Engaging Conversations

An engaging phone conversation is something yours truly has always appreciated, as evidenced by this photo of yours truly taken in bygone (way bygone years).

In a recent FB post on my personal FB Page,  I mentioned how grateful I was that Jenny from Santa Barbara had phoned me to see how I was faring in the lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic while still dealing with the aftermath of my broken greater tuberosity.

As I stated in that entry, it was such a blessing to speak with someone who didn't set their phone down and walk away from it while still talking to me, making it so difficult for me to hear.

I am mortified at myself for wasting precious moments of life struggling to hear someone who is doing so many things while talking to me.

I guess that's the point. People who do this are talking TO me NOT talking WITH me and I've gotten so used to it I hadn't realized how it made me feel...

Until....

Until I had A REAL conversation with Jenny last week.

AND MUCH TO MY DELIGHT, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!

This past Friday, I had a real and wonderful conversation with an out of NY state a woman named MH, who I only know through Facebook and she phoned me for the same reason that Jenny had: To see how I was faring in the lockdowns brought on by the pandemic while still dealing with the aftermath of my broken greater tuberosity.

I have often phoned people who I know are alone to see how they are doing and I hope it means as much to them as it does to me.

In any event, in the aftermath of my loving with conversation MH, I felt a sense of mourning for all the time lost straining to hear those who are talking away from afar while I hang on their every word and I could not even sleep.

SO...

Rather than fight the tossing and turning, I got up, and for the first time since living in my place, I went into my garden when it was still dark and uttered my own types of prayers while birds waking from their slumber chirped away, engaging with each other in their lyric conversation.

Eventually I went back inside to work on my column submission and heard a bird singing at the top of his/her beak and was thrilled (understatement) to see an American robin had stopped by!

AMERICAN ROBINS ARE FEATURED IN VOL 3

I was not the only one to enjoy the red-breasted songster.

#ClapBecauseWeCare Session 26 ETC

IMAGE CREDIT

For my 176th segment of Tuesday's Truths which is falling on the twenty-first of April, I'd like to begin by saying that one month ago today on March 21st, which was a Saturday, headlines were being made that NYC would be in a two week lockdown starting on Sunday night (the 22nd of March).

#ClapBecauseWeCare Session 42

IMAGE COURTESY OF SUSAN MIRANDA

In my entry here on Blogger for last evening, May 10th, I mentioned that my brother-in-law would be getting the results from his COVID-19 test today, but, unfortunately (understatement) his results were among the 2,100 that were lost by the facility administering the test (as evidenced in the image atop this entry which was sent to me by my sister).

As for me, I learned at my orthopedist appointment (that I also referenced in the aforementioned post) he reasoning behind my severe pain (re my Greater tuberosity injury) and have been warned to expect it to continue for quite some time and eventually surgery may be warranted.

However, in the midst of my concern for my brother-in-law and my severe pain, I still participated in session 42 of the clapping/cheering/pan-playing tribute.

After all, our health care professionals, first responders and essential workers carry on in the midst of whatever their circumstances might be; it is the least I can do to show appreciation. As usual, I took a few pictures of the tribute and a couple of them can be seen below.

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

I need help (Tuesday's Truths WK 205) and pls note on-going updates posted at the end

These are times of struggle for many as I truly know. In terms of me, I have had a series of unfortunate circumstances, including ones related to my oral health.

The latter has resulted in my inability to chew food properly which has interfered with my being able to swallow. I’ve come close to choking on a number of occasions.

BRAVO, TO FRONT LINERS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS, BRAVO! (Wednesday's Wisdom)

#ClapBecauseWeCare Participants

#ClapBecauseWeCare Participants

#ClapBecauseWeCare Participants

Last evening was the 6th time of the 7PM clapping/cheering session (that has been dubbed #ClapBecauseWeCare) taking place to honor first responders and healthcare workers who are keeping New Yorkers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Many people participated but I only took four pictures as it is hard to clap and take photos at the same time. Three out of the four pictures I took are of the same couple and those images are posted atop this entry.

Groundhog Day 2020

It's Groundhog Day and those who are not fans of winter (I don't mind it) are happy to know that neither NYC's groundhog (in Staten Island) Philadelphia's Punxatawney Phil, saw their shadow and folk lore has always seen this is a sign of an early spring.

Regarding seeing one's shadows, I wish I had not seen mine on January 18 2020 when I was taking photographs for an article I was writing about the first snowfall of the decade, because when I moved in order to not have it be in my picture, I fell and broke my greater tuberosity.

With Thanks to "B THE DIFFERENCE"...

It has been a number of weeks since I've posted content other than "news" re additions to my collections on FAA (Fine Art America) which is not typical for me.

I truly detest promotion-based blog posts, yet recognize that it is a very necessary part of being a freelance writer and artist.

Having said this, please allow me to bring you up to speed, which I’ve had on my to do list since mid November 2021, as I wanted to let my readers know I've had another life disruption... but thankfully one of the consequences has led to a true blessing bestowed on me by the B THE DIFFERENCE foundation.

