FRIDA KAHLO

Photographer/Artist Lori Peterson

Icon of Mexico. Artist.  Writer. Activist, Feminist. She believed in equality for all.

Marriages. Divorces. Affairs, Her life was as colorful as the skirts and headbands she wore. She endured many tragedies.

Polio as a child, Life-threatening injuries when the bus she was riding in crashed. Her body was broken. Multiple fractures. A body cast, A lifetime of surgeries. Thirty in all...

She was told she'd never walk again. She persevered. She taught herself to paint while recovering in the hospital. She painted 143 paintings. 55 of them are self-portraits.

."I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone because I am the person I know best."
Frida Kahlo

Frieda Kahlo married Mexican painter Diego Rivera. They had a love-hate relationship Diego Rivera loved her long dark hair. When he cheated on her she cut her hair  My favorite painting of hers is one in which she is sitting in a chair, dressed in a suit with very short hair. That painting makes me smile. It was the ultimate retaliation.

"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.”
-Frida Kahlo

We all do this when the stress of life gets to be overwhelming. We zone out. We live. inside our heads for a while. We imagine life the way we'd like it to be. Frida Kahlo painted her imaginings.

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”
Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo is a positive role model for those of us with disabilities. 

I interpret the third quote as meaning You can be whatever you want to be.  You can do whatever want to do in your life. All you need is the drive and determination to achieve it. Nothing is impossible. All you have to do Is believe.

Frida Kahlo was a revolutionary. She fought for equality.  She was ahead of her time.

For more information on Frida Kahlo Visit:

https://www.fridakahlo.org/

https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/en/the-blue-house/

MY EPIC CONCERT

Cher's Here We Go Again Tour will be making a \stop in St. Louis next month. For the first time, I won't be at her concert. When I was in my teens this would have been a fate worse than death. The first time that Sonny and Cher appeared here there was some kind of ticket lottery. I remember saying to my mom, "Please you just have to get tickets or I'll die."  She did. As an adult, I am okay with missing this tour.

Ticket prices and transportation are a factor, but you want to know the main reason I am okay with not going?  Neither my mom or my friend JoAnn are here to share the concern with me.

JoAnn was there when I cried after I met Cher's BFF, Paulette.  My mom rocked out at every concert. She yelled at security to make people sit down so I could see the stage. Security told my mom they could not do anything. My mom did the next best thing. She described what I was missing on stage until fans made room so I  could see the stage again. I have some awesome Cher concert memories. I know how fortunate I have been to have seen Cher in concert six times.

I guess that's why the movie A Star Is Born 2018 means so much to me. The movie was my concert, my big event. The concert footage was real. Real fans of Lady Gaga were in the audience. I sang all the songs with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. I had a great time. That movie was my epic concert.  Friends bought me a tee shirt, the soundtrack CD, and a DVD of the movie. I have new concert memories of seeing ASIB with my friend Jenny.

When May 10th rolls around I will probably feel a little sad remembering past Cher tours. I know that fan postings on Social Media will make me feel as though I am there. I am and will always be Cher's #1 fan in St. Louis.

I wasn't physically at any of the concerts that were filmed for A Star Is Born, but I felt the same excitement that I feel when I am attending a concert.  That's pretty amazing. In a strange way, the movie also helped to make missing Cher okay.

I do have a dilemma. Burning questions for Lady Gaga. and Cher. I just have to know.   Can a 62-year-old Cher fan be a Little Monster?  And, Cher, are you okay with it?  Lady Gaga, perhaps you can call us Little Elderly Monsters. Just a suggestion. I will leave it up to you.

EASTER...IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BUNNY

I don't know when it happened. I turned 62 and have been thinking about God, life, and what matters. I know. I was surprised too. My main request on Easter was a white- chocolate rabbit.  I am not someone who attends church every Sunday. I believe God is everywhere. He listens, He hears, and He answers our prayers.

It is my belief that you do not have to be in a building to know God or feel his love.  When I attended church at summer camp it was held outside The pews of the church were made of wood as was the pulpit. 

I remember looking up at the sun shining through the trees. I was a kid, but I knew God was there. That image of the sun shining through the trees has stayed with me.

