April 13, 2015

A (Cautionary) Green Light


When I visited the orthopedic doctor last week, she gave me a cautionary green light to go on the planned photography workshop this week at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I will need to sit and rest a spell whenever I feel foot pain. I am taking the huge orthopedic boot but will not be wearing it when the workshop group is shooting. I will either wear a hiking boot on my broken foot or else a post-op shoe. (I use the post-op shoe for driving.) A cane and hiking stick will also be at my disposal. I may not take very many images, but I will learn, participate fully in the classroom portions of the training, and get some of my portfolio critiqued. Most of all, I will have fellowship with other participants. The workshop’s pro photographer is okay with my approach and says that he will take good care of me.


This is my first trip without the love of my life, Mr. Jim. It will be bittersweet, to embark on my own traveling adventures without him at my side. My heart is broken. My foot is broken. But my spirit is not.


I could ramble on about this, that, and the other regarding what’s been happening in my life lately. But I’m keeping this post somewhat short. Easter was spent alone and I ate leftovers. A few telephone calls helped to brighten the day. I expect future holidays to be dreadful affairs, but I have no choice but to soldier onward. A few friends and acquaintances have blessed me with some of their time, and I am grateful for those who have reached out.

Life remains more complicated and stunted with a broken right foot. I have to wear the huge orthopedic boot as much as possible for another three weeks, and will go back to the doctor then. Household chores are completed slowly or not at all. A few neighbors have stepped up and helped to walk Angel, much to her delight. Grocery shopping has proven to be my biggest struggle. I’ve managed to get that task accomplished twice and shouldn’t have to do it again for a while.

I still plan to go out to Wyoming for a landscape photography workshop in late May. The goal is for the metatarsal fracture to be healed by that time. However, I’ve already told the doctor that I will go on that trip no matter what. Trips planned in 2013 and 2014 were cancelled because of Jim’s illness. I have no intentions of cancelling this one. God is going to have to work it all out for me. He owes me big time, don’t you think?

I’m sorry that you had to endure the two dreadful cell phone pictures posted above. You need a respectable image to help make up for those eyesores. Hummingbird scouts have arrived in east Tennessee, and a filled feeder is already hanging on the front porch. So it is appropriate to dust off and share an image that I took last year of this beloved bird.


And that is why I do photography – to celebrate such beauty and capture a little whimsy, now and then, along the way.

29 comments:

  1. just a beauty of a hummingbird! so glad you're able to (carefully) go to the workshop this week! hooray! and glad you're able to drive a bit, too. so glad folks have been coming to help you and angel. keep healing, donna!

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  2. so good to hear from you again Donna, and to know you will be able to go on your tours...
    albeit hampered by the boot. Gosh it does look cumbersome.
    The bird is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more photos from your trip.

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  3. Go you good thing!!! Look at you all sorted...cane,shoe,boot!!! You are so enduring!!! As for hummingbird,well I just adore those little birds,we have had some beautiful and tiny tiny little birds here lately and I can only wish to have your photography skill to capture them as they are pretty olive green and vibrant red...along with a red robin that buzzes around...I love having birdlife..Take care,I had meant to send you an email but my Dad has been hospitalised for weeks and sick and needy for the 5 weeks prior leaving my mum struggling so Im juggling them both! ...Big hugs to you xx

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  4. Incredible photo of the hummingbird and broken foot!!!??? I must go back and read what's happened. Donna, you're always welcome to visit here and bring Angel. You'll both get on well and will be loved and treated well.

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  5. I'm glad you have the trips planned and something to look forward to. Love the beautiful hummingbird. What a neat shot! Take care and I'm praying you'll heal up quickly. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  6. Donna, I am so excited for you that you will get to go on this photography course, boot and all! I know you will do fine and will soldier on with this. That is a great photo of the hummingbird with it's tongue out. I've seen them do this before too. Have a great time, and I hope you get some wonderful shots and learn lots. Blessings and hugs. Pam

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  7. I hope any uphill walking won't put strain and pain on your foot. I'm so glad you are doing these trips. Yes--God does owe you Big Time!!! ;-)

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  8. You will have to be careful for sure. Your foot will tell you when you need to rest. Don't wait too long to return if the pain starts. I think it's wonderful that you are going. Even if you can't do it all
    So sorry about missing your hubby.

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  9. Donna, I am so happy and excited to hear you are soldiering on and going on your planned photo trips. It will be so good for you to get out with other photo enthusiasts and get that camera whirring! I know you'll come back with many incredible photos to share with us. I hope the boot is not too cumbersome. Do take good care of yourself and don't push too hard.
    That hummingbird photo is awesome, and I look forward to more. Best wishes for an awesome photo tour. Can't wait to hear all about it. Bug hugs to you and Angel.

