I was up before Forhorn- Celebrating the day! Cockadoodle-doo0000!! 
One year ago today we took posession of our new home, this time last year I was driving up with a truck full, crying tears of joy.  It's hard to believe it's been a year already...  AND  it's ALSO Our 28th Anniversary!  HOLY - I am always amazed at the number of years we have been together.  God knew.. I can tell you, after 28 years.. I can't think of anyone else I would want to or could'  continue this journey with.   What has helped us is our love for our son & our passion to create - together we make some pretty cool, fun stuff.  

Our agent Tom chose the date of 'move in'- we were too preoccupied to realize it was our anniversary... hee hee .. 28 years & we almost didn't make it.   I remember Tom telling Norm - in our old garage:
    Listen, she's packed... she's moving.  You better make up your mind, pretty quick. 
It's why I am grateful for Tom, who went above & beyond & he also INSISTED- (as we were going to sign papers on a different house) that we come see this house- "If Ive ever seen a house for someone - it's you" & he was correct. God sent Tom to help me- I told him that numerous times. AMEN.  I painted him to thank him (below) I hope he likes it- it did make me giggle- I know he is into Harley Davidson so I 'played' with his painting. I think he should use it as his new business card! Hee hee

ONE YEAR later here we sit!  BOTH very happy - you see it with our coop & new extended family.  Norm got up today & vacummed this morning... without being asked.
Brought a tear to my eye. lol   WE absolutely STILL have our moments- heated  words  a bit of yelling- usually on my part & then it's over- we sort it out & carry on. That's life. That's relationships. That STILL 'working at our marriage'.  I didn't want someone who wanted to stay- cause thats the way it is- screw that... I see too many 'miserable mirages'..we continued as a team- to enjoy & GIVE thanks!  I make him - "Did you give thanks for another beautiful day??" I ask (& insist) over our first coffee. He knows better and says :  Thank You! 

I made breakfast  & we'll celebrate by feeding he chickens, weeding the garden, building a goat barn! Fuck YEAH!  This has been one of the best years of our lives.. the only 'one' missing is Storm.  When he visits he feels at home & that's all that matters.  
With the year it's been- Covid 19,  I am celebrating every second of this day.  We bought this house on July 10th 2019  but our old house sold 9 months later - yikes on APRIL fools day, 2020 during a pandemic!  Had it not sold... just one month more & yes, we would have been in serious trouble - we could have lost everything, owning '2 homes' we could not afford.  Cowabunga - YES! Thank you God!!  Praise Jesus! < helped me through it ALL!
Jesus assured me 'I could do this! FOR BOTH of us.. '   Believe it or don't..
Here we sit.  Amen.

HAVE FAITH. 
 
I've enjoyed isolation- I've struggled with venturing out anyway, only because I love it here so much.  This morning in the pen, Ginger showed us yet another reason to celebrate today, Indica's nuts* fell off!! Yeeeehaw. LOL I told Norm I'm making him a keychain for our anniversary...  Ginger was walking over to show me what she found. It took me a second... at first I thought she successful captured & killed a chipmunk.
* The male goats testicles are wrapped with an elastic band and over time the circulation cuts off & the nuts fall off. He certinally did'nt seem to mind or notice & no - no baby goats.  
It has me pondering why can't we do this to proven pedophiles?  Or rapist... it would be a start in the right direction, imo.  Now you know.  

I am also celebrating reading today: Canadian police chiefs want to decriminalize all drugs for personal possession- REALIZING it is a mental health issue- Hallelujah!!!  HOLY!
 If that alone, isn't reason to celebrate - I don't know what it- so celebrate!!

With THC & TLC & some psilocybin tea...  me.

​

 Discovery in the coop!  
Woodchips! Weeeee - we have a woodchipper & a Pine tree fell (on the driveway)- perfect for the PEN. Reading Food for the Gods - talk of woodchips and how easily mushrooms grow in them - sure enough, Norm spied a tall mushroom (no idea of the type) in the middle of the path - gave me a giggle.  Chickens eat most anything I read, I wondered what would happen to a chicken who eats a pyscadelic.   Cockadoodle dooooo!  They see in full color so I'm sure it would be quite the trip.  They wouldn't die.  Bird did not eat everything I gave him, he was quite selective - Chickens are smarter than most give them credit & boy oh boy -are they curious,  I don't plan on feeings them psilocybin anytime soon.

