Soar-Dream-France

Getting Ready for Twenty Years

 

I recently mentioned that coming up on February 22, 2022; the Chatette and I will be a WE for 20 years! It feels like a big deal to me! I wanted to do something to mark the day, or at least near the day. It looks like I have a couple of irons in the fire here. Tomorrow (even though it's a day ahead), an intimate group of long-time friends in the village are going to meet me at Christiane's in the afternoon to raise a champagne toast to our twenty years. 3 of the 4 friends have been friends that long, and the other just a couple years shy. 

I'd already ordered some special sweet treats from Thiriet since I was already expecting a delivery tomorrow morning between 8-9, so all that left was the champagne and chocolate.

 

 

I headed into Cajarc this morning on a mission.

No Veuve Clicquot to be had and nothing else that striked my fancy at the Intermarche. Jackpot at the Petit Casino...Moet et Chandon AND chocolates! Moet et Chandon is usually my first choice, but lots of friends are crazy for Veuve Clicquot.

Having been to the Moet et Chandon vineyards back in '98, I told myself that if I ever bought property in France I would toast it with their Premier Cru Champagne that is only sold in France.

Fortunately, I found it in Cahors in 2002, but haven't seen it around here since. That 20 year old bottle had a candle in it and was used often and displayed prominently here in the Chatette. Hence, it too, went the way of the 2017 fire along with lots of other sentimental items.

 

 

We are ready to launch the next 20 years in a whole new way.

Lots is swirling in my life that is going to make me so much more HERE than ever before. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone except me and a few very close friends, but I will share as it unfolds.

Everything made it into the Chatette safely.

Can you imagine, I was able to carry a bottle of champagne up the back steps in each of the side pockets of my overalls!

They were a little heavier than the milks, but it made me giggle.

What would you rather have in your bike basket or the pockets of your overalls, milk or Moet et Chandon Champagne?

 

 

 

Let the celebrations begin!

Happy Sunday!

 

Love in the Grand Canyon

 

Since I went directly from high school, to college, to graduate school; I had been in school my whole life until I graduated from the Tulane School of Social Work in December of 1977.

I saw an unlimited Greyhound Bus Pass (anywhere in the USA and Canada) for $325 and decided that I needed to take off to travel the states on my own. I had friends from graduate school all over the country.

 

 

 

I thought I would get travel out of my system before I settled down into work and life in general.

My passion for independent travel and meeting new people all over the world was born on this trip. That never really happened!

Of course, there is a much more sweet than bitter story here.

 

 

Ed Simons and I met in the Grand Canyon in January of 1978. He was from Darby, PA and was traveling by car with some buddies. I was on the bus and decided to hike what I could of the Canyon with my limited time with 2 Aussies and 1 Swiss woman. Ed and I met when Barbara and I were renting a shuttle to the mouth of the south rim. Soon, both parties were sharing the shuttle.

 

 

The last time I spoke with Ed was by phone in the early 80's. I was getting divorced and he had married and had 4 boys!

I've tried to find him a few times over the years. I've written about him here before. So, why now? 

This morning I was watching a video of the AMTRAK train that goes from Chicago to the West Coast. I've been thinking about a trip like that in the states. Ed used to work for AMTRAK. He and his part in the story of my life rose to the surface again. I would love to find him. You just never know what might happen when you put it out in the universe one more time.

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Wood, Roses and Overalls

 

If I do say so myself, I have some very beautiful wood this season. I may have received a different kind than usual. It's definitely a different cut. This cut shows the inside color and texture even more. I haven't gotten it stacked as quickly, so I've covered my pile with tarp to keep it as dry as possible. Even so, there are a few wayward guys and the water seems to make this batch look like it's actually been polished. 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I believed that we were finally in for colder weather than we've had so far.

I got out to start moving more wood, cut some grass and haul some more wood up to the terrace.

 

 

I realized after cutting some grass the day before too, I wasn't in the best shape for moving, throwing, and heaving logs. I managed. My motto is: No matter how much you've done, CELEBRATE it as progress!

 

 

 

The colors were gorgeous. The roses seem to be "last hurrahing!" My robin pal was back to keep me company while I worked, but teased me mercilessly in the photo department. (Look on the fender of my bike.)

 

 

 

My overalls were perfect again, to the point that my overalls and hiking boots are my every day outfit as I spend more time outside working.

Sometimes a rose or two can even dress them up!

I always feel better when I know I've accomplished something.

