The Beginning of August

I hope August ends the way it's begun. Between yesterday and today's market, I sold as much as I did all of August 2007. Today one of the smaller canvases was purchased to go to Scotland if you can imagine. Remember how thrilled I was the first time one of my prints went overseas? I'm still just as excited. However, the heat has taken its' toll on me and I'm worn out. I'm feeling much improved, in fact, I begin to think all the symptoms have gone away when they raise their ugly head again. The dry heaves aren't daily anymore thank goodness but they haven't gone away entirely. The same can be said about my feet problems and the ache in my side. The good news is that they are no longer constant; it just seems like it's something I'll have to live with. Hopefully I've satisfied everyone's curiosity regarding my health. :-)

Today I'm posting another little album from the trip last week. I just had to share the little boy with someone. He reminded me so much of my little boys. I took one of him peering through the boardwalk slats first then he turned seeing I had the camera pointed at him. He said, "cheese!" I got a pretty big kick out of that.

This just came through:
Gail Peck:

Thank you for applying to the 35th Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival. We regret to inform you that you have not been selected by the jury. Please check back in February 2009 to apply for next year's show, and visit our website at www.autumnartfestival.com for more information.

I'd not expected to be chosen for this show, now however, when folks ask me if I've been in the Winter Park show I can truthfully say, they didn't want me!

A true crime story from today's paper:
Man kills 81 year old mother by beating with telephone, remote control, and then holding underwater in the swimming pool. What could she have done that irritated him so?

Something good always results from something bad, in this case high cost of oil. Maureen works for a global shipping company so I don't want their business to suffer but it would sure be good if some jobs returned to America. I've always wondered how in the world something could travel all the way from China and cost less.
Globalization Comes into Question

Tangerine Dreams

I decided to turn my tangerine purchase into juice. Can you believe how many seeds there are in these babies? I didn't know before I started cutting them that they were chock full--it would have been a pain eating them out of hand with so many seeds. The juice is delicious and so pretty--a very deep orange color.

Yesterday's doctor visit was interesting to say the least. Bruce arrived a few minutes before me. I proceeded to check in and the wait began. Now, contrary to most doctors, Dr. Everett usually runs very close to on time--at least until he gets a patient like me. At any rate, that was not the case yesterday. My appointment was for 2:00; we did not go back until 3, with him coming in the room at 3:20. However, once he was there, he was very attentive, listening to both Bruce and me. We are back on the track of the autonomic nervous system. I'm going to have another couple MRI's soon to look for any changes in my trunk. In fact I just got off the phone with the MRI tech from the hospital asking if she'll fit me in. As is always the case, I broke down in tears, but, only briefly.

Another poor showing yesterday at my reliable market. No need to re-order this week! I think I may have mentioned that I talked one of the other downtown vendors into coming out there with her beautiful jewelry and stained glass. Because we had so few customers we got to chit chat. I was terribly saddened to learn that she lost one of her children. He died in an accident when he was 16. I've always thought that losing a child must be one of the most devastating things a person can survive. A baby would be hard to lose, but the thought of a child that you have nurtured, and has been an important part of your life for so many years is too horrible to contemplate. Somehow after a year of hibernating she began living again.

I've written my thank you note to the curator for the opportunity to be an intern. I'd not read the intern manual, so had no clue I needed to, but my professor that advises me reminded me it is part of my grade. For some reason this seems backward to me. You would think they would be thanking me for spending my tuition money, and time, to help them keep the doors open. Seriously, they use volunteers to man the gallery admissions desk--there are not enough to fill all the hours. Nevertheless, it is ready for delivery.

Bruce is gone again until Friday afternoon; I woke up at 5:20 this morning to find his side of the bed empty. I never even budged while he was getting ready. Speaking of Mr. Bruce, he is a bit of a curmudgeon in the weeks leading up to Christmas. He has no interest in decorations etc. What I must tell you is that the closer it gets, the more interest he takes. He always buys me wonderful gifts which I hardly know I need, or want, until he gives them. A case in point is a digital camera. For several years he kept saying he was sure I would love one. The problem was that I could hardly see the screen on his, fumbling with it when I tried. This last Christmas he decided he would get me one whether I wanted one or not. Well, you see what has happened with that gift. Two hours of battery charge and I was on my way!

Healthy

If you've some time to read this it might prove enlightening. I've been so busy today but I plan to read it tomorrow. As someone who worked in medicine from the time I was 17 to age 51, I know first hand how medical advice is constantly changing. We'll have to see what a super smart writer from the Times has to say about things. Click on the title to go to the article>

What Can I Say?

