Dear Life, I made this collage with the idea of how my Life Force not only fuels me but how I refuel my Life Force. The Elements, Art, Books, and Nature are mandatory. Sun on my skin; feet in sand whether desert or ocean surf; reflection of light on the edge of an aspen leaf or prancing across an adobe wall. Look up outside. Anytime time day or night. Vast sky scapes offer unlimited fuel stations for the Soul. Gaze inward. Expansive landscape of untold wonders and resources. High Power. Really look right into the eyes of who is near you. When needed, a much needed lift comes from a friend or stranger. And they are fueled, too. Many, many more from an unlimited Source: The Creator.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Read this article written by Mark Nepo and share:

“How we face and absorb the rearrangement that arises out of loss is a very personal journey that can’t be compared to anyone else’s”.

Identify not Compare. A value system from and for living sober over 41 years. I can learn to live in my rearrangements and be a witness to others with a compassionate heart. Losses come in death, violence, divorce, disease, age and health, economy and multitudes of experiences. Living with cancer is a rearrangement. It’s real. It’s very personal. It demands everything of me and challenges everything. I learn to open my heart, go a step forward, or back two, and live in the personal journey I share (mostly) here with you. Thank you for being my witnesses.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, This watercolor flowed from the new brushes and paint yesterday. I sat down at the art table, entered “the zone” of joy and dare I say, bliss. Thank you Joseph Campbell, one of my heroes who advocated “Follow Your Bliss”. My intention for 30 days is to see what appears on the page as my Heart moves to images of Spirit and Nature. I’m looking at the Transcendentalists and flower books. Also the “reverse-glass painters”, of which there are only a handful. Rebecca Salbury James (1891-1968. Also, Claire Libin who lives in Tesuque). Their work can be seen online through web sites and social media. They inspire. Feeling my creative Life Force and we know how healing that is. Enjoy!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, My ashen skin is turning to human neutral with a pink blush. Heartening. My legs are carrying me through the neighborhood for 1-2 mile walks. Invigorating. My creative energy sat down at the art table and made this collage on 5.31.22. Promising. My stomach cooperates with bland food so I am become the Julia Childs of mashed root vegetables or pasta with butter, cream and parmesan. Delicious. My eyes awake at 3:00am (prednisone has turned my sleeping schedule upside-down) either write or read. Current book May Sartons’ AS WE ARE NOW. Good companionship. I fed two friends red-ripe, sweet watermelon when they spontaneously stopped by yesterday. Wealth of community. I wake at 6:00am to read, meditate, journal and write a Love Letter. Nourishing.
I nap 10:00am – noon, wake, and start the day over. A new life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I worked on a book project, FLOWERS, by Virginia Dwan and her curator, Anne Kovach, for years that was published by Radius Books in 2018. Virginia and I traveled throughout the country to Federal Military Cemeteries and she photographed the graves. Her title was simply FLOWERS and the only text is Pete Seeger’s song tile: “Where have all the flowers gone?” A profound experience reflected upon each Memorial Day. Virginia Dwan is a visionary and humanitarian.
I am grateful for Virginia’s presence and influence in my life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Creativity has served me since a child, banging my mother’s pots and pans to make music, coloring the flocked velvet wallpaper in the bathroom with red lipstick, my first “mural” L5ft x H2ft. Door opened. I was so excited to show parents! Picking violets in spring and arranging them with green leaves around the blossoms to give to my mother, grandmother, aunts. I liked to share my creativity then and still do. Today I’m going “red sable brush” shopping with a dear friend who has supported my art addiction for 40 years. Looking forward to getting out of the house (bed) and our visit. Feeling better.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I am considering a move to a new place I have yet to see: a single dwelling with spacious rooms that would accommodate a studio and a two car garage for Blue Angel and my storage. Views, gardens, and some good neighbors always a plus. A place for creative living, solitude, and experiences to inspire my recovery. My place in town is sweet but small. and it’s below another tenant and there’s not much “soundproofing” between our places. So I opening up my “intention” to social media friends and Universal Home Powers that be. And so it is! My body is my first home. Beautiful Home.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Cancer treatment can hijack my body and put all the brakes on any plans. Tuesday the immunotherapy injection laid me flat for 36 hours plus counting. Although this is somewhat predictable, it is not easy. The body has to assimilate the medication into my blood stream, muscles, and body. Toast with peanut butter and honey agrees with my upset stomach. I’ve delved into the solitude, reading, being quiet, and sleeping. Body feels a bit more energy today. My mind is above the horizon line of darkness. Cropped photo is from a project in Jan 2019 just after an 11 day stint in the hospital. I have ample practice at this. Bed Patience.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, The “cloudiness” in my lungs is an inflammation caused by one of the clinical medications multiplying my white cells. Prednisone will clear irritation in time. There is a pause in the infusion treatment. I did receive injection of another immunotherapy drug that is scheduled every 8 weeks. After Cancer Center visit, home to rest. Sleep is a healing energy. Body is responding well to the steroid. Most side effects are gone. I daily affirm the ongoing healing and strength of my body. The cancer is receding.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose