Melanged Magic

Getting Ready to Dive

2018-03-10T05:51:00.000-06:00

A lovely spring morning here...at last! Seems like it's been weeks, months since we've had a mild, blue sky morning. I walked the big loop to the river and back without a jacket...yay! Looks like someone is getting ready to dive. Below and underneath the little waterfall on the right is a big underwater grotto. People come from all over Europe to dive and explore the cave and the underground river that surges into the Lot River. I frequently see teams from Paris fire rescue here practicing their underwater rescue skills. I remember working with a nurse in Kentucky where we were both doing a traveling nurse assignment. She was certified in underwater cave rescue. Why anyone would want to dive into an underwater cave is beyond me. Obviously my sense of adventure does not extend that far!

Early in the season the water is very clear and takes on a turquoise tint.

Men at Work

2018-02-14T03:25:00.001-06:00

Last summer a big chunk of the Chateau's balustrade fell onto the road below taking with it a couple of stones from the wall holding the whole terrace up. Today they're fixing it. I took this with my telephoto from the road in front of my house.

This is the view from my back steps. I try not to think what would happen to my house if the whole wall tumbled down! Let's just say it wouldn't end well for me, my house or the little road that winds up into the village behind me.

Week 7: Fill the Frame

2018-02-12T04:27:00.000-06:00

I've missed a couple of weeks doing the 52 Weeks photo challenge, but jumped in early this week to complete the assignment. Fill the Frame with an up close and personal photograph. I take a fair amount of this type of photo, so it wasn't hard to complete. I did, however, sacrifice my fingers to gather enough fallen chestnuts to get this shot. It was worth it, though, as I quite like the texture of these spiny little devils!

Here are two examples that didn't make the cut for the challenge...

Dry stone walls are literally everywhere in this area; many are centuries old. This is a new one, though, that my friend, Eddy built as a garden enclosure around his pool. I love the shapes, colors and textures of the stones. He did quite a good job, by the way. Dry stone wall construction is a real art.

And it's always interesting to observe what grows in the cracks of those dry stone walls. Here is something that does. Different color, shape and texture in this hardy plant.

Lucie

2018-02-03T02:39:00.000-06:00

Lucie
2004?-2018

I lost my best friend yesterday. This little girl was a good and faithful companion. I feel so privileged that she chose my back door to sleep in front of back when someone abandoned her in the Iowa countryside. I was reluctant to keep her (I already had a dog and I'm not a 'little dog' person...or so I thought), but the vet said she was healthy, estimated her age at a year or year and a half, and said she was a very nice dog. So she stayed. I've been blessed with her perky presence ever since!

She lived a good life. After all, how many doggies get to fly across the ocean and live in France? She loved everyone she met, but especially she loved children. She was calm and easy except when it was dinnertime or she saw the leash in my hand. Then it was a frantic jump-and-twirl show of energy. The time had come, though, to make that tough decision about end-of-life. It's a responsibility you take on when you welcome a pet into your life, but it was still hard. She died peacefully and respectfully yesterday afternoon as I stroked her silky black head.

I'm pretty sure she's jumping and twirling in heaven this morning!

Week 4: Quiet Moment

2018-01-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

The photo assignment for week 4 is to creatively capture a 'quiet moment.' This chair sits in a tiny chapel along the Lot River. The chapel is dedicated to the river men sailed and poled barges up and down the river hauling goods from village to village and then onto Bordeaux and the sea. The chapel was gated with iron bars which I had to shoot between to get the chair.

And I'll confess....this is a photo I took a couple of years ago. Too many other things on my mind this week to get out with my camera. However, to be fair....I could drive into Cajarc right now and take this exact same photo. Nothing's changed, not even the fake flowers on the stone..

