The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Myth of Equality by Ken Wytsma
The Moral Basis of Democracy by Eleanor Roosevelt
No Greater Love by Mother Teresa
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
(In Progress)
Beauty For Ashes by Joyce Meyer
Complementary Approaches To Pain by NIH and NCCIH
I drew:
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| "Art Saves Lives" 4 x 6 Colored Pencil on Bristol |
This is my contribution to the 2019 Twitter Art Exhibit, which will be held in Scotland this year. The charity that will benefit is called Art In Healthcare, and anyone who knows me knows how close to my heart art therapy is. I'm happy to be a part of this effort. I'll post about the reception when I know the details.
I cooked:
Not much. I was contagiously ill for over a week. I've been eating a lot of freezer meals (that I made in December...that turned out to be a great idea), local dishes, too much coffee, and processed junk. I'm feeling the effects of this via Gastroparesis, HKPP, and severe acid reflux, and will be getting back on track in February. I expect to finish what's in my freezer, then I'd like to switch back to a mostly-pescetarian diet. I plan to try salad more regularly again, with limited greens since I have to avoid fiber and oxalate. And I have to get off of coffee. I should have never taken it up to begin with, but I got stuck on it during the 2018 Gastroparesis nightmare of doom when I was unable to keep anything solid down. I do credit it for halting the rapid weight loss I was experiencing, but now that I've gained again, I know I have to kick it to the curb.
I did make this beautiful seafood stew. I'm lucky to live in a community where I can drive 20 seconds down the road to buy snapper fillets on the Bayou. I buy shrimp at Rouses Market and Patagonian scallops at Publix. Everything is reasonably-priced since I am able to stretch the portions so far. Cooking for one has its advantages.
I did also cook for a local soccer coach who is going through chemo, but I'm not sharing pics. He is very young, and my heart really goes out to him. I wish him the best.
Other stuff:
I downloaded a biology textbook from a STEM university because I am a giant nerd who refuses to stop learning. I'll read it sometime this year.
I participated in that silly 10-Year Photo Challenge.
I lamented over the government shutdown, which has temporarily resolved. He who shall not be named has said that he'll shut it down again in February, so we'll have to see what happens. I really appreciate those who have reached out to me concerning this scare. I look forward to 2021, when I hope and pray the tables will turn and we will have someone relatively sane in charge again.
I went to see Mary Poppins Returns. Emily Blunt is super. Lin-Manuel Miranda is adorable. Dick Van Dyke put a big smile on my face. Dame Angela Lansbury produced instant tears. It was the most Mary Poppins movie ever, which makes no sense, which means it makes perfect sense. :)
I changed my mind about considering a relationship. Then I changed my mind again. Then I changed it back again. I can't decide, so it's probably for the best that I not think about it right now. If I've learned one thing about consent, it's that it should be enthusiastic and unhesitating. The fact is, I'm not healthy. And while I know many people who are ill who are making partnerships work, I can't seem to fully wrap my brain around it. I'm either too self-loathing, or it really is a bad idea. I don't know which, but I hope counseling will help me figure this out eventually. So I've decided that at this moment, with the exception of one person (don't ask because I'm not telling), I will respectfully decline a date if asked.
I got too mad on Twitter. I anticipate my counselor suggesting that I give up social media, since it is triggering me. I already restricted my Facebook quite a lot (back in 2017, I think) and barely read the news feed anymore. It was a good decision. I have mixed feelings about doing this on Twitter, but it is such a poor reflection of who I am that I know I have to make a change. I feel that it's important to stay informed, so it's not going to be easy, but I have to stop letting terrible people get to me. I end up stooping to an - I won't say unacceptable - uncomfortable level. I keep asking myself why I get so angry, but the only answer I come up with is why isn't everyone this angry. The only way we're going to stop injustice is to get angry and fight for change. But I know lashing out with cursing and name-calling is unhelpful, and it's not me - it's truly not. The people who have lived with me or spent any reasonable amount of time with me live in person would vouch for that 100%. Twitter folks (the ones I've never met) would undoubtedly be surprised by my shy and lethargic nature. Anyway, it's time to regroup. I'll get my counselor's advice on limiting my triggers without disconnecting from the world completely, and then go from there.
Things will get better somehow. I will be better, too.
