8 Painted turtles waiting to be painted - a busy day today!
The first is alwasay the most fun - the first is the prototype and fun! The first takes the most thought, once I decide on colours I let loose.. these turtles take a long time, nice & slow.

What ant adventure these houses have been.  God puts everyone in our path - I'm happy Tom & I have had this creative experience it's pushed me 'out of the box or out of the House'.   I'm thinking FOX next.  
Once painted I deliver them back & Tom works diligently to promote, sell & raise $.
All $ raised from the sale of the birdhouses is  donated to local charities.  I don't care who he chooses... I'ts all good - I'm happy to contribute. & make people smile with a cold bird house! I'm told they make lovely gifts.  ;)

I've quite to collection myself now - who knew.  I think I might build a 'birdhouse Arch' to put them all on: Snoopy, fish, loon, chicken, bluejay, turtle & the original 2 painted poppy houses.  I can't wait for the birds to MOVE it!  Norm clear coats them - so they should be fine outdoors.  The Snoopy house stays in the studio.   

In the spring Tom will set up a display for passing tourists ;).  I've had several ask 'If we ship?  Sorry to say No, thanks for asking,  to box up alone - they are heavy, it would add easily $20 just to ship.  Im already thinking about the next creature, as long as Tom keeps up  I guess I will as well.  It's a gift when you can use 'your gift' to help others, I'm grateful for  the opportunity. 
 
How are you feeling in your bubble?
This made Norm laugh out loud when he noticed it.  ;)
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There's a flock of Bluejays ready to take off - I’ve enjoyed the company of each one.
Here is the latest flock of bird houses ready to go - Tom & I took a break 
&  it’s a good time to mention Norm does the wood detailing for me- the heads and tails ;)

Each time I design one of these houses’ it’s already in my mind and the next is completely different & waiting… when will that be, I’m not sure.  IF you want one you should respond  quickly as they go fast. I had someone tell they were disappointed they could not buy a chicken in time. Chuck Cluck!   SQUAWK!! SQWAK!! is what the bluejays say!

Tom is still raising funds for the community, not an easy task during difficult times all around,  as long as he wishes to continue I will too,  by the Grace of God. 

I’ve been working on a very special project - Bible painting & it’s inspired a ‘few editorials, the bible is an interesting book, I’ve read it -  perhaps this is my 3rd time - each time it’s as if reading it through new eyes with a mew mind - I guess that’s true.  This time - is by far the most enjoyable, entertaining & thought provoking. ;)
 
I’ve got my birds all over my house! One of each - It will be fun when I actually decide where to put them all.  Tom will have these Bluejay birds Monday Afternoon - if interested- look up ‘Tom the Bird house guy in Minden’   He’s a nice man - say hello & please keep your distance, I want him healthy & building for a long time! ;)

SHOP, EAT, Explore… LOCAL.​
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Below -  Check out the lovely sunrise I witnessed!  
Amen.

These two, Ginger & Arrow - Love Hate.. relationship.
They are an endless source of entertainment, they love to bug each other and make no bones about it.  I love my dogs.   Isolation doesn't seem so isolating with them around me all day.  Nap times is especially fun, I have trained my dogs to nap when I nap - I go and get all snuggled in and it doesnt take 5 minutes before they all arive & snuggle in too - I thank God for them everytime.

Constant love, un conditional.  They are quick to forgive and so am I - with them.
Arrow will absolutly train me to paint black dogs better.

The USA & TRUMP - what can I say?  Not my monkies not my circus... I do agree with the opinion, had it been blacks or muslims who stormed the capital - bullets would have been used on them - instead of a glorified  bunch of redneck photo shoots.  When will it end? 
Imagine - the president of the Untited States of America-  has been blocked from Facebook & twitter - for being an asshole. It's an editorial cartoonist dream - or nightmare. 

I have 9 screeching 'BLUEjay bird houses' - on my kitchen table waiting for paint & then delivered to Tom in Minden by Monday- heads up for any that are interested. These custom team work bird houses have proven to be a hit & have helped raise money for the comunity- lots to sqwak about.   On the easel- a portrait- female.  On the desk- my next patio FUNGI  door lock/bar...

