I'm so happy I have chickens to think about.  Norm wakes up to the sound of: Bwawkkk
Baaaawwwkk Bak bawwwwkkkk!  We don't have the chickens yet - it's me, learning chicken speak. hee hee  Up at sunrise  to let the chickens out (I want to be ready) and  excited to start the day, another gift from God.   I'd venture many people do not see each day as a gift lately, let alone from God.  
Do you think Trump 'inspects the bunker' - yes, to see how comfortable his bed will be & instal the GOLD toilet - as just outside others are being murdered in the streets. - Arrrrgh.. on to the chickens.

Better yet- on to the visit from Storm!  When I told him we were building a chicken coop he said he was coming up to help! Oh my God...  finally. Yes, I was excited! Instantly a weight had lifted that was getting heavy & thank you Lord for the lesson.  Many will never see family again after this is all over due to a germ. The dogs were so happy, Norm was thrilled & I was  happily content. My tiny family complete for a bit.  Bird was happy! Everyone was missing Storm. I get emotional thinking about it so... cock- a - doodle-doooooooooo!! 

3 chickens!! This for 3 chickens.. lol  the work the measuring and Storm lifiting out huge rocks (many had to be jackhammered) out of 4 feet deep holes,  in poured rocks & cement so the coop can be lifted, dry and safe from all predators! It's being insulated as I type.  In Canada after witnessing last winter - the coop better be warm. Metal roof, insulated and vented. & it must match the house complete with window box!  I do not want to use a heat lamp heres hoping... maybe more chickens will keep them warmer? Hmmmmmm
Giggling now - I wonder  (covid or no covid) if Storm will visit again - all he did was WORK. "Plant this please..."  "move this please.. "  "give me a hand with..."  and that was in between helping his dad. & he cooked!  Luckily, he is no stranger to work and said he really misses us and enjoyed every moment.  I went to sleep each night  in peace - this place is so peaceful.
We joked about all the 'kittens I found on the side of the road' over the years and my 3 chickens "ladies" might grow a bit.   The dogs are being trained already to walk around the coop as I chat with imaginary chickens.  Bwak Bwaaaaak...  

It was so good to 'see' Storm.  We did not hug as much & we we're all still cautious...   Oh no Norm & Storm right away Purple nurpled & I started laughing. Initiated by dad! lol Spending all weekend outside in the heat and having the air flow thru here, Storm slept out int he fresh air- Daisy too & she loved it!  She never left his side - huge smile on her face.

 I have a new appreciation for moms who have their sons go off to war.
To miss them & fear they might get sick, (visa-versa) as we all have done across the planet the past few months. Worried about protests and violence. We all agreed we don't think this would happen in Canada. We say "sorry" to each other for bumping into each other.
I am thankful for the time he was here & the help with the "The Ritz Coopton"...   
Time to get to the coop.. & painting and gardening and chickens!!

​We are experiencing serious internet and bell issues with the weather the past few days- let's hope it's just the weather, the internet service & bell  have been the only 2 constant frustrating issues since moving in.  I can't believe Explorenet gets paid more than we paid Rogers for providing a fraction of  the service. Oh well - more time to paint & explore.
​I'll only be posting images the next few days.

Edible Mushrooms!  Covid has taught me to become more self sufficiant.. especially after a trip to the grocory store and noticing a lack' of certain items & noticing what I MISSED when I could not  run out for a few things.  I missed fresh mushrooms - we eat them often.
Lately, I feel so blessed it almost confuses me.  I think I'll go search for a trillium and there it was - off the driveway.  

I mentioned to Norm 'I want to find some edible mushrooms' - walked again, down my driveway and spied all these new mushrooms that had appeared, encouraged by 2 days of rain - I sent Storm a photo (former Foray director for the MST)  he replied:
Dryad's Saddle- Edible
OH MY! A basket full- right off my driveway!
Not 10 minutes later, sizzling in a pan with butter & were absolutely delicious! 
Google Dryad's Saddle - or Pheasant Back Mushroom on how to find, prepare & save for later, dried.  Now is the time to go looking!  The youtube I watched suggested the tastiest are no bigger than the palm of you hand - yes, tasty they are.
Food- provided by nature.  Amen.
I also put another intention out to the universe recently &  that DREAM too is coming true! It's a big deal (to me) - so I'll save it for another day!

