Artistic Tangents: A Hidden Gift From MCS by Liberty

Thank you Mokihana for providing such a wonderful diversity of categories for this Canary Caravan!

The category that I felt most drawn to was 'Tangents' - in your words, "Tangents are the unexpected and often unplanned paths or off-shoots of a life planned; places and experiences that spontaneously happen because we are human and because MCS might have had something to add to the old 'normal.'"

Having MCS has led to a number of positive tangents in my life and my favourite is the way it has effected my art.
Prior to having severe MCS, I used acrylic paints and a number of other mixed medias - many of which were high in VOCs and contributed to me developing MCS.
When severe MCS hit, I became unable to use those mediums without becoming very sick.  I experienced deep grief over the loss of my ability to paint with the mediums that felt natural to me and with which I was comfortable.

In time, however, this 'limitation' led me to try different artistic mediums/methods such as watercolour painting, drawing, colouring, art journalling as well as learning to make my own non-toxic glue.
At first, my attempts in these directions were very disappointing and I gave up for a few years.

Eventually, however, my need to create made me try again - and persist until I became more comfortable with these mediums.
After getting over the learning hurdle, I am now in love with watercolour as a medium and I don't feel the least bit 'deprived'!  I am also growing to love many of the other art forms I've explored that I wouldn't have if not for MCS.

Even severe chronic health problems or disabilities can bring gifts if we look for them.  I am very grateful to MCS for providing the 'tangent' that led to the evolution of my art!  I now spend time being creative almost every day and it is a very healing part of my journey through life.

About this Canary Caravan Contributor:

Liberty is a 30-something Canadian who is passionate about the healing power of creative expression (in any form) and blogs at Divinity Withinity - art, creativity, fun as well as sharing her MCS improvements at Moving Beyond MCS.

Mercury getting ready to I MUA (go forward) ... and so do we

It's a life filled with more unexpected whats, whos and wheres.  I am at the submerged screen of work station #4 in the Langley library here on Whidbey Island.  A corner of preschoolers are gabbering, and a mom is reading "The Pirate and the Penguin."  It's not easy to concentrate on my 'mission' yet, that's okay ... my mission is a morphing thing I think.  Mercury, the planet of communication has been in retrograde, so the action of forward motion has reserved for the past three weeks.  That changes after today; and that is good.  We have taken advantage of reviewing and readjusting ... finding ourselves on an island in the middle of the Salish Sea, in Washington State ... or in the land of First Peoples who call it other names.

Our VardoForTwo is happy being under a starry starry sky surrounded by dark nights and tall trees.  The conveniences of modern life avail themselves to us ... we have electricity to heat our tiny home, a washer, kitchen and bathroom all of them shared resources that we rent and work for in exchange for a place to be anchored to Earth-time.  JOTS is at home alone, out and about in the woods in the bright of day; and at night we pour her into her carrier and lock her in.  There are large hootie owls and coyotes among the predators of a real and wild forrest.  One owl stocked our dear dear JOTS the other night, and the message became clear:  "Keep her safe at night inside the warm carrier.  That is as much as we can do." 

That is what we do with our own dear selves and our recreating life.  The community of stars and astrology give me an angle that opens positive options when I am in despair, and the work and program of the Al-Anon 12 Steps provide me tangible spiritual discipline when I slip into old and non-functional habits.  MCS is a vehicle of incredible structure making.  PErhaps my six decades have fashioned something that makes my deep searching native disposition ever resilient and hopeful.  I am learning at this later stage, to really accept my life as I find it.  That would be 'humility' the First Step in becoming intimate with a power greater than the losses, challenges, limitations, unexpected exposures, choices that are out of my control.

The corner filled with pre-schoolers is quiet.  Oh, how I am grateful that the sounds did not make for a judgemnt of 'noise' and interruption.  It was a brief and fully alive few minutes. 

I have a few precious minutes left at Work Station #4 ... 33 minutes by the clock in the corner; and there is a CANARY CARNIVAL TO ORGANIZE AND PREPARE.  I'm leaving this post here, to say ... bear with me as I adjust to the limitations that are real in my ability to take the submissions including beautiful photos and artwork that might not be easy/possible for me to manipulate from the library.  There is still time to figure it out, and however the final posts appear, a huge MAHALO for the work and the heart that has gone into the submissions.  They are valuable and I so love the creativity expressed in each of them.

It is a lovely day, and with gratitude and appreciation I enjoy my own company and send these words/thoughts to you who visit here at VardoForTwo and hope the company you are in values you, too.

Aloha,
Mokihana

Boundaries

Every window view I see from the vardo includes a fence-line and at the moment each of those fences includes barbed wire. A strange yet real example of boundaries. The temporary gate that allowed us to enter the field upon which we park is a make-shift contraption not easily managed. The barbs are brittle and easily mangle hands and shirts, especially if you go in and out at night.

This is day five of our life in the field, and we no longer use that gate to come and go. An easier arrangement with a solid railed gate opens easily and then we close it shut (to keep the horses in) with a length of rope and a bungee cord.

For now, this arrangement satisfies the owner of this field and we take the time to walk to the railed gate, empty our hands of water jugs, parcels of food and miscellaneous chattels, undo the rope and re-do the rope.

Our basic needs are being met:

• we have electricity run the heater, air purifier and cooking appliances
  
• we have a space to park our vardo
• the vardo can be sealed tight against environmental exposure
• there is relatively clean air with minimal wood smoke on most nights
  
• the woman who rents us this space is aware of my sensitivities to chemicals and wood smoke
• Pete has work that he can do; and the potential to do more/interesting work in the future
  

The complexity of living with MCS is difficult to explain and practice with any others who do not live with the illness. What to do about that complexity? I focus on caring for my needs with firm boundaries, while also being prepared for the uncontrollable actions of others. Like this:

• the volatile organic compounds found in trees like juniper, and pine; and the sage brush are part of the nature of things here. I have called my NAET practitioner in Seattle and she has given me a few tips to help me adjust to the sensitivity of these trees/brush.
• I'm taking time inside the vardo by myself to rest and refuel.
• cellphone service is excellent here in the field; it allows me to be of service to dear friends(who call for support) and I can call them. It's an important self-care thing that has not been available for more than 6 months.
• when I am feeling stronger, I can drive to our friends' home to soak in their deep tub and prepare some good food in their kitchen

Astrologically the planets are moving into places that reinforce the Earth's collective to know what boundaries are important and to practice setting these boundaries. No one else can set another's boundaries. Living with MCS has challenged me over and over again to know what boundaries must be firm ones; and which ones can be moderately set without damaging my body-mind and spirit.

Today, I take the time to recognize boundaries and set them for myself. I have heard this bit of wisdom recently and believe it is probably good food for living well:

Those who have learned and practice setting good boundaries, recognize and respect boundaries set by others.

Riding out an exposure: PERFUMES ARE POISON

There is bliss and then there is a blast ... perfumes are one of the worst. I am coming through an episode that just reinforces the need to be resilient. A visitor came to call on our friends who share their space and their home. The visitor 'knew' of my sensitivities but forgot to come fragrance free. It's a lesson that costs me time, health and recuperation. My organs collect the chemicals and I suffer through the process. Sleep my most valuable ally, prayers right in there with the rest.

My friends are learning what happens ... they see it, we cancel our Sunday community dinner and Jane E. the dog who loves the visitor got another bath to try to rid her of the perfume and for a while I will need to limit my entry into the Big House. It takes a lot to educate and be educated.

Here's something to remind me, and our visitors what perfumes are REALLY...

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is basically a subset of Environmental Illness (EI), which is caused by living in a toxic world. The chemicals that were synthesized after World War II (including, pesticides, synthetic fragrances, cleaning products, detergents, etc.) are mostly "petro-chemicals" (petroleum based) and are quite toxic to humans. There have been virtually no studies done on the majority of these chemicals to see how they affect humans - the industry just placed the chemicals in the environment with the assumption that they are "safe, till proven toxic", instead of the other way around. *
One of the biggest offenders is PERFUME and other scented products. Did you know that many of the ingredients in your perfume are the exact same ingredients found in GASOLINE??!! I didn't either! The scary thing is that the perfume industry is NOT REGULATED at all - they can put any number of chemicals in fragrance without revealing what those chemicals are - or how they affect humans. We humans are all participating in a giant "lab experiment" against our knowledge and against our will, and it's making some of us VERY sick.