We do have a cannabis plant in the pen- right on the deck of the coop & it's being ignored by goats & chickens. I wonder if this will change once buds appear- yes, it will because I'm not giving it to them! LOL   I'll be treating myself to some home grown.  Storm grew them, I'm just watering & watching the green beauties develop.

 There is nothing neater than going into the coop and finding eggs, I say finding - because they hide them- NOT in the nesting box, behind hay stacks, behing feed pails, behind trees.. we feel like a Easter egg hunt every day - we are averaging 2 a day - which is more than sufficant! We don't eat eggs daily  & the next time Storm visits he will go home with a  dozen fresh eggs! 

It's time to paint the next portrait- TOM.. the background is complete, I sit in this tiny studio with an endless view of green, birds, beasts & goats calling & I feel beyond blessed! They do, they call & look right at the dining room window when I go and talk to them, unless I go outside.  They are funny & sweet but not letting me pat them... yet.  Indica seems to like me more and has starting sitting in my chair!  Sativa has issues with Poppy & Poppy is not impressed.   lol  Goats- making us smile...  
​
What else is making me smile these days- the thought of TRUMP being GONE.  
Then, we will ALL have something to TRULY celebrate in 2020!
I wish, Michelle Obama would run. 

With TLC & THC
Georgia

We have our designated farm chores.  I get up and let everyone OUT, when Foghorn starts shouting "Rise & SHINE!!!".  I open the chicken door, I open the goat door (yes, that's new)  all the dogs follow to pee.   All loose - I return for my first coffee -then, I make the chickens breakfast. They LOVE cream of wheat sprinkled with hemp and a tiny bit of whatever fresh fruit. Norm gets up usually an hour later, he gets his coffee & we go out again. 

​Norm puts the animals to bed, the first night he was chasing chickens, the goats refused to get out from under the coop so, there they slept. The next day we sealed the goat area in- so we don't have to worry about bears or other attacking them at night. It was last minute but has worked out absolutely fantastic.  It's like a movie.  All the animals GO to bed on their own already - so easily, it shocks us.  The chickens go in the coop and roost-  Norm counts them and locks up.  The goat run around to the door underneath the pen and run in! He locks them in and all is good..  Who knew - not us. We've laughed in amazement at these creatures.  It's proving to really be, the zen den.  We have 2 chairs and we sit & watch & laugh, mostly. Like when Sweet Sativa climbed up the chicken walk and right thru that small door!   Then a chicken came out, then she came out,  then Ginger!  lol  
Ginger - if we let let would live in the coop,  I have to go and physically remove her.
 
It's been a full time job for weeks & now we get to sit & enjoy, that we do!  Yesterday sitting there in silence- just enjoying the moment- we looked around and realized EVERY creature was lying down around us. Every chicken.  Every dog, every goat. Everyone was happily zen, listening to the birds in the heat of the afternoon.  I've never felt mentally healthier or at peace.  Thank you Lord.

I am choosing to stay home !  why leave this Eden?
Norm understands & is o.k. to go.  for the basic grocery run & of course to the lumberyard.
What's not good for mental health,  this mass mask manipulation & confusion - on or off, bull.  Mandatory when in public spaces is mandatory. A large family of tourists  (all you had to  do was watch & listen for a moment to know they were tourists) was walking along haliburton going into stores- not one with a mask. I thought I wonder, where they are from.. what does it matter?  We have no control over others, especially not strangers.  Will our number start o shoot up again like the USA? lets hope not.
The DONkey still in charge, still says it's FAKE news. Is he done yet?  According to the news - anyone can run now- since the bar has been set so high by the current occupant.. yikes. No wonder my Americans friends seem a bit  more 'stressed', these days.  I feel sorry for the USA - which is providing the rest of the world with the impression, it doesn't care about itself  OR each other.   SELF LOVE is key...  they appear to have very little.
Selfish... seems to be more accurate.

