Made it this time!

 Yep, I made it another trip around the sun, my 82nd. Whew, the last few months had me shaking my head, would I really make it? The coughs are with me constantly. But I do have friends who help me in lots of ways. And I still am walking around and taking care of myself and my apartment, somewhat. I'm full of gratitude for all of that.

110-million-year-old MUMMIFIED dinosaur, discovered in 2011 unearthed in what is now the Athabasca oil sands. Alberta, Canada.

I've been saying that myths about dragons were created by imaginative people when they found the bones of dinosaurs (extinct a long time before humans appeared on earth.) So this particular old dragon-like dinosaur seems to be a real connection! 

My dragons I made had experimental features, as a whim might take me to put a duck-like bill on one, a unicorn horn on another. I didn't ever try these bony plates! Aren't they incredible?

OK back to my life...a dragon maker, if you will. Not sure how much more I'll do with clay...since I'm aware that clay dust is related to silica, or the worst kind of tiny particles to inhale. So I may just go pick up my supplies at the studio, and clean away all the clay that's in process at home...though it hasn't been touched in weeks.

I not only have breathing limitations, my hands don't function well at all. I've got essential tremors, which I remember my father having for many years beginning in his 60s. Can't write a thing that's legible. Thank heaven some apps let me dictate, but not this one! So far I've been able to type, but mouse control is sometimes shaky and I end up clicking on the wrong thing. That has been noticed.

Good news? It's cooler this week! Lovely days in the 70s with lower humidity. And nights are in the 60s. This is the mountain weather that I most enjoy. Now to get some endurance so I can go for walks again.

Me at 3-3/4 years holding my 3 month old sister. That baby had lots of dark hair! I was a blond until I was 6 or 7.

Me at 11

My 14th birthday, I was in Home Ec and probably made that skirt, and definitely the cake!

My first prom, winter 1956 - yellow chiffon dress

Later in high school for another winter prom, with John Baumgartner, (who I had a crush on for quite a while). Dress is white with a bright pink bow at the bodice.

My college junior year photo for the yearbook. I quit college that year and didn't get my degrees for another 20 years. 

My first job away from home, stewardess for Pan American Airlines out of Miami FL on Latin American flights (on Boeing-707s and DC-8s.) Sis is in straw hat with her boyfriend in front of a male steward friend of mine. My sis followed my terrible example and quit college in her 3 year and flew for Eastern Airlines. 

And then I got married, as I'd spent all my youth  intending to do (being romantically inclined.) Raised a family. Lived in suburbia. Got divorced. Had many jobs. Went back to college. And many other adventures with my 3 sons. 

Just wanted to get a few of my early photos together.

I'm quite grateful for today, as I start the 83rd trip around old sol. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know many bloggers here. I've got a wonderful community of friends. I live in a relatively healthy place and get all the health care I need. Our climate is within reason most of the time. I may not be rich, but I'm wealthy in my heart.

Today's quote:

Our lives are the result of all the doors we have walked through, and our continued growth depends on our willingness to keep moving into new spaces.

Sharing with Sepia Saturday