Airport Waiting

Airport Waiting
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

Waiting for my plane to visit my ailing Mom, I sketched this woman waiting for the same flight.

Heading Home

I leave for home today ... long trip back. I'm reluctant to leave, but I do know that Mom is well on her way toward healing.

So hard to say good-bye.

Thursday Update

Mom continues to improve and today she is going to get her nails done ... her first outing. I'm sure, like our trip to the doctor yesterday, it will tire her ... but this is progress!! YEAH!

Mom - Update

Today we visit the doctor to see about test results. All is going well, but mom tires very easily and needs more rest. She's progressing, but very, very slowly.

UPDATE

I am using the single working computer in the main office area of my mom's complex. I can't post to my blog from my TREO, but I can post updates to my flickr:

www.flickr.com/photos/linfrye

So please check there for updates.

Mom is continuing to improve. She tires easily, but is eating, resting a lot, and we'll see the doctor today for updates on her tests.

Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts.

Lin

Update

While everyone is recovering nicely, my mom is still rather weak, and so I will be heading out to Florida tomorrow to be with her upon her release from the hospital and help her regain her strength while she's home.

I'll probably be scarce for a while, but I'll be sketching and will post my work upon my return.

Sketching, drawing, painting this week, though the time wasn't a lot, sure has helped me release a lot of the stress and worry of this insane week. It has also helped me restore some of my calm and perspective and energy ...

Thank you all for your supportive words and prayers ... THAT too has helped enormously ...

Keep sketching!

Rose for Ken

Rose for Ken
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

Last night was Ken's viewing ... I painted this in his memory.

Both he and Rebecca loved flowers ... and he was ALWAYS bringing her little bouquet of flowers from her garden ...

Roses mean love is almost every culture ... and so to honor his love for his wife, his family, his God, and our love for him ...

For you, Ken .. may you be at peace.

UPDATE

Prayers are being answered, and I cannot tell you the depth of my gratitude.

Mom: Up and walking, though weak. She's feeling MUCH better and feels as though she'll be able to go home and manage things by herself. Firm decision will be made tomorrow.

Granddaughter: Both my daughter and grand got a FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP -- and, needless to say, are feeling so so so much better!!! Though T still has a cough, she hasn't had a fever for two days and so my dd is going back to work -- and truly much more rested than she has been in the last three weeks.

Brother-in-Law is sore around the surgery site, but managing to go to work and rest somewhat.

So -- a good report!!!!!

Again, thank you so much!

Tonight is Ken's visitation; the funeral tomorrow. I will feel a bit better after I have seen Rebecca for myself and give her a big hug of comfort (she's used to that from me! LOL) ...

MANDOLIN

MANDOLIN
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLES!! MAY YOUR LIFE BE ONE OF JOYFUL SONG!

Update

It's been a week ! My workshop went well, but ended after 10:00 pm last night. I can't seem to get enough coffee to open my eyes this morning.

First things first:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY -- CHARLES!
It's not the best of weeks for celebrations, unfortunately - but we're planning a bit of 'relaxation' this weekend!

Mom: Improving .... today she gets out of bed and walks. She's taking solid food and sounds stronger each day. She'll be released Friday and we'll determine if she'll need homecare prior to her leaving the hospital.

My granddaughter - Still have a bit of trouble with fever and a cough that won't quit - and she's had yet another visit to the doctor. BUT, both she and my daughter slept through most of the night -- the first time in weeks -- so today everyone is feeling better.

My brother-in-law is feeling better after his surgery -- and has gone in to work. He's been saved from a major heart attack, according to his doctors, and so he'll be on a new diet, new medications, and will be encouraged to change his lifestyle. But all in all - improvement.


And the sad news: Rebecca's husband Ken passed on last night. I spoke to her this morning, and she's doing quite well -- she's in the process of making funeral arrangements. She has a huge extended family, and since Ken ministered to several churches, this is going to be an especially busy and exhausting time for her. We'll probably make the viewing Thursday; I'm not sure about the funeral on Friday ... but everyone is relieved that his suffering is past.

Thank you all for your kindest of prayers, comments, support.

Thermometer

Thermometer
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

Yesterday morning -- it was 17F degrees!!!!!!!!!!!! FREEZING!!!!! The coldest day we've had this year. BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Strawberries

Strawberries
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

It is difficult to imagine the challenge I had with painting strawberries -- I must be far more flagged than I'm willing to admit. Anyway, the color, scent and taste cheered me -- as I was lost for a while last night in my painting frustrations, relegating family health matters to the back of my mind.

This morning - 9:00 a.m. Update:

Mom - apparently her attack was worse than we thought. She'll be in the hospital UNTIL her infection clears and then the doctors will decide if surgery will be necessary.

Ken - not doing very well and is not expected to continue his battle

My granddaughter - doing better - but still no sleep for anyone

Brother in law - in surgery

To add weight to the woes, my good friend's daughter has become ill adding to the list of folks for whom our hearts surge ...

Tonight is a busy workshop and very late evening ...

Medical Update

As of 8:00 pm:

Mom is okay - on hold until tests return, she'll be in the hospital for the next 2-3 days -- but denying any need for us to fly to Florida;

Ken (B&B) no change

My granddaughter - better, slight fever today

My brother-in-law -- okay - stint tomorrow;

my boss -- okay with whatever I need to do to get thru this ... thank heavens.


