“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

This image of me on Christmas Day 2010 is perfect to show how much I love and insulated myself while preparing for a life changing event.  Out with the Old and In with the New I entered the New Year ready for anything. Throughout my challenge I am happy to say I never questioned, " Why Me" ???   Self piety is not going to be helpful for anyone. Everyone has a cross to carry.

 My focus has been and will remain on having an Attitude of Gratitude.  After all,  I have enjoyed 54 wonderful years of rather good health.  

The only times I have ever stayed overnight in a hospital before this was to deliver two healthy babies natural child birth.  Each time I was out the door and back home by the third day.   My children have been both healthy  aside from strep throat, cold and flu along with a few minor accidents they enjoy good health, which is another thing for which I am THANKFUL.   Health is Wealth !!! 

How does one prepare for a life changing event?  Sometimes it happens in a flash that does not allow us the luxury to prepare.   Thankfully, I had five months to grow as I gathered information, asked the experts then made the best decision for myself.

The first line of defense that often come to mind in times of trouble are Friends and Family. Cell phone companies even have a Friends and Family Plan for the people you talk with the most.  Since my parents died 15 years ago my family of origin pretty much fell apart.  Other women I met along my journey often were accompanied by their mother, sister or close friend.

Not having the typical resources available has made my husband Jim and daughter Kara particularly good at selecting priorities and time management.  Life has an interesting way of unfolding in unpredictable ways.  Please note that I am not complaining as I have been receiving flowers, notes, phone calls, casseroles and thoughts of well wishes thought out my journey.  Maybe not from the people I would have previously thought of as on my Friends and Family Plan but from unexpected sources of LOVE.

Prayer, mediation, exercise, preparing and enjoying eating nutritious foods as well as always returning to an Attitude of Gratitude helps to keep life in perspective. 

One year ago I began attending Al Anon Meetings.
 Although I met many nice people I never found a " Home Group".  I did however find peace in the belief that " All Things work together for good for those who love the Lord. "  Romans 8 : 28    Even if we never would have selected our present cross it is an opportunity to us to grow.  I  was determined not to miss the Wisdom that would be mine from my present challenge.

Everyday as I rode my stationary bike between 5-8 miles as I read from three different Al Anon Meditation books.   No, God does not bring bad things into our lives, sometimes it is a direct result from choices we made.  More often than not it just happened as a way to help us learn to be more loving to ourselves and others.

Through the trials that have entered my life I have come to believe;

• there is an all Powerful Creator of the Universe who is LOVE,
• does not matter what name you choose to call this LOVE...
• we are all One in this great POWER of LOVE 
• this LOVE binds us all together,
• there is no need for envy or hatred,
• what happens good to one of us happens to all of us,
• sadness that happens to one of us affects all of us,
• we are really never alone as LOVE is with us in our darkest hour,
• life as we see it here on earth is a classroom,
• we either join in this LOVE or miss opportunities to LOVE
• one day we will return to this Great Power of LOVE

For anyone who has been following my blog, my pathology is more than I could have prayed for. 
I am humbled to say that I now have the ALL CLEAR ;~)

I am both elated for myself and saddened for the people who have not received this good news.

 I feel stronger everyday...   I can not wait to get back out helping other peoples lives be a little bit brighter again.  Life changing experiences can have a way of making us better not bitter.  

My latest ricerafferty artistic endeavour has been to create a new line for the Alumna portion of the Buffalo State College Runway 4.0 Fashion Show.  When Kara first suggested this project to me last Autumn I sort of looked at her over my bifocals as if she had to be kidding.  Didn't I have enough on my plate back then.   As all Artists know creativity is one way we tap into healing powers.

I was told the theme of this years show was actually inspired by my love and work with Recycled and Up Cycling Materials.   Repurpose, Reinterpret, Regenerate ...

As I said from the beginning of my latest life challenge;
Life threw me a BIG bunch of Lemons,
 I am going to make a enough Lemonade to have a PARTY for the rest of my life ;~)
Hope you come join me in the DANCE !!!

" Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be. "  anon

This is Meghan and Barry's cat Fever. Meghan rescued him from the streets of Brooklyn, NY when he hung around her band practice four years ago until he became part of her family.
Here is a clip of Meghan singing with her band Calentura, meaning Fever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjQx4ivzWc

 

The first time Meghan saw me was November 2009.  She opened the door to Barry's apartment in Manhattan after a long day at work to find me dancing with Fever in my arms to a Beatles song.

 I knew I would love Meghan before we even met.  Barry told me he sees so many wonderful things in Meghan that he loves in me.  Meghan is an artist, she is a Libra, she had painted her walls the same rich hues i had selected for my home, she is interested in cooking healthy meals, working in her garden and she has a big heart for loving also.  She rescues pets off the street just like has been my practice.

 After she opened her home to Fever two more kitties found their way into their heart and home.  Fever was not happy anymore ;~(  He felt crowded and out of place in his home.  Barry and Meghan convinced me it would be better for Fever to come stay with me for awhile I agreed to see how he adapted to the change. I did not want to rock their boat.  It felt odd taking Meghan's pet away from her, after all, she loved Fever before she loved Barry. 

 

Happy to say Fever adapted famously to living with Gammy.  He is very relaxed and gaining the pounds he lost while he was in distress. When they brought him here to live at Gammy's house right before my surgery on September 28th I thought it was Fever that needed my help. Now I know is I that needed Fever as much as Fever needed me ;~)


He sleeps on the love seat in the sunny window in my studio or follows me around my home and garden. He really loves to sit on a stump and watch when we burn branches in the fire pit.
 
  Fever reminds me to stop, to be conscious of my breathing, to stretch, then to break out in spontaneous play.   



Fever in Downward Dog Position



http://www.allspiritfitness.com/library/features/aa081001a.shtml

We take cat naps in the afternoon in my studio. He climbs down off the back of the love seat then on to my belly where we drift off to dreamland for a few minutes.




Fever makes a great lamp to brighten my days ;~)
notice the shade I am creating from used coffee filters and bees wax



 Have a very Creative Day ;~)

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much."

What is Success ?
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often,
and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction. —Bessie Anderson Stanley, 1904



First, I would like to THANK YOU. Thanks to each and everyone who has been reading my blog. It is kind of odd writing for an anonymous audience. This feels as vulnerable as when my art is open to the public for viewing in a gallery. My art and these writing come from my heart. My art is created from deep personal experience so it gives me great pleasure when someone connects with me. We are all the same inside more than many wish to admit. If we spend our time looking for how we are different then that is what we will see. I choose to see where we can connect. With some more than others there is a magical connection that creates friendly electric fun.
So Sublime ;~)

I know you are out there somewhere. The counts of viewers has been increasing. This is wonderful even though I have no clue who you are. It is exciting that you return again and again to spend time with me on my pages. If you would be so kind, it would help me a lot to know what you would like to see more often in my pages.
Do you make any of the recipes I share with you?

Your comments, criticism, observations are most welcome. Please feel free to make helpful suggestions. There is no need to leave a name if you wish to remain anonymous.

I will be busy for the next few days yet I want us to stay connected so I am leaving you with this offering until we meet again.

This recipe is fast, easy, great for a gathering. I make this for the student at Buffalo State College gallery openings and also at Savannah College of Art and Design. The platter was cleared at both institutions so I am sure your gathering will enjoy it as well.

This is the recipe I have on the platter of my previous blog.

VEGETABLE PIZZA

2 pkgs. crescent dinner rolls (I have used store brand also with great success)

Press crescent rolls onto pizza pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees until brown. Let cool.

Mix next 5 ingredients together. Spread on cooled crust

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese (buy the 1/3 fat of fat free if you wish)

2/3 c. mayonnaise ( again less fat quality brand is fine) I'm using Smart Balance Omega Plus

1/2 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt or low fat sour cream

1/2 tsp. dill, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. season salt

(I've used 1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing instead of the above spices)

Here is the fun part where you make your own choices. You are making edible art so think color, texture, flavor, crisp, crunch...

Shredded broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, radishes and onions,tomatoes desired amount of each then sprinkle shredded vegetables as desired.

I add shredded cheese over the top choose either low fat mozzarella or a cheddar blend for more color. Cut into smallish serve portions.
Over wrap and store in the refrigerator to chill.

To make ahead, I bake the crust a day before, spread the chilled cream mixture and top with fresh vegetable closer to serving time to keep crust crisp.

Have a great weekend with your family & friends. Looking forward to seeing you soon ;~)