SOAR to Success in SOCIAL WORK

Binded by Books

 

I always hesitate to lend books to students. Recently in class, a student shared some her family history. I immediately thought of my favorite book from Nadine: One Drop by Bliss Broyard. I waited a while to ask her if she'd be interested in reading it. She said yes. I told her that I would need to have it back. She said that I'd need to remind her just to be sure.

I brought the book to her ealier this week.I had it sitting beside my coffee table book and actually took a shot before I left for class. I opened it up briefly, to find a yellow post-it that I'd forgotten all about that read:

"return to Nadine Henneman."

I shared the story of the book with my student. I told her about Nadine being a "seasoned" and accomplished social worker. I told her about getting a huge stash of books from Nadine, but this was my favorite. I also explained that it was even more special to me because Nadine had passed away last fall.

 

 

 

My student's eyes got big. She said: "I'll be sure that you get it back." It made me smile. It brought Nadine into the classroom.

 

Nadine is still teaching young social workers...

 

...even from the other side.

 

Dangling...

 

 

...dancing and reacting have been my life for the last 10 years. I've bemoaned this fact for just as long. It's time to let go. The message arrived this morning, in the form of the closing line in the last of the three novelettes, of Patrick Modiano's, nobel prize winning: Suspended Sentences.

 

 

 

This last novelette entitled: "Flowers of Rain" takes you back and forth within the narrator's life over the course of almost 50 years. Now of course, it doesn't hurt that it's set in Paris or that he hovers around the Gare d'Austerlitz. When he shares his pondering over those we've known in Paris who are no longer in our lives and where they may be or NOT be; my heart seized in my chest. It's not my time, but I feel him, the places, and the lost people all the same. He captures the mood and feel of Paris like no one else I've read. We wandered Paris together.

 

After many dog-eared pages, that last line may as well have been the last line for the whole book of three:

 

"And one could still believe that adventure lay right around every street corner."

 

 

I sat on the sofa in my Columbus Street living room, as I put the book down and turned off the floor lamp. The light from the street snuck into the living room through the open, loovered shutters, while the ceiling fan sucked as much cool air as it could into the room. Shadows of lines and bars on the walls surrounded me. Prison or Pleasure? 

 

I learned to do my dangle dances in Paris. It's easier there. It feels right, okay, and really...just the way it's supposed to be. I should be able to take life here in New Orleans just the same way. Why not? My Paris Professor has taught me how...it's time to rediscover the pleasure and the adventures that "lay right around every street corner" in New Orleans.

My first step...getting in touch with one of my men who keeps me in books-David Munroe. Not only did David's gift of the Modiano book take me to Paris, it brought me back home to New Orleans. It's coffee time, David!

 

 

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Greener than Green

 

 

Rainy days in the Lot, bring us these greener than green spring and summer colors that I love. It was on one such day, that Marina began helping me work on a special song. Monsieur Winkelmann and I made beautiful music together that brought tears to my eyes, and eventually the eyes of many others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very green and musical Happy St. Pat's day from the Chatette, Monsieur Winkelmann, the Lot, and Sammie Cat and I.

 

 

 

 

 

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When Books Are for MORE Than Reading

 

 

Aside from hotel rooms and efficiencies when I was working contracts abroad, I am living in less space than ever before. I am learning to go up, making the most of what I have and still trying to hang on to the items that belong to others, I can be a multi-purposing maniac! (Wait till you see the rest of what's going to be happening around here over the summer.)

Just last week, a friend and I were problem-solving a place outside to lock up bikes. We managed to take a board down from a tall iron pole where a wooden fence/gate no longer stands. It was easier than expected, et voila...a place for him to lock up his bike and one more bookshelf board for me. But, what was I going to use to balance and rest it on. 

 

 

Enter that stack of Nancy Drews for beginning inspiration and I was off and running. I confess that I had the books facing parallel to the wall on the board initially, but everythng began to rock. They are happier and steadier perpendicular, but you just can't see the pretty bindings when you look at the shelf. We have more space. More books have a place, and I can continue to use Carol's table (one of Carol's tables) as a great base for a bookshelf. Up we go!

 

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...should be on their way. Until then, let these beautiful sunflowers (les tournesols) brighten your sunless Saturday morning! Happy Saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Almost "Postcard" from Home

 

Sitting down with my stash of French language essentials, I'd written a number of emails and snail mail cards to friends at home to let them know that I won't make it to Cadrieu this summer. This time the French was easier than the overwhelming emotions that made the task more difficult. Hearing back from friends is always wonderful. Now, everyone understands the so many issues that crowd my life these days and that I have a plan laid out for myself and Sam for the next couple of years.

Most mornings in Cadrieu, I'd catch our post-woman "Pascale" in a bit of conversation. Turned out she's friends with some friends of mine, and we agreed to keep in touch when I returned to the states. We've emailed back and forth, sent some photos, and she was on my list. Everyone had been saying that the sunsets were incredible and then Pascale shared this sunset from her home terrace with me! 

Happy Friday with a beautiful Lotoise sunset from a friend from home! Huge Merci to Pascale!

 

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A Garden in Your Calendars

 

 

I'm hearing from friends at home that Spring is beginning to spring in the Lot and sunsets each evening are incredible. When I'm unable to surround myself with flowers; I often go back and look through old photographs that I've taken in the rose garden, near the barn, on the terrace, in front of the Chatette, and sometimes in my neighbors' gardens. With only old photos at my fingertips these days, I discovered a whole new kind of garden...calendars.

 

 

 

 

Mom has been an avid supporter of many non-profit groups and organizations. When the holidays roll around, 411 is deluged with calendars of just about every variety. She'd sent so many donations throughout the years, that she's always looking for homes for her calendars. I'd take one for myself. Jean became fond of them, and one year all of my friends in Cadrieu received a calendar gift from me that matched some interest or organization that I thought they might support if they were in the states. Calendar gifts travel very well internationally. 

 

 

 

Shooting calendar flowers soothed my garden withdrawal one rainy day. Today, it's raining again, so today is a day of a few from the archives of the Lot. Rose withdrawal alert!

 

 

 

Things Aren't Always as They Seem

 

 

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, I love beautiful flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors. I photograph them regularly. My choices are limited these days, but I manage. Feeling the limits to my flower choices from my desk the other morning, I discovered a new way to satisfy my urge.

 

 

 

 

Aren't these flowers beautiful? You won't find these flowers in my garden. Any guesses on where I discovered these beautiful, photogenic flowers that spoke to me? I'll share location and more of the mystery tomorrow!

 

 

This Cahors...

 

...Bistro on the Rue Gambetta requires

a floppy red hat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wouldn't you agree?

 

 

Red Umbrellas and Awareness

 

Saturday's Red Umbrella March for Awareness of HIV/AIDS in the African American Community in New Orleans took to the streets from a new location this year...the corner of Orleans and Claiborne under the I-10 Overpass. I've participated in each of the last 3 years in some way, but during the last 2 years I've started doing something that makes the march more real and meaningful to me. Organizer, Michael Hickerson of In this Together, makes sure that everyone who participates has a red umbrella to walk and wave as we wander from St. Phillip to Rampart to St. Bernard to Claiborne and back to Orleans. They really are a special treat. I always give my  umbrella to a child along the route before I head home. (And, I always ask the parent if it is okay before I take a photo.)

 

 

This year was no different. Now, I'm wondering if this is something we should start doing in a little more organized way. Awareness begins with parents and children. What better way than a red umbrella to wave to feel a part of the march and the importance of the issue! Thanks to all who came out to support such a worthy cause!