Silver Bella 2008 is fast approaching, set for November 13 - 15th. Last year's event was such a fabulous time and I had the opportunity to meet so many creative and talented women. The classes I attended were so inspiring and I came home with oodles of projects, some I must admit are still unfinished and lying in a drawer-a winter project maybe? I will get to them one of these days, I promise!

I won't be attending this year as my priorities have changed however I am tickled that so many of the great women I met will be in town again. I do hope I will get to see them all! Of the priorities I mentioned, one is to to get my arm back into tip-top shape. No news on that front yet, I still have to see a hand specialist and I think I will need surgery but that isn't a definite either.

We'll be heading to Florida for a vacation soon and I am SO excited, I can hardly wait. We'll be going to see my brother and SIL and it's been way too long since we last saw each other.

My gardens are a bloom with color!

I've recently been struggling with pain in my right hand and arm. It is exasberated by doing anything with my right hand which as a graphic designer and illustrator can be disheartening. I don't believe it is carpul tunnel though I do experience a bit of it from time to time. I've had a blocked vein (feels like a little nodule) near my elbow for at least 12 years now and often when working,when I rest my arm on something, it puts pressure on that spot. I try to adjust this as needed. The nodule seems to have gotten bigger and is tender with inflamation. I believe it is blocking the blood supply to my right hand resulting in some of the pain, the other I think is some form of arthritis.

An injury occured at my oldest son's birthday party (when he was young). One of his friends who was quite a big, sturdy fellow for his age, was rocking back and forth on our oak kitchen chair and fell backwards. I tried to break his fall by grabbing the back of the chair and went down with it crushing my hand between him and the floor. Oak is not forgiving. It took quite a while to heal but my hand has suffered the damage and now from time to time it has started to ache. It couldn't have been my left hand, right?

So, tomorrow I will make and appointment to get the nodule looked at. Years ago I showed it to my doctor and he didn't seem concerned, just said as long as it doesn't bother you don't do anything but watch it. It's one of two I have on my arm.

Drawing has been put on hold for time being. I also belong to a professional organization where I am the editor of the chapter's newsletter (more about that later) and have some concerns as the next edition is due soon and any time spent on the computer hurts (like now!) My hope is that my hand and arm will recover so that I can continue doing what I love to do best.

So I will sign off but apologize for my lack of illustration postings. Posting photos will have to be it for now. I have to say I just love photography and its so hard not to take pictures of such beautiful subjects. Don't you agree?

On thoughts about injuries and recovering from them, it brings to mind an article I read about in the newspaper, about Thomas Auen, 14, of Sioux City, Iowa, a young boy scout who was injured in the recent tornado that killed 4 of his fellow boy scouts while on a camping trip in Iowa. Thomas who is in intensive care is unable to speak because of a breathing tube. When asked by his father if he had anything to say, Thomas took a notepad and wrote: "Lord, together we can handle anything."

What an impression this boy's words left upon me, from one so young but so wise. It is his thoughts, courage, and that sentence, that will stay with me as I deal with my hand and arm. Thomas, you are so right and I thank you.

May God be with all the families of the 4 young boys that lost their lives, the young boys who are still recovering from their injuries, and those boys who walked away from the storm unharmed but emotionally in need, I wish you a swift recovery, I know you are in Good Hands!

P.S. Mother, don't worry, I have a handle on the arm thing and will be fine! :) I'll let you know what I hear after I see the doctor.

For IF's "garden."

Spring is fast approaching and I can't wait to work in our gardens. Last weekend the temperature on Saturday was 65 degrees. I wanted to get my shovel and wellies out and start planting. Right now it is 11 degrees with a biting north wind. I think my planting days are still far off in the distance though one can dream and prepare. I think I'll pull out my seed pots and start there, maybe that will encourage spring to come sooner.

And another, older illustration that fits this theme well, "roots."