ARRRRRR, It 'Twas A Jolly Good Month!

It was one of those joyful, eventful months, 

full of autumnal days which occur even 

more perfectly in memory than in life.

I didn't do much painting this month, except for the past

 week, when some Halloween images were just begging

to be released from their alcohol inky backgrounds.

Paintings inspired by the season. Email Sandy@SandySandy.com for purchase info.

And WOW! I didn't expect this award from the Alcohol Ink Artists Group on facebook. 
I'm touched and have never won a medal before.
☺

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, 

finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 

sermons in stones, and good in everything." 

~ William Shakespeare

See price and specifications here.

When witches go riding and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,‘tis near Halloween.

From "The Birds" / 1963 Horror film

"I think we're in real trouble. I don't know how this started or why, 

but I know it's here and we'd be crazy to ignore it... The bird war, 

the bird attack, plague - call it what you like. They're amassing 

out there someplace and they'll be back. You can count on it... 

Unless we do something right now!"

See price and specifications here.

Here's a short explanation of why you haven't
seen many blog posts from me lately . . . .

October was a month full of fun and excitement here at The Sandarosa.

It started off with my parents' two week visit and our annual art event here at the studio. Then my sister, Gaile, from Florida, visited in the middle. And our friends, Dorrie and Dave's visit topped off the end. There were so many laughs, games, celebrations, great food, day trips and adventures along the way! 

Cap'n Happy and Scallywag Sandy Celebrate The Season With Piratude!

ARRR! Cap'n Happy an 'yers truly was out spreadin' the Piratude and celebratin' the season this year at both Harrah's and Borgota Casino parties in Atlantic City! The costumes and decorations were phenomenal.

I've got lots of photos taken over the past month on facebook here. If you can't see them, send me a friend request.

I hope you are enjoying your fall season too. 

Happy creating and remember to enjoy the little things!

HUGS

X ♥  O

Happy Father's Day!

"When I was a girl of fourteen,

my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand

to have the old man around.  But when I got to

be twenty-one, I was astonished at how

much he had learned in seven years."  

~ Author unknown

I am so grateful to still have both my parents here.

My dad has always been there for me, in good times and in bad. He has bailed me out with a helping hand when trouble hits and has celebrated my successes when few others seemed to care. I am the oldest of four siblings and like with most kids, it wasn't always smooth sailing. As time goes on though, our father/daughter differences have become less, as our bond grows ever stronger. Thank you so much for all the love and support you've showered on me over the past half+ century, dad! I love and respect you dear father, mentor and friend ~ with all my heart!

Here are some recent photos of my dad, 'Big Al' Sandy.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DAD!!

And to All Dads Everywhere!!

X ♥  O

 

Gypsy Gold Neighs In The Dark ~ Sold

"Gypsy gold does not clink or glitter. 

It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark."

~ Irish Proverb

Gypsy Gold

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SOLD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Today's horse painting is the Yin, negative (black) female of yesterday's Yang, the positive (white) male. In these pieces, with expressive brushstrokes, I've tried to interpret the flow of chi within the equine's body. The Yin Yang symbol, with a dot of the other color in each, suggests that there is always a trace of the other present in any situation and nothing is ever entirely Yin or completely Yang. To me, this relates perfectly to living with and caring for horses and without a doubt, to the art of riding them.

"My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder
He carries me away from all my fears
And when the world threatens to fall asunder
His mane is there to wipe away my tears."
~ Bonnie Lewis

A Lovely Horse Is An Emotional Experience ~ SOLD

"A lovely horse is always an experience.

It is an emotional experience of the kind

that is spoiled by words."