THANK you all for your good thoughts and prayers ... Seems like we're all 'waiting ...."

It May Be Quiet Here

We've had some distressing news last night and today:

* My mom is in the hospital (Florida) with a severe (and newly diagnosed) case of diverticulitis

* Rebecca's husband Ken (from the B&B where I've roomed for almost 4 years) is in the hospital with pneumonia and not expected to recover

* My dd's daughter was at the hospital yesterday with a high fever that wouldn't break -- cold, congestion, ear infection, cough ... on her third round of antibiotics.....

* My brother-in-law goes in to the hospital for a stint placement tomorrow ...


So if I'm scarce ... please keep these loved ones in mind ... thanks!

Lin

Cherries

Cherries
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

Additional practice in values -- wash and glazes. I wanted to 'fancy them up a bit' but ran out of time ...

Note to Laura -- and thanks for her suggestion to sketch larger -- these are each about the size of my palm -- 4" across -- HUGE for me!! LOL Wish the REAL thing came that large -- I just love their crisp, tart/sweet flavor!

EMILY Turns THREE

Emily opening her Dora Horse Barn.






Emily blows out the candle with her maternal Grandfather's help.







Emily plays DORA with her cousin Payton.

Emily's favorite color is Pink - especially when it's frosting on her cake!





Nick's teeth are all SWEET! He takes after his Nonna for his love of cookies!








Nick Opening up HIS gifts for Emily's Birthday


What a party!! Children, adults, food (cook-out), cake, toys .... NOISE! LOL I simply cannot believe she's THREE already!

Deco for Elaine

Deco
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

Here's page one for Elaine's Deco "Childhood Memories." This is probably my favorite image of myself at three - sitting in a chair in the country, surrounded by nature. I remember the 'farmette' my aunt owned in rural Long Island, LONG before that part of New York became so developed and congested. I used to walk among shoulder-high raspberries (even then I was short!! LOL) -- picking and eating them along my adventures.

Elaine's Deco - Page 2

Elaine's Deco - Page 2
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

My contrributions to Elaine's Deco. Here theme is "Childhood Memories." Here I am at three on the sidewalks of Brooklyn, New York -- that's me -- the smurf in the middle.

Lemon

Lemon
Originally uploaded by linfrye.

I thought I'd reinforce some lessons I'm practicing about color values and blending.

I've been in such a lemon mood lately -- maybe it's the dry heat and the desire for the tang of lemon -- but whenever I"m asked what I'd like for dinner - it ususally has a lemon base. And I think I could eat veal with lemons and capers every night! (and spend even more time at the gym!!!)

Funny thing, these were so difficult to scan! The scanner must have been picking up all the bits of grey because somehow when I went to correct the coloring to match my image, I couldn't remove the grey at all! I wound up taking a photo and then adjusting that -- but for me, in the middle of the woods, I found it difficult to find ample natural light to render the proper colors.

Artists Day Out

(Images above - Laura's wonderful 8 minute sketch of me -- my attempt at cafe sketching and proportions -- SIGH! and my sketching at the Ackland-Asian gallery)

Laura (http://laurelines.typepad.com/) and I finally found a day to get together and do our own mini-sketchcrawl! Ever since we met last spring at the JC Raulston Arboretum for our first sketch date, we have been trying to match our schedules to have another day together. Yesterday -- we finally did it!!!! And oh my -- it was GLORIOUS! and what a gift, not just the day itself, but getting to know better, this most gracious, talented, knowledgeable, generous and kind, sweetest of ladies.

I met Laura at her beautiful home, and together we went to the www.unc.edu/depts/ackland)! Trust me, these are even more grandglorious in person!

I wasn't having the best of sketch days, but I focused on some tea bowls (I'm finding I really do love vessels of all kinds), and then, under Laura's inspiration, decided to attempt my second ever figure (my first is here). And while I have MUCH to learn in regard to figures (among MANY other things I'm learning and relearning! LOL), I sort of like this in its wonkiness.

I have to tell you a funny story. As I was standing before this boxed figure, the security guard, thick with what appeared to be a French accent, walked behind me and sort of surreptitiously took note of what I was sketching. Embarrassed at my ineptitude, I joked "It's good practice." Where upon he so nicely says to me, "A camera -- much easier!" I laughed, and he finished, "Same price!" (alluding to admission fee) and I thought I'd lose it!!! LOLOL

Anyway, Laura and I, hungry by then, proceeded to Panzanella's for a fabulous soup and sandwich lunch. Laura sketched the the fellow sitting at the window, and I attemped figures trying my best for proportions ... ah well, more practice time for me!! LOL

Then, my dear friend, encouraging me to sketch LARGER!!!! demonstrated her point by sketching ME -- in under eight minutes -- I swear ...! And yes, it looks like me ... although she was kind to keep the shopping bags OFF my eye bottoms!! (Thank you Laura for this gift -- and for allowing me to share it here!) Isn't it fantastic!!

Buoyed by food and non-stop sharing, art discussions, techniques, family matters, and even a spattering of politics, we headed out for dessert and gelato ... and then it was time to head home before the traffic built to a slow, longer than necessary drive back home.

THANK YOU, Laura -- for a fantastic, fun, inspiring day! My only wish is that these 'art-dates' weren't so far between one and another ....!

(I didn't add color to these - just not enough time in a day!)