Slow Boat

This is me in my studio in Bend, Oregon, I love to paint and watercolor is my favorite medium.  This picture was taken for an article in the Watercolor Society of Oregon Newsletter, I was being featured as the new Traveling Show Chairperson.  Unfortunately I had to resign from that job due to my diagnosis- but I feel good that I was able to schedule over a years worth of shows for the next chairperson. 
I am a doer.  I busy bee.  Often too busy and I honestly believe this is a lesson for me to slow down and focus on what is really important.

Family.  Friends.  Art. God.  Health. 

To stop being so busy and really make time for things that are meaningful.  Okay, I got that message.  I've always been one to ride the stress-train, push myself until I'm about to loose it, almost like a roller coaster ride.  Now I'm on the slow boat and enjoying the view. 

Just Getting Started

Feburary 2012, with plans for a trip to Europe to visit my daughter in London, teaching a workshop in Portofino, and a quick visit to Venice, along with my son's wedding and a family trip to Brazil, I was given the news that I had cancer. 

First we thought it was isolated and through a hysterectomy we could get it all and I could recover and go on all my planned adventures.

Then we came to discover that there was more to it and I'd have to go into chemotherapy treatments.  If all goes well I will make it to the wedding and to Brazil.  This is my journey from discovery to recovery.  I am normally a very private person, but thought since this is becoming an uplifting experience to me, why not share.