After a very stressful day at my RN job, I headed out to hay the horses.

Despite the rain and mud I was glad to be there. I had some steam to blow off!

At my RN job we have switched to full computer charting. No offense to computer programmers, but where is the time incorporated to actually taking care of a human being come in to play!!! It’s easy to sit at a computer and write programs for healthcare. How about you come into our setting and see what it’s like to put your hands on a person, deal with their anxiety, comfort the patient and their worried family. Does your checkbox include holding a patient’s hand until they stop shivering? Does your checkbox include a mom giving you a hug and asking you to take care of her daughter?

Does your robotic checkbox include the fact that caring for our patients is SO much more than a click of a mouse!!!!

Omg how did we get here?

Okay, I could possibly go absolutely down a rabbit hole on this!!

Here’s my comforting photo:

You cannot make tea

Unless you gather tea leaves

And boil some water.

Art Prescription: so gather the leaves, enjoy the sun on your face as you pick, boil the water, pour a nice cup.

I started a class for a complete beginner today. How fun to learn a new creative outlet!

Here is my demo page where I showed her some watercolor basics.

Then I doodled with a pen to create paint swatch cats, flowers, and did some expressive writing!

I added a soft grey background. I think This Lil’ Piggy is done!

Work in progress:

As life goes, we continue to adapt and learn new routines.

Despite the cold temperatures as compared with Las Vegas, Diva is getting used to wearing sweaters. Especially if we are venturing to the barn!

A day at the farm does make one extra tired.

And then with adequate rest it’s a new day!!! And I’m really enjoying my North Carolina nature walks!

Okay…. I really did walk. In the woods even! Diamond collar intact! Is this a boy sweater?

A morning person

Gets up crowing about life

First sip of coffee.

Art Prescription: Oh my gosh how I really just need quiet time when I first wake up!!!

Morning time can set the mood for the day.

Watercolor and pen and ink:

Surveying the land

Mamma Bear checks for safety

Her senses are keen.

Art Prescription: Horses are seven times more sensitive than humans. My guess is that most animals rely on their senses 100% more than we do.

What can we learn?

Bear watercolor:

Warm scones from oven

Cranberry and orange rind

Crisp and buttery.

Art Prescription: Sam has taken up cooking and oh, my, gosh!! Yummy!

He made scones. Freshly grated the orange rind. Our house smelled sublime!

Art journal sketch:

Diva is adjusting well…

Well, not so much for walking during this cold snap.egad

Just weeks ago she had her nails painted red, living the high life in Las Vegas.

Today she got to get in touch with her inner farm dog.

And there are consequences to rolling in horse poop…