Inn of the Wandering Dragon

I thought I would post this as a follow up to a previous blog post. I had started a sketch of a henna style dragon and I wasn't sure where to go with it. As it turns out, I left the paper and went to a wrap around design on a flameless candle instead. I am quite pleased with how it turned out overall, although I think I may try using henna on further candles instead of paint simply for ease of laying down the lines.

I am getting better at gently tossing stuff to where I need it. Balance and coordination are being worked in new ways although I won't be dancing or running a race anytime soon. Wednesday will mark the third week since I slipped on the stairs at home and landed with a very audible crack as my ankle was broken in three places. I know I had talked about needing a break - but this is so very far from what I had in mind!

Some of my friends have remarked that on the one hand this is good because now I will have so much time to paint! Of course, painting or any creative endeavor requires energy and a certain degree of physical comfort which lately has not been in good supply.  Inspiration has lain quiet as my body focuses on healing and I am only now getting to the point where I feel like I might be able to scribble something - so long as no one calls upon me to make a masterpiece. ;) I just hope that I will heal well enough to still attend the BC Renaissance Festival this summer in Langley. Other henna artists have told me how they worked festivals in a cast so it is do-able so long as I give my body what it needs.

My friends and family have been wonderful with generous offers of help and company and I truly appreciate every bit of it! Even my cat has been quite courteous (for the most part) and patient as I hobble around. I say for the most part because he still seems to think I need to go around him instead of him needing to move out of my way. (Why do cats always park themselves in the absolute middle of whatever path you need to take??) A gentle nudge with the crutch to the tail has so far worked well.

Tomorrow I go into the cast clinic, presumably for x-rays and checking of the cast. The doctors were fairly vague about what to expect, and I was doped up on painkillers at the time so thinking of intelligent questions was shoved somewhere to the back of the brain. My aim is to get the information flowing more freely this time around.

Today is a sick day, I am curled up at home waiting for my tea to steep (a lovely blend of violet and vervain which will hopefully help loosen whatever is stuck in my windpipe). And since one can only spend so long in a horizontal plane I figured this is as good a time as any to check in.

I admit I hit something of an emotional roadblock this past winter. Between work stress, monetary stress and my previously noted feelings of being overwhelmed with what I saw piling up - I found myself retreating. I had lost motivation & drive. I had lost some resiliency and all I wanted to do was hibernate. Instead I pared things back. I have been trying to focus on finishing off certain projects, as opposed to starting new ones. My stuff-to-do list is slowly shrinking as a result, slower than I would like but at least progress is being made and that feels good. Sadly my dance classes were one of the things that had to be cut for the time being. Actually physical activity in general pretty much fell by the wayside and I am feeling the effects of that as well.

But things have been getting better lately in that I am feeling better about how things are and how I am dealing with them. Maybe it has a bit to do with the season and the lengthening days, who knows? I have started doing henna again and I find my interest in the art form returning. I am already planning to return to dance in September and in the meantime I am getting back to other physical activity (which will go better once I shake this bug). I am starting to look for a new place to live and that will be a welcome change.

Maybe I just needed a break of sorts.