My Personal Experience With The Veterans Administration Health Care

My primary health care provider for the past nine years or so has been the Veterans Administration Medical Clinic in Peoria, IL. The facility is up to date, efficient, spotless, and all appointments have been on time. The entire staff has been professional, courteous and respectful. I thank the Clerks, Volunteers, Nurses, Doctors, and Administrator for the highest quality of service. I also thank all at the VAMC in Danville, IL and the VAMC in Indianapolis, IN who have given me care, put up with my sense of humor and saved my life. Thank you for your service and as ever be well.

Stephen's Painting Studio and The Rose & Thorn Journal Page Two by Stephen Craig Rowe

    I know we have seen the image above in previous posts and some of us just can not get enough of it.  Myself included.  Grant me a moment or so to give an update of recent events here and there.  My home blog the Windows Live Space PAINTING STUDIO as we knew it, is no more.  The other day I read a message from MSN Windows Live Spaces that informed me that Spaces would no longer exist after March 2011 and that I could migrate my Painting Studio space to WordPress.  So in good faith I pressed the migrate button and presto!  The PAINTING STUDIO was gone.  Poof!  I thought the whole thing would be transported to WordPress but only my posts and archives seemed to follow.  I don't know.  Anyway here is a link to the WordPress PAINTING STUDIO.  Am still testing the waters there but plan on moving my home blog to Google here.  I almost forgot that the Flying Monkeys space was still active and made a post there and plan on keeping Flying Monkeys alive until the end.

    Recently the co editors/publishers of The Rose & Thorn Journal asked me to become the art commentator and art gallery curator.  It is an honor for me to accept the position as a staff member and hope I do them proud.  The art gallery is still a work in progress and will feature emerging and established artists.  The fall edition will be published on October 15th and hope all of you will sign on for the news letter while enjoying the fine quality publication.

     Thank you all, and as ever be well,  Stephen Craig Rowe

On The Road Again With Apture and you

PAINTING STUDIO UPDATE:

Work has been busy and things a bit hectic as I am on the road to Danville again. I report at 11:am on February 25th at the Danville, Illinois Veterans Administration Medical Center for surgery at 1:pm on that day. The surgeon will perform a Left Colectomy. I will be in the hospital for five to eight days then at home in recovery for six to eight weeks.

I was not going to blog about this but some of you may have been wondering about where I have been and am about to go. Now you know.

My thoughts are of all of you, here there and everywhere. There is a comfort in the knowing and the space between the words that transends and extends understanding. As quiet as a brush stroke or the scratch of a pen. That bind the mind to poetry and grace. Yes, the white rose was grown in my little garden. Those are dew drops and not tears. I do have a new phone, Samsung Instinct that is like a little hand held computer. Way cool. Am sure to have time to figure out all of the features. In time. For time is all we have to be of the all. Oh yeah, United States Congressman Aaron Schock visited Jim's Steak House in Peoria last night, we talked a bit and he said that he would call when I was in the hospital.



A special thanks to Deborah Smith http://www.deborah-smith.com and  http://www.bellebooks.com/  for sending the sound trac from Tender Graces the novel by Kathryn Magendie http://kathrynmagendie.spaces.live.com/   to be released this spring by BelleBooks.

As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe

Painting Studio, My Mothers Birthday

Introduction: July 24 is my Mothers birthday. I was at work when I called her. Had to have someone watch the door and take calls as I called my Mother. I had to go out doors to get a good signal on my phone. On the street in my tuxedo I called and wished her a Happy Birthday! Cars were buzzing around in the skyline tango, people were waving at me. And I was on the phone with my Mother. Mom was at the home with Dad and he was fast asleep.
I responded to a note from my little sister Carrie. As ever be well and God bless yu and yours.
Dear Carrie, I am ok and work has been busy. Yes I know that Mom's birthday was today and I called her this afternoon from work. She was with Dad and was surprised to hear from me. She said, " How did you know it was my birthday? " It made me smile that I remembered. We all know I am not a card sender or any of that stuff. Smile! I have not heard from John at all. I am not in any pain and am working five nights a week. There is some intrest couple of paintings but the bloody bastards have not written a check, yet. I pray they do soon because I do not want to prolong the surgery. Then again, I do not want to be in the hospital when Dad goes. Yeah, a lot is going on and my simple mind is always racing. Am thinking of calling my friends in the Blue Angels when Dad gives it up to God. I know, and it makes me cry just to think of this. Just maybe think of this if one of the jets was even close to the military ceremony for our Father. How very cool a fly by would be. To honor, salute, and wave goodbye to a proud vet of WW2 and the father of six misfits who each have found their own way and are finding their way home. Little Sister I think I may just post this note at the Painting Studio. Love you and yours more than words can tell, as ever be well, your bro,Stephen Craig Rowe

More than words can tell,
As ever be well, with love,
Stephen Craig Rowe