Summary

Dennett, a photographer and writer, shares a personal account of their post-surgery recovery through a week-long photo-a-day challenge, capturing the beauty of nature and family moments.

Abstract

Dennett documents their recovery from surgery, marking each day with a photograph that encapsulates their journey back to normalcy. From observing the elegance of sandhill cranes to receiving a heartfelt birthday box, the week is filled with moments of pain, fatigue, and the joys of nature and familial love. The narrative is interspersed with vivid imagery of the natural world and personal reflections, highlighting the therapeutic power of photography and the importance of noticing life's simple pleasures.

Opinions

Dennett expresses a sense of accomplishment and improvement in health, noting a significant decrease in pain and an increase in energy levels post-surgery.
The author finds beauty and inspiration in the natural world, as evidenced by their appreciation for the wild cat greenbrier, the changing colors of the bald cypress, and the sandhill crane's dance.
There is a deep familial affection and pride, particularly when describing the artwork from their grandchildren and the significance of the birthday box.
Dennett values the Photo-a-Day Challenge as a means to combat isolation and share experiences with a community of photographers and storytellers.
The author emphasizes the importance of rules in creative endeavors, such as the Snapshot rules, to maintain a standard for shared content.
Despite physical limitations, Dennett maintains a positive outlook and finds joy in the small moments of life, such as the neighbor's ripening oranges, despite an allergy preventing them from enjoying the fruit directly.

© Dennett ~ Sunday, November 14, 2021 ~ **Triumvirate**

Photo-a-Day Challenge

Almost Normal

My week in pictures

Sunday was a post-surgery turnaround day for me. Pain faded, energy increased. I clocked 10,000 steps, mostly taken during three walks with Syau.

One walk took us into a neighborhood with a large pond where American ibis lined the shore.

© Dennett ~ Sunday, November 15, 2021 ~ **Lanky**

Monday, I found this wild cat greenbrier reaching for the sky. It reminded me of our grandson who, in a 6-month span, transformed from short and a little pudgy to tall and lanky.

I returned to work Monday evening. After missing 11 hours of work over two days due to my surgery, I had a pile waiting for me. By the time I got home, I was very tired. Although my work is not physical, my body ached as though I spent three hours digging ditches! Thanks to Captain Argentina’s magnificent massage, I slept soundly.

© Dennett ~ Tuesday, November 16, 2021 ~ **Boogie Down**

Tuesday I worked for my client who lives in the country club community that’s also a sandhill crane sanctuary. There were many cranes out and about enjoying the sunny, cool weather. This one entertained me with a disco dance!

© Dennett ~ Wednesday, November 17, 2021 ~ Changeling

This is the smallest pond in our neighborhood and home to a large Muscovy family. The ducks were sleeping on the far shore, heads tucked under wings, but I thought the changing colors of the bald cypress were pretty enough for a photo. The bald cypress trees are some of the most colorful in the fall.

© Dennett ~ Thursday, November 18, 2021 ~ **Familia**

My birthday was earlier this month. Tuesday I received my belated birthday box from my grandchildren, daughter, and son-in-law. Dates and times are very fluid for them! The box was filled with gluten-free goodies, a fabric flower bouquet, tea towels, and this artwork. The duck and ducklings were my older granddaughter’s rendition of our lake fowl and the family (familia) tree was a combination of the hands of my daughter, grandson, older granddaughter and son-in-law, and baby granddaughter’s feet. Surprisingly, the baby is a quadruped (4-footed animal)!! How can she possibly wear the clothes I’ve sent her??

Today, Thursday, was a week since my surgery. My pain and soreness are almost entirely gone, but my energy is up and down and when it’s down, I’m like a deflated balloon.

© Dennett ~ Friday, November 19, 2021 ~ **Brilliance**

Friday started off cloudy and dull but by 9 am, the sun was dazzling, serving as a spotlight for the fall colors.

© Dennett ~ Saturday, November 20, 2021 ~ **Almost**

A neighbor’s oranges are almost ready for picking. Unfortunately, I am allergic but I still appreciate the sight of bright orange fruit in the winter.

And, so my week went. Time to start another!

In July 2020, I started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the virus blues. I take photos every day and choose one (maybe, two) to represent the day. Then, add a one-or-two-word descriptor and maybe, some narrative. A simple way to observe and preserve.

Want to join the fun? It’s all about noticing and appreciating your environment and sharing it with us, as these photographers and story-tellers have:

Erika Burkhalter / Eileen Vorbach Collins / Anne Bonfert / Sasha Meyer / Tracy Aston/ Lisa Bolin / Juan O. Aguilera / David Wade Chambers / June Nguyen / Mia Verita / Susan Alison / LensAfield / Barbara Radisavljevic / Diana Lotti / Barbara Dalton / Kim Zuch / K. Barrett / Sandra Barrett / Shruthi Sundaram / Gustavo Mendez / Olive Wilson / Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms)

(If you participated in the Photo-A-Day Challenge and your name isn’t listed above, please let me know.)

Please follow the Snapshot rules:

Lead with a photo/title and subtitle follow No more than 10 photos per post No more than 750 words per post Yes, we know that the photos are yours but you still have to state that they’re your work

And, have fun!