Why take a chance?  If they suggest wearing a mask - wear a mask or stay home.
The cartoon is exactly what we said to each other out waiting in LONG lines for stuff we don
t really NEED. Forget that.
Wear a mask & decrease your chances of catching a deadly virus or don't and gamble with your life or the lives of your friends and family. That's the most selfish part...  Those who don't give a crap about others - Like the president of the USA, Eh.  To throw a July 4th celebration ? How many lives dead?

I choose to stay home so I don't see some with & some without I choose self love if I DO go out & WEAR a mask- for others as much as myself. There nothing we 'NEED' that's more important than our health - physical or mental.  Norm is loving the farm- it's obvious & he has built a tiny Eden for our beasts.... changing as the animals let us know  what to change. 
We have no time to wallow or worry, our animals are teaching us much.  & when we have free time- I paint & he builds - what ever he wants.  
​Life is wonderful & both of us are happier than we've been - this is how it's suppose be. Amen & thank you.

The goats are bleeting now, "come out & hang out!!!  It's irresistible.  
I posted a really cute vid on IG & am posting it on the official 'ZEN HEN DEN' page.  Have peek if interested.   Have a lovely hot Canadian day!  It's too hot for a mask- stay home. lol 

With THC & TLC
Georgia 

Introducing Indica & Sativa. 
Indica is a brown male born in March 2020 - close my my birthday & Sativa was born in April 2020 - she is female. They are the cutest pair - exploring the pen together.  Curiously watching us - as we do them.  Yep - I wake up to Foghorn & can't believe it - dreams come true!

Norm and I both laughing - who knew we'd be chasing chickens & loving every moment. 
This pen & coop are lessons taught NOW, to us by the chickens & goats themselves.  Oh, yes... we also added 3 more Leghorn chickens!! This traditional looking chicken is amusing and has already provided us with eggs, hee hee- hiding behind a tree.  So much for the nesting boxes.  This first egg will be used for medicated carrot cake upcakes.  ;) .  I had read about introducing new chickens /animals can be stressful - NOPE. Other than getting the goats out of the vehicle all has been beautifully calm - the pen is big enough I guess - a bit of chicken chasing each other but that's it. 

Today, we had our coffee watching our goats and had to force ourselves away. Norms still adding touches here and there. Soon, I'll give you a coop & pen tour.  We have named al the birds, they are: Gloria! (our black beauty), Foghorn (rooster), Henny & Penny (Forghorns peeps), Elenor, Grace & Honey.  The sketchbook is in the pen & the canvas preped. Yep, your about to see a few chicken & goat paintings.

I met a nice man @ the feed store who started to share a few of his animal photos - I was impressed  & asked him to send me a few photos, which he happily has! Deer, chickadee & more - animals galore...  What are you dreaming about? Do not give up.. keep seeing it - & make it happen.

I'm staying home with our new family..  I'm tired of going out and waiting in line for a few measly things we might need. The line up for the beerstore was something & we were told it started an hour before it even opened.  Yesterday, a hardware store in Haliburton 'TRIED to tell me' - "only one person permitted to enter per vehicle" - WTF?  I informed  him - that would not work- we were BOTH goinjg in. I held up my hands (obvous visual to my arthritis) and informend  - I can't even lift some items of shelves (I can't) fuck that..  needless to say, he took me seriously and we were both permitted to enter.  COME ON.
I am not enjoying the pressure, lack of masks... How come we have to wear them, but employees in these locations are not?  It's messed up - are they immune from infecting those wearing masks?  Isn't the idea - we all wear masks so we don't make others sick. hmmmm.  Nope, you won't see me aroudn town - Im done - for a bit anyhow. happy to stay hoem on the tiny farm. Norm just brought in two more eggs (with a huge smile) & you would have thought he discovered golden nugets- hahaha.

