Hi there , 

This is going to be a short and sweet email, and the final one for awhile. My craniotomy surgery was moved to Wednesday. I'm so grateful because about a month ago I learned the surgeon was rescheduling me to the end of August, which was not going to work for oh so many reasons. I promptly wrote a lengthy email to the scheduler explaining the complexity of my situation and the next day was offered a cancellation for 6/25. I took it.

I had so many things on my to-do list, both for school, for TraillWorks, and for myself. While I've accomplished a lot in the past month, a lot has been left unfinished. I will embrace those as the threads of continuity to pick back up as my cognition improves post-surgery.

I've spent the past few weeks recharging from the end of the school year, finishing up the home portrait commission and delivering it to its owner, starting a new home portrait commission, connecting with friends, family, getting out to the Eno, spending some time at the pool and preparing for the unknown. 

By no means must you, but if you're interested in following my recovery, or wanting to help me out in any way, I've set up a CaringBridge page that my husband, Lee will be posting to after surgery, until I'm able to pick it up again. He and I will also be posting requests for whatever help we may need, and there's currently a Meal Train link there as well. 

I'm going to leave you below with the finished, framed home portrait and some photos of watercolor sketches I painted at the Eno River. 

Please take a moment to read "A Blessing and a Curse for the Makers" by Kate Bowler, Duke Divinity professor, author, and podcaster. I urge you to find time for creative acts—they are revolutionary, healing, and more important than ever. I'm going to print this so I can see it during my recovery. Wishing you a restful summer and I'll see you on the other side! 

Finished NC Home Portrait:

We do idolize our homes, and I’m very cognizant that home is more than the roof over our heads. Many still don’t have the ability to own a home, let alone one like this. But, that doesn’t take away the memories that any home structure contains for any family or person.

I’m so honored to finish this home portrait which is more than a facade, but a place where a family was raised. Despite its beauty, home contains everything - the tears, the laughter, the anger, all the emotions.

I know that this painting will bring this family good memories of a place where they were formed. I also know this family won’t forget the hard times either.

Wishing them much luck and love as they move on.

Watercoloring at the Eno

Sometimes you need to listen to the wisdom of your kids. This particular day, my oldest insisted I join him at the Eno River while my youngest was at the pool. 

He’s developing a love affair with 🎣 and what better way to join him in nature than by watercoloring? 

We weren’t out there very long and he didn't catch anything, but it was spent deeply enjoying the surroundings at Fews Ford, a spot along the Eno in the Eno River State Park, which we are so fortunate to live only 5 minutes up the road. We both got to enjoy nature together, doing something we each love. 

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