It's a difficult time to feel blessed...  covid, death, cancelations & NOW images from the USA  are difficult to see &  KNOW, what they are dealing with - I GET it!  
When is it going to stop? IF this is what it takes - this is what it takes.
I get it and agree with the protesters... clearly, NO one is doing anything about black people being killed for NO REASON. George Floyd was murdered - tortured in front of many in broad daylight on the street- by police.  The two rednecks in Georgia- that killed the jogger 

Perhaps 'an eye for an eye'...    will be the only way people will start to SEE.

Tying to figure out how to address  feeling  anger & frustration & feeling blessed at the same time...  The solution for me is to try to paint,  paint and go out in my beautiful backyard to witness all Gods blessings & pray for better days.  
​Prayer changes things- believe it or not.

Good luck if your going to go out & hunt for some Dryad's Saddle, mines going in an omelette next!  I'm also slicing and drying for a later date. 
I'm making these mushroom art finds' & including maps on the back so next year I'll know where to look .. lol
 I don't think I'll forget that these grow right off my driveway.   Blessed.

With TLC & THC
​me

Pondering death...  difficult not to.
I start with death...
I am tired from not sleeping well.  We are both so tired we pass out at about 9:30.  
We wake up several times during the evening - I think it's pandemic (symptom) related as it was not happening before..  It is an o.k. problem to have, considering the death count.
I also have new lighting that goes off' when raccoons & bears visit my back deck..
so far so good.. no more bears.  ;D  Just me, in the morning from the raccoons.
 
I can't keep up with all the art as I'm outside creating art too the past 2 lovely days.
Self isolation has never been easier.  Norm and I are getting MUCH accomplished! 
He made today 'homemade apple cider for us to enjoy this evening.  Our path of woodchips is comlete and looks... like a path you want to take!  The dogs are enjoying this life as much as we are and don't wander- I think they get it now..
It's just the start.  In between I create art. If I'm not too tired.  
I don't even think of a  studio - I get quite a bit accomplished in my tiny studio  & I need only go outside to explore Gods greatest creation - Earth- soon it's mushroom season - birth! 

I'm designing & (were creating) a NEW  'Private sign' for the end of the driveway,  Bumble is going to a new home with his little friends.. More on that soon.  I am excited to start- it's going to be a 'BIG project!  Below is the finished portrait of the baby I painted, she was so cute - the moment I saw her with her, little chubby fists clutched as though she was holding  butterfly I had to paint her. He parents are pleased.  She can let me know in a few years. lol 
She is a new human..   birth!  
Thank God babies, plants.. birds and bees are all still being born.
 Give Thanks!!!

With TLC & THC
​Georgia

Can you imagine what the first stoned apes thought - or humans for that matter...
they thought enough to probably try "it" again, especially 'If it was a plesant experence. 
We are not such complicated apes.  If it feels good, we do it. Repeat. 
What is hard to understand about that?   Letting any substance control or perhaps destroy ones life is the difficult part to understand.  Seeing as I've had a few substances control my life in the past I try not to judge.  Well, yes I do - I guess, I have issues with alcoholics & therefore little tolerance.  When I read that the Science Centre in Toronto is holding an informative 'event' on the mind/brain and psychedelics in a constructive context - psilocybin and LSD - WOW! I am hopeful for the overall furture of humanity - if we can get 'humanity to get past it's biggest block... humanity.   lol  

