A Disappearing Act

Did Karine fall off the face of the planet? Where did she go?

I am sure you are all wondering by now. I am sorry to disappear without notice, my dear blog readers. You know I do love you. As it turns out, my mother took a turn for the worse a little over two weeks ago. I wasn't going to travel to Denver right away, but things started looking really desperate on the night of Easter Sunday, so I did end up getting on a plane about a week and a half ago. I am back in Denver once again. I am beginning to feel like I live at the hospital. It has been a stressful couple of weeks, but I am delighted to announce that things seem to be improving with my Mom, and finally I feel more comfortable catching up with my blog. Please forgive me.

I want you to know, my fellow bloggers, I have been reading your blogs. Even though I have not commented, your writing and photos have been a much needed escape for me during these past weeks! Thank you.

I have some photos of the Mohave Yucca, which I took before I left Joshua Tree. This yucca is related to the Joshua Tree, but is shorter and more bush-like. I hate to say it, but I think I like these blossoms EVEN MORE than the blossom of the Joshua Tree. The buds start out this amazing red-violet color, and then they bloom in a delicate white. DIVINE! You can make your own mind up, I am sure.

Miracles

I am sure by now you all think that I dropped off the edge of the earth. I am still here! On November 29th, I drove down to Palm Desert, to meet with the owner of a gallery on El Paseo. I took a carload of art with me. I carried the art into the gallery, unwrapped each one with beating heart, and did my best not to hyperventilate. I talked to the owner about the work, and what other things I have planned for my art. Somehow I managed to remain confident, and the meeting went the way I had hoped. The owner kept about 17 monotypes, and I walked out with a signed contract. One miracle.

While I was in the meeting with the gallery owner, my cell phone rang. I let the voicemail pick it up, so after the meeting, I checked to see who called. It was my father, telling me that my mother had slipped into a coma. It is astounding how quickly I went from flying high with joy directly to devastation. I drove home, and began preparing for another journey to Denver, to be with my family. Mom was in a coma for 3 days and 3 nights, and I didn't think I would see her blue eyes open again. I didn't think I would tell her I loved her again. My Dad, sister, her husband, and I kept a vigil in the CCU room, every day wondering what would happen. On Sunday after I arrived in Denver, she opened her eyes. Another miracle.

Two long weeks I remained in Denver, spending most of the time in the hospital. The day I booked a ticket home to Joshua Tree was also the same day my mother got to go home. Now we are both happily sleeping in our own beds, and not missing the endless parade of doctors and nurses of the hospital. I must admit that I have seen more of hospitals and the monster machines therein than I ever wanted. This was the same hospital where my sister spent many long days, so many years ago. She died of cancer when she was 22 years old. (I was 21)

It was cold and snowy in Denver, and the Canadian Geese had set up camp on the hospital grounds. I got a chance to snap a few photos of them, just for you beloved blog readers. I kept thinking "fly south, you silly geese!" But if you are from Canada, Colorado is south, I guess. The geese weren't overly frightened of me, but they were a bit bashful about having their photo taken. I got a number of geese rear end shots. It was too cold for a more involved photo session.

I am taking a few days to recover from the stress of this last visit to Denver. I am anxious to get back into the studio, to create a whole new body of work for the busy season in Palm Desert. If any of you are ever in the vicinity, please to stop in Christopher Morgan Galleries at 73-375 El Paseo!