The Best Medicine for the Worst Patient

It was the night before surgery

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring…

Nor anyone wanting to ask Sharon

What ARE YOU DOING!!!!

So let me give you the back story first. I had three hernia repairs on February 1^st. Surgery was a great success. Uneventful. Just like you hope for.

THAT was not the problem.

What was the problem was what was I going to do for the next three weeks to keep me, and everyone living in this house with me, from going crazy?

So, I kept looking at this wall that my bed is against. It’s a huge headboard, and bigger than the windows, and it’s always bugged me.

Need I say more? I finished up my last project early afternoon the day before surgery. The idea had been floating around in my head.

After dinner, I moved the bed (while I still had the ability to move something more than 10 lbs. The next day, that restriction would be in place.). Started sketching, then blocking in with paint directly on the wall. I’m running out of time because sooner or later, the closed door behind me is going to open…

And it does. It’s my husband, and he’s smiling.

He gets me. He knows the thing I’m terrified of is this truth. I don’t know how to relax and take it easy.

So it’s ok. He helps me set up at platform, with one step to get to it. So no need to be standing on ladder rungs. Brought a picture of the set up the day of surgery and got an OK and recovery was on.

Just going to say, I didn’t start painting until day 7. And just a little bit to start. So now you know the motivation. Here’s the project. So, boring wall.

Here’s a reminder of another mural I painted last year.

Here is the picture I took on vacation in Germany this past December. This is the Stiftskirche in Stuttgart.

This was taken during the Christmas Markets so you’re looking at the tops of vendors booths each topped with fabulous and intricate decorations at the bottom of the picture. Check out the dark teal tone in the sky. That’s what got me thinking.

So here is how I left things the night before surgery.

When I was ready to paint, it was apparent, the bed needed to be moved farther away. Hans took care of that and got the platform in place, and when I felt stronger, I used the platform step ladder.

Progress was slow at first. The scrolls just take forever, but I so enjoy this delightful torture.

And once it got going, and I realized I’d prescribed myself the best medicine in the world. This, painting this, did indeed make me feel better. So enjoy a detail of the church.

And then came the little wobble in the whole scheme of things. I was finished Hans got the bed back in place but said, I like the room better where the bed was (temporarily). Can’t you just leave it like that?

Well no, I just couldn’t have it end dead on the wall like I forgot three feet or so. But a solution came quickly. Besides loving to paint scrolls, I also like to paint ribbon banners. So look for one in the next newsletter.