I spent a day with two of the awesome women that I graduated with from Dominican High School in 1966. Yes, 47 years ago! In spite of all of the strange curves that life has thrown us, we are still in the game.

Between the three of us there had been two divorces, one spousal death, the death of both Mary's and my parents, and the loss of siblings.

We sat at a table prepared by Mary's and reminisced and recalled our youthful experiences. We laughed and offered forgiveness to a teacher or two who served us all cruelty.  With the homemade chicken salad sandwiches and fresh fruit and green salads came a fountain of memories. We filled in the gaps that one or the another of us had either selected or absentmindedly forgotten.

I had no recollection of Susan traveling with me on the Sunset Limited Train to Lafayette to visit my now deceased and very colorful Uncle Joseph. Susan even described the Mary Quaint dress that she made for the trip.

Susan had forgotten the amulets that she made out of the “fruit” loops from our boyfriends’ shirts. We shared untold stories about one particular sister who mortally embarrassed all of us. We also remembered the reason that we were all reunited, Sister Veronica Meceli. She was one of the Great Ones: the teacher who makes school worthwhile and meaningful; the one who recognized goodness in each of us in different ways. Sister Veronica, the woman who inspired us all to love history.

We prayed for and toasted her gift to each of us. I for one, learned the art of teaching from this gifted woman. She recognized that I too had a gift for imparting knowledge in a memorable fashion.

So all of the heart aches that we experienced in school, all of the joys, and boy friend problems seemed insignificant at this gathering 43 years later. We shared a meal and we remembered the ones who assisted us and helped us to survive, no to thrive, and be the wonderful women of grace, ease and peace.

Here’s to you Sister Veronica and the women of Dominican High School.

Preparing a meal of pork chops, rice, carrots, salad, and ice cream and bananas for a gathering of the Homeless at Hope House on St. Andrew Street in New Orleans, was a humbling experience.

My friend, Father Jim Morrison , from Trinity Church on Jackson Ave. invited me to assist him in the food preparation and serving of this meal. It has been a while since I have done this. I meet him in the kitchen at Trinity School and we began our preparations a little too late as it turned out. Our efforts to cook pork in the school ovens did not go as planned.
Around 5, we decided that the on-the-stove method would have been a better idea. So we set to work joined by another friend, Nell Naquin, to hasten the cooking process. An hour later, we accomplished the task.
Fr. Jim drove the first batch of pork chops to the waiting men and women at the Hope House while we continued to cook the second, and third batches. The people at Hope House were most patient and waited for the courses to arrive. Ordinarily a meat dish is not included- in the two times a week meals- presented by Hope House.
One wise elder who was complaining because people did not close the door as they exited the house said,"Common courtesy... You don't have to steal food, all you have to do is ask."

Mulling over his words as I wrote in my journal this morning brought me to a simple Ah-Ha  experience: "All you have to do, is ASK!"
This quote appears in countless sources; "Ask..."
Why am I so afraid to ask?
Is it fear of rejection?
Confusion about how in control I am supposed to be?
Doubt that I am worthy to receive?

Thank you wise soul for your guidance last evening. I cooked and served pork chops, you gave me wisdom. Not a very fair exchange. I came away the winner, perhaps.

http://www.hopehouseneworleans.org/

The Old Coffee Pot

"I think about the will of a plant to live, its fight towards the sun, each leaf positioning itself like a small solar panel. Along with its struggle against gravity, and its own demise." These words by artist Carmen Almon, strike a cord with me this morning. So much of this quotation applies to me and my struggle to keep my face turned towards the light, the inspiration of my soul.
Reading Thomas Moore's, Care of the Soul, reminds me to take care of mind, body, spirit and soul.
I get so caught up in day-to-day living, I often forget to just let my soul shine.

