In my Studio
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson.
It has felt soooooo good to be back on my blog. Sometimes topics just flood my mind endlessly and then other times I’m all dried up! Being away from it with little to no connectivity made it pretty impossible for me to really do much while I was away. The good part about that was, I was in the here and now, visiting family and friends with little distraction.
While I was away I received a message from someone newly diagnosed and was tapping away on my iPhone to respond as best I could. I was able to do that at least. Those are folks I never like to leave hanging, as it takes a lot for them to reach out to a stranger in those darkest moments.
I am finally working with a trainer. As many of us know, we caregivers have just as hard a time keeping ourselves in good shape as our patients. We can bark orders and direct them to better health and often we fail to take our own advice. I turned into a blob right along side Dave through all his treatment. I’ve been angry with him for not getting his physical body back in shape and decided that I just needed to let that go and stop using it as an excuse for me to not take care of myself. Luis is an Olympic trainer with a degree in kinesiology and a competing weight lifter. I have worked with trainers before, but never one with a kinesiology background, nor an olympic trainer. I am very impressed and he is working me hard and I’m so happy. Dave even started inquiring about him, which is a great sign. I asked Luis if he came to people’s houses and worked with what they had and he said “yes!” So take a moment and give me some hopeful support that Dave will reach out to him and get his butt in gear. It’s the last frontier for him to conquer and should relapse occur he needs to be in better shape than he is. My daughter, Montana is very proud of me. She has been harping on this for sometime, “Get a trainer, get a trainer, get a trainer!” So Dave and I have this running joke since his cancer ordeal. Because he works too much and travels often, and I feel sometimes neglected… I will say, “Oh, hey, text me when you land so I can send my boyfriend home.” Or, “That’s OK, my boyfriend said he would take me if you couldn’t.” So I told Dave, “I’m getting in shape for my boyfriend.” He in turn will often call on his way home and say, “Tell your boyfriend he can leave now! I’m on my way.” Or “I’m going out to dinner with vendors so you can go out with your boyfriend tonight.” It’s a fun little banter we have instead of fighting over his long work hours.
So I have a few more photos I wanted to share from my galavanting around on the East Coast. Click to enlarge any of them.
Montana handling a support call at work
Betty Colson (Friend & 'Nanny') and Montana at breakfast
Ms. Colson, Dave & Montana
Father/Daughter Stroll in DC
I used to live in that corner apt on the top floor of the brick building "Bingham Arms" when Dave and I started dating back in the day.
Where we celebrated Dave's graduation from Cornell University, with my family in Binghamton, NY.
I had to send this to Hudson (my Tree Arborist Son). One guy cutting, one guy picking up and 3 guys watching!
Opening Day Party at Camden Yards. Could smell the beer blocks before we got there!
Baltimore Horse Division, Camden Yards Opening Day
Trying to hang with the young people! Montana & Me.
Me & Brian, a young man I have known for years. He used to dive with Montana on the US Diving team.
L-R, Nephew Drew, Hudson, Shannon, Me, Montana. Early 90's at Virginia Beach. Found this in my sister's collection of photos.
Hens taking a Dirt Bath while the Roosters stand guard. At the farm.
Oh Karen! Pick up those brushes! I know how we can let our own pleasures and fulfillment languish. And of course artistic endeavors are precious to me. I often tell people Art is good for the soul and it has nothing to do with whether you are any good at it or not. It is indeed the joy of the process.
YAY!!!!
good move, lori, getting that trainer and focusing on you after all the years of what you’ve given to so many others. i bet once dave sees how well i know you are going to do, he’ll jump right on board! loved this post – i can “hear” the enthusiasm in your “voice”! i am so very happy for you that you got to have such a wonderful trip, seeing beloved faces and places, and being infused with a sense of renewal and joy. your inner vitality is so inspiring – really a gift that is able to makes us all aware of how precious life is, and that we should reach out and grab onto whatever can make us happy and fulfilled. i am a painter, but have not picked up a brush in 3 years. silly, really, because i love the process, sometimes even more than the finished painting. i want you to know that after reading this post, i’m hauling out the easel and paints and having at it – and i can’t wait!
love and warm hugs, dear friend