Author: grovvyfolks

It’s Christmas Time

Entering Santa’s forest….

Literally, a five minute drive from our home.

We ventured past houses, a ginger bread house, a candy cane shop, a toy shop, and the home of one of the elves.

After turning right out of our driveway, then right again onto the highway, a left-hand turn then took us to our destination.

We passed and read, notes to Santa, enjoyed mailboxes emptied of letters and beautiful baby pictures.

We made our first purchase of a real tree in  many years.

We traveled through a forest filled with hope, joy and lots, and lots of snow.

A tree locally grown will be locally displayed in our living room, decorated with bright lights and colourful bells and balls and beads.

Horses, near and far.

Unlike the trees growing in the forest, decorated with pinecones and thick white snow.

A photo shoot  in Santa’s workshop after the work was done!

We choose a precut tree, perfectly designed to fit into our vehicle.

Fires, trees, and sun-dried reeds.

Tomorrow will be a day of decorating.

We ran into old St. Nick himself, and his eight tiny reindeer.

Thank you, Bridle Tree farm, for a wonderful Christmas experience.

The reason for the season. Awaiting the birth of Jesus!

Happy birthday, Ben
















Happy birthday, Ben!
I'll love you forever 
and then
I'll love you all over 
again!

You just turned 
two!
You have so much 
to do!

Trucks to watch.
Drums to bang.
Books to read,
again and again. 

Soon, you'll learn
to put on your  shoe 
and jump in a puddle 
right on cue.

You'll laugh 
and you'll hop,
and when someone asks,
you won't stop!

You'll grow, 
and you'll learn.
You'll become 
a growing concern. 

And everyday from now
til well past 92
always remember 
That, I LOVE YOU!!!!

Grandma

	


	



			
				


			
				


			

			
Clouds
		
	
	

		






Cloud formations 
In the sky
Beg me to ask
The reason why?

What happened then?
What happens now?
What will happen 
To Question how?










The clouds are billowing 
To keep their heads 
From billowing.










Oh what a mess
Has been made
But the clouds
They have stayed.

High above
In the sky 
I like to believe 
Clouds, know the reason why.






	


	



			
				


			

			
Valdy
		
	
	

		

Valdy – born Paul Valdemar Horsdal





My first Valdy concert was held at Georgian College,  approximately fifty years ago. The colour of his hair may have changed, but his voice it remains the same.





Music, lifted by the acoustics of a beautiful centuries old church, mixed the vocal talents of the audience with the voice of Valdy and raised up the new songs and those of old up into a balcony that has heard so much!





Red Shoes!





I was delighted to see a pair of red shoes on Valdy’s feet!





Everyone should own a pair of red shoes!





If this guitar case could talk….





Traveling from Salt Spring Island, which is cozily nestled between Vancover Island and mainland British Columbia, to nearly everywhere…..





Until next time.





‘Play me a rock and roll 🎵 song’

	


	



			
				


			

			
Art Walk
		
	
	

		

Creating art for art… creating an art walk in my forest..





I had planned, by now, to be done.





Instead, I have just begun. 





A cedar bench





A spot to sit upon cedar boughs. With coloured





 rocks, as a red squirrel chatters in protest, not





 wanting to share this space.





A healthy old tree.





A hollow spot, within a healthy tree, gathers





 treasures. 





Spreading kindness like confetti. 





Tree Art





Adding beauty and colour to my forest. 





A project left over from a long time ago. 





“In the beginning, God made the heavens and the





 earth.” Genesis 1:1





“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”





A perfect spot to sit and rest, bathing in all the





 scents and sights and sounds that the forest has





 to offer.










Watch for an updated version this time next year!






	


	



			
				


			

			
Oh, to Fly
		
	
	

		

So many tiny wings!





Oh, to fly.
To fly away,
with the wind 
on a breezy day!






Branches about branches!





To be set free,
where I can be
like that branch,
high in the tree.






My forest!





I went for a walk, 
in my forest today. 
My first walk
since things were blown away.





Raindrops 





The earth was still. 
The ground was wet.
It was the best walk,
that I've ever had!






	


	



			
				


			

			
Aurora Borealis
		
	
	

		

Somewhere in the skies above Western Canada!





Seeing the Northern Lights give a spectacular display across the skies has been on my bucket list for a very long time.

























In Edmonton, Alberta





Watching this magical dance with my family, while in different places in Canada, was an added blessing.




















In Barrie, Ontario. 





Galileo named this display in the night sky, Aurora Borealis. Aurora after the Roman goddess of dawn,  and Borealis after the Greek name for the north wind.




















From my back yard.





Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, Polar Lights





 A spectacular dance of colour across our northern skies!!!!!






	


	



			
				


			
				


			

			
Orange Shirt Day
		
	
	

		

My first beading project, not perfect 
but it’s mine.





Orange Shirt Day tells the story of a young girl who wears her favourite shirt to her first day of school only to have it taken away from her.





The message that Orange Shirt Day shares with everyone is ‘That Every Child Matters’, and to educate people about Residential Schools and the importance of fighting racism and bullying.





We had a wonderful instructor and great conversation about indigenous artists and authors.





Learning the art of beading at the Simcoe County Museum. 





Beading an orange shirt in honour of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.





The wearing of an orange shirt on September 30th is a symbol of solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.