When you’re a big dog

You get to set people right

Your way or highway.

Art Prescription: We have all run into “big dogs.” Those among us who need to always have the upper-hand.

And yet…here is my 900 lb horse being as gentle and inclusive as he can be.

Horses are the best teachers!

I added to my field sketch and this may be a new note card.

Under big barn roof

Sheep get sheered, layers of wool

For warm hats and socks.

Art Prescription: What a process! It takes an expert to sheer a sheep without nicking his skin.

Long layers of wool are sheered intentionally so the fiber can be woven.

The wool, fresh off farm, has to be washed and then the long process begins.

Late afternoon sun

Bees dip, buzz, dip, drinking sweet

Nectar from flowers.

Art Prescription: I helped hang a pollinator art show by my students today at North Carolina Botanical Gardens!

And then we sketched in our nature journals:

Stranded on a hill

Face red and wet from fresh tears

My dad is coming.

Art Prescription: Learning to drive a stick-shift, a hill presents a challenge. How to let out the clutch and give the car gas at the same time.

Not done well, the car lurches forward and backwards as if it has the hiccups. And still stands still.

House circa 1970’s:

Victory, defeat

Two ends of experience

Word, resilience.

Art Prescription: So your horse takes off through the woods… crackling branches underneath, hitting limbs and vegetation above.

Once into a clearing I circled him and got to his thinking side of his brain versus fight or flight.

I feel resilient. I love my steady steed and am glad I can calm him down when he gets nervous.

Tiny Journal:

Parents do their best

Then offspring need to take off

Find their worldly way.

Art Prescription: Change is hard. Life is one continuous revolving door.

Love and loss, joy and hope, grief and excitement.

The challenge is to embrace every day like you own it.

Watercolor with chops that say my name and “hope.”

So many choices

For this one wonderful life

You’ll know when it’s right.

Art Prescription: I took this photo this morning on the way to the farm. The light was beautiful. My iPhone would have to do.

Ninety degree day

The mall parking lot is packed

With work and spend minds.

Art Prescription: It’s the American way. Work hard, complain about working so hard, buy new stuff!

How did we get to be such a commercial society?

It’s interesting, really, what people think makes them happy…

I did see a really sweet chair in Pier One…

Very sketchy sketch:

In the bright meadow

Full of bees and butterflies

Spirits roam freely.

Art Prescription: No matter what your religious faith is, it’s nice to think of souls going to a place of peace and happiness.

Watercolor wash: I may add…

Life, about layers

Hardship and joy and long days

And the years go fast.

Art Prescription: A meditative collage of what’s on my desk: