Please read my blog before looking at my video.

I was a little stunned (to say the least) that my dear "spirit" friend, Stephen Craig, has been battling colon cancer this year. Thank goodness he has ONE more chemo treatment left and it's next week. I can honestly say this man is a lovely man and a dear heart to me and to everyone who has read his poems and seen the depth of feeling he puts into his paintings and words. The longer I know him, the more I find out that we have lots in common as fellow humanitarians and as artists. If I could see his parents face to face, I would give them lots of kisses for giving the world, Stephen Craig.

I have also had a challenging year with three more eye operations fighting for my sight from the disease of Glaucoma. I think I have had 14 (give or take) surgeries. Hopefully, that is the end of the surgeries. I can take my sunglasses off now in certain light situations and that's why I put that particular picture of me up for my profile because you are used to seeing me with sunglasses most of the time. I am squinting but the good news is I could not have done this for the last three years. Light was too blinding.

I had a real scare in May with breast cancer but it turned out to be benign. One of my daughters was assaulted by two men which makes me CRAZY just to write it. AND last month an MRI showed up two brain tumors which are benign but THERE. I can't remember the name of them but it rhymes with Ninja and you put a noma at the end.  Aren't I so smart :) Oh...AND menopause has hit me :(

LOL...life is never dull, is it? I NEVER wanted a boring life anyway. I believe I have had a gigantic spiritual growth year and I am very grateful for ALL adversity because I would never know that it is possible to love more than I already do.

I LOVE all animals, great and small. I have hundreds of birds flying around my cottage and my five children tell their friends that to visit me is like visiting Snow White except I don't have the voice. This summer, SIX hummingbirds picked my cottage and feeders to sustain themselves. I have never had SIX. They brought me so much joy and happiness and it was hard to get them to stay still for a group shot. There strong little wings and gigantic  hearts filled dark little places of fear for me. They super encouraged me. They have left now and though I feel sad when I took the feeders down, I already have an anticipation for next summer when they return.  This slide show is for Stephen Craig Rowe who  has the same effect on me as the hummingbirds. I am looking forward to many more years of friendship with him as my artist bud.  This is also for ALL those that need the nectar of the testimony of the mighty hummingbirds.

always...Julieann...always

P.S. I hope the music isn't too heavy for some. To me it's empowering so I hope it is the same for you.