New Pages & Photos Added

Last week I decided to include samples of my artwork, sushi making skills, and my newest hobby of playing a mountain dulcimer. Obviously these things have little to do with the day to day struggles of living with Sickle Cell Disease. My purpose in sharing these photos is to show there are many things in life that bring joy to our souls. Obviously, not everyone likes sushi, art, or poetry. I'm simply sharing my interests in hopes that it will inspire you to find interests and talents of your own.

Sickle Cell can be a brutal illness to live with. I feel it is vital to combat the negativity it brings into our lives with wholesome, enjoyable recreation. When able, use your time to discover and explore new things about yourself. As you do, you will find a new measure of happiness.

Sushi Video

This is a video of my sushi flambe experiments. I had the song "Fever" with it, but YouTube censored me and removed the audio track.

Pink Roll

I call it a Pink Roll. It has imitation crab on top.

No, all this food is not just for me. I had a friend over and we stuffed ourselves with sushi.

(Please forgive the out of control hair)

Fire Roll

This roll has raw tuna on top, but I sear it by adding a liquor and fire. 

 This is a blueberry roll that has a spicy honey sauce on top.

Baked Lobster Roll

Baked Lobster Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll & Lobster Roll

Caterpillar & Rainbow Rolls

This is Rainbow Roll.

This is called a Caterpillar Roll.

Dragon Roll

These are different versions of "Dragon Rolls."

Yoda #2

 This was done with oil pastels. Yoda is my favorite Star Wars character. I have several drawings of Yoda. I think was my third color drawing of him. I actually sold this one recently.

Yoda #1

This is one of the first color drawings I did. It was drawn with a single watercolor pencil. The background was done with a black sharpie.

The Storm

This didn't scan very well. It was a sketch drawn while I was having an intense pain crisis. It represents the pain of a Sickle Cell pain crisis.

Optimus Prime

To date, this is the largest thing I've drawn. It measured 36" x 48".  The black background is sharpie marker and the rest is done is pencil. It was a gift for a friend. Every time I look at this photo I'm a little sad I gave it away. Who doesn't love old school Optimus Prime?

Natalie

Another pencil drawing of another friend.

Kali

This is a pencil drawing of a good friend of mine named Kali.

My Grandmother

This is a portrait of my grandmother when she was pregnant with my mother.  

Yes, they are caucasian. I was adopted.

Eloho

This is a pencil drawing of a girl named Eloho.

Dave & Trish

This was drawn as a wedding gift for my nephew and his then fiancé. The sky and clouds are done with charcoal and the rest is done with pencil.

Mountain Dulcimer @ 2 Months

Day 3 of My Mountain Dulcimer

New Interests

Regardless if you are healthy or living with a chronic illness, it's important to find things that bring distraction and enjoyment. Recently I felt the desire to learn to play a musical instrument. After doing some research and watching too many YouTube videos, I decided on the Mountain Dulcimer. I had never heard of nor seen this instrument before, but when I found it on YouTube, I was captivated by it. In time I found one that fit my budget and began playing it the day it came.

I've had the instrument a couple of months now. I practice for at least an hour a day on average 4-5 days a week. Frequently, the hours fly by, and I find myself lost in this new pursuit. It truly is bringing a great amount of enjoyment.

For me, whether it's writing, drawing, or learning to play an instrument, my various hobbies have always helped to: distract me from pain; keep my mind active; provide needed distractions; and allowed me to feel as though I'm growing as a person in new ways.

By exploring new interests--or encouraging your loved one to explore new interests--you may a new source of joy in life.