Wednesday ART THERAPY

Thanks, Karen. Should I call you
cjpinester? Karenster doesn't sound
right! Louster

 

I’ve taken antidepressants on 3 different occasions in my life after age 50. In 2019 I had a severe case of insomnia and was taking 300mg of bupropion. I tried every sleep med available also. None of the sleep meds worked constantly. After Cheryl transitioned in May of 2021 I bumped my dose up to 450mg of antidepressant. I needed every available resource to keep my sanity. By The end of 2021 it took longer to become fully awake in the morning so I weaned myself off the antidepressants first and then the sleep meds. I trust the science and trust what my gut feelings are too. I’m glad you are taking care of yourself Rose. I’m in the back yard again enjoying my solitude. I’m staying out until I see the first bat. I love the country life. Gary

 

Oh, oh ----you're so funny. Are you having a good day?

 

Your message came at a perfect time,
Karen. It's been dark & gloomy, and
raining all day. I was tempted to sit in
a bar, and drink. But,then I remembered
that when I did that for 2 years after
Linda died, that it made me MORE
depressed, as you know. I went by bus to
the nearby larger city, for a change of
scene.I had to wrestle with Mr. Grief,
bc I had a wave of sadness that Linda
wasn't able to meet my friends, see where
I live, and walk with me downtown and
by the ocean. But, at least, I didn't have
the crippling survivor's guilt that I did
right after Linda died. Recently, I met a
widow, and thought I might want her to
be a companion, but she wasn't interested
in having a relationship. We agreed to be
"music buddies " at our local cafe. I 'm
relieved, bc I found her to be "high
maintenance". Hope things are OK with
you. Louster

 

Gosh, L, it's such a shock for us all to live a different life or try to find our way to a new life. Like I mentioned to Gary, half of ourselves went with our love one and the other half is what we are living with, when do we become whole again?
You are doing super great getting out, socializing, enjoying music and friends. Maybe part of your wholeness is peeking out... I like the idea that you have a "music buddy". High maintenance, doesn't sound good.

 

Maybe if we are two wholes, and half of each of us is with the other, we’re still whole, but in two halves.
I don’t know if that makes sense. ~B

 

No, Karen, I don't need a confrontational
relationship. It has to be easier than that.
It would be nice to look forward to
getting together with a female companion,
as it is with my male friends. The woman
doesn't have to be a widow. She could be
divorced, or never married, but had
relationships. It would probably be good
to have someone closer to my age, so we
could share a cultural history. Gary has
been wrestling with this, as well. L

 

Hey, Lou
The really cool thing, as I see it is…
The world is far more complex and connected then ever before.
We are all multifaceted intricate beings.
So many new things to connect over.
There are so many places where our cultural history blends beautifully.
As someone whose soulmate was 25 years her senior I have lived that.
Keep the door open a little further is all. Let life surprise you.
~B

 

Yes, you're right, Bernadine. Why limit
myself? Everyone is different. Thank you
for sharing your experience. Lou

 

It’s not Wednesday but look at my sunflower!
It’s well over 10’ tall.
The critters will love it this Autumn.
~B

 

I love it too! Absolutely marvelous. Thank you. I needed this today, as Ive just got up to yet another grey rainy day.
One of my favourite flowers. Whenever we've tried growing sunflowers they've just ended up being 'mini' sunflowers. It's probably our tough clay soil that's totally incompatible.

 

Wow! Jack and I grew a special sunflower called, Teddy Bear. Have you heard of it?

 

Oh, I think I have, they’re dense and puff ball shape? I will definitely grow more next year!

 

Some new art acrylic painting I did last week...

 

Hey, younger brother, George, missed you
& Helena yesterday for Wed Art Therapy.
Haven't heard from Helena for a while.
Hope she's OK, in our long journey of
mourning. Good to see you on here
today. Hope your weather is OK. Sunny,
fall like temps of 60 degrees here. Colors
of trees are late this year. Your color is
vibrant in your art. Lou

 

Yes, I think the name may be a nickname for them. They are round and firm. Everyone went crazy for them. They don't require anything special to grow.

 

In front of our one year apple tree...
~B

 

She is beautiful and poses so well.

 

Maggie is a joy, Bernadine, who has
helped you in your darkest moments. I
choose not to have a pet, bc I like to be
out all day, but I'm surrounded by dogs in
my town, & one is like a service dog for
me. Lou

 

She really wanted to just lick everything and chew the stem off of the pumpkin, lol.