Life feels a lot like a waiting game these days! So both of us are just pending what comes next. I still hope we get a little trippin' done this summer, few days here and there around the Maritimes. Trip is waiting for surgery so we will see how he comes through before any big plans. 

In the meantime we are keeping busy! He has been painting since life is rather sedentary and I have been sewing and making rugs. (Well, rug! I took a course yesterday on rug braiding so I am making a brightly coloured rug for the Hippie Hangout!) We are posting items on our Etsy page as we create!

Trip has created a beautiful painting that makes me long for the West Coast - an Orca under the Moon... He has written a blog to let you know how you could NAME the painting and WIN a giclee! Check out his blog and follow him for more details! 

I expect winter should end in a few weeks, Peace... Trip 'N Daisy 

If you have been following our story, you know that Trip has just finished his first session of cancer treatment. More to come and it's a long road but we remain positive as he has a great prognosis. It's just a "crappy" situation in the meantime. (Pun intended!)

We spent almost 6 weeks in historic Saint John, NB. On the frozen banks of the Kennebecasis river.  During that time Trip completed two paintings and we both wrote and submitted stories to writing competitions. And of course Daisy baked and cooked to keep Trip eating! So, we used the time as well as we could, being at liberty to the medical system and whatever his body demanded of us at the time. 

I must say that we had some great medical care (at least it seemed that way!) Well set up oncology department, positive techs/nurses/doctors and as "nice"of an environment as there could be, considering the circumstances. He came through and a smile remains on his face (although from time to time it appears to be more of a grimace than a smile...) 

For those of you asking or wondering, yes we are using a combination of conventional and holistic medicine. Surgery/Chemo/Radiation but also CBD oil, health food, good organic diet, organic protein shakes, etc. For his situation this combination is best. Everyone has their own thoughts on how they would deal with cancer or a serious illness and we need to respect that each person has taken their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan into careful consideration. (Yes, we have had much "input" on what we should do and how!)

As a result of our free time, we played a lot of backgammon, crib, monopoly, read copious amounts of books, much mandala drawing, paintings, crafting, etc. As a result of that, we set up an Etsy Shop - so check it out! 

Daisy is busy trying to figure out how she fits in this new world, it is very strange not to be cooking Friday's for the local farm market but she has a few pots on the burner so to speak! We were in the "big town" of Woodstock yesterday and ran into several acquaintances and customers and Daisy was overwhelmed at their words and how they miss her in the cafe. Such a nice thing to hear! Have to figure out how to accommodate them and meet their needs in the future while doing what we need to here. (Daisy is perusing provincial campsites within a day or two's drive for some light summer trips in the Hippie Hangout!)

Thanks for everyone's ongoing support. Remember you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Etsy and of course here! 

Peace and remember to Live, Love & Laugh, Trip 'N Daisy - have a great day! Video: Trip ringing the chemo/radiation completion Victory Bell

Well here we are, Trip is about to start week 4 of his treatments and then at the end of Feb. we will pack up and return home. We are certainly enjoying our little apartment on the Kennebecasis river. It is a beautiful view, close to the hospital and stocked with everything we need. Trip is holding up very well and keeping busy. When he is not eating, sleeping or at the hospital, he is taking time to work on his novel and he has completed a beautiful new painting. At the end of week 2 - Trip's daughter and family from Toronto came to visit and they surprised us by all arriving in their new Tye Dyed shirts! Great jobs James!

Trip: "Hippie Ki-Yay is finally completed. This acrylic painting of a stallion beginning to rear up into the heavens takes me back to when I worked during the 60's as a groom at a racetrack. I'm always amazed when I sit down to a blank canvas, pick up a brush and then whisper to myself as I dip the brush into a dab of paint, "Let the magic begin," There is something about a horse that I can't really describe with words but the good vibes and what the peace symbol says on this stallion's forehead, gives me good vibes and an expression of breaking free - freedom perhaps being the key word. He's big and powerful, I can feel his energy and yet he is not threatening in any way. During this time when my physical being is being assaulted, watching Hippie Ki-Yay come to life or canvas helps liberate my inner-soul, takes my mind off my problems. In short, a little Haiku for you -
golden stallion
rearing midst the starry night
snorts Hippiie Ki-Yay 
Peace my friends and may good energy be with you." Trip (want to learn more?)

Daisy has also been keeping herself amused. When she is not being caregiver, chauffeur and personal maid, she has taken up drawing mandalas. 


Daisy "I always find the winters in New Brunswick, long and cold and quiet. This is ok, since I am generally inside by the warm fire on my homestead in the rural countryside. I sit in my big chair, next to the woodstove and plan hot meals with comfort food from our winter stores. After busy summers at the market and in my little shop, the autumn consumed with doing up preserves and meat pies and preparing holiday baking for my customers over Christmas, the quiet and respite of January and February are welcomed. Simply caring for my family is enough. Since I am not working at the farm market at the moment and have no customers, I am just cooking to keep Trip and I fed and comfy. This leaves me a LOT of time! We brought several artistic things to keep us busy, lots of books and of course Netflix binges to tide us over.
Being much less artistic, I had to find things that I could do, enjoy and feel successful at. I love the concept of mandalas. The Mandala comes from Buddhist and Hindu origin and it allows for creating a meditative state of mind - one can gain a sense of wholeness in body and mind. This sounded perfect to me. Allowing myself to just relax, go with the flow as they say and spend a few hours just not thinking or worrying or stressing. This is ideal for me at the moment.
To prepare, I search sites and my mind. I like to incorporate, peace, love and daisies... I put on peaceful sixties tunes and let myself go, before I know it, hours have gone by ....
I have created some in colour, some black and white, some more structured and some very loose....This allows me growth, personal reflection, time to lose myself in my work as my hand moves, emotions erupt from my soul and provides me with an outlet for creativity....
I look forward to producing more pieces and perhaps even transfering to other pieces of art... I think these will be gorgeous in the "hippie hangout!" ..." Love, Daisy ✌️

It is Sunday evening, December 31, 2017, and as we welcome in the New Year, we say goodbye to the old. At this time, I/Daisy would like to thank all of our customers, friends, family, market family, etc. for their support over the past year and the past almost 7 years that we have been a part of the Woodstock Farm Market.

As you may have seen in our past posts, we had planned a trip across Canada this spring and summer - the Trip 'N Daisy - Spreadin' the Love Tour. http://www.tripndaisy777.com/ However, we have had to delay the big trip until 2019 for health reasons. We do intend, as we can, to travel more of the Maritimes in 2018 and enjoy some of the places we have not yet been to as well as revisit some that we loved.

As many of you may have heard, Len/Trip has been ill. We have known he was not well for several months and have been pending a final diagnosis. He has had several biopsies and has been diagnosed with cancer. The good news is, it is treatable, curable and only in one area so should not recur. We are very optimistic that over the next year of treatments he will get well. However, it will be at least a full year of work to heal him.... PLUS the doc's believe he will not lose his beautiful bushy curly hair, so not everything is bad!

I am going to take the next few months to take care of my handsome, be his caregiver and at his side. He has been there for me through so much, it is the least I can do and I can't imagine not being by his side. To anyone who has known us long, you know we are devoted to each other and I can't imagine being anywhere but at his side. (Yes, that man has my heart ❤️)

We are currently looking for a short term 5-6 week furnished rental with a full kitchen. I can't imagine staying somewhere that I can't cook! Can you? If any of my friends - customers, etc. know of someone in the Saint John area, not too far from the main hospital who may want a house sitter as they are off escaping the frigid winter, can offer reasonable rent, etc - or has a suggestion, please feel free to message me. (we are aware of the SJ hostel but will be looking for alternate accommodation so that we can be together.)

The pictures below are of our crazy and hectic day yesterday as we attempted to get to SJ, NB. Was the world conspiring against us? You tell me! First, we slept in since the power was out! Second, after filling up with fuel in Fredericton the truck "broke down" and we had to get towed and get rental to get us on our journey! Yes, that little 2018 Dodge Charger goes FAST just in case you are wondering (Good news is - the truck is fine, I am just a maniac!)

BIG Kudos to the cancer clinic for still seeing us when we were almost 2 hours late! AND to Len's daughter for calling for me - I texted her, she called doctors, crazy day! (Note to self: need a better cell phone plan!) AND YES we laughed through the stress, it seems to be the best way to get through life's hurdles.

So, thanks for taking a minute to read our story, but since the "news is out there" I feel it is best to tell everyone the same thing. Trip ‘n Daisy are still going to Keep Trippin’ just a little different and later than originally planned.

So, please continue to support to follow us on our journey...