Week 3: These Boots

2018-01-19T06:27:00.001-06:00

This week's challenge for the 52 Weeks photo project is to only shoot in Manual mode. For non-photographers out there, this means choosing all the parameters for the shot...speed, f/stop, and ISO. No point-and-shoot allowed! I shoot almost exclusively in AV mode, so it's been both fun and a learning experience to have to choose all the settings for each shot. This was not a week of taking beautiful images for me. Thus the hiking boots. There's a reason for this particular image, though, which will be revealed in a couple of days in another blog post. Stay tuned...

Here's another image from the week that's a bit more representative of what can be done when you choose certain settings...

Week 2

2018-01-12T04:20:00.000-06:00

This week's photo challenge was all about color composition, looking at the color wheel and playing with opposite or complementary colors in your photo. As you can see by what I chose to put in my photo what the other challenge was this week...the weather. Kind of hard to get out and look for suitable things to shoot in the rain! I ended up just sticking my umbrella on the stone wall. The warmth of the orange pops nicely against the cool color of the green.

Besides experimenting with color, I learned something else about my photography practice...I don't do planned shots or set-ups! I tend to look for spontaneous inspiration when I'm out and about. I think I'm really limiting myself by doing that. After all, no one is inspired or spontaneous all the time1

Earth as Original Monastery

2018-01-07T01:24:00.003-06:00

As you might remember, I'm a huge fan of Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery led by Christine Valters Painter. I've done two Ireland pilgrimages with the Abbey (Christine and her husband, John) as well as numerous online retreats and study courses. Every year the Abbey invites followers to submit their word for the year...the word that will inspire or guide them as the new year unfolds. On Epiphany names are drawn to win some lovely Abbey gifts. And this year, I won something!

My word for 2018 is CONNECTION which I see already at work in my life as it's connected me once again to the Abbey. As my gift, I chose an 8-week online self-study course called 'Earth as Original Monastery.' The video above combining Christine's photographs and Peter Mayer's lovely song illustrates the beauty this course offers as we explore 'retrieving our lost intimacy with Creation.' I'm very excited to work through Christine's rich offerings.

If you'd like to know more about the Abbey in general or this self-study course in particular, you can click of the links.....

52 Weeks

2018-01-05T02:57:00.000-06:00

A friend posted a link on Facebook last month to the 52 Weeks photo challenge. Each week the photographer is challenged to create a photo in one of five categories: Vision, Composition, Technical, Creative or Wild Card. This week's theme is Vision, and the challenge is to look ahead to the new year, new beginnings, new you, etc. I've had most of the week to think about what I'd shoot as it's been too rainy to get outside. It wasn't until this morning, though, that I came up with the idea to use a ladder as a symbol for this new beginning.

Let me explain my reasoning: looking ahead to this new year, I've dreamed some dreams and come up with some challenges for myself to raise the bar in 2018. And just how do I do that? Not by sitting still and waiting for things to happen. I have to actively DO something....like raise a ladder to climb from here to where my dreams might be. So putting one of these ladders in place is the start of a new beginning for me!

What was the photography lesson I learned this week? I had no idea where I might find a ladder. As Lucie and I made our regular morning walk today, I kept my eyes open and sure enough, I found several ladders along our route. Ladders that I'd never noticed before! Lesson learned: Keep your eyes open, You never know what you might see.

Into 2018

2018-01-01T03:48:00.004-06:00

A friend remarked in a recent email that she hoped all was well with me as she hadn't seen any blog posts in awhile. Which made me realize just how much I've neglected my blog this year! I've written about some of the year's highlights...trips to Ireland and London...but not much else. Just kind of lost my enthusiasm, I guess.

The new year brings new beginnings and as Benedict of Nursia taught....'always we begin again.' So 2018 begins with the resolution to push through the gates and cross the threshold into new possibilities and new adventures this year, to step into the challenge and make 2018 great. To not wait for that to happen, but to actively engage to create goodness and joy and connection. Out with 2017 and its anger, despicable behaviors and divisiveness. In with 2018 and all that makes life worthwhile....love, peace, open hearts and generous spirits.

That's my New Year resolution! What's yours??

