SOAR to Success in SOCIAL WORK: February 2015

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A Global Gang

Last summer, Sammie cat and I went to visit our friend Clare-Miller McFarland in Degagnac. We caught the bus in Cadrieu to Cahors, where Clare met us at the Gare and took us to her place. Sleepovers with friends where I can bring Sammie Cat with me had never been heard of until that trip. She was great in her carrier, and even got a free ride both directions. We stayed a couple nights and had so much fun. "Aunt Clare" now checks in to see how Sammie Cat is doing on a regular basis.

During that trip, Clare and I went to dinner at Miek and Guy's house in the village.

Miek and Guy are a Belgian couple who were also hosting Pat and Graeme. It was lots of fun for lots of reasons. Pat and Graeme had rented from Clare in the past, and both had read my blog. I had to laugh when Graeme was disappointed that I wasn't in my overalls!

Now, we're all in touch through the wonders of Facebook. I'm enjoying Miek's photos and sharings regularly. And, I've been keeping up with Pat and Graeme's lives and travels. When I saw that they were in Panama City, I told them they were so close they should think about coming for a visit. Et Voila!

Pat and Graeme are going to be making their way to New Orleans today. We have plans to spend Sunday and Monday being tourists together, before they continue north home to Canada. I think I might be able to show up in overalls this time. Can't wait till tomorrow! Wish the rest of the gang could be here too!

Posted at 02:45 PM in Action | Permalink | Comments (0)

Changes and Paying Attention

I'm always having to remind myself that each breath we take brings change. I am able to become more aware of those breaths when my life is not so cluttered and there is space to breathe. It's during these times that life cycle patterns become clearer because I have time to pay attention and observe what is happening in my life and all around me.

During the last couple of weeks a pattern has emerged. Young female social workers who I have had contact with through agency work, teaching, and mentoring; have surfaced in my life in New Orleans. To share a meal or a coffee with as many as four "young people", has been a real treat and an aha for me. So, here I am at 60 years old and it's my turn.

Posted at 01:58 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Decisions-Process to Relief

The 2014 plan I'd put together for what I called my 4-4-4 (four months in New Orleans; four months in Cadrieu; and, four months in Ferguson) took on a life all its own. Since it was a decision I'd made from New Orleans, the first four flowed pretty much as expected.

By the time I got to Cadrieu in May, health emergencies began for both of my parents and continued with hospitalizations and rehab for almost three of the four months that I was away. From Ferguson last fall, I looked at my life through the lense of disaster once more...a demonstration down Elizabeth, nearby businesses looted and burning, and then discovering that the business block of West Florissant between Kappel Drive and Chambers Road in the neighborhood I grew up in had been looted and burned with many places burned to the ground.

Days after my return to New Orleans at the end of December; Dad had another emergency that required a return trip to St. Louis, and then I discovered on Facebook that a dear friend had been murdered in rural North Carolina. January of 2015 wasn't even over yet.

Coming up on March, I knew that if I was going to be able to get home this summer I needed to start planning now. There's so much to arrange and coordinate to make all the pieces of this life work. I began to realize that I just don't have the energy for it. I'm exhausted.

Over the last two years, my Mom and I have voiced similar refrains: "I just want to go home."

A difference is that I am sad and disappointed when I can't, but I accept that sometimes it just isn't possible. This is one of those times for me. I recently made the decision that it is time for me to stay put. The thought of traveling internationally again and all that entails, exhausts me. Circumstances in New Orleans require that I remain here, and it's a lot easier getting to Ferguson from New Orleans than it is from Cadrieu.

I labored back and forth for a while. Finally one afternoon with Eric, I said it outloud: "I don't think I can go home this summer." I put it out there. I made it real. I shared it with someone I care about. It becamse crystal clear that under the circumstances, there was no other decision that could be made. In that there's some sadness, but mostly relief.

Then, there's the moving on and opportunity if you seize it.

Posted at 12:31 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Decisions

What do you do when you have an important decision to make? There's so much to think about. There are circumstances to consider. What you want to do and what is best to do may not be the same things. Do you ponder it alone? Do you discuss it with friends? What's your strategy and what works best for you? More on just such a process tomorrow.

Posted at 01:37 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Than Camellias

Even though we were on the hunt for camellias on Saturday, we found a few surprises sprinkled around the grounds of the Wild Life Refuge at Bayou Lacombe.

I enjoy finding unexpected treasures. This statue was a sweet surprise.

By the time we got to his spot, my feet that were still recovering from all the Mardi Gras festivities had about had it. What fun to sit and enjoy this sculpture while Ron and Wilson continued to comb the over 400 varieties of Camellias.

It was a special treat!

Posted at 01:07 PM in Action | Permalink | Comments (0)

Too Close...

...or just right? Whether it's photography or relationships, we all have our own personal boundaries. I must confess, I am much more comfortable very up close with my photography than I am in my relationships. Any guesses on what's in this photo and where it was taken? Happy Monday!

Posted at 01:40 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Confession

Here I've been writing about "camelias" this season, and I should have been writing about "camellias".

I'm usually better about my spelling and my grammar, but this one got away from me. Any way you spell it, they're beautiful for sure.

A Happy Sunday in Camellia Heaven!

Posted at 01:13 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Few Old Friends...

...Up Close and Personal!

Posted at 03:15 PM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elvis is in the House

BEFORE...and,

AFTER...unmasked!

A very special thanks to Keith Villere and the rest of the Elvises for taking on the awesome task of crowd/traffic control when the NOPD didn't show up...magical partings of crowds and cars appeared on Bourbon Street and all along the route!

Posted at 10:49 AM in Action, Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another Beauty to Behold

Even after the Clydesdales are all lined up and ready to go, it takes a little while for their Dalmation pal to make it to the spot. I particularly like this shot on the right because "everyone" is there.

It's such a treat to see man and beast working well together and in communion...all special moments. I leave you with some of those special moments to enjoy.