I apologize for not writing. It's not that I haven't thought of writing; in fact, I must have said at least once a day, "Now that would be a good blog topic!"
My "break" between assignments was not quite a break. I'm not complaining; I enjoyed every minute, even the 2,000+ mile drive with my very caring brother. I enjoyed visiting most of my immediate family. I spent almost a week with mom (thank you!) stripping paint off 83 year old window trim in "the Nest" I am renovating (with twinnie). For those of you who like to renovate, I find a heat gun does a nice, quick job over chemical stripper.
I've had quite a few people say to me, "Why would you leave California for Kansas?"
1) My family is within driving distance, and I love them!! If they have asked me to stay closer for a bit, I have the ability to do that.
2) There are little gifts to being somewhere new and (yes) interesting; after all,
3) Every place can be interesting! It's all in your mindset.
Speaking of little gifts, I have to share this bit of something interesting.
(raise your hand if you know of this amazing lady)
Grandma Layton!
She lived near where I am assigned. I learned about her during my 12- week psychosocial clinical in OT school. If you haven't encountered her, she is someone new and admirable from which to learn. Check her out: http://www.elizabethlayton.com/
Elizabeth "Grandma" Layton was a lady who battled an adulthood of depression until she took a contour drawing class at her local college (at the age of 68!) Contour drawing literally means "drawing the outline."
She learned to draw herself using a "blind" technique by looking in a mirror and drawing the outline of herself without looking at the paper much. She branched out to express her opinions about social issues as she did her self-portraits.
For example:
or
Tender Loving Care (for the dying)
One of my favorite Grandma Layton pieces is a drawing of her representation of someone who has had a stroke. This picture is worth a thousand words.
She drew many pieces, and you can check them out on her website. I encourage you to read about her. She is a great example of someone who found a way of coping with her illness and inspiring people along her path.
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