Where would you go?  With changes come possibilities..  I know.
I've been researching properties in Canada. I love the water.  
Living where I am now it's not an option. Prices have gone up in Keswick since the 404 completion, now a shorter drive to the city has made properties prices raise beyond my budget... my long time pal Christine has already informed me of this - so then GO!  
I told Josh- "You're an American- You don't have to stay in Texas! (Sad still the state of Cannabis there, Imo.. people suffering needlessly) GO!! I said! Get on a bus and go.    
He went and is doing amazing in Seattle! Such a talented guy my pal Joshua.  < read about him here!  I will say, our time hanging out has made us life long friends. Another pal Peter - he hated it here in Toronto and always talked about the England.. I said GO!!! WTF are you doing?? lol - He went! he got a job before he even arrived- Frig, I am proud of him. He has friends, shipped his very cool bike over and  when I last saw- On a normal F*&^ Fb page- he was having a wonderful time and happy travelling all over!
 
So, now what? GO!! But where. Halliburton, I've been there my entire life off and on and love it. It's a friendly community with an intimacy you don't get in a big city, I even enjoy and still listen to canoe - the radio station. I never have problems meeting and speaking to new people, it is truly a gift I got from my mom. I've never had a problem making friends, when I want them.  As I get older I'm enjoying a small circle of great friends, wider circle of  good friends.  Still, I can't afford anything on the water...
Then I ventured a little further Turo!! Nova Scotia?  
Then I spied this "Inn"  - it is on my list of places to visit & stay. * these sites find me, btw.
Check this place out: www.fogoislandinn.ca/b/video  I love when WE help each other.
I wonder if I should move a little further.  
I Know what I want.   Peace & WiFi  lol 

I place to look at water, walk my dogs, have some chickens, have friends over for relaxing potluck meals. hee hee  I want to paint. I want to paint about aboriginal plights in this country, the struggles women are having around the world, poverty, child abuse.. an I want to paint  gouache birds & kertmit the frog.  
I'm working on a cartoon now calling it "I'm ashamed", I am...  but I can focus on doing better now that I am educating myself & draw! I want to draw!  

Slip in some travel, Spain, Scotland to see the Cannabus that features Georgia Toons!
Visit with Robert and the ZENkitty crew!  Visit Ivan and his talented wife!
She has already promised to teach me a clay class!  
​The USA is looking mighty appealing at the moment as well. 
Go. 

Where would you Go?

I thought today might be a good day to tell you about Walnut INK! This way you can scope out a walnut tree and try to make some of your own this fall! I heard about this when in Halliburton listening to the radio - I wished I could have went to the evening so I contacted the woman and she shared her walnut ink recipe with me 
! Below is the e mail she shared! Enjoy! 

WALNUT INK                                      Judith Jaimet Bainbridge
 
Walking in the Experimental Farm in the fall, I noticed lots of rotting walnuts on the ground, under, of course, a black walnut tree, and I decided to make my own walnut ink.
It is fabulous for painting and writing. 
The recipe I found on the net was surprisingly easy.
I filled a pot with all the bits, fruit and seeds, rotting or not.
It is best to use the fruit when it is starting to turn black.  
Then I covered them with water and got it boiling.
It simmered all day, making the house smell all earthy, like a hobbit hole.
They recommend doing it outside, but I didn’t mind the smell. 
I strained the mess through cheesecloth and got the liquid boiling again.
It was about 10 cups at this point.

The idea is to boil it down until you have an almost black ink.
It made finally about one cup. Pouring it into sterilized jars will keep it from getting mouldy. When you use it, if you pour a little into a small container to dip your pen into, the original amount will stay germ-free longer. I froze some to see if it will stay useable when it is thawed, but I lost the cubes in my move. Try it and let me know please. 

The result was a gorgeous, brown-black ink- a nicer colour than the synthetic kind- that flowed smoothly and made crisp hairlines. I loved it! BUT it FADES! 
In about six months in a window, it had lost most of its intensity and was very pale.
That was a year and a half ago and it hasn’t faded away completely.
The old manuscripts that we see of brown ink were initially almost black. I have since learned that a little vinegar and salt will make it lightfast. I have not tested that. 
The synthetic, dried ink you buy from *John Neal Bookseller, is made from all natural substances and starts with peat. It is lightfast. It keeps and carries well because it comes in dried crystal form and requires only the addition of distilled water to make it useable.
 *johnnealbooks.com                       jaimetbainbridge@yahyoo.com

***Judith is retired from doing heraldic art and calligraphy for the Governor General and the Federal Government. She now does sculpture and the book arts.  She live 6 months in Ottawa and 6 months in Minden where she teaches for the HSA or for Fay @ Visible Voices Open art Studio!  They call the gatherings ‘Creative Interludes’ - short bursts of playful creativity - rather than workshops.  I wish it was closer! I'd be there!!
Leaders share their skill and knowledge and  all learn from each other. A Creative Interlude suggests an informality, a relatively short time to explore, experiment and experience that is open to anyone interested. Sometimes they get people who don’t really consider themselves to be ‘creative’  but are intrigued…and they want to encourage that.  If people want ‘more’ then they organize that.  Check it out:

Facebook: Visible Voices Open Arts Studio
www.openartsstudio.ca

Judith has not retired from teaching- 'I love it'.  It shows! I am thankful she shared this recipe with me IF you do try it PLEASE let me know as well! 

Believe! 
xox <>< 
​GET creative today! 

,I am really enjoying Instagram!! 
You don't really know anything about anyone.  Only what you SEE. lol
It is more sharing your own images that someone else's.
Unless stated you don't know if it is a man or woman & there is far less politics than FB
WAY LESS Trump - and that makes it worthwhile right there.  

You can select who you want to 'follow' based on visual - I've said it a million times - I'm visual & I am a visual learner- Craftsy- Youtube, Pin bring it on!
There ARE no excuses any longer!  What catches my attention on IG is NOT WHO but What! For example before Christmas - I was drawn into & curious by the artwork of one person named 'Konrad'- I assumed a man - haunting images - I  cant read the language - yet the images keep me coming back and I follow.
To make a long story short I approached Konrad * (Now by another more feminine name I call her I'll keep it a secret!) with a message and ask if 'they ? - would be interested in _Bartering Christmas cards?
That is how it begins, the next thing I know, I now have a wonderful new penal in Russia!! 
She wants to learn English - so, the deal is Now we exchange mail only by snail mail! ;)
I'm excited!! I got her package first! It was such a wonderful gift! She still does not have mine, I am not worried as a package I sent to Norway Dec. 5th Just arrived the other day! Almost 2 months to the date! So, Russia- it might be a few more days.
The timing was blessed - I was on a roller coaster with news of Jamie,  it was nice to have such a neat, cool, 'Russia!?' - little 'pick me up reminder from my  incredibly talented Russian friend! Who knew?  How cool is this world Right now?  Please - I asked her and she said it's o.k. Go check out her work.. WORK it is, she is also a student is a 'institution for architecture. I see the amount of work, passion and thought she outs into her drawings!
This is another talented young woman going places! Konrad. ;)

Storm has teased me, I cant stop eating the chocolates- even tho I was going to share them with everyone- they have the cutest little wrapper.. 
From Russia with Love-  both Norm & Storm thought it was very cool - so I guess - you just have to ask.

