I am gradually adapting to these strange times, although strange does not necessarily mean unpleasant.
Taking things a little slower can be surprisingly satisfying. Initially, I didn’t have to do very much of anything, except hang around the gardens. There I watched the drifting clouds and falling leaves and listened to the wind and the crows conversing, something I could spend a lifetime doing actually. I was born to sit outdoors and love nothing better than a good, long, absent-minded think, while noticing everything and nothing in particular.
But, suddenly, those days are over. Life, it seems, goes on. Now my days are filled with meetings, and endless visitors, if Mohammad won’t go to the mountain, then the mountain comes to him, and so it is!
The downside of this is having to clean up first. A girl has her pride!
One of the things, on my endless thou-shalt-not list, is thou shalt not brush, hoover, kneel or bend, so hubs does the brushing.
He tries, he really does, but he always seems to miss the dog hair that gathers like tumbleweed around the legs of chairs and in the corners, which results in me indulging in breath-taking manoeuvers, I slide my leg backwards to get at the stuff.
Sometimes my nose is an inch from the floor, and given we have wooden floors throughout, this process becomes a little slithery, for want of a better word. You may think me reckless, but it’s a skillful business, one that I seem to have a natural aptitude for, and besides, it’s working wonders toning my leg.
Another thou-shalt-not, is, thou shalt not walk without crutches. All well and good, but, what happens when you find yourself wandering around without them while sleepwalking???
There has been no thou-shalt-not issued regarding bouncy dogs, and with hindsight, I really think there should be. I am becoming expert at firmly rooting myself to the floor as I open the door to let people in, or open the door to let dogs out to play. Both situations are a little like the charge of the Light Brigade.
Maybe there should be a thou-shalt-not let dogs sleep on your bed, as these three have no consideration or regard for a swollen, throbbing leg, and when you try to push them away from it, they just push back all the harder. They like to sleep close to their mummy y’see.
There should definitely be a thou shall only let cats sleep on your lap rather than doberman dogs!
The, thou-shalt-not cross your legs is becoming tricksy. As the pain fades and the swelling goes down, they cross themselves without me even being aware of it. This rule is being broken on a regular basis.
The hardest thou-shalt-not at the moment is the thou-shalt-not sleep on your side. So I prop myself up on pillows only to find that my body keeps creeping to the left, and even the right. Not much you can do about it while sleeping!
I’m glad there is no thou-shalt-not sleep on polystyrene balls, as I awoke the other night to find the bed filled with millions of them. A small beanbag I’d been lying on had burst. I got quite the massage! That sure took some cleaning though!
Fortunately, I remain unscathed by all these minor hiccups.
And Finally…
There was no thou-shalt-not paint order issued, so I’ve been painting images for mugs, for the rescue. A first for me.
Next week, I go for my first check-up, and I have my fingers crossed [that’s allowed] that some of these thou-shalt-nots will be dropped.
Glad you like the images Shimon, and me enjoying long thinking sessions, when I’m in the middle of one I hate being interrupted!!! It’s such a pleasure having an absent minded think! It’s also a pleasure having you back!!! xxxxx
I do like the images for mugs. I’ve already seen the mugs, because after a period of time when I barely visited the internet, I’m looking around these days (though I still seem to have less time for virtual reality. What I liked most in this post, was: “I was born to sit outdoors and love nothing better than a good, long, absent-minded think, while noticing everything and nothing in particular”.
I will happily settle for walking by Christmas, never really was the jogging type!!! So pleased you like the paintings, I really do hope they sell. Thanks Chloris.xxx
So glad to hear that you are on the mend. By Xmas you’ll be out there jogging. I love the paintings, you have such talent.
Goodness your life is frustrating at the moment! I don’t think I’d take too well to all those rules either, and hopefully it will soon all be in the past. Hope the check up went well and you’ll have time for more painting, the pictures you’ve done are very lovely. xx
Thanks Cara, I am thrilled to have had most restrictions lifted after my check-up. Upwards and onwards now!!!xxx
I can so relate. Tripped on a tree root and fractured my right arm. Being right handed, I discovered a bunch of thou can nots I’d formerly taken for granted. 🙂
Hi Mary, thanks for visiting. Do you have a blog? I can imagine how limiting losing the use of your right arm was. I do hope all is well now.xxx
Oh, my friend. Hopefully, one by one, those limitations will fall away and you regain some mobility without twinges of pain or echoes of doctor warnings.
I’m loving your new gardenscape — there’s something about the raised beds and clean lines along the cool shadows that appeals to me. And the dogs seem to be adapting well to it, too.
As always, your artistry enchants me. So pleased you are still painting away!
Good to know you like the artwork, here’s to them selling well and raising some much needed funds for the rescue. I am getting stronger each day now which is wonderful, it won’t be long before I heal completely.
