Emotionally, February has been a month where we seem to be experiencing all four seasons, sometimes in one day.
Much of our time is spent bouncing between the depths of winter (The Captain’s cancer and the nasty side-effects of treatment) and the hope of Spring (a positive outcome from chemotherapy and complimentary therapies such as Artemesia and Mistletoe).
The Captain’s second round of chemotherapy had less side-effects than the first, but it was far from painless. The third round is the week of 29 February, followed by scans in mid-March to assess progress. I remain very optimistic about the outcome.
Luckily, we are physically located in Australia where summertime is in full swing. And both of us have continued to be warmed by friends both remotely and locally.
We enjoyed a social whirlwind on our Melbourne trip, staying with The Captain’s friends Mark, Stephanie and Judi en route and dining with my friends, both old (Shaun, Kim, Ian and Sunny) and new (bloggers Mabel Kwong, Desleyjane Pitcher, and Michelle Hill) while in the city.
My Dad came for a welcome visit shortly after we returned to Sydney and happily, my childhood friend Carol has traveled here several times for work. Our friend Ray has assisted The Captain on several boat projects and we’ve enjoyed his company along with his wife Leanne over meals. I also had the pleasure of meeting a few more bloggers (Sue and Dave Slaught and Robert Weir) during their travels to Sydney.
I continue to find respite in photography with my daily photo project on Instagram (I’ve highlighted a few favorites from the month throughout this post and in the gallery below).
And I was thrilled when one of my photographs was among those jury selected by Peter Turnley for The Darkroom Gallery’s ‘Culture’ Exhibition in March.
Still, I worry about my ability to earn money along my sailing route and how/when I will fulfill my dream of circumnavigating the globe under sail as The Captain has no interest crossing the Indian Ocean.
But then I remember the promise of autumn, a season of abundance where all things are possible.
I believe that if my mind is focused on the here and now, on our priority of getting The Captain healthy, everything else will work itself out in the end.
Submitted For Cardinal Guzman’s ‘The Changing Seasons’ and The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenges: Seasons and State of Mind
Is the photo with the spruiker outside Porky’s recent? I used to live in Elizabeth Bay and walked through the Cross everyday, and most days he was there. This was 15 years ago. Surely he isn’t still touting for business. If so, he’s aged quite well! 🙂
Ha! I took this photo on 22 February while exiting the King’s Cross Library. He is still touting for business! I guess some things change, others stay the same ?
I hope the Captain returns to full health soon, Lisa. How wonderful you were able to catch up with the Melbourne blogging gang:)
Great shots, too. 🙂
Thank you Debbie. It was indeed wonderful to catch up with the Melbourne gang! I hope I get another trip to Melbourne to see them again before I set sail…or perhaps I will get lucky and they will make their way to Sydney ?
I’m so happy for the good times you’ve had in the midst of your worry about The Captain’s illness. Hoping that the treatment is successful and you can both put this behind you. Stay positive, Lisa. Hugs. xx
Thank you for your supportive words Sylvia. They mean a great deal ?
Lisa, your photos show your emotions even on a “normal” day. You have been through a whirlwind, and the waves crashing onto the rock belies what you are feeling! Gorgeous photos as usual, and how fun to connect with other bloggers! I have been so busy with teaching and prepping my classes, I can all but keep up with blogging! Prayers for the Captain and for all of you connected to him…and peace, my friend!!
I thank you so much Terri for taking the time to comment in spite of your crazed schedule. How you are able to find one moment for blogging with your course load is amazing to me. I appreciate your support and your very, very generous compliments. I think of you every time I consider signing up for surfing, paddle boarding or kite boarding lessons. It will happen one of these days 🙂
A beautiful flow through your seasons, Lisa. How fun to hear you’ve met so many bloggers, I recognize several names and hope you had a fantastic time together! I continue to send my best healing thoughts to you and your captain and look forward to your next daily IG posting. Lisa
??? Thank you so much for your healing thoughts and for hanging out with me on Instagram Lisa. I am truly enjoying seeing your year in pictures on IG and look forward to the day when I can add you to the list of bloggers that I have met
Such a beautiful post. Focusing on the positive as you face this challenge. I said a quick prayer that your captain will be restored to full health very soon.