Have a lovely weekend- today I'm painting something about animals to bless our farm.
Grateful for all the many blessings in our pen.

with TLC & THC
​Georgia

We had a visit yesterday from the former owner of our house!  From a distance..  
We met the first time as I seeing the house for the first time ( it was spontanious) and she happened to be home.  I stepped out of our vehicle - never even went inside the house, before I said to Norm:                 This is it.  I knew.
 I told her that day - I'm buying this house & love it and I will love it like you did.  She held my hand and said "o.k.",   I knew that moment she & I were soul sisters.   Nevermind the inside of the house - many would guess it was already mine after a quick glance, even the paint colors were the same as my old home.  Adorned with masks, rocks, shells - I felt at home already.  

It's almost been a year, one the best years of my life! Deni shared some history of the house and I was not shocked to find out this IS a special place,  built right on  the Canadian shield... (on a slant so we never have to worry about flooding) - it's really well thought out- I just love this house & property.   Deni smoke cannabis too & had a sweet little tin with her joints- the same tin I've had for about 2 decades.  We agree with many things & seem to both be caring & concerned about the goings on of the world...  I feel like we've already been friends for years.   Soul sisters.   She accepted our first offer & my insisting 'I wanted to be in A.S.A.P & WAS - LOL   The house was sold and I was here  in a month (and a bit ) later,  she admitted it was so fast - it was good, she did not have time 'to think' - come to think of it- neither did I,  I had packing to do.  All history now.  
​So, I bought a new home and made a new friend.  Blessed Bonus!

I'm such a believer that God brings everyone into my life for a reason - I'm so glad I met Deni & our new home. Thank you Tom*  more on him, soon.  Norm is happy too.  Go figure... a little tired at times, as weve also accompished a lot in a year. Deni remarked the love we are already putting into our new home is obvious.  Yes it is.  It's so easy to wake up each morning (easier now with Foghorn! lol)  & give thanks to God for another day in this beautiful spot we call home.  I look forward to each days adventure,  it sure it an adventure.

The COOP is COMPLETE & just in time...   my tiny family has grown some more.
I'll show you the ladies tomorrow &  Sativa & indica (hee hee)...  but here are the gifts from today in the image below. YAY!!!    

With TLC & THC 
Georgia

We watched a documentary on Netflix on Transgender titled: Disclosure.  it was very interesting and a few things 'clicked' especially the part about Bugs bunny- Yes! I get that!  I was & AM still (obviously) inspired by Bugs - No doubts loony toons influenced my growing up to some degree & I relate to Bugs most. I think, I'm nice like BugsBunny (& creative) but don't piss me off or you might hear:  Of course you know.. this means war.        lol

Bugs was a POSITIVE role model for many kids growing up and why should transgender be any different. Bugs would dress & behave as a woman with class, grace, beauty & intelligence. Teaching kids from as young as 5 - 17 , I noticed several times.. this child is different, gay.  I never thought anything else of it, nothing negative - ever. It was obvious to me anyhow, thinking back- I bet it was obvious to the parents too, perhaps they were in denial.  Who cares?  Not me. I do not care about your sexual preference, if you choose to change your appearance - to best suit you.. -AMAZING!  We are created to create- EACH one of us - SHINW- anyway you know how.  Children taught me being gay, homosexual, transgender - was not an option but a way of life for them. Naturally.

As long as a human is not harming another- what business is if ours - how we present ourselves to the world. We have one simple task- choose Joy! Express Joy...  I've come to realize it is an absolute sin to not give thanks for each new day, no matter the situation.  Yesterday was Canada day, it too now comes with past history issues (I need to research further), NOW - in the moment- it represents to me - reminds me - I love the country I live in.  Canada is beautiful & we teach constantly - all can live together- Toronto is the melting pot of the world. That is something to be VERY proud about Canada.  
If you have fears about transgender ( it's the only reason I can think of anyone hating a transgender person) - it's more about confusion.   Watch the documentary.

