Happy Father's Day to My Dad

This is my dad and me a couple of years ago.  Through the years, my dad has been the strength of my family.  He is always a giver. If ever I benefited from a role model, it was him - someone who I have been able to look up to, admire and emulate in honesty, truthfulness and fairness.  A farm boy who moved to the city to be something other than his roots...which weren't bad roots...he and mom just wanted a different life and he found a successful and happy life therein. Through the years, I have been so supported with his love and understanding.  I am so proud of him.   

Thanks Dad - Love you and Happy Father's Day!

Another "Where I Stood" Moment for the Week

We were RVin this past week and were privvy (really?) to a hellish hailstorm just west of Norton, Kansas at Prairie Dog State Park (yes, there are prairie dogs there).

The sky was so yellowish/blue before it opened up with this size hailstones.

Very minor damage to the RV and few little dents in my Jeep which we pull behind us.
From inside the RV, it sounded like baseballs were hitting us.  Luckily some of the trees beside us lessened the impact.  Other's weren't so lucky.  One rig had a large part of the top of a tree fall on them in the unbelievable wind that accompanied this storm.  If your trailer was aluminum, there was some damage for sure, as was neighbors the other direction.  Afterward, the sun was setting and the horizon let the sunshine through. There was a hint of a rainbow as well.  First rain for us in a very long time.  Got up this morning and there was a little more rain at home.

Upon returning home, I went for my weekly ultrasound on my knee, massage of my ankle and recumbent bike and weights workout.  Ashley (my P.T.) wrapped some areas that need help on my leg with 'Kinesiotape'.  It lifts the skin off of the surface, so blood can flow in areas it might not be flowing as good.  I like the blue color and the design on my ankle/foot area.  The hardest part is keeping it on, after sleeping or showering.  It stays put if I am careful and that's the idea, to leave it on as long as possible, usually two or three days.  During our trip, on Wednesday, I felt like I didn't even have a broken ankle...a limp...or any issues (for about 2 hours).  It was wonderful!  But didn't last long.  I will take what I can get.  First time, since it happened, that my ankle area didn't have pain of some kind.  Supposed to have more of these times..although, today is not one of them.

I would give anything to walk with sandals or barefeet,

but my footbones are not up to it yet. 

I do a few steps in a shoe, without any brace on.  It is scary, but feels liberating.

Three Little Girls Portrait - WIP

Still a long way to go...but got the faces and a little bit of the hands goin' today.

It's been one of those afternoons, where I make a brushstroke and then 5 to correct it.  Ugh...painting a 'muliple likeness' is a goal...but will it happen?

I don't like the littlest one's face - it was the last one today..so therefore, it will be first next time. I think I get blinded or tired and can't see what I need to see.

So...brushes are cleaned for tomorrow.

This is where I started the other day..

Where I Stood

Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska - neat place - S.E. corner of Nebraska..go see it if you get a chance - it's like a fairy wonderland.

RV campsite - very wooded...very enchanting noises at night.  Come with me on a little car tour....

I love trees making a tunnel over the road.  Very different from the landscape just 20 miles from here ~ much less a few hundred miles.

Tree roots grow right out of the high bank along this road.  Bright light on the bank is sunlight through the trees.

I can imagine our dachshund (RIP) Hasty Herman, headed right into this hollow to find out if anyone's at home.

Lots of Lewis and Clark history and French and Indian history can be found here.  This is the mighty Missouri River.  Hard to imagine L and C taking their boat UPSTREAM ...pretty powerful current.

(DH)

There was a great walkway/deck area along this 'living history drive'. I could actually go out on it - hobble/hobble - (mostly flat - no stairs) and photograph this part of the Missouri River Valley. 

This river flooded in this region last year. There were a lot of houses destroyed

and silt fills the croplands in the lower areas.  I know this because I took a day trip to KC to visit my dad and viewed the area as I crossed the river. 

Sorry NO FEET photo.  It is the same - only jumping on one foot up and down the RV stairs - or scooting 'down' off the stairs on my butt.  I was able to help with dog walks a little bit on this trip.  At least Chaco, the red doxie, will (at times) walk along slower with me plus I have strength to overpower a lunge after a squirrel or ??...the weimaraner?  That's another tale and requires the strength in two legs (and then some).

Where I Stand - Finished Pastel and WIP Oil

"Catching Grasshoppers"

20" x 24" framed pastel

This one is done. Had some more work to do on the girl on the left.  Her face WAS the same value/color as everyone else, even though her face was in shadow.

Changed a few minor details.  This one will hang in my house.

Started another one - again with my grandaughter and my two step grandaughters.

It measures 20" x 20" and is being done on wrapped canvas.

Just the rough in at this point, a long way to go.

Everyone of us took lots of photos of this pose...as we got them to tighten up their cozyness, you can tell it was almost at the end of the fun.  It's the first time they had met.  I love this photo, it's so 'vacation-y'.  We were in the Colorado mountains.

No photo of my feet - it's the same.  I am reaching the top of the hill, where I can almost see the other side.  Physical therapy and massage - are SO helpful and welcome.  Most days I can see and feel improvement, although if it's the day after PT, I am usually so sore and still have that 'broken ankle gait'. 

But the next day after that is GRRReat!!

Don't be Chicken

I have turned this...

into this...

See these at my Etsy shop HERE.