Monthly Archives: January 2024
Venice Clay Artists
David Zinn Therapy
I hope YOU feel better now, too. :0)
Filed under David Zinn - Street Artist, drawings
Thoughts on a Wednesday 1-31-2024
We’re having another beautiful day here in Arkansas on this, the last day of January 2024. I don’t have enough signatures to submit in my attempt to just do away with February, so it starts as usual tomorrow, with even an extra day for leap year thrown into the mix. Ugh.
My husband wanted to try to sleep in our bed last night. I was up with him around 2, and then woke up alone later. He told me he lasted until around 5 and then came down and finished the night in his recliner. We’re getting better.
I have cleared our calendar of everything possible until my husband has had a chance to heal. Doing this takes the pressure off. We can concentrate on just the things we need to do each day. He is getting a bit stronger each day.
I’m encouraging him now to get up and come into the office whenever he wants to, or in the kitchen, moving around to gain strength. The surgeon was cautioning us about getting TOO sedentary, warning us of pneumonia, so I’m trying to get him up several times a day, resting as much as possible, in-between. One day at a time. 10 to 12 weeks recovery time.
Meanwhile, he’s enjoying watching truly awful movies he has taped on TV and reading on his tablet. He is also watching YouTube videos about all kinds of things. :0) We had a short chat with our son this morning. He researched broken bones and sent my husband two supplements that are supposed to help you heal faster and thoroughly.
I hope that the weather is nice wherever you are today and that you’re enjoying this last day of January.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Rebekah Jenkins 3-D Quilling
Besides this being beautiful art, the technique used brings the art of quilling to another level. The more traditional style, which is also beautiful, uses the strips mainly curled up to create the effects, rather than the strips being added on their edges, as Rebekah does. Here’s a nice example –
There is a whole new look achieved by Rebekah when she turns the strips on their edges. I think it’s absolutely amazing.
Rebekah Jenkins Quilling - Article on VisualFlood.com by Leandro Lima
Filed under 3D-On-Edge-Paper-Art, paper art, Rebekah Jenkins
Beautiful Tuesday
Today our weather is absolutely gorgeous. I’m about to go do several errands, and it will be a delight to be outside. It’s 44 right now, and the forecast is for 65 this afternoon. The sun is shining. GORGEOUS!!!!
My husband and I are learning to function on very little sleep at night. We’re lucky to be able to catch cat naps during the day, so things are improving there, as well.
So far, my husband has not tried to do things he shouldn’t, so I’m beginning to think I MIGHT be able to spend some time in my art room this week. I’m going to see if I can find another good video on techniques for wood burning to get the juices flowing. :0)
I hope things are going well for you today.
Filed under Challenges, Mother Nature, taking care of yourself
Precious Pooches
Filed under animal paintings, drawings, Pastels, Peter Hogarth - Artist
Monday 1-29-2024
And now we have begun the part in the healing process – after only ONE WEEK since my husband broke his collarbone – where we ‘discuss’ what he SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be doing –
This morning he was trying to get out of his chair to ‘hold the trash bag’ – a heavy, bulky, full leaf bag- while I was gathering the trash. I had just ordered Amber into her “PLACE” to avoid falling over her as she dashed in front of, around, and behind me, to ‘help’ me. Now it was my husband. I stopped what I was doing, gave him the eagle eye, and said, “PLACE!” to HIM, as well. He started to tell me it was ONLY holding the bag, but shut down mid-sentence. I helped him down into the chair, kissed him, and said, “Maybe in another week.”
We both rested better last night. I think we’re finally getting used to either sleeping in our recliners, or – in my case – going back and forth between my recliner and the couch.
I’m still just getting the minimum done around here – helping my husband, minimal cooking and cleaning, and trying to catch up on sleep. You can tell what it’s like around here when I tell you I’m looking forward to driving the trash down to the bottom of the driveway, putting it – and the trash can out for pickup tomorrow – and getting the mail…
Hope all is well with you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Bathing Hummingbird!
