Soar-Dream-France

Fresh Looks

 

Although I've made many returns from the states to here, this one is different. I am different. I feel as if everything is new, exciting and a challenge that can be met.

It may be something I learned in my six weeks stateside: do what you can do, if it doesn't work, find something that does, but above all just keep moving. I manage to NOT feel the crippling feelings of being overwhelmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the terrace, I had seen the lavender iris peeking out from the corner of the dungeon door! After looking at them a million times; I decided to walk up and take some photos.

 

 

I hadn't really wandered up that way since I'd been home.

 

 

Rounding the corner of the turn from Route de la Vallee to Rue du Chateau, the neighbors had a patch of iris and some very pretty white flowering ground cover. As I got closer to the iris, I could see that I may have waited a tad too long.

They were still beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always enjoy this walk.

 

 

It provides a nice view of the Chatette, the barn, the lavoir and the land.

The village had cut the grass on the land that is now theirs and in a few other spots.

They had been busy.

 

 

I discovered a pruned, weeded and cleared reservoir too.

 

 

All nice surprises.

 

 

New views for my new perspective!

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

It's Not a Race

 

There were so many things I had to get done during the stateside time I had on this trip. The house was not the only thing. As I tried to organize and be sure I could get everything done I needed to do, I was reminded that this was not the way I wanted to live my life. This wasn't news. I've known it for a long time. While most of the stateside time I had blinders on so I could keep moving forward and do it all; I realized that many of my friends live this way all the time...scheduling days, squeezing and contorting to get as much done as possible within the time available.

As I watched, I remembered the race all over again. It was a big day when I realized I was racing against myself. I began to make changes. I think they've stuck.

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

 

Mother's Day, VE Day, and Living Life

 

This will always be a favorite shot of me and my Mom. Here we are out together playing in the rocks at Nannie and Papa's place out in House Springs. I loved that place. There's not a doubt in my mind that this was the beginning of my "rock girl" self! For some reason, I always felt safe and happy in that place.

Is it any wonder that today, I am living surrounded by stone?

A week into this "new book;" I am realizing that living into this life is most important. Sounds easy, huh? It should be, but it's not.

 

 

I've been sleeping later in these mornings. The bird surround sound and bells are still my gentle whisper that the day has begun.

Even Lola, is sleeping by the window or on our big chair later than usual. Just looking at her fills me with so much love. 

I knew it was Mother's Day and VE Day when I woke.

There's also been so much talk on the news of Putin pushing harder in Ukraine, to be able to declare victory on this date as Russia did in 1945.

The world is watching, often in horror at the comparisons. 

 

 

 

Interestingly, the book I was reading and enjoyed finishing, None Stood Taller-The Final Year: One of the greatest love stories of World War Two, By Peter Turnham, climaxed on just this day in 1945.

While I've always been interested in the resistance, living here has brought those times and those stories even closer.

I have ravenously read many books about WWII, the Resistance, the SOE, the pillaged art, Ravensbruck and other camps, and so much more.

This morning, it carried me to Mom and Dad.

Mom would have been 14 and Dad 15.

They hadn't even met yet.

 

 

 

Both had older brothers that were in the military and served during WWII. Eventually, Dad joined the Air Force, Mom went over to the UK to marry Dad in '53, and I was born there in '54.

 

Reading this book and feeling those times, carried me there and back through history to today. I confess, to having past life feelings for this time period in history, long before I began reading in depth. I've often thought it was just listening to the stories Mom and Dad and other family members shared over the years. But then again, how serendipitous was this morning? 

 

 

This is where the living into your life and paying attention becomes important. It's the richness of life that comes to you when you have the luxury of being able to live into it and enjoy more (or at all) because you are paying attention.

 

Happy Mother's Day, Victory in Europe Day, AND Happy Sunday!

 

Sometimes You Have To Be There

 

As soon as I arrived on Columbus Street on the night of March 15, I hit the ground running. On top of the house, I had many other chores, tasks, errands, and other what-evers to complete. It was overwhelming, to say the least. Even so, in the few quiet, alone moments there was time for reflections, epiphanies, and tears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading from the sofa one day during a "stuff break," I burst into tears in a sad part of my novel. I chided myself, and questioned what was I really crying about? I screamed to no one, maybe just between me and my house: "this  place holds 42 years of my life!" That's a long time, especially by today's standards.

 

 

Then, I got a call from an old friend who lives in Colorado now. We'd worked together at the Sheriff's Office and remained close, even though we don't see much of each other and mostly do birthday cards these days.

She told me that she was sad too.

It wasn't till we spoke, that I realized there were so many others who had experienced "us!"

I remembered how she used to tease me that her husband loved coming to parties at my house because: "it was like a different Fellini movie every time!" 

 

We hosted so much on Columbus Street.

There were: parties, dinners, coffees, brunches, lunches, Jazz Fests, Mardi Gras, funerals for friends, workshops, and on and on. 

The richness of our life together can't be denied or forgotten.

As one of my friends texted recently, it will always be "Laury's House" whenever I drive by.

And remember, Columbus Street gave me the Chatette and Cadrieu!

 

 

As if you can't tell, places are important to me. I believe they live and breathe and we have a relationship and a flow together.

 

 

 

They speak to me.

Happy Saturday!

 

A Modigliani Masterpiece

 

Throughout my time in the states, Eric was diligently working on beading this masterpiece by Modigliani. He has beaded a number of others, but this might be my favorite.

