**PROOF OF LIFE** I thought I might update you on what I hav..

**PROOF OF LIFE**
I thought I might update you on what I have been up to during my absence?

I have been on an unplanned hiatus (*which I did not announce to you, but I suppose you've figured that out by now*). Over at "my other job" (ahem!) I did announce my hiatus at the end of 2023, not accepting any appointments until later this year. I had however intended to continue my art here.
But as you've noticed, I have not been able to keep up with the page here.

**So this post is proof of life.**
**I thought I might update you on what I have been up to during my absence?**

Most of this time away has been in rest. I was bed-b0und for several months, as I was unwell. Then many visits to doctors for testing and diagnosis (*don't worry, I will be okay*). Most of my days are solitary, I spend a lot of time alone at home which is a state of being I usually prefer. I have been devouring novels, reading multiple books per week (!) and tending to my balcony gardens.

My friends haven't seen much of me over the last 8+ months. But I have popped up once or twice. Some of my favorite moments this year have occurred during hosted dinner parties with my closest friends in Lisbon. I currently have a few woodworking and DIY furniture building projects. I had the pleasure of hosting one of my best friends from Chicago a couple months ago during their visit to Portugal. I just signed up for an immersive Portuguese language course this summer, which will take place at the historic University of Coimbra! Then oddly enough - I have only been to the ocean ONE TIME this year. Being near bodies of water is my preference (as many of you know well), so I'll definitely be making more time for jaunts to the beach soon (and documenting it NAKED FOR YOU); now that the summer has arrived to Southern Europe.

***MEALS I HAVE BEEN COOKING***
- Poached cod (bacalhau, in Portuguese) in stewed cherry tomatoes with crispy garlic and mint

- My award winning rhubarb strawberry pie (*had to special order the rhubarb from the UK because it's not grown in Portugal*) with buttery lattice pie crust, for a dinner party last week.

- Homemade yogurt!

- I canned 22 jars of pickled baby corn (*my favourite childhood snack, but not produced in Portugal*) so I make them myself.

- Hand-churned sweet cream ice cream, drizzled with Portuguese olive oil and flakey sea salt.

- Fire grilled chicken with aji verde made from fresh ingredients I grew myself on my balcony.

***BOOKS I HAVE BEEN READING***
I am not being hyperbolic when I tell you that almost every free moment of my day is spent reading. It's not just a hobby, it's become my lifestyle. I've already finished 30 books this year! Here are a few of my 5/5 star reads so far:

**1) Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry**
this is my all time most favourite book ever. I would sell my soul for the pleasure of reading this for the first time again. There is a 1st edition copy on my wishlist. Buy it for me?

**2) Martyr!, Kaveh Akbar**
I was speechless by time I finished this, so profoundly beautiful. Cannot wait to reread.

**3) Symposium, by Plato**
I'm finally getting around to reading the ancient Greeks, and found this a really surprising read. Philosophy...with humor?! yes please.

**4) Doppelgänger, Naomi Klein**
this is imperative reading. so good.

***LAST BUT NOT LEAST***...It will be my birthday in a few weeks. But I'll talk more about that later. <3

*That's all for this update!* :-)
Thank you for being here. Thank you for my best bestest fans who keep your auto-renew turned on. **That's a gesture of love and care and I do not take it for granted**. I value you so much. I also do miss being creative and using my body and mind to create sensual art. Back in full capacity real soon. I have promised this before, but my health has been my priority. I am finally starting to feel well again, so gird ya loins ;-)

xx - Jo