Merry Christmas.

​

Ho ho ho!

Well, the next bird houses are on the table waiting for paint - they look good without - so I'm confident they will sell quickly as Chicken lover Christmas Gifts! Tom has done quite well with who he has donated $$$ to to date! Bravo.  I'm happy to help.

I’ve been busy creating Christmas gifts & making Christmas cards - I made  one card that had me buckled over in laughter (long story - for another day) & had me thinking about a surprise ‘Hero’ of 2020 - more later.  So, making cards makes me feel good.. when I’m reading about a woman who was legally assisted to die (in Canada) -because she did not want to endure another lock down alone. Let alone Christmas..  Tis the season.

I’m painting gifts - that keeps me thinking about the recipient(s) - whom I must care for or  I would not be panting gifts,  I can’t ‘fake it’ - not even painting.  It’s always a joy… so I’ll keep busy painting gifts for  a few I enjoy thinking about this Christmas.   I am thinking about SO MANY this Christmas in particular - all around the world I have friends- how blessed is that - and not just one’s I’ve made on social media - real humans - I’ve been blessed with meeting  - when we could meet and hug, snuggle, smooch.. laugh with, wink at… when we could.   With out feeling guilty about it. 
I’m confident some will feel it - across the miles… My love for them.

I hope everyone is focusing on themselves and what keeps us smiling.. if only on the inside for now - mask free.  Alcohol is a depressant - please remember this - me too. 
Shop local!!!  Your neighbour needs it more than Jeff Bezos - holy cow.. don’t get me started. There is a song on Canoe Fm  100.9 (love it) - “Don’t get me started…”  a song I know many are singing this year.   Speaking of- Canoe- they really promote Indigenous MUSIC  & it’s a terrific idea to introduce someone to Canadian artists - buy a CD - support a Canadian band - not preforming due to the pandemic.

I bought Canadian & locally and artisan  including the terrific paddles from the Halliburton Forest! Time to get back painting those paddles!  Time to get back painting and watch some Christmas movie to stimulate painting ideas- even if,  not in the 'jolliest' mood.

With TLCandiecanes. 

Just wear the mask when out.
​Just do it.

with THC & TLC
​Georgia

Christmas  202o...  the Grinch is back.

According to the news Canada has record numbers and about 2 weeks before hospitals are  scrambling & overwhelmed... just in time for Christmas. Ho ho ho.
​
The rest of the world doesn't appear much better off.
I'm not feeling 'Christmasy' this year, as I'm sure many are not - I'm excited to see how we will  be creative in new ways this holiday! I do believe the world is becomeing a little more thoughtful' , AWAKE & that is hopeful.  A good thing to focus on.

No Christmas tree. Not with the puppy, a few favorite decorations like the stable Norm made many moons ago...  I have 'skipped' Christmas before, it was less stressful & less work! More quality time relaxing & watching wood burn, snow falling... dog snuggling.  
We plan on a special meal, exchange a gift  -HOMEMADE  (by the grace of God) but that's all.  In the past I've alwasy encouraged ***NOT Going into debt at Christmas***
& this year is NOT the exception.  
Please don't.  Be honest with your children & they will become wise beings. 
Adding debt - adds stress & that takes away from the quality of life...  
2020 has been stressful enough.

Do support local business, perhaps smaller stores as they are hurting the most from what I've been reading.. these small communities 'rely on each other'  we are shopping local, local takeout,  local farm' supplies...   Amazon- is not hurting.  
Preferably handcrafted, I also hope to purchase a couple of Music CD's from some Canadian artists.   Please support your community & country.

Tom's got bird houses! $15 - $40 all money goes to local charity!
 & you are helping birds.
Either way...    the Grinch is back  Christmas 2020

with THC & TLC'

Gadzooks!!!  Yukon Cornelius struck Gold! Canadian GREEN Gold that is. hahaha
MY mind is in Christmas! & enjoying it!!

I was sent several messages -  from Americans telling me they liked my cartoon yesterday!
Americans like my Trump editorial - I'm doing soemthing right. LOL I bet several did NOT like it. WE are not here to be liked but to serve (as best as we know how).   Wonderful. 
It's mental health Monday - so as an artist on social media - I've learned it's nice when others like my cartoons but just as many can discourage and actualy take the time to dislike. I must alwasy rememeber 'who I am pleasing.  
The universe.. I hope to make smile.
Me... using my gift makes me happy, keeps me in a joyful state of mind.
God... by the grace of God - here I enjoy painting & exploring the woods.
 
Norm's out setting up the display, in the front yard for the bears to enjoy. lol
Actually... Bumble & friends are getting a tune up because they are off (the property) to spread JOY for the Christmas season - where LOTS will see them! YAY!
I know how many children smile at this display - it grows my heart - just like the Grinch!  
Thinking  happy stuff KEEPS me in a happy mood.

