The snow is melting..  and I’m praying that the sunshine, heat.. fresh air will curb covid.
We all need a break from covid. What a week  it’s been… I realized today after communicating with several -
I needed the reminded  - of whats important. 

A young friend is having emergency surgery soon (not her first) in pain, frightened no doubts, as her family must be..  It's times like this I wrestle with God, I don’t know how to cheer her up - what to paint.  An older friend  is not going to be with us much longer,  at one time we were planning a visit & now due to covid, borders, quarantine, timing… I realize it’s not a possibility right now. I don’t think she will make it until everything settles down, I don't even know what to say to her,  I'd like to give her hope..  
Another friend is 'chipper' but I can hear her sadness, still struggling from her mom passing  from covid..
others are  caring for family, friends and taken on much more than usual, with little chioce.

People say things I didn’t think they would & behave in ways I did not expect…  I remind myself of my own moods and outbursts lately, Norms got the brunt of  but he’s not the cause,  he's had his mood swings too, so 'we get it'.   It’s easy to be nasty,  it’s work to be positive.  
It’s work to keep painting & keep praying.  Social media in particular  I use as a distraction’.  I get frustrated with myself when I take a break, clean a brush, the next thing I know - I’m no longer considering the shade of yellow I should be using - I’m thinking about others art, lunch or  some cute dog I've just seen.  NOT looking at my own sweet beasts.

Peoplealready dealing with illness, sadness, divorce, death, depression, financial worries -  along came covid.   Covid adds  masks, judgement, vaccines, confusion, sickness, death, closures, uncertainty for everyone.  
I see we ARE all just walking each other home...  everyone has been effected. 

For my  friends concerned about the vaccine I suggest they do what ever is going to help bring them peace!   Will they feel safe if they get it - then get it!  A few, like me are wanting to wait , that’s fine too. I do understand older & ingenious people getting it as they are most vulnerable, it really is the ‘most personal choice’ I think many will have to face this year.

Norms busy & there's always wood to chop - it’s important for everyones  mental health to keep busy on projects, I think those struggling from who we communicate with, are those who appear to be watching too much news.  People who live in apartments for example have an entirely set of different issues to deal with & I can understand watching more T.V. if I was in that situation.  

Others I speak to that seem to be doing o.k.,  are those creating. Beading, painting, Cooking, zooming.. a friend has started painting' and another is doing diamond dots (seems to be a rage fro the pandemic)  another  has taken up Tai Chi  on zoom - lol  & several planning the garden! 
Planting the seeds to grow cucumber & love this civid summer.

I'm painting.  Currently starting  a large detailed painting on a different 'surface'  & taking a sabbatical while I do… I’ll stay off social media and focus on the shades of pink & yellow sky instead of someones lunch or new wardrobe or cute pooch.   I do want to show you my new paint,   I’m excited to try - hand crafted in small batches - Made in Canada - they just arrived today!  New gouache paintings soon.  BEAM paints 

I read that quote and couldn't help but think of the righteous branch - Cannabis.
Reminded for all the CHILDREN it helps to this day  (and adults) - now MORE than ever... & in our lifetime LEGAL - Miracles do come true!  Every day.  

I noticed when I moved here a common occurrence on the local radio station with constant negative  remarks towards cannabis...  one morning the "D.J" actually commented - it being pretty much a 'joke', that a cannabis worker - would be considered an essential worker. Wow ...   at a time when I know my son & all others are working record amount of hours, struggling like most other companies with all sorts of disruptions, employees health issues, concerns & more growing quality medicine… yes, to many is still is very much a MEDICINE.  
WHO is anyone to judge anyone for anything right now?  
Yet alone  what they choose to heal and help themselves with. I never heard them knocking opiates or alcohol, quite that opposite - the alcohol mentality flourishes, I had no idea the amount of alcohol songs even existed, let alone encouraged with a tune at 9 a.m. cheers, I see why it would be a constant problem for many struggling alcoholics, reminded all day long with song.    I’m pretty sure they understand the power of song.  Also ironic for any radio station, playing the music created by many of the artists who in fact used, promoted and were no doubts inspired by cannabis - to the point songs were indeed created in homage.  Slightly hypocritical - no?

