Musings from Red Bell Farm

Follow Me to France!

2010-09-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

This is France. I will be spending the winter in the red piece of the puzzle. While I'm in France, Musings from Red Bell Farm will be on holiday as well. Follow me to France at Melanged Magic!

Fall

2010-09-12T08:42:00.000-05:00

Usually fall signals a new beginning for me. I always loved the start of the new school year with its clean, blank notebooks, freshly sharpened pencils, new textbooks and of course, the obligatory pleated plaid skirt with matching sweater! This year, though, fall signals an ending here at Red Bell Farm. I'm closing things up and putting the finishing touches on winterizing as I move towards departure on September 22nd. I feel as if a chapter in my life is ending. While I'll return to Red Bell Farm next spring, I don't expect that my life will ever be quite the same. I anticipate being changed forever by my experience of living in France for the winter. Musings From Red Bell Farm will shortly go on hiatus; Melanged Magic has already started taking its place. I've begun mentally detaching from television, tortillas, diet Pepsi, and the luxury of jumping in my car and going wherever, whenever I want. There are still things to cross of my 'to do' list, but I'm steadily making progress toward leaving the known behind and embracing the unknown ahead. Life is just one big adventure!

My Side of the Story

2010-09-09T14:22:00.002-05:00

I gotta tell you guys...all this practice stuff is really getting on my nerves! First, she has me practice walking on a leash. A leash! Doesn't she know I'm a country dog? I don't do 'leash!' I have a very keen nose, and I have to roam around so I can sniff every blade of grass, every bush, and every post I see. It's my job! Okay...then she puts me in that crate to practice. She mumbles something I can't quite understand about an airplane, a trip, being a French doggie. What the heck is an airplane? If it's anything like that crate, I already don't like it. Oh sure...I'm a good girl. She keeps telling me that. Who's she trying to convince anyway? I already know I'm a good girl. I take great pride in that. Anyway, into the crate I go...sigh! Doesn't she know if I'm in there I can't jump with joy and twirl in circles when I see her like I usually do? And tell me this...just how am I supposed to roll over and show people my cute belly to entice them to scratch it? People can't even see my adorable little self in that thing! Today was the worst. We actually went into town so she could 'practice' with the crate and all her other junk. Can you say 'mortified?' That's how I felt when people drove by. I know they were laughing at us. This being a little French doggie is going to be harder than I thought!

Practicing

2010-09-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

Lucie and I made a trip to town today to practice for our trip. I wanted to make sure I could secure her travel crate on my suitcase, pull on the backpack and still keep Lucie under control on her leash. It was harder than I thought it would be. There weren't any really good places to hook the bungie cords for starters. Lucie kept wanting to go sniff the grass. Once I got her crate attached, its weight kept pulling the suitcase over. I think that happened mostly because the suitcase was empty and there wasn't any weight to counter-balance the crate. Lucie did okay walking while I pulled the 'circus wagon' behind us. We were by the Imes covered bridge and its little park which gave us a variety of terrain to practice on...cement sidewalk, boards on the bridge, gravel and grass. We made turns, stops and starts; not once did she tangle up between my legs. I'm not holding my breath that won't happen in the airport, tho, as we dodge other travelers. I even practiced putting her in the crate and carrying her...just in case I have to do that. It's do-able, but it's a workout! I can only imagine what the people driving by thought of our spectacle!

Getting From Here to There

2010-09-06T05:53:00.001-05:00

Getting from Iowa to Cadrieu is a journey of three distinct parts. The first part takes me from Red Bell Farm to Chicago by rental car. The second piece is the flight itself from O'Hare to Charles de Gaulle. The third part is the piece that worries me the most....Charles de Gaulle to Cadrieu. I arrive at 8am after a long day of driving and a long night of flying. I'll be tired and jet-lagged. I'll have to figure out how to find Lucie, get her out of her crate and haul her, her crate and my suitcase to the rental car place (which I have absolutely no idea how to find!) Then I have to drive a strange car from the northeast outskirts of Paris to the southwest suburbs to connect to the A20 autoroute that will take me to points south. Throw in confusing French signage, a foreign language, and who knows what else and you have all the ingredients for disaster. Laury to the rescue! She's making plans right now to take the midnight train to Paris, connect with the RER to the airport and meet me on arrival! She'll be my navigator, read the maps, read the roadsigns and generally point us in the right direction. Plus she'll be there to help lift, tote and reassure. Could I do this without her help? You bet! but having her there will make it SO much easier and SO much more fun!

Shifting Gears

2010-09-04T14:24:00.002-05:00

Lots of things remain on my 'to do' list as I get ready to fly to France on Sept. 22nd. I'm already beginning to shift gears mentally, though, as I let go of my American lifestyle and get ready to embrace a totally French one. I'd invite you to jump over to Melanged Magic to read about some of these shifts. While there is a supermarket in Cajarc, I will also be able to buy groceries in the weekly outdoor market. Almost every village of any size has a weekly market; this one is in Limogne. The one in Cajarc is on Saturday afternoon. The only limitation is how much you can put in a backpack and carry while you walk or bicycle home. Too heavy? you can always wait for the bus! Some things I won't be buying....tortillas! I don't remember ever seeing them anywhere. I also don't drink pop in France. Too pricey, especially when wine is SO cheap! Here's something else I'll give up...TV. Even if Laury had one (which she doesn't), everything is in French. I've already checked, though. I can watch whole episodes of "Project Runway" on my computer. Yes, I'll admit it...I'm addicted. "Project Runway" has it all...action, creativity, drama, and divas. Can you say Casanova?!? Everything else on TV including the news, I'm happy to do without. What do I gain in return for my American 'sacrifices?' Only the best cheese, best bread, best wine in the world! Only a lifestyle geared around great food and good company around the table! Only an opportunity to live steeped in history, art, and architecture! A good trade-off in my book.

Money, Money, Money!

2010-09-01T16:13:00.001-05:00

I made a trip to Des Moines today to do the money thing. I gulped a bit as I transferred money out of my IRA into my savings account. It's a little scary to dip into those funds! I had to keep reminding myself that it's retirement money and THIS IS RETIREMENT! At least for now anyway. I put some money into another account, so I can buy some Euros to take with me and then shopped a little...there are a few things I need for the trip like new luggage tags and a new jump drive to load photos onto. I chuckled to myself as I picked out a backpack to buy. I've teased Laury so much about her bottomless purple backpack that she takes everywhere, but truly, she's got it right. A backpack is perfect for shopping when your transportation is your feet, a bike, or the bus. You'd be shocked at how much stuff you can stuff into a backpack!

Money and backpack....check!

Details, Details

2010-08-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

As you can well imagine, closing up a house and organizing your life for 6 months in another country involves lots and lots of details. A mountain of details, acutally. I've been thinking about this all summer, so I had some things already in mind. This weekend I put together my master "to do" list and started a time line for completion working backwards from lift off for France. I'm a woman on a mission! One of the first details on the list was: what to do with my houseplants? No problem finding lots of potential adoptive parents. My friend, Lacey was the first to offer, so she wins the prize. Here is the first batch stuffed into Miz Red Belle. They were delivered yesterday. Luckily the biggest plant that reaches almost to the ceiling is very flexible. I just bent over his top and closed the door. Lacey will receive the remainder of the pots next Saturday.

Houseplants...check!

The BIG Announcement!

2010-08-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

Drum roll, please! I've done it; I've made the decision to close up my house for the winter and go to France. I couldn't be more excited! This is where I'll pass the winter....Cadrieu. I know you remember it from my month of Melange-ing Magic at Laury's house last September. No one was looking at, much less buying my property, so it was a relatively easy decision to take it off the market and maybe try again next spring. With some minor tweaking, I'll be able to winterize it and just GO! Lift off is scheduled for Sept. 22nd. I'll fly directly from Chicago to Charles de Gaulle where I'll rent a car and drive to Cadrieu. And guess what? Lucie is coming along on this adventure! She's always said she wanted to be a little French dog and now she'll get her chance. More details to follow, of course, including an address and new email and maybe a new blog (haven't decided about that yet ) But for now, it's busy, busy, busy around here as I attend to the myriad of things that need to be done before I leave. This is truly a dream come true!

The Family

2010-08-26T13:54:00.000-05:00

Becky just posted new photos on Shutterfly! Here's the gang. That is Chase in the middle. I can hardly believe how big he's gotten. And talking to him on the phone...who is that man with the deep voice? Surely it can't be my little Punky?? Travis is sitting on a stump, so Chase really isn't taller than his dad. But he is taller than Becky! This looks like it could become a Christmas card photo, don't you think?

PS...you'll want to check back in the next couple of days. I'll be making a BIG announcement!

Sounds of Summer

2010-08-21T21:33:00.001-05:00

Right around mid-afternoon it begins....the cicada chorus! Can you hear them? When it's cool enough to have the AC off and the windows open, the sound of the cicadas fills the house. Sometimes they're so loud I even have to turn up the volume on the TV. Heck, I can hear them now and the house is closed up tight against the heat. Are you wondering about the foggy appearance of the video? That's the humidity that condensed on my camera lens in the few minutes I was outside. My glasses fogged over as well. It's definitely summer in Iowa!

The Office Is Open

2010-08-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

Remember when you were in high school and took all those interest and aptitude tests to help you figure out what you wanted to do when you grew up? Even though it was a long time ago, I remember like it was yesterday. We took tests and answered many questionnaires. Someone evaluated the answers (no computers back then...how did we ever survive?) and in a couple of weeks we got the results back. Lots of information in both narrative and graph form. I loved looking at the bar graphs. My bars for both scientific and artistic interest/aptitude were very high...in the high 90th percentile. There were several bars in the middle and one tiny bar for mechanical ability. There was one empty spot. I asked my teacher if this was an error...there was no bar in the clerical/secretarial slot. "No," he said, "that isn't an error. Your interest and aptitude in that area are so low, you didn't even show up on the graph!"

OMG! so why am I working here in the church office this week?? The regular secretary is on vacation and she asked for volunteers to sit in her chair. Silly me...I said 'why not?' I'm halfway through my assignment and so far, no one has yelled at me or asked me to do anything hard. I figure I'm safe as long as I don't have to file anything or figure out the computer, the postage machine, the copier that does everything except write your text, the safe, the fire alarm system or call the repair guys if the roof leaks! Anyone...even me....is capable of answering the phone with a smile. I do have the interest and aptitude for that!

Frogs Everywhere!

2010-08-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

It's been SO wet! I see at least one or two of these frogs stuck to my house or windows almost every morning and evening. This little guy was on my front picture window last night. It was kind of interesting to see what his bottom side looks like. Those round toenail-like things are suction cups that enable him to cling to glass and the house siding. I'm not sure why they keep climbing on the house...maybe trying to get out of the wet flowers?

Gorilla What?

2010-08-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

Gorillapod! Only the handiest little piece of photography equipment in the world! I first heard of these little tripods this May when I went to Montana. Travis bought one for Becky as a Christmas gift. I was amazed when I saw it. Becky has a big SLR multi-lens Canon, and the Gorillapod worked perfectly for her. Surely it would work as well on my little Canon point & shoot. Travis said they were cheap...even better. They come in different sizes depending on your camera size. I bought this one at the local camera shop for $21.99. My guess is you could find them a bit cheaper at Target or Wal-Mart. It's little (6 inches), light (under 2 ounces) and flexible. I leave the adaptor attached to my camera so all I have to do is slide the tripod on when I want to use it. Slick!

