I was missing the birds from my old house in Minnesota yesterday. These are photos of two of them. I have been messing with this painting for a while, pulled it out and finished it yesterday. I glanced out my window and there were two goldfinches on my feeder hanging outside my studio.

Talk about karma.

Gold and White, Oil on board, 8x10

That will wake you up...

I don't like to get too personal on my blog, but this is important.

A few weeks ago my heart started beating very fast and did not slow down. I was rushed to the ER and carted back into rhythm. They kept me for observation for four days and I had every scan, xray, MRI, shot, needles...you name it.

I was sent home to wait and see what the cause was and the outcome. I did a stress test and wore a heart monitor over the weekend.

To make a long story short, I am just fine. No heart damage, no lasting problem, just a congenital issue that has stayed hidden until that day. It was truly a blessing in disguise. As it turns out, I had a vitamin deficiency that unchecked could have been a real problem, but my heart was smart enough to get me into the hospital to have it discovered and fixed.

I am fine, my heart is fine, my levels are normal, and I am back to painting and being stubborn.

That is all I have to say about that.

Trail Riding

God knows I have not learned how to really relax lately. With Christmas, New Years, deadlines, commitments, ranch duties, I never sit still from waking to bedtime. We decided to saddle up and go to the local trails and spend the afternoon with our boys. It was a gorgeous 78 degree day and the horses were raring to go. We have not gone on trail for almost two months so goodness knows we were sore for a few days. Our new horse, Rio, an Andalusian, proved on his first trail ride with us to be the perfect gentleman and a lot of fun to ride. We made the commitment to ride every weekend weather permitting, for us and for them and all of our mental health.

I bought a new saddle that should arrive any day now and maybe my tushie will thank me.

Cadillac takes a snooze after a busy day.

Another Jake and Mulie

Giving Thanks, Pastel

New winter image

Let it Snow, Pastel