Hayley, who is 13 (making her 91 in human years), is both blind and deaf. What fun to see her walk past an axe.

While the beach is still covered up in water, why not have a glass of wine while roasting marshmallows over the hibachi!

You can see the lake through the trees. You can probably see our reflection in the picture too, since we keep taking pictures of the outdoors from inside since it's only +9 outside.
(all photos come from *Mila's* camera)

signed, the willow

It's a long long way back home

Look around and you shall see
things of familiarity.

A mirror that I painted for someone sweet.
With a Shakespeare quote that can't be beat.

Jars of pencils, count them up.

Sharpened, focused and dark in cup

Ladies in frocks with skirts that spin

Look down upon girls who want to win.

See the bridge through the fog?

Probably not, go walk your dog.

Hair of blonde. Hair of gray.

We've missed these locks from so far away.

Pathetic rhyme time ends with purple lupines.

That silver yoga ball? Smokey the ball. Smell her. She's ain't cute.

This is just one of the last remaining merry-go-rounds left in North America. The other two are located downtown Sioux Lookout.


More vacation notes to come.

signed, the willow

Housepaint Deux

I'm sorry that I saved this for you until it closed, but hey "I'm having a vacation". My vacation is far from Toronto's ROM (that would be the Royal Ontario Museum) and the exhibit I'm exhibiting is "Housepaint 2". Tent City existed in Toronto until 2002 when it's inhabitants were evicted (with no warning). So five talented artists got together and created "houses" constructed of their canvasses which they painted in memory of the Tent City residents.

housepaint

What does this have to do with my blog? Pretty much nothing as I write about my material wants and needs. But I have a soft spot for someone who has no choice in home. I value the statement that these artists have made and the contribution that the ROM has made to make it possible.

signed, the willow

How Great

How great is Jennifer Davis? I'll let you decide for yourself. But I think she's pretty darn fabulous.

signed, the willow

"I Scream Because I Caaaaaaaaannnnnn..."

signed, the willow

Rockett Man

If you don't adore what they've got going on at Rockett St George, then I guess it is true: "You just don't get it".

signed, the willow

Forest Friends

Meet 'Mishkyn and Boris'. Well, that's what I've decided to call them. They are the forest friends I have been waiting for. Talented artist Kitty Empire was kind enough to conjure this messenger bag up and send it to Ontario. Most amazing to my 5-year old daughter that she could sew this. "Your 'passenger' bag is handmade? That's just amazing. How did she make it? ... She sewed it? How? I just can't believe that she sewed that 'passenger' bag for you mom!"

Handcrafted of vinyl, so it survived today's downpour and killed no forest friends. And Kitty Empire was kind enough to donate 5% of this month's sales to Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare. How cool is that? Since Mishkyn was a bunny I had as a little girl that unfortunately was taken too soon from us by a nasty skunk. Okay. Moving on.

Mishkyn and Boris welcome to your new home.

Let me just enter the secret code. No peeking.

Try not to trip over all the toys that *Mila* left on the floor this morning. This will happen quite often. Also, expect to be sniffed quite readily by a canine. She's harmless, but she is convinced she's part beagle. Just go with it.

Thanks for coming grocery shopping with me. Even though I lost my list (from my pocket, silly) I'm pretty sure we picked up everything we need and we by-passed the junk food aisles.

If you haven't noticed yet, we will be taking you on many a shopping excursion. *Mila* had to stop and make her Dad a Father's Day card at Old Navy. While they don't sell ties, they put them on their cards (? Yeah, I know).




So we did pick up a tie. Shhh! and a pink basketball. How cute will it be when we're outside watching *Mila* and *Steve* shoot hoops?

When we go to IKEA, we'll find a whole bunch of things that we won't need. But they are so cute and you'll love them too.

Let's not forget your very cute partner that I picked up for *Mila*, Fawnzelle (thanks Dooce). Check out those size 13 shoes she picked out for herself and this great Canada Day tee. If you can't make it out: heart + (:)) = maple leaf. Love plus happy people equals Canada. Or Big Sugar + Stompin' Tom = Canadian.

Occasionally, Boris and Mishkyn, you will be asked to plantsit.

The beast known as Suma will surely cuddle with you, even if harbor no sausages.

Join us for some "home-schooling" that we do for pure fun. We draw our own flags and then memorize them. See the Iceland one? Good, get used to that topic of conversation.

*Mila* will take you up and down the stairs for breakfast, lunch and dinner with her. She'll ask you to pass her the sugar. Don't fall for it!

Maybe I'll ask you to carry Dooce's book "it sucked and then I cried" around. Don't worry, it's not that heavy.

Mimzy and Emma (part deux) are the faux forest friends that live with *Mila*. At night they'll want your contents.

I'll show you my outfits and ask you for your opinions. Be honest, but not brutally honest.

Put your head on my pillow if you like.

And say goodnight.

Goodnight.

signed, the willow

Waiting

I am waiting very patiently to receive my messenger bag that I ordered on Etsy from Kitty Empire. While I sit here waiting (at the mailbox), go have a look at what I have purchased. It really would be such a treat to see it tomorrow....

signed, the willow

Centre Island Adventure

Toe tapping on the train.



"How much longer?"When we arrived on Centre Island there was a whole lot of this going on.

And then there was this....

Finally, after a big rocket popsicle we took some posed pictures beside Toronto's big rocket in the sky. That would be hair on *Steve's* lower lip and popsicle dripping from my nose, chin, lips, ears, etc. *Mila* was the cleanest of us all.signed, the willow

The Field Guide to beat all Field Guides

This book (which *Mila* placed a blue "GOOD" sticker on) carried me through University and through my hikes after University. Thanks to the internet, things have come a long way. Check out this Ontario Wildflower website. Totally Awesome DUDE!

signed, the willow