Windsor Castle

2017-12-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

Windsor Castle

Elaine really wanted to visit Windsor Castle and I'm SO glad we did. A short, easy train ride from Paddington Station and we entered a royal world. The Castle ended up being one of my favorite parts of our trip! Entry included a security check much like that at airports. The very charming lady explained "we have a Queen to protect, you know!" I added "but you're much nicer than those TSA agents at the airport."

Round Tower protects the Middle Ward

We walked past the Round Tower and into the Middle Ward of the Castle which holds the Royal Apartments. The Middle Ward is where the Queen lives and entertains when she is in residence. it is also the part of the Castle that burned in the fire of 1992.

The North Terrace

We approached the Royal Apartments via the North Terrace which offers lovely views of the valley that surrounds the Castle. No photos allowed inside unfortunately. It's absolutely stunning; you must visit to fully appreciate both the beauty and the history of this place. The Queen was in residence here the week of her 70th wedding anniversary hosting a gala event. Luckily we didn't visit that day as the Castle was closed.

St. George's Chapel

And here's yet another Royal connection. As announced last week, this is the place where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry next May. Again, no photos allowed inside, but it is stunning. As the Mother Church of the Order of the Garter, it is filled with heraldic symbols...banners, coats of arms, plaques, etc. It's been the place of many royal weddings, funerals and interments. A few of its most famous royal 'residents' include Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Edward IV, and Henry VI.

Goodbye from Windsor Castle and a truly Royal day!

Royal Connections

2017-12-02T06:05:00.000-06:00

Kensington Palace

It's hard to miss royal connections in London. Royal history is everywhere as is current royal presence. After a walk through Kensington Gardens, Elaine and I visited Kensington Palace, current home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. And as I found out during Monday's news announcement of Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle, the future home of this vibrant young royal couple. They will live in Nottingham Cottage located on the Palace grounds.

The Palace is lovely and has a nice display of vintage clothing...

I can't even imagine wearing this dress. No wonder ladies had to pass through doors sideways! And how did they ever sit down or worse yet...use the loo?

The exhibit of some of Princess Diana's clothes and sketches of her wardrobe pieces was both fascinating and poignant. She was a never-to-be-forgotten princess.

Stay tuned for another royal connection in my next blog post.

Remembering Inis Mor

2017-11-12T07:43:00.001-06:00

Inis Mor through the sundial stone
Tempall Chiarain

Remembering Inis Mor today...the peace and solitude, my soul sisters, the ambiance of grace and hospitality, the glimpses beyond the Veil. All the while Deidre Ni Chinneide sings Celtic melodies that pierce my heart with beauty and mystery. I live changed by my experiences.

Bog Bodies

2017-11-03T06:42:00.000-05:00

Hand of Oldcroghan Man

I've been intrigued by bog bodies since I learned about them during my first visit to Ireland in 2014. So a trip to the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology was on my 'must visit' list since they have three Irish bog bodies on display there. These preserved, almost mummified bodies have been found in peat bogs across Europe giving scientists a unique opportunity to study prehistoric man. These bodies have been dated to around 400-200 BC; they are remarkably well preserved.

Torso of Clonycavan Man

Because of the low oxygen content and high acidity of bog water, organic material does not decompose, but rather mummifies. The museum has studied the remains with both CT and MRI scans and has been able to determine such things as cause of death, what the individual's diet consisted of, and underlying diseases.

Gallagh Man found in Co. Galway

It's commonly thought that bog bodies were the result of ritual human sacrifice to appease the gods of Iron and Bronze Age man. Young men were sacrificed as were kings who failed to adequately care for their subjects.

Using modern reconstructive science, this is a model of what Clonycavan Man may have looked like.

Gold!

2017-10-31T11:26:00.002-05:00

The Bronze Age inhabitants of Ireland loved their gold! Many artifacts such as these have been found in burial sites and in other caches throughout Ireland.

Everything you see in the above two photos was found at the same super treasure trove site in Co. Clare. And this is only part of the hoard! All of these fine pieces were made in the Late Bronze Age.

As these early goldsmiths improved their skills, their pieces became more and more refined like this beautiful necklace of twisted gold.

This lovely brooch, known as the Brooch of Tara, is thought to have belonged to one of the kings of Tara. There are interlaced animal and geometric designs fashioned of gold filigree on the front as well as inlaid pieces of glass and amber. It is made of both silver and gold.

Of all the stunning gold jewelry on display, these simple, hollow gold balls were my favorites. Each ball is a little smaller than a tennis ball and is pierced so as to be worn on a piece of rope or leather as a necklace. You can see there are a few missing, and no, I didn't bring them home with me! I think anyone wearing this dramatic necklace would have commanded a lot of attention and respect.

This gold jewelry is definitely the show-stopper at the museum, but it's not why I was so eager to visit. I'll share that reason with you in my next blog post.

Artifacts of Prehistory

2017-10-30T06:35:00.001-05:00

Mesolithic knives and scrapers found in Ireland

I'm fascinated by the artifacts of prehistory. Bob and I spent hours in the Yellowstone backcountry searching for arrowheads, scrapers, and flakes that gave evidence of the presence of prehistoric Native Americans in the areas we patrolled. Seeing those same kinds of stone artifacts in the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology was equally intriguing. Thousands of miles separated these early peoples, yet both fashioned tools and weapons in the same way.

Decorated flint mace head, Co Meath

This beautifully decorated flint mace head found in Co Meath may have served a ritual purpose.

Bronze Age spear points

Bronze Age food vessel found in burial tomb

Sometime during the Bronze Age early Irish people began to cremate their dead and put the ashes in pottery containers that were placed in stone burial tombs. These lidded vessels were filled with food or ashes.

Model of burial tomb

Dolmens that we see today in France may be what has survived of tombs like this model of a prehistoric Irish megaltihic tombs

As fascinating as these artifacts are, the real show-stoppers are to come in a later post. Here's a taste to tempt you back...

Museum of Archaeology

2017-10-28T08:23:00.000-05:00

National Museum of Ireland Archaeology

The National Museum of Ireland Archaeology was number 2 of my 'must see in Dublin' list. This imposing building in the Victorian Palladian style was built in 1890 and is part of a complex that also houses the National Library of Ireland. It's a gorgeous building, worth a visit even if you aren't interested in all the fascinating goodies inside.

The colonnaded entrance leads to a rotunda topped by a large dome...all with neo-classical influences.

The inlaid mosaic floors are designed with both Roman and classical Greek motifs. All the marble in the building comes from Irish counties including County Galway.

My next post will showcase some of the intriguing artifacts this lovely museum houses.

Monpezet-de-Quercy

2017-10-26T06:05:00.000-05:00

La Collegiate Saint-Martin

There will be more stories from this month's trip to Ireland, but first a tiny diversion to yesterday's adventure with friends, Maggie and Bill. They always find such interesting places to visit! Yesterday we were in Monpezet-de-Quercy, a small town about an hour's drive from my house. The town looks charming, but our goal was this 14th century church that houses some stunning 16th century tapestries.

The newly-restored tapestries are hung around the walls of the chancel. There are five panels each measuring about 6 x 16 feet; in total spanning 78 feet of wall space. They depict the life of St. Martin of Tours, an important French saint. It's unknown exactly who wove the panels or where they were produced, but it's thought they are Flemish.

They are absolutely stunning!

We rounded out our morning with a stop at Domaine du Gabachou to pick up some boxed wine and then enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Le-Gabachou, a restaurant just up the road from the winery. It was a lovely way to spend a perfect fall day.

Dun Aengus

2017-10-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's Kilmurvy House in the distance, my guesthouse during this month's writing retreat on Inis Mor. And this is the path that leads up the hill to

this: Dun Aengus (Dun Aonghasa in Irish), an 1100 B.C. ring fort.

Not a long hike, but all uphill over pretty rocky terrain for the last bit to the top. I'm glad my friend, Anne, loaned me her walking sticks for the downhill 'slide!'

