Ticked Off- Lyme Disease Awareness Event Thank Yous!

A few of the sour faces from the "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" challenge!

I am so humbled and overwhelmed by all the love and support over the past two Fridays. It has been a whirlwind of activity getting this spring show together, being the featured artist, and pull off this Lyme Disease Awareness Event. So many people stopped in, talked with our representatives from Harford Lyme Advocates, took the "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" challenge, donated money, bought art, and participated in our basket give away! It was wonderful to meet new people, hear their stories, and tell them mine. I saw old friends, new friends, strangers, and family! But most important of all is we are getting the word out about this terrible disease!

Special thank yous are due to Janet Jensen and the rest of the crew from Harford Lyme Advocates who supplied all the educational literature and expertise to answer questions about Lyme Disease.

Thank you to Arts By the Bay Gallery and Pat Fair (art director for the gallery) for letting us use the space to hold this event. Also, a very special thank you to the artists who came out to support the event including those who worked the desk.

A heartfelt thank you to Kimie Ranken, the amazing jeweler who took my vision for a Ticked Off necklace and made it a reality even better than what I dreamed. Despite a serious illness and being hospitalized, she, with the help of her wonderful husband, Bill, delivered the necklaces on time for the event even though I told them not to worry about it. Truly, they are amazing, loyal, and selfless people. As she moves forward with treatment for her medical issue, I offer prayers of healing. More about the necklaces later in the week...I still have some in stock to sell so I will be setting that up shortly!

A huge thank you to KWM Cares and everyone at Kelly Wealth Management who made a very generous flat donation to NatCapLyme Association.  Your gift was such a surprise and appreciated! It will be put to good use.

Most of all, thank you so much to my amazing family and friends. I could not have survived these past months with my sanity intact without you all. To my husband, who tirelessly worked on the framing of 43 pieces and has been by my side every step of the way cheering me on; my kids, who helped get supplies together and ready for the event, worked the room at the event, and told me I made them proud; and to my friends who despite having ten million other things better to do, still came out to support me and this event. I am truly blessed to have each of you in my life, I love you all,  and I owe you one ;)

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the patrons who bought my art! It is my dream to have people connect with my art in a way that has deep meaning for them. It was such a pleasure to meet and talk with the buyers and hear why they chose the pieces they did. I will be posting the sold items up on Facebook throughout the week. You are what makes me keep working, trying new things, and producing art.

While the Ticked Off event is over, Lyme Disease Awareness Month is not. I am still collecting donations throughout the month of May and donating a portion of the profit from the sale of my art in the month of May. So, if you were not able to make the event but would like to help people like me and so many others who suffer daily from this disease, please visit Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace where there are donation boxes until May 31. If you can't make it out to the gallery, please consider donating online using the following instructions.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Thanks so much for any help you could give. This really is a great organization. I attend the support meetings of my local chapter and they are champions of getting the word out in Harford County and beyond.

xo

The Day Still Dawns- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Despite the gloom
Despite the pain
Despite the rain
Despite the chill
Despite the exhaustion
Despite the grumpiness...
The day still dawns

and the show will go on.

Despite my disappointment in the weather and despite my horrible sore throat, the Ticked Off- Lyme Disease Awareness Event will still happen tonight from 6-9PM at Arts By the Bay Gallery and it will be fabulous!

Stop in for your chance to:

1.  See amazing art by a variety of local artists.
2.  See my art and hear my story about my journey through Lyme Disease.
3.  Take a bite out of Lyme by participating in our Lyme Disease Challenge.
4.  Pick up a coloring book and a bracelet making kit for your kids.
5.  Enter to win a fabulous prize basket filled with amazing art donated by local artists.
6.  Mingle with lots of art lovers and Lyme Warriors.
7.  Gain more knowledge about Lyme Disease and how to prevent it!
8.  Much more!

I will see you all tonight! Be sure to stop and introduce yourself and say hello!

 May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month...Would you be so kind as to make a small donation to the non-profit organization I am passionate about, NatCapLyme Association, who raises money for Lyme Disease education, legislation, research, and patient support? I would very much appreciate it! In order to keep tabs on how much money we raise, please follow these directions to make a donation.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Thanks so much for any help you could give. This really is a great organization. I attend the support meetings of my local chapter and they are champions of getting the word out in Harford County and beyond.


xo

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month!

Did you all know that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month? I am sure there are many of you out there that know but many may not. As a matter of fact, there are some of you that have no idea what Lyme Disease is. And, if you live here in Maryland, that ignorance could be deadly since we live in an endemic area for tick born illnesses. I actually encountered someone this past week who said they had never heard of it. I was shocked. I guess because my daily life revolves around it I assumed everyone who lives here would know at least that the disease existed.

My fervent prayer is that I am able to use my experience, my voice, and my art to reach as many people as possible to help and warn about this disease. It can have far reaching consequences and not only destroy lives but families as well.

