Soar-Dream-France

Honoring a Heavenly Birthday

 

Today, I'm feeling my Daddy and honoring him on his 91st birthday. It's his second heavenly birthday, and I know that the 4 of us siblings all remember, honor and celebrate him in our own ways.

While the shot above is not one of my favorites of Dad, I love it because he loved that Mardi Gras jester hat and was having so much fun wearing it. It's one that I actually took of him.

I have a tendency to share the "young and handsome" shots of Dad.

 

 

But, this is the way I always remember him...still always handsome and smiling. Of all the later photos, this shot that my sister Kat took, is my favorite. I keep it on my refrigerator so he is smiling at me every morning and I say: Hey; Hello; or Good Morning to Dad every morning. And, always I love you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If he were here with me today, he would have loved having a chocolatine with me and maybe a little coffee.

 

 

I looked around for a candle this morning just to make it perfect, but have no idea where I've put them. So instead, I lit candles all around the Chatette and enjoyed a Happy Birthday petit dejeuner with Dad. I also decided to put on a pretty dress for the day too!

I'm sure a little later, I'll play Moon River for him and maybe a little Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup or When I Fall in Love.

 

Nat King Cole was his and Mom's favorite. They saw him together in person in London. I'll never forget as long as I live, sitting with the two of them while Mom was in hospice and watching him hold her hand and sing Nature Boy. Yes, I am blubbering now.

 

 

So Daddy, Joyeux Anniversaire from France. I Love you.

I know you and Mom are just beyond the moon keeping an eye on all of us. We love you.

 

Happy Birthday in Heaven!

 

Water Water Everywhere!

 

Not long ago, I shared the channel and canal that run from the lavoir under ground below the train tracks, my property, and the road...to carry the flow to the Lot River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These shots look very different with water!

 

 

I would guess that these older ones will make a little more sense when you see the channel, canal, and the river with rushing water.

In fact, the canal to the river is overtopping at the moment.

 

 

It was difficult not to remember the flood last year.

 

 

 

Then, the Lot River itself breached its banks and came all the way up to the wall.

It made me think about all the various sources of the water for us here.

I've often joked, who needs "water treatments" when you have a lavoir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, it seems water events are everywhere!

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Figgie Fun!

 

For the last few years, my friends Eddy and Helen have gotten in touch to tell me that their figs were ripe and I could help myself.

That's when the jam making began. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That first year I had a recipe that called for vanilla, and it was fine. Last year, I got carried away with the vanilla.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But this year, it seems just right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No vanilla this year, but a few dashes of lemon juice.

 

 

It's very pretty and a very different consistency than the last two years, but it tastes just as good if not better.

As you can see, I've been enjoying it on a fresh croissant with my coffee.

These are definitely some of the treats of here.

Both yesterday and today, I was also able to get a couple of chores done. My friends live close to the poubelle and the bottle bin.

Yesterday was garbage and recyclables and this morning was bottles. They are very particular about what kind of "glass" they want in the bottle bin.

They have a new one now with a tinier hole that makes it difficult to throw in much more than jars and wine bottles.

 

 

I was particularly pleased to see that they clearly state DO NOT throw stuff around the side of the bin if it's full! 

The bottle bin used to be all by itself down by the bus stop on the main road. You can imagine what it looked like on the main road.

 

 

During summer season it was always full and overflowing. it's spot now beside the other bins works much better.

I don't need more figs for the moment, but it might be time for another bike ride bottle deposit before the day is over.

 

Happy Bottle Binning Tuesday!

 

Meaningful Mornings

 

Sitting here at my spot on a Sunday morning, I can see the butterflies on the buddleia just out the door and the robins and other birds wander around in the rose garden. Everything is so nicely framed by my big, double-glazed, back terrace door. At night, I pull the wooden shutter door shut and that way I don't have to lock up.

Some mornings, I leave the shutter closed and open the double glazed glass door so that Lola can "pretend" she's outside when that outside air wafts in under the crack at the bottom of the door. No, she doesn't go out. The crack is enough for her to enjoy, but not enough to escape. 

 

 

I headed out on my bike yesterday morning, only for it to begin raining halfway to Montbrun. I know I'm not going to melt, and am happy to ride through the morning mist, but this was definitely drops.

I turned around and felt a little cheated.

