First of all, my sincere appreciation to all of you who have dropped by to say hello and send good wishes. Your messages cheered me immensely, and I am grateful to each of you for helping to feel that I am still connected to the conversation.
This type of post is getting to be a habit, but I can promise that it won't last forever. I am speaking of days on end without a word, followed by short posts without photos.
Unfortunately, my body is not the only thing in my life that is operating at less than full steam; I have been without an Internet connection for some time now. Thank goodness for The Husband's computer and his generosity in sharing. None of this is meant to insinuate that I could put up any posts worth visiting even with a connection to the web, but I might have done a tad better than my sorry showing over the past few weeks. I hope to get the Internet connection back today or tomorrow. As of tomorrow midday, I am done with the antibiotic and that should mean fewer days of being marginally dysfunctional. Furthermore, this week is about surgeon-shopping and that experience should be behind me by the end of this month, or at least early February. It seems likely that I will be particularly appreciative of Spring this year.
I am deeply grateful that everything about this stage of recovery is going as well as it is, and optimistic about soon having all this behind me. Normally, a voracious reader and viewer, as well as compulsive-learning machine I have been spending hours with eyes at half -mast and even taking naps! You have no idea how few naps I have taken in my life. My mother learned early on that there would be no mid-day relief for her. Tucking me into bed for a quiet nap was not an option. She would be shocked to know that I have actually nodded off a few afternoons. Furthermore, I have watched more stupid television in the last three weeks than I had viewed in the previous three years. We all know that television more or less washes over you, requiring little or no engagement. Embarrassing as it is to admit, that has been just my speed. Escapism of the cheapest sort.
Oh, well, this thing hasn't qualified as awful by any one's standards and it will be over soon. Moreover, as bad as the timing was for this, there are even some positive aspects to that angle. We have had a good deal of rain (not ideal for walks), and I am already looking forward to this year's crop of wild flowers. We should have a wonderful display this year. Can't get much more cheerful than that. Bring on the poppies and long walks.
Hang in there Anita I for one think about you daily and hope things are getting better. As for the TV and that learning fix, try my thing of watching shows or movies with the sound off or so low it doesn't intrude on the visuals and lighting. You can learn all there is to know about photo lighting from looking at what they do in the movies for lighting a person or scene. If you have a TiVo or such pause is your learning friend.
ReplyDeleteGet better soon, oh and naps aren't such a bad thing.
Ray - Thanks for all the good advice. I have heard for years how beneficial naps are. Perhaps when I was young, I had a really bad nightmare during a nap and could never make friends with the notion of sleeping during the day. I suppose it's time to learn a new "trick".
ReplyDeleteAs for learning more about lighting from movies, I know how right you are about that. Occasionally, I find myself distracted from the story and realize that I am looking at the lighting on the faces rather than paying attention to the dialogue. Great tip, thanks.
Glad to read your post and with good news, in my opinion. I hope you get the internet up and working so we can hear more from you. I too will keep you in my mind as your health continues to improve. Looking forward to seeing your images, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd, my dad does not call them naps but "resting his eyes." I find them happening more often, also.
Anita, Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I agree that it's best to focus your thoughts on the arrival of spring and a new crop of wildflowers. Today it has rained pretty much all day and I have been dreaming of spring all day long!
ReplyDeleteMonte - Hey, I think your dad has it right. That's what I have been doing—resting my eyes. My news at this point is all good, thank you. My camera's shutter has been getting a rest, but it will be ready to go when I am.
ReplyDeleteSteve - Thanks for the vote of confidence. I decided today that I can look forward to early February and get past the worst of this, but it's nice to hold those images of spring poppies in my mind's eye. That definitely brings a smile. It's a shame to be missing the lovely days we have had in December and January, but there will be plenty more to come.
ReplyDeleteAnita, the important thing is you taking care of yourself and getting well. I've missed your voice and input, as you stated in the conversations, but we all understand and will welcome your return.
ReplyDeleteI hope your right about those spring flowers because I love how you photograph them.
Earl - It's certain that no one would accuse me of expending too much energy lately. What a slug I have been. But, I agree about taking care of myself. I'm afraid that my days of pushing myself to my utmost limit—while remaining confident that I will readily snap back—are a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteI think I may be photographing flowers in even more ways now that I am excited about off- camera lighting. We'll see. And, thanks a million for urging me on.
Here's wishing you well!
ReplyDeleteChris - Thanks for the good wishes. And, I hope the year is off to a terrific beginning for you.
ReplyDeleteAnita, I am so sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. I have missed our cyber conversations as well. I have been sidetracked tremendously by work-related issues leaving me little time and energy for my photoblog friends. I have, however, noticed you had not been posting as well. I hope you made a full and speedy recovery, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann- Thank for so much for the good thoughts. I certainly am looking forward to being back to full strength and keeping up with everyone. I hope you aren't working too hard. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSpeedy recovery to you, my friend. In my own selfishness, I miss your point of view in my posts. I don't get many female points of view, so I value yours. :-) However, please take time to recover. Enjoy those naps. I've always been a napper and wish that I could take one right now, but they frown on that at work. What a bunch of stuffed shirts! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a speedy recovery Anita. Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeletePaul - How insensitive of the supervisors at your work place! Stuffed shirts, indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's annoying to note how long it takes to recover from an illness as we get older, but there isn't much point fretting about it. Fortunately for my health, my body isn't giving me much choice this round. My old reliable will power and determination haven't had a chance to overcome common sense.
I will be back soon to keep you guys up-to-date on one female's view of things. Goodness what a job and what a responsibility I just took on. Did I really say I could do that? I want a do-over.
Mark - Thank you for dropping by. All the "get-well cards" are much appreciated. And, clearly, I didn't want anyone to think I had just disappeared without so much as a forwarding address.
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