Urbanartist @Urbanartist2
@jimstep260853
Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts, video
Impossibly Good
Filed under Beth Robertson Fiddes, water paintings
“Wish You the Best” – Lewis Capaldi
I absolutely love Lewis Capaldi’s voice. It really speaks to me, diving inside and bringing out all kinds of emotion. I think he is one of the best singer/songwriters of our time.
In “I Wish You the Best” he speaks of love.
… I’ll miss knowin’ what you’re thinkin’
And hearin’ how your day has been
Do you think you can tell me everything, darling?
But leave out every part about him
Right now you’re probably by the ocean
While I’m still out here in the rain
With every day that passes by since we’ve spoken
It’s like Glasgow gets further from LA
… Maybe it’s supposed to be this way
… But, oh, my love
I wanna say I miss the green in your eyes
And when I said we could be friends, guess I lied
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
I wanna say without you, everything’s wrong
And you were everything I need all along
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
… Well, I can’t help but notice
You seem happier than ever now
And I guess that I should tell you I’m sorry
It seems I was the problem somehow
… Maybe I only brought you down
… But, oh, my love
I wanna say I miss the green in your eyes
And when I said we could be friends, guess I lied
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
I wanna say without you, everything’s wrong
And you were everything I need all along
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
… But, oh, my love
Oh-whoa
Oh, my love
Oh-whoa
… Wish I could say it’s something I really mean
But I want you happy whether not it’s with me
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
I wanna say without you, everything’s wrong
And you were everything I need all along
I wanna say I wish that you never left
Oh, but instead I only wish you the best
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: James Ryan Wuihun Ho / Jonathan Percy Starker Saxe / Lewis Marc Capaldi
Wish You The Best lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
I love the song. I love his voice. The official video that goes with it I think is one of the most beautiful videos I’ve ever seen. Together, they’re really an experience.
Filed under Lewis Capaldi - I Wish You the Best, music, video
Sunday 1-28-2024
Good morning. I need to warn you that you’re reading the words of a zombie, pretty much, since it’s been a week now since I got a regular night’s sleep. A week ago today my husband fell on the ice at the bottom of our driveway, breaking his collar bone.
We catch cat naps as we can, all day and all night, trying to sleep in our recliners. Sleeping well was a challenge before my husband hurt himself because that seems to go with becoming more ‘mature,’ but now we’re pretty much hopeless. We’re just glad for whatever we can get.
Each day is a bit better. He’s now saying he wants to quit wearing the sling. I simply told him I thought that it would slow the healing process and increase his pain, but that he, of course, could do whatever he wants…
Our son researched healing from bone breaks, bought and sent some high doses of Vitamin C and D-3. I’m giving these to my husband morning and night now.
I hope that your Sunday is a nice one.
Filed under Challenges, taking care of yourself
Talent is All Around Us
Soggy Saturday 1-27-2024
I’m so glad we’re dealing with rain, rather than ice or snow.
My husband, who broken his left clavicle on the 21st, is now talking about not wearing his sling after a couple more days. I – having lived with this man for some 54 years now – simply told him it would take longer for healing, but that it was up to him how long he was incapacitated. Meanwhile, I’ll try to contact the orthopedic nurse on our portal to see if I can get some backup.
Our son, who lives across the world from us, bought and sent us two kinds of supplements to help him heal. I’ll start incorporating them into his meds today.
My husband is basically just moving from one room to another on the first floor until further notice. He’s doing that more easily now, plus sneezed and told me it didn’t hurt nearly as bad as previously, so there is definitely progress. We are still trying to sleep in our recliners.
He requested spaghetti, so I’ll make that for tonight.
Filed under Challenges, taking care of yourself
Quilling by Rebeka Jenkins
Rebekah Jenkins 3-D Paper Quilling – Article by Leandro Lima, Visualflood.com
Filed under 3D-On-Edge-Paper-Art, paper art, Rebekah Jenkins
Friday 1-26-2024
I have absolutely NO complaints about our gray, rainy weather. It is NOT ice. It is NOT snow. I can drive up and down our driveway without risking myself or my vehicle. I can do what I need to do. :0)
My husband is getting around better since breaking his collarbone on the 21st. He is at the computer now, watching YouTube videos. He’s a bit better each day, and so far is being careful not to hurt himself further. I’m staying close by, since he only has the use of one hand and arm.
