Moissac: Filled with Dangerous Old Fogies

In the past two days, I have seen a dog get his paw run over by his master in a motorized wheel chair AND an old man drive his car into a tree. Obviously, there's one thing we can take away from this, it's that Moissac senior citizens need to watch where they're going!

Beware!

I've been in Moissac for two and a half days now. So far, I've been to the abbey three times and I plan on returning there again tomorrow to tour the cloister. If you're anything like me, you're wondering, 'What the heck is a cloister?" Well, contrary to what you might imagine, a cloisters are not those things that get removed when you have a colonoscopy, neither are they the clumps of grains found in Honey Bunches of Oats. Cloisters are, well, um...they're basically like a courtyard with a covered walkway surrounding it.  This cloister is especially cool because it is lined with amazingly detailed columns and beautiful arches (or a series of arches called an 'archade'). Nope, there won't be any Pac-Man at this arcade, just columns and carved capitals depicting various scenes from the Bible- which, in my mind, is pretty much as fun as pinball (and less expensive).

Columns lining the abbey cloister...forming arches that make an archade...make sense?

As I mentioned in the last blog, I am staying at a hostel here in Moissac. Most of the hostel guests are walkers en route to Santiago for the annual religious pilgrimage, navigating their way along 'The Way of Saint James'-. What started as a Catholic tradition is now a walk completed by people of all faiths (or non-faiths). The Way of Saint James starts in France and ends in Santiago, Spain and is 730+ kilometers (about 450 miles). Imagine walking from Spokane to Boise.... it's like that.

I've met several very nice people in my past two days, in particular, a woman from Holland (Gerda- sounds like 'Heerrrrrda', it helps if you hock a little bit of a loogie while you're saying it... that's what I do). We (Gerda and I) shared a nice little chat session at a cafe near the abbey. Gerda confessed that she loved ice cream and I told her about my love for sorbet, so we sat and ate dessert for about a half hour and then we were on our way back to the hostel. If there's one thing I really enjoy about about being on this trip, it's the people. I mean, art is cool and all, but the people make it so much more valuable.

Well, that's about it here. My sketches have been a little lack-luster, but I'm okay with that. There's plenty to see and plenty to draw and plenty to do, so I am happy (even if I am not pumping out a masterpiece every day).

I Don't Speak Japanese

Hello from Moissac, France- where white grapes are plentiful and architecture is muy bien (wrong language, but whatev.)

My train ride from Montcabrier was very uneventful- leaving Sally and having to say goodbye was sad, of course, but I comforted myself thinking that I’d come back and visit her someday. Ah, yes, promises to return are usually not fulfilled, but this was more like a ‘suggestion’ rather than a ‘promise’.

Oh, yeah- I almost forgot, my train ride was ALMOST very uneventful except for my giant art suitcase almost crippling me with a full-frontal attack to my ankle. I was just minding my own business, trying to board a train in Agen, when I picked up my bag and it caught on something and came right back and tried to kill me. It left a giant*, HUGE, ENORMOUS scrape that needed emergency medical assistance. (see footnote...no pun intended).

I arrived here early this afternoon and spent the majority of my day just getting to know Moissac. I walked to the famous abbey in town. The abbey is old- pretty much as old as the hills. The sculptures included in the Romanesque cloister and entry way date back to 1100- we’re talking about 1000 year old sculptures here… you sure can’t find these back home!  I got a glimpse at the entryway that has a scene from St. John’s vision of The Final Judgment: beautiful, kind of frightening, and really old.  Inside the abbey were beautiful arches, stained glass windows, sculptures. My favorite sculpture was made of wood- a life-size carving of two men lowering Jesus into a box after he’d been taken off of the cross. The solemnity and the craftsmanship combine to make something unique, touching, and memorable.

Tonight, I sat to eat my soy yogurt with a group of six other people when the hostel owners asked me if I would like the extra bowl of soup and extra pork chop they had left-over. I looked at my soy yogurt, looked at the soup and decided that maybe I’ll have my bland yogurt for dinner tomorrow.  There was a Japanese woman at the table, so I tried to wow her with my Japanese skills (I know two words) - I used them out of context and she smiled- what a polite lady. After impressing her with my skills, I showed her some examples of my artwork and she liked them- what a polite lady. I showed her artwork, she showed me pictures of her delicious Japanese food she eats back home, and we ate our soup together; we’re friends now.