Thank you for your prayers and supportive words Mar. Greatly appreciated!
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It must have been great to meet Mabel Kwong, Desleyjane Pitcher, and Michelle Hill. I wish I could have met you all too. All the best wishes for the captain and a speedy recovery! The photos are excellent: the huge wave, the double rainbow and it’s awesome that your photo was selected to be exhibited. What an emotional rollercoaster of a month!
You were totally there in spirit Max! I hope to see the Melbourne gang at least once more before I leave here. Wouldn’t it be great if you were there next time ?. Thanks for you well wishes, very kind compliments, and congratulations. It has indeed been an emotional roller coaster of a month so your kindness is really, really appreciated.
All very inspiring… 🙂
?It is always such a pleasure to hear from you Drake ?
Hey wait. I thought you were in Australia! But no. You are someplace else, someplace where there is such a thing as a “Gentlemen’s Bar.” Love those B&W shots, and the one of the kids jumping into the water, the skyline at the horizon–great! I love your attitude and guts.
You’re a sailor, right. And a captain. Nearest thing to a pirate there is. Steal a dang sailboat and off across the Indian Ocean, girl.
which photo will be featured in the exhibition on Culture?
I love you Mr Badfish. There is definitely an Indian Ocean passage in my future, whether I have to beg, borrow or steal. Not sure of the timing, but confident that I will make it happen. Watch this space! HUGE thank you for your support. And delighted that you liked the photos. As for ‘Gentleman’s Bars’, Kings Cross here in Sydney has a whole slew of them that harken back to New York’s 8th Avenue before ‘Disneyfication’ Its a very, very small strip, but rich with character. The photo that was selected for the ‘Culture’ Exhibition can be found here
Love the photo of the little chap assessing the till. I expect you felt some empathy. 🙂 Let’s hope for the very best outcome in everything.
OMG your comment made me roar. The little chap in the photo is indeed a very good representation of me these days. Thanks for bringing some laughter to my day and for your supportive wishes.
What beautiful photos, Lisa. Each one of them is so sharp, so clear, and they each tell a story. That first one is breathtaking – very, very good timing. You are the boss at street photography 🙂 Good to hear The Captain is staying strong throughout all of this. From the sounds of it, he is a fighter and a lover, and he is very lucky to have you by his side.
It was great meeting you, Lisa. Very honoured you took the time to come out. Hop you had a great time meeting the other bloggers too. Who would have known you’d be meeting so many blog-friends in Australia – so many names, that is something. Mr Wobbles sends his well wishes to you, the crew and the ship *waves his paws with a pondering face*
Thank you for your kind compliments and supportive words Mabel. And a HUGE thank you for spending time with me in Melbourne AND picking up the tab. It doesn’t get better than that! I still have my eyes on the look out for a Pink Mrs Wobbles and won’t rest until I find one. I look forward to seeing you again someday whether Sydney, Melbourne, or some other cool place on the planet. Hugs to Mr Wobbles.
Lisa we send our hopes for many more beautiful rainbows for you and the captain. What a pleasure to spend time with you in Sydney. We very much hope our paths will cross again.
Thank you Sue and Dave for your support and for hanging out with me. As I’ve said, you visit was a highlight for my time here in Sydney. I can’t wait to see how the rest of your Australia and Fiji adventures unfold. Looking forward to traveling with you vicariously.
Hi Lisa, I Love your post, and your pictures, as always, a joy to see. Keeping positive is always the best thing, and you are definitely blessed. I am sure you will hear good things about the captains results. I too will be taking my mother this week for a cat scan to see progress of chemo. Positive thinking! Yes. 🙂
I’m happy you had family and friends to share of your trip, that is awesome.
