Check out the gallery section for some new greeting cards. Here are a couple examples:
Thanks for listening!
Check out the gallery section for some new greeting cards. Here are a couple examples:
Thanks for listening!
May everyone have a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Thanks for listening!
A white breasted nuthatch often travels upside down on a tree trunk. This bird has very strong feet, one for gripping and the other to stabilize. This enables the downward movement, allowing it to see and catch the “big bugs” not seen by most birds. The nuthatch I painted came from photos taken in Concord MA while visiting a treasured friend. The desire to paint the nuthatch came from the wish to hold on to a joyful memory.
It also fit with my feeling that the world has turned “upside down”. Not so long ago I was reading books like the following: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey; Live and Learn, and Pass it On by H. Jackson Brown Jr., and Chicken Soup for the Soul, by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.
Where have all of these positive forward-looking books and beliefs gone? Covey’s book promotes “The Character Ethic” which includes the following habits:
Maybe rereading these books is a way for me to turn my personal world right side up again. After all, unlike the nuthatch, I don’t need to catch the big bugs.
Thanks for listening!
I wish all near and far a joyous season and a Happy New Year!
Thanks for listening!
The front of our 2016 Christmas Card
December marks a special time where kindness to others is focused on more than usual. In that spirit I wish only good things for you. Seasons Greetings! My artwork for 2017 will be filled with children doing the joyous, magic things that give us hope. That is how I plan to keep a positive outlook.
Grand-dog Gilly playing with a Christmas bell
2016 has been a long year! 2017 could prove even more difficult when facing a Trump presidency built on bullying. As a former school teacher, I have spent countless hours educating students to demonstrate positive behaviors. Many after school hours were spent practicing self control skills with children who hadn’t mastered them. I have been thanked by former students who said social skill instruction proved crucial to their success serving America in the military. As an instructor, my biggest challenge was helping bullies lose bad habits and demonstrate positive behavior. Now America has elected a bully ( definition: a blustering, browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker.) I will not debate any of the reasons Mr. Trump was elected, but even those who voted for him know he shows patterns of bully behavior learned when he was young. He stands as a role model for our children who represent all of our hope for the future. Most Americans are wonderful role models for our youth. We must be even more proactive and vocal especially now when the message passed on from the top is that it’s acceptable to bully those who don’t look and think like you, or disagree with you.
To all I wish you joy and promise to treat you as I want to be treated. You don’t have to agree with me to get my respect. Your behavior earns it.
Thanks for listening!
Our youngest grandson Gabriel turns four today. Wishing him a wonderful day. Gabriel views the world through a unique lens!
Thanks for listening!
After months of bad news including biopsies, surgeries, recovery, setbacks, etc., a birding adventure seemed in order to help force the healing process.
In search of bluebirds, hummingbirds, and jays, Steve and I set out for northern California and the small coastal town of Mendicino. Some of you may remember Mendicino as representing the fictional Cabot Cove in the TV series “Murder She Wrote”. We stayed at the Hill House Inn, a quaint hotel also featured in the TV show. This friendly hotel has the most beautiful, hummingbird-friendly gardens I have ever seen. (Thank you Ms. Toni, the gardener)
No bluebirds in sight, but as for hummingbirds, Stellar’s Jays, and and barn swallows, we saw and photographed hundreds! It was awesome.
I observed, sketched, photographed, and painted both Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds. They posed on lovely plants and fed from a broad variety of flowers. For five idyllic days I wandered the gardens feeling the magic flow through me. Mental healing began. As this post is titled: Whatever the problem, birding is the answer! As I write this blog post I’m back in the real world, well on the road to full recovery.
I had already planned a July demo – “Watercolor bluebird painting”. This painting portrays a bluebird originally photographed some years ago by my husband. In remembrance of my father Albert, who’s birthday was July 14th, I perched the bird on a small china pitcher. I chose this pitcher because the backstamp represents several emotional connections with my father: “ROYAL ALBERT” ties to his name, “ENGLAND” is a place beloved by both my parents, and “FORGET-ME-NOT” because anyone who knew him, never will forget him.
Thanks for listening!
As I worked on this new card, I thought of my friends and family – the great support system that keeps me going through thick or thin.
As we used to say when we lived in Texas, “Thinking of y’all”.
Thanks for listening!
Hear the word “cancer” from your doctor and you feel instant terror. Visiting the internet to do research can turn the toughest person into a terrified child. Especially when you look at the pictures.
Not a scary cancer picture
15 years ago my Dad told me he had cancer, and my terrified inner child surfaced. Two and a half years ago when my 29 year-old daughter called to share that she had melanoma, my inner protective mom rose up, mixed with that terrified inner child. Thankfully my daughter is now cancer free.
My daughter, a melanoma survivor.
Now it’s my turn. I have several instances of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), with surgeries scheduled next month.
As a teacher I feel the need to educate others on the disease. Basal cell carcinoma is the most curable cancer. It grows slowly and doesn’t spread to the blood stream or lymph nodes. It is not generally life threatening, unlike melanoma. What is a bit scary in this “looks conscious” world: BCC damages tissue as it grows, leaving scars. Surgery can exacerbate the scarring resulting in disfigurement.
This April I saw a dermatologist because a rash-like spot on my side began to hurt. This spot had been present for more than a decade. Years ago a GP physician in Texas told me it was nothing to worry about. I should have gotten a second opinion from a dermatologist. Chalk it up to human nature… we often hear what we want to hear, and avoid investigating further.
The silver lining for me is this: I finally got a diagnosis, and good information from a dermatologist. I have a BCC above my eye, on my side, and on my back. Also several pre-cancers around and about. I thought the spot above my eye was a pimple. Who knew?
The following information is not to scare anyone. It is presented to educate those who, like me had no idea what BCC looks like. This information is excerpted from a pamphlet on BCC provided by the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org). I strongly suggest that you consult a medical professional for additional information.
What BCC looks like
BCC appears on the skin in many shapes and sizes. You may see a:
If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, immediately make an appointment to see your dermatologist. Tell the person who schedules the appointment why you want to see your dermatologist.
With skin cancer cases increasing every year, sunscreen and hats should be worn consistently as we enjoy the great outdoors.
I’m nervous for my upcoming surgeries. I’m also confident that thanks to the support of my friends and family, and state-of-the-art Mohs surgery (see literature) I will ultimately be fine.
Thanks for listening!
A friend living a healthy active life, taking precautions due to an incidence of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Wishing everyone a Easter!
Thanks for listening!