found ,friend's and finds,

Most of you out there close and beyond have either shopped or have heard of our wonderful Maritime Guys Frenchy clothing outlets. Myself ,I have been shopping Frenchy's since back in 1970,71 when the first Frenchy's was in the ally behind what was then the Dominion Grocery Store and where "Curves" is now here in Liverpool. I recall only the Fish plant workers and myself shopping there back then. At the time Turtle Necks were my favorite style and I had one in every color thanks to Frenchy's. Today Frenchy's is the hip way to shop and it is amazing what you can find .Now that I live in town I drop in just about daily ,going for days without making a purchase but when I find that special ,just what I was looking for ,it is a great day. Always seeing the other regulars with a cheerful Hello. I tease the girl's who work there ,that I and we who drop in daily should be on the pay roll. This morning I popped in after gym on my routine bike ride as usual, my bike seems to drift into the Frenchy parking lot on it's own,amazing how that happens. I came home after and decided to ride down again in the afternoon to the park and take a look at a spot out of the sun in the shade where I could set up for the Market on the Mersey tomorrow Friday 29 th ,10-2, in my older years I find I break out in hives when in the sun for any length of time, so if I want to join in on the Market I must make sure I am protected. Well after finding a couple trees which may work ,I decided to stop into Frenchy's again and low and behold ,I heard at first her voice, and knew I had heard that voice before but not being able to place it I continued on with my shopping and next thing I know I am looking into the face of a Dear acquaintance/friend, fellow crafter from way back when Clay was just a young boy and he is 27 now. Meet our Dear Betty, as well here is a picture of a painting of Frenchy's that I did and had made into greeting cards and they are being sold at Guy's Frenchy's in Liverpool with the proceeds going to our local IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax.So you see Frenchy's is a very special spot where you can shop and find Treasures , say Hi to Folk's you see everyday and also rekindle with Friend's from years past, every body shops Guy's Frenchy's ,the place where there is something or someone waiting for you .

Betty and I were thrilled to see each other after so many years, we don't travel far from home these days and Betty from Mahone Bay does not drive so she just happened to be shopping Frenchy's with a friend of hers and Liverpool having a great Guy's Frenchy's was where they came and where we found each other.

Tomorrow the weather looks good for the Market on the Mersey, look for me in the shade. For, it will be a grand day on the Mersey. Come meet new and old Friend's.

show is over, now to...

Saturday's art show is over ,I still have my paintings ,actually only one painting sold at the show so I was told. So I won't take it too personal .Me not being the only one not to sell .The times are definitely different from years past. We do need to tighten our belts ,a pun in my case, having lost some weight, or should I say not necessarily pounds but moving my fat about and into muscle, for today I sit with a swim suit under my cloths , it has been awhile since I have been in a swim suit ,we are waiting on noon to drive to one of our many sand beaches, today we will visit hopefully and more then likely a quiet beach with few people and pets, we are taking our four legged Border Collie Lou Lou Belle , house guest for two weeks while her Mom and Dad are away visiting Family to the Beach. I mentioned in a past blog that I wrote a Children's Story about Lou Lou Belle. This little book ,of course illustrated by me ,no doubt will have to be published by me and I am getting closer to taking it to our local Vienot's Print to get a small number of books published and then the plan after they sell :-) I will order more, I really do believe it will be a wonderful happy little book, every time I read it ,and especially aloud it has a nice feeling and at least to me is fun, I believe if I have it made into the size I imagine ,that it can and will be enjoyed by ages 3 to even 10 year olds, and Adults like myself. Along with Lou Lou Belle we will be meeting up with our other four legged often House guest "Miss Laura " and her Mom for a ball chasing run on the Beach. Now us being who we are and all crippled up,we hope to not chase anyone other then a ball,if you get my drift, but I believe and was told by Belle's People that as long as there is a ball in hand, she will be right there front and center ,focused on the ball. The "Girl's " as I refer to them as ,are great friend's ,to watch them wrestle around the yard and sometimes in the middle of my small living room floor is heart warming. So I will take the camera and share our fun later with all of you . Funny how things happen? We at times do have Belle and Laura here at the same time for short periods of time, we found out just a couple weeks ago when we were sitting an old 14 year old ,blind,deaf dog "Buddy",that indeed he was a "Grumpy old Man" Belle came by just for the day and he would not stop growling at her and actually picked a fight, did I mention he had only a few teeth left in his head, so we had to separate them, and he would not listen or could not hear me when I told him" She can and will whoop your ass". Well yesterday I got a call from this dogs Mom wondering if I could keep him next week for only two days, but we have Belle so dare not. Then we got a call shortly after from friend's who wanted us to puppy sit their Springer Spaniel "Riki" for the day but we were going to be out and even though I know the girl's would have gotten along good ,we would not leave them alone together ,considering their first meeting. So today I am sure Laura and Belle will have a blast at the Beach. Back to the paintings that did not sell at the show ,they are still available, next week my plan is to join in on the "Market on the Mersey" I will have smaller items ,felting ,paintings and if weather permits ,no wind etc. I may take a couple canvases ,as well my painted cushion floor mats ,larger ones and table place mat size with me, so drop by if you can or give me an email if you are interested in seeing what I have . I picked up another order for our "Sea People" I will put a picture in of what a couple of the Characters look like for those who might not know the "Sea People" we have been making them since 1978, even though we seldom have them instock anymore, we keep getting requests, I have mentioned in the past ,that I have plans for writing a book about the "Sea People" Chuck and I came up with the idea of the "Sea People " and over the years like "Gnomes" have become to know them and their Mythical ways and hope to live long enough to share their story with the World. I need a lap top so I can take it with me and write wherever I wish instead of being tethered to the computer here in our closet computer room. So, please buy some art or pass it along to someone who might ,so I can purchase my dream lap top and move about ,inspired to write and share their story :-) thanks... speaking of inspired , yesterday we dropped into a friend's vintage and art shop in Port Medway, just before the Lighthouse and Wharf , and what did he have there? a Violin, I want it, why? wouldn't I like to know ,for I have owned a few stringed instruments in the past ,a dulcimer, auto harp,small harp and a banjo which I sadly sold and now I want this Violin, only four strings to tune unlike the Auto Harps 36 strings. I must be a frustrated rock star :-) I was messing around with the Violin yesterday and enjoyed it,even though Chuck laughed and said it sounded like a dyeing cat. But I still have the thought of it in my head and maybe he will do a trade, we will see, then my neighbor's may throw rotten tomatoes at me over the fence while I practice my new instrument, Thank God I am not one to stay up late so at least they will be able to sleep in peace, then I thought I bet someone close may be able to give me a lesson or two. We will see, the Lap top has top priority. Everyone out there have a great day, try and get some sand between your toes.