This morning I thought I'd make a quick trip into Cajarc for a few essentials. Now that I'm riding more, a "run" into Cajarc feels even easier!

I left at 8:30 and wondered if I could make it back by 9:30?

Early is always better for me because of the cool, less people, and much more energy.

 

 

I was very quick with the Petit Casino essentials and then had to have a few goodies from Besse's. 

I'd thought about going to see my "Merci Lady" at St. Etienne, but really wanted to get back.

It wasn't a race, but I wanted to spend some quality time with her and thought a separate visit might be best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I was crossing the first set of train tracks at the first train house, I could see the morning mist had settled into the valley and over the treetops as some beautiful, soft, fuzzy, animal of your choice. It always makes me want to reach out and touch it with my hands, or pretend that I am wrapped in its soft morning sweetness.

 

 

 

Then, there was a break in the trees, way before my usual stair step stopping place on this part of the road.

I passed it up and almost kept going.

But instead, I stopped, leaned my bike against the road wall, and walked back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn't resist capturing a few photos.

 

 

Another gorgeous morning in the Lot. What a way to start any day!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Patience is a Virtue

 

With a second day of heavy rainstorms and continuing spotty internet, my patience with writing anything of great length is tested again. So, today, I'm re-directing my impatience and focusing on my beautiful rain-kissed, aromatic roses! 

 

 

Yesterday's exploits at the Resurgence will have to be saved for another time.

 

Happy Friday

 

The Many Moods of Old Friends

 

Yesterday's ride took me back in the direction of Cajarc, and down the bus stop road to the road between the river and the farmers' fields.

Each morning, I seem to be less excited about lugging stuff with me.

This day, it was just me and the phone/camera...no journal, coffee, or cookies. I've been this way many times.

 

 

 

 

 

The last time had been in the late afternoon.

 

 

I wondered what morning gifts awaited!

 

 

I found myself wandering and stopping, not sitting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monsieur Columbus was in his favorite bike parking spot, while I soaked up our morning friendship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of my farmer neighbor friends were out working in the field, but too far away to be anything except tiny dots on a photo.

 

 

I have often teased that I'm up with the birds, bells, farmers and fishermen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This place still stuns me.

 

 

 

This is my heaven on earth, or as my tarot card reader and friend used to call it: my "place in the sun!"

He knew mine was here. His is New Orleans!

 

 

So today, I wish you your own "heaven on earth," or "place in the sun!"

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Just Not Early Enough

 

Yesterday, I thought if I headed out a little earlier than I did on Sunday morning, I might have a little more sun and quiet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd had a couple shots I wanted to get in Montbrun, so I decided to ride there first and capture my shots.

 

 

 

Then, I'd head back to the first stone staircase out of Cadrieu to have my coffee. No journal, sitting in the quiet with my coffee seemed like a great idea!

 

 

So much for great ideas, Montbrun was wonderful and didn't disappoint me. It was especially pretty with the sun coming up, since it painted almost everything in gold. 

 

 

The problem was that it was Monday. I'm guessing that there will be no "early enough" for me on weekdays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cars were passing in Montbrun, while I was in the road taking photos.

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the stone staircase, they were flying by. 

 

 

I did enjoy my coffee, but didn't finish it all.

 

 

 

It's not very relaxing when you want to scream at every car that passes:

"Slow down you***!

-It's 50km here!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just saved my coffee and took it home to enjoy with a bit of journaling inside upon return.

Even so, it was a beautiful morning, that got me revved up and ready for the rest of my day.

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Revisiting River Moments and Loss

 

On my way home after my two Sunday stone stair step sojourns, I decided there was one more thing I had to do before I came in: walk down to the boat slip on the Lot River in front of the Chatette.

 

It's such a pretty spot.

 

I honestly couldn't remember the last time I just walked down to visit.

 

 

It was time!

 

The sun was just sneaking over the causse, so there were pretty reflections to be had. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It also seemed that everything was green-green-green, or greener that green as I sometimes say!

 

I also checked out the channel that runs from the lavoir to the river and the canal that carries it across the land to the outlet. It has always fascinated me.

 

In doing so, I had a shock.

Another one of our huge trees that had been clinging to the bank had lost its battle with the water and winds.

It had tumbled into the Lot.

We've lost so many. I am attached. At least, I didn't name them.

 

Needless to say, we have a huge erosion problem with the land that is beside the river.

