Soar-Dream-France

That Unforgettable Smile

 

My friend Gaynell had one of the most amazing smiles. It took up the whole lower half of her face and glowed. Gaynell had a shinging smile...shining and singing. With her passing on the 5th of May in New Orleans, I like to think of her and remember her in just that way.

This shot above was taken during the summer of 2004 when I was out in the yard on Columbus Street painting lattice work.

Just one year later, all my hard work had floated away and we were living upstairs there together so we could both return after Katrina.

 

 

 

It was me and Gaynell and our four-legged children: my Dali and Sam; and, her Stone, Trixie and Bernard.

 

We worked hard to hold our sanity together and keep moving forward. Sometimes it was day to day...bologna sandwich to bologna sandwich!

By Christmas she had returned to live in one side of her family home on Orchid Street and I began living in my back apartment on Columbus Street.

 

 

 

We got together everyday.

Even though City Park was ravaged too, going there on our bikes made us happy and got us out of the daily devastation.

Fortunately, I captured that 2005 holiday ride together in City Park on film with Gaynell's help.

 

Missing you, my dear friend.

And yes...I love you more!

 

 

Morning Gold and...

 

...and the yellow rose of friendship strike me today.

These are times of love and loss and carrying on. It's about the crossing overs.

It's about the so many hurts of losses so deep in avalanches of pain and sadness, but knowing that you'll suffer all those hurts gladly because you wouldn't have given up knowing any and all for a million dollars.

 

 

I am rich.

 

They join the tapestry of our inner lives and always find a way to let us know they are still a part of our life and never very far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really always with us!

 

So today, I celebrate a new day and all of the wonderful people in my life who are here and there...never very far and always near.

I love you more!

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Melange-ing France-New Orleans Magic

 

 

These sweet flowering vines grow easily around the Chatette in the spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are so pretty and remind me of a favorite New Orleans wild flower that signaled hope for me after Hurricane Katrina.

 

Pretty in purples partout!

 

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

 

 

 

YES! There is Life After...

 

...hurricanes, floods and fires!

This shot above was my front porch during Christmas of 2006 when I was shutting down Columbus Street so work could begin and decisions could continue to be made post-Katrina.

You'll notice the sign says: Free to a Good Home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost everyone found a new home, except that little Christmas Bear with the Santa Hat on the end.Last season, you got to see him and his friend the Santa Coca-Cola Polar Bear in their bleach spa as they came back to life after the fire at the Chatette. This year...

 

 

...well, see for yourself.

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Katrina and Overalls

 

 

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the tumbling of the levees, my overalls were essential! I did seem to live in them during those times.

The shot above was taken in Armstrong Park, shortly before Dali and Sammie Cat and I were going to be heading out to France. Wynton Marsalis was playing and a friend and I decided to take a break from working around our places and head down to hear him. Armstrong Park is always a fun focal point for events and music, even though it is a location that had a horrid history of slave sales and uprisings within.

 

 

I often had conversations with friends post Katrina about how we survived. We could point to the support of friends and family, neighbors, and that sometimes getting away from the devastation helped.

We often needed to know that there were other places in the world that were still "normal"...or at least the normal we used to know. I got tired of hearing about the "new normal," and even more tired trying to live it 24 hours of every day. 

During a particularly bad spell for me, I went off for a weekend or so with my friends Keith Landry and David Zielinski. Keith had this fabulous place that I'd fallen in love with in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

 

 

 

Going there was always a treat. 

After being wrapped in the nurturing arms of my friends in Cajun country, I'd return to Columbus Street in a better place to continue to attack problems or new crisises.

The aura didn't last long.

In no time, I was back and moving and trying to fight the good fight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, it was a fight.

 

Through life's celebrations and challenges, my overalls have been with me every step of the way.

 

 

Happy International Overalls Weekend.

Happy Sunday!

 

Me and Dali and Overalls

 

What a girl my Dali was. She lived with me in overalls most all of her life. She and Sammie Cat became French Girls with me here in Cadrieu back in 2006, and when we had to return in 2013 our overalls saga continued. We lost her in New Orleans in 2013. I lost Sam last year in the fire.

 

Actually, I've come to the conclusion that Dali's perfection has ruined me for other dogs. I miss Dali and Sammie Cat desperately! Both were a perfect fit with me!

 

 

Dali was even at our first International Overalls Party here in Cadrieu. I did put her in overalls for the event...somewhere I have the photos! She was a tolerant and patient girl who enriched every moment of my life. Ah, here's a collage...I've teased she looked much better in them than I did.

 

 

 

Happy International Overalls Weekend in heaven to

Dali and Sammie Cat. 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Sunshine and Wine, or...

 

 

...coffee and bread pudding with white chocolate whiskey sauce?

It was a little chilly, too early, and too dark for the former this morning, so I opted to celebrate with the latter.

I am happy to be WAVING to MORE BLUE this morning.

 

 

It's a lot to celebrate, even if it wasn't the BLUE WAVE that so many were talking about.

 

 

I believe that we have taken a first step to reclaiming democracy. At the very least, there are some checks and balances in place to the runaway executive branch with the Democratic reclaiming of the House. As big as this news is, don't lose sight of the huge numbers of women, minorities, and diverse cultures of those entering the House this round that are going to make a huge difference.

