Spring Thaw - 2026!

St. Lawrence River Front - Mid-February

Tidings All ~ Spring 2026 has arrived! (Sort of.) - Time to catch-up!

My garage area - Mid-March 

 From November to mid-March, I hunkered down like most into a typical Canadian winter. There was a lot - (and I mean, a LOT!) - of snow in Eastern Ontario this year. 

While stunningly picturesque at times, it also made local travel often treacherous and difficult.

So, I hunkered down and hibernated. 

... I wasn't completely isolated - or comatose ...

There were several things I had to sort in my library: older 'mlhpro/APC' files, a myriad of mum's family photos, and the paper remnants of dad's 'woodworking studio'. 

Stoneacres, circa 1980s

Those tasks took a lot longer than I'd planned, particularly in the photo department where I was often at a loss remembering who-was-who and what-images-were-taken-where - by mum - so long ago ... 

Still, all rather fun to review older photos of family fun at our centuries-old farm home, Stoneacres, (now sold.) 

 ... Found this lovely shot, when the Persian lilacs were in bloom ... 

I also took numerous outdoor breaks to shovel snow (-!!!-) and I even attempted some x-country skiing down to the river and back. Sadly, my left boot ripped open at the toes after several runs. 

X-Country Skiing through the backwoods down to the river, and yup, the 2025 Dominoes Trophy.

[Sidebar: The ski conditions were PERFECT this past winter! (-IYKYK!-)] - Plus, my goodly neighbour and I had regular Sunday domino matches. I won the 2025 cup. (She's held it for the past two years.) All in all, I was perfectly content to be holed-up in my wee stone house: I do love my new home.

Next up was the resurrection of an older project that's been sitting in my writing box for well over a decade. (Think of a naturalistic 'Alice in Wonderland'- meets -'Anne of Green Gables'.) 

Originally intended as an illustrated children's story, I have re-aligned with the talented graphic artist, Paul Schultz. (He assisted with the print materials for my short 26-minute film, The Frozen Goose, way back when.) 

Before Paul could get underway, I had to revise and rewrite much of the story and then insert thumbnail sketches where I thought the images might best work to amplify the tale. 

MLH Thumbnails and a long ago Preliminary Illustration for Children's Story by MLHolton

After a month or so of back-and-forth, I'm thrilled to say Paul is now well underway. We're in full production mode now, and, with luck, it should be releasing under my Acorn Press Canada imprint in the fall of 2026.  The working title  ....  RIVER WALK - by yours truly :) --- Illustrated by Paul. - It should be good. Watch for it! And you'll hear more about it later.

Once that project was off the decks, I settled into a new New Year's undertaking ... For most of my 50-odd years as a practising Canadian artist, I've avoided ever attempting 'watercolour painting' - why? because that was always 'mum's thing'. Now, with dear old mum gone, I'm slowly exploring the discipline ... I am discovering painting with the translucence of watercolours demands a completely different mind-set than painting with opaque acrylics or oils . (Of course, both these mediums can be 'cut', though I've seldom done that with either medium.)

2026 Sample watercolours by MLHolton - Still LEARNING ... 

I'm very intrigued how the 'water-on-paper' dynamics work. I'm also hopelessly impatient waiting for any applied washes to dry ... (I've not resorted to the commonly-used hair-dryer, yet!) - I do rush, then pause, then over-work ... arg!! - It's definitely a challenge to find the working rhythm that best matches my own temperament. 

I can also see, repeatedly, why it is a preferred medium for so many. When it does work  - by accident or design - the results can be most satisfying. Watercolours lure you in so that you want to try & try again ... I've been doing just that for the past month and a half ... with one major side-jump to this large 26"square painting ... 'Sunrise Over Anchorage Bay, St.Lawrence River, 2026'. (NFS). - I think it turned out rather well. It's now framed and hanging over my fireplace.

Sunrise Over Anchorage Bay, St.Lawrence River (P.29.No.1) by MLHolton

Now, at the start of April 2026, with the last piles of snow gushing off to the St.Lawrence River, the Grand Melt is on. Snowdrops and daffodils are TRYING to erupt here after this long winter. We're not quite there yet, BUT, it's trying ... even if more snow is predicted for NEXT week on top of a good dose of freezing rain in the next few days ... Ah! Winter in Canada!

