Yes, never let it be said that I don't attempt to challenge myself with each landscape I do. This next one is definitely falling under the 'challenge' category!
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Photo used with the kind permission of
Michael Lalonde
( Talking Walls Photography )
Michael Lalonde
( Talking Walls Photography )
Stay tuned to watch the evolution of this one!
A little back-history to explain my interest in this particular subject... this photo was taken inside the Muskoka Sanitarium which was once a hospital used for victims of tuberculosis. My mother was one of those patients and spent four years of her life starting when she was 18 as a resident there. She was one of the lucky ones in that my grandparents were able to afford for her to be housed in the building itself. Many others weren't so fortunate and were left to reside in tents on the grounds where many of them died from a combination of TB and exposure to the elements. At the time pretty much all they had for treatment was fresh air, so the patients were required to sleep outside - winter and summer. My mother often said she had to shovel herself out from under snow in the winter time. If you are interested in reading more about the history of the building, read Michael's post HERE.
This picture was taken of my Mom when she was a patient - taken in 1941...
- THIS link takes you to a ton of fun crocheted bookmarks that would be a great summer project.
- Of course you know I would be intrigued by THIS!
- Have a look through the gallery of THIS artist!
- THIS artist does interesting work as well.
Today's quote..."We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don't believe in miracles?"
What a story! The contemporary-ish chair and the EXIT sign make spookier than a much older building. Did your mother make a full recovery or did she experience symptoms years after the 'treatment'?
ReplyDeleteMy mother did recover but I remember her, for years after I was born, having to go every year for a chest x-ray to be sure everything was all right. She was told not to have children (obviously THAT didn't happen because I was an 'oops') and wasn't allowed to nurse me when I was born.
DeleteI had friends in tb sanitoriums, same idea, everyone out on covered porches in all weathers, snow blowing on them, everything. It's amazing anyone survived the cold, let alone the illness.
ReplyDeleteI love the art weaver's work in your link.
Yes, I suspect the so-called 'cure' was more the patient's own ability to fight the disease off than it was the fresh air.
Delete(I was thinking of you when I posted the weaving)
I also think it was about shoving them anywhere away from people so they couldn't transmit the disease, as much as curing anyone.
DeleteYes, I think in a lot of cases it was thought of as being a death sentence.
DeleteSherry of createology: My Dear MA. I am so grateful your mother survived Tuberculosis. However living in a sanitarium for four years must have been very difficult for her. She was a brave and strong woman. Wow! Your next landscape definitely looks challenging yet I know you will tackle it with great success. So many talented artist’s links. I do believe in Miracles!
ReplyDeleteMy mother went through a lot in her life - first it was TB and then a really serious car accident when I was 6 that saw her in hospital and a nursing care facility for over six months. I think the head injury she had from that led to her having Alzheimer's later in life.
DeleteI can't wait to see how you work on this picture--I can see that it would definitely be challenging! Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either! It's a definite learning curve, for sure.
DeleteOh my, that is going to be a challenge, but I know you are up to it. We had a TB Sanitorium here in Saskatchewan as well. I had an Uncle that stayed there for awhile. Now the whole site has been made into a historic site, and some areas are rented out for use by artists and various groups.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
This building has been let go and I think it's to the point now where it's too far gone to be renovated into anything useful. It's sad to know.
DeleteThat is such a cool photograph!
ReplyDeleteI just hope I can do it justice!
DeleteYour mother is a beautiful woman. Sad the hospital didn't have better buildings for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe denim weaving is fantastic. I can see grocery bags using that technique. They'd last forever!
She would have been about 21 when this photo was taken because she entered the hospital when she was only 18.
DeleteAnd yes - I like the idea of grocery bags with that weaving!
My gosh, your Mom was so pretty! And she looked so healthy in this photo. My MIL spent two stints in the sanitorium (as we called it in Newfoundland) for tb. What amazed me was she was allowed to smoke throughout it! A lifelong smoker who beat tb twice and breast cancer and lived to be 88!! And she was just 4ft 10 in. Small but mighty, I used to call her.
ReplyDeleteYes, my mom was pretty and quite attractive her entire life. Your MIL had TB twice - wow...she certainly beat the odds, didn't she. Good for her!
DeleteIt amazes me sometimes how people were treated, by professionals no less, once upon a time. Whereas today, it would be considered unlawful. Hmmm?
ReplyDeleteYes, the denim weaving method is very intriguing, especially noting the fraying was utilized well.
I think having TB in those days was pretty much thought of as being a death sentence so the professionals didn't go out of their way to go the extra mile. They would also know that most of the families simply couldn't afford good care.
DeleteYour mother was a beautiful survivor. Looking forward to seeing how you create that scene. I met a woman at my hairdresser's not too long ago who told me the story of having to spend time at a sanitarium when she had TB and they had to spend most of the day outside and going swimming in the ocean daily. She was in her 90's. It was a different world back then. So glad your mom overcame her illness. I am bookmarking that denim weaving too.
ReplyDeleteThe woman you were talking to had much the same experience as my mother did - although my Mom didn't have to swim in an ocean. I rather think that those that survived had amazing immune systems that managed to fight off the disease.
DeleteA very difficult treatment for a very harsh disease. I am so glad your mom was able to survive it - she looks so happy in the photo!
ReplyDeleteWhen this photo was taken she'd already been at the hospital for a couple of years so I expect the worst of the disease was over. And yes, it was a difficult treatment (if you could call it that).
DeleteSo glad your mother recovered and lived to tell the story! TB is one of those diseases - and I think diabetes is another - where people have already forgotten (or never knew) how dire the condition was, even within our own lifetimes.
ReplyDeleteMany of Mom's friends that she made while in the hospital didn't make it, so she was fortunate.
DeleteMary Anne, re the denim weaving - I think I would've cut off the top and bottom to where the cubes end. Like a few of your commenters, I shall be saving that link - I have sooo many pairs of jeans, and it looks a great project. I do like the sound of a rug, but can you imagine the size of the board required? Your lovely Mother must have had a strong constitution, but so glad she was able to overcome the TB, otherwise we wouldn't have known you ! Vx :-)
ReplyDeleteI see you figured it out! I'd like to try that type of project too and am also wondering if I could utilize the technique in a landscape...pondering is happening!
DeleteAh, I think I was a bit hasty, the top and bottom were cut off, and I was looking at the unfinished piece. Oops! Val(UK)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing a different kind of challenge, Mary Anne. And one with a backstory so personal to you. Your mother was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI do try to challenge myself with each landscape just so I don't get too 'cookie cutter' in my approach. This one definitely fit the challenge.
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