Day 11, Photo 11

The view today...definitely not a masterpiece of a photo but it's what I've been seeing a lot of today. I've been flat on my back, in bed literally all day. It's a first for me. I've never been that sick before. But the pain is so great when I'm up at all that we opted for me to lay low (haha) today until I could see my doctor tomorrow. We were even able to move my appointment up to a little earlier in the day. So that's good.

I've never been this incapacitated before and I *don't* like it at all! It's amazing all the things you can think to do when you're unable to do any of them. I can't even sit up to type or work on my computer! So the phone keyboard is as good as it gets at the moment. Here's hoping that tomorrow's appointment is the beginning of all this improving! Though, I have to admit, I'll be surprised if an additional hospital stay isn't in my very near future... Sure would like to be wrong on that one!

Day 10, Photo 10

We made it home from a very fast trip to NY. Much too fast really and that was largely my fault for being sick. I feel bad about that even though I know I shouldn't. But I thought of this photo on the way home and thought I'd try it out when I got here. I ended up rather liking the result. It's of an old piano in the basement that was here when we moved in. It's terribly out of tune and unplayable and no one could figure out how to get it out of there so it came as part of the house...LOL! Anyway, turns out, it's fairly good for photographing.

I have to close now because I'm in terrible pain and need to lay flat again. :(

But had a great time in NY and wouldn't have missed it. I even have a new younger sister! That makes me really happy. :D

Day 9, Photo 9

Oooooooooooohhhh, such a lovely color, isn't it? Ok, so people are telling me today that they like me on pain meds...hmmmmm...what does that say??? Anyway, saw loads of gorgeous snow photos on our way over to NY today but wasn't able to stop to take them. :( So, I had to invent a different photo with limited time and resources to choose from. So, here it is!

I actually have to say that I *do* love the color and think this ended up as an interesting abstract. I won't say what it actually is, maybe it's obvious. But guesses would be fun!

Day 8, Photo 8

Not my best photo ever, but I've liked these light designs on the wall for awhile now and in the absence of something else, it seemed like a good choice for today. No, I didn't cheat, I actually took it today after getting home from the hospital...even though, no, I didn't feel like doing it. But inspiration is sometimes just continuing to work on things, right?

So, that's it for today folks. I'm hoping to go to bed soon and feel better. :)

Another bonus pic!

A bonus picture today! C'mon folks, you've gotta be careful about how you dispense those medical gloves (and no, I didn't fix that up!...Kim???). Anyway, with interesting shots at least somewhat limited by being on meds in the hospital, this one was too good to pass up. Steven spotted it first and it made us both smile. :)

Day 7, Photo 7

Zzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzz...all I want to do is sleep right now. Poor Kim who drove in to sit with me in the hospital has me SLEEPING thw whole time.

Guess I need it. Don't think I've slept this much during the day since I was an infant.

OK, so this really isn't an interesting pic but there are only so many options while you're in the hospital! But this is the closest thing to a real meal I've eaten (or attempted to) in a few days. So that's something, eh?
Literally dropping the phone falling asleep now so will close for now. Till later, enjoy the pic of good hospital food. :)

Day 6, Photo 6

OK, so a new adventure. I'm trying to sound together even though I'm not...in fact, my doctor just sent me to the ER. Complications from the medical test yesterday. So, I've just been through triage & am waiting for a room. Looks like they'll be admitting me overnight. A first for me.

So, in keeping with that, the photo of today is the ER sign. Not maybe the most original but props for still posting one, right?

I'm awfully grateful that my family doctor is on call this week so she'll be walking with me through this process, so to speak. She's awesome and knows the whole story of what's been going on healthwise with me, and I consider her a friend. Wish me luck with this adventure...

Day 5, Photo 5

OK, so today was kind of a day from hell. Had my medical test & it was grueling...I'm completely spent and wrung out.

BUT! I managed to take a photo anyway. Proud of me? So, this is the view of the ceiling at Fletcher Allen Hospital while I was flat on my back for two hours after my lumbar puncture...the first step of many in the test gauntlet today.

So, even on a crazy day, a pic is posted. That's happy. :)

Though, I'm feeling truly awful at the moment (physically), I'm awfully grateful that I was able to have the test done and for such good health providers. So, off to chillax & recover for the night till the test resumes in the AM. Remember, I'm radioactive! (no, really...the nuke med team said I actually am!)