This is where I 'wrapped' its little legs to attach my camera for yesterday's hair close up. If you click onto the Joby website, you can see lots of ways to use the 'pod and lots of other products they make to let you be 'hands free' in your life.

Going, Going.....

2010-08-13T13:37:00.000-05:00

....not quite gone! Just a quick update on the hair growing out process. It's getting there. You can see just a smidge of brown here on the sides. There's also a blob of brown at my crown and in my bangs. Jerry, my hair guy, keeps saying the sides are white; I keep telling him they aren't white, they're silver. I think silver sounds a whole lot sexier than white, don't you? I truly don't see myself as a little old lady with cottony-white hair! The back is totally charcoal/ gray/silver colored now. So another month and the only part that will still be brown will be at the crown...and I can't see that part in the mirror, so it won't bother me at all. I actually kind of like the gray, believe it or not!

Come back tomorrow to see how I captured these close ups.

All is Well

2010-08-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

In case you're reading all the online and national news about the massive flooding in Iowa....everything is fine so far at Red Bell Farm! The recent torrential rains have hit areas from Des Moines north; living south, I've avoided most all of it this week. The photos are awful, though, and my heart goes out to those people who have water in their basements, in their cars, and in their businesses. And remember, creeks don't just rise in their water level....they rush and roar and rage. The force of water is so destructive and dangerous. How miserable to be flooded and still have to endure the continuing heat and humidity! It just doesn't seem fair.

Place Igor Stravinsky

2010-08-10T09:50:00.000-05:00

It's hot and humid in Iowa, and I'm 'jonesing' for Paris. What better place to cool off and pass a Paris afternoon than right here at Place Igor Stravinksy? Nestled between the Pompidou Center and the 8th century Eglise St. Merry, the contemporary fountain is a favorite place for school groups to eat lunch after field trips to the Pompidou and for Parisians and tourists alike to cool off in the noonday sun. I always plan my visits so I can have lunch at the creperie on the corner, grabbing an outdoor table as close to the fountain as I can. During one winter visit, I watched homeless people wander along side the church, each claiming a step or a doorway to huddle in and depositing sleeping rolls and bags of clothes to claim their spot. Last September I observed a young woman dressed in dance leotards throwing multiple colored balls in the air while jumping from a chair. A professional photographer captured image after image as she repeatedly jumped and tossed, jumped and tossed. I have no idea what that was all about, but it certainly kept me entertained while I ate as did the very well-behaved French children and their teachers eating sack lunches on the fountain steps. Ah Paris...always something to intrigue!

Fruits of the Season

2010-08-08T09:09:00.001-05:00

It's the 'dog days' of summer...hot and humid. Me and the dog are lyin' low in our cool, airconditioned house. But the sultry heat is absolutely no reason to not enjoy the fruits of this season. Yesterday's trip to the Farmer's Market provided both food and friendship. Here's a photo of the food part.You haven't truly lived until you've lunched on luscious homegrown, never refrigerated Iowa tomatoes and melt-in-your-mouth Iowa sweet corn. A sandwich slathered with my friend, Karen's apricot/raspberry jam and a tall glass of iced tea completed my meal. Life is good even if the weather isn't!

Meet Me At The Market

2010-08-07T12:44:00.002-05:00

Elizabeth and I have been trying to coordinate schedules and get together for weeks. My schedule has been relatively commitment free, but hers.... Since the end of May when she left her post as assistant rector at St.Timothy's, she's been searching and interviewing for positions and has been called to be the rector at a lovely church in northern Iowa. She's spent two weeks studying as one of the elite Canterbury Scholars at the Canterbury Cathedral in England. She and her family spent almost two weeks in Italy....doing Rome, Florence and Tuscany. She's found a place to rent in her new town, put her house in Des Moines on the market to sale, and shuttled her teen age son back and forth to football camp at his new school. Whew! just thinking about her whirlwind summer makes me tired. So, when we finally confirmed a date to meet and go to the Farmer's Market this morning, I was very excited. We bought a few things, but we spent most of our morning catching up over coffee at Java Joe's. I heard fabulous stories about the Cathedral and her colleagues, many of whom came from countries where women are considered second-class citizens and are certainly not ordained. She likened it to falling down the rabbit hole in 'Alice in Wonderland.' Every time male clergy would give her that 'You're really a priest?' look, she'd say to herself, "Yes, I am the real Alice!" I listened to her describe wonderful moments of worship in the Crypt, sacred prayer at the Thomas Becket shrine, and being allowed 'inside the walls' to see places tourists never see. I followed Elizabeth and her family through Rome as they searched for the four churches of Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons,' as she worshipped at the Anglican-Episcopal Church in the shadow of the Vatican, and as they all ooh-ed and aah-ed over the Sistine Chapel. I vicariously wine tasted with them in Tuscany and fell in love with the story of their innkeeper, a single woman who refurbished the inn and fell in love with her landscaper in the process. So much to talk about, so little time! Luckily, there's email and I know the way to her new town. Next time we must 'do' photos!

Friends Along the Way

2010-08-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

When I read Laury's blog post over at Soar-Dream-France this morning, I was immediately reminded of this fine fellow whom I met one day last September. A visit to Rocamadour was on my agenda having seen it in my Eyewitness guidebook to the Dordogne and Southwest France. Finding the pilgrimage village wasn't a problem; finding a good place to park was, however. I pulled off on the first gravel road I saw and sure enough, it led me to a huge parking area that was mainly for RV's and trailers. It wasn't close enough to where I wanted to be, but this guy standing near the fence lured me out of my car for a quick photo op. I wanted so badly to stroke his soft muzzle and scratch that special place between his ears, but he was having none of it and backed away from the fence when I reached out to touch him. Do you think it's too much of a stretch to imagine that this donkey might be related to the one that traveled with Robert Louis Stevenson across this area in 1879?

2010-08-03T12:31:00.001-05:00

You're going to laugh. Today I went to the library to return "Twelve Sharp" and check out the next book in the Stephanie Plum series, "Lean Mean Thirteen." I knew they had it; I saw it on the shelf my last visit. Zut alors! It wasn't there. I pulled every Janet Evanovich book from the shelf. I checked both before and after her section, thinking maybe someone had stuck it back in the wrong place. Nothing, zero, zilch... no #13! How unlucky is that? I walked away incapable of choosing "Fearless Fourteen" which was there. Muttering "I just can't read them out of order," I continued to browse. After wandering up and down the aisles and talking hard to myself, I returned and plucked "Fearless Fourteen" from its place. "Each book stands alone," I reasoned with myself. "You can read #13 next time around." With a sigh, my defeated, neurotic read-'em-in-order self checked out. As I walked thru the hallway to the library's exit, I glanced at the books for sale. If the library finds itself with duplicates of books (they receive donated books all the time), they put them on sale, cheap, to raise money for the library. Right there, front and center, was #13, a bargain at a buck for the hardcover copy. I stopped; I pondered. Should I just buy it? NO! that's absolutely neurotic. So, Lucie and I continued our town chores...getting gas for the mower, picking up a dozen farm-fresh eggs at the feed store, and mailing bills at the post office. All the while, #13 was calling my name. Finally unable to resist, I drove back to the library and bought the sucker! As I paid the librarian, I confessed my neuroses. "I just can't seem to read them out of order," I moaned. She commiserated with me..."Me neither," she laughed, "number thirteen must be checked out."

"And by the way," she added as I opened the door to leave, "we have her latest, #16 on the 'new books' shelf"

"No way," I shot back,"you can't tempt me. I've got three more to read before I'm there!"

Yes, I am neurotic!

Click here to purchase #13 or any of Stephanie Plum's adventures.

Say It With Flowers

2010-08-01T08:52:00.007-05:00

How do you say LOVE? At last weekend's Cursillo, it was said over and over with flowers. This huge cross completely covered with flowers was a love offering to all of us at Saturday's dinner. It filled the room with love and joy and beauty. It lifted everyone after two days of intense study and discussion.

Flowers and candles decorated the base of the cross.

Each of us received our own little bouquet as we entered the cafeteria-turned-love feast. I brought mine home in a plastic water bottle; the rose and one of the yellow daisies are still sitting by my bed. (Okay, they're ready to go to the trash, but I hate to part with them!) Iknow that cut flowers are such a luxury...and a waste, right? They just wither and die as all these did by the next afternoon. But in the moment of their glory, don't they just scream LOVE?

Letters, We Get Letters...

2010-07-29T08:29:00.000-05:00

We get lots and lots of letters! During the long, busy days of my Cursillo weekend, there was at least one break for 'letters.' While the facilitator read letters from literally all over the world written by other Cursillo communities in support of our weekend, personal letters were delivered to each of us. These are a sampling of what I received....letters of love and support from friends at St. Timothy's. The very first one I opened was from the young woman whom I mentored through her Confirmation process! She's spending her summer in Baltimore having surgery and doing physical therapy to lenghten one leg which is a bit shorter than the other. I received a card from her all three days! Do I need to tell you that each one brought tears to my eyes? Every card and note was personal and special to me. I feel truly blessed by care and friendship I received.

PS...unless you're as old as I am, you might not know that the title of this entry and its first sentence are from the Perry Como Show theme song. He got letters requesting songs; I got letters of love!

A Cursillo Weekend

2010-07-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

This is where I spent my weekend...the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, KS. Yes, that Leavenworth; we drove by the military base and the federal prison encircled with razor wire on our way to this beautiful site. I'll be blogging about my experiences of the weekend here and at Dona Nobis Pacem over the next few days. It was quite an experience, this Cursillo event! The University welcomed us with dorm rooms, shared bathrooms, and thankfully, air conditioning. The weekend was hot and steamy as only the Midwest can be. The public areas of the campus were beautiful, filled with lush plantings, beautiful statuary, great woodwork and old stained glass. The food was plentiful...almost too plentiful! When explaining to friends what this weekend was about, I used the word 'retreat.' Not exactly correct because although we were in retreat from the world with no TV, computers, watches, or phones, it was neither quiet nor restful! It was jam-packed with talks, discussions, activities, worship and singing. It was a weekend filled with love, with fellow pilgrims, with scripture, and with thoughts to ponder. I'm only just beginning to sort through it all and determine what it means for me.

Stop!

2010-07-22T11:44:00.004-05:00

I will be away for the weekend at an Episcopal church workshop. I have received strict instructions to leave all electronic things that ring, beep, chime, chirp, buzz, and all other worldly distractions that command your attention at home. I think this means I won't have computer/laptop access! So, I'll be taking a bit of a 'stop' from blogging. See you next week.

Safe and Sound

2010-07-21T06:00:00.002-05:00

I mailed off my 'babies' for Laury's end-of-August vernissage last week. Today she sent me this photo...they arrived, safe and sound! No broken glass, no bent frames. It looks like Dean, the Postmaster, used lots of cool stamps to send my package winging its way to France. Wonder if he knew somehow that Laury is a big stamp fan? I'm relieved to know they made it. Now Laury gets the fun of figuring out just how to hang them in her cave. My guess is she'll send me a photo of their final destination if I can't get there to take one myself. I'm still hopeful...

