Soar-Dream-France

Leaking Energy

 

Sometimes the number of photos I have can be overwhelming. I've shared favorites with you in the past. I've even tried to choose which one of ALL of them would be my favorite. Today I share the first photo that got me on the road to taking my photography seriously...Crib of Corn.

It began on my 1997 fall trip to Wendy's in Tour de Faure, when she said: "We have to move to Belgium, can't you come and live in our house for a year?" What an offer! I immediately thought of all the reasons I couldn't. I wandered on my own with my camera. I scooped this shot. I was reading Rick Jarow's "Create the Work You Love." I was watching St. Cirq Lapopie rise out of the morning mist. There was a lot of wishful thinking going on. But then Rick Jarow pointed me in the direction of Robert Johnson, who said:

 

"If a fantasy is not responded to it becomes an energy leak. It is the creative faculty squandering itself into wishful thinking. Wishing for what one doesn't have is a symptom of unaligned energy."

 

 I found a way to align my energy.

The Coming of Color

 

One of the questions my Dad used to ask me regularly after the storm was: "If you knew then what you know now, would you have done things the same way?" The answer is a resounding NO, but the bottom line is that all of us made the best decisions we could with: the trauma we were experiencing; the information that was available to us; and, the circumstances and factors that were constantly moving targets. Reflecting back, there was something I knew then and I know now. But, I was unable to grasp for it in the middle of the heartbreak and devesatation. Follow your guts, Laury!

I allowed people who I trusted and believed to be my friends, to advise me on what to do with Columbus Street. Had I followed my guts, I would have done things totally differently. There is a long list I could cover, but the one that has always screamed at me the loudest is COLOR. There was no color on Columbus Street after the storm. There hasn't been any color here until just this weekend. It's time. 

 

 

I don't know how painting one little panel in the den to check out color and coverage, could be such an aha for me. Touching my place felt good. The color I chose had actually been the color of the second story back bedroom before the storm. It's a small step that is huge on this road to recapturing home.

And, a special shout out to my Daddy...today is his birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dad.

 

Rose Glow

 

Cadrieu is home. It's difficult to be away. But sometimes, being away makes it easier to focus and put words to some event that I've struggled with while there. After writing about light and sharing some of my photos yesterday; I realized that I'd like to share this poem with you today. I hope you enjoy it! 

 

 

The Pull of Light

 

Light at play is a magnet for me. It makes no difference where I am in the world...I am pulled toward the light. Bursting through openings, dappled light against stone, reflections, sunlight, moonlight, rain and mist effects; all speak to me and touch me in very different ways. Pay attention to the light. It is a story and a journey all its own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always the Day of Your Birth

 

I didn't need a reminder this morning, but it popped up in a couple of on-line places anyway. That's the thing about losing people you love. There will always be dates, times, and memories that are woven into the fabric of your own life that just don't quite escape. They are always on your road.

 

 

Even though my Nannie has been gone since 1980, I still hold her close in my heart. Every April 22 her presence is particularly strong...the day of her birth. I have worn her wedding ring ever since she passed. 

Today is the day of my friend Vann's birth. I struggled with birthday this morning.  It is his birthday...it was his birthday...but, it will always be the date of his birth. It helped me to think of it that way.

 

 

 

 

 

I have three tangible things from Vann that I can actually hold in my hands: a cap from the debris removal company he worked for in New Orleans after Katrina and two rugs handwoven by the Amish in Missouri. The cap and one rug are at the Chatette in France. The other rug is here with me and rests at the foot of my bed.

 

Christmas of 2007, I came straight from France to spend the holidays in St. Louis without going to New Orleans at all. On his way home to North Carolina from a worksite near Moberly, MO.; Vann stopped in at my parents. It was a brief visit. I can still see him sitting in my Mom's chair visiting with my Dad, and then walking back to his monster white truck with him to say good by and watch him go. He teased: "How did two such normal people have a daughter like you?" We laughed. I punched him in the arm. But as I've said before, Vann and I were very different people.

Even though that was the last time I saw Vann, we stayed in touch by phone up until December of last year. The rugs were his Christmas gifts...one for me and one for my parents. Mom and Dad gave me theirs and mine went to France. 

I guess you could say that Vann is "under foot" literally and figuratively, but that's a good thing. Here's to a Sunday of memories, magic and holding someone close that I will always love.