I hope to get some sketches of the abbey done tomorrow. I might also go to a local café and get an espresso or even buy a souvenir to remember my time in Moissac. I know one thing for sure, I’m going to polish-up on my Japanese.

*stop listening because Vivian is exaggerating and blowing things way out of proportion.

Sad face from saying goodbye to Sally

suitcase, purse, Juanita, and a roll of canvas.

Juanita in her sleeping bag.

Part of the abbey entrance.

Inside the abbey.

My favorite sculpture so far.

Votives.

Transition Time

It's been a while since my last post... a good four days or so, I think this might be the longest stretch that I've been silent on this end. To be perfectly honest, I kind of got sick of hearing my own 'voice' on here and went on a blog diet for a few days.
But now, oooooh now, I do have some things to report on.

First of all, I leave Montcabrier tomorrow. I seriously cannot believe that it's almost been a month since I arrived- time slipped through my fingers. Something about the weather, the food, the atmosphere here makes it seem like you're in a time warp. I didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I had planned but I am still pleasantly surprised with what  DID get done; I am excited at the progress that has been made here.

 If you've been following me on Facebook, you will have noticed that I switched mediums for a while. Along with painting, sketching, and my black and white drawings, I added collage to my collection of artwork. After painting for three months straight, I needed to switch things up for a few days. Collage has added a new dimension to my artwork- causing me to analyze colors and textures in a new way that will also help me with my paintings. Collages allow me to create images that I just wouldn't be able to with paint and canvas, and sometimes there's messages, feelings, and ideas I want to express that can only be communicated using collage. So, this allows me to interact with a larger audience AND I don't feel so burned out.

One of the collages made this month.

With that said, my painting style is evolving as well. I have returned to my style of painting using simplified shapes and lots of contrast. This style isn't as popular as the more drawn-out landscapes, but, I am not aiming to please an audience. I paint for myself and God and if people like it- great! If not, well... I guess I can add another painting to my wall back home. =)

Simplified shapes and contrast: my favorite.

So that's that in the art world. Thanks to all my favorite people for putting up with my constant barrage of paintings on Facebook and postings about art. =)

In other news:
A man in the village, completely drunk, barged into my apartment yesterday. He knocked twice and then let himself in- I stopped him and turned him around. He followed me into the courtyard when I tried to lead him away from the house (and me). Then he pulled a picture out of his pocket- a picture of himself hiking in the woods- he pointed to the picture and  said,  'Souvenier' and gave it to me.
 After he handed me the picture of himself, he pulled a small piece of paper out with a phone number on it and pointed to the number and then pointed to himself and then pointed at me (number, him, me). It didn't take a genius to figure out that he wanted me to call him sometime. Well, since I am leaving and all and since he barged into my apartment, and since he's about 60 years old AND since he seems to have a habit of being completely wasted at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I declined his offer of his phone number with a, "Sorry, I can't."
I felt bad for having to turn him down as he obviously had grandiose plans for the two of us, but... a girl's gotta draw the line, right?

-I went to a Zumba class yesterday with Sally (the residency director). It was completely in French, but it wasn't hard to follow the moves: monkey see, monkey do. It was a good workout and that's a good thing since this whole baguette and sorbet diet I've been on has added to overall size of my, um... derriere. I tried on one of the dresses I brought from home and had a hard time getting it over my, um....derriere. It was right then and there that I decided it was time to get back into shape- right after I finished my lemon sorbet & compote dessert, of course.
The problem with being in Europe is that you don't want to be such a dietary stinge that you don't have any fun or enjoy the local cuisine. But then again, a person might go a little overboard with welcoming the cultural dishes and end up being a guest on the next season of 'Biggest Loser'.

-A couple of weeks ago, I walked into a pottery shop and heard some fabulous music playing in the background, I fell head-over-heels in love with it and asked the sales gal who the singer was. She told me and I immediately purchased her album. The lady's name is Melody Gardot- a little jazz a little..'jena se qua'.
I'm a fan. Maybe you will be too. If not, well, ok.

I bought this cool bowl at the pottery shop. 

- Two nights ago, I had dinner with Sally and one of her friends (Joselyn). First of all, I would like to say that Joeslyn is pretty much the funnest, coolest, greatest person ever. She and I were instant friends. She is 66 years old and works in the porcelaine  factory in Puy l'Eveque. Joselyn studied opera for years and, after a few glasses of wine, she sang a few songs for us.