Addendum: Laury wrote a blogpost about my photos. Check it out at Soar-Dream-France.

Long Distance Therapy

2010-07-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

You may remember this photo from a blog post I made back in June of 2008. Well...it flooded again, but not quite this badly. My creek overflowed its banks this morning. Only I wasn't here to take its picture. Here's the story: I awoke at 5am to thunder and rain...lots and lots of rain. At 6:30am it was still raining heavily, water was standing in most of my front yard and I could see the creek roaring just standing on my back porch. I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't keep from pacing back and forth to the window, peering out watching the water rise. I kept having flashbacks to June 2008 when I found myself completely surrounded by running creek water. Enough! I showered, pulled on clothes, put Lucie in the car, and we left. Water was standing in my drive and in places on the road, but the creek was still in its banks as I rounded the corner and started the climb up to the top of the ridge. I spent the next 3 hours in Des Moines shopping, getting gas, and having a frappachino at Starbucks...waiting for the rain to stop. When I arrived home, I could see the creek had been up in my yard, but was now on its way back down. I emailed Laury about it, and I had barely pushed the 'Send' button when my phone rang. "Are you all right??" my friend drawled, "I'm worried about you!" We talked and laughed, I felt so silly, but it's an awful feeling to be at the mercy of the elements, powerless and trapped. She did her very best social worker therapy via phone...soothing and calming, validating that fears don't have to be rational to feel real. We laughed again...it's pretty amazing that I seek support from my friend who lives 5000 miles away! But it worked...well enough that I think I should pay her hourly therapy wage for our conversation!

BTW....I emptied 3 inches of rain out of my rain gauge!

Yummy!

2010-07-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

I love to read cookbooks almost as much as I love to cook. So, when I heard this cookbook reviewed on NPR, I knew I had to have it. Judith Jones is a senior editor at Knopf and has written several books on her own, but my interest in her stems from the fact that she was Julia Child's cookbook editor. Anyone who can edit Julia Child has to be able to cook...and to tell a good story. And since I'm a single person, I thought this book about cooking for one would be useful as well. It's become one of my favorite sources for recipes. My dinner yesterday was this gratin of beef, mushrooms and breadcrumbs. Yummy! and just right for one person. (I actually made two, so I can have dinner ready another night this week.) I've tried recipes for all the meat dishes except those using veal; I draw the line at eating baby anything. There are also recipes for veggies, salads, and desserts...all portioned for a single diner with recipes for using left-overs if there happen to be any. I won't tell you the ingredients for the gratin in the photograph as I use a recipe simply for suggestions...I always substitute according to my taste and to what's in the 'fridge. All I can say is it was yummy good!

Rest in Peace

2010-07-18T15:18:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine lost the love of her life last week. I blogged a story about them recently referencing our shared time in Paris back in 2005. Between them there are over 50 years of memories. Between them are 3 marriages and several children...but not with each other. Between them are countless trips abroad...with each other on her dime. He shared the Eiffel Tower and street music with us; she shared her gentle spirit and her ability to unconditionally love someone whom the rest of us found unlovable. She wasn't there when he died; she is heartbroken.

Toilets

2010-07-16T07:43:00.003-05:00

Early during my first trip to France in 2005, my friend, Mickey, brought a very curious thing to my attention: French toilets. Not the toilets exactly...those are pretty much same the world over...but rather the flushing apparatus. As she said, 'You never see two that are exactly the same. Who knew there were so many versions of toilets?' Once she said it, I couldn't help but pay attention to every toilet I saw. She's right! Very rarely did I flush exactly the same way. During my month in the Lot last September, I decided it was time to record this phenomena digitally; I took photos in every bathroom I could. Yes, I know that's kind of weird. There were times it even felt weird to me, so I'd bypass an opportunity because it just felt awkward carrying my camera into the 'loo. The past two days I've shared a few of the ways the French flush their toilets. Here are a couple more images I captured during trips to the WC....

Bidets and things...

My least favorite toilet of all...the infamous Turkish toilet still found many places in France...I even used one in Paris!

And let me leave you with this last photo taken in Roussillon on that first trip to France. It's in honor of Mickey who set me on this journey of toilet discovery! You can see her leaving the Turkish toilet stall and walking past two urinals open to all the world. I was desperate for a bathroom, but hesitated when she found this one. "What if some guy is taking a leak when I come out?" I gasped. "Just look the other way," was her wise reply!

A Few More Clues

2010-07-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

More clues....guess again!

Guess!

2010-07-14T10:19:00.000-05:00

Guess?

Sepulchre

2010-07-12T08:37:00.000-05:00

I recorded this panoramic sweep of the mountains of southwest France from atop Montsegur. The view was breath-taking; I felt as if I could see forever! I was surprised at how rugged and rural so much of France actually is. I thought of this view last week as I was reading a second Kate Mosse novel, "Sepulchre." Like "Labyrinth" this novel is also set in southwest France, in these very mountains. And like "Labyrinth, the stories in "Sepulchre" slip between two different time periods: France in 1891 and 2007. It's a melange of tarot, magic, and music, good and evil, and the universal search for family and love. While the novel can certainly be read on its own without reading 'Labyrinth," there are some threads that connect it with the other book that add richness to the story. Having seen the wildness of these mountains makes me appreciate how truly terrifying the battle against evil could be in the remote setting of Rennes-les-Bains and the fictional country estate of Domaine de la Cade. Perhaps the sleepy mountain town had stone buildings just like this one I photographed in the mountains outside of Collioure?

Color Update

2010-07-08T08:38:00.000-05:00

It's been ten weeks since I put any color on my hair. As you know from my blog post of May 31st, I've decided to let it go natural, i.e. gray. I got it cut today and as I suspected, the sides are almost totally silver. So is the crown. My bangs and the back are pretty much salt & pepper. As I looked in the mirror while Jerry continued to snip and trim, I moaned to him, "I look just like my mother!" Which I actually don't mind all that much because I thought my mother was beautiful. And I really don't mind the gray all that much either. It looks a bit strange now, but I think once the brown is completely gone, it will be fine. BTW...do you know how hard it is to get a picture of your own hair??

A Tiny Piece of Paris

2010-07-07T08:36:00.000-05:00

I go for weeks receiving only bills and the occasional flyer offering me a discount on hearing aids in my mailbox. Then like magic fun things appear from far-away places. This tiny piece of Paris is from Laury. I admired the little music boxes she wrote about in one of her blog posts and voila...she sent me one! Okay...so maybe I whined a little. I love it. It's playing 'La vie en rose.' Can there be anything more quintessentially Parisian than that? It made me cry.

PS...I enlisted the help of my friend, Beth to shoot this video. I just didn't have enough hands to hold the tiny box, turn the crank and press the record button. I'm thinking I need a tripod!

"All the Better to See You With"

2010-07-04T11:55:00.001-05:00

Did you figure out the clue?

The label on the mailing envelope reads "one pair of glasses and one glasses case." Postmarked Aix-en-Provence, my package is a gift from a fellow blogger, Corey, who posted about these nifty stylish reading glasses that are the brainchild of her friend, Phillipe. Corey sponsored a contest on her blog to give Phillipe the best ideas for advertising photos of his new glasses...using Corey's yummy FH (French Husband) as a model. The prize for the best ideas...these reading glasses! And I won! Okay...some other people did too, but I thought my idea to photograph FH on his sexy motorcycle was the best...it appeals to women who would love to be on the back seat clutching FH tightly around his waist and to guys who would love to be FH hitting the road on this sexy bike to adventures unknown. The glasses are very chic trifocals... the bottom part of the lens is perfect for reading, the middle part makes reading the computer screen a breeze, and the top lets you see a bit in the distance. They are perfect for me when I have my contacts in and have great distance vision, but up close...it's all a blur. No more with this snazzy little number! And I'm thinking the red will look 'hot' when my hair grows out and is silvery gray. It'll be my new old lady look!

A Clue

2010-07-03T14:01:00.000-05:00

How good is your French? Here's a clue about tomorrow's blog post. Can you read it? Can you guess what came in my mailbox yesterday?

The Choice is Made

2010-06-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about the photos that I was looking at trying to decide which ones to send Laury for the August 28th vernissage at the Chatette. I emailed some of the choices and arrangements to Laury, and she called me later with her comments and suggestions. She thought framing the photos without mats would make them much more dramatic. As luck would have it, my photography store was able to make me some 8x8 inch prints that would fit nicely into the frames I had already purchased. This morning I slipped my study of peonies into the frames as Laury suggested and voila! Here is my submission to the vernissage. It's hard to get the same look as they will have in Laury's cave where they will be hung against a gorgeous stone wall and lit from above. I also haven't quite decided if this is the order they should be in; I think I'll let Laury and Patrick make the final decision on that when they hang them the evening of August 27th. With any luck I'll be there in person to voice my opinion!

Montsegur

2010-06-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Blogging about "Labyrinth" and the Crusade against the Cathars in southwest France has brought back memories of Montsegur. This monument honors the Cathar men, women and children who were burned here for refusing to renounce their faith. I blogged about it last September at Dona Nobis Pacem. Click here to read my thoughts on this sad moment in religious history.

City of "Labyrinth"

2010-06-21T07:53:00.005-05:00

I recently finished a novel set in southwest France that was my kind of book.

"Labyrinth" by Kate Mosse is a 'timeslip' which the author explains is a story that slips between two different time periods. In this case, it moves between the 13th and 21st centuries. The modern part of the story begins at an archaeological dig deep in the Sabarthes Mountains just south of Montsegur; the medieval story takes place in this city, Carcassone. This photo shows the ancient walled city set high on a hill overlooking its modern off-spring below and to the left (not shown in this photo) I stopped along the Autoroute on my way 'home' from the Mediterranean shore last September when I caught a glimpse of this sight that looked to be straight out of a fairy tale. The informational plaque in the pullout told the story of Carcassone's siege during the Crusade against 'heretics' in the early 1200's. I debated....should I alter my plans and drive into Carcassone for a close-up look at this magnificent walled city or should I continue on to Cadrieu? Cadrieu won out as I had promised Laury I'd be back in time to help her set up for the vernissage. So I tucked Carcassone away for a 'next time' visit. After reading 'Labyrinth' next time can't come soon enough!

I've reviewed 'Labyrinth' over at Red Bell Reads...check it out!

Polka Dot Clouds

2010-06-20T06:10:00.003-05:00

Severe storms rolled across Iowa last night. While this nasty weather is getting real old, there is always some beauty in it. In the aftermath of last evening's storm, I was treated to polka dot clouds. These occur occasionally...I think it has to do with winds aloft or something. I don't need to know the science behind their formation to appreciate their beauty! I dumped another 1/2 inch of rain out of the gauge from yesterday's storms bringing the total for my backyard to 8 inches since June 1st...about double the normal for the whole month. Guess it's a good thing I can find beauty in this wet, wet weather.

It's amazing how much prettier these polka dots are with a bit of computer enhancement!

Knock, Knock! Who's There?

