All paintings start with great intentions - or why even start.
Soon some are not going thedirection I first imagined and I start to wonder if I should even continue... yes!  My intentions were good and I just need to remind myself, not let myself talk myself, out of it.  It's easy to do - the difficult task wl be to work through each painting and see it to the end, not give up or walk away.
Isn't that most of us,  full of good intentions?  Are you?  Or are your intentions bad?

My intentions  to have a winter sky that you would want to be drawn to - these vibrant pink cool skies are breathtaking and breath awareness as you see what you say in a cloud of frozen mist.  It also reminds me of how covid can travel.   Soon the bear appeared  but it was going in a direction, I didn't for see.

A friend received his vaccine in the USA, I am happy for him as he is also a teacher & it's important if you are in particular forced to work during the pandemic (which won't be going anywhere soon)  amongst groups in particular, if it eases his mind, I am thrilled for him.  
Something still missing in the panting.. what would thrill this bear?  What thrills me out in the woods in the spring  - we never know what will pop up from under this blanket of snow.

Soon!  As the world turns.. it will be spring and morel season with more fresh air and less confusion surrounding covid (here's hoping).  So even though this painting took a few directions on it's own   it ended well because it started with GOOD intentions.   ;)
What are your intentions, what, who - do you  think about all day & are your intentions good?

​Don't you know...  you reap what you sew.

I'm off with more good intentions, wishes, miracles to meditate on & more.
More bears... the next bear is called the Discovery, sneak peek below.  
Look what a beautiful morning God provided  ALL OF US to start this day with good intentions!

A winter wonderland greets me in the morning before I'm even up, just looking at it makes me calm, I enjoy  resting looking at the snow in thebrances and bluejays flying by.   Until you have to venture out, then it's another story - I don't.   Not that there is anywhere to go...   which is a good excuse to hang out with the dogs and watch the fire, read, puzzled by the new puzzle the world is wondeful  right now, right here.. not so much elsewhere.
Provided I don't turn on any news...   the calm stays with me, us. 
Yesterday I wondered when I'll see Storm again.. May ? June.. what about the vaccine..  
forget it - who can think about all this and not become exhausted...
I'll focus on the Tao way and understand the chaos is part of the plan. 

I don't even know what to think about the president of the USA takeover tomorrow,  I do hope it goes smoothly for the Americans, it's been a difficult few years already.  
What do you think about Canadians in Florida getting the vaccine?
 If I lived in Florida yes, I would probably be upset too to be honest.  
The WHO warning of a moral crisis - no shit.  

Speaking of shit - did you see the netflix special on swearing with Nicholas cage?  
I fucking told you... lol.  Well done & interesting.
I understand why I swear with this twitch.. maybe more people will become understanding with those of us who find it hard to control - if not who gives a fuck... IF my swearing is your biggest concern,  you are a dick and need to put your energy where it's needed - how about world hunger?   In a few years 'Fuck won't mean 'shit.. it doesn't now - only to those with little else to ponder.  

Norm is kicking ass in the kitchen lately and the pounds on my ass are proof.
​Positive pandemic moments= Norms cooking skills have improved greatly.
Back to painting Bears  since I'm feeling a bit bearish' I may as well go with the flow.

Look at the view I wake to each morning!  
It's no illusion or dream  as I watch the stars at night and the sun rise in the morning,  I'm so grateful to God to be here.. I thankful all day every day - I guess that was part of the Plan.

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 is the bigger man! 
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.

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.​
​
Below -  Check out the lovely sunrise I witnessed!  
Amen.

Happy Saturday!

    Yesterday was Norms birthday!  He worked on his shop - best birthday gift EVER .. lol
He’s 60 & he’s in great shape - it’s from all this hard farm work!  Birthing goats & chasing chickens has kept him fit as a fiddle… lol - more like building coops, barns. a shop, chopping down trees- yeah!  Norm won’t ever look at wood the same again. We were going to celebrate later in the evening with movie & I was making dinner but then… I had some sense knocked into me.   Literally.

I am forever telling Norm & HAVE even blogged about it - one reason many people fall in their homes is…. their dogs.  I have 5 who love me and follow me  everywhere, as you know.  I was painting in my studio, standing.. music - deep in deer snow- and I turned to get paint - turned back and Arrow was at my feet and down I went.   I protect my hands because I know they’ll break so I did not use them, instead I used my head to stop my fall - it bounced off the metal track - between my studio & house.  
I could not google  'concussion symptoms'...   it hurt that bad.
Serious dog training happening - RED tape lines they CANNOT cross - like the kitchen.
I’ll also add my girls freaked out,  they knew I was not joking and were all trying to help me up… Norm arrived a few moments later. 

