Soar-Dream-France

Yesterday's Promise

 

 

Yesterday, I decided to try a different strategy for getting work done outside. I decided to change up my routine and work to my strength. Mornings are my best time of the day. I'm fresh, have energy, and it's cooler. All lead to me being able to get more done. This morning was the day! Join me on a project by the lavoir and a little study of the barn doors for where to start with them. 

By 8am I'd gathered all my necessary tools and headed over. I began on the edge of the lavoir and raked as much away from the stone front a possible.

 

 

In no time, I had a nice sized pile. I've learned that some of these weeds pull out of the ground really easy. I dangled my feet over the edge and went to work.

 

I was able to clear out from the left corner to about 2/3s of the way over to the other corner. My plan was to clear away the weeds and get as far down to the stone as I could.

That meant a lot of raking, pulling, pruning, brushing soil away, and piles.

 

 

 

Once I got it where I wanted it to be, I went and got the lawnmower to cut over everything. Then, I came back with weed-killer. This strategy worked really well over on the stone cliffs, so we'll see how it does here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We'd come a long way from where we started. Tomorrow...attack the pile and the rest of the other side before I focus on the barn doors.

 

Even though I know that the barn doors need to be varnished and touched up with black iron paint on the big metal nails and bars, I decided to just try today to brush it off and see what plain old wood polish would do. It was easy. It looked pretty, but I really want it to sparkled and stand out, so tomorrow I'll begin with just cleaning off the doors with water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are so beautiful. Touching them again carries me back to our early days together when we'd only just begun everything.

 

I need to remember that we are further today than when we started back in 2010, even if we have a lot of catching up to do for all the lost time away.

 

 

I'll share as we go.

I think it's working!

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Little Did I Know

 

 

Looking back to 2012, coming up on 10 years next year...I had no idea when Dali, Sammie Cat and I returned to the states during that October so much would change here in Cadrieu.

I knew I needed to work and that Dali and I needed to be together as she was aging.

Then, Dad fell before we even got on the plane to the states and all bets for a easy return sooner than later were off.

 

 

I knew I needed to be stateside to be more easily available to Mom and Dad and the rest of the family. It was the hardest but only decision I could make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I look around these days, I am reminded once more that being in a place full time is important.

 

When I was here full time from 2006 to 2012, I was able to take care of things and pay attention to all that was going on with the property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some things get away from you and you never seem to be able to get back to where you were. 

 

 

 

I look at these photos from 10 years ago and reflect on the differences of the property from then to now, and the natural evolution of friends and social networks that happen when you're gone.

Life goes on.

I'm feeling on the cusp of understanding and accepting the evolution of place and people here. Factor in the pandemic, and the whole world has changed.

I have moments of feeling like I have a whole new world here now.

 

I realize that I'm building a new and different life for myself here and in the world.

 

 

I'll be seeing where this journey takes me!

 

 

Happy and Reflective Tuesday!

 

Photo Competition Blues

 

 

A still life from the early years of here, my bottomless purple L.L. Bean backpack carried me from the late 90's all the way into 2012 when I was forced to move on to an aquamarine of the same brand.

 

 

This shot and the others that follow here, are some of the photos that I considered or actually included in a monthly themed photo competition.

It's been fun.

No winners so far.

But, it challenges me to look back and reflect.

Maybe I should try a new approach.

These are all photos from the archives that I have tried to fit each monthly category.

 

I haven't actually tried to take new photos that respond to the category description, instead of going into the archives to make something fit that may not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We shall see.

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

A Side Less Traveled

 

While often on the terrace swing gazing at our "domain" (ha-ha), I am rarely over on this side of the Chatette to scoop photos. Yesterday, I was on a grass cutting mission with my camera in the front pocket of my overalls, so I was ready!

 

With my grass cutting mission a success (if you don't look behind the gas tank where there is a big nasty job), I pulled my phone out of my pocket and had some fun!

 

I was reminded once more, that I really need  to have them come and get this gas tank. I haven't used the gas since 2008, AND after the fire in 2017 I had all of the central heat, pipes, radiators and boiler removed because I didn't plan to use it. 

It is not a gorgeous side of the Chatette, but getting rid of the gas tank would be a considerable improvement in both aesthetics and grass cutting departments!

The addition (smacked on part of the Chatette that doesn't match the rest of the stone) is also having some "issues" that I know need to be addressed, but I'm avoiding while sorting!

We shall see.

 

 

 

For now, I enjoy the beauty of our tunnel and terrace, dreaming of the day when all is as it should be here on the "compound!"

Happy Saturday!

 

An Afternoon of Many Seasons

 

Yesterday, I was on the attack.

The train tracks and the land behind the barn were needing immediate attention since the rain is making another jungle for me.

I didn't get that far.

As I swung my overall-ed legs and hiking-booted feet over the wall to the steps down to the tracks, they needed attention too.

Ash, nettles, moss, and other weeds were running rampant so I started there.

 

 

 

"We" are very pretty when it's all cleaned up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started pruning, scraping, digging, raking and pulling.

My aha of the day was that I can actually pull up the dreaded nettles, if I'm properly gloved and clothed to avoid the stings.

I am no longer dreading the monster nettles waiting for me behind and beside the barn in quite the same way!

