My Two Cents on the Discontinuation of Bonuses for our Zazzle Stores

The last twenty four hours has been a bit insane for all businesses under Zazzle due to new policies that eliminate our bonuses. Bonuses can be huge for the heaviest hitters down to just ok for lesser stores. It's not pretty and shopkeepers are upset, understandably. It all hinges on us all being better at marketing and promotion. I'm pretty good (above average but no whiz by all means) at these things but not nearly as good as the top pros, who really know their stuff, scoring huge checks on affiliating and marketing ventures. The bottom line to it all is this: it's all about money, not about sentimentality over artists and their businesses. It's the corporate way, and it just marches on, no matter if you like it or not. None of us like it, but honestly we can't change it so it's best to make our views known and figure out ways to recoup any losses we may have. It's business, plain and simple.

Being on my own since 17, I've had to scrap quite a bit in life by working hard. My childhood was privledged but my adulthood hasn't been, not really. I have learned to live well on what I have and am proud of it. By learning via free programs to use the computer as a temp in my twenties (since I couldn't afford to take courses in computers anywhere), and taking courses for free with coworkers while working office/corporate jobs, things that formerly didn't seem possible to do got done. All along, I did my art and ran my little business, gathering clients and referrals. Now I don't need those so much, relying on my knowledge and also dealing with Zazzle. Awhile back I had a store at CafePress, but bailed on it because it no longer profited in my favor. When they took away our ability to set our own royalties and wanted us to work for close to nothing, I closed my store and moved to Zazzle.Fast forward to now. Despite losing our bonuses, I am still able to choose my own royalties and will continue on as long as that option is given. It is corporate nature for them to want to profit more and more as time goes on, and make cuts accordingly of benefits, etc. I've seen it in real marketing jobs I've had. My attitude is to have a Plan B, Plan C, D, E..and so on. Always. Corporations I've known are loyal to themselves, not to their workers. It's all about the bottom line at the end of the day and I get that. There's no room for emotion and sentimentality. And that stands for me, too. If they become a liability to my bottom line, I have alternatives to take my store to. It pays to stay cool and not get overheated about the politics of business, instead it's necessary to roll with the punches and think up answers. It's a big puzzle to be figured out. Always was and always will be.

In the Town Hall Meeting today, it was one big slugfest. Kind of reminds me of the freaks slugging it out on Jerry Springer's show. I observed it all, but threw no punches, just asked for answers, sat back and observed. Bottom line is that I'm going back to do my work as always, choosing my own royalty settings and carrying on as usual. I am not phased by the insanity and emotion of that meeting. Not much good came of it, just lots of people blowing steam. It's understandable, but getting mad doesn't fix anything. So, it's back to business as usual and I will ramp up my marketing efforts all the more, without spamming. It's business, the art is the easy part. I'm a firm believer in not keeping all my eggs in one basket. Why my store is not only on Zazzle but also on other sites across the internet. It's survival, plain and simple.

For my friends who are panicking over this new policy, don't. Keep calm and Zazzle on. The volume bonus was only one part of our income, not the whole thing. Life goes on, keep working, keep your options open and don't get overly reactionary..turn that anxiety into action. Do whatever it takes to find answers, improve your business, and keep going. I have boundaries. If Zazzle crosses them in the future, I will move to another site and keep going. Until then, it's best to go with the flow, and do whatever is needed to grow the business. The term "starving artist" is silly and untrue. You only starve if you don't work at it hard enough. Change happens so it just takes some adjustment here and there. These are my thoughts on the situation. I refuse to let the marketing turkeys get me down :)

June is Busting Out All Over..In My Garden

It's early June and it's been sunny and blustery so far. Strong winds, rain and dramatic skies. Love it. My flowers are blooming all over the place! I come out in the morning to see new blooms busting out on the poppies, especially. Plants I'd planted last year that I thought had died have returned and grown rapidly (portulacas, butterfly weed, myosotis/forget-me-nots, etc). I've been out in the garden doing edging, working on improving soil conditions so I can plant more flowers and bushes. The cats sit in the windows as I garden and meow at me whenever I look at them, it's so cute! They make it a game. I meow back, in acknowledgement, just for fun. They might be deaf but they are visual and respond to that sort of thing. The birds are always around, my goldfinches practically live at the nyger seed feeder. The woodpeckers love peanuts so I make sure to keep the other feeders full..hungry little buggers!

