I'm back after yet another hiatus...

Once again I have had circumstances that have taken me away from being present here on Blogger as well as from moving forward with my "Imperfect Strangers" book project.

I feel akin to Mooch, the cat featured in the Mutts comic strip atop this entry and I must confess, the longer I'm away from my book project, the more confidence I lose re any value it might have. 

But I've received an encouraging "note" (email) from an advocate for those who suffer from NF.

It stated:

"Your struggle is real, Patricia. 

Youngsters nowadays are SO lucky to find there's information (re NF), care and acceptance of their differences, at least in safe circles.

You got a very opposite message.

Remind yourself of the courage and strength of character it took to make a new home in New York.

It wasn't the end of ridicule or discrimination, but your determination to educate the uninformed has been a real inspiration.

I'll admit that it seems cosmically unfair that you've been assaulted by so many complications - both painful and cosmetically distressing - at this point in your life.

Why you should be so afflicted I cannot understand.

All I can suggest is to set small goals for yourself each day. 

Celebrate small accomplishments.

Thank each bird who graces your garden. 

You're a good person with a kind soul. 

That's huge.

RM"

I'm not so sure RM is correct in calling me a person with "a kind soul," I can get pretty short tempered, but this is not the time or place for self-deprecation, so onward I shall go with my return to this blog.

MONDAY'S MEMO: MAKE NF VISIBLE

The month of May is set aside for many things, among them are raising awareness re certain medical conditions such as Osteoporius and ALS.

My chilhood friend, Ellen McConnell Blakeman died as a result of the latter and I dedicated volume two...

... of my three volume hardcover book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

They are directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. 

On another note, May is also the month for raising awareness re NF, the acronym for Neurofibromatosis, a condition I was born with, and a condition which at this juncture, I seem to be struggling with more than ever and am having a very difficult time in my life.

I have written a book length piece ("Imperfect Strangers") about it, but efforts to find an agent have been futile. As some of you may know, I've posted a video re my endeavor which can be viewed within my Vimeo channel as well as my You Tube channel.

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

At the moment times have been more challenging than ever what with a dental procedure that I've been mentioning here on Blogger; on going issues with my eye-sight, new pain from NF and dealing with consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

I do not want to go the self publishing route with this book (as I did that with my three volume hard cover book series, Words In Our Beak), as I  have had very little success getting the word out re the existence of these books.

NOW, every day seems heartbreaking as my struggles mount.

In any event, today, May 17th, as explained in the video posted atop this entry is the day NF based organizations set aside to make aspects of this condition visible.

Remembering Albert Loth Youngquist (born on this day in the 1920's)

Thinking of my father who was born on this day of May 13th in the 1920's and died in 1995. If truth be told, a big part of him died the year after I broke my wrist (as seen in the copy of a anapshot which is posted atop this entry) during the summer of one of my elementary school years, for he moved out of our house after the following summer.

Brittle bones are a consequence of having Neurofibromatosis (NF) and I mention this because I was born with this condition and the month of May is designated as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.

As some of you may know, I've written a book length piece titled Imperfect Strangers, re living with this condition and I've been querying agents for representation.

"It's May! It's May!"

"It's May! It's May," are a couple of lyric lines from "The Lusty Month of May," a song featured in Camelot. May is also known as National Bike Month.  Moreover it is the month associated with raising awareness re a number of serious health conditions including Osteoporosis, Lupus and ALS.

Both my dear childhood friend, Ellen McConnell Blakeman, for volume two of my Words In Our Beak book series is dedicated (seen in the next picture) and her father died from ALS.

Her younger brother Douglas McConnell is very active in raising awareness re this disease through a foundation named A Long Swim, which is referenced in my aforementioned book.

Even though I've self-published my three volume book series about birds, I don't want to go the self-publishing route again as it proved to not be a good means to getting much recognition in book stores or in securing interviews. 

On another note, the month of May is also dedicated to raising awareness to the nerve disorder known as NF or Neurofibromatosis.

Colleen Elizabeth Ormond Passed Away Ten Years Ago Today (11-11-2010)

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE ORMOND

Ten years ago, on Veterans Day, November  11, 2010, Colleen Elizabeth Ormond (pictured here with the family dog, Hero), died at the age of twenty-five. I learned of her death late that night, not even a week after publishing a blog post about November being a month of remembrance for those who have died, and for those who mourn them.

Colleen was born with with a severe form of a hydrocephalic condition which caused her to have several debilitating afflictions, including being unable to see due to resulting damage to her optic nerve. 

Yet Colleen Elizabeth Ormond gave much love from the minute she came into the world until she left it, passing peacefully in her sleep on Veterans Day, having been a warrior herself. 

