Antiques, Roses, Strikes and Friends

Antique baby buggy

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time getting to know a new friend, Shelley, who moved here from, of all places, Portland, Oregon.  Sometimes I think that this spot is one of the places on Earth where the ley lines of engery converge.  People here are connected to one another (and that includes me) in ways that constantly amaze me.  For a place so many people have never heard of, it is a melting pot of people with very few degrees of separation.

Dolls and games

Teddy bears and reflections

Centerpiece of the window

After our glass of wine at Bar Felix, one of the local cornerstone cafes, I headed home for a very late supper.  Truth was that I didn't want to cook, and I really didn't want to mess up my tidy kitchen.  So, I went over to my pizza place and visited with the man who owns it and he fixed my favorite--mushrooms. 

Dolls and marble topped doll furniture

While I was waiting for it to be done, I had my camera with me and wanted to record the wonderful window of the antique shop.  The owner is a real artist.  He recently had all sorts of clothes and hats.  This window's theme is toys.  There are dolls and games and blocks, in all colors, sizes and shapes, all centered around an old carousel horse. 

Politically incorrect now?

What a face!

I am so in awe of the owner's eye and his gift for presentation.  I noted that there was already a "Vendu" (Sold) sign on the carousel horse.  He knows how to stop people on the street and draw them into his shop.  It has been such a delight to watch him get settled in and turn an empty, dusty derelict storefront into a garden of delights.  

Pinocchio and friend

French "Clue"

French doll rides the carousel pony

He will need some TLC

One among many

I had taken some photos earlier in the day of the rose garden that Maire Larrat so skillfully "pushed" through the city's public works to-do list.  Hundreds of roses emit their perfume into the square, and as if they needed help, the crew also planted jasmine to twine and climb the oversized trellis the city built to accommodate the plants. 

Jasmine climbs the trellis

It's easy to forget that all this perfumed flora sits atop a parking garage.  The roses are in beds of one color each, so there are blocks of color and perfume.  I love the new and improved Gambetta.  

The bed of white roses

Statue in front of the art museum surveys her domain.

Speaking of blocks of color, on the way to Pont Rouge yesterday, I spotted a field  so full of red poppies that it appeared to have a solid red blanket covering it.  I did not have my camera with me--I should know better.  I will try to go back on the next sunny day and see if I can't get a photo.  It took my breath away.  That happens a lot here.

Rotarians urge people to donate blood

For kids of all ages

When Shelley and I left Carnot last night to return to our separate homes, we noticed that a tent had been erected.  Something was up....and this morning at the market, the Rotary Club was hosting some activities to draw attention to the blood drive today.  The Rotary Club here is quite active, and often will join forces with other chapters to host events like this.  It just so happened that a few of my Irish band friends had been asked to provide some entertainment.  Here's what they look like in daylight!!

Guy (waves hello) Julie, Romain and I forgot the other lady's name--but she is really a good fiddler

Romain on the harmonica

Julie plays standing on one foot!  Impressive

My brother-in-law asked me yesterday about all the strikes going on in France and if I'd been affected by them.  Here in the Aude we are not suffering any gasoline shortages due to the refineries being blocked, but there are small "manifestations"  (demonstrations) on some days. Yesterday, when I was coming back from Pont Rouge on the bus, the driver stopped at Chenier and announced that this was the "terminus"  (the end) and everyone was to get off.  Normally he would continue to my regular stop, but not this time.  However, we all were in good humor.  It wasn't the driver's fault, so there was no sense in fussing with him.  And as I said to him--It was a gorgeous day and I could use the walk.  I have made that walk a hundred times, so it was no big deal.  It's the south of France; one has to learn to swing with things.....

Evening street in Carcassonne looking toward St. Michel's

And thus you see a typical day in Carcassonne.