While I work, I leave music or tv on in the background. I was watching the Jodi Arias trial and hoping for justice for that poor young man, Travis Alexander. She's been convicted, and now we wait for the re-sentencing. If anyone deserves the death penalty, it's her. She was insane, stalking, not taking "no" for an answer, being manipulative. And she destroyed him, then tries to profit on her crime. Just goes to show how low deviants can go. Growing up in a home with a master manipulator present, I understand fully how terrifying these kinds of people are..unpredictable and volatile, controlling. It's beyond scary. I was stalked a few times in my twenties and thirties. Men showing up at my place, unannounced. Three times, Men staring in at me from the bushes. Freaked me out. One (very professional)man threatened to kill some other guy he thought was after me. Looney tunes. Another even got himself actually thrown in jail. He took my business card (picked up at a trade show I was exhibiting in) and took it upon his crazy self to show up at my house! Serves me right for having my address on my business cards - I was young and dumb (D'OH!!) He showed up on Christmas, draped in jingle bells, hoping to visit me, demanding to be let up (in my then apartment building). I wouldn't buzz him in so he buzzed the crap out of that buzzer until someone let him in downstairs. He then wouldn't leave my front door, kept banging on it, knowing I was there from my initial answering the buzzer to see who it was. The cops hauled him off. UGH. What a freak. Older man with a screw loose. No means no. He just didn't get it. The cops told me that they were their own witnesses and that I didn't have to go to trial against him, they would go instead. Thank you, police! I remember it like yesterday. This scenario came back into my memory when watching the Arias trial. It pays to be careful of who you talk to. Arias is dangerous and should never be let loose ever again (no parole!)

Last week I got a call from a lifelong friend of mine, my childhood psychotherapist, Janeen, who was in town and wanted to see me. She lives in Tennessee now so it's such a pleasant surprise for her to come see me in her busy schedule here in Ohio! She came with her friend, and they came in the house, stayed awhile and we chatted. Wonderful conversation with two fantastic people! It was like old times, but twenty years later. How times fly! Janeen was the mother I always wanted but never had. She was the one who helped me with a difficult time with my mother. Janeen told me to work hard to be independent when I was twelve, not to be like my family but to learn healthier ways of relating to the world. And I never forgot that. Been on my own since 17, and though it was hard when I was taken out of an abusive situation. I learned to grow up pretty fast. Anyways, the whole saga of my recovery from narcissistic child abuse started with her. Now, all these years later I told her that she's the mother I always wanted but never had, and she told me she thinks of me as a daughter. That means so much to me. I am forever grateful. I was a lonely, alone little girl and she showed me the light so long ago. And now I'm a middle aged woman, and her presence is love and light, makes me feel cared about, either in person or on Facebook :) It's important, I think, to let people know when they make a difference in your life, to let them know that they are valued. Gratitude!

Other things..found out that there is an extremely large perennial flower greenhouse not too far from my home. Later this month, I'm going! After clearing away a new area for a garden next to my house, There is a lot of space for new plants. A lilac bush, rose bush or two and peonies are on my list. I'm like a kid in a candy store let loose in either bookstores or garden centers. Love them. Looking at this local greenhouse/grower's website, Bluestone Perennials, I see some plants that interest me. If the price is right, they will be mine. I'm going to make this new garden an Eden! Flowers everywhere! It would be wonderful to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to my yard. It's in my mind, now I just have to build it. Takes time. Nothing really looks all that great until the year afterwards, so next year, I want it to be lush and beautiful.