Colleen had fought the good fight and has now finished the race.

At that time, the family did request that in lieu of flowers to honor Colleen, donations could be made to Katibug, a non-profit foundation helping families who are caring for medically and physically fragile children like Colleen, in their homes.

Colleen's passing (and the fact that her parents and sister cared for her in their home) has always been part of my inspiration to follow through n my book project Imperfect Strangers.

The book discusses growing up with the condition of NF (Neurofibromatosis) and I've posted a video re my endeavor which can be viewed within my Vimeo channel as well as my You Tube channel.

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

The goal of my ptroject is to not only raise awareness about NF, but to educate the general public about consequences re how remarks made to an individual with any physical (or mental) difference can have a profound, long-lasting impact that last a lifetime.

Sunday's Scenario: To be the Teflon OR to not be the Teflon? That is the question!

IMAGE CREDIT

Snoopy's got this, PARTIALLY.... and it is definitely how I felt this past Sunday when I was verbally attacked for my having Neurofibromatosis AKA NF.

BUT I do realize I don't have to "suffer these indignities," I most likely will have to be subjected to them over and over again...

And I will remind Snoopy, we don't have to "suffer these indignities," THAT part (suffering them) is in our control; as a friend of mine said to me upon hearing about my unpleasant encounter this past Sunday, "BE THE TEFLON."

With today being the last day of this month of May (which is the month set aside for NF awareness month) perhaps the wisdom of being the Teflon is truly noteworthy (at least for me).

An Unpleasant (but typical) Encounter

As many people know, I have been heeding the governor's plea for people to shelter in place in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the eve of March 21st and did not go out (with the exception of walking a few blocks to the postoffice, walking a few blocks to a bank and walking a few blocks to check the status of a local laundromat, which is two blocks away).

However, I had to go out on May 11, 2020, to my orthopedist as I was past my need to follow up on the injury I sustained to my Greater tuberosity this past January and two days after seeing this doctor, I began physical therapy at a facility in my hood.

Other than the aforementioned occasions, I've not been outdoors, except to water my rooftop garden and to stand in it when participating in nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare sessions (tributes that honor first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers who keep people safe during the this COVID-19 pandemic).

In any event, this past Sunday I took a very short walk carrying my DSLR, which is something I've NOT done in the few times I've ventured outside.

I was wearing a hat and my sunglasses plus a face-mask (a standard one, I don't have the ones I created yet), which meant my facial features were nearly covered, but I had opened my jacket a bit as it was getting hot and it wasn't opened very far, only my neck and the pendant I never take off (except for medical procedures) were exposed to the elements as a result.

Be that as it may, during my short journey, I passed a man (who can be seen in the image atop this entry) selling fruit on the street and was taken by the fact that he was on Instagram (which was indicated in a large print sign attached to his stand).

Throwback Thursday: "LIFE CAN'T WAIT" (Today's my video's one year anniversary.)

VIEW ON VIMEO
VIEW ON YOU TUBE

As of this blog entry, we only have ten more days left in the month of May, which happens to be known as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month. I was born with this horrific condition and have attempted to raise awareness about it through postings here on Blogger as well as in my presentations (speaking engagements) including one I gave in December of 2018 at NYSEC (The New York Society for Ethical Culture).

Moreover, I've written a book, Imperfect Strangers, about living with Neurofibromatosis (NF) and today marks my one year anniversary of posting my video (the cover for it is posted atop this entry) about the book.

Sunday in the Park with Cardinals

IMAGE CREDIT

In my early morning blog post for today, I featured Marquis quote, "Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."

That quotation seems to be the story of my life these past couple of months because I have been unable to finish my proposal for a photo book project I am hoping to do with Steidl.

I had intended to submit my work to him this past April or May at the latest. However, this past May I took a U turn from the work I had been doing on the proposal and focused on my other book and or movie project, Imperfect Strangers.

ATTN: "Imperfect Strangers" is in Progress! (Friday's Follow Up)

CLICK THIS TO VIEW ON YOU TUBE

A few months ago (February) in an entry here on Blogger and a posting on Facebook, I mentioned an unkind (understatement) experience I had regarding my having Neurofibromatosis (NF).

In that entry, I also mentioned that I might return to a book project that addresses issues related to the condition. Now that we are nearly through with this month of May for 2019, which happens to be Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month, I have done something about it; and I have just posted an announcement on my You Tube Channel with a very short video that you can view by clicking the link underneath my screen shot that's atop this entry.

This past Wednesday Andre, Matthieu and Joshua came to my rooftop garden to celebrate my endeavor and we can be seen (below) in a photo Andre took with his phone.