Soul shining is something we understand in New Orleans. When I was a high school student in New Orleans, I weekly traveled via the bus into the French Quarter and sat with and talked to the local artist. I had a cup of coffee at the Old Coffee Pot on St. Peter's Street. Observe, even St. Peter was there to guide my soul. The beautiful bathroom at the Royal Orleans Hotel, the site of the slave auction block, served as a place to find a pit stop. My friends and I would go up on the roof-top and view the Quarter from above the street. Quite a grand view. So Grande that we had Linda Fauchaux, our resident artist, draw it and we painted it on a mural for our Junior Prom at St. Mary's Dominican High School.

Lots of soulfulness can be observed in our French Quarter and around town. The St. Claude (another soul catcher) area has become the second artist conclave since Katrina. Many galleries, and performance venues have opened up in this area where the old Desire Street car once carried artist from another age to their final destinations.


http://www.theoldcoffeepot.com/

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/NewOrleansRoyalOrleans.aspx?utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=branded+-+property&utm_content=New-Orleans-Royal&utm_term=+omni+royal++orleans

Dee on the left

One year ago today, my Dear Friend, Dee died. She loved New Orleans and all things beautiful.
This is for Dee:

Dianne Mader Boyne Savoie, Miss Louisiana, Charter School Creator, mother, daughter, teacher, friend, Dee.

You spent your time helping others increase their self-esteem.

You spent your time here encouraging all of us and holding up a mirror so that we might see our own beauty.

How many people have you reached? A multiple.

Dee you loved to entertain, and make others feel comfortable and welcomed.

Let all of us remember that the next time we invite others into our homes.

Let us hold a perfect reflection of them up so that our guests feel blest by our presence.

Let us smile more, a ……..big show your teeth smile.

Let us breathe deeper;

Let us expand our mind;

Let us pray more….

These are ways that we might honor Dee.

She would want us all to walk out of this place with our shoulders back, our heads up. So here’s my poem to you:

Sister, mother, teacher, friend.

Noble woman warrior;

A mug of community,

Dashed with steamed almond milk,

Stirred with love.

Dee heaped on the love!

Setting the mug next to the flowers.

How she loved flowers!

Rosie's roses;

Rows of crepe myrtles;

Porches filled with plants.

She nurtured us.

Like her plants:

“Are you tired, hungry, angry?

Sit down, have a cup;

Glass of wine;

Rest, and tell me what happened.”

I will sorely miss you sister.

Not here to adjust my wardrobe;

Not here to tell my secrets to;

But, you do still hear:

Only now without the pain.

Rest dear One.

I see your smile in the roses

I hear your laughter in the rain

I taste your guidance in the cup.

Thank you for the lessons.

I will live more,

Worry less,

And be truer to myself.

So the next time that you sit quietly with your coffee cup or glass of wine, raise your eyes to heaven and thank God that you had the privilege of knowing this great lady.

Thank you Dee for gracing our lives with your beautiful presence. We all are better people because we knew you.

 

Chandelier made with LED lights

I love the light of the moon and backyard light which allow me to sit and meditate or dance and meditate during the non-daylight hours. Last night was no exception. August 20, 2013 was a full moon night.

Viewing the full moon from my back yard at 3A.M. allowed me to cast a moon shadow. Cats Stevens' song by that title, played through my mind:

"Did it take long to find me?
Are you going to stay the night?"
(see link below)

I have always loved the full moon. I am a moon child.
Once while on a retreat at the Cenacle Reteat Center on Lake Pontchatrain, I went up on the roof and created my first midnight moon dance.
The priest leading the retreat used a parable from Edward Hays, Twelve and one Half Keys, entitled "The Moon Maiden." This parable has always inspired me to dance and sing under the light of the moon. And to give myself permission to be this unique creature that loves to moon bathe. (See link below)
Dancing by the light of the moon, viewing the movie "Moon Struck," and writing about moon bows are inspirations for me. I wish  you a dance by the light of the moon, too. Allow the moon to fill your vision and dance with your shadow. The dark side of the moon and its counterparts represent the two sides of our selves; n"est pas?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPazGVuBXmY

http://www.edwardhays.com/1/category/moon/1.html

The chandelier was created by Ed Glynn and me. I selected a cast away fixture to which Ed helped me affix LED lights. What fun that was!

