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I have made a remarkable surgery recovery when it comes to my knee, but this old body is not returning to the pre-knee problems energy level. I have days when I just don’t feel like doing more that I have to do. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to push myself and get past the fear of possible knee pain. I was able to do close to 8000 steps a day for a week and then this week, I crashed. I am exhausted and on top of that I am having insomnia. It is very depressing. I have a hard time even thinking about being creative.
So, I have avoided blogging, but decided to post some of the positive things I have done since coming back from NY.
I went to STASH meeting and Reva had arranged for an artist friend to come and guide us through painting with acrylic ink. It was lots of fun. The piece up at the top was torn tissue paper that was collaged and then outlined with black ink.
This piece was torn water color paper collaged on a watercolor board and painted with acrylic ink.
She played music for the last two pieces – this one was a jazz piece.
This was done listening to a classical piece.
Here is our art drying on Reva’s deck while we had a delicious lunch.
The next week, I hosted a tour of my studio for area SAQA members. It was fun to show them what can be done in a rather small space.
The most exciting event was a mini Twelve X 12 reunion. Helen, from England was here and Deborah flew up from Texas ans stayd with Kristin. We all went out to dinner and came back to The Congdo for home-made salted caramel ice cream. Here we are, photobombed by Scooter.
I had a piece of silk that was soaked in soda ash before my surgery that I never dyed so I threw some dye on it before it got ruined.
Clay’s mom came from Georgia for a visit and had a great time. One afternoon, Clay, Diane and I went for a boat cruise on the Wilamette. Here we are on our deck one evening.
Last week-end, Mr C and I went to the annual Dahlia festival in Canby. I never knew there were so many varieties and colors.
So, that is what I have been up to. Our 52nd anniversary is on the fifth so we are taking off for a little trip to Bend and Sisters for a couple of days. I will try to be more prompt in posting here. No promises.
So I count: a class (with very cool results–my favorite is the tissue paper with black ink), hosting a studio tour, a little reunion, “throwing some dye on,” a family visit with a boat trip one afternoon, and visiting the dahlias–oh and a week of 8000 steps every day! All in only three weeks? I do get the frustration of not feeling great every day, but seriously… As Sheila advised…be kind to yourself and give yourself a break. And I’ll add–just pamper yourself on the down days. They’ll pass.
Heed what Jeanne and Alison have said about surgeries. Besides shaking off the effects of anesthesia which stays in the body longer than you’d think, it is generally accepted that it takes the body a full year to recover from any surgery. You may not be aware of it the further from the surgery you get, but things are still mending and energy levels in particular will take some time to return to how you thought they used to be. And of course, there’s that thing about us expecting recovery to be a steady improvement with each day, each week. But in reality it is like most things in life, never the same from day to day and full of peaks and valleys. Be kind yourself, give yourself a break!
Some days are diamonds some days are stones, as the song goes … I give myself permission to go at whatever physical pace my aging body tells me is quite ok, and find the mental activities push ahead far more strongly. Like yourself, I have been ‘in recovery’ from several surgeries in recent years. Be realistic and if necessary accepting, and the glass will always look around half full even if the creative output is temporarily down a bit. I believe that creative people like ourselves are not ‘down’ for long – there is something waiting to strike you with inspiration and it will drive you forward again at some time. Be patient – you’re doing a good variety of things in life, Gerry. Enjoy your trip.
I always think that recoverin from the anesthesia is almost as bad as the surgery. It always depresses me for a couple of months and my PT told me that it was common. Be gentle with yourself (I know, easier said than done). Happy Anniversary! It is a beautiful drive from Sisters to Bend. There used to be a fantastic fabric store in Bend that had two floors. The upper floor had fabulous exotic fabrics. I have a love/hate relationship with dahlias. I love their ability to bloom all summer and their variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. But, then I have to dig them in the fall, and when I bring them in as cut flowers, there is always earwigs – ick!!! Have a wonderful trip and have loads of fun. xoxo
Gosh, Geri, at the beginning of this post I was thinking I could relate! Ha! You must re-read it to realize how well you are doing. The low energy thing gets to me, too, but I do find if I get out I feel much better. Obviously you’ve figured that out, much better than I have! I think it just takes longer to get back (or to perk up) after any kind of physical crap that seems to abound the older we get. I think you are doing marvelously for having had surgery. Keep doing everything you’re doing and just accept some days you are not going to feel like doing a million things. And I’ll try to do that, too!