Red or purple? Fascinating

Oddly enough, I find myself in the hat trade, apparently an old family talent but not related to moi. Just for fun as are all things art for me, I made a dear cousin of the Dude's a Fascinator for her birthday. She belongs to that elite ladies club, known as the Red Hat Society. True to form I did not know what I was making, how to make it, nor what was trending in the RHS. Happily,I rifled through my eclectic selection of artsy stuff and did my thing. She liked/ loved, let's say was fascinated by my offering and requested 8 more. Big pause here for 4 surgerie,6 months of no movement,absolutely none, like a fucking statue period and home IV to slow me down. Back to the hat thing......8 to make, did not take pictures of the only one I ever made and now find myself in a pickle. More are wanted. I live in the Hawaii of western Canada, its summer so companies a comming. Hoping, nay committed to fulfilling all the RHS needs, I have set a deadline for August 31st. Call me a dreamer......DREAMER!

Mojo and other magic

WhoRah, I have found my Mojo! It was here all along. It was I that was missing and not my love of Art as I had thought. It was sitting in the Studio waiting for me and was discovered in watercolor and paper. I always said I would only paint a babies story for my own grandbabes but was asked to do one for my Angel Sister- in-law,Rita for her first grand baby, Liliana. Rita has my heart and will be granted her every wish if it is in my power. "Liliana Comes Home",became my first large piece since my world changed 3 years ago. I spent long, happy hours painting Praying that the book would be finished for baby Lili on her first birthday. Many mistakes were made and corrected but I managed to finish in time for her big day. Strange how you start by helping someone and end up being the receiver of the favor. This is going to be a year of connecting, remembering, experimenting and just plain playing with paint. And that's where the magic cones in. Got my Mojo back, WhoRah!

Believe, Trust and be in this moment

6 months ago, I was scared for loosing my life, my time with my man,my dear daughter and my precious Grands. I trusted the strong belief of my girl that if I would live in the moment,drop my lifetime habit of making short and long term goals and see and believe that my dream of being in the home and life of my family was going to happen. Today is the day it comes together. The Universe is generous and I am grateful and filled with love for this moment. Peace out.

Is it still Art?

My question to you Dear Readers is: if you are in a total brain and body fog and excitedly yet fearfully decide to paint, will the resulting random smudges be considered an artfull endeavor? In November, totally under the influence of prescribed 3X a day IV drugs, I thought I should paint. Resourceful being my middle name, I had for some random reason in late September,brought up from the studio my traveling Art Caddy. Three days later Staff and Septisemia entered my life and 5 months of sitting, laying and no weight bearing began. I was ridiculously happy when I saw my Madonnart Art Mobile, still covered in Rubber Poet Art stamps. I call the 37 postcard size watercolor paintings.....Madonnart's Shaky Period. I sent them to dear family and friends only....as Christmas Cards, and as I had prayed they were recieved with positive acceptance. Pictures soon.

Dreams do come true

I am so humbly grateful to the Universe. Six months ago, I thought I was not going to live, then I thought I would loose my left leg or never be able to bend my knee. My reality was terrifying and I shut down.Thank God the family arrived....the strong, sensible, positive thinking women, I love completely. My amazing, generous Sister in law, Rita and the bright positive healing force of my daughter Laurie. They kept repeating to me. What you believe will actuallize. I was going to survive, get strong, be ambulatory and travel to vist the Grands in Edmonton. I leave May 7th.

No thank you

Still working on the "ME" theme. Diligently looking after my skin and moving on to feet. I have a bit of a foot phobia. I am a Capricorn and we tend to repeatedly injure our feet. For example I dropped my Sunbeam mixmaster on my foot and have many more stories of painful foot wounds. This is my supportive evidence as to why I hate Pedicures. I fear and dislike someone handling my feet. It is not "a Spa pampering experience" for me it becomes my personal hell. Friday 9:30 am Pedicure booked!

Easter thoughts

If your goal today is to dwell on the positive, best skip this post as once again the anniversary of my youngest daughters death has come around. This year marks 25 years since her sudden death on April 15th 1990, Easter Sunday. The pain has never lessened, just the method of handling it so it is not so obvious to others. This kind of event makes people uncomfortable. Yes ,I am so grateful for the 19 years, I was blessed to be her mother....still am her mother..."While I'm alive your mother I'll be". Remember Richard Scary and his beautiful little story. The years have brought me wonderful gifts; 47 years with my high school love, a closeness to my daughter, Laurie, she is my heart, my life, my sustaining joy, and the loves of her life her gentle husband and dear children. But.......I still get angry, sad, and lonely on April 15th, Easter Sunday in 1990 and ask Why? Why so young, why wasn't I there to save her, just Why God, Why?

Next

The skin care movement, now going into its 3rd week is still a pain in the ass. Does anybody really enjoy doing this twice a day or is it in the same category of emptying the dishwasher. Anyway, I'm trying to make it a habit. Today,I started another new,"taking care of me,"step. Today I ate breakfast and supper.My intention is to eat 2 reasonably nutritious meals a day. This is new because since October 3rd and the 5 months of treatment, I was unable to tolerate food. I remember begging the Blessed Virgin Mary for some similar problem in my early adult years to get out of the far end of the clothing racks, now I'm a regular at the Boost and Ensure aisle of Extra Foods.I have been basking in the one plus of being sick.....getting into my skinny jeans.Lets see how this plays out.

