Sunday, February 26, 2012

Where I (Stand?) Sunday

Maybe you will see a different boot next Sunday, as this one is not working well...very uncomfortable, pushes on the wrong areas of my ankle...sometimes I feel like James Caan who is being beaten with a sledge and wooden block by Kathy Bates in "Misery".
Trying to find lots of variety of things to do. My friend Leann, sent me a cool book that she made for me, part journal, part puzzle, part sketchbook..it is very fun. 
I bought this engineer's sketchbook online last year...thought I would get busy doing some pencil work in it for now.
What is cool about it is, it has gridded pages...easier to use for symmetricals like elipses, etc.
I thought I would use some magazines for source and create some ads and photos into a drawing here...
Using these to make this..
not done yet...having trouble staying with anything for a length of time...pain meds do that I think.  Anyway..weather is changing out there, I can see it, and in the days ahead I actually want to experience it some more.  Really a balancing act to work my camera, sit on my laptop and juxtipose my art stuff here..I have a new appreciation and understanding for the disabled. My actual standing on my foot won't happen for another 4 1/2 weeks or so...can you imagine?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Where I Stand Sunday

A little fancier look...but the days go by - all in the same way for the most part.
I now have some impetis to draw, the sketching materials are at my side.
I am in front of the TV that has the DVR...yea, no commercials!
Thinking of freeze framing some shows to sketch portraits.
Since I am not a 'big box watcher', this is kind of a novelty right now.  It will wear off soon.  Some of my faves - Comedy Central (laughter is the best medicine of all), Halogen and of course TLC, HGTV, DIY, History Channel, Food Network and throw in a few HBO specials and movies and I am good for quite awhile.   Phone calls, comments and nice cards arrive daily - thanks.  I have a long way to go on this journey.  Knowing you care makes it a lot easier.  Best idea we have had ~ that we didn't realize, buying two Lazyboy recliners last year.  Who would have thunk what a perfect set-up it would be for me - at this time.  Watching "Concrete Canvas" right now...amazing! 
Keep checking back, maybe the excitement and some new energy will pick up soon! 

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing.
Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on.
There are several others who also write this on Sunday, see sidebar.




Thursday, February 16, 2012

Update

Surgery went OK - says the surgeon. have to not put weight on my foot for 6 weeks now...i have dreams that i am sleep walking - crazy! trying to to look at it as a loong time, any other time, i can't believe how quick time flies, so it will. When it's all over, my bu€€ will need a rest from sitting on it for so long...ugh!!
i have good home help - DH is the best!! thanks for comments...I will cherish each and every one, as long as it's not spam...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Where I Stand Sunday

(left leg elevated on pillows)
Welcome to my view of the last four days.  On Wed., it was cold and icy outdoors.  I had been on the backporch in my slippers watching the dogs do their morning thing.  G had gone to feed the chickens later, reminding me that it was icy right out the backdoor, on my way to work...knowing this, I so carefully and gingerly stepped on the mat at the door, which as near as I can figure, broke loose from the ice, sent me flying.  I felt my ankle twist - seeing (in my mind what I was feeling) it twist similarly to those NFL replays of football ankles twisting to the side the wrong way. Once I landed, I KNEW without looking and was afraid to look thinking I would pass out...laid there for a second...as my future several months flashed before my eyes.  Started screaming in pain...took a look, to see my left ankle dangling from my leg bone. 
Now we live in the country..and at best, you are on your own if you want things done quickly...so the 'crew' at the elevator were summoned and between three guys I was quickly placed in the back of the Jeep.  I called 911 from my cell to tell them I would be arriving at the ER in a short 8 miles.  From there it's kind of a blur. 
Broke two of the three bones you can break in an ankle break.  They had to put me out to 'reduce' the bones back into their socket...no 'bullet biting' for me.  Was sent on to a specialist in Kearney, Ne. and hour and a half away.  They said they wanted the swelling to go down before they 'plate and pin' it ~ surgery tomorrow...in Kearney, with what is deemed one of the best sports med/orthopaedic doctors going in the area. I tried to upload the X-rays, but couldn't find where I could copy or save them on the disks we were given.  The doctor drew a picture, maybe I can scan it later so you can see. 
Pain?  Yes, unbelievable!  I can see a long recovery here.  I am determined to do everything I need to to get back to having a normal gait after it is healed. They say that is the only way you will get it going unless you want to walk with a limp or cane.  Not me! 
I think my busy life has been put on hold for right now. Only one focus - to get this taken care of.  I hope to get back to painting or some type of art, as soon as I can sit up without the swelling going on. 
That will be awhile, but please check back.  I have my iPad in the bed with me.  I would love to hear from you.  I need some cheering....
Thanks to Kelli, Don and David for helping take care of me while G and I struggled with this unexpected emergency - there are such good people in the world!!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

An Oil Painting for Today

"Blue Sunshine"
10" x 20"
oil on wrapped canvas
Done with this one.  It will be entered in a car art show that is a ways off, starts Labor Day, in Russell, Kansas.  I am going to do several car paintings ~ periodically throughout the coming months.  Going back to the site where I photographed this one to nail down the year (1950?) of this Plymouth...Deluxe Special? - gotta make sure.  I think my dad had one - light green when I was little.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

On My Easel

Reaching out of my comfort zone and painting something very different for me these past two standings at the easel.  It's good to photograph and post these paintings to get a sense of what needs work and what needs correcting...I see a lot! Not even close to done on the left half of the painting yet.
 ~ Work in Progress ~

Where I Stand Saturday..

Changing it up a little - where I stood today. We have snow!  After a mild winter and many warmer than usual days, we finally have a couple of inches of white stuff and much needed moisture for crops!

Adventures in Pyrography

 Last year about this time, I purchased a cheapo woodburning set and some little wood pieces and tried my hand at woodburning.  I made a few...