A single rose can be my garden...
​ a single friend, my world.
~ Leo Buscaglia


I Am excited to paint! Tomorrow
Now it's off to read & relax.

BTW I am listening to a new artist:  http://jonathanroyofficial.com
**warning STEAMY video. All I noticed was the Mickey Mouse tattoo - *wink, wink.
Jonathan was born Canadian & is in Montreal. Hubba Hubba.
Good Things coming my way...  
I  loved  the song on iTunes but had no idea 'who' he was & decided to 'google' to share
with you..   (blush) I  just watched the song for the first time,
which starts on the website automatically.  Kowabunga.
He is worth the drive to Montreal, IMO.    lol   Really.
Fun fact, his dad is Patrick Roy.
What Canadian does not know Patrick Roy?  Well, what one my age range?
Have a listen or a watch.  About that tattoo.. he must be a 'classic Mickey fan.
Perfect way to end a long day.

Have faith
><
​xox

I was recently asked if I would share this infographic from:
Jason Adams @ [email protected] 
​It is 'clean', easy  to visualize, understand and includes informative links so that
YOU may research it for yourself!  
Knowledge is power.   
If you have any questions or concerns, I suggest you ask Jason. 

Ending on positive notes..  
I'm about to do the fine sketch for The Cannabis Digests Fall Cover!
Which means it will be complete before the end of the weekend
*a long weekend here in Canada!   WoooooHooo!!  
Not that it really matters to me, I get to draw every day and that means...
every day is a weekend.

I woke at 5 this a.m. and looked out my window - the stars were so beautiful I went out & stood in the dark in PEACE, in the middle of the vegetable garden..   it was exhilarating.
Poppy would beg to differ.

Have Faith
<><
xox

How true & thank God for the reminder. Everyday.
​
I just spent the morning (and have a few STILL) sending e mail to those I love.
Those who put a spark in my life and days they Inspire,  teach, make me laugh and show me love in countless ways, with gifts, e mail, notes, Skype dates and more. Time. 
People, my life is richer because of.  Not with $$ but with love and that is truly priceless.

              At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. 
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
                                                                     - Albert Schweitzer -

​I even apologized to a few for my... occasional mania, sending e mail...  You all know who you are and I truly thank you, for the times you ignore me and don't! LOL  
I like to think, I speak with only love and hope everyone remembers that when I get frustrated.  I have the feeling  they do. 

Time to paint & continue thinking of those I love, I am so excited to see what this years holds for ALL of US!!  
I plan on giving more.  Making more people smile.  Simple.

Happy 2nd day of 2016!

I love you.

There! Someone told you I love you, this year!!
That is the best way to start any year, day, moment. 

Oh, I already received a reply... no wonder I love this guy, he wrote back:

as for your behaving…I read a quote by Mae West on one of the beer cans I made some art for saying: 
“when Im good, Im very good. But when Im bad Im better”.     hihihi

so don’t behave yourself.;)

I plan on being me.
I am still as God created.

Believe
xox  <><

A couple days past Christmas and it appears we are getting our first snowfall of the season! It was certainly cold enough today, the last day of Christmas holidays 2015. legally you also have to give 'Boxing day' off in Canada so some companies - like Norms - gave today as the holiday. He returns now- Friday is a holiday! New years Day!
2016. Wow. Where did this year go... I know. 

Our Christmas meal was wonderful! I was telling the guys 'it FLEW!'  We had dinner at my aunts ,15 in total, the meal was a constant chatter of cutlery, laughing, talk and compliments, cracker joke reading - the cracker you pull- hee hee hee.  
My aunt outdid herself with the cooking, my mom and Elly helped- I was to bring a trifle - but forgot! There was more than enough so - all was good.
Just an hour before Norm made Storms UGLY Chrismas Sweater- Elly pulled a fast one! lol She told everyone 'I said' it as ugly sweater Christmas!  hee hee and then got me too - so it was fun!  Just seeing my uncle Jess in his Festive Fleece Navidad cardigan, made me smile! Even the dogs and Princess Poppy - had on a new red sequine dress from her grandma. - it was certainly a colourful Christmas!

I made ornaments- guess when- at 5:00a.m. Christmas morning lol - talk about cutting it close. The tree slices from my friends property up north - wait until you see how many times you can put a dead tree to good use.  I woke up made my coffee and thought about others, mainly Jim. He is not with us, a first Christmas in a long time... I miss hearing from him.  Elly had moments when she teared but she is quick to catch herself.  It's a big day for everyone.  Jim parents also joined us,  I had the honour of sitting beside 'Grampy' and he made me smile several times throughout the meal. It was a pleasure.  Elly on my other side the meal was so delicious I don't remember much else - the talking would come later.