Then, she asked us to sing something. My contribution to the evening was singing "Guess I'll Go Eat Worms" from Wee Sing Silly Songs- it ain't opera, folks...but it'll do in a pinch.

Well, that's about it. I am headed to a store today to buy some jeans- my khaki capris just aren't cutting it anymore and the rest of my clothes are, as Sally would say, 'tatty' (meaning- ugly, worn out).


-Let's see....my plans for the next month look something like this:
September 28-October 2: stay in Moissac and paint scenes around the church there.
October 2-29: Stay with my generous cousin and her family in northern France. I hope to help out and earn my keep there.... no mooching allowed.
October 30: Paris (I haven't been IN the city yet, just the airport).

Thanks for tagging along on this little adventure of mine!

Slow Food and Snail Mail

Fast food is convenient. Email is convenient. Drive-through espresso stands are convenient. Twitter is convenient. Facebook is convenient.

But...

Slow food is delicious. Hand written letters are special. Coffee in a small cafe is memorable. A note longer than 140 characters to a friend  is thoughtful.

Fast food might fill you up but slow food is good for you. Email might offer plenty of opportunities to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues, but a letter with a stamp on it brightens a person's day. A caramel latte from your favorite drive-through might wake you up for work, but when was the last time you sat down to drink your coffee? Updating your friends with your latest photos and statuses is a great way to keep people informed, but have you taken time to see how someone else is doing?

In an age of  'quicker, faster, easier, and instant', I'm starting to see that filling our lives with these things is like filling our lives with fries and McNuggets...they fill us for a while but they have little 'nutritional' value. I believe these things that are created for our convenience cause us to be a little more self-absorbed. We don't take time to eat good food, we don't take time to sit and think, we don't even take time to make a phone call instead of sending a text message, and the majority of us don't take time to write a note to a friend and send it through the mail (no wonder our US Postal Service is going belly-up).

One thing I've learned this month is that good things take time and energy. I have had the luxury of being removed from a 'faster, quicker' world for a month and, although it was frustrating at first, it's felt so good to slow down and choose what I invest my time in.  Food, conversation, relationships, commitments, personal projects, artwork, and friendships- they all take time and energy to create- but they're worth it.

I am making a proposal to all my blog readers, a challenge to those who are ready for it:
 Write one letter to one person this week.  Write a note in a card or scratch out a letter or on a piece of lined paper. You can use legal pad paper, computer paper, cardboard, whatever you have handy, just as long as it is a couple paragraphs and written by hand (don't worry about your handwriting or spelling errors). Giving someone a hand written letter versus sending a short email is like the difference between  pot roast with potatoes and a  Hungryman TV Dinner.

Good things take time and energy. Can you put a little time and energy into sending a note to a friend or family member? Let's take a second or two out of our busy schedules and write something that a person can open with their hands and physically hold and read- something tangible-something that can be stored  in a drawer or a file or a pocket, to be read over and over again..

A letter, written in your own handwriting, signed with your own signature, absent of emoticons and 'LOLs' will only take about 7 minutes to write (at the most). You can either hand deliver your letter or send it through the mail- with a stamp on the envelope. You can send your mom a letter, your dad a note,  or your sibling a 'hello'. You could write to your friend from college, your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, daughter, son, cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, friend from elementary school, an old colleague, and so on. The person you decide to write to is your choice, but I guarantee the recipient's response will be the same, they will appreciate the time and energy you put into something- more time and energy than it takes to click 'send' on an email, click 'update' on your Facebook, pay for your drive-through mocha, pick up a value meal from the second window, or get a Hungryman from the freezer to the microwave to the TV tray.

*Personal note: It started with sending postcards from Sweden, Iceland, and  France, now letter writing is becoming one of my favorite ways to stay in contact. I have found that a simple gesture like a letter or note means a lot to people- and I am sure you'll find it the same with whoever you write to. Happy Friday!

The Results Are In

Three days ago, I asked my fellow Facebook friends and family to vote for their favorite French painting so far. Thirty-three people voted. It was great to read all the comments and  responses. I want to thank everyone for their input and their feedback, it is so encouraging to see everyone commenting on the artwork!    Here are the voting results:

These three paintings tied for 5th Place:

4th Place:

3rd Place:

2nd Place:

1st Place:

The 1st place painting needs a name.

That's my next project. =)

Interview with a MOMpire.

