Learn and Unlearn

 

I am learning and unlearning everything they say I can and cannot do. Living in this kind of place is an asylum-type experience. I have the most fun I can have breaking house rules and breaking some art rules here in my room. They seem to be fine with it as long as I do not burn up anything, and I have been told that painting on the walls is seriously frowned upon.

But honestly, I have really had a good time trying and learning new things that I never had time (or was healthy enough) to try. This week has been fun and perhaps unique. I painted my shirt, not canvas, using the wrong paint! It still needs hemming and buttons, but I am close enough to think it will be fun to wear.

I have even ordered fabric to make pants to match. I won't try painting those.  I got up the nerve to paint on cotton, but I think I need to experiment more before trying other types of man-made fiber fabrics.

The staff, on the other hand, often crabs about me being in my room too much.  There are some things here  I absolutely cannot do, 3x a week bingo, monthly Debbie the butterfly lady visits, and other activities geared towards older retired people, I am technically one of them. I am just not ready for that kind of stuff.  I do go down to the dining room once a day, but they say that is not enough. I have managed to still gain weight. That seems to be one of my unsung talents. This one I seriously need to "UNLEARN"!

 

I used to write almost daily. It was part of who I was.  Looking back, I Suspect it became the best tool I had to cope.  Cope with life, art, politics, things I loved and even things that drove me crazy.  I had several huge life changes, including losing my husband and having to sell my house, neither were planned and I certainly was not prepared for them. I guess I had somewhat of a breakdown or I was just plain overmedicated. My family placed  me in a memory care facility, and that was all about being like everyone else.  Something I have never been good, but after several months, I was deemed worthy to be sent to "regular population". In this assisted living facility, it was the 3rd floor with my own one-bedroom apartment, with a person who makes sure I take all my meds on time.  I tried desperately to participate and fit in but I was really bad at it and I was a miserable failure. It had been more than a year now and after so much effort I have adapted, but not their way...My Way...  They all seem to be ok with it, and I am learning to become one of the community but I am still doing it my way.  I hope to keep up my writing this time and continue some kind of life that includes my art and the old Cheryl.  I will tell you more but I just felt like I needed to give this another try!

"Shame on You" Indigo Girls"

Well it seems like they have changed the way to add music to a post and I got to figure it out.  That will take some and new unused brain cells.  Stay tuned