LIVING LIGHTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS
If you read my blog regularly (thank you if you do!) you'll know I chose "Live Lightly" as my Word(s) Of The Year for 2023. I've made a pledge to myself to chill out a little this year and to take things as they come, rather than trying to push too hard or trying to control everything. I hope my year will reflect taking life at a gentler pace and stepping lightly and slowly.
So, on that note, to wrap up October, I'm sharing a few little highlights that contributed towards a lovely month....
FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
October means school holidays here in Western Australia, and that means a visit from the delightful grandgirls and their parents. Sometimes I miss living close by and being able to see them weekly, but that's well and truly balanced by the holiday visits when we get to spend so much time together creating memories and little fun activities that get repeated with each visit. I also love that our son and DIL get some adult time together while we spend time with their girls.
BLOGGING HIGHLIGHTS
It was a sad month in the Australian blogging world as Denyse Whelan closed her blog and her link party for the final time. She's headed over to Substack to continue her writing, but it's one less Aussie in the blogosphere and we'll miss her. I think many of us are thinking about the future and how long we'll continue to blog, but in the meantime, Min from Write Of The Middle has started a new link-up to help fill the gap Denyse left behind.
Besides that, it's been a five Monday month here on the blog and that means four other posts besides today's. If you missed any of them and would like to catch up, the links are below:
FACEBOOK INSIGHTS
Leigh, a reader of my blog's Facebook page, shared a really interesting post about a robotic art installation and some insights about it. For some reason it really struck me - the futility of this life and how it's lived, and how we need to make good choices with this second half that's left. Anyway, here is the picture of the robot and it's life fluids that are continually seeping out while it tries to regather them - and a link to what was written about it. I hope you take a moment to read it: The LINK
HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
I realized the other day that it's been exactly 12 months since my hip replacement. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown, but it does come to mind every time I see someone walking with a lurch, or a limp, or with elbow crutches. I remember thinking that I'd know it was all behind me when I didn't think about my hips being my "good hip or my bad hip" - and that day came about 6 months after my op.
I'm so grateful every morning when I go for a lovely striding stroll around the neighbourhood, or when I cross my legs (that feels like a miracle!), or when I sleep on my left side at night. Such small things, but so wonderful after the horrible pain and limited mobility I had when my hip failed.
It's also been 4 months since my parathyroid gland was removed and that feels like a distant memory too. It's so nice to have both ops behind me, and I have no intention of entering a hospital again any time soon!
CREATING HIGHLIGHTS
I've been continuing on with my collaging - cutting out background pieces and replacing them with different images, overlaying, painting, glitter gluing, and whatever else catches my fancy. It makes for an interesting change to colouring-in and my other dabblings. Below are a couple of the double page collages in my latest book:
OCTOBER'S LIVING LIGHTLY QUOTE
BEFORE YOU GO:
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Is it really 12 months since you had your hip done? That time has flown!
ReplyDeleteThis was my question too! TIme is definitely zipping past much faster that it once did. Great post, Leanne. Your granddaughters are gorgeous!
DeleteHi girls - I can't believe it's all done and dusted - it's like it never happened (except every now and then I remember and send a prayer of thanks to God and the surgeon for giving me my mobility and my life back again). I certainly don't take walking for granted any more!
DeleteAlways look forward to reading your blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute pleasure, I'm so glad you enjoy reading it and that you took the time to tell me - thank you x
DeleteWow that 12 months has flown by Leanne, so pleased your mobility is much improved and your parathyroid issue has been dealt with too. Lots of living to do, in your own way of course :) A lovely month and those grandgirls are so cute with their mermaid Barbies(?). Emilia and Dottie love playing with theirs too, must be the age! Enjoy the month ahead xx
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I just love that I'm healthy and mobile, and living life exactly how I want to. I do a little happy dance every now and then because life is just so good. Every day is an opportunity to do life how I like and retirement is such a joy. And yes, the grandgirls are a joy too - and mermaid barbies etc are definitely high on the popularity list. x
DeleteLoved the catch up Leanne, and I too cant believe its been twelve months since your hip surgery. What a great outcome for your health, literally moving forward. It IS lovely to have special times with your grandchildren as I recall...and also with just their grandparents, it makes it more fun. Right now, as I write, our son's eldest (who we did care for a few days each week from 4 months till school age) is having Year 10 Maths revision with his papa! Thanks so much for your kind words about me and the blog. It's been a wrench of sorts but there are no true regrets. I was ready....and "when you know, you know". I will be visiting to comment when I can because blogging is a way of connection for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I miss you in the blogosphere, but it's good that you're still dabbling over at Substack - I'll definitely be popping over for a read when I can too. Grandkids are such a blessing and I can't believe how quickly they grow - I'm just hoping ours will want to keep visiting as they get older - we'll have to keep thinking up fun things for them to do when they stay with us.
DeleteAnd yes, my new hip is a godsend and I'm SO grateful for it (you'd know all about the miracles of modern medicine and the new lease on life you gain from it).
Your collages are so lovely! I am so glad to hear you are feeling so fit and well after both surgeries are well in the rearview mirror now. It is such a relief when we're back to feeling our best! Looks like a really fun school holiday was had by all.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - I finally feel like I'm back on track again healthwise. You don't realize how you've been managing on less than full power until it gradually returns. Summer is heading our way and I'm looking forward to enjoying it without all the health hiccups :)
DeleteHi Leanne, I love these monthly recaps and snippets of daily life. Your grand daughters are at that playful age when everything is all sparkle and glitter. Enjoy every minute with them. The art installation photo is interesting. I'll check out the video. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne the grandgirls are delightful and I'm making the most of the time where they're easy to entertain and where they enjoy their visits. The art piece just touched my heart in someway - I think it was the futility of it and the inevitability of it slowly "dying"...
