Soar-Dream-France

Just Paris

 

I can often be contrary or resistant to things I know nothing about. This is often the case when everyone is going on and on about a particular thing. Maybe it's that I don't want to be just one of the crowd, maybe it's that I know nothing about it and would rather it had been my idea, or more often than not; it was something that felt out of my reach. Believe it or not, I was that way about Paris. Paris felt out of my reach until I was almost 40.

 

 

 

Once I got there, Paris began to weave into the fabric of my life, now for thirty years. I often say that each of us has to find our own truth about love and death. I also think that each of us needs to find our own truth about Paris. Of course, there are the iconics that everyone knows. But each of us has our own individual stories and memories that fold in and out and around those iconic cornerstones. I don't know about you, but I have my very own Paris.

 

 

This Paris is mine and no one else's. Some things just can't be shared. No matter how hard you try, it doesn't translate. Just when I think I've stopped trying, someone or something comes along that pushes me to try to share. Fortunately, I've learned to stop before I get in too deep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the height of discovering my Paris, the second version of Sabrina was released. Coming from a family of classic film buffs, I had to suck it up since they all preferred the original with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.

 

 

 

I tried to introduce them to the Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond version. No go. For me, it was the sound track, the color, and the "iconics" with even some of my special more hidden away places, that made me fall in love with this version. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, they included the quotes:

"Paris is always a good idea,"

and...

 

 

..."Oh, but Paris isn't for changing planes, Paris is for changing your outlook...for throwing open the windows and letting in...letting in la vie en rose!" It's difficult to not have a relationship with Paris. Paris is alive.

 

 

What makes Paris yours?

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Feeling Safe...or not?

 

I confess to having had the luxury (maybe even the privilege) to be able to feel so safe in my life that I didn't even think about it. Being safe was a given condition. It wasn't until I went to an art therapy workshop and we were asked to make two drawings; one where we were happy, and the other where we felt safe. Happy was an easy one for me, my stick figure was standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in a beret with a camera in my hand.

"Safe" was a little harder.

 

 

I had to reach back and feel more than think.

As it happened, "safe" turned out to be me spending time out in the country with my Nannie and Papa. I hadn't really thought about safe, or how truly safe I always felt with them. 

These days, as I watch all that is going on with the violence in the states and in New Orleans, the question of "safety" comes up often. It scares me to see ongoing gun violence and then add in other violence by white supremacists.

 

 

The other morning when the sun was rising out my window over the Lot, I had tears in my eyes. I am often "tearfully" grateful that I am able to be here. But that morning, I was "tearfully" grateful because I felt safe. 

I honestly never thought that being able to feel "safe" would be something to be grateful for. When did being safe become a special blessing and not an ongoing condition of living?

 

Pondering Safety?

Happy Thursday!

 

 

 

 

The Window on the Lot-A Gift for Dorian-#1

 

 

In the midst of the move, there were many special moments. Sitting in the living room on Columbus Street with my friend Dorian; I asked him if there was anything he wanted? He surprised me when he said: "You choose something that makes you think of our friendship!" I ended up giving him a long-vertical angel poster and a professional photo of myself that had been taken eons ago and given to my parents.

 

 

As we talked more. I remembered that the first time I met Dorian was when he came to the opening of my "Window on the Lot" photo exhibit at a friend's coffee shop near the corner of Canal and Carrollton  It was a few years before I purchased the Chatette.

 

Then, the perfect gift hit me.

I could have given him a set of photos and the essay I'd written to accompany them from the night of the exhibit. The only thing was that I had to wait till my return.

So, voila...over some of the next days, I will share the photos and accompanying words with you and as my real "gift" to Dorian from that May we met in the late 90's.

Here's a little tease to get us started:

 

 

WINDOW ON THE LOT-(La Fenetre sur le Lot)

Laury Bourgeois, Fall 1997

 

I used to think I was a city girl. I've always loved Paris. I have seen it in all seasons. I know that there is color there, but the Paris of my heart is a series of Robert Doisneau photographs set to the tune of La Vie en Rose. The lovers were always in love. They always kissed and touched. Life and love survived in a simpler time. My eyes chose to see and my heart chose to feel only the blacks and whites and shades of gray. I was once told you could find your heart in Paris. I did. It led me to my soul-le Lot. When I think of le Lot, I see only color. I can't remember a color so crisp or a life so alive as that which I first saw standing in  front of my window on le Lot. The sky was clear. The air smelled fresh and the sun always shown in my mind's eye.

 

Stand with me in front of my window on le Lot-Happy Friday!

 

A Christmas Caravan

 

Look at all of those ornaments! These were all part of my "cherished" stash that I had planned to have shipped to me in France.

Once I found out about specific packing lists by item and amount that were required; I rethought all of my six boxes.

Whittling down to two boxes, was quite a feat.