The dogs seem to have much more fun running around the garden now, and jumping across the planters. They seem to have a lot more space, so a win-win for us all. I have managed to sit out there each day, it’s like having an extra room, how I wish I’d sorted it earlier. I am looking forward to planting it up next spring. Hugs friend.xxx
I didn’t realize you’re an artist with a brush, too. Those paintings are lovely, and I’d be hard pressed to choose between a mug and one of your little hogs.
I’ve not had to recover from anything as serious as what you’ve been through, but I do remember the instructions I was given after my one surgery: “If it hurts, stop doing it.”
The fact that you’re breaking “the rules” without being aware of it until after the fact, like the crossed legs, suggests pretty strongly that the rules are going to be revised pretty soon. If something was hurting, you surely would know it!
Here we are in November — it won’t be long until you’re 100%, methinks.
Thanks Linda, glad you like the paintings. I think, “if it hurts, stop it” is excellent advice. My surgeon advised me likewise at my check-up which went well, resulting in most restrictions being lifted. You were right about me being on the mend. I think I’ll be better than new before I know it. xxx
‘Thou Shalt Not’s’ are such an important part of the healing process and you do seem to be doing very well. Well done to hubs for the help he is giving too. I hope your check-up goes well.
I think your paintings are wonderful, and I would certainly buy some mugs. The rescue should do well when they come to sell them.
Happy Halloween, and Happy November too … here’s to continued healing.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, yes measures are put in place to aid healing. Thankfully, all went well and I’m able to do a lot more now. Glad you like the paintings, I am hoping they sell well, every penny counts these days. Happy November to you too.xxx
A very positive attitude. ( Can that be right a positive from so many thou shalt nots?)
Wonderful pictures. Now you and I share something, I had a hip operation two years ago. I am making A GREAT RECOVERY!!!!!!! IT has to be said I was not the vigorously energetic person that you are Dina, more a slow considered mover.
Thank goodness for the NHS we really must do all we can to stop it being sold off. One just never knows what lies around the corner.
Best wishes for a complete recovery.
Thanks Vera, I’m really pleased to hear how well you are doing. Good that we are both bionic too! Having the NHS is a blessing, where would we all be without it. xxx
You have to contend with a lot of difficult commandments! It’s especially hard when your supposed to break habits that are so ingrained that you do them without thinking.
How true Jason, some behaviours are so ingrained, thankfully most of those shalt nots have been lifted which is a relief.xxx
As is always the case your wonderful sense of humour kicks in to mask all the STUFF you are dealing with. You are simply amazing my dear and the dogs/cats/hubs and visitors I am quite sure all think the same.
Here’s crossing all fingers, toes, and yes legs that your check up goes swimmingly well. I am sure it will.
Love the mug designs…and love you Janet xxxx
Why thank you Janet, you know me so well! I’m not sure anyone thinks I’m amazing though….lol. My check-up went really well so now I’m able to do most things, I shall be new woman before I know it.xxx
Great post and fantastic images. Thou shalt look after yourself. The weather has finally come right here in NZ. Worst winter in about 15 years. Cold freezing wind. Was getting chest infections all winter. Come right now. Not getting any younger. Take care up there!
Thanks Peter, I shall look after myself. All is going well, thank goodness. Sorry to hear about your gloomy cold winter and all those chest infections, you look after you and enjoy the nicer weather.xxx
Hope you come through your check-up with flying colours …very hard to be so restricted. I love your paintings … Especially the hedgehogs … but all have movement & character.. I’d buy a mug with one!
Thanks Gerrie, the check-up went well so can do most things now, I’ll just build up gradually. Good to hear that you liked my paintings, here’s to them selling well. xxx
Should I be giggling…Hm, I have decided I should be. No point in have a ‘no thy shalt not when it is on offer!!’
That’s tremendous progress you’re making…six weeks already, though, I do know it doesn’t go quite as fast when you’re the one waiting for the time to pass.
good pix with with fun explanations.
Your mug designs will look very striking.
Last, but not least, pat on the back for hubs and all his doings.
xxxx
Feel free to giggle, I always do, you have to laugh in life! Some situations are so absurd!!!
Time had flown by, looking back, although the early days seemed to drag at the time. I am noticeably getting better by the day now, I shall be a new, bionic woman before I know it! I do hope those mugs sell…..hubs has been an angel, he really has looked after me. Thanks Menhir.xxx
Good to hear you are making steady progress….Yes! Those ‘Thou Shalt Nots’ are essential for continued progress to full recovery….Must Take Care! Hugs! 🤗💕
Thanks Bushka, yes, we have to stick to the letter of the law were healing is concerned. All is going well though, I shall be better than new before I know it. Hugs.xxx
Love the paintings, they will sell themselves and raise lots of money for the shelter! Do take care, hopefully you will soon be back on two legs!
Thanks Pauline, I do hope the mugs raise some much needed funds for the rescue. All is going well here, I am now able to do much more. Life will be back to normal before I know it.xxx
Inspirational as usual. You are a very talented painter. Love thou shalt not…good mantra. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thanks Karen, what a lovely comment. I am on the mend now and have had a check-up which went well, most restrictions have now been lifted, thank goodness. I hope life is treating you well, always good to hear from you.xxx
Oh, Dina! Those paintings are amazing! Will the mugs be available online? They will be treasures!
Sitting outside and pondering–or not–is one of the most healing things to do, I find! I’m so glad you have time to enjoy peace and quiet.
As for the cleaning, hooray for your sweet mate’s help. They do tend to miss a few dust balls, don’t they?
It sounds like your maneuvers are providing endless therapy. Be careful, though! I think we could write a book on caring for 4-leggeds with one good legs, but it will need a better title. 🙂 I had to use a walker and hop on my good leg, holding my healing leg up and behind me, so if Phillip wasn’t home, it was tricky letting the pups out and getting them back in; you have managed to work out the kinks in the process, it seems, clever girl!
Joy and peace and time to wonder in your continued healing!
Hugs and love, K
Ah, thanks Kitty, glad you like the paintings, yes, they sell all cards, calender’s, mugs etc online. I hope they sell well. Sitting outdoors is wonderful isn’t it, you can easily lose yourself in nature. Hubs has been an angel, he has had a lot of extra chores on top of working from home to look after me.
I do think such a book could be a goer! It really is funny how people adapt, life goes on with animals, they still have to go out, be fed and cleaned up after whatever condition we’re in. Your situation sounds much harder than mine, at least I had crutches and could slide my bad leg behind me!!! My biggest problem was avoiding being knocked down by galloping dogs! Thankfully, I’ve had my check up and now most of the restrictions have been lifted. Thanks Kitty, love and hugs to you.xxxx
Oh, gosh… I guess it isn’t easy to keep on smiling with so many ” thou-shalt-not” bothering your quiet need, to be active and effective!
I experiment something analog when I’m in bed with a high fever (oh yes, unless I have 39-40° I keep bouncing around and then, I truly collapse).
Since you are so good with drawings (believe me, you’re exceptional) you shall give to that more of your time, dear Dina.
I guess you may laugh… next Wednesday I’m going for a free drawing’s lesson. I was dreaming about doing myself a “storyboard” for the novel with Chrisa and Joshua 🙂 The bad experience with Torino Film Lab, taught that:
Point 1° unless I get an experienced scriptwriter (I don’t tell you how much it costs)… I better try it for myself, and free of charges!
Point 2°, I need to find some more time for myself…
I will let you know. Hugs :-)c
Thankfully, most of the restrictions have now been lifted which is something of a relief!
I think it’s a great idea to have drawing lessons, you are a very creative person so you just may be a natural, I hope so, how lovely it would be to design your own story board. Good luck with that. Here’s to you finding more time for you. Thanks Claudine.xxx
You’re coping brilliantly! Do the dogs know that you’re poorly? And I love your paintings! Hope your check-up goes excellently well. Hugs xx
Thanks Gill, the dogs were very gentle with me initially, obviously they have got used to the new me and consider me to be better now! My check-up went well so now I can go back to normal, gradually of course. Hugs to you too.xxx
I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed your down time listening to the crows. But let’s hope your restrictions are lifted soon. Marvelous paintings for the cups. I especially love the fox pouncing.
Thanks Brenda, it is rather nice having time to relax and chill and just watch the world go around. All went well with my check-up so I can slowly build up and start getting back to normal now.xxx
The paintings are wonderful, I’m sure the rescue will be thrilled to bits with them and lots of mugs will be sold. Fingers crossed for your check up, it sounds like things are a little tricksy with all those thou nots so perhaps you’ll be let off a few of them.
Thanks Jo, I do hope the mugs sell, I always worry when painting for the rescue, they can’t afford to lose money. All went well with my check-up, I am able to do most things now which is something of a relief. xxx
It’s good to read that that all is generally okay despite the ‘thou-shalt-nots’! Nice paintings for the mugs.
I hope that your first check-up goes well. Take care. xx
Thanks Flighty, all went well at my check-up so most restrictions are now lifted. xxx
Sleep walking?! Even with 2 fully functional legs I can sometimes skid on our wooden floors, so I can imagine that it’s really tricky with just the one. At least you’ll have at least one super toned one with all the dog hair removal ballet you’re doing! Your paintings are amazing! xx
I have always sleepwalked, it’s a little scary doing it without crutches though, I must be getting better if I can manage that! My legs are toning up, it’s all the physio! I’ll be bouncing canon balls off my muscles soon! Thanks Veggie mummy.xxx
Love the paintings.’
I hope your check up goes well. An ex neighbour had a slight Labrador problem when he had a vasectomy. Although I don’t think that he considered it to be slight.
Thanks Sue, all went well at my check up. I feel for your ex-neighbour, bouncy dogscan be tricksy!xxx