Celebrate Good Times! 100 blogs in 100 days!
(Actually I think it is 101 lol)
I couldn’t be happier that this accomplishment coincides with Keith’s birthday. Keith stopped counting birthdays last year when he turned 80. I’m so grateful and honoured that this incredibly talented artist and wizard of humanity agreed to our literary partnership. He is one of the most hardworking, creative, wise, humble and compassionate people I have ever met.
When I met Keith in 2017, he was working through his grief after the passing his soulmate, Elizabeth Tudway-Cains. Although he was still working as a draftsman, he was struggling to get back to his art. He seemed a bit skeptical of this wild fairy proposing that we work together as a team dovetailing my writing with his illustrations. I agreed to cover the cost of self-publication and once expenses were paid we could then split profits. We are both patient people and both agree this venture is not about making millions but celebrating and supporting literacy.
Three years later, we have self-published three stories, (yes, we are still patiently waiting to hit the best seller list lol) he has coached both Mark and me with art tips, he ‘stared’ in a short documentary I’m Not An Artist and he has started writing again himself. He still deeply misses Liz but is finding great solace in his art and long walks in nature communicating with the animals. He brags that he lives like a hermit, therefore when COVID hit it didn’t really make a difference to his life. Oh, and yes, did I say he has a quiet dry sense of humour?
Some of my favourite times have been our visits when we chat about our stories and share creative and philosophical ideas. We have often spoken about humility and the battle with the ego. As he says what is truly remarkable are the ordinary people doing extraordinary things quietly on a daily basis.
Why is Keith one of my heroes? He is one of these ordinary people who has led through life in extraordinary ways. He has his black belt in Karate and all three of his daughters have their blue belts. Up until his early 60’s he was an avid cyclist, heading out for long bike tours. At 63 he was in a near fatal cycling accident hitting the road at 40 miles per hour. He was rendered paralyzed for two weeks, spent another 4 in the hospital slowly recovering through rehab and walked out with a permanent injury to his one leg. In reference to yesterday’s blog and the Cherokee tale about the two wolves in one’s head, which one did he feed? The good wolf, that is humble, positive and grounded in love. He went home, continued his own rehabilitation regimen AND cared for his wife Liz, who was battling Parkinson’s. He continued to be her caregiver at home until her passing. Now at 80 plus he still works part-time as a draftsman. He walks daily and talks to the animals. Seriously, if you think I’m kidding, the critters congregate in his backyard and he gently feeds them and talks with them. He’s a true Dr. Doolittle and wizardly mystic.
So my dear friend Keith, Happy Birthday and a soulful thanks for taking this literary journey with me. You are a true scholar, artist and gentleman. I bow to you!
Dazzle’s Challenge:
- Take a look at the movie. In days to come keep an eye out for the launch of Keith’s page on mcrolston.com where he will be blogging about art.
Quick Take Away Links:
- 25 minute Documentary Short: I’m Not An Artist
Celebrate Good Times! 100 blogs in 100 days!
(Actually I think it is 101 lol)
I couldn’t be happier that this accomplishment coincides with Keith’s birthday. Keith stopped counting birthdays last year when he turned 80. I’m so grateful and honoured that this incredibly talented artist and wizard of humanity agreed to our literary partnership. He is one of the most hardworking, creative, wise, humble and compassionate people I have ever met.
When I met Keith in 2017, he was working through his grief after the passing his soulmate, Elizabeth Tudway-Cains. Although he was still working as a draftsman, he was struggling to get back to his art. He seemed a bit skeptical of this wild fairy proposing that we work together as a team dovetailing my writing with his illustrations. I agreed to cover the cost of self-publication and once expenses were paid we could then split profits. We are both patient people and both agree this venture is not about making millions but celebrating and supporting literacy.
Three years later, we have self-published three stories, (yes, we are still patiently waiting to hit the best seller list lol) he has coached both Mark and me with art tips, he ‘stared’ in a short documentary I’m Not An Artist and he has started writing again himself. He still deeply misses Liz but is finding great solace in his art and long walks in nature communicating with the animals. He brags that he lives like a hermit, therefore when COVID hit it didn’t really make a difference to his life. Oh, and yes, did I say he has a quiet dry sense of humour?
Some of my favourite times have been our visits when we chat about our stories and share creative and philosophical ideas. We have often spoken about humility and the battle with the ego. As he says what is truly remarkable are the ordinary people doing extraordinary things quietly on a daily basis.
Why is Keith one of my heroes? He is one of these ordinary people who has led through life in extraordinary ways. He has his black belt in Karate and all three of his daughters have their blue belts. Up until his early 60’s he was an avid cyclist, heading out for long bike tours. At 63 he was in a near fatal cycling accident hitting the road at 40 miles per hour. He was rendered paralyzed for two weeks, spent another 4 in the hospital slowly recovering through rehab and walked out with a permanent injury to his one leg. In reference to yesterday’s blog and the Cherokee tale about the two wolves in one’s head, which one did he feed? The good wolf, that is humble, positive and grounded in love. He went home, continued his own rehabilitation regimen AND cared for his wife Liz, who was battling Parkinson’s. He continued to be her caregiver at home until her passing. Now at 80 plus he still works part-time as a draftsman. He walks daily and talks to the animals. Seriously, if you think I’m kidding, the critters congregate in his backyard and he gently feeds them and talks with them. He’s a true Dr. Doolittle and wizardly mystic.
So my dear friend Keith, Happy Birthday and a soulful thanks for taking this literary journey with me. You are a true scholar, artist and gentleman. I bow to you!
Dazzle’s Challenge:
- Take a look at the movie. In days to come keep an eye out for the launch of Keith’s page on mcrolston.com where he will be blogging about art.
Quick Take Away Links:
- 25 minute Documentary Short: I’m Not An Artist