 

These were already my triaged treasures that I'd chosen to keep, and now I was having to let them go too. I was thrilled that John, Mike and Carmen took so many.

 

The one box that I had the most difficulty with was the box with family photos, memorabilia, and a very pretty hat box full of Christmas ornaments.

I'd decided that most of the items in this box could go into a small red rolling suitcase that I had, and could then check on the flight to Paris and "wheel" on home the rest of the way.

In fact, in St. Louis, Kat had an even bigger and better rolling suitcase for me to use that held even more!

What a coup!

 

I'd triaged the ornaments again and decided which to take, but so many were left that I was heart broken. Ah, but there was still some time.

 

On Friday, April 15, I was beginning my sojourn to return the car to Kate.

I had stops at Mahogany Oaks, Madison MS, St. Louis, and then back to Sewanee TN to return the car.

I decided to bring the hatbox of ornaments along with me.

 

It gave my friends the chance to choose whatever they wanted from what was left. Glenn and Bill didn't disappoint me either!

 

At the end of the journey, I would leave the rest (and a few other treasures) with Kate.

 

 

And so, all my treasured ornaments are now living with friends and family. Of course, there was the tub of ornaments that my cousin Carol had already taken home with her and Donna to Florida! I had to laugh. Carol had started her own triage process on Columbus Street with the ornaments in the bin, and then Donna said: "Just take the whole bin!" Time limits have value!

 

Huge merci to all my friends and family who scooped my treasures. It was fun to see what people took and it felt good to know that everyone had a home.

Happy Thursday!

 

A Coming Together in the Letting Go

 

On January 6, I wrote a post titled "Intentions." I'd been feeling blue, stuck, and "un-tethered." I wanted to harness the power we cannot see with the guidance of St. Therese of Lisieux and la Tete, the head in the heart of Les Halles in Paris. The writing was "righting," as I often like to say.

I felt better and continued on.

I promised a report so here it is:

Monday, a friend offered to loan me her daughter's car to use while I'm in the states;

somewhere in the middle of the week I heard from a friend and colleague and we will be working together on projects again after an almost 14 year hiatus; and,

 

I received some more definitive information on a loan to help me with Columbus Street on Friday of that same week. 

 

It wasn't till I sat down over the weekend to reflect that I remembered my post and had a major aha. I said thank you.

I love it when all the pieces of the universe come together all at once, especially when you've been feeling like it's NEVER going to happen.

I felt that way again last night when the gorgeous full moon blasted inside through one of the porte-fenetres on the Lot River side. In fact, it blasted through all of them. Three beautiful (and more) full moon tableaux. 

It was Moon River Moon time again. This round, the reflections were particularly sparkly, flowing, and cut a much wider swath than usual. 

 

 

Last night, I slept like a baby with my snuggling Lola in my arms, blanketed by the light of our first full moon of 2022!

 

 

Another huge merci to my very special spirit guides.

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Intentions

 

Summoning the spirits and the powers we cannot see in our lives, today is a day of "intentions" for me. As soon as I saw this Sainte Therese of Lisieux in St. Eustache in Paris, I knew that I would be guided in the very best way possible today.

 

 

 

 

 

My life continues to feel unstable.

 

 

 

 

There is lots floating, lots of decisions and lots out of my control.

A few days ago, I told myself that I just need to sit down and to be very clear and focus on what is important to me in the whole picture of my life.

I am generally pretty clear about those things, but money and residual anger seem to always get in the way.

I have had to worry about money my whole life.

 

 

It always seems that once I get to a place where money is stable, something happens to upset the balance.

It always seems to be hurricanes. 

So, I've decided to put money and anger aside.

I want to outline my intentions following my heart, and paying attention to what is best for me.

I haven't actually sat down to put it all out there. 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I'm harnessing the spirit and power of St. Therese with the home of my heart in St. Eustache and La Tete in Les Halles to guide me. She knows me.

She knows what is important to me. I know what is important to her. Between the two of us, I can't go wrong.

 

 

 

I'll keep you posted.

Happy Thursday-...Happy Twelfth Night-Epiphany!

 

Pondering Paris Carousels

 

A couple days ago I posted this photo on the left in the banner of my Facebook page and asked if anyone knew where the carousel through the columns was located? The photo above should give you an even better idea of its location.

 

 

 

It was fun to see everyone's guesses.

Some were correct.

Some weren't, but the thing that stood out to me was just how many carousel guesses were really sprinkled around Paris.

It got me to thinking!

Is there one in each arrondissement?

Is there one in every park?

There may be no rhyme or reason, but there is a bunch for sure.

 

 

 

I have lots of photos of my own. There is the Les Halles carousel that was my first love.

I watched the most gorgeous children go round and round on the carousel in the Tuileries.

I particularly love the carousel that rests under the Eiffel Tower.

And then, there are the carousel memories for which I have no photos.

