It's the year of the rat!  
I'm not fond of rats even tho they are just bigger cute mice. lol
I got to thinking about rats painting this and how rats convinced me to look further into cannabis when I started to research - long ago now, it seems.  There was  very positive scientific research on rats with cannabis - in particular the brain.  10 years later...
Rats are still showing the benifits of cannabis.  Humans too.   

I'm grateful humans have been helped by animal studies.. although I'm not fond of animal research for things like makeup..  things they do to animals in the name of OUR vanity is very despairing.  Thank you creatures great & small for your lives, taken by humans.

Reading about the new flu out of China is also depressing..  I've been watching the numbers rise and now a confirmed case in Canada. Many are paying attention. TIS the season anyway- so if you are sick STAY away from others, including me.  
No hugging - tis not the season to HUG!  Cover your mouth if you  are hacking, thank you. 

It's hard to 'imagine' as I look out at this beautiful wonderland  that anything awful is happing anywhere in the world.  It snowed - again.. I just had to take the girls out for a walk & the bluejays came too - I can't believe how many were shouting  "Good Morning!!!" 
​Snow shoes - I MUST get some or I'm not walking far - talk about a workout.
 2020 will be a terrific year for Cannabis & rats...     both a part of life. 

I'm painting another portrait - I asked a friend if I could paint his daughter since I don't have any children... Im excited to start- mostly because it will be a "fun' portrait using a bit of imagination.   Do what you love.

God wants us to to be JOYFUL! 
Be still & know. 

With TLC & THC
​Georgia

Norms got wood.   Heeheehee.
That he has! Chop wood - carry water! 17 acres.

I think I captured Norm pretty good. It made me giggle as I painted him & his Mona Lisa smile.  Is he... I'm not sure.

I thought of all the good qualities as I painted Norm - especially his work ethic. 
I'm grateful he is such a hard working guy.. money comes - goes, this we have witnessed in 27 years together.  When it goes - you get to work. Both of us.
We all know several who  give up...  go deeper in debt, commit crimes to get ahead etc  & you must WORK. It's that simple.  

Not only is he a hard worker he is creative & handy to have around - just ask all the ladies who ask him if he's for hire - can they have his card.  When he's not working for work he works for me and has a list of others waiting for him to do some work.  

Thankfully he married an incredibly creative partner (heehee) so we make quite the team.  No, it's not all roses in this relationship - we still pluck out the occasional thorn but when it comes down to it - we make a creative team who happens to  like to work with wood & heat out house with wood, build furniture- build studios! Wooo Hooo.  Norms got wood.
Notice he's handy and carved a little bird on top of his wood. 
He would...  for me - if I asked.  

He makes me pretty much all I ask & these adjustments for my arthritis, I would be struggling with a few things if not fo this handyman who lives in our home.
He has 'McGyvered' my pickup handle so I can drive, the drier & fridge have big custom handles to easily open, the woodstove has a new handle (no more burnt nuckles for me) and I even have a sweet little 'custom wagon' I use to pull laundry and other things around the house.  I'm grateful for Norm & he is grateful for me.  I remind him of this all the time.  ;D

What would I tell my youngerself...  Nothing.
It appears God knew better than I all along & gave me the 'perfect partner.
Afterall together - we made Storm.  
It doesn't get much better than that.

Who's next?    I am really enjoying painting protraits! 

with TLC & THC
​Georgia 

Do you know why I painted the Tinman? I figured it out.... Watching OZ.
I had to watch it - WOW. Comfort food- this is my comfort movie.  
Koala Bears, Kangaroos burnt stuck to barb wire fences.  Insert sobbing emoji here.
Trump... All of them.  SARS..  Cowabunga.
Bring me to OZ. 

I looked for an image to "do my part" paint & perhaps raise a bit of money to contribute to - to what?  There's nothing left at this rate. 
& WTF is wrong with the rest of the world?
Could we NOT stop it IF we all tried?
Can we not ALL fly over firefighting planes to put it out?   ???????? 
NOW. 

How about California, Arizona?  All these hot, dry states... do you continue to water those lovely lawns? What IS IT GOING TO TAKE? Are threats of BOMBs, disappearance of animals & countries burning not enough? Eh? 
Oh no.. I guess not - it will be too expensive - says the $$$$$$$$ GLOBAL government' .

