This painting was inspired from a photo taken years ago in the ravenshoe forest...
I still remember the exact moment Storm turned to show me a mushroom he found, I believe we were looking for morel, we were laughing.. dogs exploring.  The sunshine was perfect.  It was a wonderful day & lovely memory.  Painting the photo was re-living our many foray adventures, they were always such great days, meeting fellow mycology lovers, I was there for exercise, terrific company & the  beauty of the mushrooms and would never consider myself an expert.  I love my son.    :)  

If you don't know what a mushroom IS - Do NOT eat it - that's the best advice I may offer.

I do know several edibles but I still check, with a text to Storm, he suggests I look it up, either way, encouraging me to learn.   We are anticipating many forest finds with our truffle sniffing dogs!  Hahaha  I wish.    
I will teach  the girls to find morel, if you can teach dogs to find drugs - why not? 

Painting, remembering and intentionally wishing good things for Storm & everyone he is surrounded by is how I enjoy spending time. Not stress.  There is enough to stress about - if you choose.  I choose to paint.   Things I enjoy, some times it's humans.  hee hee

Do what you love & love what you do.
Storm is doing what he loves and I can see & hear it when he talks/texts about work.
He is growing all the time,  all day every day.   'We' are.
​
That background was FUN!   ...more on the way.

Rise up through the mud & dirt & bloom where you are planted.
On to the next creation of love!
with THC & TLC 

Spring is in 10 days!  The snow is melting and soon mushrooms will sprout - mmmm can't wait for some fresh pan friend buttered Dysart saddle.  I'm goingto search for lionsmane this year - I know it's on the property I can smell it... & oyster mushrooms, I found some last year but they were  already drying.

The birds are returning!  Norm built  3 new feeders I sketched: an apple, orange & stale bread feeder which have already got the attention from the existing woodpeckers & nuthatches.  Spring - new life. New Growth.  A lesson taught to us by mother nature year after year.. keep going - it's a new day, new time.. a fresh start to this years adventures.

Soon I'll have  tiny plants on the patio!
Birds & bees, dragonflies.. bears are all about to wake up.  
Norms never experienced 'Spring' here, yet...  he's just as excited as I am.
Have a creative day  don't forget to feed our feathered friends.
​

The snow is melting
the bunnies are hopping
soon.. mushrooms will be popping.

Acrylic on oval canvas.

What's the word of the day - Cancelled. GOOD.  Closed - BARS  - CLOSED AMEN.
What's it take- how many deaths.. ask Italy.
Yikes, I can't help but think - this is going to get way worse, in the USA in particular- before it gets better.  I had to unfollow a few on IG, I can't take the mentality - in particular, Americans who post  about others buying toilet paper - while they stock up on AMO to take the toilet paper - wow.  Holy cow- nothing like putting it out there  in early stages of the game.  It's no game tho.

What I think some  Americans don't realize - is Canadians own guns too... what do they think we do all day? Build igloos.  
Gun sales have hit record highs the past few days.  I am surrounded  by hunters - living here 9 months, seeing bear pooh in my yard, hearing wolves in my backyard,  it's easy to get lost on my property too - I found that out already (and I was'nt far) ... I understand it differently, now.  If I saw a coyote on our property, eyeing one of my girls... yes, I think I would shoot it.  I've been told they can be a problem and known to attack  dogs.  I was educated on that fact in California. 

  It's always good to be prepared as we are finding out...  I have toilet paper, stuff to bake bread & potatoes ;) I hear Toronto is like a ghost city. GOOD.  Times are going to get difficult but really -  some are already resorting to threaten to steal your toilet paper- at gun point... COME on PEOPLE is this how we behave?  This is a big test and when over, how will you have done, passed or failed? 
​
How about online shopping? The post office will be thriving in this. 
Today, I noticed a small business who has offered to deliver! Terrific!
Right to the end of my driveway, I'm excited. Talk about service. lol  
I choose to support them today & thank them for their creativity!
Is there any business you can help?  It might not solve all financial fears but it just might cheer someone up... I bet there are many who are feeling a little bluer than normal.
Have faith.  Be patient & learn a new hobby! Im painting anew timelapseto share tomorrow and trying to design a few kids printouts -for a free download to keep the kiddies amused. Kiddies of all ages ;D.

Ending on great news- SPRING is Friday- Maybe this snow will melt! hahaha  
Yesterday I saw my first ROBIN! Yeah!!!  I had worms waiting. Feed the birds.
BE safe, STAY in & WASH your hands. 

Netflix has 2 new documentaries: Weed the People & (I preferred) the Grass is Green 
I guess because I learned more from the second  that I did not previously know & one does discuss children but I know what cannabis does for children. Thank God.  If you don't, then watch both.