We had more snow lots... about 30 cm by the time it was complete. Today, I walked outside in 0 degree weather surrounded by snowbanks in a sweater - sweating from the heat of the sun, what a glorious day - provided you don't think about the corona virus.
I dont get people going to work 'sick' right now, it's not good for business with the global (not just mine) mindset.  I do understand the stresss & not being able 'to afford' taking time off work too.  I am grateful I am not in that situation. 'Pandemic is soon a word we will hear.
The past few days my twitch has been overpowering, throwing me off balance - it's the dramatic weather, I think.. as my body screams nap - my mind says paint... a happy medium - small paintings for a few days. The other day I stopped what I was doing (some simple task) & started crying - I realized it was exhaustion - not depression had me 'lose it' for a few moments anyway.  The constant zapping.. makes  a day difficult, some more so than others.  
Still, (after I nap) I choose to celebrate each day God provides.  
A good cry helps clean the soul & tear ducts - get it out.
​Male & female. If it feels good- do it...  cry.

I purchased small wooden panels so I think a few small monkeys are waiting to be discovered.  Painting this chimp was disscovering him in the jungle..  as he started to peer thru the darkness.
​
What is it?...
 The light shining thru... the knowlege that awakens you.

​g

These two make me smile. I love them both, very much.
The bird & the Boy.  

Bird flies free but we catch him (regular) to check on him for emergency reasons, teach him to get in his cage, clip his nails.. it's good to handle your bird so they don't freak out.  
Bird gets extra excited when Storm visits us! Just like me! lol
He zips around the room - smacking us on the head during a fly bye' and 'flipping us the bird in between to get our attenetion,  it makes us all laugh.  Bird is a cheeky boy.

Storm, our son is also a cheeky boy - aren't all sons?  
They know how to get us going & make us, mom' n particular laugh.  This last visit was no exception. It didn't last nearly long enough.  Knowing how busy Storm is, we're grateful he visits as aften as he does.  Now, I have this painting to make us smile - he caught bird, I captured a photo & feel - I caught the mood with the painting - it works for me.
Two birds with one stone! Two loves of my life in one canvas.

I greatly appreciate them allowing me to use them for 'portrait practice'...  
I don't know what Storm thinks but Bird thinks he's slimmer & needs a little more yellow. Everyone is a critic.

I'm not sure who's next - I think I'll work from a photo & suprise the person with it when complete.

Sunday, I spend with God & creating God focused art which I'll share on sundays for a little inspiration - should you feel you need some. Exploring - surrounded by birds - time to plan the next canvas! How about you?  What are you creating?  
​
Have you made your vision board for this year? Proven to work. Just sayin...  
I drew me on this property.  Hee hee.

With TLC & THC.
​G

What do you think Santa's up to?  
I imagine he's  checking that list - for the second time.
The reindeer, fed hemp  and other healthy goodies are in training mode - it won't belong now.

We are all looking forward to good meals & good company and  stimulating conversation.  Thrilled not to be surrounded by consumerism Christmas'.  This year the tree went up and very few decorations with having a bungalow, open concept - you don't need it... what we have can be seen from everywhere.  The tree is the focal point, I enjoy it's glow at night but will appreciate the space again when it is gone.  December 28th.  

​Baby It's COLD outside!
You know as you watch the wood burn and don't feel as warm as you think you should.
We have other sources of heat but this is all a learning, enjoyable process that gets much conversation & calculation.  I wonder how much people pay for wood around the world?
We don't have to pay for it - yes, we do/did - with property purchase & work & it is work. 
It's a lot of work.  You feel very accomplished when watching the fire burn.  I do! lol 
Others 'sometimes' complain of sore backs - hee hee.    Chop wood & Carry water.

Less is MORE!  As I was decorating I started a give away box.  Less is More.  
More TIME to enjoy what you enjoy. 
I hope people 'give more time' & spend less $$$ this year.  
Less debt for 2020! Yippie!

Trump impeached?! Wow. Amen  
Let's hope America has a better year - decade - future,  NOW.   
Time to feed the birds. paint and: Log on!

With TLC & THC
​Georgia

What a beautiful day! A HIGH of 22 in the highlands.  While on a mission for baked good the other morning I spotted a gang/gaggle of wild turkeys - Crossing the highway onto my property - weeee!  It's turkey time soon- Turkeys are an ugly bird - if you ever confront a wild turkey you might get more than you bargin for...   If everyone had to look at a live wild turkey - I wonder if 'as many' would be eaten in a couple of weeks- Canadian Thanksgiving.

