Being Grateful..Where I Stand Today...

Boot off...ankle brace taking it's place, one crutch - replacing two.

Outside of some soreness and aching, everything is moving along.

Now all I need is some intensified PT to get it back strong again.

What I am thankful for today...

Almost Standing Monday

My in-laws visited from New Mexico - Easter Eve and Easter.

Standing behind me is a person (my sister-in-law, June) who has broken both ankles, separate times...same place, same hiking trail..the last one required ORIF (open reduction, internal fixation) surgery like mine.  Two and a half years later there are NO signs that she had these breaks or this surgery.  She hikes daily and rides her horse among many other physical activities.  She is my inspiration. I am one of those - "if she can do it, so can I" - people.  It's been 60 days without one 'step' on my left leg.  My muscles have atrophied to about nothing.  We are getting ready to begin the "physical therapy stage" of this ordeal..

and I say WE, because beside me all the way is that guy to my right. 

Love, compassion and understanding are a couple of things, but when care is needed that goes beyond those 'givings'...he has been there ALL the way.  I am talking about the sleepless nights, encouragement when it seems like the sky is falling all around me, helping me deal with pain and daily care, prepping meals, always thinking of me - first - helping me do about everything but breathe....and then reminding me to.  I am a lucky person, for as old as this whole ordeal has become for me, I know it's become twice as much for him - but you wouldn't know it.  I am stronger because I have had his shoulders to stand on.  It's always been that way.  Most importantly, now I am going to work on my own strength, so I can 'pay it back'.

A Visit

As you know, we live out in the middle of nowhere, (gosh I say that alot lately, but hey, we do) but we love company. This is Les (hubster's daughter) and Jake from Denver. They were only able to stay for a couple of days, but we had a great visit and introduced two city kids to this part of the country. Jake is a photographer. Les is a florist for now, and though she achieved her degree recently, has plans to go back to school for another one. It's nice to be surrounded by creative people.

The studio is clean, after my quarterly meeting with NCKAA, and I am ready to do some serious work in it - today! Yeah!

More Paintings for Today

Two posts in one day!
Rare, but it happens, when you have
been out of commission for awhile.
Lots to share! First a pastel, finished yesterday.

"Madelyn" - pastel on Canson paper, 8" x 10"

And then a pastel, started yesterday and finished today.

"Christen and Grayson" - pastel on Canson paper, 8" x 10"

Christen is my cousin, Grayson her son. I liked working with the shadow that was between them. Also to report, she is expecting in November.

Where I Stood This Week

This is to you - who work on your feet all day -
I have been working 10 - 12 hour days and I feel your pain!
I am working at a place where the people are really nice and
they appreciate the good job you do. Rare.
Here I am standing on the packing room cement floor on
top of the padded floor mat.
I've stood here the last 11 days straight. More than I have worked in awhile.

Sunday off, so hope to have a painting to post soon. Yeah!

Here is where I stood last night at my brothers for a dinner get together; Mom, Dad, Eric, Crystal, me and Scott, Will, and Teresa. You can see where my brother was standing again...he's a funny guy! We had fun. We always do! The floor looks funny because I 'photo shopped' out the shine, and I was tired and didn't spend a long time on it, but didn't want you to have the flash shine off the floor blinding you which it was.

This is me, my brother Scott and my dad on Father's Day. Just got these photos off of my brother's camera last night.

"Where I Stand Sunday" (although today it is a little different title today) is posted weekly. It helps chronicle the "journey". Too often we take for granted where we stand and what we are involved in. Used as a "vehicle" for journaling and a glance at "human geography", I; along with several others; note this day, in this way. I invite you to check "them" out, their blog addresses are in the sidebar to the right, to compare and contrast the human events of Sunday in different parts of the country and maybe the globe! If you would like to join in (and I encourage you as it is a great writing "prompt"), please leave a comment below with your blog address and we will note it in our sidebar! Thanks for looking!

Don't Knock It

In my convo's with others, I often hear, "I'm not interested in what people in my past life (high school, college) are doing. I am so 'over' that time in my life," almost as if it's 'uncool' to seek out or stay in touch with your past. Think about it though, people from that era are probably more important to your life, than anyone else, besides your immediate family. There is still much that goes on in your life that is based on that period of living. You formed a lot of your work ethic (or not), how to connect with others in a sincere way, you found out who were your friends and tightly held onto them, as you weren't necessarily with your family anymore, you were flying free, and needing guidance and 'tether' and role models. G. and I still have those relationships, with each other and those who live "away" from us. I feel it is paramount to one's better being, that you stay in touch with those "others". They are your brothers and sisters. G. was able to go to Denver this week, he had a lot of 'stuff' to take care of. He (and I) stays in touch with people from his H.S. and college years. Speaking for both of us; their family, most often, is 'your' family, no different than whether you have seen them recently or not, you have a "history" with them, you care about them. (I don't know, am I generalizing here?) They, also, were a part of your growth into adulthood. After many years, G. reconnected with his friend, and I believe it benefits them both, in ways one can only feel; no words can explain. I wish that for all people. It's seems comforting and it validates much of who you are!

The Beat Goes On

Hot today and windy...great day to work in the fields they say. Summer has begun, right? It sure feels like it now.
I had an encounter with a very "crass" and rude young lady today. Perhaps WE (I don't like saying "generations", but I have to, at this point, get over it right?) were that way, "WE knew it all, WE did everything, NO ONE was smarter than us cause WE were there!!, people over 50 WEre the enemy". (Maybe it was even over 40? That was a long time ago.) Today was all over showing some I.D. at "the store". In this case, there was a bit of "throwing names around" on her part - in small towns it probably should work (lost ID..someone stole it the whole 9 yards, let me call so and so to prove it to ya) and then there is "the law". The Law always wins, at least the law I am speaking of. In some arenas in life, rules are rules and laws are laws, ala Paris Hilton, blah blah. Why can't everybody just get that without being so nasty! See, I am even tempted to say, "I won!" So, no - there were no winners. My heart goes out to younger critters. They really need to get around the block a few more times. Right? Speaking of getting around the block...

Just remember...It takes a minute to meet someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone---but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Thanks to YOU my friends and family, for letting me know you are still there! Your thoughts, pictures, comments and emails are greatly appreciated. You are not forgotten!