Above I added a couple pictures of our Beach adventure, we had a great day and I am exhausted . Sometimes a picture can say a thousand words, by the look of these two happy ball chasing dogs, I would say, that they had a wonderful!!! day as well and today here at home ,I am sweeping up sand instead of working on paintings.

some finished paintings for upcomming show

OK, these are four paintings done and ready for the show in Port Medway on July 16th in the building near the Lighthouse on the wharf. I have been so busy enjoying my experience helping with the play and throwing paint on canvas whenever I could this past while. But life is way too short and why not take time to smell some flowers and take time from everyday work to meet new interesting talented people as I did with the play and see something like this stage and play come to life with all the work from all who had a hand in it, no matter how small a part, whether on stage ,down, it is team work. My hope and plan for next Friday July 15 is to join in the "Market on the Mersey" being held every Friday in Privateer Park near the Tourist Bureau. Come by for a visit, enjoy some English Fish and Chips from "Chippy,Chippy Bang Bang. As well hopefully Local entertainment from some very talented Folks.

up coming Play...

This is what I have been up to, these past weeks. My excuse for not writing or painting for that matter. Busy growing a beard and rotting my teeth.I have been having a blast helping out with the upcoming play" as I mentioned in my earlier blog "For Riches and Honour" written by Local Playwright/Director Beth George.Director Grant Webber. As well as helping with the props ,1700's being my favorite years. I have quite a collection of appropriate stuff to add to the pot. Then myself and Chuck helped painting the set along with others ..WOW!!!I really enjoyed that, the work ,the dedication, by the set builder Rick Gilbert. Amazing how all this hard work turns a simple stage into a 1700's Tavern, bring the the ale on. They needed Men for Crew members (extras), I volunteered in the beginning having been a man before in the past, yet another story to be told another time. Actually I found someone to take my place after the fact as an extra thinking a man would be better, more then happy to step down and continue on putting my energy into helping on the set and props, but was asked to stay on so here I am almost in full costume along with "Grog (Greg Wentzel ) who is a very active reenactor with many changes of clothing depending on what Character he is portraying at the time. And, Jake The Snake(Jake Paul), in the middle, myself ,I am Piper because I smoke a Pipe, note my teeth and also I play a pipe,I poked my eye out with me own pipe. That's me story. So all of this has been a big learning experience for me,in so, so many ways. Theatre 101,you might say.I have been dressing in costume, have done skits with old and young in the past ,and reenacting but never have I witnessed such a production come to life as this Play. Great job,by all involved.

I have two paintings on my easel right now and will not get to put paint to canvas until after the play,which is this Thursday,Friday and Saturday. June 30, July 1 ,2, at 7 PM Aster Theatre Liverpool N.S. Then to get all my stuff back here on Sunday and I will bet, it will be all Summer before I get to put everything back to where it was before. I have to get these paintings done and maybe another for an Art Show in Port Medway July 16th, a fundraiser for the restoration of the Lighthouse.The theme of the show is Lighthouses. So wish me luck at getting a brush to canvas soon.Where is Summer? Where is Spring for that matter? I did hear somewhere that July and August are to be very hot and dry. We will not forget the Weather in 2010/11. dress rehearsal tomorrow. "Break some legs" Take no Prisoner's.

It is a beautiful Day ,when,I make a mess!!

I woke this AM early as usual ,the Sun coming in the window, knowing that is was going to be a dry ,great Day. Yesterday I started an oil painting, one of a couple I would like to finish for the Port Medway show July 16 th, It's theme is Lighthouses, and we do have a few of them here in the Maritimes. Here is the start of my first. Far from done and with all that has been going on here today, read below, I can only hope to be tied to my Easel for a couple days to maybe keep me out of trouble. You know how sometimes you just have one of those days? Well, today was one of those days.

Now, to me and my day, as I was saying I woke all excited about the weather, and the work which still needs done outside. the other day we scraped and painted one side of the house and today we worked on the other side inside the fence along our lovely deck which was built with the best of treated lumber and only four years old, have I mentioned in the past ,how we Love our little home and have great pride in keeping it looking just so, well long story short , we now will have a sun flower painted on our somewhat new deck, I ,bad me was walking by the table with the gallon of enamel paint on it, I was carrying a chair moving it off the deck to make room to work,well yes I bet you have already read between these simple lines, as I quickly picked up the can which was half empty by this time on the floor of the deck, just seconds down. I then rushed to the shop to see what I could find to scoop as much up as I could , I knew right away that i would have to do something creative to incorporate this little problem into the look of my "La Boo Hoo , beautiful deck". So I grabbed a large crack filling pallet knife and scooped the paint as carefully as I could down the deck cracks and then took a brush and tried to make an outline of a flower and when it dries ,which could be a couple days I will have to try and make it look like a flower with other colors added but white... ..OK..you would think that would have been enough for one day, right? nope, not so, my hands of course were very sticky from cleaning up this enamel paint mess , so I cleaned them and was washing in the kitchen sink with the water running ,after shutting the water off I could still hear water running, well Chuck has been twice now back to Home Hardware for plumbing parts because we have a bad leak, it looks like something may have bumped into the under sink plumbing and broke something, me not being a Plumber and staying away from Mr. Fix it for the next hour or so, I believe it is a broken pipe. So!!!!! I am not really a superstitious Person ,I say really because , counting the thin cookies the other day, today's little events makes three!!! Did I mention that I am married to a wonderful!!! Man? well I am, although, I saw him hanging on the edge at one point under the Kitchen sink, now he had to run to H.H again for something else, so I will hide here in my computer closet and if ye all never see me again? It has been nice and look for me in the back yard somewhere, because that would mean number three is yet to hit, but ,no!!! I will be positive and for see a beautiful unique painted flower on my deck, gee, maybe I might have to paint more? Funny you know I took a picture of my little accident and tried to find it to upload to show you and be darned , I couldn't find it, so I guess you will have to wait to see the finished flower. It looks like we may have showers again soon, so I will plant my butt at my easel and work on this painting above again and hopefully get another done soon as well. I will go easy on myself regarding my little spill, although I would kick myself in the a** if I could.

"Murphy's Law" be prepared!!! always!!!make Lemon aid when given a Lemon :-)

Latest Project finished!!!