Another thing on the to-do list: learn how to use the telescope I bought last year. Here it is in all its glory, uncalibrated, waiting for me to get it in alignment:

It's nice living near Observatory Park, when I finally get the hang of using it, they have events for amateur astronomers to bring their scopes to. I will pry myself away from work and do it. Astronomy is fascinating. For all who like it, www.slooh.com is a great site to visit. I have a membership to rent their large telescopes and take photos of nebulae, planets, galaxies and more with far better equipment far better than I could ever have. It's a wonderful site..very addictive. I'm a big star geek, and proud of it. The colors and formations of the different phenomena are spectacular. The best views, of course, are from Hubble telescope, but Slooh is still no slouch. Here's a pic I took of the (Waxing Gibbous) moon not too long ago:



Here's M63 or the Sunflower Galaxy:





On a last note, I fixed my laptop! Without the help of some high-priced computer tech (last visit cost me $250)! It's fine now, other than needing a new fan soon. The malware, spyware and other garbage are all gone and this thing is completely back to normal. Thanks to using lots of anti-malware and anti-spyware programs. If you throw enough mud at a wall, something's bound to stick. Well, it stuck. Still working on my health. I've lost weight (yay - still much more to go, though for optimal health) from eating soft foods only (and losing my appetite for jello, tapioca, cream of wheat and other boring food..I want steak! To eat an apple! You get the picture). I will get the permanent teeth this month, thank God. Might get my hair trimmed soon, too. I look like a shaggy bush when it gets humid especially. Time to get it taken care of, kind of a mini-makeover for Summer, maybe. So much to do, so little time. Still, life is good :)

May-Hem in the Heartland

I love Spring, lovely May is here, and the temperatures are wonderfully warm. I have been sleeping with slightly open windows for the last few nights now, and loving it. Life is good, even if a bit crazy here and there. First of all, there's my teeth and health, always a work in progress. A serious infection (originating from my sinus area) has made life very tough here and there for awhile now, and the reason for many of my teeth being replaced. My dentist, Dr. Slaten of Perfect-A-Smile Group has been working hard to get it all repaired, and it looks great. I have to have more work done, as there are temporary teeth that need changing to permanent ones once the infection is under control. Those little temporary buggers tend to break easily, so I am doing my best to eat geriatric types of food (applesauce, mashed potatoes, anything soft) so not to break them. Now I fully understand why my late grandmother had teeth like mine (and lost them eventually) used to dunk everything in her coffee or milk! Despite being careful, they bust here and there...just busted one while eating salad. The dental staff are quick to schedule me in, which I truly appreciate. Looks like it's back to the dental chair again next week, now that this one is broken (a small tooth towards the back). It's a process, but a means to an end, and I'll do whatever is necessary to have a healthy mouth with the best dentists possible, who I fully trust. For those who have known my past experiences with other, lesser dentists, my trusting and liking dentists is quite an anomaly..but this group is like family..and it feels good to be really helped with patience, much needed laughing gas (because I'm a wuss..they are good at keeping things pain-free) to kill any pain and lastly..encouragement, despite my health setbacks here and there.



In other news, my favorite computer, an HP laptop, has a virus or malware attack..still trying to figure out exactly which it is. Arrgh. After hiring others to fix these things in the past and learning from them, along with countless hours talking to customer service people from previous computers (this one NEVER gave me trouble before), I know a thing or two about battling viruses and malware..but probably not enough to fully tackle it since it's still not completely gone from my system. I've used Microsot Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, Malware Bytes, Sophos Virus Removal Tool and SuperAntiSpyware programs, along with the my less-than-great McAfee (that never caught whatever it is in the first place)to kill off some of the problem. It is better..but still, it is SLOWWW. So, if I don't figure it out in the next week, then it goes to the computer doctor. That's never cheap.