I was up before the birds this morning- in the mood to paint wild turkey cards. Got your fat pants ready?  Thanks Giving this year is going to be AWESOME!  I've decorated- I let some leaves blow in my living room - red, orange, yellow & brown.  While waiting for black acrylic paint to be delivered - I've decided to focus on cards this week.

Cards, I'd like to see - ugly birds.  Each card is a tiny hand painted original & would make the perfect thank you for the host of any thanksgiving meal.   I've recently had a local store request to sell my cards & I'll  be deliveing the first 'set' soon.  I'm not sure if many will sell but it's exciting all the same, a new adventure until my studio is built it will be a sweet little creative outlet until then, keeping me creative & busy & challenged in greetings to make others smile. Tough job.  ;)
 
I hear Trump is about to be dumped. Amen.

Fall is looking lovely - Abbey Gardens is having a fall festival on the 19th. I'm going!
They have forest chickens, food & all sorts of fun stuff - enough to get you in the fall mood for sure.  Time to get back to painting turkeys...  I hope to find them in the woods - not to eat but to admire... from a distance - Wild Turkeys can kick ASS.  
Gobble Gobble..   Gobble till you wobble. 

To see more ThanksGiving cards check out Forever grateful greetings.
With TLC & THC 
​Georgia

This painting occupied about 2 weeks of my time painting & almost a year contemplating. I just needed to find the perfect tree, the perfect tree needed to find me.  There it sat in front of me as I was somewhat lost in my woods. It's easy to get lost as you are not on flat land and surrounded by trees, you can't hear what direction noise is coming from... luckily, I remembered this ap. I downloaded and there I was a little bluedot.. I walked until I saw the blue dot was moving twoards the direction of the house - forest creatures watching - were amused - I could sence them laughing at me as I stumbled past that same  'amazing' rock 3 times.  

That tree spoke to me, whispred "Stop. Look at me - what do you see?"  It looked like a person sitting there...  I hung out there for a while (the girls always with me happy to be lost in the forest) & I thought of missing women, in particular Indigenous women, missing because they were TAKEN.  Into a forest...  missing.  Gone.

In the past few years I have researched this too many times.  Read about the Red River & how  womens bodies are commonly found in it. Would there be a different response if not idgenous women  - Yes, I believe there would & that is shameFULL of Canada.  Why are we wasting fucking time & 'resources' with  "world breaking news" like Justin in 'black face' (God forbid the day we are ALL judged for all the stupid shit we did IN OUR PAST)  Or watching  documentaries on netflix by Chelsea on  'white privledge' by a white privileged woman -  no shit there is a problem - still... but do you know what is worse for black women, hispanic women, indigenous women - in Canada & the USA - ALL around the world...  ALL colors, shapes & AGE: Murder, Abuse, sex trafficking, rape, sexual harrassment to simple  (constant issues) such as less pay & job discrimination,  - just for being FEMALE.  
Why are we reading about bullshit in the news? WHY?  
WHY is this NOT the top story... when will it be? 
Why - because it would be on the news every day & it is DEPRESSING - OH well, just for a second imagine how depressing it is being the mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, aunt,uncle, cousin, partner, friend to a missing young girl.  Taken.   
Time to stop saying "missing" & call it what it is -  TAKEN.  Stolen. 

Do you care  if Justin was black faced - long ago, when he was young, stupid & hairy?
(Hee hee hee) -   those who judge him for it - Phhbt. 
If only some cared half as much as they do about politics as  missing women- there would be fewer misisng women.   When we know better - we do better?  Does Justin not apply to the same rules we all do?  Last time I checked he was still, just a man.
It would be comical actually, if  we were NOT wasting such resources - like news, journalism, awareness, education,  thought, policing, money & time on what really mattered.  Each other.   Women.

 I have another painting,  inspired by another tree - another missing woman - I'm sure there are as many as I have trees...   I plan on painting several to bring 'light' to the situation.  Below the tree that inspired the painting.

With TLC & THC
​Georgia

I am a loon for the library & birds in general!  Actually, I am a loon for reading, reading is good for the mind & eyes.  I needed a book bag so I don't misplace anything and can grab it in a second as I head out the door... to the closest library.  Haliburton Highlands has an impressive library service , rent books, large print, audio books, DVDs (all & every subject), magazines, childrens books of course - and I picked up a 'Pioneer woman cookbook'- which has me drooling & thrilled to get into the kitchen.  Do you know how many millions cannot read?  Too many.   Imagine how much more difficult life can become when you can't read, can't communicate, it's like speaking another language to some...
  
Open books & you open doors, it's that simple.  I'm grateful for the library, getting out to visit it, the beautiful drive noticing  leaves changing while waving 'hello' to a new neighbour as I go!  Weeee!  Grateful to God for the view - reminding all us "painters"  to pay attention as fall arrives.... get a lesson like no other direct from the creator. 

I asked Norm to take down the weather vane so I could paint it - of course,  since I was a kid I've alwasy wanted a weather vane! It amuses me so much now that we have one - I smile every time I look up at it.  I use to draw them on every house (not just the haunted houses) so, to have my own - a  Canadian GOOSE - is the cherry on this cake.  I lay there and watch it spin and could not take it any longer - it screamed & squeeked 'paint me'... Norm has to put it back up this weekend (add a bit of WD40) - he also took down the base with the N,S,E,W for a new coat of weather protecting paint.  I am in a painting mode-  today was a pair of:  "Happy Fall Y'all "   jeans - lol  they are my painting jeans which started to look a little ruff so I 'falled' them up with  leaves - organized painting. I can't wait to wear them.. .
my kinda camoflauge.

A new canvas has been started and it's goig to take a while..   a serious peice of work,  just getting photos has been a 3 day adventure, then I stared at the canvas for about 16 hours -  vefore finally a bit of pencil was added,  trying to anticipate where I want the viewwer to look & what to see.  Som ehave NO idea how lng paintings take, I lay and just think about the direction of the light, what I want in the image around the main subject.. color I will be using.. - Norm says 'I'm napping.'  when he sees me do this.  No.
Next step  PAINT.  Beyond enthusiastic to start creating this painting.

Until we meet again - EAT pie - homemade. 
With TLC & THC
me. 
 

I love this Dog - Daisy Dog, she is my constant companion & guardian for us all.
Daisy is Storms dog, he walked her & trained her and she has visited a Cannabis farm or two but she lives with us currently - althought she is no stranger to the big city life as well!
Since we have now moved to some land she lives with us where she can run & explore - but she never wanders far, not even when chasing a rascal! 

Never a few feet from us in the woods and even helps me when I call her & grab her collar for a little extra support - she keeps an eye on me as well as the little dogs.  Her bark is loud & fierce and her bite worse - the raccoon that she killed up on the bird deck learned the hard way  & she would not liten to me, not until she was positive it was dead, I'm glad it was not Ginger that discovered it as it was 3 times her size & I doubt the dog would have won in that fight.   I keep Daisy in now at night, more from fear she will come up against a wolf or bear - she does not back down when it comes to defending her territory or family. 

Most of the time she is a big funny doggo - begging me to throw the ball!  She loves hugs, long walks and snuggles on the leather sofa.. lol    I could not ask for a better dog, 'friend' and watch dog.   We are loving every second in our new home - we explored the forest today - there is actually a fence around the property - as old as it is - it makes for lovely photos & future painting ideas.  All 3 small dogs got a bath today before the weather gets too cool, nice to dry in the hot sun.  Do you have a dog?  I'm sure if you have the space there is one waiting in a shelter for you today!  One who will will protect your garden & family if you give it all in needs: Food, water, shelter & LOVE > All we 'all' really need.

Next an owl and a bee - gouache while I think about my next canvas.

With TLC & THC
​Georgia