Hello and welcome to another edition of Vivogue Magazine. This month's edition of Vivogue was delayed as all of our employees have been busy working on other projects, some have been on vacation and others just didn't shown up for work. Because of this delay, I had a chance to think a little longer about what this article should be about. As Editor in Chief, owner, designer, and author of Vivogue, I pretty much get to call the shots- so I summoned myself to a meeting and tossed out some new groundbreaking ideas that might just grab the attention of some of my most skeptical readers out there. After a heated conversation, I decided that maybe it was time to feature an interview with someone other than myself. It takes a humble person to step aside and let someone else take the spotlight...um...incase you didn't get that, I am calling myself humble...now, where's my Humility of the Month award?!?

I scoured high and low for a worthy subject to be featured in Vivogue and, after much deliberation, I decided to interview my own mother. I mean, she DOES deserve a little recognition for bringing me into this world- without her, one might even say that you wouldn't have the privledge of reading Vivogue Magazine! Mom: a worthy subject indeed.

So, I tracked down one of my mindless minions, who was just sitting at her desk checking her email and writing nonsensical updates on Facebook,  and told her to go interview my Mom. After a good 12 hours, she returned with this:

Vivogue Rep: Well, I drove for what seemed like days until I got to some part of rural eastern Washington- I pulled up what I thought was a driveway and found a red house guarded by a pair of lick-happy dogs: a Black Lab and a Sheltie. I got out of the car and knocked on the door of the house. I was greeted by a gray haired gentleman dressed head to toe in grease stained camoflauge military fatigues.
"Lacie will be down in a second," the man said. He must have noticed the ovbious look of disgust on my face because he looked down at his dirty clothes and apologized "I just got done putting new hydrolic fluid in the backhoe."
Like that means anything to me.
I said "Oh, ok" and made a mental note never, EVER to change hydrolic fluid in anything ending in the word 'hoe'.

A few seconds later I heard the 'click, clack' sound of high heels descending a staircase. A woman dressed in a navy blue linen suit came into view and stepped towards me.
"Hello, I'm Vivian's mother." She extended her hand and I couldn't help but notice the turquoise blue bangle bracelets on her wrist.
This woman's got style...she must get it from her daughter.

I introducted myself as a Vivogue Representative and showed her my badge- a large cardboard cutout of Vivian's profile, dusted in gold glitter.

Vivian's mom led me out onto a deck that overlooked a field and some medium-sized mountains in the distance. After sitting and chatting for a few minutes, we started the interview.

Vivogue Rep: So, Lacie, how have you been doing without Vivian around?
Vivian's Mom: ((uncontrolable tears, sobbing, and wailing)).

Vivogue Rep: Ok. Next question. What is it like being Vivian's mother?

Vivian's Mom: It rocks! Vivian is the sparkplug of this family.

Vivogue Rep: I'm sorry, did you say 'stinkbug'?
VM: No, hun.

VR: How would you describe your role in the Abell family?

VM: Our powers are divided; I am the legislative/judicial branch.

VR: I actually have it on good account that you are judge, jury, and most often executioner. Do you care to comment?

VM: Don't push it.

VR: What is the best part about having Viv out of the country?
VM: I get to hear about her adventures from afar, and believe it or not, I probably talk to her more often.

VR: I bet it's nice to not have her eating all your food either... I mean, she can be kind of piggish at times, can't she.

VM: Yes, but pigs are smart.

VR: What does that mean?
VM: If you were a pig, you'd know.

VR: Ok. Whatever. Speaking of food, if you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
VM: Probably poached salmon with pesto, white beans, and salad. Followed by some terrific dessert.

VR: ((mumbles something)).

VM: Speak up and sit up straight- and let's have a little more eye-contact, shall we?

VR: Yes, Mom... I mean, Viv's Mom.

VM: That's better.

VR:What's your favorite painting or artwork that Vivian has ever done?
VM: No fair. I can't answer that; it is like which kid do I love the most.

VR: You love Vivian the most, right? 

VM: ((Rolls eyes))

VR: What's your biggest pet peeve?

VM: I don't like being tapped on the shoulder. And the word "congradulations" makes me cringe.

VR:We hear you're turning 60 this year. If you could sum up your past 60 years in three words, what would they be?
VM: God Is Good

VR: Well, I can't make a joke about that one. Next. What is a favorite memory you have of just you and Viv?
VM: Floating in Twin Lakes one hot summer day, on our noodles, singing "Ode To Billie Joe" at the top of our collective lungs, and LAUGHING!