~ Beryl Markham

A Lovely Horse SOLD •

A Lovely Horse

SOLD •

Here's one of today's paintings for all you horse lovers out there. Horses were never just a phase for me. I share a bond with them that I will never outgrow. I bought my first horse over forty years ago when I was fourteen. My parents told me that if I saved enough money to buy my own horse, and payed for all its expenses, I could get one. At the time, I don't think they knew just how serious I was. I saved two years of babysitting money and bought my first large pony, a 14.1 hand Arab cross, Cocoa. Since then, my love and obsession for them has just continued to grow stronger. They are, always have been and probably always will be a big part of my life. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Follow my new "Horse Crazy" board on Pinterest.

You know I'll be adding more to it frequently!

Wishing you all something to be passionate about!

Hugs and Nickers,

& Rudy & Rita 

“What these horses do for us is incredible.

They become part of our family.

They really change our lives.

It is a sport we choose because we love it

and it is a sport we choose because

we also love the animal."

~ Eric Lamaze

Chased Home By Hurricane Sandy

We got chased home from our SANDY Family Reunion in Virginia a day early by Hurricane Sandy! Quite ironic since the whole "Al SANDY Family" planned a Birthday / Halloween / Site Seeing /Reunion this past weekend in Williamsburg Virginia! It was the first time we were all together since 2008. Even though our trip was cut short, I am glad to be back safely in New Jersey! Many of the roads we traveled from Virginia last night are now closed. I just heard they are experiencing snow and blizzard conditions in North Carolina and Ohio. It's just crazy!
 

Jerry got everything secured on the home front over the weekend.

Rudy thinks it's great. He loves the rain.

I had to call him in at lunch time.

He is warm and dry under his waterproof blankie.

If it gets too nasty, I'll have to lock him in.

Jerry's making sure the paddocks are draining as well as possible.

No need to close the other horse  in!

Princess Rita remains high and dry in her stall.

We sprung a leak in the barn, but so far Hurricane Sandy has been very kind to us.

Emergency conditions prevail in our area and all along the Eastern and now central part of the U.S. We have heard from the township, cable company and the electric company to expect outages. I am trying to get this out as fast as possible. It is blowing and raining like a bear!
Wanted you all to know we are fine and I hope you all are too! I never thought I'd be living through a major hurricane named SANDY!

Stay safe! 

X ♥ O

A Visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

"Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us. " ~ Roy Adzak

Mom, Bro-in-law - Brent, Sis - Denise & Dad

These photos were taken last Thursday at The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Dad, Me & Mom

Among others, we all enjoyed the Impressionism Galleries while waiting for our time slot for the Vincent van Gogh Exhibit.

Monet's Water Lilies and Footbridge

This is one of my favorite pieces, by Impressionist Painter, Claude Monet.

Dad and Mom Viewing Impressionist Paintings

You are allowed to take photos in the museum without a flash. The light in the museum is extraordinary, so in most areas, it is not necessary to use one.

Me Viewing One of Thomas Eakins' Paintings

Thomas Eakins was a eminent Philadelphia painter and educator, well known for his portraits and large canvases.

It was a wonderful family day and it felt great to get out of the house for the first time since my accident. I'm not counting my hospital stay and a couple of visits to the surgeon's office, of course. Hopefully the cast comes off next week. Then I get the boot! YAY!

Two Trips to the Barn

I went out to the barn twice yesterday. It was not a casual visit however. When Jerry got home from work, he said Rembrandt was pawing and looking at his sides. Of course I went into hyperactive, protective, doctor mode. I told Jerry to lunge him, which he did. He came back about a half an hour later and reported that Rudy had passed some gas and manure and was feeling much better. A half an hour later, my dad came in and said that he had gone out to check on him and my beloved horse was laying flat out in his stall. Dad said that Jerry had gotten him up and was lunging him again. I knew that he had colic and I had to get out to the barn to see him right away!

Rembrandt and I at the shore in 1991.

My dad brought his car around to the front of the house. Using my walker and crutches, I got into the car and he drove me around to the back. When we got there, Jerry was lunging Rudy in his paddock, but my dear 32 year old horse was barely moving. 

