I'm missing last year...
the laughter,
beauty...
simply
the amazing things
I got to see and experience.
I got to do things
like this...
And see things like this.
Then there's my sailing friends
and their secret wine storage.
So nice.
The work commute wasn't
bad when
there's this
in front of your face.
(as long as your window is rolled up
and that coal dust doesn't pelt you in the cheek...
it
happens...
every single time...
ouch...
and ick...
and shame on them).
Waterfalls were and still are always a short drive down a gravel road.
Bridges to jump off into the
crisp water were and still are
here and there...
but I don't jump off this one...
I crawl under...
to get to that waterfall above.
I did a lot of thinking
and morning coffee drinking
here. Now it's a bit too chilly to enjoy.
I had a visitor or two.
This...
was and still is my favorite way to
enjoy my time.
It's close.
Like right there close.
Amazing enough I find friends floating out here.
We then paddle into tunnels that go under roads
and lead to winding
tall grassy
marshes lit by the full moon.
Drawing with the moon
is something I find myself doing...
often.
Last year maintained my city life...
and my rural mountain/river town life...
and created a marina life.
That's three in one.
Pretty damn good.
So that's what I'm missing...
but I know it will return along with a plethora of new experiences
that I will cherish as well.
In a work meeting recently...
I was asked how I handle stress at work.
My reply:
I'm just happy I don't have to work and be on chemo at the same time...
because THAT really sucks.
No one said a word.
I either freaked them out...
or perhaps they agreed and just didn't have anything to add.
Because really...
come on...
the day isn't that difficult..
unless...cancer.
Then you have to really get your shit together,
get your foggy mind focused as much as you can,
and make things happen.
Cancer changes a person in big ways.
Very big ways.
It may not be apparent during the process...
but after, in those years following...
KAPOW...
I did discover a nice little spot just for me last summer.
I will return to this space.
And again...
that commute...ugh :-)
This is one of my most
favorite Portland escapes...
discovered it with a dear friend
on a First Thursday in the Pearl District evening...
the art and wine are wonderful.
o
o
O
o
o
o
art...
there's always art...
currently I'm waiting for plaster to
dry over ink washed printmaking paper...
a layer of encaustic wax is next...
it's a 3 x 4 ft. panel.
o
o
o
o
a favorite song from last year...
with an interesting video...
