I took these pics early one morning a week ago, hoping they would be indicative of better times. The painterly look of the clouds still thrills me, but then...well, you know last week didn't go well at all.
Several letters have been sitting upstairs in my attic room waiting for me to answer them. Given how much pleasure receiving letters and writing letters gives me, this reluctance is weird. While visiting other blogs, I've been impressed with the quality of work and energy. My energy? Nil, at the moment.
Of course, we all had high hopes for 2021. Unfortunately, political turmoil and increased Covid cases have shattered that dream.
On the positive note, my husband and I were able to get our first vaccination. It was a good experience, smooth and well-planned. Oschner's Women's and Children's Health Center in Shreveport was providing the vaccine to those of us in the (ahem) appropriate age bracket. We made appointments and were impressed with how well-thought out the process was. The staff were so warm and friendly, the process quick and efficient. The shot itself didn't hurt at all, later there was some soreness in the arm, but really not enough to even take an ibuprofen.
Did I immediately feel better about Covid having had the first dose of the vaccine? In a way, but this pandemic is far from over and our area has been hard hit. Many people have taken few precautions and the spread in Caddo and Bossier parishes has been frightening. I feel more confident in one way, but the fact that so many people still don't believe in the seriousness of this disease and can be spreading it to others remains a genuine concern.
Below, mail sent the first week in January. Nothing since then and January is almost half gone! I really need to get busy.
I have had some fun keeping myself occupied with sketching. I don't have the instinct or the gift for drawing that my granddaughter has, but I've never let that stop me. Having watched her practice and improve since she was about five years old, it finally hit me that I might be able to improve a little, too. Old dog, new tricks, so to speak. I got me a little sketchbook and have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Hoping for better days ahead
Those are beautiful photos of the morning sky, especially the first one.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your feeling of apathy. With all that's been going on for the past year (or four years!), I think a lot of us are mentally exhausted. I'm not sleeping as well as I'd like and have finally begun to shut down the computer and my phone a few hours before bedtime. It's far too easy to "doom-scroll" right before turning out the lights, but I'm making an effort to stop. I wish I could believe things will change after Biden takes office next week, but I'm afraid that's magical thinking. So, I'll continue to read, blog, exercise and limit my intake of the national news.
Hooray for the vaccines, though, right?! My mom and my husband should be getting theirs later this month. Since I'm not yet 65 (or 60!), I'm not sure when I'll get mine, but I'm going to push for sooner than later since I'm my mom's "caregiver." Not that she's incapable of taking care of herself, but I figure it couldn't hurt to see if that label will move me up the list.
I'll bet you're having fun with your sketching. We were talking about art with my mom the other day. She's been watching a pottery show (The Great Pottery Throwdown) and says she wishes she had tried pottery when she was younger, but that led us to talking about painting. She used to pain quite a bit, but go rid of all her paints and brushes. We encouraged her to set up a place in her "den/office" and start painting again and guess what? She placed an order for paints, brushes and canvases! I'm so pleased that she'll have a new ("old") hobby to add to her daily routine. You can only read and knit so much!
Yes, here's to much better days.
We are all mentally and emotionally exhausted, aren't we? I haven't been sleeping as well, either. You have a good plan for dealing with the stress. :) The sketching has been fun and good for your mom setting up a place to paint and getting new supplies! Another positive way to combat all of the turbulence in today's world!
DeletePrayers you feel better
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
The Washington quote is spot on for what is going on in America today.
Good to see you posting again. When a blogger needs time away, they need time away.
Your sketches are lovely! It is true, practice can improve drawing skills. Congratulations your first vaccine shot!
Stay safe
Thanks! I'm hoping that I'm getting through some of the passivity and lack of enthusiasm now. The sketching has taught me a few things, and I've enjoyed the practice. :)
DeleteI'm so happy about your sketching-it's so good! Please do keep it up! I also feel what you are feeling - it is very hard to stay motivated with everything that's going on. Fear gets thrown in the mix too... I love what your commentor wrote about her mom getting painting supplies! That is inspiring. My mom is 89 and still painting. Take care, and we love you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra! I'm still hoping to get back into working with some clay and making some more eccentric figures--you have inspired me. Good for your mom to be still painting, now wonder you have had the painting bug alternate with your doll-making. :)
DeleteI've been struggling, too. I think we all have. But I think there are better times ahead - in the long term, at least.
ReplyDeleteYes, the times are forcing us to find some resilience within ourselves. There will be good days and bad days, but we have to keep bouncing back.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos of the morning sky! I think you have to listen to yourself and do what fills you with happiness. So if right now it's sketching and reading then that's what it is. I got your letter by the way - you are so creative! And, that's so great that you both got your vaccine. We're definitely planning to get ours too although who knows when that will be. The news has been just so depressing. Definitely trying to take a break from that and hopefully better days ahead!
ReplyDeleteThe sky that morning looked like watercolors! Glad the letter arrived--things are still a little dicey with the postal service. While some letters arrive fairly quickly, others seem to take forever. Yes, the news has been disturbing and depressing, and I agree, taking a break from the constant doom and gloom is necessary!
DeleteI've been in the doldrums, too, and angry and sad all at the same time. Ricky and I have both had the vaccines. I've had both Pfizer, which I needed because I leave Monday for Virginia to take care of one of my sisters post-op. It's really to be her "go-for." It's my youngest sister, I know she will love telling me what to do for a change. Ricky got his first Moderna vaccine at the V.A. Hospital on New Year's Day and is scheduled for his second the end of the month since Moderna is 28 days spacing as opposed to Pfizer's 21 day schedule. Slightly sore arms were all we experienced, too. I'm glad to see this blog back as it's one of my favorites and helps keep me sane.
ReplyDelete:) You will make a good companion and "go-for" for your sister, and I'm sure she will enjoy having you at her beck and call! Hope her recover is a fast and easy one, Teresa.
DeleteI'm glad you both have been able to be vaccinated. I was pleased the Shreveport/Bossier roll-out has been so much better than in some areas. It was reassuring that Oschner's had such a well-planned system and kind personnel.
Be careful on your trip to Virginia, I know you and your sisters will make the best of things, and that you will be comforted by feeling safe to travel to help out!
It seems that many of us have the blog blues right now. For me I think it's laziness that I've fallen into now that I'm not teaching anymore. My stepdaughter asked me what I do with my days now that I've retired, I told her not much actually and felt extreme guilt. I hate not making a difference anymore in young peoples lives I guess. So I feel like I'm searching for something more meaningful to do other than gym, my gardens, stitching, knitting, walking the dog and books. I think I'd like to volunteer at something, just haven't figured it out yet. I'll get back to you when I do ha ha! That book by the Finnish gal sounds good! I keep of list here on my desk of several of the books you've recommended. xo
ReplyDeleteSituations are always changing. Positive one moment, downcast the next. When I first retired, I started taking tai chi, which was a wonderful way to exercise, make new friends, and feel good. It was a way to move into retirement with something to look forward to and to feel good about. Unfortunately, that isn't a practical idea any longer for most people. Volunteering is another way to feel you are doing good, but that, too, is not always easy under the circumstances. Your year following retirement has been harder than most. Do let me know when you decide, Debra!
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