Soar-Dream-France

A Hoped for Spring 2021 Return

 

Ever since this COVID-19 Pandemic began,I've been trying to figure out how it is going to impact my ability to get home to Cadrieu. Now, I know.

As usual, I did not have a return ticket yet since I'm often running around like a chicken with my head cut off at the end, trying to squeeze in visits to friends and family up and down I-55 before I go. I rarely feel at loose ends about these arrangements. They just happen-not this time. There is an irony to the pieces of this story. I'm putting it here for posterity and for so many of you who have missed the blog and have asked!

I left Cadrieu on December 17 in the middle of a transportation strike that crippled most of France. On that day, my friend Yves Jolly actually drove me to Brive so I could catch my train to Paris. It was a very special train. It was the only train running in all of France that day. It came down from Paris, let their passengers off turned around so it was heading back north again, and was ready for the rest of us. I was lucky-I'd already had two trains canceled., I'd reserved taxis in Paris from the Gare d'Austerlitz to the Hotel Tiquetonne and from the Hotel to CDG Airport. The stories along the way were many. Let's just say that I made it to New Orleans on schedule the night of the 18th!

This was the first year in a while that I was going to be stateside for Christmas. During October, I was just really feeling that it was important that I find a way to spend Christmas with Dad this year. Weather is usually hell driving between New Orleans and St. Louis, so I decided that I would rent one of the family cottages on the grounds of the Senior Facility where Dad was in assisted living and give myself enough time that if there were weather problems I'd have the care for more than enough time. I also figured that if the weather got bad after I arrived, I'd already be there and could just walk to Dad. I thought I was set.

I already knew as I was driving north to St. Louis on Christmas Eve that Dad was in the hospital. My sister kept me up along the way, and I decided to go there before I went to the cottage. The Dr. had told Kat that if any of us were out of town that we needed to come...could be tomorrow-could be 6 months. I've said over and over that it was not the Christmas I'd hoped for, but the Christmas that was meant to be. Both of my brothers came and we shared he cottage and my rental car chauffeur service while I was there. I am so grateful I was stateside and that Dad and I had quality time together one on one. I had to get back to NOLA on Sunday. I told Dad once I did everything I needed to do back there; I would return. As it turned out, we lost Dad on New Year's Day...3 days after my departure.

Losing Dad was devastating and still is. There were so many feeling and so much to face. We did.

So much had changed for me. Dad and I talked every morning at 7am his time no matter where I was in the world.There were times when it wasn't possible, but those were few and far between. I returned to the states each year for around 3 months so that I could make at least 2 trips between New Orleans and St. Louis to see Dad. Now, the landscape of my life had changed. I saw myself no longer returning for months at a time, but for much shorter trips. I'm happiest in Cadrieu. I was thinking that now, Maybe I could finally get a pet again since I'd no longer be gone months at a time.

I returned to New Orleans after Dad's services. First, my friend Wendy came the following week for a visit. Then, my friend Joan came for Mardi Gras. Once Joan got off, my next two weeks had 2 days each of workshops. The last weekend of my last workshop, our Louisiana Governor closed the schools due to the virus. Soon, we were living under stay at home orders with very specific guidelines to be followed. The Pandemic was evolving and growing quickly all over the world.

Travel has been hugely impacted. I'd decided in March to go ahead and book a ticket from NOLA to Paris so I'd have it and would be in line in case anything changed. My April 6 flight came and went and I canceled it. I next considered May or June, but everything kept changing on a daily basis.

I'd hoped to get back before the end of June so I could get in my 4th consecutive year of 6 plus months to meet the 5 consecutive year requirement so I can apply for residency. As time went on, I knew I was not excited about getting on a Trans-Atlantic flight any time soon. First, flying at all was an issue. Second, I wasn't even sure I could get home to Cadrieu once I got to Paris. Third, I needed to be back in the states in February 2021 to make sure I did my taxes and paperwork correctly for the inheritance. The more I thought about everything, I decided that I would much rather make one trip and not two and would just hang tight until Spring 2021. That way, I can take care of my business here and then when I return to Cadrieu I can stay put. It may not make the best sense residency-wise, but it certainly makes the most sense stress and health-wise.

I'm not thrilled, but I'm resigned that this is the best thing for me under the circumstances. My family and friends here and in France agree.

This certainly is the roller coaster that is my life. I've gone from getting back to France this spring of 2020, being there as usual, getting a 4-legged child, and making it back after the first of the year for the shorter visit.