"We've got to take him out to the riding arena where he has more room and can move out", I said. Again I hobbled from the barn back into the car and my dad drove me around to the edge of the arena. We positioned the passenger side window so I could bark out my orders to Jerry and my precious horse. It was raining now. "Take his blanket off. Move in closer. Keep your line neatly coiled. You'll need to walk small circles so you can keep your whip close enough that you can tap him with it. Keep him trotting! Tell him he's a good boy. Don't let him walk. Keep going!!" After about 40 minutes, some more gas was passed and a small bit of manure. The horse seemed relieved, so we put him back in his paddock and went back to the house to eat dinner. At 9:00 we all went back out to the barn to find a very hungry, alert pony. I gave him a few small pieces of a banana which he inhaled. "No dinner for you tonight, my love", I said. We got his blanket back on and locked him out for the night. I wanted him to move around and didn't want to take a chance of him laying down in his stall again.

The morning reports were that Rudy was very alert and hungry. They say he's sore from all the exercise, but seems to be doing very well otherwise. (Big sigh of relief here. . . ) Jerry closed the gates to the pastures last night to keep both horses off the new grass and has agreed to lunge my old buddy for at least twenty minutes this afternoon.

Thank goodness my parents are here to help! What a blessing they and all my friends and family have been! They came last Wednesday night in their motor home and have been a big help with caring for a one legged invalid, the house and the horses. If my dad hadn't found Rudy in the stall when he did, the situation could have easily gotten a lot worse.

I love this picture of my mom and dad, having a beer in Nova Scotia in the summer of 2010.

Welcome to my world. Here is where I spend most of my time now. My butt is so sore!

The studio has been made more handicap accessible. I have a couple of tables that Jerry modified so I can fit the wheelchair under them. (This table has origami projects on it. :-))

More and more hummingbirds are arriving here everyday. I really don't know the numbers, but we have six feeders out now!

If you want to find out how to attract your own hummingbirds, go here.

Again, many many thanks to you, my friends! Your comments, emails and get well wishes really brighten my days!

The Slow Recovery Continues . . .

I had a doctor's appointment today. This is my Physician's assistant, Ryan. The x-ray on the monitor is not mine. Mine is more symmetrical, with more plates and screws. 

She used this power tool to cut off my cast.

Surprisingly, the instrument cuts through the plaster, but supposedly doesn't cut the skin. It felt a little tingly when she got near the incisions. I think my face told her when to back off.

 

Here Ryan is taking the staples out of my ankle. I really don't know this foot. I have always had such slender ankles.

Here is my cute surgeon, Dr. Rick Romando (on the right) with one of his foot and ankle associates.

Jerry took me out to the barn after our appointment. He took a few snaps. I love the look of concern on Rita's face here. I can just see her wheels spinning. Now what the F... is going on with my mom?!

Friends and Family to the Rescue!

Jerry and I went to our first post-op appointment at the surgeon's office on Tuesday. Getting me into a vehicle was quite a time consuming ordeal and included using a wheelchair, walker and crutches. I have since become more coordinated in the chair, but maneuvering and closing doors to keep my Tigger cat out of the studio (he chases Princess) can be tricky. Tigger is still either scared of the leg or mad at me. Also could be jealousy, because I know he would love to take Princess's job away from her as my private duty nurse. Jerry said that after I fell, even when I left in the ambulance, Tigger wouldn't come up from the basement and just kept crying all night. Poor guy. I sat and watched TV with Jerry in my recliner for the first time for a little while last night. I was happy when my buddy finally came and curled up beside me. He even let me pet him for the first time. He's such a sensitive guy. 

Brother-in-law, Brent, got me this nice chair from the Elk's Club to use as long as I need it.

Seeing the foot with sutures and the X-rays with all the screws, plates and wire for the first time on Tuesday was shocking and emotional. With 5-6" sutures on both sides of my multi-colored somewhat misshaped ankle, all I could think of was that it looked like something from Tim Burton's  Corpse Bride. My handsome young surgeon has assured me that it looks very good and it's all going to be OK.  He says I will be able to walk fine and ride again. All I can say is, I'm glad to be living in this age of modern medicine! Years ago, I would have had to be in traction, probably for months! Me in traction, really people, can you just imagine it!?