The photo of the day is of a marker about a block from the house. I've passed it so many times that it has become part of the scenery, however, on a walk with Baxter, I stopped to read it. It is remarkable to think that where our house is standing used to have quite a history. Speaking of history, did I ever tell you how a few years after we moved to our current home a knock on the door produced a look into the past. A gentleman declared that he lived in our home as a child. He produced a photograph of a new home with no trees surrounding it. Wonderful how gigantic oaks and pines can change the way a neighborhood looks. Our home is not as old as we are, but not far off. Built in 1960, the houses must have replaced an orange grove.

So, I've returned from my visit with Dr. Everett. He said "you look great!" He reminded me again of his concern that there was a yet to be discovered cancer lurking in my abdomen, but because I still weigh 108, he is fear-free. I suggested it was unusual for someone my age to not gain weight, but that argument fell on deaf ears. He has no explanation for the pain, and wants me to just keep going. Well, I have no choice now, do I? I must reiterate to recent readers that Dr. Everett is considered "Dr. House" by his peers.

I managed to stay up just fine for my class last night. I forgot some of the happenings that often occur during the first class, such as icebreakers. After pairing up with a student we did not know and asking them three questions we were charged with introducing them to the rest of the class. Charlie was my introducer; he was nervous when I suggested that we go first. That is always my strategy because then it is all over. Often the first class meeting is weird because beforehand people just sit silently waiting for something to happen. This class was full of chatters from the word go--my kind of people. One reason I took this Intro to Film class was because I'd heard the professor was great. My first impression is extremely favorable.

Tomorrow is speech class. I don't think it will bother me to give speeches, but I know nothing of the professor, and as many of you know, the professor makes or breaks a class. I'm optimistic she'll be just fine.

My dear sister Lisa sent me another sweet card. She really know how to cheer a girl up. Thanks sis.

Fledgling Photographer

My nephew Richard (Maureen's son) and his girlfriend Jen came by the market yesterday with their dog Belvedere. He's a puggle and so nicely behaved. They are a charming couple, Rich has an incredible wit and Jen is full of unbridled enthusiasm. It is always nice to see a familiar face. Jen asked me what did people buy the most. I puzzled over that; it seems as if there is no majority. Here's what I sold yesterday:
A brown sunflower peeking through a fence.
An outdoor table and chairs set against a terra cotta wall that is soon to be demolished.
A peacock.
A pink rose.
Beach chairs for rent.
An architecture piece.
Flowers on a beach.
Hammock lakeside.
And last but not least a sculpture picture.
There seems to be no specific category and that is good because as you know full well (my mom used to say that all the time)I like to take pictures of everything!

Just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water--I got an explanation of benefits (for those healthy souls among you--you don't have a clue what this is) from a visit I made to the hospital in early May. Did I tell you that the hospital for which I worked for ten years sent a collections agency after us for $17.37? Was I ever furious! The bill had already been paid, but posted to a wrong account. Nevertheless my sabbatical from doctor visits will officially come to an end when I see Dr. Everett on Thursday afternoon. Try as I might I have been unable to get well on my own. I know it seems to readers that I can't be sick but the fact of the matter is that I will myself each and every day. Saturday and Sunday were rough days for me and I finally gave in last night, took a pain pill, and went to sleep before 9. It was all I could do to make it through the market.Bruce begged me to let him do all the set up and take down but it doesn't seem right for him to do all the work. I did what I could because it is hell to feel helpless.

Enough negativity. I am a fortunate woman in more ways than I can count!

Busy Day

My geology professor had to judge a science fair today--hurray! I got up early anyway and went to school to speak with a counselor. We discovered the source of my confusion--the audit I was thinking about included two more classes for this semester than I actually took. Matt wisely talked me out of the schedule I had registered for because of my stupid HEALTH! Wow, I never envisioned I would be writing something like that. It's all sorted out now, and I know what I need to do. Algebra test--not good.; a 68--class average was 66. Dreadful test.

It is extremely puzzling to me about flickr. I think I have taken some pretty nice pictures--I know I'm nothing out of the ordinary, but the photo that has been viewed the most--159 times --is of my new Calvin Klein black patent leather heels. Because my feet have been discolored of late, I have on black panty hose, and it's really a silly picture. I stumbled on the fact that there is a contingent of people that like shoes and feet, so my plan is to pander to them.

I took a random shot of Michelle's heels at their Super Bowl party and posted it. The thing is that Bill and Dave, and their girlfriends, are very cute, however, their pictures were largely ignored. It was the shoes that people--over 50--clicked on. It is baffling to me, but I decided to experiment taking shoe pics, and posted a few. Again, the lookers came. I'm now ready to post more of the silly things. I'm hoping one of these days an interesting photo I take gets noticed!

Just got off the phone with the bank--apparently there were attempts to use our credit card on line yesterday and they have terminated my MC--it is the only credit card I own; fortunately, I'm not much of a charger, but it is kinda scary. What's a person to do?