Yukon Cornelius is part of the pack and he made me think of this.. hee hee
He 'licks his pick' when he strikes gold - in case you did not know.
He made me laugh out loud when finished - I bet a few Rudolph fans will giggle.
I listened to  Joe Rogan & Jason Peterson interview and Jason Peterson said (more or less) life should be difficult- thinkng it should be all fun and games  - how does anyone truly learn or feel ACCOMPLISHMENT or challenge themselves to be better - every day.
WE don't when we think life should be handed to us or sit around trying to figure out get rich quick games.
Work.  

Chop wood  & carry water.
Norm chops the wood & the Goats are learning how to carry packs.
hahah I crack myself up. 
More on Bumble tomorrow! & Bumble art. 

With THC & TLC.
​Me.

Grateful.  I am.  I think I'll make the image above a puzzle! lol
  
I went for a walk with my girls, time to train the pup to stick together in the woods & then must listen when I say come as we know, there are bear.  What a successsful first try!
We are refreshing the Happy Puppy Training kit and was reminded of wise words by the creator Rachelle, you want a happy puppy, and it's easy to lose patience I am also reminded..  stepping in a puddle of pee or poop.
She is house trained already - YAY Happy Puppy kit! Yay me!! Yay Arrow!
You don't want a dog that is afraid of you - they won't come when called- still, your dog needs to know you mean business.   Truly, this kit has helped me with the past 3 dogs and more so now. I am grateful.

The woods are awesome, the leaves stunning.. yellow & orange and just now really falling, the fresh path of pine needles & leaves is soft to walk on. I 'watched' pine needles shed this year - for the first time in my life - it's quite beautiful if you can catch it- I can from my sofa before I nap. I am grateful.

My son is busy and happy... although not visiting for thanksgiving, it is not encouraged. 
I am grateful for him, always & each FaceTime. text messages and a phone call 
Grateful for this internet service - though lacking in speed & quality like 1999. ;)
I am grateful for my dogs... such bringers of laughs and joy and adventure.
Norm is busy.. (understatement) but content... too busy to be anything else - wood to chop  - winter's coming ! 

I am grateful for the editorial cartoon idea I just got called:
Super Spreader.

I am grateful of the halloween painting idea that will take me all day.. I am grateful for my neighbours, trees, birds & still a few lingering bees! 
​
We are teaching: Do not ever- touch anything on this coffee table..
Poppy was watching too - and would growl if Arrow even smelled it.
Our dogs are trained so I can leave food on the coffee table and they will not take it.
"Don't touch!"   I am grateful to report that treat is still there, 2 days later. 
Happy Puppy Training - continues.

Another Holiday Monday! It's raining and there no such thing as a holiday on a farm - lol 
What an education this all is, this tiny farm.  Life.  Up with the roosters - no sleeping in with feathers & fur relying on you.  Keeping busy is good for the sole & mind & body.  I'm always stiff in the morning - with age let alone arthritis... not until Im up and active & loosen it all us does the pain of stiffness subside.  Use it or lose it!  
Farmers deserve more respect than they are given, feeding humans - is lots of work.
​I do NOT consider us farmers'  -  this is a hobby.
I'm learning to pickle eggs! I give eggs away too.. chances are they have faces on them.  

I can't imagine  drinking to the point of a hang over and having to deal with animals... they don't care if humans are hung over.  I hate hang overs so much I am grateful for  having experienced some "doozies"  in the past.. lessons learned - it took a while. 
I just won't anymore. It's not worth destroying braincells for a "feel good"... is it feel good?   Compared to cannabis  the more I think of it- the less I think alcohol makes anyone "feel good".  Sure it relaxes the body and mind - too much sometimes.    
It's sad when you understand,  Alcohol is the number one date rape DRUG. 
Think about it for a moment.   

Some drink to forget.  I use to use that escuse myself, a few times.  Ha.
It might make you forget for a bit, until it makes you wallow & get stuck in exactly what you were trying to forget about.  I remember my mom crying a lot drunk, aways talking about the same stuff.  Her past pains passed on to me during drunken stupors - because I was there to listen.  Told so many times and then left to ponder, I bet my mom has no clue as how much I remember of the details... coats, bundle buggies, curtains being closed, sibling rivalry  (I was not raised with my siblings so I don't know about it) all on how she suffered.  Who cares.
 That's part of the problem.. not many do care. Then or now.  I get it.  I think Melania was kinda right. GASP - yuk but... yep.   Not many really care.  They are distracted with their own lives.  AS life intended. Throw in Covid... big distraction going on.

The only thing anyone should care about NOW is breaking the cycle.
​RECOGNIZE & don't repeat what YOU did not enjoy as a child/adolescent.  How about that?  It's a holiday!
​Does that mean you're going to get 'shit faced'  (term for getting drunk)?
Sure go ahead! IF YOU don't have kids you are responsible for. 
They don't need to listen to your past pains  I think as parents we should be trying to make their path easier - even if it means sharing not pleasant topics by talking, educating (not impaired)  the more the tiny humans know the better they will be.  They are smarter than most realize. Id rather a child be taught early about "molestation" than to learn by having it happen - because they did not know - to say "NO!"  

? Tuff call.
Tomorrow is a tuff call for many parents... back to school  during covid - as it slowly creeps back up.  Pray for strength to get through, because life has to go on. 

