So much to look forward to here when Summer arrives, as it finally did
a few weeks ago. We endured a long Winter this year and it was
difficult to imagine the heat, as today it is difficult to imagine
pulling on a second pair of trousers as a brace against the freezing
cold. But a part of this Summer has been put on hold and tempered by
the fact that our youngest child, the (not-so-small) small one, fell
off her bicycle and broke both bones in her right arm.
She knew, we all knew, just by looking at it.
We
took a tearful drive to the hospital and then had to make a longer
journey to Perugia, as the nearest orthopaedic specialist was there on
duty that afternoon.
The afternoon soon became the evening and we
finally emerged, bleary eyed and blinking into the dark carpark, one of
us wearing a heavy plastercast all the way up to the shoulder, set for
40 long days. Our little girl had no idea at the time what lay in store
as the Summer began to take it's toll, but as we have now arrived at
the 40th day, we are all at the end of our proverbial tethers.
I have been fortunate to have been otherwise preoccupied of late.
Not surprisingly, things of a building nature are my immediate concern
and it's a little like firefighting as I lurch from one emergency
deadline to another. The stress of that is, though, tempered by
allowing myself time every so often to go out in the car and 'discover'
new and interesting places to draw and paint.
I call it research, and
it is, but it also gives me a chance to stop for a time and focus on
something other than power tools.
I just do quick sketches or small
paintings to get a true sense of what it would be like for a group,
then move on. So far I have a little 'library' of good places for
morning painting, good places for afternoon painting, and loads of good
places for lunch.
I've been busy.
For the patient back at home, unfortunately it's not quite as simple as just 'taking it off' today. You see, the bone hasn't quite set correctly and we will have to wait for the results of a final x-ray to confirm that she is now free to swim, ride her bicycle, draw, and do homework with her right hand. Our supportive, collective family-ban on all such activities seemed like a good idea at the time, but 40 days is a long time for anyone, certainly long enough for our wheatfields to turn from vivid green to golden brown.
So today has been a long time coming and, hopefully, the real Summer will start, for one little girl at least, very soon afterwards. We'll see.
The stupidest thing I did today;
I said, rather foolishly, as we went in to see the specialist, "I'm sure it'll be alright, then we can go swimming this afternoon!". Not according to the doctor.
He simply shook his head and said, "...ancora 20 giorni..." Aaaaaagh!
Impressive blog! -Arron
Posted by: rc helicopter reviews | December 21, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I am really really sorry to hear about this. I once wore a cast and a brace to hold it over my head for a year. Believe me, I can sympathize!
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | July 19, 2008 at 03:56 PM
poverina! I hope she is back swimming and riding her bike soon.
Posted by: joe@italyville | July 17, 2008 at 04:36 PM
so happy to see
sponge*bob
is on hand to help with the healing!
:-)
not the same a swimming in the sea
but
from the healthy & used condition of the cast
it looks as if your youngest
has gone on with her life.
here in florida
a summer cast is the kiss of death
to social activities.
Posted by: somepinkflowerss | July 16, 2008 at 02:48 AM
My son broke his femur so I feel your pain. He was in hospital for over 3 weeks. It was hard for us all. He is fine now and swimming. Mind you, he nearly drowned in the pool so perhaps it is good not to be able to go in the pool!
Posted by: Paolo | July 14, 2008 at 05:54 PM
I winced when I read of the poor child's broken arm, my own little girl now eighteen one summer age 5 broke her wrist when she fell, 6 weeks latter got cast off be careful the doctor said yes she nodded and came home ran out side 5 minutes later and broke the other wrist, called family doctor because if I taken her to hospital family services would have been called , all things take their time to heal, hopefully the summer weather will last till late into October for her.As she British and stalwarts she may get her swim in yet.
Posted by: Antonina | July 14, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Aww, poor thing. Another 20 days of her summer. I dislocated my elbow on the monkey-bars 5 minutes after we arrived at a family picnic when I was 9. Talk about ruining a party!
Your paintings are delicious. They are dripping Italy :)
Bravo!
Posted by: My Mélange | July 13, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Oh poor thing...40 days is a long time, not to be able to do things..love your drawings :-)
Posted by: anne | July 13, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Is that Sponge Bob along with your architectural sketches?
Get well soon Piccolina.
Posted by: Sally | July 12, 2008 at 02:54 PM
awww..well one good thing is that the cast is very cool! I hope everything is mended nicely now and you all have a beautiful summer. I love your drawings :)
Posted by: Maryann | July 12, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Beautiful pictures indeed, what an artist! :) i take pictures with my camera instead =)
Feel free to visit us in Narni, I'll give you the address, we have a room that i called mercatino bits and bobs where there is stuff for sale that i make (bags and purses etc.) and other new and used things. We are in the countryside :)
Posted by: pinklunamoon | July 11, 2008 at 09:38 PM
oh no! Non ancora 20 giorni!?! Da quando commencera'' estate?
Those paintings are amazing...I can't wait until your classes start!
Posted by: erin :: the olive notes | July 11, 2008 at 05:15 PM
My nephew broke his arm a few summers ago; I was "lucky" enough to break mine in the winter :(
Posted by: Michelle | Bleeding Espresso | July 11, 2008 at 01:08 PM