 

 

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When the Chatette Smiles

 

After your wander through the barn, cross the traintracks and come join us in the Chatette. There's nothing better than throwing all the windows and doors open all over the house to welcome friends and neighbors with food, drink, and of course...flowers everywhere. Monsieur Winkelmann is in the spotlight on most of these evenings.

 

Imagine: the sun setting above the causse across the Lot with the moon rising soon; music and light bursting through every window and door; friends and neighbors everywhere; kids and teens hanging out and having fun, and songfests around Monsieur Winkelmann. On these nights WE are at our very best. These, are some of our happiest times. I know that the Chatette breathes and smiles, and sometimes downright laughs out loud!

 

 

 

Happy Saturday! 

A collage of the evening just for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Minute Vernissage

 

 

After yesterday's post about the Jollys and their piece from the last minute vernissage at the end of last summer, I thought it might be fun to share some of it with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join me in the barn for a little gander at my favorite photos from last summer, in a very special venue with regional installations: ladders; mangers; and, other farm equipment!

 

 

 

You have yesterday's shot beside the manger,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but, the hat shots hung right there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You'd have been bienvenued and a bientoted by my sister-in-law,

Joan Parker Bourgeois's paintings of the Chatette and Dali and I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And even if you thought you were ready to go...

 

 

...the evening wasn't over yet!

 

 

Join me for the MORE tomorrow! 

 

Light and Shadow

 

Finding the Mary's and thinking about all the wonderful times last summer with Jane and the rest of the Jollys, reminded me of this favorite shot taken in their home in Seuzac.

I loved it so much that it became one of the favorites that hung in a very tiny, very last minute vernissage I put together in the barn just prior to Sammie Cat and I getting ready to return to the states. Framed and matted, it was even more stunning.

It's always difficult to say goodby to Jane. We have our morning coffees together regularly, our shops, our outings, my projects around the Chatette that they're always ready to lend a hand with, and those many wonderful evenings over at their place in Seuzac. This a bientot, I left a little of us with her when I gave her this framed shot from the vernissage as a gift of love and thanks. Missing the many joys of being with the Jollys and especially, missing Jane!

 

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Mary and Mary

 

Although St.Therese of Lisieux is my chosen one (my Merci Lady), I was gifted last summer with two sweet statues of Mary from Jane and Yves Jolly. I'd already been fond of the Mary in Blue when I first met her a Yves Dad's place in Larnagol back in 2005. She was part of a perfect still life, in a house that has since been sold.

 

 

We'd talked about her many times. Jane thought she'd be perfect in one of the many alcoves and eviers in the Chatette or even out in one of the many alcoves in the cliff behind us. Imagine my surprise when I unwrapped not only one, but two. Both bring a very sweet spirit, but a different feel in their offerings, reverence, and gratefulness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the moment, everyone is living inside the Chatette until we return. As much as they would be beautiful out on the cliff, I worry about their delicateness out in the elements of the Lot. We shall see. But just like me...you'll have to wait until next summer to get the rest of the story!

 

 

But for now, a little trip down  memory lane with Jane and Yves from that spring of 2005. Mary is in place. Huge Merci to Jane and Yves-Missing all of the Jollys this summer!

 

 

 

 

Related articles

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Memories and Moving On

A Golden Path to the Moon

The Floating Window

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The Pianist-Senor Abdiel Vazquez

 

 

 

Ever since I heard Abdiel Vazquez play the Manuel Ponce Intermezzo #1 earlier this year at the St. Louis Cathedral, I knew I wanted to learn the piece if I could. With the piano here now, I've found it and I've gone to work. Learning this beautiful piece is moving to say the least. Somethings are just meant to be. You'll find the original post below:

 

 

I love piano music. When I saw there was a pianist on Wednesday night's program at the Cathedral, I was thrilled. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto were incredible, but piano is my passion. Senor Vazquez did not disappoint. His piece for the evening was: Polonesa: Allegro moderato from Concerto in D Major for Piano and Orchestr-Ricardo Castro (1864-1907), but it was his encore that grabbed my heartstrings a second time. After his bold, faster paced piece; he played a sweet, beautiful, expressive Intermezzo  that had tears streaming down my cheeks. He made my evening.

 

Please excuse the quality of the photos-

both were taken from the teleprompter.