I'm sure the flooding earlier this year didn't help. 

 

 

I decided to sit a while, even though the grass was wet. I even thought about putting my feet in, so I could squiggle my toes in the river moss that covers the boat slip stones.

 

 

 

Instead, I sat back and remembered all the years of here, coming up on 20 years in February of 2022. 

 

With that bank running the length of the Chatette and more; I feel each loss in a personal way. Back in the early days, we had what we called "the tree" because it was so beautiful and particularly photogenic. I used to tease that "the tree" screamed just as much as the Eiffel Tower because I took so many photos of them both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, it never crossed my mind that we would be losing trees.

 

Many of my friends and I, mourned the passing of "the tree."

 

I will never get used to losing them.

The one that is in the river right now was less of a solitary star on the bank than "the tree!" It: blended in well with other trees; served as a great backdrop for many photos; and, even sported a rope swing with a seat that has hung most of the time since the Chateau Cadrieu Madistan Festival began.

The new village walking path is going to follow along the bank of the river. I'm hoping that maybe with this new project; there will be some stabilization of the bank. 

 

Being back "on the river" was grand for me, even in the sadness.

 

 

As with the roadside stone steps, I'm resolved to go down more often and enjoy our special space.

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

An Early Sunday Sojourn

 

I always enjoy getting out and riding my bike, but with all the sitting I've been doing trying to take care of stuff in New Orleans, I haven't gone as often or as far as I like.

If I ride at all, it's a quickie up and back.

This morning, I treated myself to a ride "somewhere" to journal, enjoy some coffee and cookies, and watch the morning come. 

I was out and on my bike easily before 8.

 

 

I decided to stop and sit by one of the many stone staircases that take you down beside the road wall to the Lot River.

In fact, one of the sets of church bells hand just chimed 8 as I pulled up to my spot.

I'd headed out in the direction of Montbrun thinking I'd go there, but then I remembered that the staircases looked much clearer than my usual favorite between home and Cajarc. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I passed up the first one and stopped at the second.

It wasn't as clear as the first, but I decided to stop anyway and maybe get some photos of the first one on the way home.

 

 

 

I got myself situated with my coffee thermos, cookies, journal and pen. I'd used my birthday bag from Mike and John to hold it all and keep it safe in my bike basket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't as easy to balance it all on the stone and writing neatly was a bit of a challenge, but all the rest made it worth it.

I have always enjoyed watching the morning come no matter where I am in the world. It's a time when I feel like it all really belongs just to me.

 

It makes no difference if I'm out early on my bike through City Park in New Orleans, or walking to catch the metro in Paris when the sun is kissing the tops of the buildings and the shop keepers and bistro owners are out cleaning and readying for another day.

Here though, it is even more special for me. There is the silence and the stillness. Of course, there is the sound of the Lot, birds, fisherman, and passing bikers. This morning, a red squirrel hopped up on the road wall, eyes locked for that moment, and he scampered a bit away and then straight down the wall.

 

What a treat.

 

 

I always have epiphanies in these early mornings. I know if I would get up and get out like this every day, I would have much more energy and would get so much more done. It's really about the exercise and the activity. These days, it has been too easy to just be in and around the house.

I think I have a plan. 

Each morning, out with coffee, cookies, pen and journal, to scoop a spot somewhere along my road!

Of course, I'll let you now how it goes!

 

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Constant Chaos

 

I honestly don't know where to start. I often hear: God doesn't give you more than you can bare; Don't be sad be mad; Don't get mad get even; It's just life; and, on and on. I'm even having trouble trying to choose photos for this post.

 

 

I also do NOT want to go on ad nauseum about the shape of life in the states and the layers of insanity that just keep piling on for everyone everywhere.

I have a list of the layers that on their own alone, would be enough to be considered a major crisis for most people.

Then, when you consider the overlay of the pandemic; everything is magnified an unknown number of "folds!"

Without going into detail, I had an experience this morning that hurt, but quickly moved me to the "anger" place and action!

 

 

Times are hard. Everyone is on edge. Think before you speak. Think before you write.

Pay attention to your own stuff and don't dump it on other people when the fact is...everyone is in crisis.

It appears that the infrastructure of life in the states is broken and unraveling before our very eyes.

 

 

Be kind. And as my sister tells me: be gentle with yourself!

 

 

PLEASE, Pay Attention!