When it comes to children I do not encourage  'directing' them any way. Honestly I wish they did not see as much as they do on television because I do believe it adds to confusion. All they should be encouraged to do - is create, 'shine' & be nice tiny humans..
Encourage letting them discover for themselves the direction they will go with their own bodies - & loving them & supporting them with the difficult (in many cases) decision.  Lord knows, we all face enough anguish from strangers who do NOT know us but continue to judge us for many reasons.  Anything that makes us want to be better humans should be embraced. 

with TLC & THC
Georgia 

Ginger thinks she's a chicken.

Bear!  On the wrong side of the fence.  On this side.
I was chilling with the dogs who were all asleep around me, I glanced up to see a BIG BLACK BEAR looking right at me - in my front yard - not 30 feet from us & walking in my fucking direction! YEEEE!! I can't belive a bear that big & we did not hear it! None of us.  
I JUMPED UP and started screaming like a demon: GET INSIDE! IN! IN! IN!  Thank God, the girls listen to me and ran in behind me - then Daisy saw the bear & they all started barking & that bear kept coming!!  I started screaming at it- "Get out of here!!"  It turned & walked - slowly- down my driveway.  Holy bear.  I panicked. I had no idea I would respond as I did. The bear still standing on my drive way- I tried to call someone - fearing it might come back -I could not stop shaking. lol 

Norm was not home, I called him but was not able to speak other than say  'Bear.. big bear.. '
My pal Jim - who lives  close- not that close but my mind  said close enough- I could'nt speak- all I was able to say between hyperventilating was BEAR.... BIG BEAR!! - He talked me thu it- calmly - "are your dogs in? Is everyone safe.. o.k. then.. you're safe.. "  Then I cried.  It was all very fast and furious.  Darn, I wished I had gotten better photos of my first bear sighting IN MY YARD! Yeah, I am lucky  that went as it did.  I also called in my panick my neighbour - who was not home- apparently he was shooting at the bear the other day- I was told he must live in the area & looking for - not dogs to eat- but nuts. berries.. bird feeder stuff.    I also tried to message a few- not quite susscssfully - IT WAS A LESSON- NEXT time I will be prepared.  I WILL have someone on speed dial & know where the bear spray is. 

Foghorn Leghorn is  keeping the ladies safe, I did see them all scatter under the coop yesterday and realized a hawk was flying overhead!  I already love this bird - he comes to the fence to crow at me - when I yell at him thru  my dining room window.  Henny & Penny  are already use to Ginger trying to smell their butts and don't pay much attention. Poppy - little beast, put the chickens to a quit run - keeping them on their toes. Scruffy could care less, she likes to sleep in the chicken run. Daisy- NOPE- not getting close tot he chickens- yet.  It's all about dog training now.  Foghorn let us all sleep in today until 5:30 hee hee..  I went & had my 2 coffees & watched them eat an apple for breakfast.  I find all I want to dois watch these birds!  Last night I decided to paint my first Foghorn - it's easy to get a photo of him yelling! This one looked like he had a look of 'Awe' & I wondered if they have seen the stars, sicne they go to bed in the coop - how neat at about 6:30.   If he did- he would look like this:

Starting a canvas cock later today! & I'm making chicken spray - for nice smelling & bug free birds.  Next - a transgender' inspired  painting.
with TLC & THC
 me

Chickens!  They are good for my mental  health - I leaped out of bed with my new alarm clock at 4:33 - lol  got dressed & ran out to open the chicken door & then that rooster - stayed in until the sun came up 5:30 -lol! Got me - first day.  
I  love them!  

Foghorn Leghorn is my rooster - come on- you must have guest that! I'm only having the one rooster.. when I named him, while sittinging the pen with Norm - I said  (in my Foghorn Leghorn voice) "Hey Boy! I said... Hey Boy - you like that name Foghorn?!" & he ran over to me and we both burst out laughing.  Ginger chasing Gloria (my all black Chicken)  is sure to lose weight- it's very amusing - She doesn't have a chance.  Henny & Penny are Foghorn's ladies...   who knew Chickens would bring so much joy? Me.  
No eggs yet - but lots of laughter.  Norm had the roost in, just in time -  I went out this a.m. and there is Foghorn looking at me from the shelf! & only Gloria was on the roost.
I have CHICKENS!!!