Here we have pictures of my latest two projects, The Boot Birdhouses hanging on the house, something I have been working on for sometime ,searching for and finding interesting Boots to make Homes for my Feathered Friend's, selling for $25. each .Also above is my baking Project, you have got to be kidding me :-( "Thimble Cookies" which I once upon a time could make blind folded and with one arm tied behind my back. Well, these poor excuses for cookies were to be sold to help raise money for our Local SPCA bake sale, instead they were used in our bellies with Tea and for cookies that look so bad, my goodness ,they were tasty.Now I must find the time to do a painting to donate to the SPCA to make up for my thin cookies. My excuse for these sad looking things is as follows" we are trying to eat healthy and it has been a long while since I have baked anything and must have lost my touch. That is my story and I am sticking to it. I just thought of another excuse, the same one I use when I don't want to cook, I say because of my operation, two aneurysm's in my brain in 2001, my memory regarding cooking has flown the coop ,so to speak and sometimes I just come up with a blank when standing in front of a stove. Poor Chuck ,ha ...in so many ways living with me, his hip is still bad and he has been taking it easy, well this past weekend it was so nice and I wanted to open up the doors and play music but he was not up for it, so I was banished to the deck and then into my birdhouse, by myself to march to the beat of my own drum. Maybe I am becoming a crazy old Lady, what is it they say? if the shoe fits ,wear it? Speaking of shoe and wearing it, today at our Local Frenchy's 2nd hand shop I found a brand new pair of woman's Converse "Chuck Taylor " sneakers, and they fit!!! We have for years joked about owning "Chuck Taylor's" the fact I am married to "Chuck Taylor" so now I have a pair,I was considering selling them but believe for what I may get for them,I might as well enjoy wearing them.

I need to run off and get some work done, I have a commission but no rush on it yet, although as I always say, get it done and out of the way. I am considering doing an Art Show I was approached to do, I say considering because I have a full plate these days and it seems to be getting to over flow and our Veg. Garden is no wheres ready for planting, so much to do ,I may have to stay up later and work into the evenings, not like the Winter Months when TV was so boring, and bed called our names early,Summer we can enjoy cool evenings and get stuff done, so I say :-) Oh one last thing before I leave ,this past weekend, I had folk's drop in from Australia , how nice ,I have pretty well had People from all over the Globe drop by since we have been here 4 years ,but these were my first "Aussie's". They signed my Guest Book and wrote" We had to see Liverpool" I told them I was going to mention them...so if you Folk's read this, I wish you a wonderful visit on our Shores may you enjoy great times and have Memories so special that you one day will return. Look me up, God willing ,I will be here. Which reminds me of some of the Lovely People I met other years. Thinking of you all.

Here and Busy

Chris and Margo May 2011..

Wow!!! take time and write something my head tells me, I need a lap top so I can type where ever I am instead of tethered in my closet computer room. It is a cozy spot in Winter and somewhat a cramped spot in fine weather. I have been dodging rain ,trying to work outside ,the house needs scraped and painted but we need at least 4 dry days before we tackle that job and I would rather not scrap and have it look so shabby while I wait on the dry weather.

So in between everyday work I have offered to help my friend gather props for an upcoming play during Privateer Days,"For Riches and Honor" here in Liverpool June 30 and July 1,2 .I just happen to have most of what was needed in props, having already played the real part as "Sutler's" in the Kings Orange Rangers in the past, we ,over the years have had so much fun dressing up so I hopped on board and offered my person as well as one of the back ground Men in the Tavern.. :-) we have been making cheese wheels ,daggers, Sexton etc. props and are having fun creating something other then product to sell. I supplied our Local gift shop with what I had ready for the consignment Season. My Home Gallery is somewhat empty, of smaller product.

I have a few bigger Boat piece paintings here at home and any canvases I have ,not wanting to put any canvas paintings hanging so close to the open Ocean at Fort Point, so anyone interested in dropping by my home Gallery just let me know, debchuck@eastlink.ca my hope this Summer is to get out more painting on site or away enjoying the great outdoors taking photos for Winter work. It has been a couple years since I have updated my painting photos and have new budding ideas floating around in my head, plans in the making.So if you drop by and I am not here I will leave a pad and pen, drop me a line and come by again if you can.

Our Dear friends from Vermont are on their way this Thurs. William and Patricia Long- Hays...The artists Loft Liverpool ..check him out if around this Summer .I always look forward to seeing them, Summer then has begun, once they land in Town, and other friend's are soon to arrive to their little pieces of Heaven here on and around our shores, I assume you all out there know just how wonderful our White Sand Beaches are? If not, by all means ,do yourselves a favor and come on by and take your shoes off and stroll along our fine sands. Today I had a new friend from last Summer drop by, I love how and when that happens, she came by last year by chance and ended up commissioning me to do a painting for her to give to her Husband, from our talking ,come to find out we are almost related in a way by the fact her Aunt by Marriage was a part of my life from a very small Child. A small World indeed, a very small World, we live in. The pictures here are of our friend's who ride and enjoy their Harley Motor Cycles, they dropped by for a spell the other evening ,while out riding in great weather which has finally come our way.

Something new for Liverpool area this Summer ,our friend Heather Kelly has a Fish and chip truck called "Chippy Chippy Bang Bang " English Chip wagon and even though I have not yet had my order,I have heard nothing but good about her new Adventure ,she offers a good Menu and good prices. I will be taking the camera with me when we visit her and will share pictures . Good Luck Heather on your new endeavors.