The hamster was my 16th birthday gift, my friends wanted to take me out for my sweet 16th I was told "NO, come right home, we are celebrating"                YAAAY!
I spent the evening alone, no special dinner, no cake.  I was waken up around 2:00a.m. and given my birthday gift...  which I loved.  I guess she got side tracked. I was use to it.
Teddy died a couple of YEARS later while eating a McDonalds french fry, he was so old and arthritic he could hardly walk.  He was a wonderful, adorable pet & tiny companion.

With THC & TLC     I hope you have an alcohol free holiday!
Break the cycle. Life is not all cracked up as were led to believe.. hee hee- egg jokes.
Oh-  My chickens count how many eggs they lay!   They are mathemachickens.    
 lol Heard it on the radio, canoe.
​ 
Georgia

It's a holiday & I was considering taking a break.. then realized- that's part of the porblem.  No one wants to hear this shit on a holiday, take a break...  Does abuse take a break?
Fuck no - it's escalated on holidays, so Cheers!.

I was taught to hate holidays. I still do.. or rather I hate the usual celebration that accompanies them - Excessive Alcohol consumption. Time to get 'shitfaced' - it's a holiday tomorrow...  Good day for a hangover.  That's how we think  (how I use to think).. too many do, still.  I struggle with most "celebrations", I usually just act like it's just another day- because in reality, it is.

At 18 I was given a raise, my first real job 'Talent Showcase' (hiring extras for music videos and movies being shot in Toronto & area) I was thrilled! & it was a good raise!! My then boyfriend, Adraino was taking me out for dinner and dancing & to celebrate! I just wanted to run up (I lived in an apartment) & change..  change I did.

I went straight to my room, got on my favorite current dress a raw silk, black & white, simple yet classy & great to dance in... on the way out  I was asked   "where are YOU going?"
I didn'nt speak much as my mother was usually drininking and I didn't want to set her off- not that it took much on my part.  
​I relpied excited (because I was):   "I got a raise & Draino is taking me out to celebrate!"
My mothers response...    " A raise?!  How does your bosses cock taste?"    
Yep.   No, I do to forget it, those words.   Because, you know - I could not have possibly been good enough at my job to deserve a raise.. clearly, I had to be fucking him in her mind (I was NOT HER though - I did not suck my bosses cock or fuck him - ever) I told her to "fuck off" and proceeded to leave.. Nope.  
I was tackled, punched until I cowered on the floor, hair pulled, make up slapped off my face.   Called the usual array of names: cunt, slut, fucking whore..   My stepdad sat & watched (inebriated as well)  he TOO, knew better than to intervene with her intoxicated hatred towards me.  I was beat repeatedly until Draino opened the door, he came looking for me wondering why I was taking so long, (thankfully) and yanked that bitch off of me and held a fist to her face & said  "If you ever touch her again I'll punch you in the fucking face because she won't"  and pulled me out of my apartment.
He was never allowed to visit again.  I was humiliated, we broke up soon after.  
She remembered what he said but not what she did & SHE NEVER EVER said SORRY.
All I ever got was "...I don't remember I was drunk."  
FUCKING LIES Drunks tell us & themselves.

We did not go out dancing, my dress was torn and my spirit defeated.. again. I was use to it. I was harder because Draino saw it.   I was ashamed when my friends saw me getting beat up - as IF I had actually done something wrong.  The look of shock on their face - overtime was hard for me to see.  That's what happens when you are beaten as a toddler. You are taught to be ashamed.. I must be bad if my mom is hitting me again.
That's how it was was with every celebration in my life..  EVERY thing she could - she added misery to.  She was miserable ALWAYS,  I was going to be too.  So, why not share on this holiday MONDAY...  abuse will be higher today & that is a fact, whether you choose to ignore it or not.  If you see someone & you think "they should be celebrating",  back off - perhaps  they do not have as much to celebrate as you 'think'..
​I use to get 'that too   ..."why aren't you happy??"   Buzzkill..    yep, quite often my buss was killed - but not by me.

The day I got accepted into school/college (you know how exciting that is!) was the same thing...  I went to school in tears because I had got accepted & she said  'I wasn't going.. she wasn't going to pay for me to go & draw'.  My teacher (Mrs Lockhart) helped me with paper work and I received a grant & loan.  I  never got any encouragement from her EVER, not once did she ask me what I was doing in college EVER.. I only lasted a year.  
​I wondered if I had gotten just a bit of encouragement,  if I would have stuck it out.  Oh well. 

So, if you are an adult & celebrating with alcohol On this Holiday - try not to over indulge - not if your going to become abusive and give your children holiday memories they'll never forget. Or do- the choice is yours... if your children hate you when you are older- remember- the CHOICE WAS yours.   It's still difficult for me to "celebrate" anything.. I have a fear in me that sooner or later something or someone will say something negative...   beat it into me, still. 

I will celebrate this glorious day- by painting, checking on the animals and just enjoying the moment. Grateful to e HERE NOW.  Painting Iridescent Eve in the garden... next.

with TLC & THC 
​Next week,  how everyone KNEW I was going to be an artist- yay!  lol