What messages are they sending?

   Finding a bicycle with a square 2x2 flat board with a metal lip affixed  where a basket would be,parked on the corner of Antonnine and Annunciation Streets, made me wonder about the creator of this bike. This materials transporte- bicycle was locked onto the stop sign. This creation must service some special need. I love to see imagineering. ( A Disney term)
    Interestingly the bike was strapped to a Stop sign. I guess the criminal element that necessitates these, new and stronger, bicycle chains don't read the signs.
    "STOP! I have created this device to serve my special needs. Why would you want my bike?" the owner might protest.
    I guess that the criminal element has forgotten how to read the physical and the spiritual signs all around them.
    We live in a wonderful city with an  unfortunately large murder and drug gang culture. It is strange referring to the misdeeds of a group as a culture, but these groups do have their own norms and standards.
    I have heard many stories in my 35 plus years in the classroom. I once interviewed the most frequently suspended students at H. L. Bourgeis High School, in Terrebonne Parish. My principal was concerned about my being in a room with all of "those" boys, but I was not afraid. I had listened to so many of them individually, that I sort of understood the code of ethics that they worked under.
    "She listens to us; Be nice." That seemed to be the message that I read from them.
So how do we get so many young men to be heard when they don't seem to know how to effectively communicate?
I do not see it getting better with so much tweeted communication.

    I used to conduct a simple experiment in and out of the classroom. When I heard some language that did not make much sense because it was full of slang, I would ask those who were affirming what was said to translate the spoken words.
    Surprise, surprise,. I would hear, "I can't put it into words."
How can you exchange information with another when you "Can't put it into words?" I would ask. The students would get defensive and say, " I know what he/she means." Well, reflect what you heard. I taught this communication tool to all of my students. Reflective listening.. Repeating back what was heard, and the feeling the listener thought that they heard.
     I had to provide a list of feeling words because their vocabulary was limited to: love, hate, fear, sadness and a few more. ( See attached list at link below.) 
     I now read the signs spray painted onto the sides of buildings and even the Stop signs. I need a manual. I am not sure what the specific message is. It reminds me of the old "Sounds of Silence" song by Simon and Garfunkel.

 "For the signs of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement walls...."

    I do want to hear you, speak your words...... I am listening....



http://www.lyricsdepot.com/simon-garfunkel/sounds-of-silence.html

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence




http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/feelings.html

An Early Morning Flash

     At 3:15 A.M. I saw one great flash of light cross between the two ornamental pear trees in my NOLA back yard. I have been re-reading Peter and the Star Catchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Peter Pan's life story is explored in this fictional back story of a childhood favorite. Peter, is a Watcher. He is able to know when this great wisdom will fall from the sky in the form of magical stardust. I watched, waited, and felt the stillness. 

     Watching the night sky, while listening to our pond water feature was an excellent way to wait for Mother Nature's fireworks.  I have spent a great deal of my life waiting, watching, hoping that this or that would happen. Somehow I have believed that I make the magic. As I watched the magic flash across the sky at 3 A.M., I realized that the real magic lies in the watching.

     Everyday there are so many miracles flashing across the sky of my mind, I don't always give these events the necessary attention. I am daily inspired with lightening flashes. When I sit still enough, I am able to hear and see these creative sparks. 

     Who am I that I should see these events? Who am I not to be?