Now, I'm here in New Orleans until spring of next year and won't be able to get back until then. At least I think I should be able to get back by Spring of 2021, but to be honest-no one really knows for sure.

At least it gives me time to: see how all of this unfolds; make new travel plans; give the airlines time to put their plans in place; hope for a vaccine or medication for the virus; be here in case something comes up that I may need to be here for.

I do know how fortunate I am, even in the midst of all of this. I have my home in New Orleans where I am safe and comfortable. I have friends and family around me who are there for me and supportive. Everything I would need-groceries, pharmacy, bank post-office-is all closer to me here by bike than it would be in France.

Although I would feel safer in France, I know that if I were there I would be worried about my friends and family here. I learned that lesson when I was in Cadrieu when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

So, I'm shooting for Cadrieu again in the Spring of 2021. Of course, that all could change even then. But for now, I'm taking it all moment to moment and trying to make the most of this difficult situation.

I hope you are too!

We shall overcome!

 

The Path of Creeping Water

 

It's been raining so much that I haven't really been outside, except to get wood and mail! Yesterday, Yves came to "consult" on exchanging train tickets and other life lessons! I always go out to make sure there isn't any traffic coming when my friends are backing out! 

 

 

Waiting in the road to get Yves out, I looked over the wall to the river and this is what I saw. I was shocked. I haven't seen the river this high and fast in a long time. We are definitely at the "inundation" (flooding) stage. I even had moments of the Muddy Mississippi flowing through my mind! 

One of the interesting things about all of this is the path the water takes.

 

 

It starts up in the hills, comes down through the reservoir to the lavoir, flows from the lavoir under the property between myself and my neighbors, to the channel you see that flows it to the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything is overflowing at the moment. I can now even hear the lavoir rushing through my double-glazed windows!

It makes me some sad, because I can see that some more of our riverside trees are going to be swept away. They seem to be dropping like flies!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Yesterday-Today-...the Rest of My Life

 

Looking for a photo I never found yesterday, I stumbled across these photos I took of the barn not long after I returned from the states in March of this year.

I've been meaning to put the then and now up against each other at some point. Et, voila!

 

 

It is an eye-opening exercise. This new roof was a bittersweet thing because I loved our girl just the way she was. but knew if I didn't repair the roof we would eventually lose her all together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe it's about old life and new life? Or, maybe old France and new France? As difficult as this was for me over the years, the biggest issue was the money. 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure you've heard the expression: "Put your money where your mouth is!" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to borrow some money so that I could:

"Put my money where my heart is!"

 

 

I'm glad I did.

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Wandering Up and Back

 

Monday's noon ceremony at the church got me out and up through the village.

I wish I could blame it on the rain, but these days I seem to have less reasons to wander around as I have had in the past.

When Dali and I were here together, we wandered every day.

 

Shame on me for not continuing the activity on my own.

 

On my way home from the after ceremony noon apero at the Mairie...

 

 

 

 

 

...I had some photo fun!

 

 

A favorite of mine is this vine covered spot that wows us all with its color and beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

I also scooped some wandering through the "hood" shots that are always fun.

 

Coming down the hill I pass the Chateau, and of course, "our" barn and Evelyn's former spot! 

Lots of change everywhere!

I love Cadrieu.

We are a beautiful place with beautiful people!

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Energy Moving Always

 

This is a place where natural energy is always moving.

I often try to immerse myself as I wander and "plug" myself in. It's hard NOT to feel the flow of the lavoir, the rush of the Lot, the presence and music of the birds, and the beaming moonshine and sunshine. Some are able to be captured in photos.

 

 

Others can't be seen till I actually get a chance to look at the photos and see what I have.

 

 

That's what happened with the barn and the light the other day. I've been so enjoying the "new" or "re" incarnation of the barn that when I see a new angle or it's a different time of day I try to get a shot.

The photos seem to capture so much that I am unable to see with my naked eyes.

What a treat to later find concentric circles of light, colored batons of light, and those sweet dancing lighted spirits from a while ago when the barn wasn't yet finished.

 

 

The barn "our girl" has always felt like a special and almost sacred space. Her life with us has been full and I expect it to become fuller. I love her and want to celebrate her in some special way. The wheels are turning, with so much new and different...even beyond our already experienced vernissages we enjoyed there!

 

 

I've begun some conversations with friends and neighbors in the village about my idea(s). We shall see and you know I will keep you posted!

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

The Way of the Weather

 

 

I still have to run between the raindrops and bursts of sunshine to accomplish any kind of outside activities these days. Yesterday, I finally did my dodges and got out to the barn to see Didier's inside handiwork! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a general idea from his drawings and explanations about what he was going to do to repair and stabilize the big beams that support the loft of the barn. He surprises me every time. They are beautiful and (to me) works of art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also managed to have him go up and close the loft doors that blew open with some of these strong winds that accompanied all these storms.

 

And, he got the big ladder up on the barn wall for me!

 

 

It makes me want to get out in the barn and do some digging, cleaning, straightening, and organizing.

I certainly have the will...

...but then there's the weather that just might get in the "way" of the will!

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

As Time Goes By...

 

...and hard rain and hail continue on and off; inside things are progressing in the Chatette and the barn!

 

The dried flowers have found their homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The birds still come to the covered terrace for nibbles, and entertain me through the kitchen window.

 

 

Our big floor barn beams are being repaired on the inside of the barn.

And, home is coming back around...

 

 

...again and again.

 

 

 

 

It is still raining!

 

 

Happy Friday!

 

Ladder Ladies

 

Yesterday's post dangled an "s" in parentheses after the word "ladder" in the title. That's because touching and beginning the cleaning up process on our barn ladder, made me shed a few tears over our other very tall special ladder that had been in the Chatette during the November 2017 fire. The top photo here shows you both ladders in place inside the Chatette.

It's also interesting because these photos give you an idea of us before the fire.

 

I later found our tall gal down in the utility cave. Like our beautiful staircase, she was so black something special would have to be done. She was also missing a few spindles. So, there she rests.

You can see from these shots, she reached all the way from the first floor up to the ceiling of the mezzanine.

I think I have a plan for her. Our ladder ladies are both going to be barn babes!

Stay tuned!

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

Ins, Outs, and Ladder (s)

 

I'd been planning to go out and see about closing the loft shutters that blew open after all of our wind and rain last week.

That meant opening up the barn and moving her own personal ladder back into place so I could get up there and do the deal. I'd also been wanting to get up there so I could see Didier's handiwork from the other side.

I knew it would be beautiful!

 

 

Once I got out there though, I realized that cobwebs had taken over many surfaces. The barn ladder had a few of its own, but was mostly dusty with saw dust and other stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd varnished her in the past, and would bring her inside the Chatette in the winter when she was no longer necessary to scale barn heights. Both strategies worked well. Brushing her off outside before re-installation, I decided that varnishing time is here again, not just at that moment.

It felt good to touch and feel the barn again.

 

 

I brushed and cleaned the open stone windows. I brushed and cleaned the big beautiful barn doors. I also brushed the manger and other ancient farm equipment that is stored in the barn. I don't want to do too much until after Dider returns in November to repair the water-logged beams for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, grass needs to be cut...but, I've reviewed the area and have a plan in place to begin to get us back on track AND protect us for the winter!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Ebbs and Flows and Moving On

 

 

One of the happenings that I have most enjoyed over the years of here was once we began what I came to call: "Wine at the Wagon!"

It took a little more effort than something in the Chatette or on the terrace, but it was worth it.

Going through some old photos, I don't think we've had a Wine at the Wagon since I left to return to the states in 2012 with Dali and Sammie Cat!

 

 

 

 

Returns home to Cadrieu between 2012 and 2017 were sporadic to the point that keeping up with everything on the other side of the tracks became much more difficult and daunting.

We are swinging back.

 

 

 

The new roof on the barn and her other internal forthcoming repairs have me on the move again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is momentum, but in the midst of momentum I have another return to the states scheduled in mid-December for a few months.

 

Hmmm, maybe it's time to re-evaluate that length of stay.

 

 

As much as our place has changed, I'm reminded about the ebb and flow of friends as well. We all respond to the needs and circumstances in our lives.

We each do what we have to do to make it all work for us. 

Finding that last bottom photo from a 2012 Wine at the Wagon, drove that point home hard for me.

There from left to right are Evelyn, Jean and Joan (and of course my Dali!).

 

 

 

By 2012, I was no longer able to look forward to Joan's regular holiday returns. She'd moved back to England by then. Jean headed back to Ipswich in late 2016 early 2017. Now, Evelyn will be returning to the states in early November.

So much change, and I'm not even going to describe all of our 4-legged children who are waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge these days. 

My return in 2017 was back to more full time here for me.

 

The fire that fall was another big event. Accepting change, loss, and being able to move on is so important. It doesn't mean that I don't miss everyone and do my best to keep in touch where I can.

 

 

I know that there are surprises waiting up ahead.

 

 

 

Happy Monday!