Not much else happened last night, quiet, bed and today OUCH.  No concussion symptoms, Thank God. Yes, I think I actually  needed to have sense knocked into me - on a few issues- I was hurt enough to wonder if I was gonna die - for a few seconds.  I called Storm to tell him I love him.  Went to bed in pain and did not sleep…  I did talk to Jesus & have had quite a bit of clarification..   a nice calm has consumed me.   ;)  Actually grateful for the fright.

 Although sore to touch, even raise my eyebrows- I am absolutely clearer headed on several issues, humans and STRONGER than I was yesterday. AMEN.
I woke today and thanked God for it & said "o.k.! Let's prove it Jesus!"  lol    Wait & see.

I painted this deer for this stranger  “Ted” I met once  at the feed store in Halliburton (Phil is a great guy & very helpful  if you need seed/feed/animal stuff) I gave Ted my number because he said it was nice to have someone enjoy his photos.   This past year he has shared many beautiful photos of deer, flowers, butterflies, pine weasels, turkeys, amazing chickadees  and always a kind word or take care… thats’ it.  
I realized.. this stranger has absolutely been a positive light in 2020, and I wanted to say Thank you.  I’m pleased how it turned out,  inspired by a photo he sent,  playing with light & snow.

I realized we (me included) rarely ponder some people who are kind & thoughtful yet become ‘thought obsessed’  dwelling on others - who don’t even have the kindness in them to stop & say "hello" or even offer a smile - let alone kind word... 
Worse, we waste our thoughts & precious time on intentionally nasty people - robbing ourselves of  time & joy we could be thinking of the kind people we do have around us. Focus on Love, light Kindness…  I shall.
Let the Universe...    God, focus on the rest.

My head/mind needed the  alignment.
I needed to go & spend time with Jesus in prayer, thought, love.  

Excited to start the next painting!
​G

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.
​

A Smoking hot Cock.  Formerly known as Foghorn.
It is with a heavy heart I share our first fatality on the farm and of course I was literaly painting him - when it happened.  Gloria (my big black rooster whom I thought was a hen) is a asshole.. he kept beating up Foghorn and we were literally making up a FREE ROOSTER sign to get rid of him & just keep Foghorn.   Gloria beat up Foghorn several times to the point he jumped out of the pen - several times.  Clearly they can get out - if they choose.

I heard the commotion  (as did the dogs)  I looked out the window to see Gloria again brutally beating on Foghorn - the dogs heard it too... Foghorn was flying around the pen but Gloria was relentless and 3 times his size... she grew fast the past couple of months.
I thought he was hiding under the coop,   he was hiding under the back deck.. the dogs found him and Norm found the dogs.
 
The dogs although they have never attacked a chicken in the coop - thought Foghorn was fair game running loose, I guess. They will more training around the chickens, in some dogs I do believe it's instinct, they do their job by protecting the Farm & that's most important. 

Sad yes, very much but at the same time I was warned, several girlfriends shared - shit happens, especially to chickens... cats, dogs, hawks - other chickens, stuff falls on them, they get get caught in places and can't get out, it's all part of farm life and life.  
I decided I'd continue the painting and work through it,  not an easy task - tears & gouache don't go good together.   I felt bad for Norm, he was closer to Foghorn.

I would advise against getting roosters.
You don't need them for eggs - Yes, if you want to  eggs to become chickens.
Crow at sunrise - HA! That is only in the movies as I NOW know - lol, this mother clucker crows when ever he wants to!  Still, I'll take the noise of a Rooster than TRAFFIC or Urban noise any day. Good Bye Foghorn.  

With TLC & THC 
​Georgia

I was wondering what all the "Karens" do when in lock down...  do they call company hotlines and vent?  I imagine so.

This made me laugh out loud when I thought of it & when I drew it.
How did I get the idea?  Simple, Norm bought me a Wilton Donut pan this week & I made my first chocolate dipped donuts - baked at home - in my own oven.
WTF...  OH MY Goodness.
Don't do it!   I ate 3 in 10.  I never eat 3 donuts at once. 

LOL   I easily imagined the results of this home baked donut goodness and an editorial was created.  Many can relate, I know I'm not the only one to put on a few pounds during covid.  Who knew home baked donuts were so delicious & EASY!?!   Tims is done, covid has created a bunch of bakers, *Wilton the pan  & PIN of course has all the recipes - lemon poppy seed donuts next! Nom Nom Nom  

BTW - I did try to buy this pan locally & searched several stores, we finally purchased it off Amazon.. look local first. I do recommend these pans... if you like & miss donuts.
NOT if you are concerned about gaining more weight... you will eat more than one donut.
It's a cold drizzling day- good day to bake donuts.

with THC & TLC
​ G