       Marianne Wiliamson's famous quote comes to mind:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/quotes/williamson/our_deepest_fear/

     Thank you morning sky for the reminder.
Rosalynn Moore

https://www.google.com/search?q=meteor+shower&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_cUHUtODPYqz2gXP-oGIAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1902&bih=889#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Fj6SiPplP9RABM%3A%3BRJ6eZ1ic5_JklM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftribwxin.files.wordpress.com%252F2013%252F04%252Flyrid-meteor.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ffox59.com%252F2013%252F04%252F21%252Flynrid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight%252F%3B4288%3B2848

Satchmo Festival August 3, 2013

    Here is a lovely Japanese Interviewer asking me about the "Swing Dolphins," a young group of Japanese musicians who experienced the devastation of the tsaunami in Northern Japan in 2011, and who played at the Louis Armstrong Festival yesterday. They were the second half of a musical exchange program that began in October.( See the video and information below for more info.) Many New Orleans' music students entertained in Japan as a result of a beautiful collaboration between Yoshio and Keiko Toyama and the Tipitina Foundation.

    Yoshio and Keiko Toyama established a gift-giving program to the children of New Orleans donating musical instruments to our city's youth! This generous and talented musical couple accompanied the youngsters yesterday.

    Enchanting, moving, entertaining, charming, and gifted are just a few descriptive terms to capture the moments of this monumental experience!

    Thank you Satchmo, the Toyamas,Tips, and musicians everywhere. Mr. Amrstrong was given an instrument by a kind mentor when he was a youth at the Milne Boy's Home. It is amazing what kindness and music can do!

    

Rosalynn Moore

http://www.wwltv.com/video/featured-videos/From-Tragedy-to-Triumph-A-Documentary-Special-217683041.html?fb_action_ids=588322994523753&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

The New Orleans-Miyagi Youth Jazz Exchange is rooted in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated large areas of Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan. Touched by painful parallels following Hurricane Katrina, Tipitina’s Foundation turned sympathy into action with the help of long-time jazz advocates Yoshio and Keiko Toyama of the Wonderful World Jazz Foundation. Tipitina’s Foundation expanded the reach of the Instruments A Comin’ program with instrument donations to two young Japanese bands who had lost everything in the tsunami. One group was the Swing Dolphins. Only one month after losing their instruments and their hopes of playing music, they had new instruments in hand.

The Toyamas dreamed of developing the relationships that had been building through years of instrument donations from Japan to New Orleans, and now between New Orleans and Japan, by giving the students who received these instruments the opportunity to play together. In October 2012, this dream became a reality when Tipitina’s Foundation, Wonderful World Jazz Foundation, and Japan Foundation teamed up to make the New Orleans-Miyagi Youth Jazz Exchange a reality. The first portion of this program brought eight Tipitina’s Interns and eight O. Perry Walker students to Japan to share New Orleans’ music with Japanese audiences, immerse themselves in Japanese culture, and interact with Japanese students who had also experienced tragedy and found solace in music.

Now the Foundation will complete the New Orleans-Miyagi Youth Jazz Exchange by bringing all nineteen members of the Swing Dolphins to the United States to experience the unique music and culture of New Orleans and cultivate relationships with the students who travelled to Japan. In addition to public performances, they will participate in exchange workshops with Martin Behrman Charter School, Tipitina’s Interns and O. Perry Walker students, and peer musicians in Lafayette.

http://www.tipitinas.com/bands/s/swing-dolphins

Magnolias still blooming in August

These delicious scented blooms can still be found lining the streets and avenues of our super heated sauna.

I am always thrilled to get an up-close look at these beauties.

Leonardo Da Vinci suggested looking at things from three different angels. I have used this activity many times to inspire students to look beyond the current situation.

Here is a different view of the adored blooms.

Daily Epiphanies

Through Leonardo’s eyes;

Blink, blink, blink, Free!

Frenzies of creation-

Step back, relax.

Smile, savor the moment-

Return to the observations.

Tiny discoveries:

How a butter-flies?

How memory is stored?

Design human wings,

Beginning in the mind,

Left to right,

Right to left;

Observe the:

Genius

In yourself!

Rosalynn Moore

August 7, 2008