Why are people still being punished for cananbis use?
Studies - we need more studies - fuck studies - talk to others, open a history book - talk to rock stars & past presidents, there are many famous tokers of cananbis.
& then there is still ignoranc in the workplace & I thank  this guy for educating in Halifax: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/halifax-man-denied-job-because-of-cannabis-use-wants-others-to-be-aware-1.4428094    so, there you go Eh! WTF Canada- lets get the facts right- I think a company should be more concerned about drinking on the job - much more common - do they test for that? How about Opiates?
 I personally would not want to work for a narrow minded company anyhow.
On one chanel you can watch a documentary with babies medicating - on another you have a company not hiring - because a grown man had cannabis  LEGALLY in his system.
It all takes time I guess, I'm hopeful- we are this far-  after all! 

Weeee! 2 weeds for a long weekend - I've been gardening all day & am ready to pass out now..  so much gardening thanks to some guy names monty on netfilx.. lol - & the police open! wooot woot - or should I say Scruffy said Woof Woof!
 Time to imagine some relaxing fun.  ​Time to Go for a joy Ride!

Tomorrow is all about the Bees tho- being world BEE day.
& a I'm terribly disappointed in Georgia's decision - a statement painting that applies to both! Have a  lovely long weekend- I hope not to many fireworks are let off - if so please put ear protection in your babies ears!! Fireworks can cause everlasting damage to ones hearing.

With TLC & THC
Me! 

The lord works in mysterious ways - he keeps me laughing in between crying.
I AM continually reminded how I have been helped many times over- I realized a few things yesterday after a Ray of sunshine on what started a grey morning! 
I learned over the years I have met some incredible lawyers  & EVERY time they have helped me & have never charged me.  Once a police officer even went to court to fight for me & won.  I have been protected my whole life.  Thank you Lord.

They all have told me they know/knew I was/am telling the truth and helped - it's been that simple... I guess they should know if they have been living it long enough and they also know when someone is not doing something 'for money'.  Yesterday I ended up speaking to a lawyer (I never met before) all I know is his name was Ray and he was a Ray of fucking sunshine I needed.  He explained a few things & I have heard this before  ONE other time:

No lawyer wants to spend time on your case, although  it's NOT right what you experienced - you were NOT physically hurt (other than a sore breast & slapped on the arm & back) like -I did not lose a limb in a car accident - so WHEN I would win- I'd only get a small amount and it's about $1,500 just to start a file.  A lot of time for little $.      I get it. 
He also understood I don't want any other woman to experience this.

Wow. The other time we heard that was when the genetics specialist at Sick kids told us:
No scientist are going to waste time trying to find a cure for a disease that only a few people have.  Storms illness was/is considered an 'Orphan' disease - very rare.
 'That' back then... felt like a slap. 

MONEY MONEY MONEY...         Good thing I know  God has my back, no deposit required only faith in others and myself needed.  Ray restored my faith in humans. He didn't even know.  He inspired the thank you card... already in the mail.

There's nothing like a kick in the teeth of reality to give me a kick in the ass to make shit happen myself! I realized I am not weak-  (as I felt in that office last week) I am STRONG.

That "technician" I'm confident will definitely THINK the next time she behaves as she did
NEVER LET ANYONE TOUCH you in anyway you feel uncomfortable!  Being smacked on the arm while my breast was in that machine - SHOWED her LACK of control & let me clarify for the record- it wasn't about being 'SMACKED' as I've been smacked, punched slapped, hair pulled, clothes torn and then some my entire life - far worse than what she did to me.  To treat a patient (stranger) as she did while my breast was in that machine - showed her LEVEL of professionalism - Treating a patient who is naked & vulnerable & frightened  with anything other than compassion - speaks volumes about that 'PROFESSIONAL'.  

I was grateful to  Ray ' he calmed me down - explained things as they are, was patient....  after I got off the phone & painted (felt good) I made him a thank you card- as I do. It made me LOL - I guess it is HOW I heal.   I realized when I looked up the address - I just had a conversation about my "fucking boob was in a vice when she lost it!"  with a 'criminal lawyer.'  That made me really  laugh out loud.  Someone who deals with murder... I did think later... I should have punched her - I'd been happy to explain it to a judge.  I could not have reached.. my boob did not stretch that far...  that & she was definitely NOT  worth me hurting my painting hands!
 
I do think Ray thought 'tit was a joke for  a second when I first called him as he asked 'who told you to call me??  (9 a.m.) Another lawyers had given me his #.  I am forever grateful for his brutal reply - it saved me time and energy' then - I knew the exact direction to take and the rest of the day went so smoothly - all I could think:
                                       Thank you again, for answering my prayers.

