Summer Ache

Summer is almost over and it’s a bitter pill to swallow – literally and figuratively. I have been sick for nearly two weeks and it seems like it couldn’t have come at a worse time. I got on medicine for an ear infection on Friday the 13^th and haven’t been well since. I thought I was managing, was able to pack up and head out to Wisconsin with the boys for a short fishing trip but really only kind of enjoyed one day. Besides the intense ear pain I battled headaches and fatigue. Last Tuesday I spent the day sleeping and vomiting. I went to the ER fearing dehydration so he gave me an anti-nausea med and a different antibiotic. Both made me sick every time I took them but despite frequent vomiting and dizziness I was able to make the drive home the next evening. I saw a specialist Thursday. He said I have an outer ear infection and it is affecting my ear canal as well. He gave me prednisone, ear drops, cephalexin, and zantac for my stomach. I have seen some progress, swelling is down, but I am still very dizzy and tired. I have so much to do before school starts again. The closing reception for Images of Illinois is tomorrow night in Springfield, IL and I wanted to combine that with a trip to Kansas City to meet my new niece. I am praying it works out.

When I look back at this summer I will have to try and remember the good things that happened the 6 weeks before all this – like the Michigan photo workshop I went on in June, getting an Honorable Mention in the NFSPS annual contest, spending time with my friends and relatives, and taking pics for the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

    

Give me a High Five!

Highlights High Five Magazine that is. Highlights published my poem “Hello Hoots” in the High Five April 2018 edition. I received a thank you and two complimentary copies in the mail. A couple of my friends even sent me a photo of their child holding up the magazineJ. It was a long journey but I’m very happy I am finally a part of the Highlights team. I love the illustration by Michael Slack and wrote him a little note to tell him so. Looks like he is quite an accomplished artist!

       

This spring I have been busy submitting to poetry and photography contests and to the editor of the latest edition of From the Edge of the Prairie book. I even applied to a few artist residencies. Now that my kids are older I have the ability to travel for workshops and photoshoots, etc. A residency would give me the opportunity to really focus on my work in a new place for a few weeks at a time without interruptions and distractions. Some provide travel reimbursement and a stipend. Wouldn’t it be nice!