Posted by Jen On April - 27 - 2009
I’ve always liked this Keats sonnet. It is actually a response to a JH Reynolds sonnet about the beauty of dark eyes. I just happen to enjoy it for its tranquil qualities, much as I like the soothing color blue. It’s about 80 degrees here already (a little TOO warm in my opinion), but the sky is periwinkle and the sea is dark blue….
Blue! ‘Tis the life of heaven,—the domain
Of Cynthia,—the wide palace of the sun,—
The tent of Hesperus, and all his train,—
The bosomer of clouds, gold, gray, and dun.
Blue! ‘Tis the life of waters:—Ocean
And all its vassal streams, pools numberless,
May rage, and foam, and fret, but never can
Subside, if not to dark-blue nativeness.
Blue! gentle cousin of the forest-green,
Married to green in all the sweetest flowers—
Forget-me-not,—the blue-bell,—and, that queen
Of secrecy, the violet: what strange powers
Hast thou, as a mere shadow! But how great,
When in an Eye thou art alive with fate!
Posted by Jen On April - 23 - 2009
Barbara Brave, whom I had the honor of interviewing for the February 2009 issue of New Mobility, has been living with multiple sclerosis for the past 14 years. Previously residing in Roanoke, Virginia, she moved back to New Jersey about eight years ago to be close to family members after experiencing an acute attack that required extensive rehabilitation.
Barbara now resides at the Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus and she relishes her close-knit family as well as the new friends she’s made there. “I like to tell other residents that I’m ‘moving with motivation’ or I’m ‘exhilaratingly energetic’ to brighten their days,” she says.
Barbara also stays active with the National MS Society’s NJ Metro Chapter by putting together and sending their mailings at their local office. The chapter makes a big effort to employ medical center residents in volunteer positions, and transports them to and from functions. Recently Barbara participated in a Metro Chapter fashion show, part of an annual fundraiser that is known as the Women on the Move Luncheon. She was the only model to display her fashions from her wheelchair. “It was a grand and glorious day,” says Barbara. “I modeled one outfit and jewelry and I went slowly around the perimeter of the runway.”
Barbara reveals her sources of motivation to keep active and enthusiastic: “I have a wonderful family and a group of friends I can rely upon.”
Posted by Jen On April - 22 - 2009
I’ve been off of the radar lately, and not due to lousy health but because of the TONS and TONS of reading, writing, and discussing I have to do for my online Abnormal Psychology class. It’s been very interesting but time-consuming. That said, I’m ready to sign up for my next class this fall: Personality Theory. I’m hoping to learn more about the ins and outs of introversion/extroversion and what makes us act like we do….why, Why, WHY? LOL
On the topic of MS: I am currently featured at Merely Me’s Multiple Sclerosis Central site as the latest MS patient profile. I’ve given some insight into my various symptoms, my long road to diagnosis, my philosophies for coping, and my “words of wisdom” to neurologists/medical staff. If you have a moment, please feel free to check it out.
Now onto a new article here, because I am COMPLETELY behind….