Would you be so kind as to make a small donation to the non-profit organization I am passionate about, NatCapLyme Association, who raises money for Lyme Disease education, legislation, research, and patient support? I would very much appreciate it! In order to keep tabs on how much money we raise, please follow these directions to make a donation.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Thanks so much for any help you could give. Your donation is tax deductible. This really is a great organization. I attend the support meetings of my local chapter and they are champions of getting the word out in Harford County and beyond.

Be sure to come out and see me Friday, May 5th from 6PM-9PM at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace for the Ticked Off event. I will be showing my art, speaking about my journey through this disease, and we will also have lots of fun activities!

I truly hope you will never have this disease yourself or have a family member affected by it. But with the way the numbers are shooting ever higher and the fact that it is the fast growing vector borne infectious disease in the United States, chances are that if you don't already, you will one day have a friend or family member with it. Even the CDC can admit that. Please, wont' you consider a small donation to help?  Thank you!

xo

Sunflower in Ball Jar- Digital Art By Tracey Grumbach

The last few weeks have been difficult ones. When dealing with any chronic illness, stress can be a huge factor in how your immune system responds to latent illnesses, such as EBV. When stress suppresses the immune system, those illnesses that are lying in wait can flare and cause a host of issues. This is exactly what is happening to me, I believe. My lab results show elevated levels of EBV as well as C. pneumoniae. Additional tests show lack of oxygen being carried to my brain and the rest of my body. All of these things can cause exhaustion, headaches, depression, and many other issues.  Lately, my stress levels have been very, very high, allowing the perfect environment for these illnesses to rear their ugly heads. Thanks to Lyme and co-infections, my immune system was almost non-existent to begin with, so when stress comes along to hammer it down even more, I get very sick. That is why I haven't been blogging and posting as much on social media. I've been trying to lie low and take care of myself.

Anyway, a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers was given to my mother for her birthday while she was staying here at my house. I took the opportunity to use my tabletop lightbox and shoot some portraits of these amazing creations. I just love the combination of blue and yellow...very calming for me. This one is in route from the art printer and I can't wait to see how it looks in person. If you'd like to see it too, be sure to stop in to Arts By the Bay Gallery beginning on April 28th (opening reception for the spring show which I am the featured artist for) and June 25th (the closing for the spring show). Don't forget to come out the night of May 5th to the Ticked Off-Lyme Disease Awareness Event to help support the us in educating the community about the dangers of Lyme Disease! It is going to be a good time.

Have a wonderful week, y'all.

xo

Dana Point Sunset- by Harford County Artist

Please click for a larger view of this scene

About this image- It is about this time of year when I start yearning for the sea. The salty water, the rhythmic waves, the cycle of water meeting land. The sun rising or setting over the horizon. There is something about returning to the very basic elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. All of those can be absorbed when standing on the shore. This panoramic was taken in California at Dana Point. If anywhere can be close to heaven on earth, this place, with its almost perfect weather, has to be it. One day I will go back and put my feet on this rock again. One day.

Things are moving along with the planning of the May 5th Ticked Off- Lyme Disease Awareness Event. I received over 50 prints yesterday from the art printer. Now starts the selection process of which ones will be hanging and which ones will be matted for the print bin. I was thrilled with how most turned out, however there are a few I'd like to have reprinted with corrections.

In addition to getting the prints in, I also am beginning to get the word out...I contacted WAMD, 970AM, a local radio station broadcasting out of Aberdeen and they have promised to announce some PSAs about the event. They told me they know several people with chronic Lyme and would be happy to help out in any way they can. Also, the event has been added to Harford's Heart calendar of events. I've handed out fliers, posted fliers in local shops and libraries, and am working on local newspapers to advertise as well. Everywhere I turn people are saying they know someone or are someone who are suffering from this terrible disease (we live in an epidemic area). It is shocking and startling that with so many people suffering it seems hardly anyone is talking about it. It's like it has a stigma or shame integrated with it. That is what I am working to remove. Education, legislation, and support, for families who are struggling through this debilitating disease.

I am excited to announce that the organization I am working to collect funds for, NatCapLyme, has added our event to their fundraising list. If you are out of town and won't be able to make the event, please consider make a monetary donation to this amazing organization! My local chapter, Harford Lyme Advocates, will directly benefit from any donations. Everything is helpful! My local group has been a lifeline for me and they have worked tirelessly to bring hope and comfort and Lyme education to our community.  Here are the directions to make sure your donation gets accounted for the May 5th Fundraiser (which will run through the month of May). **All donations are tax deductible!

1.  Visit NatCapLyme's donation page by clicking here.
2.  Under the words MAKE A DONATION click the tab that says FUNDRAISING EVENT.
3.  In the Dropdown Menu, Please scroll to ARTS BY THE BAY GALLERY TICKED OFF LYME DISEASE AWARENESS EVENT.
4.  Complete the form and submit the donation.

Thank you!  At the end of the May I will let you know how much in total we are able to collect.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

xo