-an excerpt from Our Little Place

*fortunately there are some excellent resources and study being done to document the poisoning affect of these chemicals. One of those recent studies is now being posted over on Susie Collins' Canary Report ... it's one fully loaded project researched and published by Professor Anne Steineman and Amy L. Davis. Amy is one of our MCS friends who lives in Seattle.

from The Ledge and happy to be coming out of the brain fog and perfume poisoning, Mokihana
Smell a flower, leave the perfume alone, very alone.

The Poisonous Apple Illness

"Snow White Takes a Bite from the Poisonous Apple"
Photo Credit

Visitors and readers who come to VARDOFORTWO may or may not know the multiple stories that come from living a life with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. Yesterday "The Storyteller" who writes the story of Sam and Sally on our twin blog had a very revealing chapter to share ... with me and any others who came to visit. I invite you to click here for the whole chapter, and read how the transformation begun here at VARDOFORTWO is going for Sam and Sally.

Here is a small excerpt from the chapter, "She who watches"

"The experiences of the Poisonous Apple Illness serve as daily markers for Sensitives like Sam and Sal. The Earth has called upon the Sensitives to keep track of all the choices that harm."

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

Yesterday was a tough one. When I do not sleep, my body, mind and spirit lose all touch with the good. Instead of being at the keys I was in Scout. Thank the gods the green Subaru remains a safe place. The Kitchenette became compromised over the weekend. Those living with MCS know, at least this is my experience, that tiny things add up and then my ability to tolerate an environment flies out my toes. The short version of this story is the weeks of snow and adjustments to the winter distracted us from the things we know need to be done to keep The Kitchenette a safe zone:

Things like:

1. Keeping all reading and writing materials out.
2. Washing the sheet wall, curtains and rugs at least once a week.
3. Wet dusting and mopping (we use a diluted solution of GSE or just plain water) every few days.
4. Washing the bedding ... maybe more often.
5. CHECKING THE DENNY FOIL walls and coverings to be sure there are no leaks.

All of the thing above needed to be done. By the time we took action yesterday morning, I was very weak. I knew I needed to get out and get to the ocean for fresh air. This meant Pete would be doing all the clean up, again. This illness is difficult. The down times like these are, for me, a long tunnel I get through with prayers and time. And then there is Pete who does the things I cannot. It took three hours to clean, wash, and clear the tiny Kitchenette. I spent the time in Scout meditating under layers of coat and blankets and now I'm back.

It takes me a while to re-balance. What didn't create a reaction for me does now. Fewer fabrics 'work' for bedding ... so it's a process of elimination. The old, old sheet and blankets seem to be working/the newer organic bedding sets me off at least for now. It's a tricky life sometimes and I am no magician. For now though I appreciate having a good night of sleep. That's a big part of the magic!

Hope you're having a magic filled day, Mokihana

NEWEST POLL: HEALTH CARE for FOLK living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

RE: HEALTH CARE POLL ... vote for as many answers that apply to you.

I have just posted our newest poll, and it's a question that I am boggled by every month ... every time it comes time for me to mail a check to pay for my health insurance. My relationship with the existing traditional western medicinal system is difficult. I have very little trust in the system as a whole and yet I have continued to pay nearly $300 a month for a service I fear. Is that a sign of disfunction or what? Susie Collins over at The Canary Report has once again been stirred (thanks to one of our vigilant sister canaries, Linda) to raise the issue of safe services or not so safe services of the medical variety. There are two very important posts on Canary, and rather than repeat them here at VARDOFORTWO, I encourage you to read the articles and comments Susie has collected.

The poll I have created is a way for me to sort through the contradictions I feel about health care, health insurance and the risks involved in using facilities/services/products that are known to make me sick or sicker. There are patient advocacy and preparedness steps sited in Susie Collins' post about MCS in a hospital setting, that can be made in advance, and I will review them to see how I could reassure myself. The experience of being on the continent where Winter snow and ice presents further challenges to remaining 'safe', adds to my swirl of confusion. One of our Canary friends slipped while on a wintery walk last week, and broke her ankle. Her sensitivities did not prevent her from managing a hospital stay and surgery to repair the break. I'm not sure I could make that same choice?

How do you choose to care for yourself when it comes to medical-hospitalization and wellness decisions? Your vote on the poll and any comments and experiences, or your email on the subject would be so appreciated.

