Soar-Dream-France

Melange-ing Time, Days and LIFE

 

After a full enough day yesterday, I was back on the phone to the states last night trying to make sure that I could take care of business that had to happen.

Most of the time, things run smoothly.

 

 

 

 

Lately, between ongoing work on the house, tenants leaving, tenants coming, hurricanes, and other potential disasters; I find that the natural boundaries of time and place don't really exist for me. 

 

 

I have had a flow and rhythm for most of my life. I thought I very much liked it that way, but I'm now questioning how natural it was.

These days I find I am having to redefine my life and my days, especially when the unexpected occurs.

I teased my family and friends that I feel like I live in the whole 24 hours of my life. It is a must if I want to get things done between two continents. 

Maybe that's why I'm having so much trouble trying to remember what day it is.

 

 

And, sometimes even where I am!

 

 

 

It seems to be melange-ing into one big life!

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Too Many Goodbyes

 

I have made no secret here and elsewhere, that I am an early bird. Most would say a "very" early bird. Over the more recent years of here, I've started my Tuesday through Saturday mornings with what I've come to call: "Two Nicolles and a Brian!" I am able to catch their cable news shows on-line on MSNBC from their night before, on my "morning after" in Cadrieu.

 

 

Brian Williams had been a favorite of mine long before he anchored the 11th Hour with Brian Williams.

News anchors can become parts of our lives, without even realizing it.

Brian's coverage of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina...

 

...and the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, kept him at the top of my list. This morning, Brian announced that he will be leaving MSNBC when his contract is up at the end of this year. 

 

 

I'd heard rumblings in the media. I've noticed other bits and pieces on the 11th Hour, so I was somewhat prepared. I just want to say how much I will miss him. He became an important person and connection for me, while I live at a distance during these pandemic lives of ours.

 

 

There is a lot of moving on for many these days. I wish him all the best and an open and beautiful road ahead.

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

*All the Ferguson photos were taken from my parents' living room on Elizabeth Avenue in Ferguson, the night that the verdict of the Grand Jury was announced. These were scenes on television that were happening from just around the corner on Florissant Avenue, to close to a half of a mile away in Dellwood. As you can see, the cavalry didn't come to Dellwood or Ferguson until it was too late. They were in Clayton.

Wood, Roses and Overalls

 

If I do say so myself, I have some very beautiful wood this season. I may have received a different kind than usual. It's definitely a different cut. This cut shows the inside color and texture even more. I haven't gotten it stacked as quickly, so I've covered my pile with tarp to keep it as dry as possible. Even so, there are a few wayward guys and the water seems to make this batch look like it's actually been polished. 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I believed that we were finally in for colder weather than we've had so far.

I got out to start moving more wood, cut some grass and haul some more wood up to the terrace.

 

 

I realized after cutting some grass the day before too, I wasn't in the best shape for moving, throwing, and heaving logs. I managed. My motto is: No matter how much you've done, CELEBRATE it as progress!

 

 

 

The colors were gorgeous. The roses seem to be "last hurrahing!" My robin pal was back to keep me company while I worked, but teased me mercilessly in the photo department. (Look on the fender of my bike.)

 

 

 

My overalls were perfect again, to the point that my overalls and hiking boots are my every day outfit as I spend more time outside working.

Sometimes a rose or two can even dress them up!

I always feel better when I know I've accomplished something.

 

 

 

Today, I'm waiting to have the poele cleaned for this season. It's important to have your "ramonage" certificate on hand to show it's been cleaned in case there are any chimney fire issues that require insurance contact.

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

Advent Calendar Therapy

 

Over the years, various advent calendars have brightened the lives of me and my family and friends. My adventure into advent calendars began with L'Occitane many years ago. Last year, I expanded my repertoire to include Bonne Maman that I sent to family.

 

 

With life pretty much the same this year as holidays are approaching, I problem solved what and how much I really felt like doing from here.

After talking with my sister, my direction was clear...

...advent calendars encore!

 

 

In the face of so many lives up in the air due to the virus and sometimes other health ills, disasters, and losses; having a little surprise present to open and enjoy every day can be a real spirit lifter.

It can also offer a little structure and routine to your day.

 

 

 

Last year's Bonne Maman was such a hit and so perfect for Kat and Tom, that I thought about doing it again. After we talked about it, I knew it was still perfect and may be my annual gift!

 

 

We remembered last year.

Kat would text me to let me know what flavor they were having on their toast that December morning and their critique.

It was fun to share with 5000 miles and an ocean between us.

 

But then, we laughed together, (maybe to keep from crying) when we realized that something as small as an advent calendar felt like it provided something you could count on, some actual stability, to these crazy lives of ours these days...Advent Calendar Joy!

 

So far this year, I have a smaller list.

I settled on Bonne Maman(s), Thiriet has an ice cream/sorbet advent calendar that I've ordered for someone special, popcorn, and hot sauce.