VR: Hmmm. Never heard of it. I'll have to check that one out. Describe your hopes for Viv as she travels.
VM: I hope she brings back new, larger parameters for her life and that she discovers that people are people, everywhere.

VR: I bet she'll bring back new, larger stretch pants.... Um... If you could pass piece of wisdom on to our readers, what would it be?

VM. Floss.

VR: Floss? That's it??

VM: Dental hygiene is very important. Do you floss?

VR: That's none of your beeswax.

VR: Samoas or Thin Mints?

VM: Ick. I don't like Girl Scout Cookies.

VR: Well, I guess that leaves more for me- that is if Vivian doesn't eat them all first...

VR: Last Question. What is your favorite thing about  Vivogue Magazine?

VM: I love Vivogue, because there are never smelly inserts in the magazine, and I don't get subscription reminders.

VR: Well, it's been a pleasure. I love your outfit. Now, how do I get back to the freeway?
VM: Go out, down the road, turn left, another left, another right, two more lefts and then go straight for about three hours.

VR: Can you draw me a  map?

VM: No, but my husband will...right after he's done changing the oil in the CAT.

VR: Cats have oil?

VM: Yes, dear. More coffee?

Well, that sums it up. A great pair of parents for sure. I'm definitely going to come back and interview Viv's dad next time- he seems like an interesting guy. Now, I'm off to go see if I can find  a copy of "Ode to Billy Joe" somewhere.

Busy.

There are a couple of topics that have been running through my mind lately- one of them is how busy Americans are- including myself. Here's a little note about busyness, it is in no way intended to sound preachy, but is intended to challenge you and me. 'Busy' doesn't necessarily mean 'productive' and it hardly ever means 'fulfilled'.

Imagine:

A frail man lies in bed with his family around him. Gathering as much strength as he has left, the old man lifts his hand to summon everyone closer- he slightly lifts his head and opens his eyes to see all of his loved ones near. He takes a shallow breath and forms one last sentence:
“I wish I would have spent more time working at the office.”

And then he dies.

If you’re having a hard time getting this to play out in your mind, that’s probably because things like this don’t happen. Men and women don’t ever reflect on their life and say that they wish they would have worked more-  worked later, harder, more frantically, no one every says “Gee, I guess I could have used a little more stress in my life.” It just doesn’t happen. Instead, what happens is that people work their fingers to the bone, sacrifice their relationships, their health, and their sanity only to regret it later.

Have you ever heard a mother complain about her kids’ hectic schedule? “Joey has soccer, Anna has ballet, and Madison has piano…I just don’t think we’re going to get home before 9 o’clock.”  

 Have you ever heard someone brag about how many miles they put on their car? “Dude, I put 2000 miles on my car last week” it’s like they’re looking for the ‘I Drove the Wheels off My Car Because I Am So Busy’ Prize.

What about the guy that brags about how many hours of work he put in? “I worked 60 hours this week and then went home on the weekend to help remodel my friend’s house- I haven’t slept in two and a half days.”

Have you ever heard a college student say “I just read fourteen chapters of biochem. and now I am off to study group…right after I finish typing this twelve page paper.”

If you answered yes to any of these, or maybe you’re finding that you are the one saying them, you’re not alone- Americans are busy- too busy. Why are we doing this to ourselves? Is someone forcing you to be so frazzled or are you filling your schedule with things that only add to your stress? Is it worth it?

I recently got into a conversation with a friend back home who was trying to decide whether to drive across the state of Washington right after work ended at 5pm or to wait and drive back the next day. I encouraged him to spend the night and make the 8 hour drive that next morning. He seemed to have  a hard time with the idea- like NOT being in a rush made him uncomfortable. Somewhere along the line, this friend of mine has been convinced that being busy is noble and that taking time for himself is ‘lazy’.  

Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard:
“You gotta work hard if you want to get ahead in this world, Son.” This bit of advice is usually passed down from generation to generation and, to some extent, I totally agree. Yes, it does take hard work to get ahead- but that’s not the only requirement for success. Notice that the statement is “You gotta work hard…” not “You gotta be really, really busy…”

The old man in the scenario written at the top didn’t say “I wish I would have spent more time working at the office” because when a person has a chance to reflect on what life is all about, he or she will find that life is about the relationships that are made- not a paycheck or a promotion.