Soar-Dream-France

Till the Next Rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Proverb: An old friend met in a far country is like rain after drought...Till the next rain. Old friends, far countries, the natural flow of life and times; all give me pause to be grateful for this life of mine and all of the wonderful people in it.  My tears fell when I got to the-'till the next rain' part. I received this proverb a moment ago in an e-mail from a friend of mine in New Orleans. We've stayed close even though there are 5000 miles and an ocean between us. We still speak about the storm and the range of losses each of us experienced.  You usually hear about the bricks and mortar loss, but rarely of the losses to the personal/emotional support infrastructure of the lives touched.  Everyone was touched. Barbara and I frequently speak of the loss of friendships as they were. Many of us moved away. Friendships of as much as 30 years or more, changed overnight. I've tried to fight the change. No matter how hard I try, my friendships can't be the same. And so in the last year or so, I've been able to accept the fact that I live in France. ...Till the next Rain.

Reflections of Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the New Year quickly approaching, I find myself reflecting once more.  As much as I enjoy Christmas at the Chatette with Dali and Sam, I am most going to miss being with my Cadrieu friends on New Year's Eve this year.  This is the time when we all get together, celebrate well, and ring in the New Year in fine style.  There was a time when the village had a special New Year's Eve dinner, but attendance dropped and everyone began to do other things.  Once the meal was cancelled for good: Christiane and Jean-Paul hosted one year, Francoise and Jean-Pierre hosted the second, and this year the festivities will take place at Josie and Patrick's. I will probably have a drink with a colleague and make my calls to my family and Home...hmmm-I'm thinking a call Chez Larribe may just be in order. 

'Cross the Wide Missouri

"Napping" has never been in my repertoire, but I've recently come to appreciate that little guys and girls need them.  As much as they need naps, they sometimes need a little help getting there when they're on a cot in a classroom.  It could be a stuffed animal from home, a special blanket or shirt, a few pats on their back, but always soft soothing music. I'm going to have to check out the CD we use, but my favorites include: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Swing Lo, and It's a Gift to be Simple (which may or may not be the correct title).  Then, there's Shenandoah.  I find myself humming from time to time, but this one brought out the words-'cross the wide Missouri', that carried me to a beautiful hike and visit with a friend of mine the last time I was in the states.  Some days, I sit on the other side of the world, on the floor beside a cot, patting a tiny back, visualizing this very real and beautiful "wide Missouri".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Step Off The Beaten Path

Deviating from my routine route to work the other day, I discovered these sweeties just one door up from the corner bicycle shop. They were on the inside looking out, but wanting to be with me. I was on the outside looking in, wanting to be with them.  My mind raced with thoughts, stories and fun...all the things I could be writing from here at the moment, but haven't. I believe that when the time is right, I will write more creatively.  The writing messages come to me...sometimes in the voice of an old friend who has passed on, sometimes sitting in my barn or on my terrace, or once loud and clear riding the #1 yellow metro line in Paris between the Hotel DeVille and Chatelet. Afterall, isn't much of the process of writing in the living? Maybe it's time for me to step further off the beaten path to listen and DO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxing Day Blues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living in a hotel during the holidays, (even a very nice hotel that provides you an efficiency apartment) can never really be like home no matter how hard you try.  I have my routines. I'm able to keep in touch with family and friends. I manage. It snowed again today.  I was reminded that snow on Boxing Day has been an annual event for me in the Lot and now here too...just not quite this much snow! So, one of my favorite shots from the inside of St. Etienne in Cahors spoke to me this morning, as well as a shot of the Chatette taken on a recent Boxing Day in the Lot-a very perfect holiday card.  Home in the Lot...if only in my dreams.

Sharing a Christmas Meal-#1

Sharing is something we're always trying to teach the children at work...in fact, it is one of the big rules that they repeat outloud at least daily.  I headed out for my Christmas Day walk with my camera in my pocket. (Are you surprised?)  Coming down the hill into the parking lot, I could see this bird all fluffed up, peeping madly and flying, flying, flying, frantically. I assumed hunger and went in to get some fancy buns that were on their last leg.  I tried to get close and then threw a piece of the bread in the snow. She flew over and scooped it, but kept on screaming. I needed a better plan. So, I opened the garbage bin, pushing all the snow (almost) off the top and voila! Christmas dinner for one...or maybe more. I retreated to the edge of the parking lot to get this shot of my pal in waiting. I watched her take it step by step...to the fence, to the snowy tree branches, to the garbage bin top, scoop a piece and fly with it into the shrubbery. I went in to continue the preparations for Christmas Meal #2, hoping she had a very Merry Christmas Meal.

Merry Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to Everyone! Hope you enjoy the day and find many, many ways to make it special and meaningful for you! Love at Christmas and All Year Long-Laury

Christmas On My Way...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every day up until the holidays, I've started my day in the breakfast room at the hotel.  I've shared some of this with you before, so this morning I'd like to begin a little journey along my walking routes to and from work.  I have a couple, depending on where I am and what I'm doing.  I am once more, grateful to be able to walk this assignment...otherwise-look how much Christmas I would have missed! Happy Christmas Eve, and soon...the big day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STILL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday was an early day at work.  We closed at 13:00 hours, and yes...it was snowing. Everyone at work is very sweet-many offers of rides home (snowing or not) that I really can't accept. So, I say things like: "Thanks, but I'm stopping at the grocery store on the way home-or, Thanks, but I love walking in the snow-, or, Thanks, but I'm shooting photos on my walks." One of the young women actually teased that I must have a whole album by now.  So I bundled up, (wishing I had worn my new Ignatious Collier hat over my earmuffs) and headed out with my presentation for the day on winter blues in my hand. It is actually now Christmas Eve morning here. It is STILL SNOWING! My footprints from the evening's return from a get together with colleagues have filled in. I can see snowflakes falling from the light outside my door. If this keeps up I could be snowed in-I have a feeling the only way my colleague and I will get to Christmas Eve services this evening, is if we walk together. It could be fun...she'll be with a walking in the snow pro!

 

 

 

It's Snowing Again...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These "snowberries" were captured last Sunday after breakfast. The heavens had opened up the night before and it was still coming down as I wandered my route to work...this time with my camera in my hand. On my walk home from work last night, it was very foggy and the sky looked heavy with snow.  I got up a couple times in the night, but no snow. Here I am getting ready for my last day of work this week and I've just looked out the window...it's snowing again! It looks like about two inches here. I never thought I'd say it, but snow is quickly becoming just another part of my life!