Author Archives: wendywelch

The Monday Book: NOT TOO TIRED TO CARE by Angela Thomas Jones

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Happy Publication Day to Angela Thomas Jones, who has written a help book for health professionals on the edge of burnout. Angela was invited to provide information for today’s Monday Book. Here is her press release:

PRESS RELEASE

New Hampshire author Angela Thomas Jones of Bethlehem released a new book with Amazon Sunday November 29. Foreword written by Dr. Art Hengerer, MD co-lead of the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Clinician Well-being and Epilogue by Michael Meit, ETSU Center for Rural Health Research and his team from Kentucky. NOT Too Tired to Care chronicles how a grassroots movement in the northern rural region of NH based on data showing many health care workers are burned and NOT talking about it for fear of losing their job.  This book weaves research and data with real-life experience into a recipe that will boost your natural ability to move from survival mode to thriving and sustain the long haul. Studies suggest 20% compassion satisfaction in our total workload is necessary for maintaining resilience to keep burnout at bay.Learn how to deepen your capacity for compassion satisfaction by using a simple 4-step evidence-informed practice called HomeBase. Angela has led her colleagues to join the Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience founded in 2017 by the National Academy of Medicine. As a licensed addiction professional with three decades of experience on the front lines specializing in trauma-sensitive mind-body practices, she is helping individuals, families, and organizations deepen their capacity for compassion satisfaction. Step by step instructions for how to join this national movement for Well-Being and Resilience are included. Hear what others are saying about NOT Too Tired to Care.

Subscribe at https://www.nottootiredtocare.com/book and receive updates and access to receiving a FREE electronic copy of the book.

“Thomas Jones has captured a hidden and essential truth in America’s healthcare system: those holding it up are exhausted. Healthcare professionals will find solidarity and self-care suggestions alike in her work.”  Wendy Welch, author: From the Front Lines of the Appalachian Addiction Crisis and COVID Conspiracies.

“In these unprecedented times when social isolation, the rise in suicide rates, and a spike in behavioral health issues are gripping this country, along comes this book offering helpful techniques to guide each of us so we can actively learn to take care of ourselves which will better prepare us to take care of others.”                        

Linda Massimilla, Vice-Chair States/Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee, Grafton 1 New Hampshire State Representative

Tin Can Ally

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When the pandemic started, recycling was the least of our concerns. But we hated throwing away the plastic bottles and tin cans we’d been accustomed to sorting at the dump, so I started piling them up. If you have a decent funnel, bottles can be quite handy for storing all sorts of leftovers–especially if you aren’t going to the store to pick up Tupperware anymore.

But the cans? They became planters for tomato seeds to give away, holders of cooking grease, even tart burners on coffee warmers. And still they piled up. We have a dog and four cats, after all.

I began cruising Pinterest, which always makes Jack nervous. It’s not that he dislikes me picking up new hobbies; he doesn’t so much enjoy the part where “I just need you to poke the holes for me” and such. But he gamely welcomed my latest diversion: tin can snowmen.

It’s a 2020 thing.

Production began last night. We plan to make a few dozen of these and line the front walk with them, give some away to neighbors, just generally enjoy getting rid of the cans in a fun and fashionable way.

The funny part is, I figured this craft would be almost free, since we had the cans. All I had to buy was the paint. Over the summer when I got a supply online, it was relatively inexpensive, but schools have been out awhile now, and I suspect those with means to do so will thrown any amount of money at water-washable crafts that keep the kids quiet. So, the paint prices had tripled.

When I said as much to Jack, he waved a hand. “If it keeps you occupied, dear, I’m all for it.”

Hmmm. I don’t feel so bad about asking him to punch the holes for the arms now. Actually, he’s painting the faces because he has a steadier hand than me. And I’m doing the base coats, and the hats. We have become Tin Can Allies. The couple that recycles weird trash into cute Christmas ornaments during a pandemic, stays together.

If you want a pattern, just google Tin Can Snowmen. There are hundreds of ways to make these little guys. Have fun! (And buy your paint now. It’s still going up.)