on the doors with a big geranium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The roses in the terrace rose garden are coming into their own. 

 

 

Bit by bit we are feeling ourselves again and more complete.

We're surrounded!

Happy Sunday!

 

Getting There

 

Having walked from one end of Les Fleurs de L'lle to the other in search of lavender, I ended up on this far side in the vegetable section with this beautiful view of the Lot Valley.

No lavender for me!

I instead, scooped this photo and turned around to head back and make a few more decisions!

 

 

This sweet pooch was everyone's welcoming committee. He/she appeared to be in hog heaven meeting, greeting, and wandering around to make sure we were all on our good behavior.

Jane an I did well. I got almost everything I needed AND a merci shrimp tree for Jane for just under a hundred euros. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was happy and well within my budget.

It helps coming prepared.

Unloading in front of the Chatette was a breeze. For a moment, we were duded up the way I would dude us up if funds were unlimited.

All of the flowers could have been on the front "stoop," instead of spread around the front, back and the geranium window box on the barn.

But then again, they don't take care of themselves. 

 

We began in the front, moved inside, and then out to the terrace to be watered and strategically placed for potting and placing.

I knew it wasn't going to happen right away, so Friday was the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The terrace became my new flower laden spot. 

 

 

 

The geranium gang and friends seemed happy.

 

 

They waited pretty patiently for me and even had a little refreshing shower later that evening to tide them over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also had some fun hanging out and playing around in some of the remaining winter logs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I began lining up the window boxes and hanging baskets that I wanted to use so I could be ready when the mood hit.

What does their future hold?

 

 

I'll share more tomorrow!

 

Happy Saturday!

 

L'Accent et Tournez-Penchez

 

 

Give me days of pastoral peace and quiet beside my wagon with a nice glass of Cahors!

To be honest, even with my caved in wagon, those are still most of my days.

Wednesday was an exception, and an exception full of French.

I may be deluded, but I believe that I speak better than I understand.

The path from brain to voice seems to be clearer than ear to brain.

 

 

 

 

I used to tease Jean, that if you put the 2 of us together you had a whole French understanding-speaking person. She understood more and I didn't mind speaking more.

We often helped each other, and in many more ways than just French!

It began at the Limogne vaccination center. Of course, the nurse I had to continue to redirect me. I listened and understood.

The doctor and I actually had a nice conversation.

 

He didn't need my Carte de Sejour or my Assurance Maladie Card.

He asked if I was "English" and we were off and running. I said American, and he said ah, the accent. He clearly spoke and understood English, but I soldiered on with my French. I told him I came from New Orleans. He asked about speaking French there-so, no. I shared how my friends from Cadrieu came with me in 2008 and learned that we don't speak French.

 

 

We even had the Cajun discussion. Honestly, it was fun for me.

 

Then, Christiane and I headed to the Presse in Cajarc to see if I could get my US-sized passport photos so I could get my application in to renew my passport. There is a husband-wife team who have the Presse. The husband is in charge of the photos. I was lucky he was there. The camera had to be reset from the French setting to the US setting so there was a little wait. Mask off, I took my place. Look into the camera of course, but for some reason I couldn't get my head into the position that was needed.

 

 

First, it was "tournez" so I turned. Then, it was "penchez" that I quickly learned meant "tilt/lean!"

Poor guy, what ever I was doing was either too much or too little turning and tilting. We finally got it. I checked out once my photos were ready, along with all my other presents to me for a successful day!

As I walked out and thanked him he reminded me one more time, with un "sourire" (smile)..."tournez-penchez!" I giggled! I had the force of my smiling angels with me!

 

 

Of course, I will never forget!

Happy Friday!

 

Mission or Market?

 

Yesterday's trip to Limogne was NOT a market day for me.

As you can see from this shot above from the archives, Sunday morning markets have been high on the list of friends who have come to visit from the states back in the "early days" of here.

In fact, most of my visitors came during 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Not everyone made it to the Limogne Market, but those who did loved it.

