Soar-Dream-France: Fabulous Friends

Fabulous Friends

July 24, 2018

Brotherly Love...

...upon patchwork

with rose

and chicken!

Happy Wednesday!

Posted at 11:10 PM in Fabulous Friends, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 30, 2017

...an opportunity to wallow in it senselessly! It is difficult to describe the events of the last few days without overwhelming myself and probably you too. Most of you know about the fire at the Chatette and Sammie Cat's crossing over to the other side. Most of you also know that this is NOT my first disaster, since I came here to Cadrieu and the Chatette after Hurricane Katrina.

I just keep moving on and doing what needs to be done here.

Without Sam, my "we" is severely reduced. Dali's ashes have been disbursed in the living room. Monsieur Winkelmann will need some work. One of my Mary's lost her head and the other Mary and St. Therese of Lisieux are now black. Actually, everything is black everywhere and in the living room all gone.

But mostly, I'm grateful I'm here. I'm grateful my friend who was with me is okay. I'm grateful for the 15 years I had with my Sammie Cat and how big of a part she became in my life after I'd said "no more cats!"

I am grateful for great assurance (insurance), amazing friends, a village who is loving me and supporting me, and such depth of care and concern for me "en francais" that it brings tears to my eyes to even try to describe it. EVERYONE is a superhero and I have the A-Team.

They say it takes a village...I have one literally and figuratively. Lucky girl!

Coming back in to my life here earlier this summer, I sat in my beautiful living room in my big comfortable chair that EVERYONE loves and wants to be the one to sit there.

I looked at: the atrium; the play of the light; bathed in the silence; and, patted Sam's head and rubbed her chin as she sat on the arm of the chair. I actually said outloud: "This is all I need. It is just enough for me." Nothing is left in there now. Then this week, I sat on the front steps with Monsieur Winkelmann behind me while I looked at my loving Lot and said: "Even in all of this, I am happy. This is enough!"

And so, I just keep going. I do what I need to do. I wallow in the gratefulness and glory in my wealth of spirit and love in my life...and I know that I am the richest woman in the world. Whatever is up ahead for me will be different, but as I've said before-sometimes the surprises are better than anything I could have planned and I just need to trust the universe!

Lots of Love back to y'all from the Lot!

Happy Friday!

Posted at 09:01 PM in Fabulous Family, Fabulous Friends, Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (8)

October 03, 2016

Belated Birthday Wanderings

My good friend Barbara and I have birthdays around the same time in August, so every year we try to do something special together afterwards since we are both usually NOT in New Orleans. Last year it was thinly sliced fried catfish at Middendorf's and then on to Mahogany Oaks and the MOB to celebrate a little more with Mike and John.

This year we decided on lunch at another favorite-The Napoleon House.

With the Treme Fest going on and an absolutely gorgeous day, we knew we were on the right track when we found a free, no time limit parking spot. What a great belated birthday present to us. Along our walk to the Napoleon House from Esplanade and Rampart, we saw a few shops that we wanted to check out on the way back.

This gorgeously landscaped facade and alleyways caught both of our eyes! And, the property to the right is for sale!

Barbara and I both had the shrimp remoulade stuffed avocado and shared a bread pudding for dessert. For a side Barbara had to have a muffelatta and I had a sandwich size portion of jambalya.

Such a pretty day to sit at our round table and: catch up; watch the people go by; soak in a favorite place; celebrate our birthdays; and, talk about what lies ahead for both of us in the months ahead and in to next year.

And, there's lots.

We walked down Chartres to Pirate's Alley on our way back to stop at Trashy Diva, a vintage clothing shop and The Idea Factory that specializes in wooden items.

We did a little window shopping along the way. I love watching artists at work.

Lucullus always has gorgeous items on display in their windows.

This little china tea pot and warmer caught my eye immediately. Ah, but upon closer inspection and a price of $295...It was not to be. Limoges, perhaps? Plus, they were closed.

Trashy Diva was fun. Barbara was on a mission for her Mom. I discovered some gorgeous panty hose and ruffly underwear that I may have to go back for. We hit the jackpot at the vintage clothing place.

Not only were there lots of beautiful things (one or two that I might consider for the formal Bunch Club Dinner Dance if we were to go with John and Mike this upcoming Mardi Gras season); but I discovered a stamp/coin expert across the hall who also buys and sells estates. We had an educational conversation with him about stamps and especially pocket watches. (Barbara and I will both be back).

When I fell in love with that little (chained up) rocker in front of the Idea Factory, I had no idea I'd find a beautiful wooden barrette just for me inside. There were lots of other items that would make for reasonable, unique and interesting gifts for others, and maybe even a few for me.

What better way to celebrate your birthday than with a best friend, a favorite place, a wander through the French Quarter, and lots of love!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find best friends while you were window shopping? This one's already mine! And, she's worth a whole lot more than any of the items in that shop!

Happy Monday!

Posted at 04:11 AM in Fabulous Friends, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 05, 2016

Romancing Life's Riches...

