Sunday, December 13, 2015

Write daily...right!? Well, how about painting every other day?

Oh my gosh...where has the time gone? And my commitment to write daily? Oh well...better late than never, right? Even if it's ten days late. I'd like to use the excuse of busyness, but that's not really the case. I've complained of 'boredom' all month long as I continually work to adjust to a slower pace and retirement.

Hopefully my commitment to paint more often has more staying power. Here is what I"m working on currently.

Holton Poppies


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Irrational fear of the DENTIST!


The dentist is high on my list of irrational fears. Not only the dentist but even the hygienist appointments are objects of dread. One of my teeth needed a filling and so with a great amount of trepidation (obsessed over this past week) I sat in the dentist's chair this morning.

The fear is getting worse although I've never experienced anything extremely painful. I've been attending the dentist regularly (or fairly regularly) most of my life. I've kept regular cleaning appointments and have had done all the work the dentist has recommended. Again...practically pain free (only little pokes when you get a shot) and occasionally jab of pain when cleaning, but really nothing at all to warrant the dread with which I think of having to walk into that office for work to be done.

Jokingly I asked if I could 'smoke a joint' to relax me (after all medical marijuana is legal in the state of Michigan) and the dentist laughed and said he was allowed to dispense something like Valium if I'd like...and of course I could always have nitrous oxide. Well, that would be letting fear get the best of me right, right. So of course, I sat back in the chair and tried to relax on my own with no help from drugs.

Once the work (shot, drilling, filling) begins, I do feel my fear start to subside. Knowing that all I have to do is raise my little finger and the dentist and/or his assistant will immediately try to make me more comfortable if necessary, makes the journey as comfortable as is possible.

One half hour later and I'm home free! The work is done and I'm SO relieved. As I walk out of the office I think...that was ridiculous, I'd wasted precious moments obsessing about this 'piece of cake' visit instead of living my life. I hope I'll remember that next time. Well actually I'm hoping there will be no next time...that my teeth will stay in good shape for the rest of my long and healthy life!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Hey, I'm trying to work here!

After receiving a challenge (backhanded since it wasn't really addressed to me) to blog every day, here I am. I'm excited to have the reason to write. I love to write...look forward to it, anticipate what subjects to write about...but still can't quite get into the blogging mode daily. I hope this challenge starts me down the road with no return.
Georgia trying to entice me to play with her

I think one of the reasons my blog is difficult for me to write daily is because I have no real focus. I seem to write whatever hits my fancy for the day...retirement, work, relationships, travel, dogs, etc. There is no consistency...and some days, I just don't recognize the inspiration.

Then...day before yesterday, inspiration walked right through my door. By accident, I was introduced to a Pulitzer Prize winning writer...Dale Maharidge. He was sourcing interviews for an article in progress and came upon my husband's name in a news article. To make a long story much shorter, he interviewed my husband, stopped by the house for a moment after the interview and proceeded to make me green with envy as he explained his writing life.

So here I am...practicing writing. I know I can't expect to be a journalist without training and advanced education in journalism, but I can practice...and that I will do. Who knows where this road may lead!




Road trip 2021

 A picture review of 2021 Sister Trip. As baby of the family, I’ve committed to visiting my three older sisters as often as possible, before...