Luckily I can do my work on my other computer, which is just fine (thank God). I'd been getting into the habit of using my laptop in my bedroom when I got my new mattress set because it was much more comfortable to work from than sitting at a desk. So, now I'm back in my office and using my desktop there. I have electronic drawing tablets in both rooms, so I can draw anywhere, so it doesn't really matter where I work. The cats pile in my office as I work, and keep me company as I draw or type. Here is what they do:



My gardens are looking good, flowers are blooming (tulips) and my peonies, Asiatic lilies, Anemones and others are wakening and showing their sprouts. The goldfinches, woodpeckers (downy, hairy and red-bellied), chickadees, mourning doves and house finches are practically living at my feeders. The male goldfinches are now bright yellow again, so pretty. I rigged up a spy/pinhole camera so I could even see the birdfeeder from my bedroom tv, which is fun because they have no idea they are being filmed. My kitty Farrah loves sitting on the bed, "chasing" birds, glued to the tv! So cute. The birds sing in the tree right outside my office windows, and even look in at me, as if to say, "We need more seed out here!". And at times, I think they enjoy teasing the cats ;)

Business is good and improving steadily. I spend from morning to night working on my stores, drawings and researching things (when not repairing computers). There is a huge amount of work to be done, but I do it all eventually. It's a passion, doesn't feel like work to me, I love doing what I do. Seeing the business grow gives me such huge encouragement. There's no time to relax and get complacent. I keep my head down and keep working, 24/7, to learn more, to be more. It's an additive process. A huge amount of time and energy goes into doing the work that is done..but I don't mind at all. A full pot of Starbucks Breakfast Blend coffee and a waffle with pureed strawberries for breakfast every morning..then it's marathon work time! When I'm sick, I just sleep, not able to do much, but the minute I feel better, I do something, anything, to get work done. I've always been a workaholic!

Mom's busy with her gardens, which look spectacular. Flowers everywhere! I love her big tree peony, which will bloom in the near future..it's gigantic, red and showstopping! Dad is enjoying his retirement - reading, working on projects, spending time with his beloved cats and listening to his radio shows. My parents are healthy..after a rough year (health-wise)for them last year. I feel so grateful that they are ok and happy.


google-site-verification: google7067dc8e96d74570.html The Fine Artwork of Carolyn McFann

Spring is Here! Well, Almost..

It's now early Spring here in Northeastern Ohio. By late March it is usually warmer than this but it's still nice. I use these snowy days for working inside on the ocmputer, or catching up on chores around the house. It's all good. It'll be even better when flowers and leaves return to the trees. In my garden there are signs of life. Tulips are trying to come up (despite being piled on by another six inches of snow here and there). Birds are coming to my feeders, much to the cats' delight. Farrah perches herself on her favorite chair to get the best birdwatching seat in the house..up close and personal with the woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees and other brave birds that eat just outside the window, unphased by her giant eyes staring at them!

I've been getting my upstairs office more stocked and organized over the winter. File cabinets, desks and equipment to make life more simple for me as I work. Soon I will get more shelving..I can never get enough of it. The furniture store owner laughs as my parents and I all buy lots of bookshelves. Between an addiction for books and need for storage of office stuff, I put the ones I have to good use (they are beginning to bulge, though). There is a lot left to accomplish, so I can get my business expanded. It takes a lot of time and planning. So far, so good.

Recently, I bought a lovely round table in need of refinishing (veneer on the sides was flaked off but the rest is ok). I took it home, cleaned it up and found out that is is a mahogany Duncan Phyfe drum table, a very good brand of furniture. Not bad for twenty bucks. It will look beautiful when I'm done. For now it's still in the "before" phase. If I wasn't a professional artist, I would've loved to be an antique dealer, like my grandparents. They were successful at it and had such beautiful furniture/ taste in things when they were alive. Mom is good at refinishing furniture, learned from them..and I learned from her. I'm not as good as she and dad are, but I've refinished quite a few things throughout my life, each one looking better than the one before. It gets tricky with veneers but in researching supplies, I found sheets of flexible mahogany veneer that I can be to replace the (totally trashed) veneer on the side of the table.

The cats are happy and enjoying life. Farrah has so much fun sleeping in my hair at night, playing with all her toys, birdwatching and spending time with Matisse, her best buddy. A far cry from a rural death row shelter in South Carolina, where she came from. She was going to be killed and I stepped in, they brought her to me and the rest is history. She's deaf (but that doesn't hinder her in any way), pure white and very loving. Cats make the best co-workers..they don't talk back, are quiet (well, until it's time to be fed) and are entertaining, which helps when my brain is fried from working on things..cat petting does wonders for the frazzled soul.