PLEASE NOTE: I LEARNED these 'PRIVATE places'- when there is an issue - GOOD LUCK!  & Ray told me that too-  it's not like you can even contact anyone - there is NO ONE on the WWW for you to ask for - that alone should be sending up red flags! They have it so it's work just tracking them down,  who has time, energy - or in some cases $ for lawyers.
FROM NOW ON I will have all my tests done at the hospital or with a REGISTERED organization with reputable service & PROFESSIONAL, COMPASSIONATE employees.  

I share this bullshit so YOU Might avoid it- I won't give that bitch another thought, she's not worth it.  Life is too short & I have painting to do- cards to make & smile to produce!! AMEN.

ANYONE who thinks I'm being dramatic - HAVE a STRANGER put your breast/penis in a vice while  you're naked & trapped - alone in a room with a shut door - you can't reach -  then  you are slapped  by them  while they are yelling  their credentials!   Have that happen...
Then let's have this fucking conversation again.   
I bet your perspective changes.

Lesson learned  it will never happen to me again! I go prepared from now on to every appointment & IF I want someone in the room with me - I am getting someone IN the room with me! FUCK that- this system needs FIXED!!!
Western medicine  becomes less appealing with every visit.

Medical professionals are just as capable of mental health issues as the REST of us=
NURSE Elizabeth Wettlaufer  or Surgeon Mohammed Shamji   
​are just two examples.   

With TLC & THC
Georgia
  
Yoda & Kermit are sold.
Wait until you see my Space Monkey that inspired another space monkey - and a space monkey painting! Time to get creative. 

The image below was pulled off of Google with just a couple of complaints I easily found : KESWICK ADVANCED Imaging.  Do not say you have not been warned! I would never recommend any woman go here for a mammogram!  
CLEARLY THERE IS AN issue...   WHY is this person still working there!? I feel sad for the young mom too.  NO, not 'physically hurt -  still  - fucked with mentally BY an angry bitch who takes it out on PATIENTS.

10 days and it's official - Spring is here! woot woot! That winter flew bye - the than the COLD I didn't find it that difficult at all! What arrives with the spring? MUSHROOMS - Mushroom hunting season is almost upon us! With Instagram I am continually astonished at the variety of mushrooms I see from all around the world - tiny little aliens all different in shapes, color, size... some edible & some DEADLY.  It's wise to learn the difference! 
Where is the best place to learn IMO... The Mushroom Society of Toronto!  It's where Storm and I started to expand out fungi knowledge- he (of course) surpassed my mushroom knowledge in leaps & bounds and has been the foyer director the past couple years- but he's become busy now and not as involved.  

I was asked if I wanted to draw a cover for the  MST newsletter - Of course!  It was easier than I anticipated- all I had to do was sit and think of past  foray adventures - draw a few details from what I experienced and  the cover was created.  Pondering over it was almost as fun as actually being on a foray! If you want to see the full cover- you can sign up for the newsletter & get your own copy, visit the website & you can download the current newsletter!   Get your baskets ready (I have a new one I've painted) to be astonished by mushrooms!  Just imagining a tasty morel.. get the frying pan ready.  I highly recommend if you want to introduce yourself & FAMILY  (great family activity) the place to start would be the MST.  I'm not sure how much I'll get out this spring- balance issues make for difficult woods walking  but I can hardly contain my painting excitement.

Thank God, Spring is almost here- Ginger is the only beast with cabin fever in this house- she does not even realize summer is on it's way back- I am so excited about my new swimming buddy - I hope she likes the pool, once she see's Scruffy in her boat, Daisy diving...  I'm sure she'll be the first mate!  This reminds me, I've got dogs to paint!  I'm also in the mood for cards... I need to send out some home made cards and spread some TLC.

Here is an interesting read for all  interested in Cannabis in Canada and getting your medicine "covered" ABOUT time. ​https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/workers-compensation-cannabis-guidelines-nova-scotia-1.5048619?cmp=newsletter-news-digests-canada-and-world-morning

Let the countdown begin!
10.......

with TLC & THC

In my home, I Am the Queen Bee, and you should be too.
I painted this little reminder for my zen den.. I actually started it months back- the little Bee on the sunflower  (a gift already off to it's new home) was a push to complete my own bee.
I AM Queen Bee.    She also simply reminds me to 'Be ... as in Here  & Now. 
Small paintings are fun-  hung  where they can be easily overlooked - often catch ones attention.  I'm making a mini gallery wall in my zen den - where I read.

Are you the Queen Bee in your own home?  You should be.
I'm sure you keeping your hive as best as it can be...  

Be the Queen you are Created to Be.
Anyone tries to tell you otherwise.. tell them to buzz off.

With TLC & THC
Georgia

True.

With Love
​G