Happy Fri-YAY, fellow shutterbugs,
Long time no blog, huh? Did you miss me just a little bit? I have been in Kentucky caring for and visiting my mom. She developed some new health issues – never a dull moment – but today, when I said goodbye, she was in a pretty good place, I think. Thank you for sticking by me even when I go AWOL from time to time.
World Through My Lens, 04.2019
Coming to you from 30,000 feet above Earth, somewhere between Atlanta and El Paso, on Delta flight 1244. So very behind in all things blog but going to get back in the swing of things with this post, World Through My Lens, 04.2019 – a round-up of the photos I took during the month for the 2 photography challenges in which I am participating. There’s the Sunday Stills series hosted by Terri at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives and The Everyday Eye Candy Project 52 with LaShawn at Everyday Eye Candy on Facebook and her blog, Everyday Eye Candy. Here are the prompts for the past month and my interpretations.
World Through My Lens Week 15
Sunday Stills, 04.07.2019: For the Love of Reading & Books
Had just finished this book, Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton, and set it down on the bed to contemplate the ending, when Purrsnickitty curled up beside the book for a nap. I love books for the other worlds and lives and experiences they create for us. Snick apparently likes books to sleep on. It would be fair to say we both love a good bedtime story.
Everyday Eyecandy Project 52, Week 15: Faceless Selfie
My Prince C. has had a great deal of pain in his back for several years. After trying visits with a chiropractor, a physical therapist, muscle relaxants, yoga and massage, he was finally given the first of 2 spinal ablation (nerve burning) treatments last week. I snapped this photo of him just before he was called for the procedure. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders right now. Wish I could do something to lighten his burden.
World Through My Lens Week 16
Sunday Stills, 04.14.2019: Gate
We attended our first Triple A baseball game on 04.18.2019. For this photo I like the contrast between the straight and curved lines, the black of the wrought iron gate against the sky and the brick. Nice of Southwest University Ball Park, home of the mighty, mighty Chihuahuas, to label their gate for my photo op!
Everyday Eyecandy Project 52, Week 16: Pastels
I do realize that the colors of these tulips are anything but pastel. Better adjectives might be vivid or deep. But I love the way this photo turned out. So decided to use it to illustrate the antonym for ‘pastels’. These flowers were grown in raised beds by some of the residents at Lafayette Senior Living Community in Lexington. Made me realize how much I miss flowers and trees, the green, green grass and the musty, earthy smells of the spring season in the south.
World Through My Lens Week 17
Sunday Stills, 04.21.2019: Spirit
PC and I bought this bottle of Arena Blanca Winery “Pistachio Delight” for my dad several years before he died. He saved it for a time when we could drink it together but that time never came. After a particularly difficult day at the hospital with mom last week, I came home to her apartment and decided to share a drink with daddy. Could feel his sweet spirit bolstering me for the tough days to come.
Everyday Eyecandy Project 52, Week 17: Candid Snap Shot
Snapped this picture of my 92 year-old mom reacting with excitement to a friend’s Bingo. They play every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights at Lafayette Retirement Community.
World Through My Lens Week 18
Sunday Stills, 04.28.2019: A Dog’s Life
My mom has had such a tough 6 months. Seven hospital stays in 3 facilities since December. Most recently, she was admitted for extensive blood clots in her left leg. SCARY. Being 92, hard-of-hearing with macular degeneration and a variety of other recent health problems must feel like a dog’s life at times. But mom’s home again now and has had a couple of good days for which we are thankful.
Everyday Eyecandy Project 52, Week 18: Food
Wish I had thought to use the selective focus feature on my phone when taking this photo. But I was so anxious to eat my first funnel cake that I didn’t spend much time on photographing it.
Random Shots
The following are pictures from my life in April.
My mom and I made Kentucky derbies in a crafts class at her senior living center. Here’s mom modeling her derby with some serious swag.
My brother Kevin had to get in on the action, too. He carries his derby-wearing-self with confidence, too.
Do you see a family resemblance? Do I look like my mom or my brother? Do they look alike, aside from the sporting the same Kentucky derby?
I didn’t get a whole lot of exercise while I was in Kentucky. My Wellness Wednesday post is going to be a real bummer. But a couple of mornings, I left mom long enough to take a little walk in the neighborhood near her apartment. Lexington is the land of rolling green pastures separated by alternating rock walls and white wooden fencing. Photo ops at every turn.
But even with all its beauty, Kentucky just isn’t home. Cannot wait for the pilot to land this plane and to get home to my kitties, and my very own bed. And PC will be home from Washington tomorrow.
Your Turn
Would you have a photo or two that would fit the photo prompts for this month? Tell me about them or share a little bit about the photo you took in April that you liked best. If you share it on Insta or Facebook, be sure to tag me so I can see, too.
Will be slowly getting around to reading my favorite blogs, responding to comments here, and writing more posts in the coming days. Looking forward to sleeping in ‘own’ bed.
Hugs and kisses,
Em
Thank you for sharing your fun, artsy, emotional, informational, yummy and lovely photos.
Sorry about PC’s back issues (and the other stuff going on). I was in DoD contractor work back in the day and it always seems\ed to come with a measure of uncertainty. Fine when you’re the second income…not so great when it’s your career. At one point (after I “retired” they picked up an entire simulation operation and moved it across the country).
I know you were glad to be able to spend time with the fam back east. Special photos and memories with your mom. It’s a very difficult time, but gives the tenderest of opportunities as you care for your mom in the sweetest of ways. It reminded me of how they cared for us when we were young and so likewise vulnerable.
The tulips are beautiful!! You could make that a stock photo. Aaaand….I love me a good funnel cake. Powdered sugar bliss!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Darling friend, thank you for the sweet words. If you were a DoD contractor you know the job security issues that we are facing. Although, PC isn’t a contractor, it seems DoD jobs can change or disappear on a whim. He just put so much work into shoring up the security in their current building and now the unit is moving across country. Just doesn’t make sense.
My photography is all accidental. I don’t know how to take a good picture so I think often times, I just have a good subject to work with!! Ha! And need to break out my good camera more often but so worried I will drop it. So I don’t use it. Now that makes a world of sense.
Deb
Of course we missed you! I see both you and your brother have the same sense of individual style ;-). Pleased to hear that your mum is showing signs of improvement, I’m sure she loved having you close at hand. And nice to be able to share some of her care with your brother, he must have loved having you there as backup.
Talking of backs, your poor PC must be in so much pain, I really hope those injections help. Sounds like he’s tried everything else so fingers crossed.
Have a good weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! You made me snort with laughter with your comment on my brother and I sporting the Kentucky derbies!! You are such fun. Mom continues to have more good days than bad, thank goodness. PC’s back is some better and he is applying for jobs so all in all things are looking up. Thank you, my sweet friend!
Nancy W Dobbins
Hi Leslie,
Welcome home…I too took a bit of a break from the blog to travel home as well. Glad your mom was feeling better when you left. I’ve been in your shoes, coordinating care for elderly parents but was not so far away as you are. That must be hard.
Glad you had that drink with your dad!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am so thankful for all of the friends I have made through blogging who have experienced or are experiencing the same issues as they try to lovingly care for their elderly loved ones. It is a labor of love but so laborious and stressful at times!! And trying to help mom over 1500 miles makes it even more difficult.
Thank you for the welcome home, sweet friend.
Dara
Definitely missed your posts! Great pictures. I love the tulips! I hope your husband’s back pain will get better.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Dara. A compliment from you about my photography is very special. You have such a great eye.
cindi
Hi Leslie. Loved your photos. My fave is the one of the tulips. Awesome!!! What colors. You should print it out and hang it up in your home. Loved it!
Glad your mom is doing better.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Cindi, I hadn’t thought of printing that tulip photo but maybe I will. Thank you for the compliment and suggestion. My mom’s favorite flowers are tulips so maybe I will print and frame a copy for her.
Gail
I did wonder where you’d gone but I knew you were with your mom! Great photos, very clear and sharp. I love the way you capture your mom’s spirit and sense of fun.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, glad you realized I had vanished for a bit. Thank you for the compliments on my photos. My mom is full of life when she is herself. Happy to know my pictures captured her spunk.
Kellyann Rohr
Great photos Leslie and welcome back! Your mom really looks great for 92! I hope she stays well and things stabilize for her. Your brother looks like a ball of fun and that funnel cake – yum! I am horrible about photographing food – I eat it too quickly!
You are a talented photographer!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet friend, for the compliments about my photos. I like playing with photography. And have begun using my good camera more often. My brother is great fun. He has a BIG personality. And he is one of the best dads in the world. A couple of times, I have planned to take pictures of a meal and have completely forgotten until I had cleaned my plate. You made me laugh that you eat your food too quickly to photograph it, too!
Christie Hawkes
I love your photos Leslie. You have a great eye. I hope your mother is doing well. My mother-in-law turns 92 on June 1. Her companion of 10 years (who was 94) just passed away, and it has taken a toll on her. She’s still kicking though!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Christie, I am sorry your MIL just lost her dear companion. In January, my mom lost the man she had eaten breakfast with everyday for about 7 years. We all thought the world of him. It took the steam out of mom for a bit, so I can relate to how your MIL’s loss has affected her. She sure looked fabulous in the Mother’s Day photo you shared. Glad she is hanging in.
Terri Webster Schrandt
You are a good, good daughter, Leslie, taking care of your mom! Of course, I missed you and I see you have posted a few in the last couple of days! Love your photos, your brother is hilarious and I am always so happy when you can join Sunday Stills!! I get to spend Mother’s Day weekend with both daughters, an unexpected treat!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Glad you have both daughters with you for Mother’s Day. Enjoyed seeing a pic of the 3 of you. Keep those Sunday Stills prompts coming. I am so enjoying this photo challenge.
Thank you for the kind words. I love my mom and my heart breaks for her to have such struggles. If I can do something to make her life easier or more comfortable, I am so happy to do so.