Month: June 2015
Wordless Wednesday, June 10, 2015
National Cancer Survivor’s Day
National Cancer Survivor’s Day
Today is National Cancer Survivor’s Day ~ the first Sunday in the month of June according to Google. So I found it appropriate to write today as I am also a cancer survivor ~ breast cancer in particular.
I want to honor those who have endured cancer, those who have passed already, those who are enduring the ‘Big C” and those who may be diagnosed in the future. Most of us have had cancer rear its ugly head in our lives directly or in the lives of loved ones and we have been touched by its tentacles in one way or another.
Cancer as with most illnesses changes the lives of not only the patient, but the friends and the families that it touches. It changes us all in ways we could never predict. Cancer can strengthen the bonds of love or it can destroy them. …
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Weekly Photo Challenge – June 5, 2015
Vivid
Writers Quote Wednesday, 2015
In 1979, June was designated as Black Music Month. In recognition, this week for Writers Quote Wednesday 2015, I chose to share a quote and the music from one of America’s jazz legends, Miss Billy Holiday.
Part 3: My Blogging Break – Hubby’s Hospitalization
(Links to Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series.)
During my blogging break, Hubby and I were blessed to spend quality time with our two granddaughters who were visiting from Wisconsin. They were the distraction we needed to release some of our tension and anxiety as we awaited Hubby’s surgery scheduling date.
Hubby’s Medical Condition
More than seven years ago, Hubby was diagnosed with, Trigeminal Neuralgia, a very serious chronic pain condition. Despite different health care interventions and prescribed medications, his pain levels elevated to the point where they were no longer tolerable.
Hubby felt his only remaining option was the Microvascular Decompression Procedure, “an invasive brain surgery offered to patients who are in reasonably good health and are not to advanced in age.”
Hospitalization and Surgery
Hubby had the surgery on Monday, May 18.
My stress level lessened during the surgery once I made the choice to wait outside on one of the hospital terraces, rather than the dark and poorly lit surgery waiting area. I even took a few photos:
Nature’s beauty brought peace and harmony into my space; and, thankfully my cousin, who was visiting from Mississippi, was at my side to support me.
The afternoon Florida heat forced us to look for another tranquil space, preferably one with air conditioning. We found just that in the Walt Disney Room leading to the children’s wing of the hospital.
For years, I have used distraction as a self-management tool to control my chronic pain condition. And, it was a blessing to have this skill-set in my tool chest as I went through Hubby’s first-time hospitalization and surgery.
The surgery was successful and four days later, Hubby was discharged from the hospital
Expressing Gratitude and Thankfulness
Hubby’s recovery is going well and he is scheduled for his first physical therapy session next week; and,
- I am Thankful to all those who sent uplifting messages and prayers during this trying time in my life.
- I am grateful, beyond words, for the healing hands of the neurosurgeon who performed Hubby’s surgery.
- I am thankful and grateful to God for answering my prayers to relieve Hubby of his excruciating and debilitating pain.
Writer’s Quote Wednesday 2015k
My interest to search out female African-American authors has been a long-time, though neglected wish, to know more about their contributions to and role in the literary world. Writers Quote Wednesday 2015 has helped me to fulfill this wish and for this I am grateful.
Nella Larsen.
Larsen, a fiction novelist, is the first African-American female author to win a Guggenheim Fellowship.
In her short-lived career, she published:
- Two BooksPassingQuicksand; and
- Four StoriesFreedomQuicksand
- The Wrong Man
- Sanctuary
Charles Larson, edited Larsen’s literary works; and, published the book, “The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen”; which, I am currently reading.
Her life story is a sad one — emotional abandonment by parents, controversial divorce, and accusations of plagiarism. The plagiarism allegations, in 1930, related to her last story, “Sanctuary”. Following this, she gave up writing and returned to her career as a nurse.
According to Black History Now,
“Her value to American literature is continually growing. Today, many critics consider her to be the greatest novelist of the Harlem Renaissance, and her work continues to be read nationally and internationally.”
Born on April 13, 1891, in Chicago, Illinois, Larsen died alone on March 30, 1964 in her New York Apartment.
