Some days - you just need to sit back and give.. not one fuck.
Not about anything or anyone.. chances are, the world & those we care about will still be there when you return from a small break

Justin Trudeau gave us his new opinion and it sucks... I remember not celebrating Thanksgiving - in hopes we might celebrate Christmas.  The 'holiday' now comes with an entirly new level of not needed stress - for too many.
Others lives are more importnt to me than a holiday so...  I'll go with the flow.

I'm sure you are aware of disbelievers.. well, there are days I tell you I don't know what to fucking think about any of this- the vaccine is disturbing, in the past- they took MUCH longer to test before giving it frankly.  I'm in no hurry to get it.   If you research and watch - there are many VERY educated people questioning all of this and the lock downs.  Yes, it is confusing - the government can't seem to get their shit together and get on the same page - no wonder poeple are becoming impatient and tired - covid exhasuted.

RIGHT NOW - I will wear a mask- NOT because the goverment insists, because I care about you - strangers.. I don't want to make you sick.  I I don't know enough to take a chance.  Do you?  It's that simple.  I do believe masks work to some degree.  Just say - this is all a giant hoax (I don't feel it is)  but just say it is... either way- I would rather be known as a "sheep" (far from)  for wearing a mask than someone who refuses to wear a mask and takes a 'CHANCE' in making others sick.  I'm not concerned about dying - fyi  - I  just don't want to get sick'... do you?   

I already live with chronic pain from Arthritis & the the fucking constant TN that wakes me up most days before the rooster and fucks with me ALL DAY LONG.
Right now - nope, I cant do it.. not one fuck will be given about covid, masks, Trump or vaccines.

I am trying to shop LOCAL - my neighbours need the help - everyone should be doing the same, suport your local community so they are still there after this pandemic.  
I decided to buy  ALL Canadian  made this Christmas and homemade'  & I'll be painting & not giving one fuck... until, maybe Monday.  
​;)
 

Rememberance day is soon!
The legion is hurting due to covid no doubt.  The Royal Canadian Legion was a big part of my parents lives.  I’ll admit Iv’e mixed feelings about the Legion’ as it was also a place my parents became easily intoxicated - inebriated to the point it amazed me they made it home alive again… one time after a legion visit my mom almost didn’t… so yes my opinion varies due to past experience

I do understand many older people use the legion as their only place to socialize, play games (darts’ pool, cards..) keep mentally sharp.. and socialize & drink.  The legions also provide for the community  great fish & chip lunches at an affordable price for one!.  They constantly hold benefits & commu it fundraisers and help those in need.  With them being closed - for mo nth due to an older’ covid catching crowd Im sure they need help now. 

That’s how it works is it not?  Generations ago went when we needed them to - to guarantee our freedom’ (so they believed).  We help NOW anyway we can.. even IF it’s just picking up your poppy.  I’ll ge a poppy and try to educate & encourage awareness with my art & social media.. what can & what will you do… to help anyone, today?

Together, Tom & I create birdhouses which make fantastic gifts and ALL proceeds go to charity. This new house was a last minute decision- I love it ;)  <><    I hope other fisher people do too! $40 for the custom painted & $15. for one of Toms colorful versions (which inspired me)!  
Want one ?- call Tom: In Minden 705 286 4168 The Birdhouse guy.  I decided once one set is done- it’s done - so if you see one you like- better call Tom before it’s gone. I won't be going back- new creations every batch.
I’m excited for the next, already painted in my mind.  

I’ve been painting MUCH- but- it’s all Christmas related.. when is too soon - too soon? lol
Several editorial I..m excited to share.

As for theMonkey business in the USA - WOW!  Fucked up.
Can you possibly ADD any FURTHER ANXIETY to your own country? The fact that it IS so close is mind blowing.  Americans appear to enjoy learning lessons the hard way, obviously. Latinos for Trump - guess what- he hates you Latino’s 'in' America, if he could he's kick you all out. 
Bunch of Primates. The Trump editorials are rampant - and I wait anxiously  ?which do I post…
I can only imagine the stress levels when lives are in the balance.


NOW - HEAT WAVE in our T-shirts! Painting & pondering in the sunshine - Thank God.
Next- Good news from this election!

                                        Gloating Goat acrylic on wood panel. 12 x 16

Indica is a content goat.  I like to see him basking in the fall sunshine in his chair.
I wonder what he is thinking...    The yellow in this painting 'pops in the sunshine. 
We have happy goats & chickens,  no wonder my goat gloats'...    he loves to be brushed and is super cheeky, when I go in the coop- he stands against the door (locking me in) looking in the windows, he is quite playful.

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.

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