Thursday, March 14, 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Youngest Support Group





Sometimes the best support groups are comprised of children. To read this post, click here.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Calling the Shots Has a New Home!

Dear Readers,

It's with great pleasure that I'm announcing the new home for Calling the Shots: http://www.bethgainer.com/

This site will still provide the great content you've come to know and expect.

Please change your blogroll to www.bethgainer.com and please spread the word.

Beth L. Gainer


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Celebrating the Ordinary Day 7

I know it's a day late, but here is my Day 7 celebrating the ordinary picture. I want to thank Marie from Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer for creating this challenge. I have simply had a blast taking pictures and blogging about them, as well as reading all the terrific posts that have celebrated the ordinary.

My final Celebrating the Ordinary picture is that of a painting of an arctic fox I had done years ago. 





Painting is a part of me, and it is my favorite hobby, along with sketching. It represents freedom and relaxes me in a way nothing else can. When I was married, my mentally ill husband essentially did not want me painting, thinking such paintings were toxic. He actually threw out my novice paintings when I wasn't home.

When I got divorced, I suddenly found myself obsessed with painting. I was finally free to do what I wanted, and what I wanted most of all was to paint. What ensued were hundreds of pieces of artwork, some of which were drafts.

Painting helps calm me like nothing else can. I'm so lucky I have a hobby I love.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Celebrating the Ordinary -- Day 6

Today's ordinary slice of life is one I've often taken for granted: a small farm stand not far from where I live.

It's a real treat to have freshly grown produce. I stop at this farm stand once a week to buy all wonderful yummy goodies -- until the farm stand  closes in late fall.

The sight of apples reminds me that fall is soon upon us in the US. And it fills me with anticipation for my favorite apple available a bit later in the fall: the Honey Crisp.