 

 

 

Today, I'm waiting to have the poele cleaned for this season. It's important to have your "ramonage" certificate on hand to show it's been cleaned in case there are any chimney fire issues that require insurance contact.

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

Life Just Keeps Rolling Along

 

It's hard to believe that a whole week has gone by since the outside village work day last Saturday.

Since then, my week was stuffed with many musts and barriers to their accomplishment that come with trying to handle disasters of life on another continent from here. So far so good, but I am the worse for wear for it all. Even so, I know that under the circumstances it's still better to do it all from here than to be there in the middle of a certain amount of uncontrolled insanity.

 

To have this place is such a blessing for me.

As much as last Saturday's work made me feel I "belonged" to this village, sitting down with everyone for a meal together provided a whole 'nother layer to the feelings of belonging.

 

I should know from almost twenty years of experience, there will be lots of food and drink.

It's just what we do here. (Many would say it's just what the French do.)

When my friends from here came to the states with me, they regularly commented on how huge the portions of food were.

I just realized that it's probably the same amount.

 

 

It's just all at once on the same plate in the states and smaller portions in courses over a longer period of time in France.

 

 

We began with a country pate, saucisson, and lots of bread. Of course, there was mustard and pickles to garnish if desired. Next up, slices of pork and beef, and potato tomato salad, followed by cheese, and green salad. Interestingly, the green salad was slid in a little earlier than usual with the pork, beef and potato salad.

There was a hefty slice of apple crisp for dessert, and coffee.

Just blend in lots of bread, and red and white wine and you get the picture.

As wonderful as it was to share food and drink, sitting with my friends was best!

 

 

I ended up between Annie and Willie and across the table for Christiane.

 

 

We looked back on the day. Remembered trips, events, and other parties together over all my years of here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much has gone by the wayside for now. Some, because of my 2017 fire for me, but also because of the pandemic. Being together again was special.

 

The best for me was a "cultural check" I made with Annie. I'd decided to wear Dad's LSU hat to work in. I didn't change so overalls and LSU cap were it. It dawned on me as I saw all the men take their hats/caps off that maybe I should too.

Was I being inappropriate? (My hair is a mess under a cap, but it serves the purpose.)

 

 

Annie explained that I was fine.

Men are supposed to take their hats/caps off inside, but it's fine for women to keep theirs on. 

I'm always seeming to learn something new no matter how long I've been here.

 

 

Soon, it was time for clean up. Those of us who stayed had the luck of doggie bags to go.

 

 

After a restful week, I'm ready for the next event! Who am I kidding? Looking back at some of these photos from past events I've shared here...I'm ready for making more memories!

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

There's Always More

 

Once we finished up what we could do on the land around the lavoir and the barn, we headed back up to the Mairie to see how everyone else was doing. It was close to noon, but everyone was still working hard. I was impressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing everyone: chip in together; work hard; bring interesting and very useful tools; share big trucks, trailers, and tractors; meeting up with old and making new friends; and, seeing just how much dirt washed off the building when it was power-washed...was a treat!

 

 

I expected we'd finish and have dejuener (lunch)!

I should have known better.

Of course, it was aperos for all.

Pastis (Ricard) and Kirs were the order of the day, along with some nibbles: chips, saucissons, crackers, nuts, and on and on.

 

 

 

By the time we sat down to eat, I was starving AND feeling no pain.

 

I might have been high on the kirs, but after so long of a time without seeing so many of my friends and neighbors; I was higher on the people! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riding up to the Mairie with Andre, it was still foggy along the road and I teased: "Pas de soleil, aujourd'hui?"

 

 

Andre shook his head and pointed finger at me and said: "Ah oui, oui, plus tard, plus tard!" Sure enough, we began aperos in the shade and soon we were able to move across the road to the sunshine...I'd predicted 2pm, but it was 1:30...pretty close.

 

 

As great as the warmth of friends, sunshine and cassis was feeling; I had moments of thinking maybe I should just go home and not have dejeuner with everyone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to soldier on; achy, drunk and tired.

These are the days when I know that I am really part of the village.

 

It's important to me, and I was really glad I stayed! Are you ready for un repas de midi? 

 

Join me tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

 

A True Village Event!

 

Andre and I headed down to the land and the lavoir to begin our job. It wasn't too long and Gerard arrived to help us too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two men with the proper equipment in overalls and coveralls made pretty quick work of the land, but then the bigger job began...sorting out the wagon.

 

They traded their physical strength for brain strength and were able to do what I don't think I could have ever done on my own: find all the pieces of the wagon that were spread under grass and weeds all over the land AND get the bed of the wagon moved and lifted. 

