Mingus Day #41. 5.25 x 12 in. Mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
Mingus Day #42. 5.25 x 12 in. Mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
The sky in day 42 was a mess. You can see ghost cloud goofs. I splattered water over the drying watercolor, made more of a mess. Scrubbed to get rid of hard edges from the drops. That didn’t work. Washed more paint over that to cover it all up. Still not working. So I took the last few drops of white acrylic, mixed it in with the remaining blue, and washed it on.
It is still a mess. But coming back to it this morning, I kinda like it.
A Three Hour Tour
Caught up again. Painting on the current day. Life has been hectic. My Dad Pete has been in ICU since the 2nd of May. He went in for surgery to remove lumps on the right side of his throat. Cancer. When they got in there, they found more on the left. A four-hour surgery turned into eight. And a three-day stay, well, we’ll see. But he is cancer free!!!
I have been splitting my time between taking care of home, and staying at my brother’s house in Phoenix (2 hours away). Driving Mom to and from the hospital. Forty minutes in traffic. Last week I remembered to take art supplies with me, but there really wasn’t time.
Yesterday he finally woke up, and is making quick and steady improvements. They had to do a tracheostomy. He had been intubated longer than usual and that causes complications. He is doing better, getting physical therapy. Time out of his room. Has been breathing on his own for most of the day, part of the night. Able to write, since he is unable to talk due to the trach.
HALLELUJAH AMEN!!!!
I am at home for a few more days, and then I will head down again. On top of all this. Last Friday there was a fire in the fields near our house. We were at the hospital when neighbors called. About 5100 acres burned.
You can see a photo here, of how far it spread. The video talks about one of the neighbors who helped to clear a fire break behind several homes. It really is a miracle that the development was untouched.
Prescott Valley Fire. Yellow highlight marks our location.
At its closest point, the fire was about three-quarters of a mile away. There is only one main route out of the subdivision. And the fire has prompted talks about completing some of the roads for better access.
Two homes were lost, and 12 outbuildings. The fire was human caused.
Blessed and grateful for so much!!!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7
Oh, Sheila, you have had your plate full. I’m so glad to hear your father is cancer-free. That is the most important. Thank goodness for what they are able to do medically today. I gripe about technology, but the knowledge humankind has today in order to heal is truly amazing. It seems that someone is looking out for you, to not be near the fires and breathing what must have been very toxic air for a while. Sending you love and prayers to you and your family!
P.S. In Mingus #41 you brought out the sensuous side of Mingus. It makes me think of two bodies lying next to each other, the mountain and its hills sleeping together.
xoxo
I agree Laurelle, it IS amazing what they can do today 😉 It has been a learning experience, watching the Doctors and nurses work.
And yeah, it was lucky that I was not here during the fire. I would have had to hang out in town until the air cleared. Or even move into a hotel room. The fire was behind us, and I likely would not have been aware of it until the smoke was strong.
I love your take on #41! I can see it now 😉
Thanks so much for the love and prayers Laurelle. We appreciate it more than words can say! Prayer is powerful!
Your strength never ceases to amaze me. Thought and prayer for a fast recovery for you Dad. What a fire, glad you are not in danger but it looks really close. Love both but # 42 catches my eye, Mistakes sometimes make a turnaround! Take care!
Thank you Carol for your good thoughts, and prayers. We appreciate it more than words can say. 🙂 Nice to hear that #42 is eye catching 🙂
My word but you have been having a rough time of it!. I am glad to hear your dad is doing better and that the fire wasn’t any worse. I hope you are taking care of yourself as well as the others in your family and I am glad you have your art to bolster you when you need it. Take care Sheila and God Bless!
Thanks so much Val. I slept for 11 hours the first night I was home. And I have been early to bed each night since. (I can only take so much busy 😉 And another reason I am staying home a few days, is to not risk infection.
Sheila,
1. #41 is abstracted so as to be a surrealistic and compelling beach scene : )
2. “A Three Hour Tour”—great heading! Had to laugh. Glad to hear that Pete is cancer-free and now making quick and steady improvements.
3. Whoa. That fire.
Bunches of love to you.
I see it now Dotty 😉 So glad you had a laugh!! Whoa is right! Grateful my friend 😉