2010-06-19T08:04:00.000-05:00

Did I hear someone knocking at my front door? Stepping to the open doorway, I looked down and saw this guy sunning himself on my porch! It's been so rainy the past few days, I'm sure he was desperately seeking some sun. I watched him for several seconds before he sensed my presence. Slowly, he turned his head and 'neck' to look at me, his tongue flicking in and out trying to discern danger. Then silently he curled back on himself and slithered into the flower bed next to the front step. I shivered a bit as his tail slipped over the edge, and he disappeared in the cool, dampness of the Stella d'Oro lillies. I had felt a bit guilty about the weeds that have started crowding around the golden lillies and thought perhaps I should pull on gloves and weed the flower beds. After watching this guy retreat, I've changed my mind. Let the weeds grow!

Abundance

2010-06-16T08:08:00.000-05:00

Along with the abundance of rain has come an abundance of blooms. While I don't have a huge variety of different flowers around my house, the flowers I do have are blooming their heads off! The hollyhocks are plentiful and the Stella d'Oro daylilies are profuse. Even the shade-loving hostas have started to share their pretty blooms. Rainwater is still puddled up in various places around my yard. I hope all this standing water doesn't produce an abundance of a different kind...mosquitoes!

Wet Weather Woes

2010-06-15T08:21:00.000-05:00

I've dumped over 7 inches of rain out of my rain gauge since June 1st. Even for lush, lovely Iowa...that's a lot! On top of the heavy winter snows that stayed on the ground far into spring, this day-after-day of rain pattern has absolutely saturated the soil. These low areas in my lawn have been puddles for three days straight...the standing water never soaks in nor does it dry out as the days have been cloudy and humid even when it's not raining. I think my butterflies are suffering. Today these two just hung out on my shutters and my deck most of the day with their pretty wings spread, trying to dry out. They would sit for awhile then sluggishly flutter around before landing again and spreading their wings. We're all praying for sun!

PS....as I write this, it's raining again!

Love/Hate Relationship

2010-06-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

I hate deer! Okay...so I don't hate this little doe and her friend who I see almost every morning as they make their way from the timber on the ridge east of my acreage to Haybranch creek behind my house. I think they come for a dawn drink before they bed down for the day in the trees. I've seen them in my backyard, in my pasture, and this morning walking along the road on the edge of my front lawn. They are so pretty and delicate; I love watching them. The ones I hate are their buddies who terrify me when they dart out of the trees or come up out of the ditch and try to run into my car. If you remember, I actually collided with one last November doing some serious damage to Miz Red Belle. A couple of Sunday mornings ago I was driving into church and a pair popped out of the woods and bolted across 4 lanes of Interstate traffic! I came within inches of hitting one, and it scared me to death! Every trip into Des Moines I see the remains of the other dumb deer who are not so lucky; it's pretty gory what a semi can do when it hits one. I don't know what the answer is to this dilemma...fences, longer hunting seasons, increasing the number that hunters can take? All I know for sure is that as much as I love watching these pretty animals in my yard, I hate seeing them when I drive.

The Duke

2010-06-11T13:08:00.000-05:00

A lot of people have heard of Madison County, Iowa because of its covered bridges and the Meryl Streep/Clint Eastwood movie, "The Bridges of Madison County." But unless you are an avid fan of Western movies, you might not know the identity of Madison County's favorite son. It's John (The Duke) Wayne. John Wayne was born here in Winterset over 100 years ago...May 26, 1907 to be exact. This bigger-than-life-size bronze statue went up just this summer a couple blocks south of the courthouse square. It seems like the square would have been a better place for it...certainly there is room. I bet there's a story why it's on this corner instead. I thought the American flag behind the statue was a nice touch. Can't get much more all-American than John Wayne! In case you can't tell...that's a big ole gun in The Duke's left hand. Two blocks east of this corner sits The Duke's birthplace...a simple little cottage that been restored and is now a museum. I took a close up of the plaque in front of the statue to show you what The Duke's name really was. You never know...this bit of information might come in handy the next time you're playing Trivial Pursuit!

Farm Life

2010-06-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

Bob and I lived with a foot in two worlds. One world was Yellowstone; the other was our farm in southern Iowa. I wish we would have named it something catchy, but we referred to it from the beginning as the Promise City Farm and unfortunately that name stuck. Set on the top of a ridge, it should have had a view of the South Fork river valley. Instead the builder chose to orient it to have a view of the road...guess that was more important back in the early 1900's when the house was built. I felt very happy and at home here even though living on a farm was 'way out of my comfort zone. What does a girl raised in suburban California know about farm life? Not much...but I soon learned! We were dirt poor and in fact, I started life here washing clothes in an old wringer washer and hanging them on the line to dry. Here's a bit of trivia you might like to know: in the depth of an Iowa winter, it takes exactly two and a half days for blue jeans to dry hanging in the basement. Besides learning the intricacies of the wringer washer (which BTW is awesome for washing really dirty stuff!), I learned how to drive a tractor, rake and bale hay, and use a chain saw. I helped build fence, build corrals, and build ponds. I learned about raising buffalo, raising chickens, and raising step-kids. I helped restore several acres of farmland to native prairie grass and helped restore the old Methodist church I attended in town. I planted two huge gardens, learned that in Iowa God provides the irrigation with rain (who knew..I'm from California), and taught myself how to can and preserve my crops. I became part of a small town community in Iowa where life revolves around church, family and the local school. And experienced the pure joy of fireflies, bullfrogs, and skinny-dipping in the pond under a velvety Iowa sky and twinkling stars. Good memories!

The Yellowstone Years

2010-06-09T07:35:00.000-05:00

Married, divorced....single again I made my way back to Yellowstone in 1979. Working again at the hospital in Lake, I reveled in all things outdoors...hiking, backpacking, riding, fishing...during my off hours. Meeting Bob introduced me to the world of the back country Ranger and life in the wilderness. I absolutely loved it! We hiked the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and the Absaroka Wilderness, we pitched our backpack camp in remote valleys and hauled supplies by horsepack into the back country cabins in Pelican Valley. I learned how to pack panniers, throw a box hitch, and lead a string of mules. I cooked over an open fire, in a wood cookstove, and on a tiny backpacker's stove. I split wood, wrangled horses and cleared trail. I became a real mountain woman, and I still count that among my most worthy accomplishments. I was lucky to be able to share this life with Travis and later on with Bob's kids, Sunni and Scott. These are experiences that none of us will ever forget. And they became the catalyst for Trav's career in bear management at the Yellowstone Center for Resources in the Park. The photo on the bottom shows me, Travis, Bob, and an oldtime Thorofare Ranger, whose name, of course, I can't remember! We visited him at his camp deep in the Teton Wilderness just outside the southeast boundary of the Park. He was back for a nostalgic visit to a place that was very special in his life. How well I can relate. Thorofare and this part of Yellowstone still holds a piece of my heart as well. It is one of those magical places for me that gives me a sense of my place in the world, a place where I tested myself and proved myself worthy, the place that made me realize....if I can do this challenging thing, I can do anything!

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

2010-06-08T09:20:00.000-05:00

One of the fun things (actually the only fun thing!) about all the packing/purging I've been doing has been looking through old photo albums that I haven't opened in a long time. I've alluded in this blog that I've had 'other lives' before Red Bell Farm, but I haven't been able to blog much about them since I like to add a photo to my blog entries. Earlier this year I purchased a new copier that also scans and faxes. Voila...I can now share some images from those other lives from far away and long ago! August 2, 1969: I married Skip Wyman at the United Methodist Church in Point Loma, CA. That's my dear friend, Mickey on my right; Skip's friend, Carlos Joseph stood up with him. It's hard to believe that was almost 40 years ago...OMG! where does time go? Travis was born Feb. 1, 1972. Look at him hugging his bears...who knew he'd be in love with bears 38 years later?

St. Joseph

2010-06-07T18:17:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to feel a bit of a sense of urgency about selling my house. I have 'places to go and things to do' and getting this house sold is key to moving forward with some opportunities that commence the end of August. So, I've decided to call in the big guns and turn this over to a Higher Power. My St. Joseph Sell-Your-House Kit arrived in this afternoon's mail. I carefully read the instructions which mainly say it doesn't matter one bit how you bury or place this little statue; what matters is that you believe and place your request in the hands of God. I know..I've heard all the urban myths before...he has to be buried upside-down by your For Sale sign facing the house, yada, yada, yada! But the little brochure says it doesn't make any difference...just pray to St. Joseph to petition on behalf of your request and let it be. So, I said the prayers and buried him right side up by my sign facing the house. I was pretty specific that this sale needs to happen fairly quickly so I can be out of here by the middle of August. It's out of my hands now. If it is to be...it will be!

Packing and Purging

2010-06-06T11:35:00.002-05:00

I wish I could tell you I'm 'packing and purging' because I sold my house! That hasn't happened. But I've decided to take advantage of this time to purge, get rid of, toss, donate, and trash everything that I don't absolutely need. I've started with my book collection. I'm almost embarrassed by how many I have; it's a sickness, I think! I don't have much trouble passing on novels to others, but I can hardly bear to get rid of all the non-fiction, the memoirs, the art books, the poetry books,etc. I'm being totally ruthless, though; almost everything is going to the Half Price Bookstore. They pay you a pittance for them, but at least they take them all. I'm also triaging movies. All VHS tapes...outta here along with most of my DVDs. I do have some home movie VHS tapes that I'm recording over to DVD format. That's been fun...last night I watched Travis graduate from high school. Yes, there was a tear in my eye...20 years later!!....when they played "Pomp and Circumstance." And I cheered once again when Ernie Schmell handed Trav his diploma. Some memories absolutely have to be preserved!

Choices, Choices...

2010-06-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

This year's vernissage at Laury's Chatette is Saturday, August 28th. I'm already hard at work figuring out which photos I will send Laury to hang on the beautiful stone walls of her cave. If you remember, last year I sent two large framed photos...a pair of Provencal shoes and an intimate close up of a luscious hollyhock. This year I've chosen to go smaller. These photos are all 5x5" and whichever one(s) I choose to frame will nestle in a matted 8x8" frame. The souls of flowers have been calling to me all spring, begging me to receive their beauty. I hardly had to be tempted at all! The choices now are which ones and how many? Should I go with just one or a cluster of four? Should a group be all the same color family or all the same flower or should I mix it up some with a yellow, a purple, a pink?

Here's the biggest choice of all....should I mail them via international post....or hand-deliver them to Cadrieu in person?

Enough, I Say!

2010-05-31T12:34:00.000-05:00

Inspired by a fellow blogger, Britt-Arnhild, I've decided to declare, "Enough!" I'm done coloring my hair. Oh, you thought this was natural? You would be wrong. I began having it colored about 15 years ago, not to color the gray, but rather to perk it up a bit, try something different. Over the years, it's become all about covering the increasing gray. Now that I'm not working, it's the perfect time to grow it out. I don't have to worry about looking scary while it transitions to...whatever it is. I can tell it's mostly gray around my face. Jerry, my hair guy, tells me there are some places it's white...now that's scary! But the back looks to be still brown. It's inevitable that the time would come to stop the madness of hair dye. After all, I intend to live to at least 105; nobody has brown hair at that age!

So, be prepared. You may not recognize me the next time you see me!

Gobsmacked!

2010-05-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

I went to France in September last year with only a few expectations. I did that intentionally because I wanted to be open to whatever manifested during my month in the Lot. I expected to see some beautiful art and see historic places. I expected to have an adventure. Those expectations were certainly met, but as my Brit friends would say, I was totally 'gobsmacked' by the two things that were the highlights of my trip: people and pilgrimage.
I've dedicated several blog posts to pilgrimage...I feel very drawn to walking at least part of the pilgrimage path in France and I absolutely fell in love with Conques, a pilgrimage village in the Aveyron. I think it's safe to say I was 'gobsmacked' by Conques!

