Soar-Dream-France

What is This Crazy Person Doing?...

...and in a dress, no less! With my overalls drying on the clothes line, hanging the beautiful new basket and suspended bag numbers Evelyn and I got became a little more arduous task. But, I had my spotter there which made it easier. Evelyn could hand me screws, tools, plants, and such while advising me on placement, centering and so on. This year...we are RED! From the umbrella, to the lavoir, to the barn; red is screaming: "We are here and we're beautiful." I walk up the hill from time to time where I can look down on us and I pinch myself. Everything is just so pretty. Sorry for oozing, but the transformation is just so incredible. And now, if only the roof Gods will provide. Until then, I'll just keep doing what I can do and have the resources to handle. Oh, roof Gods of the Lot-Hear My Call! I know, I'm nuts...but as my friend Niels said: "You're one of us!"

Sammie Cat Caught in the Act

That Sam! She's at it again. She loves sticking her face in the flowers (roses appear to be preferred) for her watering trough. There isn't a container of any size or shape that daunts her. She can just a delicately put her tongue in a tall thin small mouthed vase as barge right in with her whole head as you likes to do in this cookie jar turned vase. I hate to tell you, but she's been known to dive for a cookie or two too! That's my girl!

One in Four-Happy Father's Day, Jim

It's still officially Father's Day in the states, so I thought I'd sneak in this favorite photo of my brother Jim and nephew Jesse. It was a real treat for me to be able to make Jesse's high school graduation in 2009 and capture this father/son pair. It's probably unusual that in a sibling group of 4, only one of us is a parent. Unless something unusual happens...Jim is it! So, Happy Father's Day to my brother-friend, husband and Father! Love, Laury

My Papa Pal-Always in my Heart on Father's Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Does that mean two are worth two thousand? I just wrote a little piece to go with these two favorite photos of me with my Papa. I've lost them twice, and have since decided there is a reason that they are not meant to be here. Me and my Papa Pal-I'll Always Love You No Matter Where You Are-Happy Father's Day! Love, Laury

My Dadeee and Me-Happy Father's Day, Dad

Having been the first born in my family, as well as a girl...I am very honored to have been named after my Dad. My Laury to his Larry has always been special, even if it meant ending up in boys gym class in seventh grade, professors asking for Larry Bourgeois when they were calling my name for roll, and Louisiana Criminal Sheriffs who looked for Larry Bourgeois instead of Laury Bourgeois in annual meetings. It is worth every bit of confusion for the happiness it brings. This is my favorite photo of my Dad and I. If I had to give it a name, I'd call it: My Laury to His Larry-Heavy Happiness! Happy Father's Day across the miles Dad-I'll Always Love you and wish I could be there to share it with you! Love Lots from the Lot-Laury 

Wining at the Wagon and...

It had been a comedy of errors over in my corner pocket of land where the wagon rests. First, I'd sat on one of my long benches from the barn and heard a crack...it has now become a garden guard for the newly planted red canna bulbs. Then, it looked like the sunshine was going to be on the wagon right where I'd hope to rest the boxes of wine. I made a feeble attempt to push the wagon back in the shade, but knew that was hopeless. Even though there was still time for more shade to move in, I searched for a back up plan. My search took me to the edge of the lavoir where I began to clean off a ledge in the shade where we could rest the wine if necessary. And there it was...the barn reflecting in the water of the lavoir. On my next trip into the house I came back with my camera. With all the shots I took of the barn, it hit me that if I could get inside in the back of the lavoir...maybe I could get the Chatette in the reflection too-et voila! All those years of balance beaming in gymnastics really paid off. There's already been a Laury in the Lot with her camera...at least there wasn't a Laury in the Lavoir this time! Wishing you a Happy Weekend that turns a challenge into a new adventure!

From Fire to Flowers Dramatic

I've never been a tall flower kind of girl, but this lovely pot I inherited from Wendy screams for something regularly. It usually sits empty in the alcove on the lower terrace or in the corner of the living room full of dried lavender. During an event here at the Chatette, my sister-in-law, Joan, filled it with beautiful white glads. The effect was stunning and dramatic. Now, when I have big and beautiful...that's where I turn. As I put this arrangement in place for the fireplace, I was afraid it might have been way over the top. It spans the width of the fireplace. I love it. It takes my breath away every time I walk into the room. Wishing you a flowers dramatic, takes your breath away kind of Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bus, The Backpack, and I

After what feels like eons of computing, comparing, assessing and reporting; I can now move on to more creative efforts and projects. I got even more excited about beginning my coffee table book project when I saw these hay bales all lined up on the bus route one day last week. Another shot from the bus, but I'll soon be out there in person. If distance and time allows, you may even find me and my purple backpack walking from one bus stop town to the next. I have a rough plan in mind, but expect to take it as it comes with lots of fun and photos along the way. It's time. I'm ready. But I must confess, I just tried to count these hay bales!

Final Workshop Results-The Moral is in the Measurement

Measuring success in social work never seems to be an easy proposition. For those of us who are already Board Approved Clinical Supervisors, I like to offer those three hours of clinical supervision that we need to keep up our supervisory status by focusing on measuring success with our supervisees. I believe in it. It's important. I struggle with it every time though because it is always the one workhsop in which participants are least satisfied. I guess I want everyone to love it as much as I do (and they don't).There's also a little of my ego wrapped up in there that pains me as I review evaluations and comments.

When I offered this the first time 2 years ago, the results were similar. I changed it up considerably this time, hoping for different. I didn't get that much different, but the moral to the story is in the measurement.

I've developed a nine question pre/post test instrument scaled to measure the degree to which participants are currently measuring success with their supervisees and then to assess the degree to which they plan to measure success with their supervisees in the future. When that many participants indicate they will use measurements of success with their supervisees MORE...it is a workshop I'm willing to continue to offer! Had I not made the effort to measure, I would not have had the information available to me to make an informed decision. You can see for yourself below:

Workshop Results: SOAR to Success in Supervision-Measuring Success with our Supervisees-May 12, 2012-New Orleans