Dear Life, What’s the attraction to blowing off loud fireworks in quiet neighborhoods that sound like gun and bomb explosions? Dogs bark, howl and run wild in the streets. I understand having a “fireworks display” in a controlled area for all to enjoy. But the homegrown stuff is unsettling. Thankfully, it quieted down by 10:00pm. There must be a “noise law” in Santa Fe. That’s it from a grumpy girl now happy the 4th is behind us.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, It is Independence Day. This has many meanings and rituals attached to it throughout the USA. As a child, it meant hopping on the back of my Uncle Steve’s pick-up truck to watch a lively parade in Bridgeport, CT. Afterward, we’d go to his house for a picnic, the grill sizzling with hot dogs and hamburgers. We played lawn games and ate until we burst. At dusk, we all went to Fairfield Beach for the fireworks. I loved the excitement of it all. Now this day means enjoying the spider mums in the studio that are the image of fireworks and joining friends at their house for dinner. I acknowledge the freedom and independence of my life with gratitude. Fireworks are quieter but still firing within me!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I stay hinged to the planet through small acts of connectedness and creativity. Bringing food to friends gives me great pleasure. I learned this action of giving from my Hungarian Tank mother, who at 92 years old, still gives food to relatives and friends. I also make art. Non-edible but nourishing for the Soul. Here is a photo of the large Vision Board I’m creating on my studio wall. Each day I add a new image that broadens the possibilities of my future. Dream-making. This makes me happy. Today I’m out the door with a pot of Turkey Chili headed to a friends house for lunch and Scrabble.
Gotta nourish the Mind. I am a Scrabble maniac!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I am happy to say I feel good after Immunotherapy infusion. Some tiredness but that’s expected with all the chemicals swirling around my body. I was inspired to paint after seeing Jill O’Bryan’s exhibit at Form and Function. I studied Sacred Geometry throughout the 80’s and 90’s. The elements have shown up in my drawing and painting since that time. This piece is painted with metallic acrylic on black paper in a book. I like making “book art”. I’ve filled volumes of art books with paintings, drawings and collages. I like journaling and writing in books, too. And reading. Call me a “Book Girl Artist”. The description fits!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Love Letter to Life 06.29.2022 Chemo Suite Seat
Dear Life, Here’s the Chemotherapy Suite at the Cancer Center where I receive Immunotherapy infusions. A friend is a volunteer, and asked, “Do you want me to take a photo of you?” First I balked because it’s not a pretty picture. But then I said, “Yes”. This is where and how I receive the medications helping me to eliminate cancer from my body. Yesterday I received PEMBRO, the experimental drug that is curing some patients. I am fortunate to be in the right place at the right time in the right town with a group of oncologists that are doing the right clinical trail that I need.
When I think of it that way, this is beautiful photo.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Authentic, Gutsy, Kind, Generous, and Humble, all living under the same roof? Yes. The critic, Yackity, says, “NO!” He is the big voice of NO, blocking new ideas and creative flow, interrupting friendships and generally causing chaos and disharmony. I recognize his disruption as not healthy. How to deal with it? Lead him out of the room (of my brain) before he’s made a mess in the house. When he gets out in front of me, be responsible for cleaning up what he’s left behind. Live life fully, write, paint, draw, collage. Always have a broom handy. I keep one at my front door.
I’ve become an expert in sweeping!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Yackity made his entrance into my consciousness early in life. A devil, a monster, a trickster, a horrible critic, a downer, a joy-killer. The list of negative attributes I assign to his voice goes on. However, I learned to identify and “play” with Yackity. If I’m in a rush, I thank him “for sharing” and move on with my thoughts, work, and life without focusing on his negative input. Yackity can throw a wrench into the works if I let him. I’ve learned over the years through trail and tribulation, to recognize Yackity’s appearance by his negative, critical voice. More about our cooperative relationship with Yackity tomorrow.
Name it (the critic) and claim it!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, When blood counts go low or a health/emotional challenge is present, self-care goes into high-gear. Every expenditure of energy, time, and resources comes into a necessary examination. Simple and intuitive. This method is employed most of the time in my life. I ask: Is this activity or person giving me energy or draining? Am i feeling uplifted, pulled down, or neutral? Can I afford this giving of my time, energy or resources? Is this experience/activity/giving best for everyone? It’s an assessment that can be made fairly quickly. If it feels complicated or chaotic, that’s part of how I know the answer:
KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Since the onset of health issues in Nov 2018, I’ve had low blood counts, sometimes critical. I have my own “normal” and it’s a lot lower than most folks. Yesterday, I requested bloodwork due to a lack of energy, light-headedness, and my body bruising easily. Blood counts and platelets are lower than my normal but not critical. I was relieved. This is familiar territory. The triage nurse and I had a laugh when I told her, “This girl does not like to nap or go to bed early, hurls her body around in space like a teenager, and forgets her age at all times!” I am slowing down, being very conscientious of where/what my body is doing, and sitting down when it says, “Please take a break.” My mind is on board with the new directives and my Spirit is smiling because I am willing to cooperate.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose