Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh my!!
Rattlesnake & Coyote & Poppy Bye Bye!

On 3 separate occasions people have come up and warned me about Poppy.
I get it and THANK you.  
I was picking a flower today and Poppy was with me, on her leash but still... I was'nt paying attention to her- this Cali foliage has got me 'cra cra ' lol .. I heard "Mam....  Mam... (in a southern drawl)  You need to pay attention to your dog! My dog and I were attacked by 3 coyote the other day!"  She then proceeded to pull out this really cute portable Tazer!! Pink - at that  "I got it on Amazon, you should pick it up, keep it in your hand or purse.. those coyote would steal her up in a second!"  I thanked her- told her I was visiting from Canada - and then she blurted out - "Well then, You better pay attention to the rattlesnake too!"  
OH My gouache! lol   Where are the squirrels when you need them?  
Come to think of it, I have not seen a squirrel.
Tons of tiny lizards- I wish I could catch one for a better look! Bunnies, BEEs, birds.. 
Behind the house is a walking path - amazing views & plants and it leads to a park or you can take it to 'Salt Creek Beach 2.5 miles' I plan on getting up early tomorrow and walking it!  Me & Poppy.  Now we have our whistle (also advised by the lovely stranger), and a walking stick with a  strap! To whack at coyote,  there are many people on the path as well.   We won't see a Coyote (God's got my back- Poppy's too) but we're just gonna play it safe...  a backpack so my hands are free.  We're good to go! & I've painted  new TINY ART drop! I'm so happy a little girl found one- she inspired me to paint  "more fun" than a pelican. 

& WE GO everywhere together! We went to the Movies & watched a movie with Salma Hayek & John Lithgow (I think they are both terrific).. the movie made me cry a couple of times & it touched a nerve with me. ;(  I knew what was coming at the end & just wanted to get out of the theatre. I highly recommend it.  
I am a big believer in fate as was Salmas character.    & love..   & healing.
I don't understand much it appears sometimes and get incredibly frustrated at events or people that enter my life - for a reason presumably - I know God has a plan..   What it is - I give up.  I surrender. I can't even pretend to guess.   
Later while I lay in bed...  I  wished I hadn't seen the movie.

Poppy had a tear in  her eye at the end of the movie- I think it's because she was enjoying the air conditioned room so much and knew we were leaving. lol  
** I had a comment here but removed it as it might 'spoil' the movie**
BEFORE I agreed to this invite I asked my friend "Do you support Trump?"
Had he said 'yes, I'd of said 'no.  Fact. 
I  don't speak Trumps name around here.. I am clearly amongst supporters.

Today were just going to sit out back, listen to the birds and paint & ponder. 
This 'fate stuff' got me all confused today... time to sample some new cannabis I picked up and just enjoy the sunshine and let God do the rest.
I have faith God won't let me down.
 
With Love
​g

Poppy & I visited the Gerry Museum  #gettyinspired is correct- First of all- THANK YOU!
This California Museum is like no other I visited and it's FREE!! YEP! You pay parking $15. (same as at home) - that's it.  It has a bit of everything! Furniture, clocks, glass, statues, architecture, incredible views - it's endless! All stunning but..  I was moved to choking back tears when I entered the Impressionist painting room. Oh my gouache!!!  As soon as I spied the Vincent Van Gogh Irises - I could hardly contain myself!! Thank you Google  Culture for this: Check out this link and click on the painting!   My huge painting easel is going to get such  work out when I get home - it was all I could not to break out my paint box!
The strokes UP close - thinking what was he thinking when he painted this... I felt him - for only a few seconds and my heart has been forever touched.  Emotions arose that have not.
If I lived here- it would be someplace I would visit regular and just sit and stare in the impressionist room.  You can walk right up to the painting to lean in and look at the detail. Thank you California for this, what a gift you give to the rest of the world, sharing art for FREE! They also let you download art and see for free!
​But it gets better.. I know hard to believe right?

I turned the corner and there was this room - with art and statues and drawing easels!! You mentioned to the woman & she would give out paper & supplies and  you get to sit and draw- no line up- on a Saturday at a FREE museum. wow. Of course I did. If you make it to the California area and do not visit this museum it will be your loss- Just look at the views alone:

Indoor and outdoor there is so much to look at. I am grateful for the education.
Btw- Poppy loved it! Several people - which I found very amusing were not taking photos of art but Poppy, she is incredibly behaved - it  really amazes people, jumps on my lap when ever I sit and sits quietly. She also pee's on command... TRAIN YOUR DOGS & you will be happy! Both! When we wanted a break I'd take her outside and tell her to Pee and she would, all good.  lol    Poppy & I at the Getty!  History was made.
​Give Thanks! 

All that painting I was Getty Inspired ! 
lol - I did paint this little loon with some fresh bud on his back & in his beak... just for fun!
I did leave a little painting at the Getty my first art drop! & another on my walk this morning, more on that tomorrow!  
It's time for more California dreaming..
about what ?  
Hmmmmmmmmm... that's for me and Poppy to know and you to soon find out! lol

With Love
g

We are here in sunny California! From the moment we arrived at the airpot - we got in line.. 
Poppy was a star - I realized she  relieved herself at 6 before we left the house.. then not agin until we arrived in California! She lines up with me- never made a peep- ignored all who tried to get her attention - she was my working girl! People loved watching her walk down the isle of the plane looking for our seats, as the plane took off - she looked out the window- lol , not sure what she thought about that. I am blessed with this little companion.  As soon as we arrived we had lunch with my friends son at our first patio restaurant! It was really nice, it made me feel super welcome. 
​
What's up California - No dogs on the beach?  Feathers that! I'm smuggling her Sunday for the day! Salt Creek Beach - we walked it today and it is lovely!! I also was fortunate to watch my friend Sam and his 3 long time buddies play a game of tennis. I kinda felt special sitting on the court watching these gentlemen play a private game for just us.  Wishing I could still hold a racket-  lucky for them I can't (I warned) I'd show them a tennis trick or two... lol  What pleasure to meet Dave, Harold & Jack!  

It was also a pleasure meeting Scott! From Buds & Bloom  My first visit to a California Dispensary - a beautiful one at that and I was a kid in a fricken candy store! Scott was incredibly helpful & nice, we hit it off instantly.   Talk about a lovely dispensary with an array of products like I've never seen.  We picked up an assortment to say the least, I will share with you later after I've tested' a few.  I am so incredibly grateful for being able to access medicine which I need and it frustrates me - all the legal bull.   I read today Alcohol is responsible for more hospital admissions than heart attacks! WTF? Cheers.  
Thank God Cannabis will be legal soon and more will switch over I pray.  ***Alcohol poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, liver disease, chronic alcohol abuse and other conditions that are "100 per cent caused by the harmful consumption of alcohol" accounted for about 77,000 admissions, according to a report released Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).***

Last night we also had the pleasure of seeing Gordon Lightfoot! Imagine me having to wait to see a Canadian in California! He was terrific! He is getting UP' there for sure. Aren't we all'...
It was a lovely evening.  I've not painted much yet, just warm ups.  Theres too much to see and do! Tomorrow is another day- I can't wait. 

With Love
g

nWhat adventure awaits around the corner?! I'm not sure but I AM ready to find out!
By the time you read this I will be HIGH  up in the air!  Weeeeeee! Am I excited or what!
Feathering Cali!? Orange County no less!
I'm about to meet a long time friend of 20 years!  We've never met but have e mailed off and on over the years - when he e mailed me not on ago- How'd you like to come to California for a visit?  

Not a month later - I'm about to board a plane!
For how long- who knows ;)  A couple weeks at least.
I'm going to Miss Scruffy, Daisy & Bird butI know they are going to be looked after safe at home. Poppy & I  will look after each other.   

What an adventure it's going be - I KNOW.  
I'm not sure about blogging or e mail but do have my IG account set up.
I have  new work I can't wait to share..  Bear is ready.
I am too! 

God let me know I was going on an adventure...  about a year ago.
It's going to be more than I possibly can even imagine!!!

With Love
g

My paint box! I told Storm I'd rather be naked the the airport lose my paints!
Will you see me on the beach naked painting or not?... time till tell.

With Love.
g