SOAR to Success in SOCIAL WORK: July 2014

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28

« June 2014 | Main | August 2014 »

July 2014

07/31/2014

Nescafe Days

Down to the dregs of yesterday's "proper" coffee this morning; I threw in some more milk and a little nescafe to heat up and keep me going. This meant I didn't have to make another pot.

Maybe it's all this talk of Paris and memories of Madam Vera...I got busy and made myself another cup. You see, every time I open a jar of nescafe, the spirit of Madam Vera escapes like a magical genie trapped in the pungent, profound, coffee aroma. I close my eyes and I'm back on the Rue Ballu with Vera on my morning arrivals.

We'd sit together at her white enamel table in the tiny kitchen drinking huge bowls of coffee. And yes, it was Nescafe. She always asked about my trip over first, but the very next question was: "How eees Tom?" (My brother Tom gave me the gift of Vera in my life.) Her last words to me were: "I will have a coffee waiting for you." When I arrived that morning in 1995, there was no nescafe waiting for me. The concierge in her building told me that she was sick and in the hospital. The next morning, I discovered she had passed away.

I have a little pilgrimage walk I like to take through Paris. I'll have time this trip. You can bet that 34 Rue Ballu will be on that list! Vera is never very far away. A rose for Vera, and maybe it's time for another Nescafe!

Posted at 09:24 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/30/2014

More than Sunflowers

I love sunflowers! Doesn't everyone? They are pretty, dramatic, and as I told a friend of my on the phone back in the states yesterday...I prefer to use sunflower oil in my cooking.

I used to be able to look out my window and see Monsieur Faret's fields of sunflowers across the river, but he hasn't planted them in years.

It's no wonder that I dropped my backpack for those that were growing in the Gentou's field on my way home from the bus over the weekend.

Yesterday morning, I rode my bike to the bottle bin and brought my camera along. I'd intended to get some more sunflower shots, which I did.

But, yesterday it was the vegetables that grabbed me. They were lush, colorful, beautiful, huge, and screamed: "don't forget about us, look how beautiful we are!"

A little apero-ed up and very much in my photographer mode at a village fete one evening; I ran around and asked all the farmers if they minded if I came by and took photos of their places. At the time, I had their homes in mind, not necessarily their fields. (I didn't feel I needed permission to take photos of a field!) There was one interesting response. Someone said: "It isn't very beautiful. I don't know why you'd want to take photos, but it's okay with me!"

I'm not sure if the response daunted me a bit, or I just ran out of time; but I didn't get back to take any shots (even after all the exertion in French).

I'm still struck by how familiarity breeds an inability to see beyond the everyday, to the beauty and uniqueness of all the small pieces in our lives. We take so much for granted. I struggle with it so in New Orleans. But then when I'm here, it's the small and simple discoveries that give me huge joy!

And the corn said: "Aren't I something...look at me!"

Posted at 08:43 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/29/2014

Degrees of Freedom

From New Orleans...

...to Paris

...to the Chatette. It is easy to see the degrees of freedom for Sam and I. And, where would you choose to be if you had a choice?

Posted at 06:43 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/28/2014

Conversation in Stone

There are so many other things I could be doing, but where am I? I'm out on the land behind the terrace and the barn clearing vines and soil from from the cliffs.

When I bought the barn during 2010, this piece of land (and a few other small parcels) came with it. It was totally overgrown. It was impossible to see the cliffs, but the covered-up, beautiful stone called my name.

Once I got the weeds, nettles and brambles out of the way, I was able to clear the piece of the cliff closest to the barn. This trip, I'm moving in the other direction and have been greatly rewarded. I clear...I assess...I shape...and I clear some more.

Listening to the stone pays off...but yesterday, I knew I was in trouble when I began talking back: "You're going to be really beautiful!" I laughed at myself, but it's true...and, communication is a two-way street.

Posted at 05:55 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/27/2014

Ode to Pom-Pom

People have asked me if much has changed since I left Cadrieu in October of 2012. I've written about some of the physical changes in Figeac, new (not so nice) neighbors, and being here without Dali. But, there is also an element of loss.

I've loved the donkeys along the route to the bus since my arrival in 2002. They belong to my on the road neighbors, the Pages's. Winter of 2003, I began calling one Joan of Arc because of the her very fluffy bangs and winter do. When this brown guy came along, I felt like he should be called something royal...King Authur or Lancelot, even if Francis or Louie would have been more appropriate. I also began calling the inside road to the Pages's house "Donkey Road". Over time, I discoverd through friends that their real names were Pom-Pom and Pom-Pommette. They were quite a pair and had lots of fun on a regular basis. I would know. Dali and I passed them every morning on our walk and I'd pass regularly on my bike rides into Cajarc.

When I returned, I discovered that one of the donkeys had passed away. No one was able to tell me which one. I've been puzzling over it since my arrival. That was, until yesterday. When I arrived at the bus stop, Madame Pages was also waiting to ride into Figeac to head to the market. We chatted away (she is very patient with my French and my pitiful pronounciation) and (among other things) I discovered that it was Pom-Pom that passed away.

He was a frisky and special guy! I can only imagine how Pom-Pommette has been missing him. They say you should never have only one donkey. They bray and cry for their mate. And, he was also such a photogenic guy! I miss him too.

Posted at 09:16 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/26/2014

Gifts of...

...light, color, texture

and aroma!

Posted at 08:37 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/25/2014

A Morning of Missing

I'd turned on the computer this morning, but before my emails could come up; the beginning of a brilliant sunrise pulled me to a window for a photo. And when I returned, there it was...the email that I'd been expecting to receive from Max. Earlier in the week, Max had written to tell me that his wife-my friend Nicole-only had a few more hours to live.

I've learned over the years that some work relationships have staying power and can be special. Such, was mine with Nicole. Even after I left the Children's Bureau in '93, Nicole and I stayed in very good touch with regular coffees at the Monteleone or Croissant D'Or. Nicole had a quiet strength and gentle wisdom that brightened my days. She was one of those people whose every word was poignant and meaningful. She is pearls and diamonds for me.

So today, a tribute to my friend and great social worker, Nicole Spalding. When I see the diamonds dancing on the river and the butterlies finding place among the flowers; I will think of Nicole and miss her always but hold her near in my heart.

Posted at 08:35 AM in Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (2)

07/24/2014

Caught...

...in the act! She may look like the shrimp girl, but it isn't unusual to find her head in the cookie jar or licking the icing off a cake or two. Sweet-tooth Sam!