Wordless Wednesday – June 3, 2015
My Blogging Break – Part Two: Lady C’s Visit
A Blogging Break in April and May freed up time for me to spend quality time with visiting family members.
Last week, in Part 1 of this three-part series, I shared a few of the fun and memorable experiences with our two granddaughters who visited us for seven days over their spring break.
Several weeks after leaving our eldest granddaughter, Lady C returned. She re-arranged her schedule after learning that Hubby was on the wait list for surgery when an available slot became available on the neurosurgeon’s schedule.
Rather than sitting around and waiting for the hospital to call with an admission date, Hubby encouraged us to use this time to do some fun things together. He reminded me that, as the post-surgery caregiver, I would be housebound for weeks following his discharge from the hospital.
So in Part 2 of this series, I share some of the special moments spent with my eldest granddaughter, Lady C.
Pottery Painting
One of the things Lady C wanted to do was pick up the pottery pieces we painted during her last visit. We had left them at the pottery gallery to go through the last firing process.
Both of us felt the pottery pieces looked beautiful after the firing.
Pecan Resin Xmas Figurine Painting
Inspired by how well the pottery pieces turned out, we wanted to do more painting.
I telephoned my son and asked him to dig out a couple of the unpainted Xmas holiday pecan resin figurines stored in the basement of our home in Wisconsin. I had purchased them in North Carolina at a flea market more than twenty years ago. He sent seven figurines and these are the two that Lady C and I decided to paint.
We had fun painting on the lanai — the soft breezes, birds singing, rustling of trees and sharing memories of past times together. Especially, the two-year period that I lived in North Carolina and provided child care for her while my eldest daughter completed her medical residency and fellowship training.
Lady C, even as a 3-years-old, loved to watch me paint. She would tell me what colors to use and whether it was pretty or not. When she felt I had painted long enough, she would say, “No more ‘bellishments” rather than embellishments.
Lady C and Her Painting Project
This was Lady C’s first-ever attempt and my first attempt, after a 20+ year absent, at painting pecan resin figurines. It will take us some time to finish our projects, but the goal is to have them on display when our family gathers in Florida for Christmas. Of course, I will share photos on this blog during the holidays.
Mustard and Turnip Greens
It has been a long tradition in our family to have mustard and turnip greens on the dinner table for special occasions; and, definitely every Christmas and Thanksgiving.
I picked, washed and cooked them until Xmas 2013 when the two daughters asked me to show them how.
On the day Lady C and I went to the Farmers Market, we came across a vendor selling locally grown mustard and turnip greens. And, she said, “I want you to show me how to cook greens, NanNan.” We purchased enough for both Sunday’s dinner and to freeze for future meals.
Beautiful and memorable times are possible when we do the simplest things in the presence of our loved ones. I connected and bonded with Lady C on an even higher level as she went through this new learning experience.
Dreadlocks Hair Styling Day
For more than two years, I have gone to this amazing Jamaican barber to cut my hair. During most visits, I am entertained as I watch an awe a stylist in the shop who specializes in natural hair. I am always amazed by the unique, complex and diverse art she creates on the heads of her clients.
I asked Lady C, who sports dreadlocks, if she wanted me to schedule her an appointment with the natural hair stylist.
She said, “Yes,” and off to the Jamaican hair shop we went. While my haircut took 20-30 minutes, Lady C’s dreadlocks were under the care of this amazing natural hair stylist lasted for more than three hours.
Mother’s Day – Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens
I received the gift of spending Mothers Day with the eldest child of my eldest child in one of my favorite places, The Leu Botanical Gardens.
This is the grandchild who shares my name and birthdate.
This is the grandchild, who despite our almost fifty year age difference, I am able to connect and relate to on many levels — mindfulness, yoga, nutrition, meditations, inner peace, self-love, etc.
With encouragement and tips from Lady C, I, confidently, shot photo after photo with my Nikon 5200 digital camera of towering trees, blooming flowers, green foliage, and tropical plants.
Using my Canon point and shoot camera, Lady C took these photos.
(Next Week – Part 3: Hubby’s Surgery and Cousin’s Visit)
SeasonedSistah 