Taking care of me

My impulse is to change all that needs changing NOW! That proved to be a very unattainable, say it.....stupid goal. Which brings me to this last week where I came to my senses and decided it would be best to start slow and small. Now you are going to wonder ....but starting small to take care of myself began with skin care. I do not joke. This week I cleansed, moisturized and fed all areas covered by skin. I have done it for 8 days....seems like a month.

Student Of Life that's me

The question of "Where have you been", has been raised. Thankyou my one steadfast reader. Simply put, it appears, I was in need of some Rebooting. 6 months later and a story recounted way to many times to do again, I leave you with the condensed version. There was an infection, 5 surgeries,months of waiting around for IV antibiotics to kick in and now there is recovery. The external scars are apparent . It's The internal ones that bear witness to the steep learning curve that took place. lessons of patience, faith, acceptance and the biggest one of all gratitude for the unconditional love of my family and the presence of the undeserved help of very neglected friends...yes another lesson learned. I am in a reconstruction life changing mode.i have made many promices and now must step into the fire of where I have been afraid to walk. The Force is with me and I plan to go forth and prosper. I'm back......again.

Past year a blur

It's been a year my dear ones, since we last sat together over a glass of red and a community Doobie and contemplated our life and the PATH. I survived the most traumatic turmoil since the spring of 1990 and find myself still walking without walking aides, driving not only myself but my King in the souped up 15 year old Handivan, and resuming a semi normal routine berift of friends, travel and debauchery. The family have exceeded all the usual expectations of supporting those in the family in crises and have returned time and time again in spite of my often bad behavior. I am blessed and surprisingly I am loved but without a doubt I am forever grateful.....and you know who you are. Welcome back to Madonnart Studio Blog, I missed you.

The wonder of them

Tonight I sat on the deck in the moonlight with the three of them. My precious girl surrounded by her greatest gift, her children. Tomorrow they will return home, a 12 hour drive through the mountains, back to the little house and the lonely daddy. Tonight I sat on the deck in the moonlight with eyes wide open taking in their beauty, their love for family, their happiness and laughter but mostly their generosity in coming to visit the Grands. Tonight I sat on the deck in the moonlight thankful for what was given us but already missing them.

Mother and Daughter Day Out at Wild Kingdom

And so it came to pass that the mother and her girl resumed a time honored tradition known as "shopping". Lunch was had, coffee purchased and Best Sale Opportunity identified. Together, eyes brightly anticipatory, humming the shopping song they opened the frosted glass door to Wild Kingdom, boasting a 70 to 80 percent off all clothing in store. Mother selected items for her 40 ish baby to try on...... Beautiful Bustiers of satin and lace, corsettes with tight metal like ribs to cinch in the waist and showcase her double D's. sadly nothing really took her girls fancy. We left the store straight faced and seruous to the bone until we got outside, collapsing in laughter.....Good news, Uncle Jim we did find a pink something for Auntie Rita....

Soon

I have not yet reached the painting stage of my organized life.  The new crinkle, husband care, has taken over and until  that resolves or I can't move no art will happen. The earliest window is possibly September when a knee replacement will definitely slow me down enough to hold a brush. And so I dream of cerulean blue, painters gray, butter yellow, and an empty canvas......and my heart yearns and my spirit dims until then...

A year of firsts

The way 2013 started should of said to me armor up Princess and grab a life raft because you're in for the ride of your life. As if loosing a child, sustaining a brain injury causing early retirement and watching the love of your life fight a life changing battle with cancer wasn't enough of a ride for one life. This year so far has provided me with more new experiences then a twenty year old college graduate on a walkabout the world. I realize that you single parents have being doing these things  with the ease of a contortionist turning a cartwheel, it is all new to me a senior in a conventional man on top marriage. To date the last 5 months have taught me to handle house maintenance, ie: install new thermostat, fix washer belt, turn on and regulate hot water tank and outside irrigation and adapt furniture height with a do it yourself book and tools. I have had to learn about house insurance, car insurance, glass insurance, completed both our tax forms and managed to get us both refunds and not pay H and R the usual $500.00 fee. I have muddled through Blue Cross Claims and sold horse equipment and a car. All this was done while recovering from a total shoulder replacement and providing all the care needs for a newly paralyzed very sick spouse. I have been a nurse, pharmacist, mechanic, plumber, carpenter, electrician, gardener, furniture mover and declutterer of more shit then anyone but immediate family can imagine. I am tired......I need a rest......and that is why I have planned a total knee replacement in September......simply for the R and R.......it is the best idea have. Does anyone else have something better to offer?

New title Furniture Builder

Finally the Italian Leather  furniture is upstairs and the soon to be sold French Provincial down. New job is to build risers for the leather stuff....it is pretty low and painfully low for us knee challenged folk. Off to Home Depot tomorrow to get advise and supplies.....yahoo get to use power tools.

Mother Love

B

To say I miss you seems  so small because the unconditional love you gave me has never been given by any other. I really wish you were here now to guide me with your gentle wisdom. Missing you my mommy.

Blind Faith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exen7FC6q1c&sns=em 
Oh to have such a friend,

Struggles of a mean person

We mean people are misunderstood. Is it meanness when motivating, educating, and directing a particularly misguided person or is it Public Service? Thoughts?

Plans

I Need to keep very busy this week. My favorite grandson is graduating and because of recent events I cannot go. But man did I try to get there every which way possible. Lots of tears this week, afterall I delivered the little baby boy and have been there for band concerts, Kiwanis music festivals, his return from far off places and never missed a birthday. It's been a great trip Morgan, thanks for all the great memories. You are a rocket of possibility.....life is yours, all yours, keep me posted .