I love Elly, she made me laugh, smile, feel loved (as usual), what a year she has had - she recently had her roof replaced by a terrible roofing company in Toronto, they did a crappy job, exposed nails everywhere, mess left in the gutters & else where,  a foot was put through the roof - into her ceiling of her living room -  shingles covered where a vent should go  & MORE.  NO company names on the vehicles. Let that be a clue.  I think had she not been still so devastated by Jims death (doing this now on her own - ladies .. would you know what to do?  Not me) she might have realized earlier what a  terrible person she was dealing with.  One who tried to take advantage it appears.
Of course they are taking her to court - because she did not want to pay him for terrible job, Elly said fine.  Good.
Any of my close friends give me a call I will share with you 'who the company' IS - I don't want anyone else in Toronto  dealing with the same misfortune.

Bah Humbug Canada post! I ordered ONE gift for Storm - lol - I bought ONE gift for Storm, it did not come on time and I was like 'Little Cindy Lou Who' until the very last hour!  ;( Then I was bummed.  My fault, I was told it would have been replaced weeks ago (and is being replaced) had only I let him know sooner. Here I am again. Something gone missing who to 'blame' I have no clue. It makes me want to stop using Canada Post all together - no wonder they claim to be struggling. I can't be the only one, and not this frequent.
I have something in the process, a few friends have made wonderful suggestions. 
 
I did get 4 books - all gifts - Each from a different person. Each so different - It had me thinking... who does that say more about ? Me or them.  

Other things that made me laugh- my son in Grinch P.J.s!  Still giggle overtime it comes to mind. Daisy ripping through her gift!  The Elf... not on the shelf.  Sweet Georgia Browns strategically  placed. Elly driving up to see me. 

Christmas day was still one of the best days I have had in a while. ;) 
I was surrounded by love - in UGLY sweaters! 
Who could want anything more?  Not me. 

​Tomorrow I plan on spending in my P.J.'s! looking at the snow and painting! 
​Drive safe icy road warnings in effect, if you are reading this from California - Never mind!  
Thank you. 

2016:  I Go within & withDRAW, more.

Have Faith
<>< xox

 While exploring  Instagram, thinking about ThanksGiving & finetooning  a fall cartoon
I took a tea break & received an e mail from the Georgina Public Library  stating  
hey would be  thrilled to have "The Mayor" visit them for the month of October!
To encourage little readers with a flair for the creepy side (Kids love 'CREEPY') to have fun and get a smile or startle when 'The Mayor Of Halloween Town' turns and speaks to them!

I volunteered a coloring sheet!  It was a great excuse to sit in front of my favourite Halloween flick - Tim Burtons - Nightmare Before Christmas and have a bit of coloring page idea doodling! 
If you get the chance  stop in - get a good book & visit the Mayor! 

Poppy & I plan on visiting early next week for some fall reading material!
We will take a selfie with The Mayor while he is away from home! 

Any good  reading suggestions?

The next few days are busier than usual... It's nearly time for a fall feast, it promises to be a beautiful day full of sunshine & too many dishes to mention! 
If I am able to post, I will.

Much on the drawing board as well on my mind. 

Have Faith
<>< xox

As cool mornings remind me of fall and winter... I think of my friends leaving. 
I'll miss the constant twitter chattering outside my window every morning. The different calls - I get so excited when I hear one I don't think I have heard before.. I will miss our backyard birds! Last week I saw my first woodpecker! 
Right at my *homemade nut feeder! 
*An old teak bowl I drilled a few holes in and tied on some string. ;)
 We also have a baby cardinal with a beak so bright you think he was eating an orange!  
I have learned about seeds, peanuts, suet, worms and more! 
How birds sleep, travel feed care for babies- all with watching and reading. 
My favourite book by far this summer  has been:
Silence of the Songbirds   By Bridget Stutchbury
I wish I could say Birds are doing great but they are not.

Read and you will find out too, if at all there is anything we can do! 
For now, I'm back outside to listen to the birds while I paint. 
I'll try no tot think of winter!  Easy to do on days like today! Whew! 
I am stocking on bird seed all the same! I hope to keep my feathered friends visiting & serenading me all year long! 

Have faith
xox <><

I'm reading a book I picked up from the library:
  The brain that changes itself.  
Page 9 has me tearing up. This woman understands, I think to myself. Not yet finished the first chapter and I am excited  - beyond. I'm reading things that sound like  what I have been living with for over the past 5 years.  I feel hope. 
I was told Dr.s can't help me anymore. I guess what I was told was Traditional Western Medicine can't help me anymore. 
New thinking can. 
I was really excited about one Dr. and thought I'm going to e him! - only to find he had died :(  Thank God he started and planted the seed he did.

