A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up May With Hipstamatic (week 1)

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by Lisa

Sometimes I wonder if seemingly random choices are really influenced by real-time events in our lives.  These seven randomly processed images from the past week surprised me today with their faded colors and soft focus and also by the fact that they are a visual interpretation of how I’ve felt here at home.  I really made an effort to stop at least once each day and look for interesting object or event but in reality I only faintly acknowledged these things as the bulk of my attention was pulled from life here and directed toward my brother and his struggle with a life threatening medical condition.

Six years ago he almost didn’t make it through his first critical episode with blood clots in his lungs, legs and torso and in the past four years two more members of my family have faced the same diagnoses.  Thankfully we are all here, alive and enjoying life but the fear is always present and you can’t help but wonder when the next one will hit.  Easter Sunday was Hans’ “next one” and he’s spent the past 6 weeks in and out of the hospital. Last week was the hardest with two serious surgeries and a stretch of time in Intensive Care. He’s home now ready to recover and rejoin his life and we are all starting let go of some worry and breathe a little easier. In many cases (like this one) there is nothing you can do to either prevent or cause blood clots but I urge everyone to take care in the situations where you really can have an immediate impact on your health.  I know this is a departure from my usual post subjects and as a general rule I don’t write publicly about events that are too personal but today it didn’t feel right to not mention anything when recapping my week.  Long time readers might remember seeing Hans and his handiwork in my series about our home and yard remodel projects and his sweet black lab Heidi has starred in several posts of her own so I thought it would be appropriate to share a little about his condition and to take a minute to encourage everyone to follow your physicians directions regarding post-operative care and medication management. Don’t brush off unusual shortness of breath, racing pulse or new pain and please seek help if anything changes suddenly.

I’m not one to sit quietly and worry so in times of stress or trouble I’m always moving, trying to keep busy and pass the time.  This week was no different and it started with a nice lunch and visit with friends.  When John’s co-worker retired last summer their company gave her a Dogwood tree as a retirement present but since summer isn’t the best time for planting we decided to wait until spring to deliver her gift.  Monday is a shot of our deck pots blooming in spite of my neglectful gardening.  These little petunias were left in place over winter and look like they are ready for a second summer of cheery red flowers.  Tuesday is a close up of a painting I liked hanging in a department store hallway but unfortunately the artist wasn’t noted.  If I discover who to credit later I’ll be sure post an update.

Wednesday is a big round of wood left from a tree that was leaning close to the house.  It’s too heavy to move now so were using it as a coffee table on the back patio.  Thursday’s photo is of an old shipping container parked in our neighborhood and living out a second life as a workshop/studio space for rock hounds and gemstone artists.  Friday shows the preparations for Seattle’s annual May Day Marches, note the empty streets, police presence, news vans and lack of street people during what should be a busy Friday afternoon.  Saturday was the happiest day of the week and we spent a beautiful afternoon in Seattle exploring the Pompeii Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center then seeing Avengers: The Age of Ultron in IMAX 3D in their newly remodeled theater.  I snapped this photo just as the Monorail passed through Seattle Center and started to disappear inside the EMP Museum.

Each photo was taken with my iPhone 6 using Hipstamatic’s “shake to randomize” function then posted without any additional editing. If you like a particular combination and want to try it at home just click on the image to see the lens and filter used.  For variety I continue to add new lenses and filters so if you want to try Hipstamatic but are unsure how to start let me know and I’ll do my best to answer your questions!

 

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Lisa

42 thoughts on “A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up May With Hipstamatic (week 1)”

  1. Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. This is really scary stuff. I’m now feeling very lucky to have made it through two flights last week with no complications. Sending healing thoughts to your brother. xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Nancy. It sounds like you took every precaution for a safe trip and knew what to watch for but I’m happy to hear you’re home without complication. I’ll share your thoughts with my brother.

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      1. I wasn’t aware of the shortness of breath as a sign – so thank you for sharing that. It’s funny, because I had commented to a few people that my breathing still felt more shallow than normal – a week after surgery. (Immediately following surgery, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath, but, like an idiot, didn’t say anything to the nurse..). Now I know that this isn’t something to mess around with.

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      2. I’m glad I could share another sign to watch for. It’s natural to feel relief when surgery is over but so important to stay aware of your health through recovery. I hope your breathing is back to normal but if not a call to your Dr wouldn’t hurt…

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  2. A wonderful addition to your randomize photos, Lisa. I’ll say a little extra prayer for your brother; I’m glad he’s on the path to recovery now.

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  5. I have a good friend who has had a very scary history with blood clots to the lungs, and I know how terrifying this is for the patient, and for family and friends! I’m so glad your brother came through the week and is recovering. It sounds like it has been a very harrowing time for your whole family. Your photos are just wonderful–and I hope this week you will have a lot less on your mind as you go about being such a creative force, Lisa! 🙂

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  6. I love your week in photos. I’m glad to hear your brother is okay. Scary stuff.
    My husband and I went on a long drive through Virginia horse and farm country on Saturday and I forgot my camera. Ugh! I missed so many great photo opportunities. A family of deer crossed our path as we followed a little winding mountain road. There are so many 18th century homes in this area, and I saw so many cool barns that I would have loved to photograph. At the end of the day, we headed for a small town to get soft serve ice cream – only we went to the wrong town! It was still a great day after a very difficult week.

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    1. It sounds like you had a wonderful escape and adventure with your husband and your descriptions set the scene for me just like a photo would. 🙂 Thanks for letting me know you like my week in photos!

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  9. So sorry to hear about what your brother… Glad to know he is recovering, Lisa. Thank you for sharing the information of short breath.
    Really like the first photo.

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  10. thanks for sharing Lisa. so sorry. glad to hear he’s mending and i hope for the very best for him. lovely captures for the week esp the first one! 🙂

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  11. Glad to hear Hans is out of the hospital. My grandfather died from a blood clot, so I’m always on the lookout for signs. Very serious stuff. Not to be treated lightly.

    I remember his work on your house and garden. He’s very talented. I hope your week is off to an otherwise awesome start.

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    1. Thanks, LD. I just talked to him this afternoon and recover is going well. It’s wait and see now along with a lifetime of management but that’s certainly better than the alternative.

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  13. I’m glad to hear your brother is home recovering. And that your family is breathing a little easier after such a consuming and stressful period. Your message about paying attention to the body’s potential warning signs is a valuable one.

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  14. So sorry to read about your brother’s battle with such serious medical problems, LIsa. Sending hugs and lots of positive thoughts your way. I hope his recovery is swift and complete. Interesting photos. I particularly like the third one.

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  15. oh wow – sorry to hear the health stuff – and the helpful tips (or reminders) you mention might just fall on the ears of someone who needs it – so I think it is good you went with your gut to share that 🙂 –
    nice shot of photos this week – and the painting is very cool – I can see why you like it

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  16. How is your brother recovering now? It must be nerve wrecking to live with such a threat over one’s head. I am sorry Lisa. I hope you weren’t diagnosed with that too. 😦

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    1. He’s feeling a little better every day, Paula thanks for asking but he has a lifetime of checks and worry ahead about the next incident… I don’t share his diagnoses but my mom and sister do. 😦

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  17. I was browsing through you photography and somehow this post was calling. Now I know why. You and I have the same predicament about our brothers. I am sorry to hear about his health. Sometimes, writing about it help tremendously and sending prayers yours way. BTW I like this smokey image of the woman.

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