Much Love your way to you, Lisa and to the Captain.
Your mother is in our prayers Eva. Sending positive vibes her way and yours. Thank you so much for your friendship and lovely feedback on the post ???
Beautiful selection, I especially love the rainbow. Best wishes to the Captain for his next round of chemotherapy: hope this does the trick. Thinking positive thoughts for you.
Positive thoughts received and welcomed Anabel. Your support keeps my spirits up and maintains my optimism, so thank you for that. I am so glad that you liked the images. Rainbows always make me feel hopeful.
Beautiful photos as always (I especially liked the one of the kids jumping in the blue water with Sydney’s skyline), Lisa and your words do a really good job describing the seasons in your life as well. Stay positive! I wish you a perpetual summer until the Captain is better! xxx
Thank you Liesbet not only for the support and compliments here but for spending 1.5 hours with me on the phone this week. It was great to catch up and to ramble on for a bit. I really needed it. Looking forward to speaking again soon ?
Lovely pictures and post. A time for reflection and being mindful.
Wishing The Captain a speedy recovery. Hang in there, Lisa.
Thank you so much for your support Corina and for your compliment on the post.
Hopefully the captain responds well to treatment, freaking amazing photography as usual. I’m trying to rob an armored truck so I can go hid in Australia until it warms up here!
By the way you were the top donor in #SkippingWithSloane so if you want to you can share your Australian journey for a day at Skipah’s Realm. My mom and a couple of friends will at least see it (just kidding I’ve got a few more followers than that) and again thank you very much for the contribution!
I’m A Winner!!!! Glad to have been part of Sloane’s fund raising efforts. Am very proud of her. And I would LOVE to helm your blog for a day. While I lack your wit and eloquence, I never shy away from a challenge. Waiting for the right inspiration. While I don’t want you to land yourself in jail (watch out Brinks) we’d love to have you come visit.
Lovely photos as usual, and congratulations on your photo being selected for the exhibition. You have been through a lot and obviously have much weighing on your mind. The Captain is fortunate to have you supporting him through his treatment and recovery. There are a lot of us out here in blogland routing for him – and you – too!
?Huge thanks all around Janis. I am buoyed by your friendship and generous compliments. Finding so much support in the blogosphere really does help lighten the load and keep our spirits up ?
Lisa …would love to catch up sometime now that you are in Sydney. Audrey (we met in Samoa)
OMG of course I remember you Audrey and would LOVE to get together. We are in Rushcutters and are totally mobile in Sydney. I will drop you an email and we can set a date. So excited. Yay!
What a perfect description of the ups and downs of life right now for you. I’m still stuck in my own ‘down’ but hope to emerge soon …? I’m in the midst of a 3-day drive to get my mom and take her to surgery, which we hope will cause rainbows such as that in your brilliant photo to appear over all our heads! I’m both sorry and happy you are going through your travails in beautiful, sunny Australian summer. All of the photos are great, as usual, and it’s s nice to hear your ‘voice’ again! Wish I could be one of your visitors! 🙂
Hi Lexi. You are often in my thoughts these days. I guess because we’ve both had our lives turned on their heads at about the same time. I continue to send positive vibes your way and am very hopeful that your mother will emerge from surgery victorious. My mom was in and out of hospitals for an entire year in 2012. Things looked very bleak at the time, but she finally recovered and is back to living life well. She is the ‘Belle’ in her social circles. I pray for the same outcome for your mother. And when she recovers, I would love to meet up with you in some exotic location! We would have a blast. Watch out world. Thank you for the kind compliments on the photos.
Oh Lisa! You write so beautifully. Your photos are also stunning of course. It was such a pleasure to spend time with you in Melbourne and to meet the captain. I’m so glad his treatment is going well. I will definitely see you again soon – whether in Melbourne or up in your home territory of Sydney.