I've been out surfing and, learned something today

We were in the cruise-out-from-the-day zone last night when my son called. He made it back to the Island after the four-day Thanksgiving visit, and had just gotten out of the water...warm, Pacific Ocean water...stand-up surf boarding off of Kaimana Beach. In an instant I went from watching old Hercule Peirot mysteries to being in the warm salty water of the Pacific. This morning I've been surfing visiting sites and blogs and found a story and link from Miss Molly who blogs over at I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY.


Today is Tuesday, and on many Tuesdays (including this one) since we have lived in Washington I have an appointment with Chulan Chiong my NAET practitioner. The one hour treatment I have with Chulan is one of the things that makes the experiences/physical symptoms and discomfort of living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities less debilitating. I find the treatments reassuring, giving me a regular and non-invasive comfort. I don't go to Chulan to be "fixed" because I'm not broken. On some days I think "it's gone" ... I've been feeling so good for weeks at a time. On other days I can't remember when or why I've lost my old self/old life/used-to-be-able-to... Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivites can really piss-me-off. My Tuesday appointments release some of the pressure. Along with my calls to supportive and 'I get it' friends who also just let me be down low if that's where I need to go, I get out of the depths and learn something.


So...to the point where I was out surfing and found Miss Molly's post. It was the perfect find. See what you think. Her post linked to this:

Gary McClain, president of JustGotDiagnosed.com, said that chronic illness
can leave patients feeling that their life is spinning out of their control ...
"When we feel out of control, anger is a natural response," McClain
said in a statement.
"People with serious health conditions often feel that they shouldn't show their anger, but instead try to just accept their lot and have a positive attitude, so this strong emotion is often kept inside and pushed to the background."

The Web site JustGotDiagnosed.com has posted anger-management guidelines to help people deal with the anger that often springs from living with serious or chronic illnesses. The Anger Management Checklist suggests:
-- Find a safe person to release the feelings of anger, someone with an open mind, without judgment and without the need to "fix" you. Once released, anger loses its power.
-- Avoid the positive-thinking police. Don't let anyone, badger you into suppressing your anger and putting on a happy face.
-- Take time to grieve what you have lost.
-- Let go of the need to be in control. Humans often cling to the belief that they are always in charge of their own destinies, and when they find out they aren't they get angry.

Life Savers and Safety Nets

Today I had my weekly appointment with Chulan Chiong, my NAET practitioner. Six months ago when Pete and I arrived in Seattle I knew that a big part of the transition from wandering the roads, parking lots and temporary rest stops of O`ahu would be connecting with a support system. LIFE SAVERS AND SAFETY NETS is an image and an affirming focus every one needs. And, for someone riding the swells and bottoms of an illness like MCS finding Life Savers can be a tricky thing ... and that's putting it mildly. Stepping into a new office or building is always a venture into the twilight zone. What smells and possible allergic/sensitivity triggers are there? Even after questioning a potential "life saver" the proof is only in the step through the threshold. Fortunately, I had developed an internet and phone pal who became my first new MCS Life Saver. Days after getting off the plane from Honolulu I called "G.C." to tell her we'd landed. (There'll be more about G.C. and the uncommon good she has shared with us and others with MCS in Seattle.) I asked "Do you know a good NAET practitioner in Seattle?" "Why yes I do!" That was the beginning of my healing relationship with Chulan Chiong, licensed accupuncturist and NAET practitioner.

NAET = Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques. I have included a link to the NAET website where you can explore for yourself the history and the practice of this non-invasion and holistic "Life Saver" that has expanded my world, and improved my health.

Here's a beginning checklist of questions I have asked (over the phone) a potential practitioner/wellness provider: (Thanks to the friends, counselors for sharing bits that make up this list.)

If you have any other questions to add to this list, we'd love to hear them ...thanks!

1. Are you familiar with MCS? Do you have clients/patients who have MCS?

2. Are you a fragrance free office? If they answer "Yes" ask for some details ... air purifiers/fragrance free handsoap/fragrance free laundry detergent used to wash linens...

3. I wear a mask and may need to bring a sheet or blanket to cover any carpet smell or upholstery that might affect me. How do you feel about that?

4. I can usually tell within a few minutes whether I can tolerate a new office, would it be possible to just check it out before making an appointment?