I wonder how much the Ontario Cannabis -whatever- made when they sold out of edibles the first day in HOURS.  Much like our LCBO - the biggest monopoly in the world I recall reading somewhere...  research it.  Please continue to support your LOCAL tiny mom & pops before the mom & pops are all gone.

You all know how I love Justin.. but 2 private jets Justin?  
I do think he is the best still for Canada..  he has just as much to lose as the rest of us. MORE.  Lord knows he has much more to think about than the rest of us...  
God bless. YOU should be - he is doing what he believe is the best for all of us.. he can use the support I imagine. I like that beard.  
I like 'neat' beards... I realized. 

Not paying our teachers what they deserve but paying for daycare while they strike - speaks VOLUMES. WTF?  Paying hockey players >INSANE<  (key word)  amounts while our future generations struggle... is - FUCKED UP.

Yep, I'm painting the Tinman.  I'm hibernating.  Praying & Painting.
Next who knows..   just know I'm painting & praying.

With TLC & THC
​Georgia

Treasures from God..   Rocks, seeds, birds & the bees.
Open your eyes & see all the beauty and treasures around you.  
I do. 

This box took a week!  All on it are 'Ontario' related from the Beetle to the Morel so it took a bit of research.. then it took time just painting each tiny box - is a tiny canvas. I took all the drawers out to paint them and must share - there is one spot that only takes ONE drawer.
Amusing...   Frustraiting!  It took me about 15 tries to figure it out.  lol I had to make sure I did not have two brown items side by side.. then I had to touch up the edges that hold the boxes.   The tops & sides have been painted as well - a bit of an illusion happening.

This box turned out sweeter than I imagined ;) It will hould treasures that will be found on everyday journeys.  It 'kinda' made me wish I had a grandchild to give it to. hee hee hee
Would I want a grandchild?  ;(    I don't know some days...

What a weekend - it was one of those days & this moring I noticed  I'm feeling aggitated.
It's beautiful here, Norm & I had a terrific weekend - except for the Nucular Power plant melt down warning.  LET me tell you first hand, when you hear that signal on the radio
and those words uttered, you stand still and think WTF?
I looked at Norm & thought where's Storm?   Not in Ontario.
I was actually grateful instantly, thinking: he'd be spared.
That's what happens - in less than a minute  -  Ooooops.. false alarm! Yippie!!! 
Thank God.
WTF!!!?  So there's that.. 

A plane 'shot' out of the sky killing countless Canadians and more. WTF? 
Human ERROR!?  I can't even think about it without tearing up.
Who's to blame - TRUMP!
The animosity he creates at this point simply by breathing is obvious. Countries are shouting 'Death to Americans' in the streets.  The anger he generates - he is the fuel for the flame. The familys suffering with the loss of loved ones - shot out of the sky... knowing it was a "mistake".  I can't even pretend to imagine how they feel.

Yep, no wonder I'm feeling slightly down today.  
Time to focus on God.  Pray for good.  
Grateful to be alive - thankful to be feeding &  painting the birds at the feeder.
Thankful for you - who is still alive & reading this post.  

We all have another day to try to be better, to serve &  another day to SHINE.
I can't wait to find treasures to fill the drawers! 
​
With TLC & THC
Georgia

How cold is it?  -24 yesterday - NOT including the windchill!
​Brrr & more on the way this weekend. 
Am I cold - NO!  First, I am the firemaster! lol  
I get up every morning & get the fire going at 5.  
My job - Norm does the chopping & stacking - I keep it going.  Team work.  
Norms task became much easier at Christmas - our son who remarked he was concerned about me keeping warm -  & he made sure I'm not.  Storm bought his dad a wood splitter  making the job much easier & faster.  Norms was thrilled...  chop wood -  carry water! 

I was shocked when I opened my gift to find a Canada Goose parka! Expedition version - lots of pockets for sketchbooks,  camera, cell phone, bank card,  dog treats, peanuts & more for when I go on an expedition on our property,  I can now explore in the winter!!
It's much easier to see in the woods & see me in my bright RED parka.
  
Storm knows I LOVE to feed the birds & want to walk the dogs. My last coat - forget it..
Too cold, I was house bound. No more!  Yesterday in -24 I took a stroll with Daisy (the others find it too cold)  and we loved every moment.  Winter is beautiful - especially on a sunny day. I was cold - well my hands were- I could only take off my mitt (to take photos) for a few seconds before they became painful.  
With Trigemenial neuralgia - I also have intense face pain in wind and cold,  I could'nt believe it - I didn't feel a thing other than comfortable, warm & happy.
I love my son... my son loves me.  ;)  
Truly the greatest feeling to have on this planet. To be loved.

