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

With Love.
g

'Will the Poppy's even been in bloom?
Who cares.. I smile,  I've just spent the last three days in my imagination admiring & painting them.

I'm very excited & a bit anxious now & of course have a gazillion things to do before I leave, mostly make sure Bird  will be o.k..  As you might be aware I've been quite the hermit the past few years - and now I'm off to Orange County,  blessed it's with a  friend who lives there & is going to show me around.  I landed once sitting in the front cockpit between two handsome pilots!  It was my dad who saw me landing, he was beaming! That's my girl!  lol  
The same dad  was on the plane with me at a later date only he was in the cargo dept.  
It was a unique experience.   Peaceful in many ways.. and I was able to take a special trip with him.   How many people can say that?  I'm glad we didn't fly alone' on that journey. Flying alone is clearly on  my mind.  
 
Perhaps this time Poppy & I will join the pilots!  Hardly- I'm sure things have changed since 9/11.  How blessed I've been.  I won't be alone! I'll have Poppy on my lap - Oh My Gouache Poppy & I in California.   We even have matching beach attire (not intentional!)

You absolutely know - I love 'what' I do - every day- I am God Blessed- to be able to sit here paint, listen to music e mail friends, spend time with my dogs- family and more but  with this  condition- I get no rest some days,  even lying down to nap is out of my control, I'll nap when it lets me. Good thing I love to paint & not sleep.  I am blessed also with cannabis- which keeps me doing all I love & loving every stroke.  Not taking deadly addictive pain medications that won't help.   I'm currently smoking Humber Valley Kush for any who can try it.. here I sit still working/playing at 1:50 and will be up at 5 happily anxious to start painting again!  That's a testament to  a medicine if ever.   Side effects? Giggling and a great sleep.

I never blame God for my health issues.  
I blame human evolution, chemicals, man made problems, poor food choices, too much Alcohol, not enough water.  Not being educated on many things - like inner strength, peace, meditation..    What better place to realign? The California sunshine.  

Now if I could pick the perfect plane mate to sit beside me it would be..  hmmm 5 hours they would have to be funny and amusing a little handsome.. One time I sat beside this super nice, friendly funny hunk, we laughed all the way to the Bahamas..  my 2 girlfriends were admittedly  jealous- lol   so, this time lets try for Stephen Colbert..  but I prefer grey hair.. Jeff Goldblum - yes, he would be the perfect flight companion!
​Ooooohhh on the fly with the fly! Giving  me goose bumps! 
Or Broadway bear of course.

Miracles come true.  

Broadway lifts Bear...  he makes her smile. 
It's amazing how powerful that is.


With Love
g

It's been quite a while since I've been on an adventure. 
My mind racing with several issues as I try to make sure I'm all organized.
Poppy is ready - I imagine.  Am I?   Of course.

The universe still conspires & it continues to all fall into place..
I'll start to stress over something & think - there is no point.  
What's the worse that can happen?   Pelicans will  scoop up my sketch book?
Joshua Boulet is in Oakland California & assures me he will work his way to OC so he and I can draw on the beach! This has been on my 'bucket/To Do  list - ever since Josh & I became friends long ago at the first EXPO, I still remember that first E mail I sent him.
He has had the pleasure of drawing the ocean several times over.  

Will this trip get any better?

Whatever 'problem'  that  trotted crossed my mind  have again looked after themselves.. 
Trusting in God has it's rewards.   Friends with good intentions, positive wishes & prayers help too.   I've no doubts it's why I'm on my way.    
   
Bears are on my desk as I post..  Broadway & Bear  exploring an unknown area of the garden.  Broadway as Cheeky as ever.. I think I might have painted a pose similar - but  I just DO them, they arise from  my soul & passion and pose which ever way they choose. I don't look at the others I've already painted - they are in a binder. 'The Book Of Bears.'
As I glance at it a smile slowly crosses my face, it can't be helped this furry, love expressing  compulsion.  I'm feverish to get back at them on the thunderous wet, grey morning.

A Jerry Garcia idea...  Inspired by some PINS Stephen Boehme PIN'd.. I can't wait to see what he is doing.  My rendition is  going to be cute!

This vacation planning takes a lot out of you...   lol  
I've had to do very little except confirm our tickets.   
Blessed Indeed.  

I've got 'black boards' cuts to size - 14  & several smaller & blank cards of course!  
A painting a day while I'm away!  A card for someone to warm up my heart & hands each morning!  Then Off to the ocean for our morning stroll. 
Mostly...  I shall go where my sails take me!  

On my 'ToDo' list I added today:
http://www.gitesinthelanguedoc.co.uk
Why Not!?  I literally dream about the caves in France.  Just like I use to dream about bears,  I know I'm going to see them one day in the near future. 

Do you still dream or No? Will you stay or Will you Go?
If your going to dream DREAM - DREAM!   
Imagine - what could God provide me in my perfect world. 
I Imagine &  it's going to be better than I imagine.  I know.

With Love
g

Back to Broadway on my mind & my canvas.

I found myself thinking of Canada Day & art for this celebration of 15o years.
I picked up 3 new $10 bills at the bank- to take to a couple of little friends I'll be meeting in OC. ;)

The art, I will have - this is just a warm up for my  Celebratory thinking!  
If you visit Canada and drive this  beautiful  country you will come across an Inukshuk or two. 'Rock people' I always thought growing up..  what kid has not tried to make their own?
https://www.historicacanada.ca/content/heritage-minutes/inukshuk 
I noticed you can purchase little Inukshuk kits.. It's a nice idea if they help the immediate community especially.  They are a sign "We were here" ..   Powerful if you are in the middle of nowhere,  snoozing' with Poler bear - you realize you are not alone. 
If you find one PLEASE leave it- it is a sign of respect & thanks to those who created it & to be left for the next person to see & be reminded.

Of course my Inukshuk  is Cannabis friendly, my imagination hoping.  
Bring on legalization! ​We were here - now LET's move ON & focus on Indigenous women.  
Those who NEED US the most  &  men - therefore it only makes sense the children are suffering.  HUMANS.  My Canada Day celebration would be  also dreaming, imagining a prouder Canada - who looks after everyone.  This 'hatred thing is not working. '  
​How cool Obama & Trudeau hung out this past week in Montreal- could you feel the love? Yep.
 
One moment - I'm California dreaming & creating- the next- Canada Day celebrations!
Torn between two countries & loving every second of both. What am I looking forward to most? Meeting & hanging out with someone I've known a long time, the  ocean air & beach - shell inspection and Not thinking..  

I'm not going to 'promise' any ART- blogs- anything from now  until after we return.  
It's not like I'm packing my scanner.  I'm taking very little - except paint!  ;)
The Less stress the best. I don't own a cell phone & not sure I can even set up  my iPad for mail.  It's outdated.   A real vacation!!!  

All business can wait until  we return.
Have  creative days & plan some adventures...   Mostly, believe.  
in others .. In yourself.

It's time we  focused on people, not plants.  
Especially plants that don't KILL.
I don't see them out there stopping the sales of  Lilly of the valley.  
Yet.


With Love
​G