Monday, April 6, 2009

Autumn in Cape Town

The weather is changing, this is my favourite time of the year! The skies become alive at dawn and dusk with amazing colours and shapes, I can see so many abstract paintings up there. This view is from a beach close to where we live.

I am having to imagine painting or do paintings in my head at the moment. My husband, Iain had an operation on his back on Thursday and he now has to lie flat for six weeks, except for an occasional walk. He can't bend or sit at all and so really needs my help. I have decided to cancel all my activities so that I can be "Chief nurse and bottle washer" and hopefully manage to paint a bit in between! I do apologise for not visiting any blogs lately, I will get there when things have settled down into some sort of routine.

24 comments:

soulbrush said...

oh sigh.....makes me homesick (after 23 years of living here in the uk!). my thoughts go out to you and Iain as I had back surgery 6 years ago, and was in hospital for a month with many months more of recuperation and physio etc....thinking of you lots and sending you very warm wishes for his recovery and your patience!! (did a collage of 'our' mountain at my art class a few weeks ago, will tellyou when i post it.) god bless. and hugs.

Art with Liz said...

Isn't it just the best time of the year! Now and Spring are glorious and living in the Melbosstrand area, the views are stunning -despite the wind!

All the best with Iain's recovery - sorry I didn't speak to you on Thursday - catch you at the next meeting? Much love. Liz

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful photo Di. I can fel the chill in the air. I must agree with you - this time of year and also spring give us the gift of exquisite sunsets. All the cloud and moisture in the air I suppose. Sometimes the colours are so gaudy as to seem rather unreal.
Best wishes for Iain's recovery. I really feel for you both at this time. 'Sterkte'! Love Wyn.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

We do what we need to do and "Chief nurse and bottle washer" is a good occupation when it helps our loved one. Speedy recovery and keep painting in your head until the time and space arrive. Best wishes.

Dianne said...

Dear Soul, wow, you sound as if you had a really awful time with your back, hope your back is okay now.
Looking forward to seeing your collage of "our mountain".

Dear Liz,
The wind usually dies down at this time of the year and the West Coast is a really great place to be. I didn't realize you lived at Melbosstrand?

Dear Wyn,
Thanks for the good wishes! I love the crazy, briliant skies we have at this time of the year, impossible to paint realistically, but could work as an abstract.

Dear Maryann,
Yes, we do what we can for our loved ones! I keep wondering what people do who live on their own with no significant other to care for them?

Unknown said...

Dear Dianne,I too wish your husband a speedy and good recovery, and will be thinking of you the next time, hang on in there,
love
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Dear Dianne, very best wishes for a speedy recovery for hubby and hope you will soon have space to paint and draw. It's hard to concentrate on anything when you are nursing. This sky looks amazing, what wonderful views around where you live.

~Babs said...

I'm so grateful to Bloggers who take photos of their region. I'd no idea you were near a beach. Fabulous!

So sorry to hear of the back surgery, and hope that the recovery is easier than it sounds. Six weeks is a long time!
It's so good he has you to help him. Don't forget to think of yourself now and again.
My husband's back problems have sorted themselves out,,,again. His is a chronic condition,,though no less painful, and he's been just barely avoiding the surgery for years.He has to absolutely stop everything and just rest it. It usually takes about a month and a half, and then he's okay again.
All the best to you in this difficult time,,, I'm thinking about you.

Dianne said...

Dear Andrea and Carolann, thanks for the good wishes!

Dear Babs,
Cape Town is on the south-western tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Cape Town is situated on a peninsula and so we have beaches on all three sides!

Sorry to hear that your husband is also a back sufferer - poor chap, it sounds as if he has a bad time.
Glad he has sorted out his latest episode.

Kathleen Hebert said...

Hello Dianne:
I hope that your husband is progressing nicely on his way to recovery. I know he is in the best hands. I've been away from my desk lately too. Just think about all the ideas we will have to write about when we come back! :) - Kathy

Carol said...

Hi Di. Hope your hubby is well - very successful op that but those six weeks are extremely important! Lots of TLC for both of you.
Don't we live in an amazing part of the world! Beautiful pic! My hubby was out the other night taking photos of the moon playing amongst the clouds and I thought of you!
Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk the other evening but I will be phoning you soon so will talk then. Wasn't that demo stunning!

Andrea and Kim said...

Dianne,

This is a beautiful photograph and I can sure see how you find inspiration here. Wow! My greatest source of inspiration was the light along the southern English coast, so I completely understand.

I do hope Iain is doing better by now. It is a long haul this business of healing from back surgery. Of course we all know he has the best care there is to be had, so I am sure his recovery will be on target!

You should not worry at all about blogging or doing anything which will add stress to your life right now. It is the time to focus on your husband and yourself. We will be here so you go and do the things you need to do.

In the meantime, here is a big hug for you and a big, but gentle hug, for Iain.

FitFoodieMegha said...

Hey Dianne, U said it right..here also in India, there is lot of color and brightness in sky..But summer is equally harsh..:)

And yes do not worry about anything..Everything gonna be fine as soon as possible..:) Take Care!
BTW I have started a new blog dedicated to my sketch work — Art on Sketchbook

Lynette said...

Diane, I am so sorry about your husband and yikes 6 weeks does seem like a long time. I hope the weeks will go by fast for you two and a full recovery ahead. Thanks for sharing this photo of the gorgeous view!

Suzanne McDermott said...

Thanks for this beautiful vista while you're caring for Iain. I hope that he's feeling better (although back surgery is traumatic). He's lucky to have such a good nurse and caretaker. Looking forward to having you back when you're ready. XO

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Hi Dianne, I admire the way you make decisions and commit to the change in lifestyle. I'm getting the hang of pacing with blogging. I love the sky! What a beautiful setting. I hope you can take walks between the caretaking...and may your husband soon be pain free. xx <3

~Babs said...

Just saying hi Dianne, thinking of you, miss you,,,, & hope it's all going well!

Mineke Reinders said...

Beautiful and inspiring! I hope you will have time to paint again soon. So sorry to hear about your husband's back problems, it must be very tough. May he recover fully as soon as possible. Take care.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Diane, This is the most lovely photo. You must live in a truly lovely place.

So sorry to hear abut your husband. I send you and him the best and hope that he is now well on the road to recovery!

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Hi Dianne, I hope that all is going well with your caretaking. I have some healing prayer to offer: May your husband heal quickly. May you have free time to paint and share your work. May you feel surrounded in love. Miss you. <3

Unknown said...

Hi Dianne! I just leave a little comment here to send you some good vibrations, I hope that things are ok and that your husband is getting better each day! I send you my love,
Andrea

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Dianne, I'm just stopping by to let you know that you continue to be missed. I hope you are able to paint a bit...and that your husband is feeling much better. <3

~Babs said...

Dianne, just popping by to say hello,,,hope things are getting MUCH better!
Sure do miss you,,,

Dianne said...

Dear Cynthia and Babs,
I so appreciate your concern and thoughts. I have at last posted a new posting!