Once I learned more - like He was a She, and only in her early 20's - a student, l I made sure to ask her, to tell her mom what we were doing.  ;) Mom first.  All is good.
I can tell you, her English is better than mine already - her vocabulary extensive.
I guess she is using a dictionary right now to translate my letters and write back,  what a job  for her and I am honoured that she is taking this task - one I know, I would not even attempt.  I wonder how much she retains- I am sure it's quite a bit- I can tell by her work- she pays attention to detail.
I am very pleased to have a new friend. I've blogged about Mona before, my young friend I  wrote to many  many MOONS ago - we too, are friends on instagram. 30 years later (?) I am keeping my account more to for my visual mind, stimulation if you will.  I am following only a few artists and will change so my feed changes.
More drawing and meditation. I'm trying a new online brain meditation also.  
​We've just started and agreed to be snail mail pals, today I wrote to Yasunori Abe-in Japan, to be continued tomorrow!  & Todd in prison. 

I honestly do feel a connection to a few people - I'm not one to question why or try to understand. This young woman is gifted and here for a reason - this much I know.
Aren't we all? Her package warmed OUR heart- TEA! It's tea in the lipton doll, (duh)I have 'Lipton french onion soup' on the brain!  I read the name and...  anyhow, its wonderful.
Every drop... 'from Russia with Love! <*Just saying that makes Norms day. Bond freak, that he is.

Thank you for the gift of today. 
Believe
​xox <>< 

You know you want too...  
I live with two men and over the years I have witnessed some serious ball scratching going gone. I try to turn a blind eye as - it is what guys do.  When in the comfort of their own home - they do it more frequently - so I am to understand.  I actually try not to give it too much thought but the other day - something was said along these lines and we all started to laugh, Norm and I giggled about it all night.  Storm not so much.  lol
The drawing a bit of a challenge & I was worried until; Linda was over visiting and we made our way up to my office as we usually do, she spied the unfinished toon on my desk, leaned over to read it and burst out laughing . ;)  Oh, good! I guess I got the point across;)
 I decided to cold and here it is I pray it provided a few of you with a Friday smile! 
I know not all will find it funny. 
Oh well.  It made us all laugh.  Move on to NOW.

Not everyone 'gets it'... move on, focus on NOW.  
Do what you love because you love to do it! I tell you - IF I let every bit of negativity that tried to sneak into my soul - effect me. I would hardly draw.  
My Dandy Lion  (the lion and lamb drawing, below) I had someone (I like - don't really know that well) E me, they 'did not approve' more or less...
"Children seeing it might get confused and think it o.k. to pat a lion...  "
My first reaction was confusion & then.... - lol - defence:  
Give me a break!  ? Really? WTF - Then every lion driving a car - watch out kids!  
How about those elephants driving firetrucks! Hippo's dancing the ballet- watch out toes.
2nd: a bit later. anger.. Was that comment really necessary? WTF? What was that all about?
3rd: hurt... that was cruel.. why would they say that.. I love this drawing.. 
much later... when I remembered to ask for assistance so i could get past it myself..  Done. To each his own. 
The last thing I should care to do is explain about lions and children books and inspiring young imaginations!  
NOR do I care to defend or try to explain a drawing I did to this person. LOL  
It was drawn from love and still holds love for me when I look at it.
Filled with love as I drew it - sent out with LOVE. 
If the first thing another sees is 'a child being attacked from a lion'- by looking at this drawing - who does the problem lie with?
No me.

So - a nice lesson again, I guess 'I' took it personally in the first place as it came from someone 'I' put judgement on- really. My mistake. 
Put your creations out there - with love. 
With Love we can not fail.
Nay sayers or not.  They are here to keep us focused and strong and help me to get along. 
I sent up prayers and smiles finally - that she might one day look at such a simple drawing and see it for what it was, a cute lion and lamb laying in the grass playing - a hope for peace. 
A cartoonists drawing. 
Simple.

Have we not more important things to focus on, or make others aware of?  I do!! 

Yeah! I am back to sharing toons! 
Thank You Norman! & Thank you Normans' employer Findlay Restoration.
Norm loves his job, thank God.  He believes the owner is a good man.  
How awesome! He can't wait to go in the morning! lol - I get up with him now!
He was asked to work all weekend and he did, mostly for me... and partly for his own sanity! 
LOL He lives with me! Some only get a glimpse of what I can BE. <3 
That is why I try to keep it only from love!  I can post cartoons again! 
Share smiles and love! 
OH! The teach only LOVE cards are ready!! 
I can't wait to start mailing some out! 
Stay tooned!! 

xox <><  Have Faith!

