In my youth I adopted the adage
“Go Forth and Multiply,” not so much in the biblical sense but I applied the
saying to my multiple mediums of art making, business opportunities, husbands,
children, my never ending variety of pets etc. Lately, I’m practicing more of a
“Move On and Simplify” attitude, and it feels great! With our upcoming
household and studio move (the new house is just five minutes away from our
current house but a bit smaller) I was forced to scale down, consolidate, clean up and
REORGANIZE. I was also forced to better FOCUS on my business(es) and art making. More
importantly how and WHERE I perform my art making. Today I will also be moving my
Blog to my web site. Don’t break up with me and stop reading or drop me from
your Blog Rolls –that would make me so sad, please UPDATE your links with this
new link to my Blog. I’ll still have regular posts and photos of what I’m up to
in the studio, rants (of course!) and the ups and downs of being an artist, sneak peeks
about the fam and photos of living the good life in Alaska -but it will just be
located on my web site under the “BLOG” tab. I'm simplifying!
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| 10 years ago, it was confirmed... I really did look more like my dad! |
This is a great time to move on
and celebrate my newfound simplifying focus. These reflections and changes have reenergized
me and reminded me of the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. For the last
10 years, October has traditionally been a very difficult month for me.
Specifically, the day of October 23. On October 23, 2000 I was COMPLETELY
SHOCKED to have been diagnosed with AML Leukemia during an appointment for what
I thought was the stomach flu. The rug was yanked out from under my entire family
11 years ago when I was flown overnight to the University of Washington
Medical Center for emergency treatment of Leukemia, that would last about a year.
Thankfully, I’m in TOTAL remission and after 10 years medical professionals
like to kick us survivors into the “CURED” category of statistics. I’m way too
superstitious to say I’m “cured” and would be a liar if I said I don’t think
about it much anymore –at least it’s down to thinking about the effects of being
sick weekly instead of hourly. I would not be here today if it weren’t for the
professionals at UW Med Center, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the many
donors at the Puget Sound Blood Center, who generously gave me their blood and
matched donor platelets throughout my treatment (BTW, donate blood whenever you
can, it really does save lives -I’m living proof). I am happy to say that this year, for the first time, I feel I’m
approaching October 23 with a whole palette of possibilities and a positive mental
outlook on a calm, HEALTHY future.
Thanks to those of you who have purchased and enjoyed my art, for your
thoughtful comments, reading my posts and overall support and friendship. Now
bookmark my new Blog link and keep reading and sharing –I live for those
comments!
