Isn't it great to be outside? Even just a little. on the few warm days that are peppered between the cold rainy ones? The backyard outdoor "studio" is set up and outdoor time is possible. The doggies run to the porch door with excitement to be let out to play in their pen. the cat does too, and tries to squeak out with the dogs, but I'm on to him. Not that again, Theo. When he was young (4 or 5) and still going outside he disappeared for about 8 weeks only to be found starving in a neighbor's locked barn. No Theo, you are staying in by the open window. Sorry pal!
I posted some art classes for kids this summer and have no idea what to expect. Threw a lot of ideas out there and will see what happens. I like to keep busy and remember the long hot days of summer when I was a kid and how much fun it was to have an art class. Washington Park had "Art in the Park" and there was always Jones's uptown, bless them. How they put up with a little kid coming in to buy penny pom poms, chenille puffs, and little glass stones is beyond me.
Am gradually emerging from the uncreative stupor state that has haunted me since this pandemic began. Granted the health situation is still a daily challenge, but I am forcing contact with my art space and confronting my lack of effort head on, and it seems to be working. The ideas never stop coming and the sketchbooks are full...it is just having the energy and focus to bring something to fruition that is the challenge. Still need to complete the final module of the C&G (UK) class -- am not giving up on that goal.
My hands have joined in the arthritis party, symmetrically, and if I don't start using them more I fear the worst. Though I was told that didn't really matter, I am trying to use it as motivation. The Feet have really become miserable with rounded bony protrusions sticking out where my arches used to be, and toes doing all sorts of unnatural throbby things. The pain medication I am on now doesn't do half of what the previous one did, so it is a daily challenge to stay distracted. The trouble with pain is that the more you feel of it, and the longer you feel it, the more fatigued you get, and it is hard to stay distracted by doing something when you are exhausted. Add to it the fatigue from the RA itself, and, well, Dunkies knows to expect me after school every day.
Grateful to have my little pups to cheer me along each day. They are magic. Each has such a strong personality and we have our routines, and I can't imagine life without them. Ellie da Pug is plodding along, stubborn as her namesake, surprising me every day with some gesture or movement. Because of the pain I often don't feel like walking these guys but then I look at Teddie's little determined eyes, and see Finny's dance of excitement, and off we go. I realize I have never felt worse when home from a little walk than I did before. If anything, I feel a little better because of the fresh air and cuteness at the end of the leashes. "Stay active and avoid rest" was the pain doc's last note -- as if I am laying around on a divan all day in front of a tv running soaps. He really doesn't know me. But, what do you expect after two 10 minute appointments? And this is who controls my pain, my life. Yikes.
Am thrilled to have discovered some really great brain food lately in the form of Jordan Peterson's writing and lectures. He is given a bad wrap of being very far right, but really isn't. I love the way he tells stories and weaves in comparative religion, fairy tales, and mythology. Am reading 12 Rules for Life right now and know as soon as I finish, I will be re-reading it again. LOADED with gems. Highly recommended and insightful. Found out that his daughter suffered juvenile RA with joint replacements while very young, and in the past two years he has been experiencing severe health issues, too. Am wondering what gems of writing will come out of this period in his life. It is always refreshing to learn new coping skills as I outgrow the ones I thought were working.
Onward.
I posted some art classes for kids this summer and have no idea what to expect. Threw a lot of ideas out there and will see what happens. I like to keep busy and remember the long hot days of summer when I was a kid and how much fun it was to have an art class. Washington Park had "Art in the Park" and there was always Jones's uptown, bless them. How they put up with a little kid coming in to buy penny pom poms, chenille puffs, and little glass stones is beyond me.
Am gradually emerging from the uncreative stupor state that has haunted me since this pandemic began. Granted the health situation is still a daily challenge, but I am forcing contact with my art space and confronting my lack of effort head on, and it seems to be working. The ideas never stop coming and the sketchbooks are full...it is just having the energy and focus to bring something to fruition that is the challenge. Still need to complete the final module of the C&G (UK) class -- am not giving up on that goal.
My hands have joined in the arthritis party, symmetrically, and if I don't start using them more I fear the worst. Though I was told that didn't really matter, I am trying to use it as motivation. The Feet have really become miserable with rounded bony protrusions sticking out where my arches used to be, and toes doing all sorts of unnatural throbby things. The pain medication I am on now doesn't do half of what the previous one did, so it is a daily challenge to stay distracted. The trouble with pain is that the more you feel of it, and the longer you feel it, the more fatigued you get, and it is hard to stay distracted by doing something when you are exhausted. Add to it the fatigue from the RA itself, and, well, Dunkies knows to expect me after school every day.
Grateful to have my little pups to cheer me along each day. They are magic. Each has such a strong personality and we have our routines, and I can't imagine life without them. Ellie da Pug is plodding along, stubborn as her namesake, surprising me every day with some gesture or movement. Because of the pain I often don't feel like walking these guys but then I look at Teddie's little determined eyes, and see Finny's dance of excitement, and off we go. I realize I have never felt worse when home from a little walk than I did before. If anything, I feel a little better because of the fresh air and cuteness at the end of the leashes. "Stay active and avoid rest" was the pain doc's last note -- as if I am laying around on a divan all day in front of a tv running soaps. He really doesn't know me. But, what do you expect after two 10 minute appointments? And this is who controls my pain, my life. Yikes.
Am thrilled to have discovered some really great brain food lately in the form of Jordan Peterson's writing and lectures. He is given a bad wrap of being very far right, but really isn't. I love the way he tells stories and weaves in comparative religion, fairy tales, and mythology. Am reading 12 Rules for Life right now and know as soon as I finish, I will be re-reading it again. LOADED with gems. Highly recommended and insightful. Found out that his daughter suffered juvenile RA with joint replacements while very young, and in the past two years he has been experiencing severe health issues, too. Am wondering what gems of writing will come out of this period in his life. It is always refreshing to learn new coping skills as I outgrow the ones I thought were working.
Onward.
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