My mom returned from vacation and brought me a gift she thought I might enjoy. She was right.  
Buddha Board: 
http://www.buddhaboard.com/
Let Go! 
The buddha board is not about detail it is about creation, fun and letting go. When I tried to do a detailed drawing ... well by the time I was at one side the other was drying! LOL 
- It forced me to KEEP it simple. It is also hard to resist. I have mine on my back deck and all who see must try.  You do NOT have to be an artist! Yet everything you draw has that oriental flair to it! 
I try daily to get rid of Stuff.  I have enough stuff but I can say I love this gift, I use it all the time and it is just as much fun to watch your drawing magically disappear as it was drawing it. It forces me to relax as I watch it fade - turning into other ideas as it goes. 
Below are my photos of my Buddha board as it faded. It is a gift for all ages IMO, I will keep it with a camera so guests can take a photo of their creation.  So perhaps you know someone who needs to  relax with a little zen..   xox <><

Summer is here and around this house it really means the Dog Days of Summer are upon us! I love it. I am NOT a winter person - but I love Canada so I endure;-)  Summer = OUTSIDE!  I have 3 dogs and they love to be outside! The pool - appears to be Daisy's own playground right now - she is the first one in it and Scruffy in her boat -long before those too is Tequila. My GROWLING, crusty, bad breath, over weight, almost blind, poops in the house when she KNOWS that it is a firecracker weekend! My LOVE Tequila.  As I was drawing this toon in the gazebo she came and fell asleep beside me - as she is now, so I took the opportunity to draw her still life, thinking about what a great dog she is the entire time. Tequila is 15. She was run over by a car when younger and survived without a scratch! It was a miracle. She surfs in the pool and has used it since the day we opened it - we laugh as she will lose a good 5 lbs every summer, LOVES Halloween as much as Norm and jumps at bats! Is my master squirrel chaser and BALL fetcher - but does not give it to you, she makes you chase her around the house for it. Well she was.. Daisy seems to be faster on the fetch and rubs it in Tequilas face every time. So I've learned to throw 2 balls the first far for Daisy and the second close to Ticky. Her eyesight is failing so her ball days are almost over, she also seems to be feeling the heat a bit more.. I will love her till the day she dies and will keep going until she tells us she can't go anymore. 
Right now she still tries and that is all that matters. The lessons dogs teach us. Priceless. 
xox <><

 I need time out. Time to stop stressing and focus on what I love to do. Draw. Spend time with my family, read, & relax.  DRAW. 
It is at the point where my twitch has taken over.  Even with botox it never stops. As the botox wears off it gets more painful and stronger. It can stop me from doing what ever I am doing and holding my breath until it passes.  It is mentally and socially distracting and uncomfortable, for me and who ever is watching.  I have become somewhat of a recluse.  It gets stronger I get quieter.  Drawing is the only thing I seem to be able to do sometimes, because I have different stages of drawing depending on how I'm feeling.  

We are talking about surgery. That will be my next decision. One I am not taking lightly.
Not being a fan of hospitals or surgery anywhere in the vicinity of my brain is frightening. 
Time to take drastic measures. - I have decided to seriously try to DE-STRESS. I will focus on the positive, drawing, planting the seed and being thankful that I am still alive - it's been a difficult 3 years and I have to say am a better person because of it.  Yesterday after making the decision to stay off FB, I instantly felt a sense of relief.  I went and drew, watched an amazing Doc. that affirmed my decision! Who knew! Great documentary
 *I AM    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpVEH-Bpdes&feature=player_embedded
I told Norm I am on withdraw-lllll  meaning I must draw.  As much fun as all of this technology can be- it is truly a weapon of mass distraction. I think - 'I'll just go on for a few moments' and hours fly by, hours that I could be enjoying nature, family, pets and spending time truly enjoying my passion. That is how I will heal. I will of course continue to educate myself on topics that are important to me and try to share as best as I know how...
I Am most inspired by nature. Mother nature... as I see her :

Occupy your mind! This is exactly what my friend Josh did! Just this week I got a package in the mail from my good friend Joshua Boulet! Inside was the new book by Josh - DRAW OCCUPY -Wall St.

