swallow with water

My swallowing problem continues to be an eating issue. It happens when I am not paying attention to the food I put in my mouth. Jan sez she has seen me put large portions in and then swallow. Shoveling it in.

We called it a night in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our travel loop taking us back towards Missouri. I never did finish the delicious ribs on my plate. I don't know what the condition is called, but I was unable to swallow. I couldn't swallow liquids, and I got this hiccup. It was very awkward and made me feel totally insecure and self-conscious. I excused myself to the restroom and tried to calm down. My glands were making much saliva to spit into the sink. Was able to throw up some of what I ate.

It reminded me of some lunch episodes when I was still working for the Chillicothe School District in 2012. Not being able to swallow stopped my routine and kept me in the bathroom, trying to figure it all out.

Back in the car, Jan prayed for my esophagus muscles to relax. Later, that night I was able to swallow.

A sore throat limited my morning meal to a chocolate shake. That evening my wife coaxed me to eat small bites, chew each bite, and swallow. It worked but I was hesitant.

The next day in Springfield, Illinois I was eating a chunk of hot roast beef for lunch and then I was in trouble again. This time I stopped and waited ---- until it went down ---- all the way. Then I focused on CHEWING my food. Jan recommended I chew small bites.

Then, we were home in Missouri, and four days later in Kansas City, the THROAT THING happened again. None of that meal was finished. I threw up more in the bathroom sink that time.

So --- when I eat -- I am drinking PLENTY OF WATER FIRST and also while I eat. Water helps.
I try to be mindful. SLOW DOWN. Focus on eating only.
STOP WRITING when I eat.
STOP TEXTING when I eat.
CHEW my bites. Pay attention to it, the flavors.
Take SMALL bites.

Some meals go better than others. At sixty-one years of age you would think I automatically followed those steps. Well, no. It is something I will work on each time I eat.

***

Nebraska exhibit

Friday evening, August 3rd, I invite you to join me from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for my art reception in Lincoln, Nebraska. "As It Comes : Wood, Ink, Paper, Paint" will feature my latest creations in the lower level of The Burkholder Project. Check the map, it is right across the street from Lazlo's Brewery and Grill 719 P Street, Haymarket District, Lincoln, NE 68508

The show will run August 3 to 30. The gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm. Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm(9 am - 3 pm during Farmers Market). Mondays by appointment. Phone: 402-477-3305  (Please call only during gallery hours) Also on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/burkholderproject

in all things give thanks

      My membership to the Los Angeles Printmaking Society was denied in June due to technical difficulties on my part. The group reviews submitted woodcut and linocut images twice a year. I was invited to submit new images next time round. Honestly, it was not what I had hoped for. It told me there was more work, more tries on my part, more experience that I needed to gain. It was not going to be handed over easily. Then, today, my two entries toward the 75th SWE (Society of Wood Engraving) Exhibition were not accepted. My work will be returned by post. Two friends had encouraged me to submit work. One did not need to be a member of the society to enter. Here, there was an expensive postage involved to get it there. This is a disappointment. I had better hopes for this as well. What will I say about this?  joys have come inspite of this news.
     My wife and I just returned from a wonderful road trip. At one point we were ready to cut the trip short just to sleep in the comfort of our own bed. We were pulling into the city Omaha when we asked Jesus for lodging with an outdoor swimming pool. We had no idea that the city was full of out of state visitors for the Olympic swim trials. We were directed to an Econolodge motel on west Dodge Street. It had an small outdoor pool. I found out the next morning that both of us had a comfortable sleep. We stayed another day, enjoyed the cool water, and did our water aerobic exercises. Later, we found an outdoor pool in St. Joseph, Missouri and stayed a night there, to swim in the heat of the day, and have great rest before returning to Carrollton.
     Joy came through putting puzzles together at the Legacy Terrace community in Lincoln, where my mother lives. The joy of eating a new food for me at a hispanic restaurant: shrimp. Yes, at 56 years of age, I just now discovered I like the taste and texture of shrimp. The joy of meeting my mother's friends. The joy of browsing through my mother's college scrapbook entries. Getting teary-eyed looking at her first baby announcement cards, that baby being ME. The love expressed by my father to my mother Dorris in early letters and postcards. Realizing the deep faith in Jesus that both my parents had. 
      Joy from hearing Bob Popek tell two stories. How his workshops opened school children to the world of musical instruments. And, the time his son became a software engineer for Microsoft. The delight of meeting the parents of a student I knew at while at the University of Nebraska. The father of Carolyn Van Meter sat beside me at the Nelson family reunion luncheon table at the city park, Tarkio, Missouri. The gal I married had a distant relative connection to someone I went to school with from Guthrie Center, Iowa. Wow. What a surprise.
     The joy of meandering off the usual route. We heard about the bird club being formed in Wahoo, gazed at the wide sandy Platte river, cruised around Leshara, and appreciated iced water and the air-conditioner.
      Our membership at the Nelson Adkins Museum in Kansas City gave us free admission to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. The joy of seeing new works of art and being out of the 100 degree heat. Having a new puzzle to assemble, a Story City landscape painting by Grant Wood. 
      The movies we share, the food we enjoy, the way we compliment each other, the joy Jesus brought to us, how he packed five days full of good memories. Paul of Antioch said to rejoice in all things and give thanks to God. Jesus makes it possible for me to be OK with that. He leads me forward.
 
 

june thoughts

      in this third week of june the "ease of blogging" has been disrupted. the fred geary presentation, the completion of the six color reductive linocut, photos stuck in a hard drive of a dead computer, all of it disconnected.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   joys come inspite of this circumstance. ~~~Thank you for protecting me from snakes as I move down the levee into the wild areas. You keep my truck safe. You watch over my tires. You give insight and keep me from getting stuck. You lead me to a pleasant grove with mulberries juicy and ready to pluck and enjoy. This is your abundance, this is your joy over me, a hidden delight  with you, your hands involved--I am not forgotten. Trees tall going up up up, sand, and shade,  just what I was hoping for, you lay it at my feet. You keep me safe, Jesus. Thank you for your constant attention.---
       This day I paint the surface of the river, the wind roars around me like a dragon, do I run now? No harm comes near, I remain and paint with my ears on alert for danger.---
       Before I fall asleep, you hear me. "Wake me up at 6 in the morning. Make me wide awake." Six o'clock comes and my eyes are open, ready to go out to paint. You answer. You enable. You travel.--
      With us, we work, we paint the donut window with dancing donuts, Jan's logo, her blue cup and brown donut and rising sun rays, yes, you make this pair, this team, click and work cooperatively, enjoying her, getting the work done, going forward, we help, we laugh, window colors in enamel, your YES glistens in our eyes---
     Surprised by a friend who remembers me, recalling our early days of service at the local newspaper. Your joy sweeps across my face, laughter, your YES, your happiness, welcome here.--
     Saturday morning I meet the one you picked out, the man from Texas, who will lead us forward into tomorrow's technology. You arranged for the agreement to take place, Jesus. One month later this comes forth, from the unseeable future, HERE HE IS, your gift to the Print Society, wow, look at that, wow.---
     Father, you hear. In the unevenness and uncertainty, among my garbage, inspite of my gripes and whines, you bring your surprises right now. Savior, Near, my Vast Intensity Joy Undivided.

seed corn

Pioneer seed dealer John McKenzie and his wife Janise acquired the plein air canvas entitled "Morning Corn." The owner of Mack Inc is an avid Nebraska Corn Husker football fan. Double click on painting to see larger.