Long Time No Write

It's been so long since I've added to my blog, I couldn't remember how to log into it. Sigh. But now I am here so...

Yesterday, my daughter took me to a touring art collection of pre-Impressionist work through some Impressionist work. (I'm sure there's a better title for the collection, but that's all I, personally, have at the moment.) It was fabulous. Remembering it today is almost better than being at the actual exhibit as my breathing and anxiety issues caused me a few problems. I now have a Handicap placard for cars (mine and my daughter's) so didn't have to go too far to get in. But my daughter walks fast and there were steps to climb to get into the building. I had oxygen with me, but didn't use it. Don't know why! So was out of breath when we arrived inside to be greeted by a sea of people. We had to wait for thirty minutes or so just to get in, then spent about an hour looking at the art work. For that hour and a half, I did use my portable oxygen tank, which is heavy. That, along with the large crowd, made me self-conscious. However, I still got close to the art work I really wanted to study - the Renoir's in particular and Whistler's Study in Gray and Black (Whistler's Mother). I also fell in love with some Manet's and others' whose names I can't remember. But I bought a book of the exhibit with which I have relived the experience of seeing the paintings.

How this has affected my journey to heal: I am determined to go to the next exhibit with less stress. I have designed, and already begun to implement, a new exercise program aimed at increasing my walking and standing time to at least one and a half hours. Maybe more. I do want to go swimming again this coming summer. If I remain in the dormant state I have created for myself this winter, I won't be able to do that. And I will have the same difficulties when visiting the next art exhibit, which I intend to do.