Soar-Dream-France

Sunflower Therapy

 

 

What field of sunflowers wouldn't put a smile on your face? Then, add in other crops (tobacco-corn), the causse, the rushing river Lot music and you get: MORE SMILES!

Jumping In Up To...

Having written about jumping into the work week with both feet on my last post, I had no idea that I'd be feeling a bit like this guy through the window at the end of Monday. I am now not quite through hump day and am still exhausted, shaky, a bit blurry, and not feeling quite 'balanced'-as Ceasar would say. My jumping in has gone way past my ankles and is resting somewhere just below that place you breathe. This weekend may call for 2 full PJ Days. You've probably noticed that not a lot of blogging is happening at the moment. I promise. I'll be back when I can.

Through the Eyes of Others

This evening, I was in the mood for pizza and invited some of my colleagues to join me...easy, no pressure, come if you want and nibble before jumping in to another week of work. We'd talked a little about my home and they asked to see pictures. As luck would have it, I still had the memory cards in my passport pouch of photos and movies I'd taken to show Mom and Dad. I always hesitate to do this with others, having once sat through 500 photos of a missionary trip to the Amazon. But, I skipped and edited a bit as we went along. Seeing this place...the way it rests, the history, so much left to be discovered...it was described as a 'dream', a 'dream world', and the kind of place that they too would like to find. Evelyn and I often talk about how when we are 'away' from home, it sometimes feels unreal. We know it exists. We know it is home. We know we've been there and we live there. But, this place is so different and unique from anything we have ever experienced in the world that had been our lives, it feels Brigadoonish when we are away. As my tarot card reader once told me: "You've found your place in the sun, Laury." Me, I know that I have found heaven on earth.

Cards from Home

Trying to make a hotel room nice and homey is a challenge, no matter how perfect it is to start with. One of the reasons my colleagues tease me here is that I get lots of mail from the states and all of Europe. Sure, part of it is because it's the holidays, but as I told them: "I've trained my friends and family well." We are all snail mailers. I love it! Snail Mailers Unite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Calming Constant of Light

Everyone told me that this week seemed like an eternity. For me, constant: noise, crying, problems, and stress did in fact feet like it would go on forever. But, the weekend is here. Throughout this eternal week, I frequently asked the question: "How do you take care of yourself?" It isn't a question that everyone can answer. It's sometimes difficult to find your way to feeling good and replenishing the stuff of YOU that keeps you going when it feels like everything around you is swirling out of control. So, I sit in the dark, in the silence, with the light. It makes no difference if I'm in Holland, at the Chatette or at the Cathedral in Cahors...light feeds my spirit. What feeds yours?

 

Blogging MAGIC

You never know where life is going to take you and who can pop into your life. Who'd have thought that a blogging discovery and a melange-ing magic visit, would turn into friendship, family and neighbors just a door or two down. I tease all the time, but it's true: Evelyn and Lucie were the Magic Melange-ed! There are no words to describe my depth of gratitude to Evelyn and Lucie. With them so close, I know that Dali, Sam and the Chatette (along with the Christmas Tree and my Merci Lady) are all in good hands. Now of course, it's a two way street-but all I have to say is how much more magic could you find in one place? I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to find MORE MAGIC in 2012!

I Want My Mommy

If you work with children under 5 years old, you expect that they are going to want Mommy...especially at tearful partings as the day begins. But what do you do when everyone wants Mommy non-stop all day long. I've seen Mommy out of play dough, searching for Mommy in the catalogues, even cutting 'Mommy' out of the catalogue to be carried around the room. By the end of those days, even the grown-ups are wanting their Mommies! And so today, I share this favorite shot of me and my "Mommy", who is a little too far away for me too these days.

Boots and Bones

Looking forward to the day when yesterday's boots are resting in just this spot. My Dal will be by my side and my Sam won't be too far away. Of course, Lucie will be down the tracks with Evelyn, but never too far away for a visit, a bone, a cup of coffee, or a few wonderful doggie kisses.

 

Boots for Home and Hearth

Although it hasn't snowed yet here, or even been very cold for that matter; I came prepared to spend a little money on snow boots. A couple weekends ago, I discovered this great pair that are fur and flannel lined. I don't really need them at the moment, but ah, when I get back to the Chatette they are going to be perfect. Just what I need for those cold days and evenings by the fireplace, when my tootsies need a little something extra. I expect my Tonette Tiger Paws and I will be toodling down the traintracks in these once I'm home. Oh, and-GO TIGERS!

Big Nosed Dogs

This sweetheart lives next door to Mom and Dad. She has two other pals that keep her company, all of whom run and bark for biscuits whenever anyone comes out the door. Mom has trained them well. Biscuit beggars everywhere! I particularly love big nosed dogs...you see, my Dali is part of that esteemed group. Happy Weekend and Biscuits for All!