Planning, research, shopping, building, approving, youtubing - oh my  yes, this has been great for my mental health- who has time to wallow when we've got work to do?  Missing Bird this past week was exceptionaly difficult, Gloria let me pat her this morning,  she closed her eyes & I could tell she trust me already... so, that was nice. Happy to have birds.

I've not had time to think - Covid, Trump or racism - which is good because it was really starting to get me down. What the flock is wrong with the USA?  Do they not understand PANDEMIC?    I don't know, but YES - I am very grateful for my chinckens - I've been out taking photos all morning and start my first Foghorn painting today.  Chickens are work too - work I am grateful for, who wants to sit ont he sofa and eat bonbons & watch TV- NOT me - that is NOT living... it's watching.  Waiting for triggers - that control the mind -if they can.
I had a trigger - listening to Canoe radio the other day, usually a segment that shares short stories (which I alwasy enjoy) had a  incredibly judgemental statement about swearing and how you are less of a person IF you swear...  more or less- WOW.  Fuck that.  Again, just an opinion - but who needs those seeds planted?  Why judge someone for swearing- are there NOT far more serious crimes being commited than saying 'Fuck'... yes there fucking are. I went from being in a great mood with a list to do - and went blank after that 'short talk'... I realized why & how it effected me and made up my mind to NOT let it.  
I have chickens to look after, watch & paint.  
What will you focus on - afterall you are in control...

I hear Foghorn calling! Time to rock that rooster with a portrait! lol
 The best thing for mentsl HEALTH is focusing on a new passion - it doesn't have to be chickens- PICK something and become better at it- more knowledgable about it- Your brain will thank you.

Bwaaaak Bwaaak!  
​xox

What many moms 'now' imagine... instant internet sensations are born daily.  
I wonder if chickens feel the same about each egg.  Each egg will be a gift.
Each child is a gift.   Every day is a gift,  have you offered  'thanks' for today?
I am thankful we have created the Zen Hen Den- Norm & Storm had the difficult part.
​
This is the first week of summer & it's going to be hot!
Bring on the chickens & bring on the heat, I've already made a watermelon, pea, strawberry frozen treat. 

The Zen Hen Den chickens - shall lay, daily.  Have Faith.

 Introducing the 'Zen Hen  & her Den.
​
Yep! Straw is in and the chickens will be soon - I hear Norm, screwing the gate together as I type - we've got the food, treats & toys.  The nesting beds have been lined with straw & have petals from roses, marigolds & lavender tossed in, both Poppy & Ginger insisted a sniff too.  ..  I'm glad they can't jump in on their own - I don't think.  The entire family is excited!  Daisy  found her favourite place - under the coop,  not for  longer.   Not until they have had lessons with chickens. 

As we've planned & worked and educated ourselves on chickens & more,  I've had fun with a few cartoon ideas - cards too..  I'll be sketching & painting in the coop - it's got two comfortable chairs ready, why not make it official and  create this Zen Hen & have some fun with the imagined & real adventures in the ZEN HEN DEN!  It is an awesome chicken coop! YAY! We make a great team! Thank you Norman - who wonders (out loud, on occasion) what 'not working' must feel like - hee hee hee.   He is just as eggcited - don't be fooled by his grumbling.  We've already had countless laughs and each step is getting better.  This coop is top of the line & thought out, I'll show more in a few days - it's all about the details NOW - the ladies will soon be home.
After losing bird ( frig, I miss him, very much) I thought .. should I get chickens?  
Yes, Bird would want me to get chickens,  we had 'chatted' about them,  as his cage was at the window & he was aware of the building going on.  I will try to show my chickens the same love I did with bird.  Not coming in my house tho. 

Determined not to contrubite to the sadness/madness  & wanting to lay a bit of words of wisdom on us, from time to time - the Zen Hens  focus is on Teaching Love - in reality... we all lose control from time to time so CLUCK Ya!  Sometimes feathers gotta fly!   The official start of her cartoon strip is on Sunday. 

Time to get cracking!  
With TLC & THC
Mother Clucker G