It just dawned on me. As much as I love Paris Carousels...as much as I love carousels in general...

 

 

...I have never ridden a carousel in any of my favorite places!

 

 

Do you have favorite carousel places? Do you have a favorite carousel? Do you have a favorite Carousel memory and photo you might want to share?

 

 

I would love to see any photos and hear your stories! 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

So Many Paris Memories

 

I believe that we each have "our very own" Paris.

Don't get me wrong. I love it all, but my Paris is Montmartre and the Rue Montorgueil areas.

I am home there.

I love this shot from Montmartre, taken as you're getting off the funicular at the top!

I am missing Paris.

During my early years of here, it was because from 2002 to recently I was just passing through on my way to the Chatette.

 

 

Once I realized how much I missed having my time with Paris, I began to find ways to be there longer, spending a couple nights before I headed back to the states.

Now, with so much going on with the virus; I miss Paris...period.

I'm not going to travel unless I absolutely have to.

That must will come in the middle of March, 2022, when I have a return to the states scheduled. It's probably going to be a return to a mere "traverse" of Paris.

 

 

For some reason, the memories...people, places, feelings, and all the amazing moments are flooding my heart and soul today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are washing over me!

I'm living on memories made!

 

 

 

Isn't it wonderful that I have them at all?

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

St. Cirq Lapopie Whispered

 

So many places hold a special spot in my heart here in the Lot, but none more special than St. Cirq Lapopie. It is where I found my photographer self and my very soul in 1996, and it carried me over the years to Cadrieu.

 

 

We never know what's on our road(s). 

 

This life of mine often looks very romantic, charming, magic, and like a fairy tale to others. Lots of people like to tell me that I'm living my dream, but I tell them I believe that it is my destiny. Others have said: "You have a house in France, you must be rich!" To that I say: I am not rich in dollars and cents, but in experiences and gratefulness. I tease that I live in a painting and my life is a movie. It's very true, even if the movie is sometimes a disaster film!

 

 

 

 

 

To be honest, none of this was on my radar.

If I were to offer people one piece of advice, it would be: if there is something you wish for or want badly, put yourself in a position to be as close as possible to your intention. I did not intentionally choose here, but it started in Paris and carried me along.

 

At every opportunity that presented itself along the way, I said "why not," and kept moving forward.

 

My dreams were of a house on the beach at Santa Rosa Island National Seashore and an apartment in Paris.

Little did I know, that I was destined to find my heart and meant to be in a tiny village-Cadrieu, France. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of steps on this road.

 

 

I often thank Wendy for her invitation to Tour de Faure. Today, I say a huge merci to St. Cirq Lapopie and her whisper in my ear that turned into a scream I couldn't ignore.

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

An Early Sunday Sojourn

 

I always enjoy getting out and riding my bike, but with all the sitting I've been doing trying to take care of stuff in New Orleans, I haven't gone as often or as far as I like.

If I ride at all, it's a quickie up and back.

This morning, I treated myself to a ride "somewhere" to journal, enjoy some coffee and cookies, and watch the morning come. 

I was out and on my bike easily before 8.

 

 

I decided to stop and sit by one of the many stone staircases that take you down beside the road wall to the Lot River.

In fact, one of the sets of church bells hand just chimed 8 as I pulled up to my spot.

I'd headed out in the direction of Montbrun thinking I'd go there, but then I remembered that the staircases looked much clearer than my usual favorite between home and Cajarc. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I passed up the first one and stopped at the second.

It wasn't as clear as the first, but I decided to stop anyway and maybe get some photos of the first one on the way home.

 

 

 

I got myself situated with my coffee thermos, cookies, journal and pen. I'd used my birthday bag from Mike and John to hold it all and keep it safe in my bike basket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't as easy to balance it all on the stone and writing neatly was a bit of a challenge, but all the rest made it worth it.

I have always enjoyed watching the morning come no matter where I am in the world. It's a time when I feel like it all really belongs just to me.

 

It makes no difference if I'm out early on my bike through City Park in New Orleans, or walking to catch the metro in Paris when the sun is kissing the tops of the buildings and the shop keepers and bistro owners are out cleaning and readying for another day.

Here though, it is even more special for me. There is the silence and the stillness. Of course, there is the sound of the Lot, birds, fisherman, and passing bikers. This morning, a red squirrel hopped up on the road wall, eyes locked for that moment, and he scampered a bit away and then straight down the wall.

 

What a treat.

 

 

I always have epiphanies in these early mornings. I know if I would get up and get out like this every day, I would have much more energy and would get so much more done. It's really about the exercise and the activity. These days, it has been too easy to just be in and around the house.

I think I have a plan. 

Each morning, out with coffee, cookies, pen and journal, to scoop a spot somewhere along my road!

Of course, I'll let you now how it goes!

 

 

 

Happy Sunday!