Stanford University Hospital

San Francisco Fog rolling in to the Bay

Yes, that's right.  I'm now employed again, and settled in to work at Stanford.  I came here to visit my son Jesse at Thanksgiving, and was surprised to find a beautiful pasture for the horses.  Jesse, Zak, and I went for a ride and found ourselves at the top of a hill, looking down on the Stanford campus.  Suddenly, I had the clear knowingness that this is where I was "supposed to be".  I said to the boys, "You see that hospital down there?  I'm going to go down there and get hired this afternoon".

On the hill above Palo Alto

And basically, that's what happened.  I started orientation in the ED on 12/12/11, and worked my first shift on my own on Christmas Day.  In the meantime, I found a place to live in Portola Valley, a little 2 bedroom cottage on a 2 acre property where there is a little barn below my deck overlooking the gardens.  As the place isn't ready until Jan 10, I'm staying with my wonderful friends Nancy and Art in San Carlos.

Page Mill Pastures

The horses are doing well, and have been accepted into the large herd at Page Mill Pastures.  Moonlight has been leased to a trainer who is using him for beginner lessons, and Magic has been leased to a school teacher who is planning to take lessons and enjoy his company 3 days a week.  This way, my expenses for them are covered, and they get attention and love, while I focus on work.

One of the many horse trails in Portola Valley

I'm excited.  The nurses I've worked with so far at Stanford have been friendly and welcoming.  It's been an adjustment and culture shock for me to return to work after the freedoms of the open road, but it is also good to be earning money again, and I think I'm going to really like it here.  The silicon valley is a beautiful place, and Portola Valley is a premier place to live.  Most of the residents have horses, and there are trails through the area all over the place.

Brothers reunited

It's a good place to cozy up for the winter, and who knows?  Maybe a bit longer.