Andre (second from the right) is my optician and I initially met him in June of 2016 after I had an accident where one of the consequences was breaking my glasses. I met Matthieu (seated in front of Andre in this picture) soon after. Wednesday evening was the first time I met Joshua (who is standing next to  me).

I am honored to say that this past summer Andre purchased volume one and volume two of my book series (volume three had not been released at the time), Words In Our Beak for Anne et Valentin.

THE WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

The evening was fun which was something I have not had in a long time for a variety of reasons, but it was bittersweet because Matthieu is moving back to France in June; which is another reason all of us got together. He said he'll return to NYC on occasion to visit; so hopefully this past Wednesday was only a goodbye for now.

Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month

May is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month and before it ends I'm following up with people that I have queried re having me on their radio or television program.

My brainstorming re a pitch is still in progress; but since we are already near the halfway mark for this month, I better just send them out. The follow-up which I’m still working on will include this:

NF is an abbreviation for no fun and it also stands for the genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis (a disorder that I have had no birth) which is certainly no fun. I have published a number of entries on my blog re my experiences of having NF.

I’ve also discussed my experiences of being bullied because of it during my presentations on birds where my focus is the implications for understanding the similarities of human behavior and the behaviors of members within the avian community. The topics I have covered in my presentation include how birds teach us about the human race in such matters (to name a few) as finding our voice, ways in which we compensate our behaviors to meet our needs, accepting our physical appearances, and how bullying impacts our lives.

NF* is "N.F." (NO FUN): Tuesday's Truths WK 83 *Neurofibromatosis

The cartoon posted atop this blog entry was included within one of my Facebook postings this past Friday. In that entry I stated: "This morning, I had an appointment with the eye surgeon who removed a cataract from my right eye in 2014, which was a very dangerous procedure since I can only see out of that eye. In my left eye, I have what is known as "counting fingers only" vision and even that is very blurry. The surgeon removed the cataract from that eye in 2015, but a secondary cataract has developed, which she will remove next month, on June 8th. And, UNFORTUNATELY, I now have a lump growing on the eyelid of the left eye, which needs to be attended to ASAP. Through a referral from my eye surgeon, I've set up an appointment for next week to see what can be done about this. Very disconcerting news for me, especially given my precarious living situation! Obviously, I need to buy more than a VOWEL!"

The lump which I am referring to in that FB entry, may or may not be due to my medical condition of Neurofibromatosis, a condition which I discussed in yesterday's posting here on Blogger.

At my appointment with an eye specialist that is scheduled for the later this morning I will find out if the growth is related to NF.

Monday's Musings for May 7th 2018

The PEANUTS comic strip that I've posted atop this entry was published 39 years ago today, and upon my seeing it, I was reminded of my initial experience of hearing birds sing in my rooftop garden.

Thursday's Testimony: Ghost Bikes are a part of National Bike month.

The month of May is full of a number of observations, including raising awareness regarding the medical condition known as Neurofibromatosis (NF) which I discussed in yesterday's blog post, as the day of May 17th is World NF Awareness Day.

May is also known as National Bike Month, which I mentioned in an entry that I published in the beginning of the month, prior to my first opportunity to tandem cycle since my accident (not related to cycling) in 2016. And according to The League Of American Cyclists, the third week of May, which we are currently in, is designated as bike to work week. Biking to work is not an option for me because I don't have a bicycle and I work from home. Moreover, I only have vision in one eye, hence my cycling is limited to being a stoker on a tandem bike. I'm thrilled that I get to do this and grateful to have a competent captain (ZW). ZW is the one who pointed out the bike featured in the image atop this entry. She noticed it as we were cycling north on the portion of the greenway which runs along the Hudson River.

Wednesday's Wisdom: NF Awareness Day

One individual out of every three or four thousand folks has Neurofibromatosis (NF). I happen to be one of those three or four thousand people. As a web-base article states NF is "a genetic disorder in which benign tumors grow within the nervous system. These tumors could be anywhere in the body, including the brain, and spine but not limited to the feet..." (NF is the abbreviation for Neurofibromatosis, which is quite appropriate, for having NF is NOT FUN.)

My experiences with how people have treated me as result of having this condition have often been more painful than the tumors, which is something you may have surmised, dear reader, if you have read my Blogger entries re this subject. Additionally, a number of years ago I wrote a book length piece about the inner experiences of having NF in hopes of raising awareness about this condition.

I mention NF today as the month of May is dedicated to enlightening others about NF and May17th is World Awareness Day for NF. From the encounters I gave had with others as a result of my having NF, there is a lot to be done. Raising awareness is one aspect, but teaching people not to be cruel is going to take a long, long time.