The words that blasted at the Women's March in 2017 echo in my ears and heart: RUN-RUN-RUN for Office. And, we did! I am proud to be a woman and an American today. All I have to say is: MORE!

 

I'm also proud of Louisiana. Our state passed a law requiring unanimous juries. Now I can say, I'm proud to be from Louisiana, not ONLY the blue dot that is New Orleans.

Even in the disappointments in Florida, Texas, and I believe Georgia; I know that we haven't seen the last of these amazing candidates: Beto O'Rourke, Andrew Gillam and Stacie Abrams. Even in defeat, it was reported that these candidates brought out votes that were needed to turn the House.

 

I look forward to seeing each of these bright, accomplished, fearless, candidates in future national races!

Today, let's celebrate and congratulate! Tomorrow, think about whether you see any thank yous that are in order and make them!

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

Special Voting Days-VOTE!

 

Voting days are always special for me in New Orleans. I'm an early bird, so it isn't unusual for me to be the first person at the polls in my neighborhood when they open at 7am. I'm up. I've had my coffee. Pretty soon, I'm on my bike to ride over to my polling place at a church on Dorgenois Street a couple blocks on the other side of Esplanade Ave.

It's a short ride through the neighborhood that I always enjoy. There are so many sites along the way.

My neighbor is one of the poll people and I've gotten to know many of them over the years. I've lived in this neighborhood since 1980.

The upcoming midterm elections have given me cause to think about just how important it is to me to be able to vote. I've watched: recent district gerrymandering; blatant voter suppression; fear mongering; hate mongering; and, downright lies and fabrications everywhere. 

I remember times when my polling place was moved and I wasn't notified. I just got on my bike and went to the new place. As I spent more time in Cadrieu, I registered to vote absentee from France and have done so regularly.

 

 

So many things have been implemented to make voting easier on everyone. I LOVE early voting!

It should be EASY to exercise your right to vote!

 

There was an election in 2016 when I was on jury duty. I was so pleased when arrangements were made to take all of us around the city to our polling places so we could vote!

 

 

 

 

 

When I read that the largest group of voters in the USA are the non-voters; it makes me sad. What people don't seem to understand is that NO VOTE is a vote.

 

 

It's like no decision is a decision.

Regardless, there is an outcome that you have to accept responsibility for whether you like it or not. 

I've heard many people use NOT VOTING as a way to say: "It's not my fault. I had nothing to do with this!"

The fact is:

YOU have everything to do with this.

 

This particular voting day in the opening photo was even more special. It was the day the new Whole Foods Broad Street had a celebration for the neighborhood before their GRAND OPENING the following week. 

What could be better...voting in the morning and having fun with friends in the afternoon?

It's always wonderful to celebrate ANY event with Eric and Steward! Even the smallest happening is cause for celebration!

 

 

Get out and VOTE! Our Democracy is at stake! Let's celebrate tomorrow!

I'd say it's a lot more important than to wear or not wear a mustache, wouldn't you?

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

VOTE-VOTE-VOTE

 

It is soap box time again! This year particularly, the mid-term elections are critical to the life blood of our country.

I shudder to think how many Americans who can vote are not even registered to vote.

I shudder doubly, at those Americans who are registered to vote but don't even bother.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

I make no secret of my beliefs and values. I am a registered Independent. I have often been called their "favorite liberal: by many of my very conservative friends. We have agreed to disagree.

I encourage all to vote.

 

I have often facilitated getting my more conservative friends registered to vote or put in place for absentee ballots so they could vote when abroad or working away from home. 

Sometimes it takes a little more effort, but it is a MUST. EVERYONE SHOULD VOTE who can.

 

My notice came from the Registrar of Voters last week for our New Orleans/Louisiana elections coming up in November and December.

You might think it's early, but I don't want to let time escape. My ballots are completed, signed, witnessed (by Monsieur Jolly), and in their envelopes stamped.

 

When I'm in New Orleans, I ride my bike to my neighborhood polling place. From France, I ride my bike into Cajarc to put my ballots in the poste to the states.

Obviously, voting is VERY IMPORTANT to me. 

I hope it is just as important to you.

Happy Saturday!

 

HE IS THE ONLY MAN IN MY LIFE

 

For those of you who know my "Monsieur," you will notice pieces of him and his insides in this artwork created by Lola Favre for Les Archives Imaginaire for the Madistan Festival at the Chateau de Cadrieu this past weekend.

 

 

I was honored to be a part of the event, but more than that...Lola's art and Constance's audio captured ALL for me of this life and times in Cadrieu.

We were only a very small part of Les Archives Imaginaire created by Constance Leon and Lola Favre.

Hearing my own voice (in French) speaking about Katrina and the fire with my Monsieur and I playing Moon River in the background, brought tears to my eyes. They kept on coming. I went on to talk about how when I play-everyone comes to visit from the other side.

 

 

And yes, it's true. There's nothing like seeing Mom and Vann dancing together to Moon River!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's the floating of Katrina, the matches and the fire, and the piano keyboard on my overalls. We are rising from the rubble-twice.

 

 

We have risen.

 

 

I teased both Constance and Lola as we finished up Moon RIver on my Monsieur,when I told them that he is the only man in my life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see-it stuck.

It makes me smile.

It's funny, but it's true too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huge Merci to Constance Leon and Lola Favre for their beautiful creation...and from our own Moon RIver we say-

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!