Help Needed

     In my web site "About the Artist", I mentioned I/am an RN, and also 1/2 Navajo.  And although I am no longer working as a nurse, I have seen many things that could . . . should be changed. I remark that I am part Navajo Indian, because that entitles me to get free health care at an IHS medical facility. Now to be sure, they are definitely feeling the economic crunch. They can't do elective things as face lifts, etc, but they have saved my life more than once, and do the best job with what they have.  I am not a Politician by any means, but I personally don't feel this is fair.  I know of so many families that are not Native American that could of been vastly benefited by such a program. I have heard the argument of Socialism, {visions of blue/ black, colorless world filled with old ugly cars}. However if faced with saving your child, but loosing your home because  you can't afford health insurance . . . you may have a change of mind. If you want private insurance and private care great, but if you are in need, it should be provided free of charge, or at a least affordable.
    So what I would change: If you have insurance fine, but everyone could be taxed where it handled like the IHS medical program, Veteran's Hospitals/Clinics. Think, you are already getting taxed for this funding, and have been for a very, very long time. It's just now everyone could benefit. How to pay? Easy, get rid of Malpractice Insurance for Doctors. Get rid of Heath Insurance, they are the middle man, NOT a non profit program, besides they make enough from home/flood/fire/car insurance.  Decrease the pay of Administrators, CEOs, Make Pharmacy change.  Why is it they can charge what ever outrageous price in America? No, they should not get away with this! And for the last, medical staff as Nurses, CNAs, Etc should be treated as valued assets not liabilities.  Ok, I said my piece for now, and will now go back to my work at hand, a drawing of a lady surrounded by scary things. Just one thing if you see a Nurse or CNA give her or him a hug, a kind word because it is probably a sure thing they have had a rough day or week.

Needful Things

Lately I haven't been painting.  I have been doing a number of drawings and pen and ink works, but like others, I have felt the stress and financial crunch of these hard times. Thus, its been yard sale month at my house, let me clarify this, I have lived in this home since basically 1969. I am an artist, I am a visual learner, I am a pack rat. Someone walked into my living room yesterday and asked, "Oh is this the rest of the store?"  I counted that we had 7 fireplace tool sets.  I have a studio in the house, but for a while I will be painting in the garage, which since other members of the house refused to have a auction . . . pretty much makes me there for good. I realize this I has been long needed, and it is difficult letting things go, even if I cant use them, fit into them, or rationally fit them into my home. I have been doing this in layers and taking baby steps. However, I am keeping 2 fireplace tool sets, one I actually use, and the other is just too damned pretty!

Change of Mind

In recent weeks I've been watching the Political news. The President made a statement remarking that he had a change of mind in regard of gay rights, etc.  Personally I am not gay, or that I remember, not going into that discussion, but a lot of people were very angry, some happy, others didn't care. I thought that being able to change your mind is a good thing, It means, that we are able to question ourselves, more than that it is showing the ability to evolve. In these troubling times, It is important to evolve. Many years ago I was vastly against gay/lesbian lifestyle, let alone to think they had rights, but as I grew older, and met people with different views and found that I actually knew several people that were gay, I realized that somewhere along the line I had changed my mind. It still isn't the lifestyle for me, but I now think love is love, and everyone should have the right to be themselves and be with whom makes them most happy. As an artist I hope that I continue to evolve, change my mind, and consider the worth of the view of others. Many years ago I read a fortune cookie, that was the most wonderful, profound thing I had ever heard, and have tried to live my life by, it said, "The greatest gift you can give your friend is to leave their Illusions intact".

In to my head

Ok! Putting my thoughts out for the world to see, takes time.  But when you think about it quite exciting too, kind like kissing a stranger never to see them again. I have too many interests to be honest, a lot of things I care about. I am almost 50, which is kinda cool, except I'm ready for a new body, I would even settle for a blue body like in Avatar . . . but the female one please.  I never knew even though we age, our soul, heart remains the same, often I feel 14 or even 24.  I am still me, but I have learned things and have kept an open mind and still like the people in my life, and that isn't bad. Financially I am still working on that, but again I am learning. So although art is my passion and what drives me, I have thoughts about the world we live in, and to make it hopefully better in some way.