Day 4, Photo 4

OK, so sometimes you have to see the art in your ordinary path of life. So the day was progressing and I wasn't sure if I was going to find a pic I really liked. Wow, a struggle at day four. Already. Could be because I'm a little nervous about my medical test tomorrow but that's an entirely different story.

So, I saw this structure and realized that it was actually very interesting. I'm trying to keep my camera with me more often (as a result of this blog :) ), and decided that this would be the photo of the day. So here it is, a rather interesting mix of indistrial design and winter vines. Hope you enjoy. I ended up rather happy with it.

Day 3, Bonus Picture

OK, so today was a blast. We had a bunch of friends over, ate AWESOME soup (thank you Steven!), great salad and bread, lots of fun conversation, Vicar of Dibley and The Hangover. All in all, a perfect day and exactly what we would consider "church". :)

So, I figured, if you're not going to share the fun stuff too, what's the point in this blog. I love the artistic stuff and enjoy the finished product but life without friends and family (and friends who are family) isn't much of a life at all. So in my effort to chronicle this search for life again, this pic may be much more important that many of the other.

And, I'm still doing it all with the pain.

But I'm doing it, nonetheless. An accomplishment in itself.

Day 3, Photo 3

Ahhh, so here it is, 9:33pm and you were just starting to wonder if I wasn't going to get a photo posted today, right? C'mon...you know you that worry flickered across your mind. :)

We'll you'll be happy to know that once again, I took several photos today. We're having a HUGE Nor'easter hit; I have no idea how much snow is down but our dogs now entirely disappear in it so it has to be 24" or more. So, this picture is was taken this morning, before coffee, right after being awakened to see the largest snowflakes Steven or Cindy had ever seen. (Wouldn't you know that by the time I dragged my bum over to the window, it had gone back to regular flakes...but I digress). Having said that, I still like it - a lot in fact. I'm a fan of the abstract lines and the almost monochrome tone...all entirely found in nature! There's a sense of calm and chaos together.

But, I made it. Haven't missed a day yet...what an accomplishment. OK, so three days is hardly a marathon but we're almost 1% through 2010 already. Wow.

Some random late-night musings on life

I think I'm coming to the conclusion that life is a process, a mess, an imperfect state.  And to constantly look for perfection will lead to nothing but frustration.  The cliche that "it's all about the journey" really is true but maybe with an additional caviat: there is no destination.  You never actually "arrive", it's constant change, moving.  I'm trying to learn the value of "some" - doing a little bit is better than doing nothing at all.  Often, I find myself not doing something because I don't think I can complete it but doing a little, several times, will eventually accomplish the task.  


So, I support the challenge is to remember that life is a beautiful mess and that perfection is an elusive, unattainable myth.

Day 2 Photo 2: Saying goodbye to the holidays

Well, here we are. It's January 2 and we're all forgetting to to start writing out "2010" instead of "2009". Yes, I have to admit, on my photo post yesterday, I had to edit because my husband pointed out that I had said the photo was "taken today, 1/1/2009". Oh, well. A year-long habit takes a few days to break, right?

So, I kind of figure that the holidays are officially coming to a close. I suppose I really consider this weekend the "end" so to speak and instead of doing a photo of what seemed rather obvious to me today (some outside snow pic of the Nor'Easter that's already starting), I wanted to do something that would allow me to say goodbye to the holiday season, which I really love.

I may end up sharing a couple of the other photos I took this morning in addition to this one but I'm trying to force myself to choose one that I feel is unique in some way. (We'll have to see how long I can hold out on that resolution!). I think I'll call this one, "Self-Reflection during the Holidays". I like the fact that it is, indeed an unusual self-portrait and an interesting way to let go of the holidays.

Now, hopefully, I'll be able to keep motivated and take down the Christmas decorations shortly. I'm feeling the need to try to stay ahead of my usual procrastination and make this one more "baby-step" in figuring out how to do this thing called life.

Wish me luck. :)

Day 1, Photo 1

OK, so here it is, photo number 1 taken today, 1/1/2010. I have to admit to loving macro or semi macro photos and creating textures. An almost Jackson Pollock take on the concept that the whole image is the subject rather than one (or more) specific points. It was snowing off and on today and this is a photo taken of the tree in our back deck (yes, actually growing through the deck...wasn't our idea). Part of my goal is to expand what I see as a potential picture and find images in the unexpected. High and loft goals - and this is only day one!

New Year and a challenge for me

So, to be honest, I was thrilled to say goodbye to 2009, it was a rather awful year and one I definitely wouldn't want to repeat.  Like most people, I've been taking stock of my life, myself, hopes for things to come...I guess it's pretty much a given at this time of year.  I began making a list of things I'd like to do, or try, or at least start to do and of course, I fear it's longer than anyone could reasonably do.  But I'm going with the "baby-steps" principle and attempting a little bit of it.  Without knowing this, my husband came in today and out-of-the-blue said, "Rae, I've got a blog for you".  This was really the last thing on my mind at that moment but I was interested to hear anyway.  He said, "You should do 365 days of photos...post a photo a day for the next year".  Well, I was intimidated and intrigued at the same time.  One of the things on my New Year's list is to do more photography and this would be a way to try to motivate myself to do this.  So, I'm scared to put this in print out in the wide open, but here it is.  At least one aspect of this blog will be to post a photo a day for the 365 days...a whole year!  The trick is, it has to be new photos taken on that day.  I'm gonna try for it.  Barring horrible unforeseen circumstances, I hope to make it.  They may not all be masterpieces, in fact, I'm sure they won't be.  But I'll be a richer person for the effort and maybe it will be one of the "baby-steps" that helps me find life again. :)

New Year, finally!

OK, so here

50 Mostly Random Things That You Never Wanted to Know

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, I guess there weren't any people my parents liked enough at the time.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Today

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Depends on which handwriting I use, it kinda morphs.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Hmmm, lunch meat isn't my favorite but smoked salmon (lox) on a bagel with garlic herb cream cheese is divine.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Really long story...

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Hard to say, I mean, we'd have so much in common and be so alike. I wonder if we'd argue a lot?

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Afraid so.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, definitely not. I hate (rather despise!) the feeling of falling.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Something with cocoa, preferably one that's organic with evaporated cane juice so I don't feel so guilty about it.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not if I can help it but my winter boots demand it and I have another pair that I don't want to risk stretching out.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Basically, anything with a chocolate or coffee base. Preferably with more chocolate in it (pieces, chips, chunks). Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk is great (though the white chocolate chunks diminish it slightly) and so is their Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, Mocha Chocolate Chip in all its variations is likewise fantastic. Now, I'm really wishing we had ice cream...

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their "vibe" and body language.

15. RED OR PINK? Must it be asked? Red, no contest.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? When I feel like I can't really be myself

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My kids.

18. Favorite accent? Outlying areas of the British Isles (Cornwall, Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland), Irish, Indian has a nice lilting quality

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue, brown.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Water running in the sink, my dog snoring.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Lime green or red.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh ground coffee, the air after a summer rain, my husband's neck.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jill.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes, I like all of them (I've been sent it several times). It would really be horrible, however, for someone to find out via this question that the person they sent this list to *didn't* like them - kinda like breaking up with someone via text.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? The Olympics, both Summer and Winter (I know that the Olympics themselves aren't a sport but I like to watch Olympic sports.)

27. HAIR COLOR? Brown

28. EYE COLOR? Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Indian, Mexican, a good Steak.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I love mysteries (particularly British ones) but I hate horror flicks. I do enjoy a happy ending but not all the time.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Torn Curtain

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Yes!

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on who from...

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Something with chocolate, other calories seem a waste in comparison. And not cake.

37. Historical person you'd like to meet? Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Pope John Paul II, Lydia Prince, Ghandi, Agatha Christie, Saint(s) Patrick and Columba. I know there are many other riviting and worthwhile people who I've always wanted to meet but my brain has melted and I can't think of them at the moment.

38. White walls or colors? Colors, no question.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I started Cold Comfort Farm online yesterday but it's missing more than half the book which was disappointing, also picking my way through another book about organization and getting rid of superfluous junk.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR desktop? As little as possible plus a file I haven't bothered to create a permanent home for yet.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Vicar of Dibley, As Time Goes By

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Russia.

45. DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL TALENTS? This question makes me think of a 3rd grade talent show. I mean, who *really* wants to know that I can wiggle my ears and little toes, say "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" backwards and still do the splits three directions?

46. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Just bring 'em on!

47. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? He was speaking at my church.

48. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY? Christmas!

49. A favorite place outdoors? Someplace with water or mountains (the ocean or Lake Champlain are fantastic)

50. 3 words you like? egalitarian, terpsichorean, tyro