After an extended sabbatical for a couple of surgeries and some other general maintenance, I feel primed to resume carving steel. [Just for the sake of those who keep track of these things, I now have two titanium hips and two toric lenses, replacing cataracts in each of my eyes and I won’t even go into my dental work.]
Obviously, for the form of art I produce, having two working hips and two working eyes is excellent. I started some work before the hiatus, and it has been a source of guilt induced avoidance for some months. It feels really great to anticipate finishing those partly done pieces.
At 85 years old, I am distressed at the number of important people I am losing from my life. Producing art can’t really replace them, but I am grateful to be able to produce art still and to witness the growth of our many grandchildren and great grandchildren. I could say it keeps me young, but it doesn’t. It is wonderful, nevertheless, and I want to be there for them in this chaotic time on the planet.