...and being grateful for the riches that come is the key! Sitting with Jen in the Moulin Rouge, I was over the top grateful.

You might think that I was grateful for the amazing evening that we shared, and I was.

But so much more than that, was the stories Jen shared with me throughout our visit and over dinner together before the show.

I'd already known that she had been a showgirl/dancer at the Moulin Rouge, but discovered so much more about other venues, countries, locations, and the many celebrities she'd met and worked with over the years. Learning how she came into the business and hearing more about her personal life with family, children and grandchildren; showed me that maybe you really can have it all! At least, that's the way it looks to me from the outside looking in!

Her history and her relationships treated us to special invitations to the Moulin Rouge show that night. I will be sending special thank yous via snail mail to those people who made it possible.

Something doesn't feel right about doing that here. I don't want to detract from the huge respect and grafefulness for the gift and all the rest who made it possible for us. Huge Merci to Jen and, please...

Listen to the stories.

You will mine unimagineable riches along the way!

Posted at 03:37 AM in Fabulous Friends, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Paris, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 04, 2016

Sensible Shoes at the Moulin Rouge?

Shortly before I was getting ready to leave Cadrieu to meet Jen in Paris, she'd asked if I'd be interested in going to the Moulin Rouge show-Feerie-on Tuesday night? My initial reaction was mais oui, and then the huge question loomed of what to wear?

I travel lightly between Cadrieu and New Orleans...the shoes on my feet, technology, paperwork, sheet music, and a few other essentials in my backpack. My hiking boots would just NOT do for the Moulin Rouge! I settled on a pair of black knee-high, zippered, high heeled boots to go with my dress, tights and Momie's pearls. I figured that would dress me up sufficiently.

I left Jen in front of WM Smith that afternoon around 2:30 so I could get back to the hotel to rest and get ready for our big evening. I walked the rest of the way home. When I saw these boots in a store window in the Galerie Vero-Dodat I thought: now these boots would be perfect for this evening!

I had intended to take the metro up to Place Blanche, so I figured that I needed about an hour to make our dinner rendez-vous time of 7pm. Dressed and ready to go about 5:30, the last thing I did was put on my boots. The zipper came off and crumbled in my hands.

I was stunned. What to do? At this late hour, not much but put the hiking boots back on.

Since I had time and would be wearing my comfortable, sensible shoes; I decided to ditch the metro and walk from the Hotel Tiquetonne up to Place Blanche. I had made that walk many times over the years when I would leave William's to go up and visit with Madam Vera...another memory lane opportunity-AND-maybe I could look at shoes along the way.

I confess to looking at a few shoe store windows on my way up to the Butte Montmartre. Who was I kidding? I was just going to have to suck it up and do my very best with my much loved hiking boots.

As soon as I saw Jen, I was apologizing all over myself. She was wonderful. So was everyone else. I rarely detected a downward glance in the direction of my feet. I finally let go. It was clearly worrying me more than anyone else!

What a night! What a lucky pair of hiking boots to rest their soles on the floor of the Moulin Rouge? Happy Feet! Happy Me!

And, that's only a part of the story!

-with many a HUGE MERCI on the way!

Posted at 02:18 AM in Fabulous Friends, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Paris, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 03, 2016

Paris Happy Feet

When I'm in Paris there are certain things that I love to do. Journaling and post-card writing are high on my list, but number one is taking every chance I have to walk "hands free" whenever I know the way and am able. My feet aren't what they used to be...no more lace up high-heeled boots for me.

Today, I need my wonderful Ahnu hiking boots to get me there a keep me happy.

We boogie.

Tuesday began for me at the Cafe de Centre on the Rue Montorgueil. Of course, petit dejuener, journaling and a bit of post card writing were at the top of my list. I probably didn't need TWO cappuccinos, but that first one was so good I threw caution to the wind. I wasn't meeting Jen at the Musee D'Orsay till 11, so I had time.

By 10, I was out of the hotel and hoofing it on my way. Since I was on a mission, I had to dispense with my picture taking. Good thing, because I had misjudged the location of the Musee D'Orsay in relationship to the L'Orangerie and had a little back-tracking to do on the other side of the Seine. I did scoop this one of the sparkly Seine that I just couldn't resist.

Jen was there and waiting for me. This was a special moment. You see, Jen began reading this blog back in 2009. We've been in touch over the years during many of my milestones in France and continued to be in touch through Facebook as well. Tuesday was the first time we met face to face.

We decided on a little refreshment before we attacked the Impressionists on the fifth floor. Before we headed in to the gallery, we gazed at the hall below and took a few shots of each other.

An Australian named Peter offered to take one of both of us, after which we tried to solve the problems of our worlds in a fifteen minute conversation. Our trio wandered up to the fifth floor together and then branched out on our own.

With a number of these magnificent clocks on the fifth floor; I couldn't resist the people and the panoramas. I confess, I thought these two below were kissing...nope, just another phone photo!

As much as I am in heaven with the Impressionists, this gallery went on and on and on. We found favorites in every room, and some we had never seen before. The gallery ends at the cafe, where you are able to dine or go outside to view Paris from on high without a clock in between you and the view.

We sat. I caught a few shots, and then Jen and I wandered through the Tuilleries to the Rue de Rivoli. Nothing like sunshine, carousels, ferris wheels, and hanging out by fountains along your way.

After purchases of Sebastian Faulks and James Lee Burke for me from WH Smith, Jen and I parted with plans made to meet each other at the Place Blanche Metro at 7 for dinner and then an 11pm show at the Moulin Rouge.

Could there be even more treats in store?

Posted at 04:21 AM in Art, Fabulous Friends, Food and Drink, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Paris, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2016

Finding Friends...

...at the bus stop!

Posted at 08:43 PM in Fabulous Friends, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 20, 2016

Walking, Walking, Walking-The First Step

Even though I already have a "good enough" pair of walking shoes in Cadrieu waiting for me...

...they wouldn't be enough for the walking that is on a not too distant horizon. I'd already been researching the "best" walking shoes on-line, when there they were at Dillards in the Galleria during my trip to St.Louis.

Kat was on a hunt for shoes and she encouraged me to try on the Ahnus. I discovered that an 8 was better than a 7 1/2 for me and they were very comfortable, but I wasn't quite ready to buy.

Little did I know that after I returned to New Orleans and mentioned these perfect shoes to a friend of mine, he would offer to order them for me from Amazon. And, now I knew my size! My Ahnu gift arrived earlier this week. I've been living in them. They are perfect. As hard as I am on shoes; I should probably be wearing these all the time!

These little pitiful pebbles in the cement driveway are nothing like the stone paths and boulders we'll be finding along so many of the possible routes between Cadrieu and Montaillou. I am a realist. I know that walking from Cadrieu to Montaillou is probably not going to happen for me. I've begun to look at various routes and km/miles and am beginning to think that I might meet my friends in Toulouse or close by. I've also looked at distances from Carcassonne and those towns that are near Montaillou that I love...Tarascon sur Ariege, Foix, and Montesegur. It's all so much fun to think about and look forward to. I want to be as ready as I can be. I'll be bringing you along each step of the way as this journey unfolds over time.

For now, I'm just excited about my Ahnus! Happy Friday!

Posted at 05:11 AM in Fabulous Friends, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 24, 2016

Never Really Waiting

When a former student had called and wanted to get together yesterday, I knew that there was no sense trying to do anything remotely close to the hood. Where to go? She lives uptown. I live downtown. The Outlet Mall at the Riverwalk seemed the perfect in the middle kind of place. There was a very good chance that there would be NO crowds and she could actully find a place to park her car. Of course, I was correct.

We were meeting at the main entrance in front of the Hilton Hotel at 1pm. Dodging traffic, bikers, pedestrians, and honking pick-up trucks; I headed out of the hood on my usual teaching route. No sooner had I hit the Lafitte Greenway than the traffic stopped, there was parking everywhere, and there was hardly a soul to be found.

It was a comparative ghost town.

I arrived at the Hilton early. I settled in, but decided to get out the camera and have some fun. One of the big things I learned from Eckhardt Tolle's Power of Now is to enjoy the moment...you are never really waiting-at least you don't have to be!

I got in my share of people watching and wandered around in an area that I rarely frequent. I was surprised to find Winston Churchill there, and discovered that we actually have a British Place very close to our Spanish Plaza.

The International Trade Mart that has been a landmark for forever had a surrealist touch to it, and the red riverfront streetcars made it all the more special in some poignant kinds of ways.

Meaningful and Refreshing!

Posted at 08:35 AM in Fabulous Friends, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 07, 2016

Prunier Pleasures

A little bit ago, my friend Evelyn posted a photo of a plum tree budding into bloom. I asked her if it was from my tree. It wasn't. But, pretty soon she sent me these close-up shots that were.

Every spring I think about my plum tree blooming in Cadrieu without me. It is the central focal point in the garden. The first blooming I saw was an event. I told myself that I wanted to be there for every plum tree blooming. Well, we know what happened to that plan.

I'd promised Evelyn that I would take care of her Lucie dog for her when she went to the states. Until just last week, I'd have been there at the end of April...now it's looking like May or June.

When I called Evelyn to tell her about my crumbling plans, I was very bummed. I'm grateful that Jean will be there for back-up, but would have loved having Lucie dog with me. Evelyn and I chatted through all my issues and thoughts about the recent crumbling. I told her that I've tried to slow it down and move my focus to the bigger long term picture of 2017.

I'd forgotten about my plum tree puzzle piece until Evelyn said: "When you're making your plans for your 2017 departure, think about the fact that your plum tree is blooming right about now!" So as I sit back with my many puzzle pieces in hand, I've added a piece with moon pink, delicate flowers and sunshine. Thanks to Evelyn for these close up shots and for reminding me.