The people who became friends during my magical month truly were a gift. My cyber-friend, Laury became a true friend for life. I knew we were kindred souls from our blogs and our emails, but getting to know her has definitely melange'd some real magic in my life. Through Laury I became friends with Jean, Greg, Jean-Luc & Odile, Christiane & Jean-Paul, Josie & Patrick. If someone had told me that I was going to France to make friends, I would have scoffed...'no way...you don't go to France to make friends!" But make friends I did...GOBSMACKED! Laury and I continue to be in contact regularly by email and by phone. She and these others continue to melange magic in my life. It's too soon to share that magic, but let me tease just a bit...if everything falls into place, there is change in the wind.

GOBSMACKED again!

More Green

2010-05-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

As promised more greens today. Starting with lawn green, oak tree green, cottonwood green, weeping willow green and weed green...

Moving on to clover green sprinkled with lawn green and punctuated with 'tree by the backdoor' green....

Here we have mint green...why do we think it's this color? These leaves are catalpa green....

Ranging further afield we find 'across the fallow field' green..... and then see this 'thank goodness it's not in my yard illegal thistle' green!

I'm not even going there with this green!

Green

2010-05-26T08:38:00.003-05:00

Continuing on the theme of the colors of summer in Iowa, I have to share GREEN with you. When I first moved to this state in 1982, I was absolutely amazed by how green it was. Green in ways I had never seen before. I had lived in California and in Colorado; both have lots of places that are green...forests, meadows, gardens, but never had I seen the variety of greens that paint the Iowa countryside in summer! I was so impressed that I wrote a poem about it; if I can find it, I'll share in another blog post. This green is right by my front door...hostas, daylilies and some kind of vine-y weed. More green coming up in the future.

Colors of Summer

2010-05-24T08:50:00.001-05:00

As I think of my favorite things about summer in Iowa, color comes immediately to mind. Even though the 'red sky in the morning' brought the predicted 'sailors take warning' thunderstorms later in the day, this blazing Iowa sunrise took my breath away. There is something positive to be said for waking up at 5am! Mother Nature paints both grand canvases and smaller, more subtle ones this time of year. Iris petals and violet hearts show exquisitely beautiful detail in both vibrant and soft colors...

After a long winter of snow, ice and frozen dull brown earth, I feel blessed by the bounty of beautiful color right in my own front yard.

Ode to Chickens

2010-05-19T09:28:00.000-05:00

On Behalf of Chickens

It has come to my attention recently
That there are many folks

Who have trouble treating chickens decently—

They give them kicks, they give them pokes

And are generally hateful.

Chickens, I feel, are magnificent creatures,

They greet the dawn with cackle and crow;

Winged and feathered, they have delicate features

And lay eggs hidden both high and low.

We actually should be grateful.

Think of all those eggs,

Farm-fresh, over-easy, and free.

Think of golden friend chicken legs

Smothered in chicken-y gravy.

That’s a real plateful.

So, next time you’re tempted to badmouth this bird,

Stop and think of your dinners.

Chicken-hating is really absurd,

Chickens are big time winners.

Don’t be hateful; be grateful for your plateful!

Written sometime in the recent past by Moi. To be read with this blog post.

In Honor of Barns

2010-05-18T08:14:00.000-05:00

Today I honor barns. Not this barn, though.

Nor this one.....

This is the barn that sits in the place of honor today. Because this barn, as of today, is now part of Laury's 'family' in the Lot. She signs the papers officially making it hers this afternoon...in fact, probably already has as I write this! This beautiful piece of Lotois history seemed destined to belong to the Chatette, and Laury has brought that destiny to reality. It's a magical, almost mystical place; the inside is dusty and dim, but you can feel its stories lurking under the dirt and between its ancient stones. You know the saying...'if only these walls could talk'? If only these stones could speak.... I know that Laury will hear their stories and uncover their secrets! If you want to know more of the barn story, click over to Soar-Dream-France....you won't be disappointed.

Things I Love About Summer

2010-05-17T17:50:00.000-05:00

This is post number one of "Things I Love About Summer: An Occasional Post About Summer in Iowa." And yes, those are eggs....real eggs. Now I know you think you buy real eggs at the grocery store. You don't. You buy real eggs like these at the Kent Feed Store in St. Charles or maybe at your local Farmer's Market. Real eggs come in a variety of colors including pale green. Real eggs are also a variety of sizes. Real eggs come from real chickens...the kind that roost in boxes filled with straw and spend their days pecking around a farmyard supplementing their cracked corn feed with bugs and worms. Real chickens eat almost anything including your table scraps. Real chickens cluck and cackle when they lay an egg giving you notice that if you hurry to the barn, you can pluck one out of their nest and it will still be warm. Real chickens hide their real eggs if you let them have free roaming rights...hide them until there are enough to fill the nest at which time this real chicken will settle in and become a brood hen. Before you know it there will be real baby chicks peeping from under the hen's wings.

This photo shows two real eggs and one of those eggs you buy at the supermarket. Can you find the real eggs? When you break them, real eggs are definitely a richer yellow; they may also have a speck of red on the yolk. This indicates that the real chicken was loved by a real rooster and that if these eggs had been left with the hen there may have been additions to the chicken family. I love eating real eggs for breakfast. I love baking with them. Everything tastes better when you make it with eggs like these! And real chickens only lay eggs when the days get warmer and lighter...they are one of the joys of summer!

Loafing Around

2010-05-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

My Mother's Day weekend included lots of activities, but also a lot of just loafing around like these cute little bison calves. The big Mama is in charge of the nursery; she keeps a watchful eye on the babies while her sisters graze and relax. And yes, they are taking their siesta on someone's front lawn. Animals have the 'right of way' in Yellowstone! Earlier this day we drove the road towards Norris Junction; Travis had been keeping tabs on a grizzley there feeding on a carcass. Sure enough we spied a huge boar bear across the river. Trav estimated him at around 600 pounds. He was moving south and so did we...to the next pull out where we saw a smaller female bear grubbing around in the copse of trees. We watched as she sat down, sniffed the air and looked across the river. There about a quarter mile away was the male moving fast in her direction! She stood up, turned tail and ran straight towards all of us watching her. While everyone jumped back in their vehicles, she ran across the road about 20 yards in front of us. Becky got some great photos; my little camera even with its great zoom only captured dark spots on the horizon...darn. Quite an exciting encounter even for us veteran bear watchers!

What's Not to Love?

2010-05-13T17:02:00.000-05:00

Okay...the weather sucked and there were a couple of other not-so-pleasant issues as I traveled to Montana. But once I got there...what's not to love about these adorable little faces? Made the whole wretched travel experience so worth it! Marley has two teeth with another about to pop through. She babbles away, a mile a minute, in her own little language. I have a feeling once she starts being understandable, she's not gonna stop. She loves music and adores books. One after another, she brings them to you to read, climbs up on your lap and helps turn the pages. Our Mother's Day activities took us to Chico Hot Springs where she sat in her lily pad floater and giggled all morning...she's a water baby, for sure. Parker decided to fish with a branch in the little creek outside the Pine Creek Inn where we had Mother's Day brunch. He's all boy...loves to be outside, wears his Spider Man costume to bed, and has been known to not only wrestle with the dogs, but also with Marley. He better watch out...pay backs can be hell, and I'm certain Marley's going to be one tough little girl! He took his big and little great white sharks to Chico to swim with; he loves all things of the ocean. Parker's best friends are Hawken and Sawyer, but he has a crush on Maya whom he says he's going to marry. He's into videos more than books; we watched Avatar, his favorite, and he couldn't get enough of Sponge Bob Square Pants.

What a great way to spend Mother's Day weekend!

Road Trip Woes

2010-05-12T20:31:00.000-05:00

I couldn't have picked worse days to travel to Montana! Going and coming home I drove right into the teeth of major winter storms....in May. My route followed Interstate 90 through South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. That's the only way to get to Gardiner this time of year since the roads through Yellowstone are not completely plowed. And Interstate 90 was where the storms were centered. I ended up laying over a day in Spearfish, SD to avoid driving right into the center of a huge storm. This morning I left Rapid City, SD in a heavy rain/snow mix. Within minutes it changed over to all snow that eventually began accumulating on the road. The next 40 miles were a challenge! I almost pulled off the Interstate once, but soldiered on. Sure enough by the time I got to Wall, it was warm enough (33 degrees) that the snow became rain. I drove in rain all the way home. Not the most pleasant driving conditions for my road trip! But my time in Montana was wonderful....more on that later.

Road Trip!

2010-05-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

By the time you read this, I will be on my way to Montana to visit two of my favorite little people! There's nothing I like better than a good road trip that includes people I love at the end of it. Oh yeah, I'll be visiting Travis and Becky, too...it's just had to find a photo that includes everyone. Maybe I can take care of that during my visit! I'll try to blog while I'm away, but no promises. I may be way too busy giving kisses and hugs! You understand, I'm sure.

Spring Surprise

2010-05-04T08:19:00.000-05:00

The room darkened. Thick clouds roiled overhead. A mighty wind blew leaves from the trees as if it were November and winter was knocking at the door. A splattering of raindrops dampened the sidewalk. Within minutes the sun shone again in the west. But in the east...a spring surprise. An arc of color shadowed by its faint doublet, complete, so big there was no way to fit it all into one photo. A pot of gold at each end. A reminder of the covenant, of spring, of beauty. All the colors of the rainbow, a gift to receive this day.

Oreo Cookie Cows

2010-04-26T12:33:00.000-05:00

My neighbors, Doug and Loren at Malabar Farm, raise Oreo cookie cows. I've wanted to catch a picture of them for weeks, but either I didn't have my camera or they weren't in sight when I'd drive past the farm. This morning a few of them were out by the fence. They're actually called Belted Galloways, but I think Oreo cookie suits them just fine, don't you? They look very striking against their brilliantly green spring pasture. Here's what the guys say about their cattle:

Malabar's foundation animals are Green Arpents, known for correct type, hardiness and purity. All of our registered animals are fullblood. We are committed to sustainable agriculture, using limited grain and minimal facilities. We have high standards for herd selection. Our goal is to produce cows which calve easily, are good mothers, and raise their calves efficiently on grass. Bulls are selected for productivity, purity of bloodlines, and conformation. Although the unique appearance is what attracts people to Belted Galloways, the final test is in the efficient production of a high quality meat product. We also have a small herd of commercial, crossbred Belties.

I'm sure the meat is great. I know the breed withstands the cold Iowa winters well. But I'm intrigued because they just look so cool.

Shy Birthday Boy

2010-04-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

Today is Walt's birthday. I've stopped keeping track of how many candles should be on his cake. Since he's my 'baby' brother, however old he is just makes me 7 years older. Let's agree to ignore numbers, okay? Walt's young at heart anyway...loves his restored '57 Chevy and his motorcycle; loves his girls...Debbie, Elaine and Emily even more. He's one of the good guys.

Walt's the brother in the striped bow tie.

Bathing Beauty and Water Boy

2010-04-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

Becky's posted new photos on Shutterfly, so of course, I have to share! We are all water-lovers in my family....looks like that's been passed on to our newest members as well.