5. Do you offer any discounts to clients/patients with MCS who have a limited financial resources and/or no insurance?

• Listen to the feelings you get when asking the questions. Your gut has intelligence called intuition. I've learned to trust it more and more.


• Listen to the answers (the words) and the emotives that you get when you ask your questions.


• Try to talk with both the receptionist (or whoever might be screening calls) and the practitioner herself. It's good to get a feel for the people in that office.


• Trust your instincts and your intuition; take notes as you do your phone interview.


• Take time to decide.


• Call a trusted friend, a pal who can know you did this very courageous thing.


• Give your self credit for this act of bravery.

One last thing. Here's a quote from a woman and healer-medical physician who has inspired me throughout my journey to be unafraid to seek wholeness in my relationships with any "lifesaver" or "safety net"...

"Serving is different from helping. Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between equals. When you help you use your own strength to help those of lesser strength...we don't serve with our strength, we serve with ourselves...Service is a relationship between equals...Helping incurs debt...But serving, like healing, is mutual. There is no debt."

-Rachel Naomi Remens, excerpt from the article "In the Service of Life"

To link to an incredible site where I post a whole piece on Rachel Naomi Remen and where other HEROES OF HEALING connects you with a world of healers please go to Jenny Mannion's website: http://www.jennymannion.com/

Aloha, Mokihana

Learn by doing

Pete is still working on the vardo. We have the back wall completely sided with tongue-and-groove white oak. Many people with MCS don't tolerate wood very well. Poplar and hard woods like maple are often sited as good options for those who do want to build with wood. We went with white oak after muscle testing many wood samples. White oak was the strongest positive choice. It does have a smell (like a fine wine basking in an oak barrel), but I went to an intuitive conjuring that went something like this: "hmm...strong black tea is rich in tannins (as is the oak), to neutralize the black tea, the Brits always added milk. okay, let's try neutralizing the oak tannins with milk paint. The siding is painted with milk paint from Homestead House in Ontario, Canada and we're using a beeswax finish they sell to seal the walls from the elements. I worked with and emailed many very gracious milk paint retailers and found most of them very understanding of my dilemna. We ordered samples and tested several paints. The one we finally choice comes from Homestead House in Ontario for two reasons: Jenny ... she was and still is a genuinely kind and knowledgable retailer. She has shipped me colors that I could only see via pages on the internet, and talked me through the possibilities I envisioned. The second reason is that at the time we bought our paint they were the ONLY company who had a history of experience using beeswax finish to coat the interior and exterior walls. I learned of a down-side to the beeswax by talking with the supplier of that beeswax finish... depending upon the level of acid in the rain where you live, the beeswax may not hold-up without frequent re-application. Inspite of that precaution we are going with the beeswax rather than using any clear chemically based coating over the milk paint. The picture of the finished back wall shows off the beautiful forrest of beeswaxed lau`ae ferns I stencilled to keep my dear Hawai`i close. The smell of those fern and the inimitable look of lau`ae are part of many island yards. I wanted to have them with us wherever we wander. Using milk paint and beeswax is a choice to be gentle and lean on any use of chemicals. Only time and experience will tell how successful our decision to use milk and beeswax is. The long search for a finish that would not knock us out while we paint, and/or continue to off-gas led us to this solution. The challenge of choosing materials and then testing these materials for safety/minimal ill-effects is HUGE for all who live with MCS. We researched and double/triple researched, prayed, muscled tested and put materials into bottles to give it the sniff test. It takes time, patience and willingess to find that you really don't have all the answers. And then, I have turned to Ke Akua and my guardians and asked them to do for me what I can not do for myself ... I try to remember every day to turn my fears over to Hina (the moon) and tell myself "Enough. You have done enough."

I'm still working on learning how to get the Comments link to show up on my posts so you can tell me what's on your mind after reading this. Like life, we're learning by doing. Thanks for your patience, keep coming back. Comments will show up sooner or later.

Are you an innovator? Where in your life do you make up the rules as you go?