I posted on IG and instantly had someone start posting negative comments about my parka someone I've know for years & have always tried to friend, acknowledge, encourage & try to reach out to... NEVER once has this person (in YEARS)  commented  anything positive on my art or anything. I don't think she's even 'Liked' anything. Yet within seconds, 5 comments on my coat and how terrible it was.  "Ironic, I was for wearing it to feed the birds..."  FUCK that!  

I messaged her right away and told her to "Fuck off."   Don't USE me for your sounding board.   She was MISERABLE & the comments were nasty, sure enough when I called her on this behaviour her excuse - "My cat died..."  & she "was'nt getting any compassion from anyone"  on social media on her post -  WOW.  Go figure. 
So, that was exactly what hapened - she was in a shit mood and decided to VENT on my page. FUCK that.   There is a delete button for a reason.
USE it. Don't allow it... would they behave this way in person?
Probably not.  Had she wanted to have a conversation & sent me  a private message - expressing her 'displeasure,  yes.. I might have reacted differently but still would have told her to fuck off & go focus on something that is killing humans.  I also asked if she commented on everyones page she see's with a Canada Goose parka - nope, I was just the lucky 'friend'  she decided to take her frustrations out on.    Unfriend. 

Fuck off.  Open your eyes & mind-  the fucking president of the USA is locking kids in cages, blowing people up, people are dying at the border, gun violence is out of control - the word "war" is mentioned far too often these current days BUT you're going to call me out on my coat - because YOU are unhappy?  
FUCK OFF.  

I love my coat - I love my son more for the thought of wanting to keep his mom warm in this extremely cold Canadian weather. Tomorrow they have a weather warning again...
I'm not worried.
I know I'll be warm with the coat I'm wearing & the LOVE that inspired it. 

Next -  'Gods Treasures box! It took me a week to complete this last painting project.
I can't wait to fill it with treasures from God.  D
A few photo of Doggo & I's adventure below .. I like the last photo & her idea.. lol

​with TLC & THC

These two make me smile. I love them both, very much.
The bird & the Boy.  

Bird flies free but we catch him (regular) to check on him for emergency reasons, teach him to get in his cage, clip his nails.. it's good to handle your bird so they don't freak out.  
Bird gets extra excited when Storm visits us! Just like me! lol
He zips around the room - smacking us on the head during a fly bye' and 'flipping us the bird in between to get our attenetion,  it makes us all laugh.  Bird is a cheeky boy.

Storm, our son is also a cheeky boy - aren't all sons?  
They know how to get us going & make us, mom' n particular laugh.  This last visit was no exception. It didn't last nearly long enough.  Knowing how busy Storm is, we're grateful he visits as aften as he does.  Now, I have this painting to make us smile - he caught bird, I captured a photo & feel - I caught the mood with the painting - it works for me.
Two birds with one stone! Two loves of my life in one canvas.

I greatly appreciate them allowing me to use them for 'portrait practice'...  
I don't know what Storm thinks but Bird thinks he's slimmer & needs a little more yellow. Everyone is a critic.

I'm not sure who's next - I think I'll work from a photo & suprise the person with it when complete.

Sunday, I spend with God & creating God focused art which I'll share on sundays for a little inspiration - should you feel you need some. Exploring - surrounded by birds - time to plan the next canvas! How about you?  What are you creating?  
​
Have you made your vision board for this year? Proven to work. Just sayin...  
I drew me on this property.  Hee hee.

With TLC & THC.
​G

Creativity inspires - more creativity.  I prefer this mask to the first, less mushroms yet - visually more appealing. To me.

Another painting is waiting to be started.  The canvas told me what to paint when I glanced at it.
​Talk about a no brainer. 

Read. Research - anything and it will inspire more ideas. Education is the key to everything.  The more I know the more I want to know.

Next.. a portrait.
Title: Cheeky Boys


with TLC & THC 
​G

Out with the old & in with the new!  New year!
New home, new town, new creativity!
Excited for 2020 - Absolutely!
Excited for every day.   
Thank God.  Truly.

Some Yoda wisdom.  
I wonder what yoda would tell his younger self?
2020 will be the year to wake up... one way or another.
We are all connected.

So far 2020 is fantastic! 

with TLC & THC
​G