Signs of Spring

2010-04-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

My friend, Laury, has been blogging the past few days about signs of spring in Cadrieu...blossoms, dandelions, rushing water from the lavoir. She's inspired me to share a few signs of spring from Red Bell Farm. The canopy of trees along the south side of my house lets sunlight dapple the deck. It's so pretty, and in another week, it will change to pure shade as the big trees become fully leafed out. While the lacy-ness of spring will be gone, the shade of summer will help keep the house cool during the hot months ahead. I, too, have delegations of dandelions marching across my lawn. Clumps of wild phlox dot the sunny places in the timber and violets edge the lawn. The wild plum thickets are profuse with blossoms right now and a few branches grace my kitchen table, fragrancing the whole room. A few delicate columbine nod their pretty heads under the bedroom window.

One Last Peek at Wichita

2010-04-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

We left Wichita by way of a topless bar. Whoa, back the truck up...a topless bar? Well, we didn't go in! As you can see, the gates were securely padlocked. Here's the story: Edith wanted to show me some of old downtown Wichita (which is quite lovely, BTW), so we drove around the area on Sunday morning before we went out to the Arb. There were many photo ops, but this one along a deserted alley was the best. When Edith lived here last year, this was NOT a topless bar; how quickly things change. The bar is housed in a very old brick building that has a courtyard area protected by a two-story brick wall with high windows in it...perhaps part of the original building in earlier times? You can look up through the windows to see colorful graffiti-like paintings on the building's wall. The 'art' just begged to be photographed! If you want to see more, you'll have to wait until they open the gates. I guarantee that as fun as these paintings are you won't find me inside...my topless bar days are long over!

More from the Arb

2010-04-17T08:40:00.001-05:00

During last weekend's visit to Bartlett Arboretum, I took some audio/video clips of the Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums hoping to give you a taste of their wonderful bagpipes. After fiddling with Blogger most of yesterday trying to get it to upload, I finally was convinced that all those folks who have complained about not being able to upload videoes on their blogs since the first of the year were right; I could not get anything to upload! So...here are some other memories from my magical weekend. I really didn't want this couple on the bridge, but clicked this just as they shared a quick kiss. I think it's much more interesting than the one I took with the bridge empty. Note to self: people in a photo aren't always a bad thing. In fact, I should include people more in my photos!

This lovely little tree is called a 'Weeping Peach.' I've never seen one before. It has beautiful blossoms.

And of course....the tulips were beautiful! Robin commented several times during the weekend how unusual it is for everything to come into bloom at once. Because of the winter's weather weirdness, the tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, redbuds and lilacs were all blooming at the same time. Her thought is they all got together and discussed their 100th birthday celebration and decided they all needed to be in their Sunday best for it! And just in case you're tired of all that pink...here's a jolt of blue!

Happy 100th Birthday!

2010-04-14T09:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've been 'away' for awhile, but for a very good reason. I spent the past weekend at one of my favorite places, the Bartlett Arboretum. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll remember that I traveled to Belle Plaine, KS last year to help my friend, Edith at Art at the Arb. This year it was a special event as the Arboretum celebrated its 100th birthday! We spent two full days with fun people, wonderful music, and glorious weather. What better way to celebrate 100 years of beautiful, blooming tulips, lilacs, daffodils, pansies, redbuds, dogwoods and the most magnificent loblolly pines?

Somebody Has a Birthday!

2010-04-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

The Glad Game

2010-04-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

Nothing is blooming yet at Red Bell Farm, but I know it's spring. The irises are up. I've heard red wing blackbirds, and frogs are croaking in the creek. This morning I heard a mourning dove calling. There was a tiny snake slithering across the road when I took Lucie for a walk. I could actually smell dirt last night when I opened the slider onto the deck. On Tuesday, the temperatures hit the low 70's in Des Moines, the warmest in 6 months! The forecast for today is 81 degrees. While it might still snow in April, I've taken a chance and hung the snow shovel back in the barn. I am so glad it's spring. Glad the birds are calling and nesting. Glad the frogs survived the winter to croak once again. Glad that flowers are on the way. Glad to smell the rich Iowa soil after a frozen winter. I'm even glad for slithering snakes. I feel like Pollyanna playing the Glad Game.

What makes you glad about spring?

Seeing Ghosts

2010-03-27T10:48:00.000-05:00

I'm hooked! Yes, Ancestory.com finally got me. That and Lisa Kudrow's new series, "Who Do You Think You Are?" I've sleuthed around on Ancestory's website and found a few things. I've blogged about a distant cousin who sent me information about my mom's family, but not until yesterday have I really gotten into looking into the past. Using the little information I have about my great-grandmother, Jennie, and the connection to her great-grandfather who was killed in the Civil War, I was able to hook into family trees on Ancestory.com that led me back from those folks. Several of the threads stopped the generation before people immigrated to the US, leaving me 'stranded' in Ireland, Holland, and France. But a couple of threads back into England and Scotland continued. The English kept great records. Occasionally I'd see an ancestor "Sir So & So" or someone who was born in "Castle Whatever." Then I found the Plantagenet name...interesting. From there the branches exploded into lines from Henry II of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Louis VII of France and the 4 daughers of Raimond Berenger of Provence who at one time were all queens in Europe. Could I be distantly related to royalty? Was one of my favorite women in history, Eleanor of Aquitaine, a family ancestor? More sleuthing to come, I think. In the meantime, I'm seeing ghosts!

Day Two

2010-03-23T12:51:00.000-05:00

Since I didn't feel like driving 30 miles round trip to walk today, I decided to try the road to the north of my property instead. This is what it looked like...see what I mean about mud? The neighbors have driven their truck on it, but there wasn't a place anywhere that I didn't squish in the mud. So I tried walking in the field to the right of the water-filled ditch. Usually the fields are a bit easier just because the left-over vegetation from summer covers the mud.

It was easier, but there were stilll places where I was afraid the mud was going to suck my boots right off my feet.
Doesn't this just look like all kinds of fun? I'm sure Lucie and I didn't walk more than half a mile total. The good news is it was such hard walking that I worked up a sweat and feel like I got a good workout anyway. I think I'll stick with the paved path for awhile.

Little Box from Abroad

2010-03-23T10:09:00.000-05:00

I found a little box from abroad in my mail yesterday. It was from Laury! and it was filled with little Easter-y goodies. Chocolate animals, marzipan carrots, clothespin kids... all found their way to the year-round skinny Christmas tree that sits in my hallway. Okay...I ate the carrots as soon as I opened the box; that's why you don't see them here. I needed my recommended daily veggie portions, didn't I? Do you think Laury bought my candies here? I definitely think that's where the beautiful paper bunny egg originated. And Laury blogged about the clothespin kids in this entry.

Thanks, Laury, for my surprise that traveled all the way from Stuttgart, Germany!

It Begins

2010-03-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

I feel called to walk the Pilgrim's Path. I would like to begin in Le-Puy-en-Velay and walk at least to Cahors. In order to do this, I not only need to re-institute my daily walking habit, but also condition myself to walk much longer distances than I have in a long time. Since I live in a very rural area, walking around my neighborhood is where I'll start. But on rainy days and until the dirt/gravel roads dry up, it will be very difficult. So today Lucie and I checked out the Great Western bike/walking path that is part of the Iowa Natural Heritage Trail system. Those are my feet and shadow at the trail head. (This photo also serves the purpose of beginning my weekly assignment for Eyes of the Heart; we're supposed to create self-portraits using shadow, framing, reflection, or the self-timer on our cameras. I'm easing into this self-portrait thing...I detest having my picture taken!) Luce and I walked 3 miles in about an hour and 15 minutes...not a fast pace, but do-able for long distance walking. The path is marked at half-mile intervals so you can keep track of distance. It's nicely paved so this will be a great place to come on rainy,muddy days. The only drawback to it is that it's 15 miles one way from my house; not where I'll drive every day as I train.

Even if I'm not able to be a pilgrim, this walking is a win-win situation for us. Lucie gets a bit of exercise and so do I!

Reflections

2010-03-19T08:01:00.001-05:00

The assignment this week for my online photography class is to walk about and receive images of reflections...and then 'reflect' on them. I despaired finding any the first part of the week as the weather was not cooperating...gray, dismal, drizzley days that made being outside painful. Yesterday, however, the weather changed and since I had plans to meet a friend in Des Moines for lunch, I decided to wander around the downtown library and see if I received any reflective images there. It's funny...I've looked at this spectacular building a million times, but I wasn't sure the goldy-bronze panels actually reflected anything! A perfect example of looking at things, but not really 'seeing' them. As I discovered, the panels do reflect images depending on where you stand. In one light, they are opaque. Move a few feet and change the light and they become mirrors of the urban landscape. I call this image "Urban Angles, Illusions, & Reflections" At first glance, it's hard to see where the entrance ends and its reflection begins.

This is the building across the street from the library. You see its reflection above. Here you see the library itself reflected in the building's multi-paned windows. From this angle, the library looks like a long, low Prairie-style builing situated to hug the horizon. The close-up photo below shows reflected buildings with colors muted by the copper mesh infused in the glass panels of the library's walls. I think it makes the image look rather mysterious and like you're on the inside looking out through screened window. A question to ponder: do I see the world as it is or as it's reflected through the 'screen' of my mind?

Street Performers

2010-03-18T07:44:00.000-05:00

Laury's posts about accordeonistes the past two days over at Soar-Dream-France reminded me of this group that I photographed in 2007 on Place des Vosges. Reading about Laury's encounters with street performers brought to mind my first introduction to this very Parisian phenomenon. The year was 2005; names have been changed to protect the innocent...

The four of us spent a couple of days exploring Paris together. Every time we'd come upon musicians performing on the street or in the Metro, Chuck would stop to listen...sometimes for two or three songs. Barbara, his partner, would fume and fuss. "Come on, Chuck, let's go!" as she tugged on his sleeve. Marie and I would comfort her.."It's okay, really, we're in no hurry." Chuck always tossed a few coins into the cup or basket or open guitar case. Barbara would rag on that, too. "Why do you waste time listening and then waste money?" Chuck's answer: because I enjoy the music, I'm not in that big a hurry, and they work really hard. Showing my appreciation is the right thing to do." Amen to that! Much as I love Barbara (and Chuck not so much!) on this he and I agree. The music is always wonderful, I never want to be in such a big hurry that I miss any of what Paris has to offer, and those musicians and performers work really hard. I follow Chuck's lead...I always stop, I always applaud, and I always throw some coins their way. Heck, I've even been known to buy a CD!

Walking in a Relaxed Manner

2010-03-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

On Friday I spent some time with Dr. Mary Fraser who runs the Iowa Pastoral Care Counseling Center. Sponsored by the United Methodist Church, the Center offers pastoral care to clergy of any denomination and their families. She graciously agreed to talk with me as I search for 'what I want to do when I grow up.' During the course of our conversation, we spoke about pilgrimage and I shared some of my experiences in France and how I profoundly I was impacted by them. She suggested a book by a Des Moines author, Joyce Rupp, called "Walk in a Relaxed Manner." Joyce, who is a Servite sister, walked the Spanish part of the Way to Santiago de Compostele with a retired priest in 2003 and wrote this book in response to her experiences being a pilgrim. I found the book at the local Cokesbury store and literally devoured it in a day! Next steps: I want to talk with this woman and others in Des Moines that have walked the pilgrim Way. And I want to walk the Way myself...the part in France that goes through Conques. I feel other things stirring with as well. Time will tell.

The photo is the seal from Conques. The shells symbolize pilgrims; the yellow Y indicates that pilgrims enter the village on one path and can leave it on one of two different paths. It's on the driver's side door of Miz Red Belle where I can see it every time I get into or out of my car. Always reminded...

Metes and Bounds

2010-03-10T10:01:00.000-06:00

I made a trip into Winterset yesterday to visit the Madison County Courthouse and discuss metes and bounds with the Assessor's Office. It seems during a recent dispute about a small piece of property that lies along my south pasture boundary, the Assessor's Office discovered that the legal description of my property contains pieces of land that are also included in the legal description of my neighbor's property...and vice-versa. If you look at the map to the left, my land is outlined in red; the Cunningham's land boundary is the dotted blue line. The orange hash marks indicate the two pieces that are in both legal descriptions. It seems that at some point in the distant past, whoever did the legal description for Cunninghams used the creek (dotted line) as the boundary; whoever did my property shot a straight line north to south. Neither description appears to have been officially surveyed. It looks like we're talking a little less than 2 acres in common. Since I have no access (without going thru my neighbor's field) to the piece on the other side of the creek, it seems reasonable to me that should be his; the small piece on my side of the creek should be mine. I'm more than happy to use the creek as the official boundary. Now....how do we make that happen without spending a boat-load of money on attornies and surveyors? Ah, good question!

I Am a Breadmaker

2010-03-07T16:31:00.001-06:00

When the pot of homemade seafood chowder I put together this week started clamoring for a hefty chunk of bread to go with it, I pulled out a much be-spattered cookbook to find this recipe. You see...I am a breadmaker. Other people specialize in cakes or cookies, bars or pies; I make bread. And I make it the old-fashioned way...by hand. I don't use a doughhook to knead, and I won't have a breadmaking machine. I want to stir the flour and yeast mixture with my wooden spoon. I want to knead the dough until it has that firm, elastic smooth-as-a-baby's bottom feel to it. I want the dough to become alive in my hands. Making bread is like a holy ritual to me. I have made bread in a wood-fired cookstove in the Yellowstone backcountry and served it at upscale neighborhood dinners in San Diego. This particular challah recipe has seen California, Iowa, California and Wyoming and has fed hungry kids, ravenous backcountry Rangers, trail crew gangs, friends and neighbors. Its highest praise came from a friend's mother, a Jew who had fled Germany in the face of Nazi persecution. She declared just like the Shabbat challah from her childhood. I felt so proud. I am a breadmaker.

Shadows

2010-03-06T06:00:00.003-06:00

Lots going on with 'shadows' this week. I'm participating in an online photography class called "Eyes of the Heart" that has a contemplative and spiritual theme to it. I've been 'receiving' photos of shadows all week and sharing them with other class members along with my thoughts on my shadow side. I posted one photo over Dona Nobis Pacem. All this shadow talk reminded me of some photos I took during my month in France last year. I decided to record my presence by catching my shadow image at various places I visited. So, that's me standing on the seawall in Collioure with the beautiful azure Mediterranean lapping at the rocks below. This idea of recording my presence was inspired by a conversation I had with another photographer who told me that she always takes a photo of her own feet at her travel destinations. Feet would work, but I think a shadow is so much more mysterious, don't you?

The Final Chapter?

2010-03-02T12:15:00.001-06:00

I awoke to a blanket of fog covering the valley outside my window with just the very tops of the village houses peeking through it. I showered quickly and went down to breakfast which was much less formal than dinner the night before. Pilgrims wandered in as they awoke; I snagged a cup of coffee, two slices of baguette, and a little dish of yogurt. I heard the bells toll 7am and knew they would soon announce Morning Prayer at 7:30am, so I made my way to the Church. Back in my room afterwards, I stripped the bed and deposited the linen where I had been instructed, did a final check, and closed the door behind me. Dropping my key with a number of others in a basket by the front door, I left my pilgrim lodgings. The fog was beginning to lift as I walked up to my car. I was leaving, but I was determined to keep my pilgrim persona for a while longer. Was this the final chapter of the 'Pilgrim Imposter' story? I don't think so!

Part 7: Sing-a-Long!

2010-03-01T07:48:00.002-06:00

I followed my fellow pilgrims over to the Church after dinner was completed. It was time for Compline and the daily 'Blessing of the Pilgrims' service. I tried to sit inconspicuously in a back pew, but everyone moved as close to the altar as they could, so I, too, chose a closer pew. As I tried to follow along, I was able to pick out only a few words I recognized. Pelegin, pilgrim, was sprinkled in every other sentence, so I knew this service was about and dedicated to the walkers. Several certificates were awarded. It wasn't until later I learned that 'compostelles' are given for walking a certain number of kilometers of the Path or for completing visits to certain churches. After the awards, designated pilgrims came forward and read a prayer in their native language; a half dozen in all. And yes, there was one American, a woman from Seeley Lake, Montana, who read in English. The service completed, the group moved en masse to the open area in the north transept, Mary's Chapel. Brother Jean-Daniel stepped to the piano, and we all sang a rousing 'Chant des pelegins de Compostelle' (Ultreia!) I say 'we' although I didn't have a clue what the words were...I just mouthed whatever and joined in the chorus. It was a stirring experience! The third verse and refrain had hardly stopped echoing off the walls when the group moved to the parvis in front of the Church. For the next half hour, we were entertained by the Brother's explanation of the famous typmanum. Again I say 'we.' Those of us who didn't speak French could only assume that the Brother's talk was amusing as the French-speakers laughed frequently. Tourists gathered with us, and at 9:30pm, we all re-entered the Church for the evening 'Orgues et Illumines'; organ music with illumination of the upper ambulatory of the church. This is the only time anyone can mount the narrow stone stairs to that area. I paid my 5 euros and did the walk. It was amazing to listen to the huge pipe organ and walk around the spectacular columns and capitals. Each capital was carved in the different design. Peering over the railings, the candle-lit Church below was full of mystery. I ended the evening sitting in the back pew of the Church listening to Brother Jean-Daniel play "The House of the Rising Sun/Son" full volume, reverberating off the ancient stones of the Church walls. My 'pilgrim' heart sang with joy!

A long day filled with new experiences and new ways of looking at the world. I crawled into bed quite tired. My last thought as I drifted off to sleep....'I hope these pilgrims are quiet tonight.' I never heard a peep out of them!

Part 6: Or How the Pilgrim Imposter Avoided Detection

2010-02-28T09:08:00.000-06:00

As soon as Vespers were over, I hurried back to the hostel. My instructions had been very clear; be at the dining hall by 7:15pm sharp as that's when the doors open. I entered the small courtyard outside the big wooden refectory hall doors and gasped. It was full, stone-wall-to-stone-wall full of pilgrims! Those large wooden pegs I had noticed along the walls were now hung with beautiful walking sticks. Pushed under every bench I saw backpacks and daypacks, most of which were decorated with large scallop shells...sure signs there were pilgrims around. The multi-cubicle structures along the south wall were stuffed with muddy hiking boots and worn walking sandals. Suddenly the sign above it made sense to me: 'Please remove your boots before entering the hostel rooms.' Everyone seemed to know everyone else. In the cacaphony of conversations, I recognized French, English, German, Dutch, maybe Norwegian. Before I could even begin to make a plan, the doors opened and everyone filed in to take a seat at two long tables. People asked me rapid-fire questions that I couldn't understand much less answer! I sat between two groups...Germans on my left, a French couple on my right. Those folks I could at least greet...we 'bonjoured' each other, and the man asked in English if I were an American. Relieved to hear a question I could understand, I only had time to say a quick 'yes' before one of the Brothers took center stage and welcomed everyone...for at least 10 minutes in French. Volunteers then began to set out big baskets of bread and bottles of wine on each table, soon followed by salad and a hearty potato dish that the pilgrims ate with gusto. All that walking really works up an appetite. As I visited a bit with the French couple, I discovered that he was an anesthesiologist and his wife, a nurse. This was their second time this summer walking parts of the pilgrim trail. As he interpreted for me, I learned what the questions and greetings were all about...walking the Pilgrim Path. "Where did you walk from today?" "Where are you walking to tomorrow?" "Where did you start the Path?" "Will you walk all the way to Compostelle?" "Have you walked other Paths?" "How many kilometers have you walked?" quelle horreur! How do I answer all these very nice, very sincere pilgrims? How do I explain that I am just a tourist that probably took the very last bed away from one of their fellow pilgrims who at this moment might be sleeping under a bridge somewhere? What I decided was that I'd be vague...not exactly lie...but...So my response was I was 'walking locally.' They didn't really need to know that meant I was strolling around the village shopping! They could assume what they wanted. Still...the shame of it all! At one point during dinner I felt so uncomfortable in my imposter role that I contemplated leaving. "I can't do this! I'm a fake!" Only the thought of asking 6 people to move so I could get away from the table prevented my flight. I took a deep breath and sternly told myself, "You CAN do this. These are nice people. Just go with the flow and enjoy the experience." So, for now at least, I, too, was a pilgrim on the chemin St. Jacques de Compostelle.

Part 5: The Pilgrim Imposter's Cell

2010-02-27T06:00:00.002-06:00

My room was tucked up right under the roof and had a dormer window that looked out onto the cemetery, the residence of the Brothers, and the village rooftops. It was clean and spare with a blanket and pillow on the closet shelf. I opened the window wide and took in the late fall air. Most of what I could see from it was clear Aveyron sky and the thick woods and underbrush of the conch-shaped valley that wound up to the village and the Church. The only decorative touch was a beautiful icon on the wall which I couldn't identify. Mary, perhaps? I made up my bed, grabbed my journal and pulled up a simple straight-backed chair to the desk. "The hills are all covered with trees--very beautiful, very rugged. It would be really fun to hike here." After resting a bit, I descended the long stone stairway. I needed to call Laury to let her know I was staying here tonight, and I wanted to explore the village more. I would listen carefully for the bells; I didn't want to miss Vespers!

Part 4: Trapped in the Deception

2010-02-26T09:23:00.000-06:00

I reported back to the Hostel at 2:30pm, the appointed check-in time, and was invited into the reception office. I sat down at the desk. The woman across from me asked my name and started to shuffle through some papers. "I'll pull out your paperwork," she said. I told her I didn't think I had any. "But you have a reservation...let me look again." Of course, she didn't find any."When did you make your reservation, Madame? she asked and raised her eyebrows a bit when I replied, "this morning." We completed the registration. The available room had a single bed, sink, and shower, but no toilet; it was down the hall. Was this acceptable? Yes. Did I require sheets and a towel? Yes. Would I be eating dinner and breakfast with them? Yes! After I paid my 26 euros, she indicated I should step into the lobby and a host would bring me my key and show me to my room. I murmured, "Merci, Madame" and she replied "Do you know how lucky you are to secure this room? We're usually booked weeks and months in advance." As the lovely white-haired host and I ascended this stairway, I worried to myself..."what have I gotten myself into?"

Part 3: The Pilgrim Imposter

2010-02-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

With the church at my back, I stared up at this impressive 4-story building. It appeared that people were entering and leaving by the open door on the first floor, so I said to myself "why not see what it's all about." I walked into a lobby area with a guest book, some chairs, some tables and brochures about the building. The brochure I picked up explained that this was the "Hotellerie Et Accueil" of Sainte Foy. My rudimentary French translated it to a hostel and welcome area for the church with rooms for individuals and groups wishing a place for retreat, a place to stay or sessions of pastoral counselling with the Brothers, 'Les Premontres.' Hmm...it didn't say you had to be a pilgrim. I wandered around the village a bit more and returned to the hostel. The church bells began to ring again, and I knew I had to leave (Laury and I had plans that evening), but I also knew I had to return. I felt moved to stay somewhere in the village and let my life be governed by the bells, at least for a little while. I wanted to experience life as the people in this village had for hundreds of years...life structured around the bells, their chiming of the hours and their call to worship. A week later I was back to gather more information about how to spend the night either here or some place else in the village. As I entered the welcome lobby, a woman asked if she could help me. "Yes," I replied, "can you tell me how one goes about making reservations to stay here?" "Tonight?" she asked and I gulped..."sure, why not?" "Madame, you are in luck. We have one room left."

Part Two: The Plan Takes Shape.

2010-02-24T07:00:00.005-06:00

As soon as the last prayer was 'amen-d,' Brother Jean-Daniel strode over to the grand piano in Mary's Chapel and began to play. Accompanied by his wonderful sacred music, I explored the interior of this magnificent church. I lit a candle to Ste. Foy and watched others light candles to St. Jacques. I slipped out of the church by the south doors and wandered around the Fountain of Plo. I paid my 6 euros and visited the Cloister to view the church treasure housed there.

A wide stone walkway encircled the church and as I got to its back side, I was greeted with these grim reminders that the church not only celebrates life, but also death. My head was reeling from the sights and sounds of this sacred place. How many roughshod feet had walked on these stones over the past thousand-plus years? How many seekers like me had come to this place to see this beautiful church, to worship, to light candles, to entreat the intervention of the Child Saint, Foy? Some where from the depths of my unconscious I heard words spoken in my voice..."I want to come back here to live for a year to study." That didn't make sense, but what it told me was that I needed to return to Conques. Then I turned around and saw this building; I began to make my plans....

The Pilgrim's Journey, Part 1

2010-02-23T08:27:00.001-06:00

I became more and more enchanted with Conques as I entered the village proper. Old stone houses, shops, galleries, restaurants, and hotels lined its cobbled streets. There were pots and baskets of flowers everywhere begging to have their pictures taken. I stopped frequently to capture images of interesting buildings and flowing fountains. My inner pilgrim, though, kept urging me onward until I eventually reached the Abbey Church which anchors the village. I stood in the parvis in front of the church admiring its beautiful tympanum when the bells began to ring. White-robed Brothers appeared out of no where, their sandalled feet hurrying into the Church for noon office. I slipped through the back doors and sat in the nearest pew, drinking in the beauty of this elegant Romanesque church. My pilgrim heart was soothed...at least for now.

On Being a Pilgrim

2010-02-21T11:52:00.000-06:00

I've blogged about pilgrimage sites before. During my month in France last year, I visited two pilgrimage villages...Rocamadour and Conques... and many, many churches that attract tourists and pilgrims alike. Last week I began a 'pilgrimage' thread on Dona Nobis Pacem as well. Pilgrimage has been creeping up on me since last September, maybe even before. In January I read a blog entry at Abbey of the Arts that challenged me to give my 2010 a theme word; what word resonates with me as the new year starts? I picked 'pilgrimage.' Or should I say, pilgrimage picked me? Now that I'm not employed, I have an even stronger feeling that I am a pilgrim seeking the holy, the sacred in myself and in the world. Where is this pilgrim headed? I don't have a clue! But I do have a pilgrim story from September to share with you. Come back to find out just who was "The Pilgrim Imposter!"

This was my first view of Conques. I parked my car on the outskirts of the village and walked into it via one of the two main pilgrim routes leaving it, rue Charlemagne. I would soon pass through Porte du Barry and be within the walled village. My heart sang and was immediately captured by this exquisite village and its Abbey Church.

Murder in the Latin Quarter

2010-02-14T10:03:00.000-06:00

I just finished reading "Murder in the Latin Quarter" by Cara Black. I'm a huge mystery fan and love Cara Black's mysteries, all set in Paris. I did a book review of this and two other of her mysteries over at "Red Bell Reads," but want to share the setting of this fast-paced story here. The Latin Quarter in Paris is the area around the Sorbonne where the Universities of Paris were established in 1253. While Black's heroine, private investigator Aimee Leduc lives on the l'Isle St. Louis, she went to school here in the 5th arrondissement and still has her expired student ID from her days at the Sorbonne. The murder mystery swirls around illegal Haitian immigrants, voudou, clean water projects for Haiti and the unscrupulous Baby Doc Devalier. But what intrigued me even more was Black's richly detailed descriptions of one of my favorite parts of Paris. She even sends Aimee into my very favorite museum, the Cluny (Musee du Moyen Age). I couldn't help exclaiming out loud as I followed Aimee's adventures..."I've been there. I know that place. I'vewalked down that street. She's spot on with her descriptions!"

More of the Sorbonne and the entrance to the Cluny Museum.

Sun??

2010-02-13T09:33:00.000-06:00

I'm searching for the sun again today; it's certainly not to be found in Iowa right now! What better place to look than the sunny Mediterranean coast at Collioure? I had to dig out the photos from last September to find these memories of the two days I spent at the sea. The days were warm, hot even, and I had to buy some shorts and a top to be comfortable. Okay, I had shorts with me, but the heat and slightly sultry air were good excuses to do a bit of shopping in the town's cute boutiques. Besides you really can't wear the basic black knit shorts in a beach town. I bought white cotton shorts and a turquoise sleeveless tee; I sort of matched the boat you see in the foreground. I spent two and a half days exploring the town's historical sights, strolling along the beach, lounging in the beach-side cafes, and looking at some incredible art, both in Collioure and a nearby town, Ceret. How I'd love to sit on the sand and warm my bones in the bright Mediterranean sunshine right now! I'm sure I'll have to re-visit Collioure again soon...it's supposed to snow here tomorrow.

Searching for the Sun

2010-02-12T09:44:00.001-06:00

I always check Jilly Bennett's blogs first thing in the morning. She blogs about Menton and Monte Carlo, both located on the sunny Mediterranean coast better known as the Cote d'Azur. I do this because I need a daily shot of sunshine; I'm a California-born girl, after all. I was raised on sunshine and outdoor living. It's difficult to find both during an Iowa winter. This morning, tho, I was disappointed. Once again France is suffering with unusual cold, snowy weather. Snow on the Mediterranean? Not very often, but there's snow there today. So, I had to take matters into my own hands and search my photo archives for a bit of summery color and warmth. Makes me feel better just to look at these beautiful flowers! How about you?

I took all these flower photos last June in the Betty Ford Gardens at Vail, Colorado.

How Did They Do That?

2010-02-09T11:10:00.000-06:00

I have several blogs saved in 'My Favorites,' and it probably won't surprise you that many of those are about France. There are a couple that I read daily; others I check on once a week or so. Every one of them written by a person living in France at some time in their blog history relates the story of how they got to France and why they stayed. As I sit here in a state of possibility, their stories intrigue me. Would it be possible for me to live in France, full or part time? A handful of those bloggers married Frenchmen; that is probably NOT going to happen for me! Others moved businesses to France; some came for school and stayed. They all share a love for all things French, but I think it takes more than that to have a French life. I've read the information about visas and Carte de Sejour's; I know how difficult it is to move to France. Whether it's Paris or Provence or the Lot, it takes a lot of determination and a fair amount of financial resources to make life in France a reality. I'm totally open to ideas, though. Let me know what you think...how do you think I could make this possibility into a reality? If you live in France, I'm open to any insider tips you might have as well!

Roussillon in the Luberon, Provence

Along the Lot River from the Belgian Cross upstream from Cajarc.

NOLA is Back!

2010-02-08T09:07:00.000-06:00

This blog post is dedicated to Laury, whose beloved New Orleans is back. Not only did Laury's candidate, Mitch Landrieu win the Mayoral election last week, but the Saints won the Super Bowl yesterday! Life is good in NOLA this morning, and I'll bet they're still partyin' on Bourbon Street. I took this photo of Laury leaning out of the window at the Chatette last September. Today Laury is in Frankfurt, Germany doing an orientation for her military contract job which will be in Stuttgart. She'll be away from the Chatette for two months...a long time to be missing Cadrieu and the Lot...but necessary right now. During the month I spent at Laury's, I was privileged to hear a lot about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it wrought on New Orleans. Laury's 'storm stories,' as she calls them, broke my heart. It wasn't just property that was destroyed during the storm, it was also lives, jobs, friendships, love affairs, churches, parks, and essential services for the poor and the underserved. The storm brought out both the best and the worst in people. It changed Laury's life forever. Today, though, there is joy in NOLA. As I listened to NPR this morning, correspondent Cokie Roberts, an ex-pat New Orleanian, summed it up: This may sound silly but this Super Bowl win on the heels of Mitch Landrieu's victory seems like a turning point for New Orleans ( my paraphrase of her comments). I pray that she is right!

Doors...Closing & Opening

2010-02-07T07:18:00.000-06:00

The world turned upside down this week at Red Bell Farm. I liken it to one door slamming closed...very unexpectedly... hopefully with another one opening in the near future. I am no longer employed; long story, not pretty, so not something I'll go into here. While I say that door slammed unexpectedly, it was not surprising; the how, when and why of it was. Just as this aged closed door in St. Cirq Lapopie has elements of starry beauty on it, so does the door that just closed in my life. I feel as though a huge burden has lifted and in less than 24 hours, my brain has already shifted to a better place. I'm sleeping better. I feel more inspired, more creative and more enthusiastic about life in general than I have in a long time. All those bright stars decorate my now-closed door and they shine on my path to the future....

Peeking open, this is the door in Laury's soon-to-be-part-of-the-Chatette barn. It's still a bit dark and dim inside; I don't know exactly what's in there. Things aren't in full leaf-and-flower yet. I feel the door to my future is opening like this, slowly beckoning me in to new adventures, new inspirations, new creations. Could that future be in the Lot? Is it somewhere else? Will it be in healthcare? Or will I find my true self in another place? Only time will answer those questions. I'll keep you in the loop.

Who Are Those Cute Kids?

2010-02-05T08:28:00.000-06:00

I just bought a new print/scan/fax machine and decided to try out the scan feature with this photo I received in the mail a couple of weeks ago from my brother. I remember this photo session; there were many proofs for my mom to choose from. I got those tres glam glasses in 6th grade, so I'm thinking I was in either 6th or 7th grade when this stupid photo was taken. I don't believe this one was the final choice, at least I hope not! Could I look more geeky?! And why did my rascally brother send this to me...' just in case you want to put it on your blog'? Could it be because he looks absolutely angelic and adorable? They both are so darn cute in their little matching sweaters and spiffy bow ties. The 'rascal' brother is Jim, in the solid bow tie; Walt wears the striped one. So, who are those cute kids? Well, two of them are my brothers!