Aloha, Mokihana

From the Kitchenette

• 
  
  
  That's me working from the floor of our yurt-like kitchenette. After six months of life on the road, living and sleeping in our Subaru Forrester the basement apartment kitchenette has become like paradise. Pete and I have retro-fit the kitchenette in this one bedroom apartment doing what it takes to create a safe haven bedroom/everything room. The wall I'm facing is actually a flannel sheet that has been washed free and clear. It's tacked with push pins into the opening between the carpeted living room with a fireplace that is a 'NO-NO ZONE' for me. A second sheet of barrier foil -- a lifesaver for many folks who live with MCS, called DennyFoil, seals the mold, old smoke-smell and deteriorating wood siding.
  
  We have lived in the kitchenette since May of 2008, and began building the Vardo For Two in June. The vital ingredients for shifting out of a constant whirlpool of fear and flight, to a place of calm and healing have shown up here in the kitchenette in White Center. Those vital ingredients for us are:
  
• a place to simply BE
• a space with sealable windows and doors that keep the outside 'triggers' out
• a place to sleep
• electricity to run my Austin Healthmate Jr. air purifier
• access to a hot shower, a toilet not used by thousands and a laundry that is has not been compromised with fragranced laundry soap and dryer sheets
• space to plug in a hot plate for a cup of tea, a toaster oven for cinnamon toast and a crockpot
• a sink to wash dishes

Life on the road has taught us to appreciate what is important. The vital ingredients from the kitchenette have become the foundation for our transforming life. I'm thinking this "From the Kitchenette" post might become a regular 'thing.'

What are your vital ingredients for a 'like paradise life'? What really matters?

Aloha, Mokihana

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities ... I don't know how to explain, so I'll tell you a story

Until you've been there, or have a loved one who lives with MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) explanations are difficult and unfortunately few people really want to hear the details. This blog is a place to share our story. In many ways life with MCS can become a life as a fugitive ... trying to out-run the effects of a human society's choices to make and use chemicals that 'smell nice' but really mask the harmful reality of their nature.






VardoForTwo is a blog of hope, innovation and appreciation.

• With information and a network of supportive practititoners and folks living with mcs we have found hope. Soon a special place for our LIFESAVERS AND SAFETY NETS will focus on these wonderful earth angels and sites of support. We welcome your comments, questions and experiences, and would love to see VardoForTwo become a solution for more and more hope.



• This blog is an expression of innovation ... we are creating a place of comfort that is delightful to the senses, built to wander when necessary(or just because). We are in the process of building an MCS-Safe VARDO, a gypsy wagon for two. The Tiny Home option is filling a gap in the the picture we envision in today's world. IT's a fantastic example of practicing sustainable living. It requires real work to get from 'the American dream' to life in 100 square feet. The good news is there's a community of us who are doing the work, and finding the joy of it!
  


• We'll be connected by extension cord to people who know the challenges we face and are open to learning and collaborating with us. The idea of living small is not to live isolated. MCS isolates us from many things, our goal in building our Vardo For Two is to build appreciation for life that willingness to make it work by finding a way through differences. Building Intension Communities is not a new concept, but it will be new for us as we move toward pulling in the extension cord.
  


• The VardoForTwo is a tiny home 12 feet long x 8 feet wide, built on a solid NW built trailer to accomodate my special needs. It will be very gentle on the Earth at the same time. It's 'greener than green.' The times they are a chang'n and the way we live on Earth is chang'n too.

That's a picture of the dear Vardo For Two with her ribs sunning and the beginnings of her soon-to-be copper roof.

• 
  We will share the process we have lived as we discover, test and handle all the pieces, materials, paints, finishes and protocol required to build an MCS-safe Vardo. It's a journey that could not happen without a connection with All That Is ... the source of all life. In my culture of Hawaii we call that source of All That Is Ke Akua Mana Loa. With this source we co-create a better and better way.
  
  I live with multiple chemical sensitivities -- an illness that makes living near laundry dryer sheets, perfumes and household cleaning supplies, pesticide-use, wood smoke and traditional building/construction like being in a war zone. My dear husband does not suffer the same debilitating effects from these commonly used products, but he lives with me. Instead of trying to explain again and again, why we have moved fourteen times in fourteen years/why we lived in our faithful Subaru Forrester for six months I wrote a short story a sort of fantasy. It was my way of trying to get my arms around a life that just couldn't be mine. The story is called A Tale of Two Dears. Click on the link below to read the whole story. www.samandsally-vardofortwo.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting. Mokihana Calizar and Pete Little