This year is so very different from last summer. Already by this time in 2012 we were starting into a despairingly long and dreadful drought. This year there is ample water and the forest is coming alive again. It is wonderful to see nature’s resilience. Except for the mosquitos that is.
I have a shrub at THO that has busted out in pink blooms this year. It turns out that this nice little plant is an invasive species… a native of Siberia (and other parts of Asia). A weed that was brought here as an ornamental plant but it pushes out the native varieties.
My first reaction was to stop and admire it… now I know what it is and am not so sure it is pretty. 
This morning when I woke up the rain had just begun to fall. I flew out of bed to uncover the garden and headed back into Tiny House Ontario to get dressed and organize my day. My cousin Tracey and I planned on a slumbie at her place in the city tonight, so I had a few things to pack into the car.
I was just about to put them there when I noticed there was a HUGE turkey just beside my door. Instead of going out, I grabbed the camera and took a couple of photos. Unfortunately, he got a few feet from the house… and through the glass the photos are not terrifically clear. Even so, they are better than nothing and I did not want to scare turkey off. These wild turkeys run fast and fly quite well so I am lucky to get a photo from 20 feet.
The turkey was alone as far as I could see. Probably attracted by the mix I put out for the birds and chipmunks. It certainly looked well fed and mature. I would guess that this turkey was well in excess of 20 pounds.
I knew that there were turkeys here on our historical land because I often see their tracks in the snow; large arrows pointing in direction that they left behind. It is the first I have seen one come so close so I am thrilled and hoping for more!
The wild turkey is really making a comeback in Eastern Ontario. I understand from my grandparents that they were once very plentiful; however, as a child I do not recall ever seeing one nor do I recall ever hearing of anyone who hunts ever killing one. Yet, in the last decade they seem to be thriving. I also understand that these turkeys were reintroduced to the area from the United States. Apparently 274 birds were brought in a couple of decades ago and now there are some 35,000 of them in the area.
No matter the details, it was thrilling to have a turkey visit THO this morning! Now I am signing off because I am going to gobble down some lunch… turkey free, of course!
No worries, this rural girl listens to the radio and I have it covered!
As many of you know, I very much need a shed at Tiny House Ontario. In order to build this, I need to raise some funds. I decided in the winter that I would try to up my income, by bringing prints of my work to the historic Springer Market Square in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. BUT in oder to do this I had to buy a car… a 1999 Golf… and is in the shop now getting a $400 repair done. So much for earning. So far, I pay rent at the market and I am not quite breaking even… but with the car repair and gas… tragic (for me)!
I was speaking about my concerns to fellow artist friend (another Laura) and she made a few suggestions. In short, I have followed her advice. I opened an account with Fine Art America to sell some of my pieces, originals as well as prints.
I decided to keep the prices minimal – marking them up just a dollar or two on each print and the originals are marked to pay for my materials as well as my time. I wanted to keep the prices as low as I can so that everyone in the tiny house community can afford to support me. Too, I think it would be cool to see my work up in other tiny houses! I am really hoping that this will happen!
Tiny House Ontario 