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  10. Oh Donna I am so glad to hear that you are going! I know it will be bitter sweet, but also know that you will make the best of it! So glad sweet angel is getting her walks...We need more pictures of her..We need our Angel fix!

    Carol

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  11. So good to hear you are getting to go on the trips you had planned...just take it easy! The hummer is simply stunning...I saw my first one this weekend and got out my feeder as well!

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  12. So glad to hear you are going on your trip, Donna...sounds like it will be interesting and full of learning. Hope your foot heals quickly so you can enjoy your trip in May, too...xo

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  13. So happy to hear of your "green light"!! I am sure that it will be bittersweet, but I pray that it will be a time to make new memories and revel in your creativity and learn new things.

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  14. I'm in agreement with everyone - it's marvelous that you will go as planned and participate best you can dear.
    Have a good time - you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
    Love, Mary

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  15. It's good that you are going on this adventure. Good for spirit and soul. God is with you every step of the way.

    That hummingbird shot is beautiful. Enjoy this event.

    FlowerLady

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  16. Such good news, Donna. I'm nodding my head as I read the other comments. Your hummingbird image is stunning. You have such talent with the camera - I'm glad you're going to this workshop/retreat.
    Love and prayers,
    Lorrie

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  17. I'm so happy for you that you can go on your trip!! Boy what a contraption you have to wear. In case anyone hasn't told you, you ARE a professional photographer. The hummingbird is beautiful. God is keeping your spirit alive and He will see you through this. He's holding your hand.
    xoxoxo

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  18. I see people hobbling around here all the time with those casts on. They look pretty uncomfortable! But, I am glad you are going ahead with your trips! I know you will have beautiful pictures to show us in the future. Until then, the past one of the hummingbird is enough to hold us over!

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  19. He had better take good care of you...the photographer that is. As for God, He's got quite an agenda. =D

    Are you going to be able to use the shoe instead of the boot? You're a tenacious gal, Donna. You will make your life a beautiful one and bless all of us with the beauty you see. From Manger to Throne: Embracing a New Life of Jesus the Christ and a ...
    By Thomas De Witt Talmage

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    Replies
    1. How in the world did THAT get there?! I apologize as I had just looked it up for John...he remembered the title today after trying to think of it for some time. I copied and pasted to save it. I have no idea how it got here beyond that. What a hoot!

      Delete
  20. So glad the doctor gave you the ok to go on the trip. I can't imagine wearing that boot. It looks so uncomfortable.
    The hummingbird picture is beautiful.

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  21. That's an AMAZING photo, Donna. I put my hummingbird and oriole feeders up today...probably a bit early but better early than late! I like your new header, too. Thinking of you and wishing you the best on your trips and in your health. Prayers coming your way.
    Beth

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  22. I'm SO glad you are going to the workshop. And glad to hear that your foot is healing. You've been on my mind much through the last weeks but I haven't slowed a bit to let you know. My dear, little mom and some other family needs have consumed much of my time. I wish I could join you for one of the workshops but I'm afraid I would be far behind by the first session! Hugs to you and Angel.
    ~Adrienne~

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  23. You go, girl. Really, you are an inspiration to us all. I hope you're able to do all the things you want to. I know it will certainly be bittersweet, but Jim is watching over you. I'm sure of it. Love you.

    xoxo

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  24. Awwww! Love his little tongue!
    I hope you enjoy yourself and take lots of photos Girl!!!!
    Be careful and be Safe!!!
    hughugs

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  25. Hi Donna...tried to do this by email, but I can't click on the link on your blog for some reason and I can't find your email addy. grr...anyway. I sent you a package that they tried to deliver yesterday. They will try again and after 15 days they will send it back to me so please get it picked up asap. lol
    Blessings~

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  26. Now that's a massive boot! So glad to hear your doctor gave you a green light, that is a wonderful sign. Can't wait to see your post on Wyoming trip. Those hummingbirds will be a joy to watch. Send some my way, as I haven't seen any. Love this shot, it's beautiful!

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  27. Amazing hummingbird photo, Donna!!! I'm glad you're able to go on the photography shoot, and also that you don't have to wear that thing constantly. Still, it's got to be a pain just to have to deal with a broken foot. I am glad to hear that your spirit is not broken. God bless you as you 'soldier on.' I hope you have a wonderful time with the photography group!

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  28. I hope you were able to enjoy yourself on that trip, and that you're home safely. Sometimes, we just have to bite the bullet and get out & about. Love you.

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!