Tomorrow I have decided to share a vid. I made for Dr.s  to see what I am experiencing. 
It is an attack that I get when just sitting. It is incredible pain, constant zapping and when done - I feel exhausted. It happens all day  every day for over the past 5 years. It drives me crazy - I'm working, painting, drawing living and I have this constant poking in my head.
It also FEELS much worse than it looks. I have learned to sit almost still and ride them out, one because they are so common and 2 because I don't want my guys to see how bad it is.
Simple. 

What stops me is VANITY.  I was thinking - someone will turn me into a memee and it will be a FB funny. Oh well- Then, I am still making people smile. Right? lol  
That can not/does not hurt me. What hurts is this constant zapping all day.  Its 8a.m. I've been up since 6 and my face is throbbing - time to seriously start medicating.  
This - has made me stronger. 
The only fear I have is the fear of  leaving my son/husband- I know that sounds 'selfish', but I also know Storm is a strong, smart and will be fine. He will do what he has to do. Norm never stops, Norm will never stop.  ;) 
It plays on me & how can it NOT!?  I am literally zapped hundreds of times a day with a few doozies - that keep me wondering if 'today's the day'.  
So, I'm putting it out there... tomorrow.

I'll include a link for you to see of what my daily life is like has been the past 5 years +
not for pity but to raise awareness.  DID you know there are medications that cause terrible side effects that DO NOT GO AWAY.  If anything - If I make people think- read the side effects - search for healthier alternatives - then that is the purpose.  
Today is a warning I guess.
Some would rather not know or see. You see it could easily be... you.
That's o.k., You have to be where you are. xox  

Today I paint my first bird! 
I've learned I'm partial to passerines! LOL!  
Today I continue to change my brain! 
Today God gave me another day to have some fun!

Have faith xox  
<><

Some days I decide what to draw, other days the drawing decides for me!  
I was cleaning and saw this on the fish tank of all places!  The fish are outdoors for the summer - soon to come in and I looked at the tank! There was this toon! 
Inked. Not colored.  Screaming: Finish me PLEASE!  
Another of the ones I wish you could see as the white leaves are painted on with a thicker paint and really pop.  It was drawn to be a mental reminder to myself. 
These simple rules -when we remember to apply them can be life changing. 
They don't assume has eliminated so much drama from my life.

When my brain starts to take over; why did they not return the call, what is going on, Is she pissed at something I said..  lol we all do it. Well many of us do, until we try to tame the beast called brain.. 
I can see clearly now .. the brain is gone! ;D hahhahahaaa
So NOW I ask.  No more assuming. It drains the brain, creativity, passion and energy.
 I'd rather ask, find out and deal and/move on.   
Sometimes that's just what we do  MOVE on.  
Focus on what brings us peace and let all else go.   
The book: The 4 Agreements
http://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements-introductory-video/

My mom called at 9 and offered to take us for lunch for Storms B-day. We went to this great sushi place in Newmarket. You use an ipad to order and send and the food comes.
It was delicious. Everything - well  the soup had cilantro - I do not like cilantro.  I highly recommend.  The name...  Cynthia's Paradise.
We had a great lunch, Storm will be 22 on Monday! ;D
 
Tomorrow a cannabis related cartoon. 
xox <>< 

I Love to READ.
It is a luxury I have experienced 'not' being able to use the past few years, off and on.
A GIFT I have decided, so I read every morning. 
Something positive. 
Set the mood for the right mind.  
I just finished and throughly enjoyed The Shoe makers Wife. 
Thanks Carm! xox I love a good book referral! 

I am currently reading A New Earth  By Eckhart Tolle.   ;) 
My mind has to read it over a couple of times at times! LOL  
I Am inspired and enjoying. 
Clearly, this Laughing Buddha appeared after reading it yesterday morning. 
As I was painting it I kept thinking of my friend Jodie.
She has helped me...    become conscious.  

I wish you could see it in person. I can not scan it 'exactly'.
It has special Gold paint that you see in the fire that rises up to the stars.
And the sky looks funky here - "oh, bother..."  lol
I don't care and neither will Jodie. 

The quote.. is true. In my opinion.  ;) 
Amen.

Have Faith <>< 

Oh,  I read FLUFF!!  
LOL My friend Cathy wonders how we can be friend with the 'stuff' that I tell her I read- much of it for 'work/inspirtion' can be from political to plant life.  BUT in BETWEEN I read Fluff!!  My next is a book from Cathy about the beach and love..  sounds like good stuff fluff to me.