 

 

 

 

I took a few before photos while I worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I already know how stunning "we" can be when we're all cleared and cleaned up. 

 

 

 

I was ready to soldier on, but the weather was not cooperating. An in and out sun couple with on and off rain of varying strengths, made me surrender. The hard rain was the final straw. 

On to the covered terrace where I could continue to finish up potting my flowers from last week.

 

 

 

All that pretty color helps in the midst of the rain storms! 

Happy Thursday!

 

A Figeac Favorite

 

It's pretty bad when you realize that you are repeating old stories. The best part of that realization is that it's truly wonderful that I have those memories and experiences of almost 20 years ago now, to tell!

I have been stopping in at La Cazelle since that first summer here during 2002.

Initially, it was to rest my can of "vernis" on the table, while I drank a small glass of red wine on my way to the bus home after a shop at Weldom.

Of course, I was in my short overalls.

 

 

 

Over the years, it became a stop for a wine with my Carrefour groceries and then I began having lunch there with friends. It became a lunch place of choice for Jane and I.

After the 2017 fire, I "invited" a group of friends there for lunch on the patio to say thank you for all of their help and support during those difficult post fire times.

Now, I have a feeling Jane and I will be surrendering McDonald's and finding more time to stop in to see Marc and have a true dejeuner at La Cazelle.

I'll have to check it out and see if and how it's going there. 

 

 

I will keep you posted on La Cazelle and many of the other old restaurant and coffee "haunts" as re-opening unfolds. 

Let's hope everything goes well as more people get vaccinated.

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

(*All photos included in this piece were taken in previous years, not this season.)

Early Visit Photo Fun-Calvignac

 

There are so many gorgeous medieval cliff-clinging villages in the Lot, and each one is prettier and more unique than the next.

Even so, taking a friend from the states around to many of them, he commented: "It starts to feel like going to all the different plantations in one day!"

I knew what he meant, you've seen one you've seen them all!

I confess, I do begin to feel that way about plantations, but NOT our medieval villages.

 

 

 

So many of my photos over the years take my breath away. Calvignac is a favorite of mine. These are a few photos from my early years of dropping by or "hanging out" in Calvignac.

The first two are both sides of the same arch. Capturing the village through one side of the arch and the hills through the other was lots of fun. 

This cross is nearby and has always been one of my favorites!

Here I am at the bottom of the arch back in 2005!

 

 

2005 was a pivotal year for myself and my friends. Little did we know in the midst of that glorious Lotois summer, we'd shortly be facing Katrina, moves, divorce, and loss. There is a short story or a novel in here somewhere!

I leave you with my most favorite shot taken in Calvignac, inside St. Etienne!

Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday!

 

Wildly Running Rampant

 

I must confess that I don't look at the addition side of the house as much as I should. It's a story for another time.

I have a tendency to be an avoider, which isn't always a good thing.

Usually, some conflict or event has lead to the avoiding and/or it is something that involves large sums of money that I don't have. 

I tend to get in and get out when it's time to get the grass done. Even though it is a smaller patch of land, the gas tank, fosse-septique (septic tank), water, electricity and phone wires are all on that side of the house. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what do I do?

I focus on the flowers. 

 

 

This last round we ranged from weeds to wildflowers and columbines.

Of course, the roses are growing like wildfire in front of the house, but are about to be overrun by brambles, ivy and a host of other not so goodies!

I grabbed a few shots that caught my eye as I cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank God for my Duluth Trading gardening overalls...bib pocket for my phone/photos, others for pruner, gloves, and other tools.

 

 

And, more than enough room to layer up so when it gets hot the peeling can begin discreetly. I think they said: 13 pockets overall! I, (of course) have a number of pairs in different colors.

 

 

Heading out to do some pruning shortly. May be running through the rain drops, but every little bit helps. 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Overalls Days

 

As much as all my days can be overalls days...grass cutting days always are.

I find myself doing the extension cord-lawn mower dance up and down the property and the road. Sometimes there are surprises at the end of my day.

Last cut, it looked like all the dry grass ended up in the rolled up hem of my overalls. 

Sometimes even the weeds and flowers choose me.

 

 

 

It's raining. Today is NOT an overalls day. Every once in a while a dress feels good.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Love Me, Love Me Not

 

With petal passings and various stages of my millions out in the yard; I took some time to sit among them all and enjoy them while I could.

I cut this large yard in stages.

I had no idea that I would actually be able to finish all of the last big piece that was left yesterday.

 

 

It always feels good!

 

Plus, after Cedric's run over it with the riding mower; this gave me a chance to get under and beside things that his rider can't get close to. 

The lawnmower also tends to be a closer cut. 

So I had some fun again. I took some shots. I pondered other chores out there. I realized that my wisteria is spreading even further along the stone wall and up into the trees than I had originally thought. 

 

I have two varieties out there...the more traditional one isn't flowering as much this year, where the one that has long, thin, almost stalagtite looking flowers is bountiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They probably need to be pruned again, so I'll add that to my list. In fact, I think we just need more sun period.

 

 

Big prunes ahead!

 

 

I won't even talk about the brambles!

 

 

I did find a new friend while I was out there. I captured him in a photo, must have been a tiny new baby grasshopper. He looks huge in the photos, but consider the size of the flowers he rested on!

 

 

Happy Sunday!