DeleteHi Leanne - another who can't believe it is 12 months since your hip operation - I'm so pleased for you that the heath issues are behind you. October looks like another lovely month with more time spent having fun with your grandgirls - they always look like they're having a great time. More colourful collages - I particularly like the two with butterflies. Here's looking forward to a great November.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth - thanks for your kind words. I'm also really pleased to not have any health issues hanging over my head - there were a couple of long running 'after effects' from the surgeries and they're resolving too, so I feel a lot more like my old self now.
DeleteThe grandgirls are such a joy, and thank you for complimenting my collaging - it's fun and I like that it uses a different part of my brain.
Hi Leanne, love your blogs, I've also had a replacement hip and a new knee early this year. Feel a different person now. Lynn from South Yorkshire in the UK.x
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn - I can't believe how amazing replacement joints are - I honestly can't tell I have anything different in my hip (other than not being in grinding pain anymore!) My mum had both her knees done and she loves being pain free too. Losing your mobility is miserable, and it's such a gift to be given it all back again for the years ahead. :)
DeleteLike many others, I can't believe it's been a year since your hip surgery! And look at you, doing great. I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne - I'm so relieved that it's back and working so well with no more physio, no limp, and often I don't even think about it (other than to be grateful!)
DeleteHi Leanne, I love ‘Living Lightly’ as your words of the year, since you pass on this gentle energy and create a ripple effect. The visit with your granddaughters is a win/win for everyone. They are sooo sweet and fortunate to have you in their lives.
ReplyDeleteThis robot arm reminds me how a picture is worth a thousand words.
You have had a challenging year, Leanne, dealing with/coping/moving forward with health issues.
I extra love the “Your Light” quote: “…neither is your light at any risk of being put out when other lights around you are bright.” Wow! Thank you for sharing your light, Leanne! “What a wonderful thing” And, I mean it! xx Erica
Hi Erica - that robot arm just reminded me of how futile life can be if we're constantly pouring ourselves out in pointless activities. We only have a limited amount of energy and resources - it's so important to invest them wisely (time is getting shorter).
DeleteThank you for being a ray of sunshine and for your kind and positive words - I always love it when you leave a comment and miss you in the blogosphere. I see you shut your blog down completely - so onto new horizons.... xx
That robot arm story brought tears to my eyes. The wars that are raging now in the world are causing people to desperately scramble to keep alive. How is it going to end? I try not to think of those things in the wee hours of the morning but it is hard. Love your quote.
ReplyDeleteThe robot arm was such a wake up call to me about how many people are wasting their life blood on pointless pursuits - and to try not to be one of them. The wars and conflict hurt my heart, but I also know there's little I can do other than pray - so I pray when they come to mind and try to focus the rest of my attention on the positive and lighter things in life - and yes, that quote was perfect wasn't it? x
DeleteHi Again, Leanne, Thank you for your above comment. I am not sure how my blog site shows up on your end? I still have my blog up and open and I get occasional comments and daily views. I would like to keep my options open re my blog since I visit friends/blog sites often. I would still like to return to my blog when I feel the time is right. Thank you for the heads up...it may be how I entered my comment this time? Always nice to connect with you, Leanne, and read your inspirational words xx
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - I thought you must have closed it because a link to it showed up as broken when I was checking my blog links a few days ago. I'm so glad you're keeping your options open and may one day return to being a regular (by then I may have drifted off into the sunset...) I just checked your comment link and it's all good - so I'll keep checking in xxx
DeleteHi Leanne. I'M so glad you are living your life pain free. It sounds like you are really happy and doing well. I love your beautiful, colorful collages. I think that I would frame them and hang them throughout my house. My tree is close to being finished and recently it's been moved to the sunroom in it's very large planter. I'M still putting on the finishing touches and waiting for some branches to dry. I will be able to add lights and leaves soon. Take care, Leanne. xx Christina Daggett
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I hope you're going to be posting a video of that tree when it's finished and all lit up. I'm SO looking forward to seeing it. Thanks for your lovely comments about my collaging. They're glued into books, so they store easily and the grandgirls have taken a couple each because they love the colours and whimsy (especially the fairy themed ones). And yes, pain free, relaxed, joyful living seems to be my lot in life right now and I'm beyond grateful for it every day. xx
DeleteI am in tears. That robotic art. What a statement. Furiously sweep up its life blood in hopes for a little more time, a little more 'life.' Long before Pinterest was created, I used to cut out images, much like you do for your collages, and glue them into a watercolor sketch book. One of my favorite images was a school of fish swimming toward a single fish facing the school. I always felt like that single fish. Trying to stay ahead of, in front of the many demands coming after me, chasing me. Almost every week I put all the things I think I need to do before the things that make me a better me. I am going to remember this post, Leanne. And next week, I am going to shake things up.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of your grandgirls. Glad you had some time with them. Happy you continue to create. Your collages have meaning and encourage feeling and thought among those who view them.
Hi Leslie, that robot art just spoke to my heart too - life is so futile if all we're doing is pouring out our life blood for things that don't matter. I don't want to get to the end of my life and think of all the time and emotional energy I've wasted. Instead, I want every drop to have brought joy and heart to myself and those I come in contact with. Running around chasing my tail is long past and I'm so grateful I woke up to it before it was too late. I hope you find some calm and quiet in your days too. x
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