WHAT a fantastic idea! Josh who resides in Texas took it upon himself to visit NY and DRAW what was happening & I for one and thrilled he did! 

I opened the book on my back deck thinking; I'll have a quick glance, 2 coffees later the book read from cover to cover! I really could not put it down. My hubby did the same thing later that evening and Storm is reading it  now.

 I LOVE IT!  For too many reason.

1st- we love Josh - we met a couple of years back at the first Treating Yourself EXPO - the next year he came and stayed with us for a few days, might have ended up a week or so - who knows - all I remember is Josh is a GREAT guy, perfect house guest, Loves the dogs (visa versa) and cut the grass! 

MORE importantly - This book was so interesting - I had no idea of what it was really like watching from my home in Ontario Canada- The work, planning, community all worked together to make OCCUPY happen.

I laughed, giggled and thought - JOSH!! You are so lucky you did not get hurt! Or end up in Jail!  Josh braved the elements - the no showering, cold, damp weather and he documented it with drawings and words in this book! It is the ultimate souvenir  especially fro those who were there - it is History.  Check out Josh’s site - you can order prints of Occupy and get your own copy of this book to show your kids... this is what happens when people want to be heard and are tired of being treated poorly! 

When asked Josh reminded people he was there to share LOVE. 

Knowing Josh and the good vibes he already naturally puts out to the world I am sure he has done just that! Can’t wait to see what he is doing next!  More of Josh : http://www.joshuaboulet.com

The kit is available! I am very excited. I have my kit and love it if I do say so myself! 
I am so sold on this kit- it all came at the right time - We just got Daisy and she was just a pup! I watch shows now and just from drawing for the kit - I can (like magic) guess how the dog is going to react! Wow, I wish I had known all this sooner.  Daisy is the main character! 

If you know anyone who is getting a pet or has a new pup this is the ultimate gift! You just might be saving the family much heart ache, chewed furniture and puppy frustration! 
I LOVE the kit because it comes with this terrific chart - I showed Storm and he loved the idea- you can write what you have done and no excuse for slacking or if you forget!  Puppies are NOT PROPS,  they are family members for many years! We have had dogs live to be 15!  If you train them right from the start you have such wonderful pets and they do not like to be yelled at.  I know just a look can have Daisy drop her head and drag her tail - not because we have ever hit her but because we have taken the time to let her know what is and is not acceptable behavior in our home - we also had to work a little extra as she grew- she decided Scruffy is her favorite toy!  So a little discipline and all are getting along like one big happy  family!  
I am also pleased to say I have made a new friend with the creator of the Kit - Rachelle - how could I not - her love for the canine is obvious - she really want's to make a difference- she wants to help STOP  dogs being sent to the shelter and eventually destroyed.  Rachelle has seen it happen too many times and this was the driving force for her passion! 
I am proud to call her friend. So if you have a dog - it's never too late!! Or you know someone who is bringing home a puppy! THIS IS the perfect gift. Check them out on Face Book - once they reach 200 LIKES they are drawing for a free Kit!!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Happy-Puppy-Training-Kit-and-Introduction-To-Canine-Body-Language/325099824206867  or just search The Happy Puppy training kit! 
ALSO check out the web site! : http://www.windywillowspetservices.caI can't tell you how amazing this kit has change our doggie home - while training Daisy - Scruffy has really become a top honor student of her own!  It is wonderful...xox  <><