The view from the top is spectacular!

And yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. There are NO guardrails!

The tradition is to lie on your belly and hang your head over the edge to look straight down.

Nope, not me, man!

Checking in from Home...

2017-10-19T08:17:00.000-05:00

Kilmurvy House
Inis Mor

Checking in from home in Cadrieu. I arrived here at 6 PM last evening after a 2 hr. uneventful flight from Dublin. Wish I had some exciting travel horror stories to share, but this trip was smooth as silk. The only slight glitch was the hurricane that swept over Ireland on Monday. Even that meant just spending the day inside at my hotel...not a problem at all.

I'm missing my time in Ireland as well as the new friends I made there during our writing retreat, Writing on the Wild Edges of the World. Our week's stay here at Kilmurvy House on Inis Mor was a delight....

as were walks along the shoreline

and treks past fields dotted with contented cows and wonderful dry stone walls.

Dun Aengus

It's hard to complain when you have a prehistoric hill fort just a short hike out the backdoor as well. Dun Aengus' story, though, is for another day....

Reefert Church

2017-10-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

Looking thru the door into Reefert Church

I've visited a ton of monastic ruins on my two visits to Ireland. They're all special, but this tiny church tucked away near the Upper Lake at Glendalough is the ruin that has most touched my heart. Reefert Church was probably built in either the 10th or 11th century on the site of an earlier wood or wattle and daub church. It's the oldest church in this area.

The church was known in the region as The Princes's Church as according to tradition, it is the burial site of seven kings of the O'Toole family. The O'Tooles held power in this area from the 12th to the 16th century. There are many grave markers all around the church.

View from the small window over the altar area.

Reefert Church is considered to be the likely site of St. Kevin's tomb. His hermitage is nearby...a beehive cell for meditation and along the Upper Lake, a cave in which he spent time in solitude. As the founding hermit of this beautiful place, he obviously needed time away from the many monks who followed him here to learn from him and share his ascetic life.

This side of the valley never saw the sun during the Irish winter. It must have been a joy to Kevin to be here in the spring and pray looking out the altar window when the sun finally shone and the trees turned leafy green.

Checking In from Galway

2017-10-05T05:01:00.001-05:00

The River Corrib

I arrived in Galway City last evening around 9PM....in a driving horizontal rain! Luckily, the weather is much better this morning. No swans drifting on a lazy River Corrib today, though. The river is in full spate, looking very anxious to make its way into Galway Bay.

Galway 'love 'locks'

Ireland has a lovely tradition of tying ribbons or strips of rags to trees, each offering representing a prayer. While I'm not crazy about stuff tied to bridge railings, these Galway love ribbons beat Paris' love locks anytime. And eventually they will weather away leaving space for more lovers to offer prayers of enduring commitment.

Expectancy

2017-10-01T08:04:00.000-05:00

When I visited Inis Mor in 2014 with my pilgrimage group, I promised myself I'd return to spend more time on this wind-swept rocky island that sits on the wild edge of Ireland. The island surprised me and I fell in love with it. Very out of character for me to love something barren, rocky and almost entirely without trees! I love green, trees, flowers, swift flowing rivers. But something about the 'thinness' of the place, the restless sea pounding its shores, and the almost visceral feel of ancient lives treading the rocky paths drew me in. Next week I leave for a 6-day writing retreat on this biggest of the Aran Islands. This trip has been almost 2 years in the planning, and I'm preparing with for it with a real sense of expectancy that the restless sea and the ancient stones will become my Muse and whisper just the right words in my ears.

Fall All Around

2017-09-28T03:35:00.002-05:00

The Chateau

Fall is all around my neighborhood!

The Chatette

Harvey

2017-08-31T06:42:00.001-05:00

I wrote a poem this morning inspired by Hurricane Harvey. Here's the question: why does my Muse only seem to whisper inspiration during times of natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey or during man-made disasters like the Trump election? Disasters of either kind make for rather grim poetry~