What about me?

There are so many gorgeous ones in France.

 

I can't even begin to try to send any to the states. It didn't stop me from looking, so when I found the Valette foie gras it had my name on it.

 

Now, while my stateside friends and family are nibbling down on breakfast or other treats; I may be having a warm baguette, red wine, pickles, and some sample of various foie gras delicacies.

It will be fun to share with each other.

 

The timing might be just about right for their mornings to coincide with my late afternoon/early evening in Cadrieu.

 

 

I'm looking forward to trying mine. I confess that I did have to check that our local Cajarc people didn't have a foie gras Advent Calendar for delivery before I ordered this one, and they didn't. I like to support the locals whenever I can and usually do.

 

 

Take a look at all I have to look forward to. Do you think I can wait till 12/1? We shall see!

 

Happy Saturday!

 

War on Women

 

A friend of mine from high school frequently uses the phrase "war on women," in many of his Facebook posts. I often cringe at the truth in that statement, but today it went way beyond "war."

I've shared some of my stories and my history here before. Those of you who know me and know me well, know that I walk the walk. I work for what I believe in.

With the State of Texas Bill SB8 being reviewed by the Supreme Court yesterday; I heard a panel of women discussing this bill and what it means for ALL women, not just women in Texas.

 

 

 

So many things that are going on at the state level today make me physically ill.

This bill allows private citizens to sue any woman who gets an abortion and anyone who would help her, for up to $10,000 after 6 weeks pregnant.

First, it is almost impossible for most women to even know that they are pregnant at six weeks.

Second, the bill puts the enforcement in the hands of citizens who could easily turn vigilante.

 

 

Armed with that information, imagine how I felt when I heard the words "Slave Bounties" at the tail end of a portion of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's comments?

Of course, this bill disproportionately affects women of color and poor women.

Slave Bounties on women are exactly what we have here.

It's the mentality of men who want to keep women "barefoot, pregnant and chained to the stove!"

Make no mistake...that means ALL women!

ALL women who seem to be incapable of supporting each other! 

And what about "our" men?

That's a discussion for another time.

I am stepping down from my soapbox for the moment.

 

 

 

I shall return!

 

 

Snap-Crackle-Pop...

 

...and, I'm not talking about the Rice Crispies Cereal!

 

Halloween was an interesting day here. It fell on a Sunday. It was time to fall back, and Monday was a bank holiday so it was a "bridge weekend" for the French. I thought maybe the locals were celebrating a little more than usual this past Sunday, since many had Monday and possibly took Tuesday off too. 

Sundays are my days to have a couple routine calls to the states. I usually end my day with a call to my sister. I'd decided to go upstairs and call and talk to her from there. I had the double-glazed porte-fenetre open, so we could hear everything. The cars were way too loud, but then I heard an unusual snap, crackle, pop kind of sound. I first thought hunters, then I thought fireworks, but the sound lingered so long I had to look out the window.

 

 

Initially, I saw the little twig of a tree to the right that looked to have broken off at the top so that only a stick remained. Kat and I went on talking, but the following morning I saw what I'd really heard on Halloween. If you look to the left, that whole tree fell into the Lot while I was talking to Kat.

 

 

I'm always sad when I've noticed trees that we've lost. This is the first time that I actually experienced the whole thing in real time. I guess as more and more work is done, there may be more tree losses!

Happy Thursday!

 

Beautiful Days

 

Lola has been having some fun while I'm trying to do some outside work from inside AND bring the front window boxes in for the winter season.

What she'd really like to do is jump out of the window and have some outside fun.

 

 

 

 

 

But, I manage to keep an eye on her.

It was a beautiful day of geraniums, begonias, rainbows, and of course, beautiful Lola.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

 

Being Here or There

 

One of the hardest things for me is always feeling "in between" here or there. Most years, I had not been here for most of the winters when I would be working contracts in Europe or going back to the states around Christmas to stay for a few months so I could see everyone. Now with the pandemic and Dad gone, I have begun to spend this time of year here at the Chatette. 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year when I arrived, the house had been closed up for close to eight months.

 

 

Once again, it seemed that I was always playing catch up. Even though I'd brought all the hanging baskets and window boxes in before that departure during December of 2019, I'd expected to be back at the end of March. You know the rest of that story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year, I can actually plan better with my window boxes and hanging plants, so that there might actually be a chance they will survive inside with me to have another season during 2022. That would make me really happy.

 

There's just so much that I want to do that doesn't get done, but not for want of trying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world is a crazy and unpredictable place these days where it's often impossible to plan, much less even know moment to moment what's up!

 

 

 

So, today I'm going to begin to bring in the window boxes and find them their own place where they will get light and can be easier to water. They have been such a joy this 2021 season. And, this year they are gorgeous, in good shape with a good head start, AND I am here to take care of them. I'm hoping I have all the elements for success.

 

 

Happy Monday and Happy All Souls Day!