studio tour..

my door sign..

a frida poster inside my door for inspiration..

lonely chair

Such a lovely historic building..starting to crumble however. Hopefully it won't be soon "beyond repair" I appreciate my space there..and it's affordability ..so don't want to shake the trees..but it surely would be a shame if this gorgeous structure were to be demolished because of neglect.It must have been a grand courthouse indeed in the 1800's early 1900's..I decided to put up some of my art in the halls to honour it's beauty..amidst frayed discoloured carpet and old lino.tired yellow and doctor's -office- blue paint..

red head with chickens

decided to change my hair colour..it's my prerogative :-))

sweet freedom..and maybe a few dog food treats

the coop

Ok I am loving the longer days and the shedding of layers (clothes that is) It's still in between. I am unclear about what is being planted in the fields around us..and hope it's green and pretty and that they don't dust the air with pesticide(ha ..likely scenario!) The chickens are merry and free..and they seem motivated to lay more lovely elliptical eggs ..I adore watching them scramble and run ..that crazy zig zag side to side shuffle and communicate in adoring ways that only chickens can do - Listening to their coos and cackles is music to my ears..Am I chicken obsessed? Boldness has brought them to the porch where I get a sidelong look from Luciano the roo..Perhaps wondering why we have the larger home? (and why I coloured my hair?!!)

Spring into ..

Change is inevitable..Right now I am considering a world where I parent at a distance. There are certainly so many sides to this equation..My daughter is contemplating university..big step ..positive for her and her essential growth..Exciting,thrilling ,terrifying and yes it stretches that elastic that joins us even a little bit more..I woke early today..my head spinning with all the possibilities of our separation..She is my only one so this is it..We move on to the next stage of life..maybe be a little less irritated and exasperated with each other..maybe a litle in awe of the frightening -ly close connection we have..Maybe anticipating reunion with a newfound positivity. I have loved (and at times been consumed by) watching her grow.With all the drama and milestones and pride and..fear . This connection has been like no other. She is ready..I am warming to readiness-as this change will redefine me and perhaps permit me to focus more on inward travels and growth (I think I do a pretty good job at that already :-) I think to some degree I will live vicariously through her own life adventures..but perhaps not so closeup at such intensity that I falter or lose perspective

April fool for chickens

A whole entire indoor day for me..rainy day indulgence..just me and the dogs,cats,rats ..and chickens..I might add they are so content these days as they are truly free ranging now ..in our yard..the gardens..now the porch..saucy Luciano the roo leading the way..I take a peek now and then and it makes me grin to view their collective antics..I do detect a shade of green amidst all the muck and winter's refuse..

It's been a little chaotic

yes..a lovely view nonetheless..sigh

journals made by students in February elective art class this year at a local public school

Life has certainly taken some twists and turns as of late..but I find staying as much in present as possible quite helpful..What other choice do we have but to deal with what is presented to us on a plate in front of us? Everything else is memory,speculation ,regret and hope(may I add worry and fretting to the soup pot?) My elderly parents have heightened needs of late..and although my physical presense isn't around too much due to distance..I try to maintain a thread of steady connection and support from afar. The landscape is everchanging and the on again off again worries winter weather blows our way keep me hopping..Although our little home is so very lovely it is starting to close in a bit when we are all here..Starting to look at potential living spaces again which of course puts us all (especially me!)psychologically and emotionally in whirl..Although life is ever changing..it feels impossible to stay static.. I picture the garden..overflowing with summer's bounty ..the chickens happy chortling around in their outdoor world..picking and pecking at bugs..having dirt baths..and frankly I can't wait to experience the living outdoors again..The dead starkness of winter is a cross to bear at times..and the usual white snow is quite defaced with sand and salt and muck right now with this recent thaw..but to stay in the now..I think I will curl up with a book and a cat or two on my lap..

Beach Doggie

Beach Doggie
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

well behaved,,..

Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

a recent weekend trip to Toronto took me back to my old stomping grounds..kew beach and it's majestic trees!

dining in paradise

dining in paradise
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

I treated myself to a most splendid dining experience of freshly baked naan,and scrumptious veggie indian fare finished with a steaming cup of Chai tea..

salt flats toronto beaches

Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

witnessed a convoy of heavy loaded salt trucks..early Sundaymorning..load er up!

December can be trying

I appreciate the stark beauty of it all..but the extra labour,layered clothing and tense driving are starting to take me over to the darker side. if I am not fretting about my own driving..I am angst-ing about my daughter's (who assures me she is capable but..)

I am on holdays now for a bit but recognise there are so many responsibilities that tug at me..I would like to shelter some reflective time..

for now the kitties in the Christmas tree make me both insanely frustrated..and hysterically jolly..

my little patch of comfort

With the cold air swirlimg outside..the weather inside is cozy..