So much to paint - so few hours in a day. 
I love it when I wake up and my desk invites me to GET  CREATING
 In my tiny studio - big things happen!  

All Inmates are sitting ducks.
Do you know anyone in jail?  I do, several.
I know someone who is in jail for murder and a few in for stupidity, right now - they are all on death row with Covid -19.  "We are Out of sight & out of mind..."  my brother educated me  - who has time to think about people in jail when we are dealing with life let alone a pandemic ( & more). 

PLEASE remember & I stress this because I forget -  it's not only terrible humans, in jail where they belong, there are others that 'fucked up'.  We all do  at some point  but we all don't get caught.  Perhaps something like fraud, theft, not pying bills.. impaired (I am NOT justifying any crime)  ...who knows - JUST not people that physically hurt others are now isolated, locked up & just like all  us, concerned about covid... with not even a window to crack  open  in facilaties with circulated air and poor hygene.   Not good.

Apparently inmates are being kept seperate when first entering cell blocks.. how seperate can that be.  There are old guys in there, not well in poor health...  
I don't know... are they safer? They at least have meals daily and a roof over their heads.  Court dates pushed back  (why are they not ZOOMing court) yet every day in jail -during covid - makes up for a shorter sentence. I think one day in jail with covid will be considered 2.5.. something like that.   - Do you know why, I don't remember exactly?
I'm not locked in a cell during a pandemic.   Inmates  are counting the minutes, not days or months.   WE are free - still you and me, don't forget it.
Give thanks.  Stay out of trouble.

Perhaps  you could think of someone in jail and reach out and say  'hello'.
Send a funny card- I dont think they can get cards.. but you can write letters!
I've actually had terrific luck with what I send - it seems to get through & I thank God.  
I like to hear I make others smile, in particular those who might need to smile, most. 

Out of sight out of mind is sometimes a good thing - others times, not so much. 
Inmates are just like us, feeling at times (more than most of us) sad, loney and frightened.
No one wants to be a sitting duck.

I was up before Gloria! Painting cocks - Cockadoodledoooooo  & they turned out terrific these cockhouses will fly, I hope!  ALL proceeds to local charaties in Haliburton & Minden & surrounding areas.      -Do what you can do - cockadoodle dooo!

With THC & TLC
Me 

Never say never.. maybe you don't someone in jail,  I use to think like that.. then I've witnessed several go to jail this lifetime.  It's sad - always sad,  even the ones 'I think' belong. 

Painting paddles pondering pandemics -is what I've been doing.. how about you?
So much on my mind... I've decided to add some in point form.
First-  YAY! I found a place to purchase paddles! & I might add - have a peek at the website as - I believe a custom paddle would be a lovely gift (made in Canada) treasured and enjoyed for generations- and the website lets you customize! No, I doubt Corey will paint them for you - hee hee  Corey is the guy making paddles and he's very kind, I called and stated I wanted 'plain paddles' to paint - he had varnished, I said my hubby will have to sand... but Corey took upon himself to sand them for me!  I'm thrilled and was painting MY paddle late into the evening - a loon on one side & bear on the other for when I want to switch it up ;)    now to get busy a couple are Christmas gifts, one will be painted to donate to raise funds & a couple will be painted to sell.  

