And just like that May is here and Poppies burst and dance in the warm air! Where was this jewel hiding only hours before? I love the surprises as I walk through our yard. I finally let go of the pretty Mothers Day flowers that my family blessed me with and was able to fill the vase back up with blues and purples. Wild phlox, Lilacs, and Iris blended together and were offset with white Snowball Bush poms. The gifts of the garden fill me up with such an appreciation of nature. A whole new energy to run into summer with! What petals will surprise me tomorrow?
I can’t help seeing a beautiful piece of artwork without studying it closer and asking “How did the artist achieve that?”. Fortunately, we live in a time when we can research almost anything we are curious about with technology. How lucky for us that we can find references almost instantly! Well, that’s probably why I’m still awake at 12:45 A.M. I am so excited about finally learning how to use more than the auto settings on my camera! All the exposure information seems so complicated but I’m starting to discover some fun shots to try thanks to some great resources from Pinterest, blogs & websites. Those dials on my camera that have been in a coma since the purchase date are beginning to awaken! One of the best sites I’ve found so far is Boostyourphotography.com . Go browse it and see if your curiosity turns you into a creative clicker too!
The photo above was taken of our Christmas tree. I was trying to capture bokeh which is the blurred background lights you see here. I used a Canon Rebel T5i Camera with a Macro lens (90mm F/2.8). The settings I used are as follows.
A must-read for anyone experiencing an autoimmune disorder!
Are you aware that there is an alternative practice to conventional medicine that can lessen and even reverse symptoms of your autoimmune disease? Although many alternative medicinal practices have been around since the beginning of time, a refreshing breath of hope has more recently been brought to light. It’s called Functional Medicine.
Dr. Susan Blum is the author of “The Immune System Recovery Plan” in which lies the premise of finding and removing triggers of disease such as allergens, toxins, and hidden microbes and supporting the body’s function with nutrients, herbs and other “pro” drugs such as probiotics. It has helped thousands of people worldwide.
I found this book spellbinding as it put in simple terms the way our bodies respond to stress, sugar, and white flour or gluten-filled foods to name a few. It explains the symptoms that arise from them. I felt excitement and hope for the first time in a long time after reading Dr. Blum’s book. I could actually understand how the information could help me and thousands like me decrease the amounts of Plaquenil, steroids and low dose chemo drugs we are taking.
I am currently seeing a Functional Medicine Practitioner. At this point diet and stress management is the main focus of my treatment. A baseline blood lab was drawn and will be drawn again to see how omitting gluten, sugar, and certain inflammatory causing foods may change the results. I’ve been on the Auto Immune Protocol for three weeks and just this past week have had noticeable relief of muscle soreness in my arms.
The studies supporting this holistic approach are scientifically tested so I feel that between Dr. Blum and my Functional Medicine Practitioner I am arming myself with some very strong defenses against an out of control immune system. I hope you’ll take the time to download or order your copy of “The Immune System Recovery Plan”. In my opinion, it’s an excellent resource for health and hope.
Despite being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called Dermatomyositis (DM) in 2011, I have to say I can appreciate certain aspects that have come from it. To clarify, Dermatomyositis (dur-muh-toe-my-uh-SY-tis) is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash. In many ways it has been devastating…that is if I let it be.
When I first found out I had DM I was extremely angry. I couldn’t believe that as strong, healthy & active as I had been all my life, that I could possibly be restricted by a diagnosis. This was supposed to happen to sedentary people who were content with being in a house, on a couch or in a recliner. This couldn’t be!
I was in denial until DM’s affects further disabled me and forced me to accept that I did indeed have this relentless disease. I became very weak, very tired and very determined to find a way out of this tangled up mess. I wouldn’t let an indeterminate answer go without researching more, finding more motivated health care providers, looking up organizations for the autoimmune inflicted and prayer.
Well, that last word ” prayer” was one source of help that should have been FIRST! Because God was the only thing that remained never changing. My skin has changed, my muscles have atrophied to the point that when I look at my limbs I don’t recognize them. My energy level has changed, my social life has changed but God has ALWAYS stayed close and been there to talk to, to cry out to, to beg, to comfort me, encourage me, and give me His Word.