B THE DIFFERENCE's logo (seen directly above) is a turtle, which is a creature with whom I've identified (featuring these animals here on Blogger and in my book, IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS).

The foundation, B THE DIFFERENCE is back from the holidays and I am most grateful to be a recipient of their generosity.

So, dear reader, upon reading this, you may be asking, what is B THE DIFFERENCE?

It is an organization which was founded in October 2011 by Stephanie and Jessica Merritt to honor the memory of their brother, Brandon, and they have shared the fact that Brandon was 8 months old he was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a disease targeting the nervous system by developing tumors on nerve endings. 

As readers of this blog undoubtedly know, NF, is a disease that I was born with (which is discussed in one of my first blog posts as well as in many posts thereafter); and my having it, has impacted my life on many levels, some of which is described in my book project Imperfect Strangers.

It can be viewed on Vimeo and/or You Tube.

Evidently Brandon never asked "Why me?" when NF compromised his ability to play sports and interact with children his age—if anything (according to his family), Brandon's physical disabilities allowed his personality to become incredibly nurturing and sensitive.

I must confess that there were times I did allow NF to restrict me, perhaps that's because I grew up in a different era, or maybe I'm just a complainer at heart.

BUT I digress...from my "explanation" re my uncharacteristic absence here on Blogger:

The following photos of me were taken at an Emergency Room in NYC (Mount Sinai, 59th Street) on Saturday, November 13th, 2021.

At the urging of CITY MD, I had gone to the emergency room on that day because I had fallen the evening prior and my symptoms were worsening. 

Here is the situation:

As I said, I had an accident on Friday, November 12th, and sustained an injury.

Turns out I had a proximal humeral fracture, which, as you may know refers to a break involving the area surrounding the humeral head, commonly known as the ball of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint. 

Brittle bones are a symptom of Neurofibromatosis and I've broken many bones in my lifetime, including the first month of 2020 when I broke my Greater tuberosity! So it was not all that surprising for me to learn the extent of my recent injury to my arm.

In any event, the following day, after a brief visit to CITY MD, I received advice to go to the emergency room where I spent 4-5 hours undergoing X-rays which determined the type of injury I now have. 

The upshot is I saw an orthopedist that following Monday who is associated with Mount Sinai hospital and he confirmed the severity of my fracture and the need for me to have Open Reduction Internal Fixation Surgery (ORIF)

BUT this surgery could not be done until 11-22-2021 as I needed to go to appointments for medical and COVID clearances which I did, and I’ve now had that procedure!

One of the after surgery “needs” that the doctor and anesthesiologist recommended for me was to wear a pump for a period of five-six days to release opioids in increments in a safe manner, but ultimately my pump (unbeknowest to me) was cutting off my oxygen leaving me nearly unable to speak and cutting off air circulation.

The pump was originally set to be removed permanently on Thanksgiving morning and I had made arrangements for someone to help me with this, but due to the potential danger I was experiencing (inability to speak and inability to breathe) its immediate removal was mandated.

Because the pump was on my back I could not get to it easily and the doctor warned me I could rip a  “proper” catheter if I did not to it exactly right.

But be that as it may, I was able to pull the device off which gave me much needed relief.

Then on 12-1-2021, two weeks after my surgery, my bandages were removed.

During one of the days following surgery (I've lost tract of specifics), and, out of the blue, I received a phone call from Aisling Rice (Director of Operations at B The Difference), who had heard about my plight with Neurofibromatosis through someone who actively reads my blog posts and whom I am in touch with by phone and/or email but have never met.

The fact that I had suffered an injury involving my arm had nothing to do with why I was contacted... it was just serendipity, or evidence that perhaps my guardian angel is working after all... for I've now been informed that I am the recipent of a generous grant (from B The Difference) to cover part of a medical need.

I am so grateful for this and I've applied their monies towards an outstanding balance of a dental procedure. 

Hopefully one day when I'm in better shape, I will be able to make contributions to others as B the Differnce has done for so many. To learn more about B the Difference, please click here.

Meanwhile, since my arm's movement is compromised, a turtle in Central Park is the one giving B the Difference a HIGH 5!

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).

366 New Opportunities Begin Tomorrow (Tuesday's Truths WK 157)

IMAGE CREDIT

In honor of the upcoming new year, which starts tomorrow, I am sharing this sweet illustration (above) which I saw on the FB Page of bird rehabber extraordinaire, Amanda Remsberg.

I appreciate the illustration as well as the sentiment, but someone should inform the feline featured here that the number of new opportunities this time around will be 366!

Severe Weather Did Not Stop Session 19 (Tuesday's Truths WK 171)

MY ROOFTOP GARDEN IS THE SETTING FOR "WORDS IN OUR BEAK"

A massive storm pounded New York City Monday (April 13 2020) morning and afternoon with heavy rain and speedy gales that caused flooding and power outages across the five boroughs.

Because my crabapple tree toppled over this past Friday and no one can come to help me tie it to the railing until our lockdown is over, I secured it by placing a couple of my garden chairs around it (as seen in the image atop this entry).

