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!
Northwest Frame of Mind 
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