At first, His message wasn’t that easy to understand. I was angry at Him too. But through time I am learning to be patient and to persevere. I know that the way He answers prayers may not be how I wish it could be exactly, but I also know it will be the best for me in His plan. So I’m growing my faith and it’s comforting to know that I can crawl into the Word with God as though it is a warm blanket that saves me from being cold and lonely.
I praise Him for drawing me nearer. I thank Him for making me more empathizing with those who have it much worse than I do. I thank Him for forcing me to slow down and care about what’s going on in other peoples lives. I’m grateful for working less at an office and more on loving myself and my family. I’m thankful for prayer time. I’m happy to have time to focus on what He says to me when asking Him to restore my health.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” ~Philippians 4:6
Today I suddenly realized I had a contractor coming tomorrow to refinish my wood floors! Where did October go? I had set the date several weeks ago and panic rushed over me because I have two rooms of furniture that need to be moved TODAY! I know, poor planning on my part.
Luckily a high school organization called the E-Unit is in the process of raising money for their weight room at the school. I called their sponsor and within a short amount of time, I was told there would be a group of kids to help me out later this afternoon!
In rural Nebraska, many schools have Future Farmers of America groups, prom committees, dance squads or any number of organizations who are in need of funds. Don’t rule out calling the school to inquire when you need odd jobs done. I think it’s important to support them as they are not only helping others, they are learning about business opportunities. Who knows? This may be the making of the next big moving company for one of them! For now, I’ll happily donate to the E-Unit’s fundraising efforts.
I took this photograph at the Denver Botanical Gardens in the summer of 2014. The subject was a beautiful glass design created by artist Dale Chihuly and it shared the surrounding water with live fish and lilies. There were also a great number of pieces that were on dry ground throughout the gardens. It was amazing to think of the ambition and orchestration of such a massive and breathtaking exhibit!
The glass art made me feel free while being outside walking around the brilliant forms that were so massive and cheery. The sounds of birds and waterfalls were soothing like an audio one might hear at a spa. The reflections of the water, the glass, and an occasional sprinkler cast a sparkling energy only nature could achieve. It seems as though Chihuly mixes colors from the rainbow as no hue was left out. As a matter of fact, he has been quoted as saying when asked his favorite color, “I like to say I’ve never met a color I didn’t like.” I can relate!
About this Artist:
Dale Chihuly is a large scale glass artist who started out as an Interior Design student. He is known for revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and causing a wider acceptance of glass design as an art discipline rather than one of a craft. He is best recognized for his spectacular architectural commissions worldwide in historic cities, museums and gardens.
He has shown his work in many locations including Montreal, Richmond, Boston, San Francisco, Jerusalem, and Venice. He also has many permanent pieces that may be located near you. Do check out his website to see many more photos of his work, personal information, and fun facts. http://www.chihuly.com/
Sunshine & Friends do wonders for the mind and spirit.
For over 15 years a group of seven friends who used to teach together has marked 2 to 4-day sacred calendar dates off to be together. We know on the weekend before Thanksgiving we will all meet up for Christmas shopping and hang time. In the summer we have a water date where we either tube along the Niobrara or rent a pontoon on Lake Calamus. Husbands are summoned to watch the kiddos of the younger moms and we all prepare for laughter & fun. It’s group therapy at it’s best!
We range in age from the early 30’s to the mid 50’s. We’ve been through a lot of each other’s low times and have celebrated so many great times. From marriage trials, infertility, children troubles and teenager dilemmas to surgeries, health scares, disease and death. Although many tears have been shed, many hugs, advice, empathizing and love has been given back and forth in comfort.
Then there are times of celebration! We can ALWAYS find a reason for that! The expected occasions like birthdays, and job promotions to graduations and our kid’s milestones. We have celebrated with joy when one of our children received news that he was cancer-free!!! We all realize how great is our God!
It’s funny how each of us practice our beliefs. Some of us try to go to as many faith conventions as we can. Others are Christians without a stage. But we all believe in a Higher Power and when we put it all together it sure takes the sting out of some scary and sad situations. It’s a peace that’s hard to find by just one.
So make it a goal to find even one friend to mark time off of your calendar with. Take a few days to let thoughts run into conversations with them. Chances are the things you wonder about are the same thoughts your friends are also thinking about. There’s something about just having time with another that bonds and soothes and levels out issues. It can give you a fresh start when you head back to your everyday life. So make a call & make some time!
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