 

It quickly became apparent that the bed of the wagon was not only heavy, but cumbersome shape-wise.

The heavy iron supports still in place were even heavier than expected.

In no time, Andre had problem-solved the metal piece and he and Gerard were able to lift it and position it against the far stone embankment.

They quickly got that area all cleaned up.

 

 

 

 

Andre headed over to the barn to do a little more over there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gerard headed over to the inside of the lavoir to get some of the foliage that goes crazy down there!

 

 

 

I did a little pruning and cutting along the tracks. Then Francis appeared and continued on a bit further along the side of the barn with Andre. It seemed he had a different kind of tool that could be directed and not swept.

You can tell, I don't have a clue!

 

 

As we finished up, Chrsitiane came down with a couple other people and looked at what was there that needed to be taken to the dump. I confess, I don't have photos of our finished product yet...the rest of the day got away from me with aperos and lunh so I'll have to share our finished project photos for another time. That may even wait until after other work, apero and lunch photos. It was a busy day!

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Between Walking Out the Door and Home Again

 

When I walked out the back terrace door and locked up this morning, I had two missions: Ibuprophen at the Pharmacie and a few odds and ends at the Petit Casino.

Somewhere along the road between home and Cajarc, I thought about getting some greeting cards at the Presse.

As I got closer, a coffee at La Pause sounded good too. 

 

 

After I beat the crowd at the Pharmacie by going there first, I walked my bike over to the Presse. I only needed an anniversary card for my sister and her husband (Anniversaire de Mariage as they call it here), but I came out with post cards, scotch tape, ink pens, and a greeting card that has a Lola on the front.

 

This intended under 5euro pit-stop quickly surpassed 20. 

 

It's always fun to cross the street from the Presse over to La Pause and have a grand creme while I write my cards. If I plan it right, I can write them AND put them at La Poste before I head home.

Dropping my card at La Poste, I was coming from the opposite direction than usual. The Cajarc Mairie was directly in front of me, as was the road up to the church and my favorite St. Therese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hadn't been in to see her for a while, so I decided to go. I was saving the Petit Casino for last, so today I wasn't already loaded down with groceries that really get in the way in the church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lit my candle and sat in my mask with St. Therese.

 

 

 

That was a first for us.

What wasn't a first, was sharing the many years of gratefulness with her by candlelight and being overcome by the joy and wonder of this life and the small things that continue to mean so much.

 

 

I thought I was finished with recapturing things I love to do. Little did I know that there was going to be another opportunity to get some photos that I'd passed up on earlier trips.

 

 

One of the asparagus fields was covered in very special misty morning kisses, the likes of which I'd never seen before. 

 

 

 

 

 

Any guesses what those kisses might be? (Evelyn...guesses from you wouldn't be fair!)

 

Coming around the bend home; everything was redder, the Chatette and the Chateau were golden, Lola was waiting for me, and I was happy to be in my overalls once more that allowed me to carry a litre bottle of milk in each of my front two pockets up the steps.

 

 

I know, I'm easily entertained...me and St. Therese!

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Separating Strands Entwined

 

 

I've been knowing for a while that I should get out and "de-vine" the front of the Chatette. I struggle so, because I basically love the way it looks. I do know that the ivy definitely needs to be removed, but the red vine is gorgeous in the fall and dies away easily in the winter. Once the vines were making their way up the screen to the bedroom, it was really time! 

I gathered up all my tools and had decided that I would do a window at a time each morning, beginning with the second story one in the photo on the left.

 

 

 

It's tedious work, but I have a system. I ask myself all the time why I enjoy de-vining the cliffs in the back so much, but see this as a chore? 

As you can see from the shot on the right, I made pretty good progress. I decided to just keep working until I got, hot, tired, frustrated, or all of the above. It was an overcast day, so I kept working just until I was tired. It was nice NOT to be hot or frustrated.

I got to the archway of the T-shaped tunnel.

 

 

 

Along the way, I also cleared out this break in the wall from the road in the photo above, along with the moss and vines that were taking over the short road wall too.

It got more and more difficult to separate the ivy from the red vine, but I continued to try. The red vines were more like ponytails blowing in the breeze.

I found I could lift them up and get to the ivy underneath. Still, I had red vine casualties. 

 

 

I realized again as I worked, how much I enjoy touching this place and feeling the stone. It always speaks to me. Somewhere along the times of here, I did less and less of that. I've missed it.

 

 

It's touching stone time again too.

Happy Wednesday!

 

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!