You are so wonderful to say that I write so beautifully Michelle. Words aren’t coming easily these days, so I really appreciate the compliment. I so look forward to seeing you again and to seeing more of your beautiful photographs soon.
I hope everything turns out ok Lisa, and best of luck for the Captain. Spring is here, greeting us with a massive rain storm hitting us later tonight,oh yay!
take care, and be good!
T.
Thank you so much Teresa for your well wishes. I hope you manage to stay dry in these early days of spring.
Stay positive and busy. That’s the best advice I can give. Great selection of shots.
Lovely.
Thank you ?
Hello Lisa, the photographs are stunning… Congratulations..
I wish you very good luck with the alternative treatments…
May the seeds of the new month beginning bring you hope and healing… I hope March will be a good month to you… Sending love and best wishes. Aquileana 🙂
Thank you Aquileana for your visit, healing words and generous compliments. Love and good wishes received and welcome ???
Wishing your captain the best of luck for the 3rd round. Your gallery of February is an amazing mix, and I can see why. Best to you both.
Thank you so much Paula for wonderful compliments and your on-going support. Much needed and appreciated ?
Wow! Great shots!
Thank you ❣
Wishing you courage and strength on these days, Lisa. Congratulations again on the exhibition in March – that’s impressive and exciting! Your images are awesome, keep capturing the beauty of Australia and it vibrant street life 🙂
??? Thank you Indah for your well wishes for The Captain’s recovery and your appreciation of my art. Means a lot to me.
All the best for the Captain’s third round of treatment. Your photos are lovely.
Thank you for your generous compliement and well wishes for The Captain. So far, so good.
Fabulous photos, sweetheart! 🙂 Those guys standing beside the humungous wave crack me up! One fully clothed, one going for a swim! Love what you’ve captured there. And Joe Cool in the doorway, I love. And that rainbow! Your pot of gold is the Captain’s health. My heart aches for you, Lisa, but you have to stay positive enough for both of you. Wishing you many sunny times ahead, wherever you might sail.
? Thank you for your support and wishes for a lifetime full of sun Jo. And thank you also for taking such a leisurely stroll through my gallery of images and providing such generous, complimentary feedback. Made my day❣
The “let them stay” mural is so powerful.
I thought so too! It speaks volumes. I hope those with the power to ‘Let Them Stay’ are listening.
Has been awhile since last visiting you by blog. Am sorry to learn about what the Captain’s going through. Shall send my prayers for improved health. My prayers in the best for you too. Also, thank you for your photo-work that you manage still to post here. May the clarity that often shows strength in your shots, also come through for you as a source to uphold you through these times.
Wonderful to hear from you! I’ve been a bit remiss in visiting others blogs as well but enjoyed a visit to yours today and was delighted to see you participating in Photo101.
I so appreciate your prayers as well as your generous compliments. You’ve buoyed my spirits today…and they need a lot of buoying these days. I am certain we will have good news when The Captain has his scans in a few days and then we will start planning for our next adventures. In the meantime, my camera is saving me.
I love your blog!!!
I love your sense of humor and can not wait to see your work published ?
Such amazing photos. I hope the land-sickness on all accounts is over soon.
Thank you so much Brita for your compliments and well wishes. The good news is that we got the results of The Captain’s scans two days ago and they are all clear of cancer. Two more rounds of chemo for good measure and then we set sail again. The treatment is working!
A nice post Lisa. My best wishes to the Captain. 🙂
Thank you Brian! Things are looking good at the moment. Treatment is done for the time being and we are preparing to set sail from Sydney on May 2. Can not wait!
For some strange reason my reply didn’t work. So… Glad to hear that. And “Bon vent” Safe winds. 🙂
Stunning pictures and shame that I missed you in Melbourne. Maybe there’s a next time!
I am so disappointed to have missed you in Melbourne Sandra. I had intended to come back for a second visit and spend more time there, but time just got away from us and sadly we will be sailing northward to Darwin from May 2. Perhaps I will have the good fortune to see you in some other location as I travel onward.