Soar-Dream-France

Snail Mail and Sunshine...

 

...make me happy! There's nothing like coming home from town to find my mail box stuffed with cards and letters from the states. It does happen from time to time. I have my regulars and sometimes a surprise or two sneaks its way in. I love it all! 

Before going inside, I passed up the drive on my bike to go to the mailbox and check. There was a little present from the states from my sister. As I've said before, ours is a cards, letters, and snail mail family. And then, there are the stamps!

 

I know home is just around the bend when I get to that turn in the road...not to mention, those stunning views.

 

 

I don't mind stopping for photos when the weather is pretty and I'm not loaded down with stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was one of those days, when I was fortunate enough to have both.

 

 

Conditions were perfect for on the way home photos AND lunch on the terrace.

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Spur of the Moment-To Cajarc en Velo

 

Practicing at the upstairs window with Lola yesterday morning; the color, the warmth, the temperature, and the sunshine convinced me that I should get out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had some mail to send to the states and can always pick up a few odds and ends.

I was prepared for all possibilities beyond La Poste. Maybe Petit Casino, maybe Escrozailles, or maybe even just come on back home after La Poste depending on what I find in town.

 

 

It was an easy drop at the mail box.

Off around the circle past La Pause, I headed to the boucherie. There was NO line AND my favorite butcher was there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I so enjoy speaking my bad French with Philippe.

 

 

He is very patient, and such a smile. He didn't wait on me yesterday, but I listened to him tell the man ahead of me about going on vacation next week for what sounded to be like something related to the shop.

 

 

Once I paid, I asked and it will be next week for "quinze jours!" I explained on the 15, mars, I will be going to the states for "six semaines" to hopefully sell my house in New Orleans. He crossed his fingers for me which was sweet. 

 

 

Then, I headed over to the Petit Casino. I made sure I had everything. My glasses (lunettes) were with me when I went in the door, I was certain, but then I couldn't find them. I had to squint to see some of the prices and certainly when I used my carte de credit while I explained to the checker that "J'ai perdu mes lunettes!"

 

 

I got back out to my bike and decided to look one more time with no luck! Just as I was getting ready to get on my bike I looked down and there they were-I'd stuck them on the collar of my shirt. I had to share with my checker friend and we had a giggle together! 

I thought about going to the riverfront to nibble on my treats, but the clouds looked threatening so I headed straight home.

 

 

 

That was, till I rounded the bend and the view screamed photo op! Sometimes you just have to stop. Even if your baguette is about to fall out of your bike basket, and the whole world knows it's that crazy American with her baguette, Coke Zero and potato chips!

 

 

As I wrote earlier this morning, what a view to be waiting for you as you come around the bend home from grocery shopping.

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Practicing

 

Many of you may or may not know, but Lola is an inside cat here with me.

It isn't something she's happy about because in her previous life, she was an outside girl.

Looking at these photos you can probably see why. We are smack dab on the main road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sammie Cat and I eased into her coming outside, but only when I was outside with her. She would always come when I called her to come in. She was also very good about just sitting on these window ledges, enjoying the outside, and NOT jumping down.

 

Since I am going to be gone for sixish weeks soon and Auntie Pam will be taking care of Lola during that time, I decided to practice with her and experiment a bit.

She loves sitting on the window ledges. She is afraid of the noise of the cars and jumps back down into the house as soon as they are close and returns when they pass. She wants the birds. She appears to realize that this particular spot is too high to jump from. Upstairs, yes...here, I have my doubts.

 

 

We shall see. I will continue our practice and experiments. It's nice to have the windows open. It would be nice to open the door to the terrace too, but I don't know if we'll get that far.

 

 

 

Wish us well.

Happy Thursday!

 

Love in the Grand Canyon

 

Since I went directly from high school, to college, to graduate school; I had been in school my whole life until I graduated from the Tulane School of Social Work in December of 1977.

I saw an unlimited Greyhound Bus Pass (anywhere in the USA and Canada) for $325 and decided that I needed to take off to travel the states on my own. I had friends from graduate school all over the country.

 

 

 

I thought I would get travel out of my system before I settled down into work and life in general.

My passion for independent travel and meeting new people all over the world was born on this trip. That never really happened!

Of course, there is a much more sweet than bitter story here.

 

 

Ed Simons and I met in the Grand Canyon in January of 1978. He was from Darby, PA and was traveling by car with some buddies. I was on the bus and decided to hike what I could of the Canyon with my limited time with 2 Aussies and 1 Swiss woman. Ed and I met when Barbara and I were renting a shuttle to the mouth of the south rim. Soon, both parties were sharing the shuttle.

 

 

The last time I spoke with Ed was by phone in the early 80's. I was getting divorced and he had married and had 4 boys!

I've tried to find him a few times over the years. I've written about him here before. So, why now? 

This morning I was watching a video of the AMTRAK train that goes from Chicago to the West Coast. I've been thinking about a trip like that in the states. Ed used to work for AMTRAK. He and his part in the story of my life rose to the surface again. I would love to find him. You just never know what might happen when you put it out in the universe one more time.

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Tardy Snow Drops

 

Our snowdrops (photo above) arrived much earlier last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should just accept that whenever they arrive, it is right on time! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I laugh, because the only reason I know or think that they are tardy, is because Facebook reminds me of photo memories and recently it was from a year ago.

 

The snowdrops are special.

 

 

 

 

They remind me that it won't be long till other garden wild flowers and blooming trees will be on their way.

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!