For Spring I'm busy designing a variety of products. I've won awards for some of my designs over the winter, and just keep working on new things. People are responding well to my latest products, which is fuel to work even harder. It takes all my brainpower to think up what to draw and paint. Painting them is the easy part. It's thinking up what to do which is hardest for me. When a new idea comes up suddenly, I have to run and write it down so I don't forget it. If I get overloaded with too many thoughts, it all cancels out in my brain (I go on "auto pilot", so to speak), so it's important to write as much as possible down to not lose the thoughts.

Mom and dad are doing well, thank goodness. Health is ok and we're all keeping ourselves busy with our projects over the winter. We went to a local pancake breakfast recently, which was fun. The breakfasts are usually the first sign of Spring here, as we live in maple syrup making country. When driving it's easy to see maple trees all with buckets or bags attached to them for collecting their sap. Every year my parents and I pig out on pancakes at at least one pancake breakfast. A tradition from before I was born.

I hooked mom on a catalog I ordered flowers from (Michigan Bulb). I ordered some butterfly bushes, honeysuckle, trumpet vines, red and blue cardinalflowers and other great plants over the winter (it's half $ off if you do this) and they will deliver it to me when it's safe to plant..something to look forward to! Mom's getting some flowers too, that catalog is full of so many great kinds of plants that it takes a strong person to avoid the temptation of buying what it sells! Now, if only the weather will improve so we can start gardening. Not too much longer now. I'm thinking positive on this. Come on, Spring! :) google-site-verification: google7067dc8e96d74570.html The Fine Artwork of Carolyn McFann

It's been a busy year so far, I'm just getting caught up with projects and things after needing some well-earned rest during the holiday season. Outside it's still snowy but warming up. So far the winter here hasn't been bad at all. I have to take my Christmas tree down soon, and I dread that. The cats are attached to it (they sleep under it, stare at it, and when I begin taking the ornaments off, they all stop and watch with serious interest. I'm not going to be one of those people who leaves the tree up until July..so it comes down this week.

My world is blissfully quiet these days, which is fine with me. The less stress, the better. How I love being out in the country where it's quiet. No more city living for me! Plus, the cats are occupied with bird-watching most of the time. Added bonus!

I'm getting back into the frame of mind to learn new software so I can be more productive on the computer, in a larger-scale. It's intimidating but I'm up for the challenge. Learning new things can be painful (I'm hard on myself when I learn, even if I love learning) but once I get it, my life is improved and made easier with this new knowledge.

My dear Beau who is ten years old, needed to go to the vet last week. Luckily she found nothing seriously wrong with him, other than some gastric disturbances. He is a big, tough cat and always intimidates veterinary staff. He even intimidated the vet herself! She took him briefly in the back so she and the vet tech could clean his ears, and I could all heck breaking loose in there. She tells me he is "very intelligent and the most difficult animals are also the most intelligent". She said he is very unique and strong-willed, and she doesn't see cats like this very often (in other words, he's tough as nails). They didn't do more poking and prodding, she told me that I can put him back in the carrier now..hehehe..she was glad that the examination was over! My dear boy, he's a total sweetheart pussycat with me, it's everyone else that annoys him. He's a good cat and I am glad that he is, who he is.

Now that the holidays are past, I'm going to take this time to learn, focus my mind and relax. When I get too strung out doing too many different things, my mind goes blank..so it pays to stay focused and take it one task at a time. Peace feels so good. I'm grateful for it. Choosing to cut ties with crazy relationships and put others at arm's distance has made my life so much happier. I go out when I want, stay in when I want, and there's nobody nagging or criticizing me. Love it.

The new year ahead will mean more products coming to my store (which, in turn means more work for me to design them). I welcome it and see many late-nighters (as opposed to all-nighters I used to do but being older, that's changed). Just brew a fresh pot of coffee and work my tail off here on the computer. There's a huge amount I still need to do now, but to stay fresh, breaks (like right now) are necessary. I've become a total computer geek but that's ok. I'll take this over working for others any day..that was SO unfulfilling and nerve-wracking. Being my own boss, I am not afraid or insecure. My job is to figure out what to do and how to do it, and it's fun, sort of a huge puzzle. I'm not lonely at all because of it, my passion, and of course the sleeping cats who are always by my side. They make great co-workers, conflict-free and are always relaxed, like Farrah here. :)

Fall is Here in Ohio

It's been a great fall, with dramatic skies, brilliant colors in tree leaves and wildflowers and lovely cooler temperatures. I've been busy with working on my stores, drawing, visiting with old friends and doing things around the house.
I've been noticing that the birds at my feeders will eat through all weather. Nothing gets between them and their seed! Especially the goldfinches, nuthatches and woodpeckers (downy, hairy and red-bellied)! It's so fun to look out and see near constant bird activity, those little guys sure love to eat. The chickadees are so tame that they will stay on the other feeders near me as I fill a feeder. They're so friendly and talk to me, really cute.

Despite the cooler weather now, my gardens are still looking pretty good. I brought in my tropical plants and the cats love sniffing the leaves and sitting under them. The big hibiscus tree is blooming happily in my kitchen, covered with double peach flowers. The red flowering hibiscus bush in my living room is full of buds, too. I sure hope they're this happy in the middle of winter. As long as they have water and an occasional light feeding, they're happy.
I'm back into orchids again, bought a few plants for my kitchen. I had over forty orchid plants when I was in Florida and gave them away before coming up here, since they love the tropical climates. But, my orchid addiction never went away so what the heck, got a few. Which, of course, will lead to getting a few more..
Mom & dad's cat Moxie ran out their front door two weeks ago and is still out there, living it up as a free cat. When he sees them, he runs! He and his siblings were born to a feral mother cat, and my parents rescued the kittens three years ago. Mox was dad's constant buddy, with him everywhere that he went, all day long. Now, even dad can't get him inside! Amazing. He turned wild again. Dad leaves food out for him every day, and we all hope that when the weather gets really cold that Moxie will finally decide that being outdoors isn't fun anymore..and come home.
My two cats are having a good fall, watching birds at the feeders and the leaves fall. They armchair-birdwatch. Laziest way possible to exercise but oh, so cute. Matisse will get in the winder and want to pounce, but then just getting in the window (next to the chair, easy to get to) to him is a big effort that then deserves a nap. Ahhh..what lives they have! The birds actually watch us, too! Goldfinches frequently sit on branches overlooking my living room windows and stare in at us! It's so cute, wish I knew what they're thinking :)

So, fall is progressing. Pretty soon it will be Thanksgiving, one of my fav holidays. It's been a TOUGH year health-wise for mom and dad so this year we have a whole lot to be thankful for. I plan on doing the whole dinner, whether or not they come. With LOTS of stuffing. Being single, I tend to eat the same leftovers for a week sometimes, doesn't bother me at all. Especially not roast turkey leftovers.

google-site-verification: google7067dc8e96d74570.html The Fine Artwork of Carolyn McFann

A Peaceful August in Amish Country

It's been a comfortable and peaceful August so far (well, except for my car breaking down/needing expensive repair in the beginning, but I won't talk about that). I enjoy the cooler temperatures (while they last, after all, it IS August in Ohio), and having my windows wide open to let the breeze in. So far, this month has been very laid back, the way I like it. Dad's health is improving, which is a big relief! Seeing him with color back in his face and life in his eyes again means so very much to me. I never, ever take my wonderful father for granted, because he's such a good person and after all he's been through, it just shows how fragile life can really be. One day at a time, and he's happy so I'm happy.

Mom's been busy gardening and with her various projects. She's enjoying the summer, too, and we all will miss the great outdoors when winter rolls around (we all pretty much hiburnate in bad weather). It's great to see her garden full of birds and butterflies, it's a little nature preserve! I love that my family loves nature and animals so much. It's one thing we all have in common.

