18 Comments
User's avatar
Ilene Levy's avatar

Your comment that you are learning to accept help reminds me of one of my favorite sayings - “life is like a sailboat, some days the water is calm and it’s smooth sailing ahead. On other days, you need to rely on your crew”. Learning to accept help allows others to connect with you and I’ve learned that when we show our vulnerability, it invites those around us to let themselves be vulnerable too. Sending hugs.

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

Ahhh... yes! I'm not sure if you saw a link I posted in comments above. This same neighbor has requested my help with a few things in the past. It is a gift to allow her to give back?

I think I learned to take care of myself at an early age out of necessity. Unlearning that rigid "I can do it myself" mindset is no small trick. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Expand full comment
Jack Herlocker's avatar

T-shirt: "I’m awake. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time." 😁

Henny's behavior: any relation to parents dropping off the kids with the grandparents/aunt&uncle, coming back hours later, apologizing for sticking them with the kids, being told "Oh heavens, they were little angels, we had a wonderful time"... and fingerprinting the kids when they get home to make sure nobody got switched? 🤨

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

Appreciate the t-shirt tip off! 😂

Henny did go cracker dog after the leash transfer for a few minutes, but settled pretty quickly. Lisa has offered to walk her if I’m not able. #cancergift = I am learning how to accept help.

https://gailboenning.medium.com/help-cfaf1a9c5a7b (Same Neighbor!)

Expand full comment
Karen DeBonis's avatar

That's a great story, Gail. It's so true--when we give, we receive, and when we receive, we give.

Expand full comment
Bobby Kountz's avatar

Paintist is an inspiration to me… I started sketching awhile back and then let my new found passion drift away. However, every piece of art shared by Typist and Paintist keeps my hopes alive along with a new promise to “schedule” joy into my daily activities.

Since I am now actively “Tracking Wonder” it is my intention to use my joy time tomorrow to draw. ✍🏼 🎨✍🏼

#Grateful

PS- Love the monkey! 😉 🙈 😊

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

I feel that I’ve started letting go of the death grip on my pencil that was with me at the start — a good sign. Hold on loosely, but don’t let go?

Expand full comment
Ilene Levy's avatar

I’m curious, do you bowl or ice skate?

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

I can... and have done both. I haven't been on skates for couple of years and can hardly recall the last time I rolled a bowling ball. My skating is slow and free from any tricks. Rarely do I score over 100 in bowling. Both activities can be lots of fun in the right company. 😊

Do you bowl or ice skate?

Donna has been going to a local community rink by herself. She amazes me!

Expand full comment
Ilene Levy's avatar

It seems like roller skating is popular again. There’s a place in HK that has neon and plays music from the 80s. I also have a friend in Australia who just bought a pair of roller skates at 55 and is skating everywhere. I seem to bowl much better if there are drinks served. Not sure if that’s a reality or my imagination.

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

I loved the roller rink when I was a kid!

And drinks while bowling and golfing take the edge off being with people who get angry when they don’t play well. 😂

Expand full comment
Gary Spangler's avatar

What have you done with the Muses? You've become bewitched and turned them into the dogs? I emplore you; please undo that mischief! Yeah, I do appreciate all the writer, typist, paintist things you do, but the Muses have won a warm spot in my heart. Please?

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

Turned them into dogs? I don't think so... At least that was not my intent.

Expand full comment
Gary Spangler's avatar

But, but, but?? About that monkey? A vision check - for Muses or readers. 🤷🏽

On the actual topic of seeing new possibilities from changed circumstances, and learning to accept help, I can learn from every word! Thanks, Gail.

Expand full comment
3musesmerge's avatar

I have the house completely to myself for a few days. Last night I took my sketchbook up with me to bed and sketched while watching a heartwarming I/Thou film on Apple TV. I don't recall the name, but it had Justin Timberlake in it.

Anyhow... The book I was copying from has monkeys on a page shortly after dogs. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Expand full comment
Gary Spangler's avatar

Can't keep a good paintist down, huh?

Expand full comment
Karen DeBonis's avatar

Say it again, and again, and again, Gail--"I am feeling remarkably well," especially if you have a moment it doesn't ring true. That's when you need to say and hear the words most of all.

Expand full comment