-All the loon bird houses sold-  yay! That was fast,  the next set: Cockhouses   lol
     should be completed mid week- ready for sale! 
-It snowed! Goats & chickens do not like snow.
-Do you understand that vaccines are a business - like anything else?
-Alcohol abuse is up as is  domestic & child abuse.  A young boy is dead & police officer shot locally, I  don't know he details  I wonder if alcohol was involved.  
-I HIGHLY reccomend you watch this interview- knowledge is power & isn't this topic something we should ALL really be looking into?
https://www.rebelnews.com/rocco_galatis_lockdown_lawsuit_ezra_levant_interviews_constitutional_lawyer_suing_trudeau_tam_john_tory_and_more
-I will NEVER dehorn a goat after what I have read - NEVER.
-Norm gave the dogs the worst toy- it scares the fuck out of me almost daily but is funny.
-I'm skipping Christmas,, maybe just a tiny tree - from our property -only if in way of trail.
-I'm painting items for my home -it's going to be colourful & painted with TLC in every corner.
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puzzleThat's Tom! The Bird house guy... he builds em & I paint em Eh! lol
I love the newest BIRD house -  A loon!  
It's become my own personal challenge to make each bird house better than the last & enjoy what I'm doing.  Can you tell?  Tom enjoys keeping busy - we finally met & instantly 'hit it off' as did his lovely wife & I... I knew we would.  Each loon is different- I paint 4 at a time & I keep one.. so if you like a loon you better hurry!  I am very tempted to keep all these loons- they'll look so neat up on a post.

There are ways we can still help each other.. Volunteer your services!
We voluntered the Bumble display & are thrilled.. we can actually hear' how happily it's being received in the community.  Making others smile' is powerful stuff.

Stay in & stay safe - stay creative! Are you prepared for this winter? It's going to be a terrific time to learn a new hobby, start a new puzzle, knit a new sweater (I wish), paint a new masterpiece! I'll definately be painting a few more bird houses.

5 minutes after I posted yesterday - Norm came in with Gloria under his arm! YAY!!  lol   Thoughts of Gloria freezing in the woods in -12 weather  was upsetting.
20 minutes later I was making a 'Free to a Good Home.. ASSHOLE Rooster', sign.  It's how they got out - from Gloria picking on Foghorn and he will win- he is easily 3 times Foghorns size - He's a big beautiful bird black (green in the sunlight) but he is too big for my tiny chickens- want a rooster?  
It has forced us to have a farm conversation.. if we can not find a home for Gloria, I guess he should end up in our freezer.    I was warned about roosters...  did you know it is hard to tell the difference when they are small chicks.  I know, now.
Gloria is also nasty twoards the small dogs - Daisy has alwasy had it 'out for Gloria'- I wonder if animals know which animals are assholes?   I think so.  For now - Gloria is safe, warm & fed in the zen hen den... for now. 

Next  How Kermit & I feel about all this covid crap.

Well the pup is officially part of our pack... it follows us everywhere (mostly Daisy) and is learning the property & routine - Up & Out with the chickens.. The photo above cracks me up - This is Ginger snuggling & trying very hard to be a good girl and like her 'baby sister- who has tripled in size since we brought her home.   Puppies are like a 2 year old on roller-skates and they try intentionally to constantly test.   

Arrow comes to her name, sits. gives paw..and knows "NO!"  There are times when I call her- she looks at me and runs the other way- what will happen? On the leash she goes.  Norm attached a lead that goes right to the door - hooked on and put out - where she seems to enjoy this lovely cooler fall weather.  Fall! It's so beautiful - yellow and red leaves.

There's an old guy up here building birdhouses and raising money for charity -I like how he thinks so I approached him with a collaboration ;)  Since I'm painting anyhow...  Bird houses, I've painted them and am giving  3 back (keeping one- cause I love birds!) Hopefully he can raise a bit extra with these custom houses.  I painted 4 all the same - Poppies - for Remembrance day- which won't be celebrated as it usually is.  I think I'll paint four more- Algonquin themed.  So - IF you are local & want ONE of these custom painted  - Limited edition of 4 (one is gone) Poppy houses - go see the Bird house Guy!  
In Minden (near the legion) tell Him Georgia sent you. I hope they sell fast & I'll paint more
if he needs more. 

Norm said his shop is the same size as my studio - tiny and he's an old guy -so this is  his hobby - what a great idea.. so many can be doing more... not just for the pandemic but to 'help in general. This helps several ways- raising money  & having colorful bird houses - for the birds! It's a win win! 

