Hello?

Anybody out there?

I know I've been gone a terribly long time, the place has grown moss and cobwebs.

My life took over and my time wasn't my own. It was The Summer Of Healing.

So here are a few hightlights: My 15 year old son had scoliosis surgery...that's his new titanium rodded back in the upper left hand corner. It was a BIG surgery, correcting a 68 degree curvature. And he's doing great now! Nine weeks of rest, mom's attention and cooking, acupuncture and lazy (according to him incredibly boring) days and he was able to do a 9 day backpacking trip with his school. He only carried 25 pounds, but he did it. He's back to be being on the rock climbing team and running a mile in under 8 minutes. Ah youth! My 20 year old daughter was home recovering from a bout of Graves Disease which is hyper-thyroidism. That required mom's cooking, attention from mom, sleep, rest, acupuncture and a calm life - the exact opposite of what she gets in New York City. And she's doing great! In August we helped her move into her first city apartment (with 2 roommates) and she's healthy and happily back in The City and school. We completed the new house landscaping which took about 6 weeks longer than expected. I had mariachi music in the back and blaring classic rock in the front...for weeks. We rescued 6 baby bunnies from the back entrance just as the concrete guys were about to put in the back steps...and safely delivered them to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary. We escaped for some mountain hiking which I was finally able to do after 15 months of dealing with hip bursitus. Whew! Oh and we just had a 100 year flood in Boulder, which gratefully did not impact us personally. Double whew!

Before I set sail on The Summer Of Healing, I traveled to Sweden at the end of May and did a workshop with Camilla Engman, that's her in upper right hand corner. What a wonderful artist and human being Camilla is. She will get her own blog next time, but you can preview her work on her website and on her blog.

I did escape for one creative day in July with The Makerie and have written about it on the Two Hands Paperie blog, here. And speaking of Two Hands Paperie...I'll be teaching my Finding Your Voice - Introduction To Visual Journaling there next Saturday, October 5th from 1 - 4...

...you can check out the class description and details here. I would love to have you join me.

Before I leave you to start working on my next Sweden post, I will leave you with one of the most inspiring Commencement speeches I have heard. It speaks to all of us who follow a creative path, in whatever capacity we do. Enjoy it and be inspired...it's worth your time. It feels good to be back.

 

Comments

[Gwen Delmore]

can't wait to see more about the workshop in Sweden! I love her blog, thanks for the link!

[neva]

good news in the world! you're hiking, your good care has your son running, your daughter back happily in 'the city', bunnies saved, house high and dry, and ..... teaching again next weekend.
brava, bella! .... you have "your bottle", with more to come. all the best, neva

[Gill M]

What a summer Fran - glad you have all come out the other side stronger and wiser. Looking forward to seeing posts about your trip to Sweden. Did you do a travel journal while there? If so I hope you will post some pictures over on the Travel & Art site.

[Kylie]

What a lot you've been through his summer! Such a testament to your love and strength as a family unit that everything worked out well! Cannot express how much I loved the YouTube clip too - thank you :) Kx