I'm very sorry this healing is a roller coaster. I'm not surprised, because I know that infection can go deep, and it can take a while to get rid of it. But I hope the low points go away soon, so you can just start healing, period, without all the plunges into heavy pain. You really got hit with a bad infection, and in such a painful place; and I"m sorry it happened at a time where you're already going through a lot. I'm praying and meditating for you, Steve, I hope the year ends a lot better than it unfolded.

As for your art, it hasn't waned a bit. I love this image. I do recognize the characters---and that's Casper? From long ago? (Maybe he's a Daz character, but he looks like the old Casper the Friendly Ghost.) Great lighting, love the green metallic tints...the white ghost takes over the foreground---great accent with all that white, very intuitive composition---love what you did with the Zlata gang, and love the lighting behind them all, with the gravestones and monuments. And, whoever that is on the far right---I don't know the characters---I love how he's all wrapped up in a mummy outfit, like a kid who's dressed as a mummy. Delightful, sinister, and with your usual visual aplomb. Love the dog with the apple too. (I know he's a standard character, but I don't remember the names.)