Maybe, because I got to watch her come to life before my eyes.

I'm sure all the help he gave me with Columbus Street slowed him down some, but either way, she is a beauty and Eric is most talented.

 

How fortunate am I, to have such wonderful friends in my life? So much of what I was able to accomplish was due to offers, support, lodging, rides, meals, and even some brow-beating with all of the wonderful people in my life all over the country.

 

Congratulations on finishing "our girl," Eric!

Like you, she will always be particularly special to me. Thanks for being there through thick and thin.

Happy Friday!

 

 

A Christmas Caravan

 

Look at all of those ornaments! These were all part of my "cherished" stash that I had planned to have shipped to me in France.

Once I found out about specific packing lists by item and amount that were required; I rethought all of my six boxes.

Whittling down to two boxes, was quite a feat.

 

These were already my triaged treasures that I'd chosen to keep, and now I was having to let them go too. I was thrilled that John, Mike and Carmen took so many.

 

The one box that I had the most difficulty with was the box with family photos, memorabilia, and a very pretty hat box full of Christmas ornaments.

I'd decided that most of the items in this box could go into a small red rolling suitcase that I had, and could then check on the flight to Paris and "wheel" on home the rest of the way.

In fact, in St. Louis, Kat had an even bigger and better rolling suitcase for me to use that held even more!

What a coup!

 

I'd triaged the ornaments again and decided which to take, but so many were left that I was heart broken. Ah, but there was still some time.

 

On Friday, April 15, I was beginning my sojourn to return the car to Kate.

I had stops at Mahogany Oaks, Madison MS, St. Louis, and then back to Sewanee TN to return the car.

I decided to bring the hatbox of ornaments along with me.

 

It gave my friends the chance to choose whatever they wanted from what was left. Glenn and Bill didn't disappoint me either!

 

At the end of the journey, I would leave the rest (and a few other treasures) with Kate.

 

 

And so, all my treasured ornaments are now living with friends and family. Of course, there was the tub of ornaments that my cousin Carol had already taken home with her and Donna to Florida! I had to laugh. Carol had started her own triage process on Columbus Street with the ornaments in the bin, and then Donna said: "Just take the whole bin!" Time limits have value!

 

Huge merci to all my friends and family who scooped my treasures. It was fun to see what people took and it felt good to know that everyone had a home.

Happy Thursday!

 

Casualties

 

It just goes to show you, the one treasure that I spent a lot of time wrapping and packing is the one that had a major casualty! We lost "Garlic" from the china spice rack! Am thinking I might be able to order another one on-line, or just make do. It was in too many pieces to repair. This appeared during today's arrival of the two boxes I sent.

 

 

I had also opted to bring many small things in a rolling bag that I would check. While more of these items did have some breakage, only one of the ornaments crumbled inside of a sock to the point of no return. A few other pieces need to be glued, but will survive.

 

 

I can see where my priorities are by what I chose to bring and send. I had reduced down so much when you consider 6 boxes down to 2 boxes. Considering the 570euro customs fees I just paid for the 2...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...I shudder to think what it would have been on the 6 boxes. All I can say is, this is it. I'm grateful that I can soon dispense with the balancing act and there is nothing left to ship!

As you can imagine, this was not an enjoyable experience.

 

 

 

I could say so much more. Most of you have heard all of the gory details along the way, but it's time to move on and NOT give life to it. My "treasures" are here. Everything that was a treasure, but couldn't come along; found homes with friends, family and/or neighbors. All things considered, I think I've done well. I just want to pat myself on the back and move on.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Life Rhythms

 

Sitting at my table again this morning from Cadrieu, I am reflecting. Reflecting is a luxury that was not afforded me during the last six weeks of run, do, blinders, react and respond in the moment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How wonderful to be able to look back and reflect on the whole twenty years of here AND look ahead.

I've learned many lessons along the way.

 

 

At times, the largest lessons seem to be those I learned during the pandemic times of here. It may be because those times changed our world in a really big way that requires all of us to regroup. I am regrouping. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a rhythm to all of our lives. Throughout mine, I didn't always pay attention to it or even acknowledge that it was there. I tried to construct, make, and force routines that I was comfortable with, but didn't always work for me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since this is my "new book," I've decided that the best thing I can do is to allow the rhythm to flow naturally. I have a bad habit of boxing myself in to the point where I don't have that freedom of flow.

 

 

 

I don't want to: run against the ocean waves; swim against the river current; and, not be present in my own life. I want to finely tune my senses to the rhythm's flow and immerse myself in the power that brings.

 

 

The new book begins.

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Where to Begin?

 

Home and happy and looking back through my photos, it was difficult to know where to start. So much got done in such a short period of time. Even so, this one photo captured the essence of everything about this trip for me. There are Eric and Stew with one of Mom's (many many) dolls between them! They were with me every step of the way! So much had to happen for this to work, and it did. I have so much more to write and share, but for now, a round of applause for Stew and Eric. I teased that everyone going through what I just went through needs an "Eric" in their corner. 

It's Monday in Cadrieu. I may go back up to bed and just snuggle in with a book, since I've been up since 3 trying to get everything to work so I can rescue my 2 packages from the clutches of the customs people. Now, that's a story for another time.

 

HUGE MERCI to Eric and Stew and Happy Monday in Cadrieu!