Poster artwork © 2005 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Five years ago, almost to the day that I first fell off the ladder, on  March 23rd, 2007, Rita pitched me into a tree while riding out in the Wharton State Forest. I broke my arm - the head right off the humerus. No, it wasn't humorous, but I was fortunate that it was my left arm and I carried on pretty much from the beginning, almost in normalcy. I could still paint, sit at the computer, feed myself, get around, go outside and visit my horses, (whom I now miss terribly). With a shattered ankle, it's not that easy. Yesterday I spent the entire day alone, in bed with frequent waves of tears and depression. I felt so uncomfortable, helpless and immobile. Everything hurt.

Today my sister, Denise, came over. She has been an angel, helping me maintain a somewhat respectable level of personal hygiene. She helped me get cleaned up and washed and styled my hair. She reorganized the studio again so I could work at a table from the wheelchair. She fed me lunch. Most importantly, she  talked some sense into me. "We are not Human Doings, we are Human Beings", she said. "You've got to try to relax. Contrary to our upbringing, you don't have to be doing something all the time!" Those words really woke me up, changed my perspective and hit home. I think I turned the corner right then. 

On Easter Sunday, Jerry found these items on our front porch. I believe they came from my drum circle friend, Lou, but as of this writing, that is still unconfirmed. I am so thankful for all the numerous emails, cards and encouraging phone calls. They really go a long way to keep me in a better frame of mind.

These Native American items are reminding me to relax and connect to the Universal Mind.

With the support of my husband, friends and family, I now know that I can get through this. Jerry has been a saint; taking such great care of me, the house, the cats, all the wild critters, the horses and his job. My blacksmith came to trim the horses' feet today. While Rudy was being done, I watched Rita from the window. She kept running out of the barn, listening and looking up towards the house for me. It was the first time I wasn't there with her for the farrier, but Jerry said she was very good. Poor Rudy was awfully stiff though and had a hard time lifting his legs. I usually lunge or ride him two or three times a week to keep his old bones moving. He starts off stiff, but works out of it quickly.  The exercise really makes a big difference with him. It would be nice to find someone who could come and lunge him for me a couple of times a week. 

My parents are coming up from Florida next week to assist. Bobbie and Nan have stopped by to help with studio reorganization, housework, meal preparation and general spirit lifting. I have talked on the phone to local and long distance friends and family everyday. My friend, Irvane, has sent me a greeting card brimming with love and encouragement every single day this week!

Bobbie vaccums the studio while I helplessly look on.

On Wednesday, I was really blown away by a very unexpected and welcome surprise that came in the mail. It was from one of my favorite blogging buddies, Robin Larkspur of Wiccan Writes.

A "Horse Trivia" book and a "Beautiful Origami" kit with instruction book from Robin.

These thoughtful gifts were accompanied by a touching card and a very encouraging note. The horse book is delightfully entertaining and the origami set is just fascinating. I am "chomping at the bit" to get started with it. 

The stork sample looks like a hummingbird to me. (Still no signs of them here yet.)

There are so many interesting creatures in the 80 page origami instruction book! This completed stork came with the kit. I'll probably start with one of these.

Look at all the pretty papers to choose from!

With fifty sheets of beautiful paper, maybe I can even convince some of my friends to come over and try some origami with me! Hey if you are local, give me a call, I'll be here.

Considering our early, warm spring, I'm surprised that I have not seen any of my hummingbirds here yet. Jerry hung two feeders from the studio porch, positioned so I can see them from my bed. I am almost certain my little "Yard Dog" will be here this weekend. Last year he showed up on April 14th. I will sound the bells and spread the word when they arrive! Please think of me, and pay attention to  what you are doing. Be extra careful and have a SAFE and enjoyable weekend everyone!