At my house, the birds are busy chowing down at my bird feeders. It's so cute to look out and see five male goldfinches pigging out on nyger seed, the white-bellied nuthatch running up and down the tree and my latest additions, the chickadees, going to the feeder to get one seed at a time, fly off with it, and then return for yet another single seed. I have to chase off the sparrows from time to time, as they bully the goldfinches like a band of little marauding thugs. And, they ate nine pounds of bird seed all by themselves in one day, so I decided that they can have the food on the ground, but no more messing with the songbirds on the feeder. All I do is clap my hands from my chair as I work, and the sparrows fly off (for awhile, at least). The finches stay put, as if somehow knowing that the clap wasn't meant for them. I think birds are smarter than we give them credit.

My cat Beau loves to lay in front of the room fan, letting it blow his fur like crazy. He's a Southern cat and used to love the fans when I had them down South so his fondness of fans has stuck with him even after living down there. Matt, on the other hand, winces at the wind. He doesn't like his beautiful fur blown at all. Two distinctly different personalities.

My garden is doing pretty well, some things really thrive while others sort of just hang on. The Portulacas, butterfly weed and dianthus are really going nuts. Even the double yellow hollyhock is now settled in well and looks happy. The first year of planting is always the hardest but they are establishing themselves and hopefully will come back bigger and better next year like the wild geraniums did.

I love the country, it's so perfect for my parents and I, after all those years in living in busy, stressful suburbs. Out here there is nature everywhere, tractors and horse trailers go by my house every day, and Amish buggies pass by, too. People talk about composting and county fairs with excitement. I buy jams and produce from Amish vendors at a local farm market from time to time.

The neighbors in the big, fancy house across the street have bonfires and I love the smell of the burning leaves. It smells like fall, which is my favorite season. Mom and dad say how they wished we'd moved out here years ago. Well, we're here now, and loving every minute of it.

July is Busting Out All Over

It's hard to believe that July is here already but it is! Time has flew by this year so far. Dad's illness has consumed my thoughts and I jut haven't paid attention to much of anything else. He is stablilized as of now, and though I can't relax completely about that, I'm very relieved.

My dad is now recuperating from having a pacemaker put in by the fine surgeons at University Hospital. He went from having no energy and not being able to breathe hardly at all to color back in his face, sparkle back into his eyes and increased stamina to live his life! They saved his precious life, and now he is healing. I can't say how amazing this is, to see his transformation. He's not out of the woods with his health yet, there are still many medicines to take, monitoring by doctors and nurses, and dealing with the heart failure and COPD. But to see him up, walking around and being able to spend time enjoying life again is miraculous.

I'm concerned about the little boys (aged 2 to 7, roughly) next door overwhelming my poor parents' house. With my dad being ill, this is getting intolerable. They aren't watched very well and come over to their house waaaay too much. Yesterday was a total fiasco, with them all over their porch, invading like an army, touching/getting into everything, one wanted to paint their window when he wasn't getting the attention he wanted! Dad needs peace and quiet, and they don't know how to be quiet in the least, and don't want to go home when asked to. Mom loves the little boys, but they are invasive and loud, and even she is tired of it, she tries not to let it show, though. I may have to step in if it gets out of hand, but for now, mom tries hard to handle all of them. They need to be home, with their family, not taking over the porch and letting themselves in my parents' house, uninvited. I'm friends with their older sisters, who try to handle them but it's just too much work for young girls to do. Heartbreaking. They should be out playing, not babysitting all the time at that age. I'm so glad I was an only child. The parents are very nice people and are basically friends but passive..there's 11 children and they don't seem to realize how very troublesome the little boys can get..and my elderly parents don't need that stress at their ages. They aren't babysitters. Mom teaches them for free, from the kindness of her heart. She's retired, meaning she should be able to be out in her garden or sit on her porch without being comandeered by an army of little boys to teach them. I just watch..for now..but worry, and will step in if they overstep their bounds much more. The family will be moving soon, so this problem should correct itself without any need for intervention. One day at a time.

As for me, I'm busy with trying to feel better, myself. I'm working to improve my own health, that has been lacking. Doctors monitor me and are concerned, I have to see two doctors in about a week, I hope that I don't end up in the hospital myself. It all stems from an infection started in my teeth that hasn't gone away, hopefully it can be eradicated, so far it hasn't been with multiple courses of antibiotics. I feel sick but am eating healthy and doing my best to repair myself. It's a process and I'm just dealing with it little by little, maybe the new doctors will help get me back to feeling like myself again.