When I saw the tragic photos of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral  I teared up. I was amazed when I saw the cross standing tall amidst the smoke and ash. That photo was visual proof that God exists. He protects. He saves. 

I have made many mistakes in the past 9 years. I worry about what others of me. Family.  Friends. My staff. I am always trying to fix things. I am always asking for another chance. People tell me it is too late. I have blown all of my chances. I don't believe that. Until I take my last breath there is always hope.

The awesome thing about the Easter season is that Jesus already took care of all my transgressions. He died for them on Good Friday. He was resurrected on Easter Sunday Easter is a time of rebirth and renewal.

I want to be accepted for the person I  am.  Here's the thing I realized. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me. What matters is what God thinks of me. He already knows the person I am. He knows my struggles. He knows my pain. He sees my tears. He knows that I am trying.  All my wrongs have been forgiven. I am not going to beat myself up defending. myself  anymore

Each morning I ask God to please help me  I ask for God's guidance. I ask for my parents to watch over me. 

Eat candy. Dye eggs.  Just remember that Easter is not just about the bunny.'

I CRY

I cry when I am happy.

I cry when I'm sad.

I cry when someone makes me mad.

Tears are born from frustration.

Tears are born from fear.

I cry watching commercials.

Hallmark's are the best.

Christmas and Valentine's.

I am a mess.

I cry over words said to me. 

Words that are hurtful and cruel. 

I cry when I say hurtful words too.

Words should be a creative tool.

I cry over holiday traditions that are no more.

I must accept that the holidays will never be as they were before.

Drama Queen. 

Yep. 

Guess that's me. 

I would rather be labeled differently.

I try to keep my tears at bay. 

But they break free. 

They pour from my eyes like a waterfall. 

Crying is cleansing, it's healing.

That's no lie.

I hope I never get too old to cry.

Only strong people cry. 

 That's what they say. 

People who've been through the mill

People who need a break.

People who've had about all they can take.

I'll have a good cry. 

Wipe my eyes. 

 Blow my nose.

I am ready to begin again. 

I am ready to face whatever curve life throws.

FYI: Did you know there are different types of chemicals released through our tears?

When we cry due to an eye irritant, certain types of chemicals are released.

Emotional crying elicits different types of chemicals.

Endorphins are one. That's why we feel better when our crying is done,

Go ahead. Have a good cry. You've earned it.

BIRTHDAYS, HAIR DYE AND MARGARITAS

My birthday. Ugh. Another year. I can't believe it is almost here. I want to do something fun. Like I did when I turned 21.

1978. Disco ruled. My friends took me to dinner. After dinner, we went to a disco. I can still see that mirror ball. What made it a memorable night was the car we rode in. What a sight! The back doors of the car were held closed with rope. If we'd had an accident there would have been no hope. Two of my friends sat on either side of me. If the doors flew open. safe I'd be. I thought nothing of it. We were having a blast. I wanted the night to last and last. I got home at 2 a.m, My mom never knew. Riding in that car was the only big risk I  have ever taken.

Until now.

I am going to do something people would not expect me to do. Something out of my comfort zone. The beautician at NHC is going to dye a small portion of my hair blue. The dye has a little purple in it too.  I will look rad for Happy Hour.

I am getting a little nervous. Will people laugh?  Will they make fun of me?. People never expect me to do the things someone able-bodied does."You mean you can have a cocktail? "You tried smoking?" Yes. Why are you so surprised?  Someone had to stand by when I smoked to make sure I did not burn myself or cause a four-alarm fire. My mom was concerned about one minor thing. Our house.  Smoking was disgusting but I tried it. Enough said.

I hope that my blue hair sends a positive message to people. I have CP. I am sixty-two.. Inside I am still that 21-year-old girl who rode in a deathtrap of a car with her friends and loved every minute of it.

I challenge you to do something fun on your birthday, Something you have always wanted to do but didn't because you thought you were too old. Do it. Have fun. It's your day, no one else's.

Oh, I almost forgot.. my birthday would not be complete without Margaritas. I  never liked them. I do now. I look forward to having a few in celebration.

Do something a little crazy for your birthday. You are not too old. It is not too late.

I DID IT!!!

.