 

 

 

Actually, markets are always a hit. We have many nearby that are fun. Here are Stew and Eric on their first visit here, in 2008. They enjoyed the Limogne Market. I always remember finding their gorgeous statue of Jean d'Arc at the brocante on the way out of town after the market 

 

 

 

Yesterday, however, I was on my way with Christiane to go to Limogne to get my first COVID vaccine. Limogne is the closest vaccination center for us. I was on a mission for sure. It's difficult to explain to my friends in the states and elsewhere that things are different here. I am happy to explain and have been very happy to be patient. Those around me haven't always been and have sometimes bordered on insulting. Trust me, I do know what I'm doing. I pay attention. I only became eligible to take the vaccine during the first week of this month. Yesterday was the 12th. I am pleased with myself and especially grateful to Christiane, who is an "ange!" I can't even begin to count the ways.

 

 

We arrived right on time. The Vaccination Center is very organized. We entered on the side of a building beside the church. There was a table that took my information, asked some situational questions, and then directed me through a door on my right. This huge room was pretty much empty so I went up to a table and was directed by one of the nurses to take a seat. I did. Two other people were sitting on chairs on the other side of the room. I was then told to go to the end of the cubicles to see the Dr. He was able to take the information for my paperwork and then sent me to the nurse. She asked me something in French about anti-coagulants, that took me a minute to catch, but I was able to tell her I take a "petit" aspirin from time to time, but "pas aujourd'hui!"  While I was looking away and told her I was sorry I was slow in understanding, I didn't even feel the injection. 

 

I was directed out to the chairs to wait my 15 minutes post-injection. Shame on me-that first nurse had to tell me again to go sit in different chairs. The chairs I chose were for entering only, I needed to be in the chairs for exiting! In moments, the Dr. came out with paperwork for me and the two others who were sitting with me.

He said it was okay to go so I made sure I left by the "sortie" so I didn't incur that same nurses wrath. What a relief!

On our way home, a beautiful fawn crossed just quickly enough in front of Christiane. Our next stop was at the Presse to see if I could get the photo in the correct size to renew my US Passport.

It was a morning of success in all departments. I even treated myself to a couple celebration "cadeaux" for all the progress I'd made.

 

 

I do have some adventures in French to share with you another time. 

 

Happy Happy Thursday!

 

Simply Silly Seagulls

 

 

Growing up in landlocked St. Louis, I knew rivers and lakes, but the closest I ever got to an ocean was the Gulf of Mexico. My first introduction to the Gulf was when I was taking an advanced Geology Course that was offered on Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola.

 

 

It is a National Seashore where we were able to do topographic mapping of the sand dunes, study the stars, and learn about the various eco-systems. I fell in love with the beach. In fact, being able to be close to these beaches made my decision to get my MSW at the Tulane School of Social Work in New Orleans.

 

 

After graduating and returning to live permanently in New Orleans, it wasn't unusual for me to get up very early in the morning and drive over to Santa Rosa Island, so I'd get there at about 9:30 or 10:00.

I'd spend the morning into the afternoon, head over to a favorite restaurant for a late lunch, and then head back to New Orleans and still make it home before dark.

I prefer the white sands and shades of green and blue waters of Pensacola.

 

 

The Mississippi Gulf Coast was much closer. I could easily be there in an hour. As time went on, many of my friends bought weekend places there or retired to live there full time. This meant I had more reason to choose Mississippi over Florida, and often did.

No matter where the beach, the seagulls are always favorites of mine. These Bay St. Louis guys tickled me. 

 

 

I must be missing beaches today.

Enjoy my silly seagulls!

Happy Tuesday!

 

Save the Roses!

 

 

After a pretty full day of cutting grass on Saturday, I went out with the weed killer to edge the areas I'd cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also wanted to hit some of the super monster weeds and vines that take everything you have to get rid of them.

 

 

 

 

I'd discovered that my rose bush had exploded with Saturday's heat, but was worried because I was already experiencing almost Chocolat winds  while I was spraying AND they were predicting serious thunder storms.

 

 

I prefer to leave most of the roses on the bushes when I can, but I've seen the damage done with these heavy winds and rains.

I had visions of all my newly exploded, beautiful roses reduced to merely piles of petals.

I knew the palm-sized ones were in the greatest danger, so I came out with the pruner after I'd finished all my other chores and began to take any of the huge ones that were on longer single stems.

So may of them have multiples that often don't open if the buds are cut too soon, so multiples with tighter buds stayed.

 

 

 

I see lots of dead-heading in my future.

How wonderful to be able to be here with my roses again!

 

 

And, it's only beginning!

Happy Monday!