My garden is growing, looking better as time goes on as the plants get bigger. It feels so good to see them every morning. It's fun to see progress, and to take a once barren front yard and bring color, flowers and life into it. I added a new birdfeeder to my other one, and get a good variety of birds coming to it. So far I've seen a white-bellied nuthatch, red-bellied woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, rose-breasted grosbeak, house finches, goldfinches, cardinals, chickadee, black poll warbler. It's fun to watch them come and go. Nuthatches really crack me up as they defy gravity, walking up and down the tree upside down and backwards, shimmying here and there, and raising up and down on their little legs, trying to find the perfect angle to jump on the feeder from! So incredibly cute.

July 4th is coming, and along with it comes festivals and other fun things happening out here in Amish country. To get away from the stresses, my parents and I will enjoy as much of the festivities as we are able. We love living out here in the country, all of us remark frequently on how great it is and how we should've moved out here years ago. It's wonderful to see my dad enjoying himself (when small boys aren't invading the porch) outside, enjoying nature and the birds/animals that come around. Their house is like a little nature preserve. Little chipmunks come practically up to us, birds and critters drink from the birdbath. There's a mother bird with her babies living nearby. Mom's beautiful flowers look so lovely, and bloom all the time. When some plants stop blooming, others start to flower. Her garden is impressive and growing bigger with every year.

Check out author Peg Streep's latest article on Psychology Today. http://ping.fm/M02Hn

My Precious Dad is a Real Trooper!!

Lately it's been really hard for my poor father. He's had problems with his lungs, heart failure, arrythmia and LOW heart rate. So low, he just had a pacemaker put in. Dad is a true survivor! He does it all with style and class, too..smiling and joking, being an excellent patient and doing whatever is needed. I truly admire him for his strength and tenacity during this extremely tough time.

My dad is a self-made man, coming from growing up on a farm originally. He was a very talented photographer in the US Navy and paid for college with his earnings. He went on to become an amazing architect. All my young life I was amazed at all the interesting projects he did, from Naval prisons and parts of the Cleveland Art Museum, zoos, universities, NASA, Tower City and much more. He did it all humbly and fiercely hardworking. At home, he was/is a loving father, and always loves his animals.

Now, in retirement, dad takes care of a family of cats he and mom rescued from the streets awhile back. He and mom love each and every one of them like the furry kids that they are. Those cats won the "feline jackpot" coming into this family!

As time has gone on, dad's chronic arrythmia got worse and worse, and this year he was rushed to the hospital multiple times, and ends up staying there a week at a time. First at Cleveland Clinic and now at University Hospital. He's gotten to know the staff at University and they remember him when he returns. He's a special man with a huge heart (that just needs some repair right now). I pray that the new pacemaker will help the other health issues to become less bothersome so my precious dad can enjoy his retirement peacefully without incident, with mom and I, and of course, the cats for a very, very longgggg time.

Whatever it takes to make him better, will be done. His team of doctors, physical therapists and nurses are impressive and efficient. It's quite amazing to watch the professionals take turns helping him. They work hard, very hard, and yet take time to explain what is going on and what to expect. His physical rehab team even visited him as he rested in Intensive Care two days ago! I can't say enough good about University Hospital, they are so wonderful.

So now, mom and I wait to bring him home from the hospital. He will be so happy to be able to have his kitties curl up on and around him back at home, and there will be a visiting nurse to make sure his health stays on track.
Being a worrier by nature, I worry a whole lot, but am comforted to know that my dear dad is feeling a bit better now with a regular heartbeat (thanks to the pacemaker). The nurse says it will make treating the other health issues easier. Good!

Here's to my dad, my hero. He is so very loved. I feel helpless about not being able to help him in feeling better but do my best to encourage him and think positively, as mom is doing. Together, we're a team. And we're getting through this, one step at a time!














google-site-verification: google7067dc8e96d74570.htmlThe Fine Artwork of Carolyn McFann