I will make a dash today to get supplies, lunch from the deli (my husband’s request) and our mail. That’s it for ‘out’ today. I called our friends about not being able to come to Lunch Bunch and about my husband’s fall.
I’m grateful we can handle what happened ourselves. In fact, all I need to do so far to keep my husband in line is tell him that I am happy to try to hire someone to help him. :0) MEAN woman….
Filed under Challenges, taking care of yourself
More Gregario Catarino Art
Gregario Catarino Art – @gregcatarino1 on X
Filed under Greg Catarino, paintings I love
Andrii Frolov 6
Andrii Frolov – @ksnsq on X
Filed under Andrii Frolov Art, Oil Paintings I Love
Amber
Amber is worried. She senses something isn’t normal around here, and she is following one of us – and then the other – closely, trying to be everywhere at once.
She cries if I put her on the other side of the dog gate. I only do this when I’m trying to help my husband get out of his chair or back into it, etc. (He broke his collarbone falling on the ice Sunday, January 21st. He doesn’t need surgery and recovery time is approximately 10 to 12 weeks. He is learning how many things he does that affect the muscles in his left shoulder, how much he uses his left hand, and how MUCH it hurts to sneeze, cough, or laugh.)
He insisted he wanted to sleep upstairs in our bed last night. Nothing would convince him to change his mind. We went to bed around midnight. I basically lay there with my eyes closed, but was trying to stay alert to help him if needed. Around 2 am he said I was right (!) :0( and that he couldn’t get comfortable in the bed. He then learned that he uses is left hand to hold onto the stair railing. We slowly and carefully got down the stairs and back into his chair. We basically slept – where we could rest – from 6am to 8.
He is stronger this morning and was able to get out of his recliner carefully by himself. He looks more alert. I’m hoping he will take several naps whenever he is sleepy.
Amber wants to sleep right in front of his chair. We have already made it VERY clear she is NOT considered a lap dog (97 pounds) and that my husband is very happy with her beside him, rather than in his lap right now. If we insist she get in her “place” on her bed across the room, she watches him, alert to any movements. (usually she does this only when he has food, but now it is really concern for him.)
I keep trying to reassure her. I guess in this case, seeing is the only way she will be believing.
Filed under Challenges, taking care of yourself
Hello, There!
Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts, video
Figuring it Out
It’s been quite the night and morning.
Since my husband broke his collarbone falling on the ice in our driveway Sunday morning, we’ve had x-rays and seen an orthopedic surgeon, who said my husband could heal without surgery. With surgery or without, the recovery time is 10 to 12 weeks.
After fighting with my husband (we don’t even use the same salt :0) ) he has agreed for now that we will stay downstairs. He’s still in quite a bit of pain on ANY movement and only has the use of his right arm and hand until further notice, making any normal activity quite difficult. We are sleeping in our recliners, getting as much rest as possible, which so far isn’t much. Thank goodness we can both take naps any time we need it.
Breakfast, morning chores, sitz bath, change of clothes, meds, and back in the chair took until 10:30 this morning. He is taking a nap in his recliner right now, and seems to be as comfortable as possible. While he’s doing that, I’m doing laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, figuring out food, etc.
It’s amazing how quickly your life can change. I’m so relieved this wasn’t any worse and that we can let this heal on its own. We are adapting slowly to the new normal. I’m walking kind of a tightrope right now, between helping and stepping on pride. I’m wishing I had a magic wand to make him feel better.
Filed under Challenges, taking care of yourself
Verdict
This morning we drove through rain and pretty heavy fog in places to try to find the orthopedic surgeon’s office in Fort Smith by our 7:50 appointment. After driving like a rat trying to find the cheese with my poor husband agonizing each time we hit a bump, pothole, railroad track, speed bump, etc. due to his broken clavicle, we found it and checked in with a minute to spare.
We were seen quickly – amazingly quickly. We had two choices: 2 surgeries or none. The 2 surgeries would have included one to place a positioning plate and the second surgery to remove it later. Recovery time – 10 to 12 weeks. The surgeon told us the break would heal and would take almost the same amount of time, doing what we’re doing now, with NO surgery. The only difference is cosmetic – he’ll have a knot where the break was on his shoulder. He told the surgeon “he was old and didn’t mind getting uglier” so we will continue what we’re doing now, making him as comfortable as possible and letting him heal. The doctor said sleeping in our recliners was probably a really good thing until my husband can get up and down by himself without so much pain. He will get a follow up x-ray and see the surgeon again at the end of February.
My husband isn’t happy about the long recovery time, but he’s delighted that he will heal without surgery. He griped about my driving on the way to the appointment, but subsided after I bit him verbally. I just asked him to consider riding with me a character-building exercise, and to remember that I don’t say a word when HE’S driving, even when he scares my hair off.
Our doctor appt was so early that our mail hadn’t been delivered and the trash was still down at the bottom of the driveway when we got back. I’ll make a trip for groceries in a bit and will check those two things again.
We are relieved. This could have been a lot worse. We have agreed that in the future, we will just leave our trash in our garage, waiting for our driveway to clear, before risking anything like this again.
Filed under Challenges
On the Way to the Surgeon
Even with the ice storm (the bulk of which seems to have missed us, thank goodness), we were able to get my husband’s shoulder x-rayed yesterday. They prescribed pain meds, cold packs, a sling, and we have an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon this morning at 0-dark-30. The x-ray showed a broken left clavicle. We’ll know more after the surgeon sees us. At least we should be able to control his pain better now while we find out what is next.
Filed under Challenges
Covering Up My Head
Suffice to say, this is an awful day. I have a call in to our primary care doctor, asking if they can take an x-ray of my husband’s shoulder. We got about an hour of sleep last night. He is in pain.
The ice outside makes it so that we can’t get to Fort Smith to the ER even if my husband would agree to go. He HAS agreed to go to the clinic if they’ll take the x-ray.
The schools are closed due to the weather. The clinic won’t open until 1pm. All my appendages are crossed that they will call me back, tell me they WILL take an x-ray, and we can GET there and get him more help than I’m able to give him.
Filed under Challenges
Oops!
Well, it got above freezing. We drove the trash down to the place in the driveway where we have the trash can. I got out and started to roll the trash can down. I immediately started slipping badly. My husband drove on down to get the mail, then stopped to get out to help me, when he saw I was having trouble.
I waited, but he didn’t come. I kept creeping down, inches at a time with the trash can. I finally got down to the street and left the trash can. He had fallen and was trying to get into the truck. He made it back inside the truck just as I made my way over. His left foot had gone out from under him and he fell backwards, hitting his shoulder. He almost couldn’t get into the truck. He insisted he could drive, so we drove down to the church, turned around with lots of pain for his left shoulder, then made it back up the driveway and to the house.
I had him take some aspirin and got him settled in his chair with the heating pad wrapped all around it. I got him a drink. He’s watching TV and I just checked on him. He was holding the heat pad close to his shoulder. He says it feels a bit better.
We should have driven all the way down to the road, then he could have gotten the mail while I tried to walk up for the trash can. Shoulda – woulda – coulda. Now we’re supposed to get an ice storm starting tonight-into-tomorrow. We’ll just stay up here until further notice – until we can get wherever we need to go without getting out of the truck on ice, assuming we can get down the driveway in the first place.
Did I tell you I’m ready for spring?
Filed under Challenges, Mother Nature, Seasons
Matt Pearce Art
I’m drawn to Matt Pearce’s paintings for several reasons – I love barns and other old buildings; I love his use of color; and I love the texture.
Matt Pearce Art - @MattPearceArt on X
Filed under Matt Pearce Art, paintings I love
creativeartworksblog 