Hand of Fatima

Hand of Fatima.  Fatima is my middle name so I am
fascinated with its origin.

From Jessica:

Those that don't got it, can't show
it. Those that got it, can't hide it.

                            Zora Neale Hurston
 
Picture me short, overweight, obviously a ma'am
not a Miss and crippled by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
Yet, there is a certain something. 
My mother used to say my grandmother's nose nearly
touched the ground, her AS was so bad.
Regardless, I have the something both my mother
and grandmother had. 
A certain something that makes it easy to
laugh at myself and with others.  To make new
friends and keep old friends.  So so blessed.

Hot and Sticky...Humid

The humidity is so painful.   Symptoms of
Ankylosing spondylitis are my constant
unwanted companions.  Extreme weather
aggravates the inflammatory pain. 

Renegade Los Angeles

Mind over matter.  Mind over matter.
The only way to cope with the pain, without
the help of modern often harmful
medicine, is to distract the mind.

At the root of my strength is my
faith:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
                                    1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18

and creative endeavors.

4th of July Idyllwild

All things are possible

Just recouping from a bit of oral surgery.
Whenever my body is under stress,
inflammation flares resulting in
sharp pain in the joints of my right leg.

It is my body's way of communicating...
Slow down.
Relax.
Be gentle.

A good reminder for all of us.
Happy Saturday.

Waiting for Dawn

The more stressed I become the more the inflammation screams.
Trying to focus on what cheers me.

Learn to pause or nothing worthwhile will catch up with you.
On a forced pause.