BTW- I can't get over how well these houses are made - he even has air vents just under the roof. Intentional!  They are not able to open for cleaning as Norm pointed out- so what- I reminded him,  we never cleaned out any of our past houses and always had many birds- who has time to clean bird houses- in a perfect world perhaps.

Yes, this pup is WORK right now and I have thought during a moment of exhaustion - did you need this? lol   Yes.  I know that our new family member will be a lovely trained girl soon enough, she already makes us laugh and is fitting in well- Poppy loves her- I've never seen Poppy give another dog - kisses'  - it's so cute.   Time to paint a happy fall image. 

Have a lovely fall Y'all.

​Georgia 

I have birds in my garden!  Humming birds, bluejays - the grackles left! Yay! -about a month ago actually, I was happy they left, gluttons & bullies.  I stopped feeding the birds after I saw the bear.  I only put out peanuts when I hear the jays and black seed for the chickadees, nuthatch & niger seed  (we bring the feeders in at night - we as in Norm) (lol) -which is getting hard to get and more expensive - as is all seed due to COVID.  
Have you noticed prices rising?  You will if you buy tuna.   We have Eggs! 
According to Norm: Good luck getting pressure treated wood, which puts us in a predicament when wanting to build a small deck to hold the sauna... third world problems, I know.

I do know...  It's depressing, it's reality... the resaon they are eatting dogs in Korea is hunger.  Africa too, due to the current locus pandemic' has predicted food shortages, which will be felt (as in hunger) very soon.  I've been reading less because it can cause me to feel - helpless.  Reading about continue avoidable deaths because people still refuse to wear masks, is depressing. Masks on toddlers - good luck.. back to school anxiety is going to be like NEVER before.  I cried putting Storm on that bus, I can only imagine how moms will feel putting the kids on the bus now AND when they get off the bus - back into the family homes - some with grandparents. Homes of the near future might have instead of mud rooms - detox rooms. This on going 'covid consideration' is mentally & physically exhausing.  

I was living covid style long before it was cool- hahaha! Norm laughed.
I now see trees instead of humans. Personally, it's been the best year in a long time - I thank God (really) as I have been praying exactly for this & world peace!  So, yes, I still have hope.. I'll go do my part- at least I can make a few smile, if not feed the world... I'll cut myself some slack.   ;)  I'll continue to ask myself... is this a 3rd world problem I am dealing with? 
No?   Thank God,  and get busy, solve it, stop bitching  and be joyful , simply to BE!  
At least in Canada we are not eating DOGs (better not be) & Trump is NOT our soon to be REMOVED president.  Yay & Yay!!!

Time to create.
No birds in my garden -  (I really miss bird), I think I will notice more this winter.. glad I have a pup arriving soon. I have seen a squirrel hide a nut or two in my plants pots! Thankfully - all is growing great.  
Another classic 'couple' next,  can you guess?  

With THC & TLC
​Georgia

Bird died.   I cried.
I've had bird since January 2015, I trained him to fly free - first in my office - then he'd explore my bedroom  & fly downstairs at the last house, when he wanted company.  Bird had a huge personality and would smack my guests on the head - if he liked you.. some it took months, others minutes before you'd be ducking as bird did his flyby'.   Bird hated when I cried.. he'd fly in my bedroom & stare (glare at me) as if to say: Enough.. get up and keep going.  

He'd call out!  Sounding like a car alarm and chirp until I'd say- I hear you bird!.. or I'm right here bird, come see me... & he would.  He's fly in my tiny studio & sit on my easel, desk lamp or his favourite spot - my tiny desk ROOR bong- lol (he love sitting on my bongs).   

Storm & I were able to hold bird and snuggle him and he liked it. I'd kiss him on his beek and he'd peck me back - very gently & he could pinch, if he wanted to.  Most amazing- Bird never flew away.  I would go out and wander in the woods only to return (hours later) & notice ! I forgot to close the screen door when I left! My heart would beat faster until I saw him. Usually sitting on top of his cage looking at me again as if to say: Where the fcuk did you go?! I was worried.  He also told me when the fire went out I guess sensitive to the heat from the chimney - he'd start chirping until I'd get up from my desk to see what all the comotion was about- until I noticed a pattern- It was time to throw a log on the fire. Ask Norm, he'll tell you - it's true.  

I cried until I gave myself a headache and fell asleep.  I'm still teary and can't help but notice the lack of  chirping & singing.. it will take a bit.  I knew it was coming tho.. I told Storm, when he was here: Birds not been himself lately.
He'd fly & land on the floor lately & that was not normal & he was not singing as much.
I read when I got bird,  they usually live 5 - 15 years.. I wished I had the 15.

The one thing that helps me is: I LOVED BIRD & BIRD knew it..  fresh hemp daily (organic),  fresh greens all year long! It was a given 'Birds salad'- always mixed greens - organic! He ate what ever I ate (mostly - only safe things)  because he could fly & was a powerful flier he did not get obese.  A slice of apple or pear daily, he loved sweet potato... so Bird was spoiled.  No wonder he never flew away.   I know I will miss him forever.. I do not think I can or will replace him. 

I was grateful that I started this  chicken painting "commotion in the coop" & decided to honour Bird, by NOT laying around feeling sad - paint.  
Charles Schults, said not being able to create at all times, was for amatures.
Our gift is never gone.  Learn to use it at all times & it will help you most through the most difficult times.  Life has bad days and good days and really sad days...  
God teaches us many lessons, for many reasons.  What did I learn.
I was good to Bird & Bird loved me as much as I loved his tiny little self.

I was educated on how  tiny Birds can love & care for us Humans... how many can say that?
Bird was  a gift from God I was incredibly grateful to experience.

with TLC & THC
Georgia
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Tweet Tweet! A Bird identy board for children - and adults too!
Simple, easy to read.. big (taller than me) and bold (not my usual canvas time allotment- hee heee) still - I think it turned out terrific - I'd like to see this somewhere if I was out wandering the woods. 

I made it with a specific spot in mind- a place where children visit.  If we help create a curiosity, if kids learn & have fun learning about birds- there MIGHT be hope. This board makes it easy to spot the differences..  not too complicated or detailed.  Grackles have appeared & the chick-adees gone.. but I know they will return all winter and spring, before the beasts (grackles) that walk the grounds return again.  It's 30 out (in the shade) & I completed the board in time for a nap- haha - as Norm insulates & roofs (rooves) the Chicken coop. I am absolutly making my chickens an identy board! 

Norms painting the inside and tomorrow I go in and decorate! Hang a few canvas... hang the   Roost branches.. hang the nesting boxes - the grit cups- I've been reading a lot about chickens. Apparently they like to lay eggs as soon as they are off the roost & the two should hang close, not close enough for them to think they can roost tho... we'll put the nesting boxes where the sun hits them in the morning. As I sing "Rise & Shine Mothers clickers!!" 
Good thing I'm an early bird they have to be let out in the a.m. & locked up in the P.M.

Time for me to start the next painting on a round canvas (for the house) titled:
 Commotion at the Coop! 

I plan on painting more Identify boards - different themes - I hope other artists will be inspired to do the same.  Come back and have a peek to see the rest- I think I'll make one for my property on edible mushrooms as I find them - with a warning that reads:

                                                NEVER eat a wild mushroom
                                                 IF you are not 100% positive
                                                          You could die.  

 When it comes to kids - never mince words.
​YOU could die. DONT eat - ever.  
​Simple, educational, colorful & fun.  Teach them young! 

Happy Fathers day! I might let Norm take the day off- not.   lol
When Storm visited, we also celebrated fathers day and all I will say...
Norm is one loved dad.   The coop ain't gonna build itself! 

To all the dads who don't give a shit about their kids or help out at home, or leave the wives/mothers -  at an alarming rate - according to statistics...
keep your pecker in your pants.    Problem solved.

To ALL the dads who ARE there... All the dads who teach their little humans to be better big humans - Amen!  To all the dads who teach their children - life is about real emotions and good & bad times...   To the dad who are active in their children lives - I think  you rock! 
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Thank you