Thank you all once again for your support over the year and we are NOT GONE but will be back, in some capacity and please do watch Trip 'N Daisy's adventures!
​
From our house to yours, PEACE and Happy New Year! Sarah and Len ❤️ aka Trip 'n Daisy ✌️🌼

As many of you know, Trip likes to write! He wakes up dreaming of stories that are going through his head. Daisy says, write it down! Before you forget it! So, Trip has compiled five booklets of short stories for children and adults alike. 

While easy to read for a young reader, the stories can be enjoyed by school aged children and up. The messages are fun, share some laughs, and also help encourage young readers to care about the environment and the world we live in.

Mindy & Caesar make us remember the important part trees play in our world. Junkyard Jake tries to save the arctic and polar ice caps while creating amazing machines! The Best Birthday Party Ever and the Princess of Flatuasia - brings a whole new meaning to the words gluten free and bean cake!  Acorns Golden Adventure - brings greed and need into perspective. The Legend of the Unicorn - reminds us that all animals have their place in the world and the habitats that surround us. 

Trip has printed these booklets in an affordable format, why a Hallmark card costs more now a days! He wrote, illustrated and designed the stories in a way that anyone can enjoy them. Booklets are only $7 each CAD (shipping incl in Canada) OR get 5 for $25 shipping incl OR just get the PDF for $1 per story and download on your phone or iPad to share with your children while travelling.

These make an easy and affordable gift while supporting the message that we need to make the world a better place. The only time we want to hear "Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot" is when Daisy channels her inner Joni Mitchell!

Want to know more? Or order? Follow the link. These will also be available at the Woodstock Farm Market for only $6 each or 5 for $25 starting Monday, December 18th!

As much as I would like to be on the open road and starting to travel with Trip, I have to admit, the cold Canadian winters are starting to hit. It is mid November and the nights are cool (-8C) and the days hover around 0 to +1C ... If my nose is cold inside the house, how would it be on the road? I have been listening to the Wetaskawin, AB oldies radio station and it is much colder there.... 

I guess there is a reason that the season ends by October. Unless you have a winterized camper, a good heater inside and skookum snow tires, your rig is staying home. (At least in much of Canada!)

We are excited to begin our trip, not sure what date we will go yet, but it is exciting thinking about it; planning; prepping; creating; and finding valuable resources! One important thing is to find affordable ways to remain off the grid, not have to rely on parks if we don't want to be in them.

Who knew there was a whole network of resources that shows an RV'er how to park for free? Other RV'ers who offer their dooryards? Locations OTHER than Walmart to park your rig for a night? Our eyes have been opened and we anticipate accessing these locations to help keep the costs down, while meeting some friendly Canadians!

It seems to me that "Spreadin' the Love" is entirely possible! The response from the community has been heart warming, pardon the pun! Acquaintances and customers as well as family and friends encouraging us. People are excited for us and suggesting locations we have never heard of off the beaten track.

Daisy is creating hippie hangout wear, recovering upholstery, sewing curtains and making jam. Trip is exploring the map, publishing stories and letting his mind blow open to the endless possibilities. While there are days when they wonder what we are doing and is this possible... Other days we are wondering why we aren't doing it yet?

The cool weather reminds us to use this quiet time to expand our imagination and remember the country is calling to us.... In the meantime, heavy sweaters, blankets on the sofa and a warm fire in the kitchen allow us to enjoy the moments we have and be grateful for the love we share....

Peace,
Trip 'N Daisy

Hey everybody! Hope you are all having a groovy day! As you may have noticed Trip has finished up the Hippie Hangout - well, not really! As we travel along he will add to it as the vibe hits him. 

I, Daisy, had him add the words "Spreadin' the love..." to our Cross Canada Tour message. As we have begun this journey, we wanted to connect with people, look at the world in a new way and just spread some peace and love. So, I figured, our mission or goal is about "Spreadin' the love" - what do you think?

We also added the word "IMAGINE" to the back of the trailer. This is in tribute to 1) John Lennon of course! AND 2) our dear friends Sharon & Paul who requested we find a place to put it AND 3) because just IMAGINE what the world would look like, if we loved one another, shared peaceful thoughts and images, showed more compassion, tried to criticise and judge less and just opened our hearts with kindness. .... Hmm... I may have to get Trip to add the words "Kindness Matters..."

Thanks for following along, share our journey with your friends, hit SHARE on any of the social media sites and together let's take this trip ... maybe we will hit YOUR town or park in your DRIVE ...

Peace,
Trip 'N Daisy