The white crocuses are in bloom again! (Tuesday's Truths 166)

CROCUSES

On Sunday afternoon, March 8th, while in my garden, I noticed the crocuses that are planted in the large container housing my kiwi vines were beginning "wake up" from their winterized state of being mulched.

Reunited with Turtles

TURTLES ARE THE INSPIRATION FOR ONE OF MY KALEIDOSCOPIC PRINTS

TURTLES ARE THE INSPIRATION FOR ONE OF MY KALEIDOSCOPIC PRINTS

TURTLES ARE THE INSPIRATION FOR ONE OF MY KALEIDOSCOPIC PRINTS

The turtles seen in the pictures atop this entry were seen by yours truly when I ventured out into nearby Central Park this past Sunday for the first time since March (at the initial time Governor Cuomo shut down New York and advocated for people to shelter in place).

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 later, 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 pandemic).

Under normal circumstances, I spend time in Central Park on countless occasions enjoying the array of flora growing there as well as seeing the many varieties of dogs, and observing wildlife, including numerous bird types, fish and turtles.

The ones included here were spending time in the lake as well as in Turtle Pond and seemingly not concerned about social distancing.

Sessions 41 #ClapBecauseWeCare

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECARE PARTICIPANT

GIUSEPPE AND TERESA
(He has taken a video of a session from his window.)

A #CLAPBECAUSEWECAREPARTICIPANT

This evening was the 41st  session of #ClapBecauseWeCare and a few photo-ops from it are featured atop this entry. During my participation, in addition to my thinking of all of the healthcare professionals, first responders and essential workers, my thoughts were especially focused on my brother-in-law (JM) who is due to get the results of his COVID-19 test tomorrow.

It is the same day I will be making my first "real" trip out of my apartment to follow-up with my orthopedist re the injury I sustained this past January when I broke my Greater tuberosity.

Many of  the healthcare professionals, first responders and essential workers, who are keeping us safe during this pandemic, surely have test results to be concerned about and/or are still recovering from injuries they sustained in the past, yet they persevere and fulfill their obligations, which why it is so important to show appreciation in whatever way that can be done, and as I've been saying one small way to do this is to show up for these sessions.

Saturday's Sentiments

American robins are featured in Volume 3

Early this morning I had my second 2020 face to face encounter with a lone American robin who was spending his/her time in my rooftop garden.

He/she played a bit of peekaboo with me as seen in the image atop this entry. Our encounter caused me to think of the literary critic, Chris Day.

New Year's Day 2020

It's the first Wednesday in 2020 as well as my first blog post of the new year. My scantily dressed figurine and I are starting the day off by wishing you and yours all the best.

This Evening Is My One Month Anniversary!

In a few hours time from now at 7:00 PM EST, it will be one month since my first time (Sunday, March 29th) of participating in a #ClapBecauseWeCare session.

On that evening, Julie Tersigni called out from her window after our #ClapBecauseWeCare session telling me that she had admired my garden which really lifted my spirits. She can be seen in the next image (wearing a pink hat).

JULIE, THE WOMAN WHO TOOK PHOTO-OP S OF MY GARDEN
SEE THEM BY CLICKING HERE AND HERE 

This morning I had a nice surprise in my newsfeed when I learned she had posted a picture of my participation in last evening's tribute (and it can be seen in the image atop this entry).

National House Plant Appreciation Day (Tuesday's Truths WK 161)

The official observance for  National Houseplant Appreciation Day has come and gone, but in my mind, house plants and indoor succulents can be celebrated at any time!

A reason the official holiday which is my (Tuesday's Truth for today) is celebrated annually on January tenth (according to National Today) is this:

"By mid-January, most of our various holiday decorations and Christmas trees have made their way out of our homes. National Houseplant Appreciation Day is on January 10 every year, and it reminds us that we don’t have to lose the freshness and vibrancy that plants bring to our homes just because the holidays have drawn to a close. If you have the post-holiday blues, this is the perfect chance for you to brighten up your house with a lovely plant that you can enjoy all year long."

My indoor garden is comprised of plants are a collection of succulents which thrive under grow lights but I have to take them outside or place them in a basin on a regular basis in order to give them water.

A Recent Visit

HOUSE FINCHES HAVE A BACKSTORY IN VOL 1

HOUSE FINCHES HAVE A BACKSTORY IN VOL 1

HOUSE FINCHES HAVE A BACKSTORY IN VOL 1

I have only been able to take a couple of walks in my nearby parks since March (2020) because the coating on my lenses of my prescription lenses has worn off and replacing them is out of my financial reach at this time.

Unfortunately since the coating is damaged, my glassses steam up constantly when I wear  a face-mask and I can't see where I am going which is very frightening.

I have tried many "home remedies" to prevent the steaming but because the issue has to do with the coating, my battle is endless.

Moreover, due to the fact that I fell last January (which resulted in my  breaking my Greater tuberosity), I am feeling vulnerable when it comes to the prospect of falling, SOOOO... I have had to stay at home more than I would like to, and I miss the parks!

Therefore, my spirits were lifted the other day when I discovered that a lone male House finch was spening some of his time perching on the branches of Ailanthus trees in the courtyard (as evidenced in the imagess atop this posting).

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.