Soar-Dream-France

Wild and Otherwise

Although I'd like to think the reason our roses are particularly beautiful this season is because of the very special fertilizer they received this winter; I discovered in Cajarc yesterday that all of the roses this season are prolific. My wild rose beside the barn takes my breath away, while the rose garden on the terrace has too many roses to count. The mixing of aromas makes them difficult to discern unless you just stick your nose right in the flower, but bringing them in the house helps. In years past, I hestitated to cut them to vase, but this year there are so many that we can be "rosy" everywhere. Even though I knew they'd be many and gorgeous based on the number of buds before I left for the states, I'd have to say that they are more in number and more in gorgeous! Have a Rosy Weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Centuries

While I was in St. Louis, our next door neighbors became a "Century Home" in Ferguson. The City of Ferguson comes out to present the homeowners with a plaque to hang on their home and gives a history of the home and its owners over time. It was fun to see John and Theresa and their home being honored. It's difficult to imagine Ferguson as a rural community where St. Louisans had their "summer" homes. Before the Sunday event, Theresa was out in the yard working hard to have everything pretty-she looked happy and lovin' it when I passed by and caught her in her hat and shades.

Mom and Michel and I went over to observe the festivities. We talked about when our home would be a century old-Michel said next year. Mom said maybe they'd be able to make one more year. It sounded like it seemed more doable than two. In their eighties now, they are approaching a century of their own. Reaching a century is easier for houses than for people. Here are a few more photos of the festivities. Congratulations to John and Theresa and their beautiful Century Home.

 

SOAR to Success in Supervision, Ethics and Cultural Diversity-May 11, 2012 Workshop Results

One of my main reasons for going back to the states was to offer a series of three workshops in conjunction with the Louisiana Association of Clinical Social Workers and the Tulane University School of Social Work. I am posting the Pre and Post Test Results by participant number, comments and session evaluation data (score 0-5 with 5 being excellent) here today for the first workshop. I'm hoping participants will stop by to see how they did. I'll be back with the other two workshops soon.

 

A Landing of a Different Kind

Landing in Cahors after a stateside trip usually means shooting into the Gare at high speed, jumping off the train, and running to my bus or rides home that may be with Jean, or Evelyn or sometimes both. Tuesday night was different. Just outside of Limoges, we discovered that there was a problem on the tracks somewhere between Brive and Toulouse and everyone would be de-training at Brive to be transferred to buses. SNCF provided a "direct" bus to Toulouse with the rest of us on the "milk run".

Our milk run stopped in Soulliac, Gourdon, Cahors, Caussade and Montauban. Fortunately, I didn't have to go all the way on the bus. I arrived in Cahors, a little more than an hour later than planned, but exhausted all the same. I'd been able to let Evelyn know what was up-so she didn't have to wait for me quite as long. Home by the hardest once more, but happy to be back in our heavenly place!

Sharing a Slider or Two

 

White Castle has never been on my list of "must" eats when I'm back in the states, but the rest of my siblings love it and always make a special point to go and have a "slider" or two when they are in St. Louis. Although I initially resisted White Castle and shopping with Jim, Joan and Kat; I had a change of heart and found myself sharing a 2 double cheese burger slider meal with Joan. Splitting it was definitely a good decision-we each got one and shared the fries.

But, it was about family and not the food. We had a good time all the way around. Jim and Joan had come in from Kansas City to see me. That means a lot to me because it's difficult for me to get very far afield from St. Louis or New Orleans when I come to visit. I particularly love this shot of Jim under the poster with the millions of tiny White Castles on the walls. Thanks to Jim, Joan and Kat for making White Castle memories with me!

Place and People

Home and regrouping from a chock full trip, I am reminded once more of the extremes of my life. I love both. Blending them can be difficult. It seems that here is full of place and New Orleans and St. Louis are full of people. My photos tell the story in a way that always smacks me in the face upon return. It's just my life. I am rich in love, family, friendship and experiences. I wouldn't trade this beautiful tapestry for a million and look forward to the more that lies ahead.

Breakfast Time

Hanging out across the street with Michel and André comes with my own contingent of 4-legged nieces and nephews. "Aunt Laury" has Buster, Claude and Molly to keep me company when the guys are off to work. Our outside guy was waiting at this door when I came over this morning. Isn't that an "I'm ready for my breakfast, and you're late" look if you ever saw one. He has obviously gotten used to the work schedule when everyone is up and out early! It didn't take much...André was out with breakfast as soon as I let him know their guy was waiting. No name yet, but you never know! Happy Sunday-I'm on my way tomorrow morning so I'll be enroute...be back when I'm back in France!

Flaming Memories-Spiro's Greek Restaurant

Somewhere between college and graduate school, and then again for a short period after graduate school; I was a waitress at Spiro's Greek Restaurant on Natural Bridge in St. Louis. Two of the skills that I learned there that I'm still very proud of today are tossing and serving the best Greek Salad in the world with one hand and flaming the Saganaki at the table without burning down the place. I always try to go back and get my fix of my favorites, see old friends and hug Spiro and Barbara if they're there. So when Fran Reed-Bauer, a friend from grade school, junior high and high school came in to see me: I knew we had to go to Spiro's.  We had fun, flames, friends, salad and big hugs for Spiro and Barbara. I'm already looking forward to the next visit! Happy Friday!

My Guys-St.Louis

Whenever I'm in the states, I realize what an incredible pack of friends I have here. No matter where I go, I have friends who love me, support me, find work for me, and make living this life I lead easier at all levels. It works. Back at Michel and André's across the street from my folks, Buster is supervising again. There's a nice red, corkscrew and wine glass waiting for me on the counter...with a back up red just in case, and a note that there is St. André cheese waiting for me in the frige. Wine and weeds don't quite go together, but I sure like feeling like a Queen! And, I do! Huge Merci to Michel, André, Buster, the rest of their gang, and my wonderful pack of friends and family all over the states!

Celebrating Mom

As this trip was being planned, getting to St.Louis to spend Mother's Day with Mom was on the top of my list. It was doable, but meant a 4am Sunday morning rental car gas up and return to catch the 6am flight to Dallas and then on to St.Louis to arrive at noon. Kat, Tom, Dad and I celebrated Mom well on Sunday...BarBQ, tasty sweet treats, flowers and cards from all over. Since Mom spends most of her time taking care of my Dad, she rarely gets dressed up. Mother's Day was her day and she decided it was going to be different...she got out this beautiful yellow dress with her pearls and she was just beautiful. It brought a smile to my face, and we had fun. So one more Happy Mother's Day to Mom...we've moved on to picking grass out of the cracks in the bricks in the drive, but then she's always been a Mom for all seasons!