A Wonderful Surprise!

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. 

They let you relate to other human beings in a 

way that goes beyond being physically together 

and is often more profound." 

~ Diana Cortes

"Birds & Bees" by Sheila Delgado
Matted 8 x 10" Original Mixed Media

Today I received this amazing belated birthday/early spring gift in the mail from my online blogging buddy, Sheila Delgado. She had asked me for my address a while back and I didn't give it a second thought until this morning when this beautiful original painting arrived at my door! This painting, "Birds and Bees", was one of my favorites by Sheila from the January 2015 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Sheila and I met online a few challenges back and have been communicating ever since. I am so excited to own one of her gorgeous paintings! I have it right here on my desk on a display easel by my computer. It is so nice to have something so special and physical here from her to remind me that our virtual friendship goes beyond the boundaries of distance. Thank you so much Sheila girl! You are loved and appreciated more than you can ever know!

"Flower House" by Pam Schoessow
5 x 7" Original Watercolor with display easel

I also traded art pieces with another dear online blogging friend and received this awesome whimsical original from Pam Schoessow on Saturday. Thank you so much Pam! I adore your paintings!! It also is right here in front of me by my computer, right next to Sheila's. 

With original artwork by a couple of my favorite artists and online friends, I really feel the love and inspiration!!

Thanks to Sheila and Pam and to all of you

for your continued friendship and feedback.

Happy creating everyone!

X ♥  O

30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ Precious As A Pearl ~ Day 10

"Real friendship, like real poetry, 

is extremely rare and as   

precious as a pearl.” 

~ Tahar Ben Jelloun

"Precious As A Pearl" 8 x 10" Alcohol Ink on Gessoed Hardboard email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info.

"Precious As A Pearl"
8 x 10" Alcohol Ink on Gessoed Hardboard
email: sandy@sandysandy.com for purchase info. 

"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6)

This allegorical, biblical passage speaks of not offering that which is valuable to those who have no appreciation for it. I am sure we have all had relationships or circumstances where we feel used and abused or taken for granted. It hurts to feel that our efforts were not appreciated. Sometimes relationships start out beautiful, shiny like a pearl, but somehow they end up in the dirty ole pig pen. 

This painting spoke to me of that rare, symbiotic friendship. It's a relationship where each party appreciates the other and reciprocates equally. It is so hard to come by and even harder to maintain that it may be far more rare and more precious than a pearl.

"The language of friendship is not words but meanings."

~ Henry David Thoreau

“I have lost friends; some by death,

others by the sheer inability to cross the street.”

~ Virginia Woolf

Wow, we are 1/3 of the way through the challenge today!
I am still stretching, trying to use different color combinations, stay abstract , hang loose and give up my control to the inks.

Thanks so much for your comments about my subjects, quotes and your interest in and interpretations of my abstracts!

I really can't thank you enough.

X ♥  O

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!

A Bump in the Road / Bum Knee Leads to Broken Ankle

My bed in the studio with my little nurse, Princess.

"The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude." ~ Robert Brault

Last Sunday night, April 1st, while drying off after my shower, the knee that I had sprained the Sunday before, gave way when putting all my weight on it. I shattered my ankle in the fall. Two ambulance rides and forty eight hours later;  pins, plates and wires were surgically inserted to reconstruct the joint. I haven't seen the X-rays yet, but everyone who saw them said it was just a mess. My surgeon looks to be about twenty years old. He assured me that I am going to be OK, he is older than he looks and that he has been doing reconstructive orthopedics for over thirteen years.

"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult the calendar." ~ Robert Brault

My sister,  Denise, has been a huge comfort.  She brought me food, flowers and even got  me cleaned up today.

I would have been very deep into the dungeons of depression by now if it weren't for my friends and family.  They have been taking such good care of me. I am so lucky and thankful to have such a wonderful support system. Not able to put any weight on the leg, it is going to be a long haul with estimates for a full recovery at six months. But with lots of tender loving care and a positive, healing attitude, I'm hoping to get rehabilitation down to about four.

"I get by with a little help from my friends" ~ John Lennon

Carole King - You've Got A Friend live with  Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Gloria Estafan
Thanks so much to everyone for your kindness and your friendship!
"When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy." ~ Anonymous. 

May the Spirit of Christmas Bless You and Yours

When Jerry was in the hospital last week, we got a Christmas card from friends with this poem enclosed. After searching online for the author, I found several who have claimed it as their own. The earliest published version however, was in 1949, by Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981).  Each and every one of you has had an impact on my life and I want to thank you and let you know that you are remembered and appreciated at this festive time. MY SINCERE WISHES TO YOU ALL FOR A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS!! With Love, Sandy

Real Friends

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "The guy with the most toys wins". Actually, it should be, "the guy with the most friends wins". Study after study shows that having friends is an important stress reliever and actually attributes to a longer, healthier life. In one UCLA Study On Friendship, for example, researchers found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In another study, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%. It's important to make time for your friends and not push them to the back burner, because friends are such a source of strength to each other. We nurture one another and we need to have unpressured space in which we can do the special kind of talk that friends do, a necessary and very healing experience.

Favorite Friendship Quotes:

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."  ~ Douglas Pagels

"Nobody sees a flower; really. It is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe
"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult the calendar." ~ Robert Brault
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost." ~ Charles Caleb Colton

"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."  ~ Lois Wyse

"The best time to make friends is before you need them."  ~ Ethel Barrymore

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."  ~ Mencius

"Best Friends" ~ 16" x 20" Original Watercolor  ~ Sold