I indeed contacted them and informed them of the importance of essential workers in the cannabis industry, and to please refrain from such remarks in the future.   I was made aware my opinion was not appreciated, probably not - I told them if they continued, I would report them… needless to say the remarks  seemed to have ceased.  I'm done with anyone thinking they can shame or judge anyone for their cannabis use anymore.  The fact that they STILL do only  displays a lack of education & compassion and really - is it a ‘wise’ move, at a time in Canada when Cannabis is absolutely a GROWING - thriving industry?  
More elderly than ever are using cannabis NOW to assist with chronic paint than ever - AMEN.  

Anyhow I’m grateful for the education and solved the issues easily…   
Inhale the good shit & exhale the bad shit - or simply ‘turn off & tune in’.  
Hello Alexa.  :)   Please play some lovely  music without all the judgemental bullshit.
For creating ‘art' (or anything)  the less distraction - ‘opinions of others’ when you are trying to create
 - for the creator…   the better.  
Listen to your heart. Listen to the Lord.  Listen to podcasts! lol 
I  prefer instrumental music best when painting.
Cannabis  is a gift from God.   Don’t let ANYONE shame you for being joyful’ that’s how cannabis makes countless feel… just ask those suffering with cancer.
Amen

There is much snow on the ground..  this is how I keep warm sitting at my desk looking out the window imagining bears...  I listened to a CBC Ideas podcast on a book called 'BEAR', By a woman , Canadian & takes place in Ontario, I am yet to find another woman/friend who has read it... interesting for such controversy as being 'risky'.   I ordered it from Masters Bookstore in Haliburton,  Kathy knew which book I was refering to, I should have asked her if she read it, tee hee - this amuses me- such a sweet lovely little lady.

I'm pleased the USA transfer of President' wen't peacefully, I hope.  

This vaccine business is confusing and not at all re-assuring.  Key word, business.
I'm grateful to all who work for all who don't, can't.  All.  Thank you. God Bless.
For all who work at/in hospitals.. and struggle & then must watch others go around  maskless, thank you.  

Today, I will try to paint something to cheer others up.

With THC & TLC,  Georgia

Today up at 4:44  ready to lite the fire, read & await this beautiful day.  Look out the window &  witness the winter wonderland we live in.  My warm up painting, an imagined Jesus, pondering the pandemic current milestone.
2,000,000.   2 Million dead in a year and the way the numbers are rising, it will only take another 3 months to reach another million milestone.  No, I'm not being a pessimist - I read.
Canada is not nearly over the HUMP or curve or what ever you choose to call it yet..   Maybe March.
Vaccine confusion - will we now get 1/2…?   Will 1/2 be good enough?   Will it work with the new strains? Will we have to take a vaccine every year from now on?  What will the side effects be?
The answers seem to be something like this: 
Perhaps, maybe,  we don't l know, there are no guarantees, some it won’t help.
God Bless you.

Hmmmmmm…  much to consider as I paint a bear in the woods.   

My newest Oar a Haliburton Fish caught in a local lake -there was a mix up because i forgot the print out & deleted the email - I thought it was a pike,  clearly I do not know my fish...  learning with each I paint.  I'm getting better at fish - I think.
This fish - was different with it's white dots- the background should not take attention away from his beauty, I thought.
This fish is  a 'Haliburton Gold Lake Trout, only caught here.  I'm not sure exactly where that "here" is,  so you'll have to figure that out if you hope to catch one.

It's off to the paddle Shop in Haliburton! 
It was very nice of the shop to provide paddles (& sanded them) for an affordable price - it's a creative painting surface &  delightful to design! AS soon as the pandemic is over - the Haliburton Forest paddle shop is on my to do list!   Follow them on instagram, I had no idea how much work goes into creating a paddle...  as well as the different style paddles with burned, stamped & painted enhancements.  

When the pandemic is over...
What will it take - IF they tell us to stay home to get it under control- "IT'S THE LAW" - stay the fuck home.  I don't get it .. whats the cost of covid?  A trip to the store for a bottle of booze & bag of chips?  A short visit with friends?  Running out for your Bingo sheets?  Essential services 'Extremely IMPORTANT'.  
According to the newest model of covid expected illness & death - vaccines won't help much at this rate.

Stay home.  Stay healthy. 

       I have some canvas- sketched on or painted that I use when I just want to 'experiment'..
this canvas was one, first it was ALL sun & sky... the I added the snow & trees, something was STILL missing. lol   Arrow.   This is what I see - as Arrow sits on the deck and watches... everything.

After my last blog Norm went out to get grocories & got stuck on the road just off the driveway, due to poor plowing build up, no biggy.. he's no stranger to shoveling snow & knows how to drive in Canadian Winters  BUT the neighbour drove by as Norm was digging out & actually stopped  JUST to be sarcastic and then continued on 'without helping Norm.  Wow.  I was grateful - I needed that reminder!  The reminder that 'IF' Norm was to see anyone stuck on this road he would be one out there with his shovel - anyone who knows Norm - or me, knows this to be true.  ​I was also reminded of the few time others have helped,  like the kid that moved a log off my driveway that sat there for days, the neighbour clearly saw that too.  

I am learning much from my neighbours, during a deadly pandemic and we are reminded to  be kind,  be there for  each other  'for our neighbours'.  God knows...  God sees.
I thanked Norm..  yes, I guess it is the pandemic causing us to be more stressed & grumpy than usual  & we are concerned about Storm, of course.  The USA and thoughts of civil war.. Doug Ford- tells us "it's really scary but lets wait a few days more" - then - yes this is how it is but let's wait a few more days... is it or isn't it Doug?    
Holy talk about mixed messages.  There is much to ponder during the pandemic- good thing we are locked down & have much time to sort stuff out.

About Masks, Rick Warren nail it for me:
“Some churches are willing to gamble the health of their people. I’m not,”  Warren said, adding, “I don’t want to be a superspreader. I’m not doing this out of fear; I’m doing this out of love. You wear a mask for love [of] your neighbors, yourself.”
​
Vaccines.. frig- some are really worried and believe they will be safe when they get the vaccine & they MUST go to work...  give it to them first,  do what ever it takes to ease peoples stress.  I think ALL hospital staff, Dr.s then teachers & kids should be vaccinated first - if it will help slow the spread of so many dead. IF they choose.
 Give it to who actually does want it! Yes, there is much to be reminded of these days, above all else I am reminded of who   God expects me to be.

Thank you neighbour for reminding me: 
Norm would have dug our neighbour out in a heart beat,  I was grateful & cut Norm some slack, he also likes doing the dishes, looks after all the animals , chopping trees and cutting out my stuff in between, building a shop,  baking fresh bagels, gets all out groceries and stuff & everything else..   ​I am thankful for him.  
I know still - if anyone  gets stuck,  still...  he will be there - shovel in hand.

Amen.

I’m resetting! Detoxing too.
Time to reset, less time on the phone,  I’ll check it when messages arrive only - other than that it’s  on a side table where I can’t see - or focus on it. 
I’ve only got a bit of bud & am NOT replenishing it -right away.. if I have it  - I’ll smoke it- so Time to cleanse my body & mind from all for a few weeks at least.  No mushroom medicine - this is o.k. too - as I don't  seem to 'CRAVE it',   it’s more of a thoughtful process & I’m good for a bit. Yes, I have discovered the best possible thing for my mental health - creating.  Painting.  

Creating- it’s the only time to  become absorbed in what I am doing and feel free! 
Free from all the stress of today and tomorrow.. concerned with covid bullshit mostly, has drained me & enhanced' - escalated my twitch, which is at an all time active high (not fun).  I understand I have very little control over it' - and others.  Here I’m content- thriving in solitude - happy even, yes, I prefer it.   Norm not so much,  he’s feeling frustrated because he can’t go out and mingle’… this is causing problems and frustration,  it also has me wondering  if Norm will ever be content here, there, anywhere..  
& I don’t care.

I thought I made it clear before 'we' moved here, there would be changes… or don’t join me.  I guess I didn’t make it clear enough,  one year didn’t do it.  That or he just lied to me & himself.    I don’t think it’s covid he has been miserable,  long before covid.
I don't care,  when I log off '  I will focus on art, music, dogs & God.  
Make yourself happy.. life goes too quick - even in lockdown.  
I am content, blessed even  - in Gods grace. 
Learning  daily how to keep myself happy & loved - remaining in God company… 
no one else is needed.

Anxious to see FUNGI peeking through the snow - I painted some.
Created to create- I have a gift - to create my own happiness & I AM.
​Psssst.... I'm pretty sure - you ALSO have this gift!  God told me.
​Go create.

The vaccine will keep us  alive!      Hurry. LINE UP!!  Phhhhbt.  Hmmmm.. will it? 
What about those side effects.. in 3 years.  Will the vaccine change  by then for the evolving pandemic - probably.  

How many vaccines will we put into our bodies before we can't handle anymore? 

There is no vaccine for all those who will suffer from job loss, shut downs, poverty & hunger, domestic abuse.. loneliness - a shot in the arm won't help any of these situations.  
Statement heard on a CBC podcast 'IDEAS' not my origianl idea regarding on how to address the pandemic.

AS our Canadian politicians WARN & put the fear of GOD in us “WEAR A MASK!! STAY HOME!!” Then travel to tropical islands  and LIE about it by posting illusions on Instagram - sneaky fucker. Has there ever been such hypocrisy for all to SEE?   In my opinion it should end up in an automatic loss of ‘entitlement’ to the POLITICIANS who pretend to support & represent ALL Canadians.. from the beaches of another country - during a global pandemic. Clearly they can’t resist the CHEAP travel deals.. worth the cost of covid.

No wonder we don’t trust what politicians tell us anymore as Walmart Costco & Amazon thrive… Doug Ford, just another  ‘leader of the pack’ it appears but they all push the ‘miracle vaccine!’…     It seems a little ‘too good to be true’…   does it not?

In the states.. some are olny getting 1/2 the vaccine now,  you know - the same vaccine that states we need to have 2 doses for it to work.   What is it? One or two?  Will the new vaccine work for the new Covid strains? Hmmm I can't find a POSITIVE response anywhere - it MIGHT. & if you have the vaccine - you should isolate still for 2 weeks- -it could take that long. but if you have covid- no point. FUCKED up confusion on a global scale. I'll wait.

The days are getting longer… more daylight to paint!
You were created to create- go create something.   
​Next- these two (below) - a source of constant amusement, thank God.
G

Lockdown begins for Ontario today. Boxing day- boxed in.
Playing with paint & pondering the end 2020 a year of death & isolation due to Covid -19.
for many... not me. 2020 was one of the best years of our lives & I acknowledge it - to thank God.. Forever grateful for Gods timing in particular.  Grateful- Full of lessons I did not plan on learning, some good & some bad, some involving humans, a GERM... ALL helpful for a brighter wiser 2021.     I  enter 2021 grateFULL by the grace of God  - I can breath & am feeling anything BUT boxed in - I broke the box & draw outside the lines - in the forest!

I like purple... did you know no flags have the colour purple.  
Do you know why?  I do NOW.. I go into 2021 all the wiser with a new appreciation for purple.   ​Check out After Skool: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYB-pmNs4VQ
Time to smudge my house for the new year with some lovely Cedar & PAINT something  Illuminated.