Until all that passes through, I'm still hunkered down - 

Happy Spring Everyone. We've ALMOST made it!! ;)  

Until next time - 
Margaret Lindsay Holton

Canadian Artist & Author 

Writing from The Gate House in Elizabethtown, Eastern Ontario, Canada 

p.s. With a shout-out of thanks to those who remembered: yup, the ol' gal hits 71 this weekend!

MLH in Georgian Bay, circa 1960s, THANKS MUM.

 

  

 

Season's Greetings! + 2025 Wrap-up

 

Late afternoon light on south-side of sandstone home of MLH  

Hi y'all :)  - Another busy year here! - NB: Best to read/look at this on your desktop or laptop.   (The images following are 'fused' together in threesomes. Don't ask: I'm still rusty at this newly re-designed format!) -- Anyway, here's to a quick re-cap of another good year - 2025! ...

Reno Work - Before, During and After :)   

First up, on-going renovations included a total gut and rebuild of the downstairs bathroom in January and February. New flooring was also put into the kitchen and the living room. Then, surprise, three exquisite beds I designed and made in the1990s arrived in near-perfect condition from a retiring island cottage in Georgian Bay! Their arrival necessitated some juggling in the three bedrooms upstairs. Today, they fit-in perfectly! 

New 'Old' MLH Fine Furniture BEDS in Guest Rooms

As the summer unfolded, work began on the river front. I had to clear out all the overgrowth on an old 150-foot drainage trench, set-in new gravel and add fresh top-soil - and then landscape it anew with earth-holding grasses and flowering plants, (30 Siberian Iris bulbs and berry-producing low-ground junipers now dot that upper tier!) The worst job - by far, ever - has got to be shovelling gravel. Absolutely hated that job. But, even in the sizzling swelter of July, it got done. 

The new pool deck was MOVED DOWN to the river for new 'marine storage'. Centre image is trench.

Then, an unexpected bonus, I caught wind of a 'deal' on a 12' aluminum boat with a 9.9 Mercury engine. I jumped at it. Premature, really, considering where I am with the 'front' ... Yet, the boat-on-trailer was promptly delivered by the owner who drove it down the day after purchase from Spencerville. The boat's official launch was mid-August via the iconic Hudson's Point with neighbours and friends helping out. That first 'zoom' over the twinkling waters to MM's dock was the RUSH I knew it would be ... It was totally exhilarating - and what I am AIMING for, overall: ready access & easy exploration of the mighty St. Lawrence River!

With a little help from friends & neighbours, the putt-putt boat LAUNCH!

 Sadly, after that thrilling inaugural run, the wee 9.9 Merc pooped out. My shiny putt-putt was grounded for the remainder of the season as that dang engine, (after various on-boat fixes didn't fix it), went off to Arnie, local boatman mechanic extraordinaire, who has ASSURED me, it'll be ready-to-go next year ... SOOOO .... here's hoping!!! Fingers crossed!!!  

With luck, the bottom end of my river front will be complete by the end of April 2026 with the 'marine storage' finished for the boat. (I got the 1" jute railing rope for it this week.) Literally, it's moving forward inch-by-inch down there ... Two steps forward, one step back ... Still, river access is a rare privilege and, long term, I know it will be divine. 

Life on the River: Present - Past - Present

 All to say, it does take time to SETTLE ....Hard to believe, but, amazingly, after two full years here, and after turning the big 7-0h! in April, I finally swam in the river. - I even managed to convince MM, my good-natured neighbour, to go in too! It was the first time she had been in the river in over 16 years. (Imagine that: 16 years of living ON the river and not going IN to it - ?!? - Kind of incomprehensible to me, really, but then, everyone has to go at these initiations in their own way ... Long widowed, MM had seemingly settled into a "very quiet life on the river" ... Then, well, I arrived!... :) -- Poor gal!

MM & me, in our 70s, frolicking in the river, pool and roaming the countryside ... o'yeah! 

I have since managed to entice and insist we "tour the area." MM has been a very good sport about my enthusiasms. She's been most obliging and very informative during our often unpredictable day-jaunt escapades. In total, we made eight (8!!!) 'day-trips' this year, starting in February with a meander up to Westport on the Big Rideau Lake after a wild back-roads trip to Robert McEwans 'sugar shack', a 3rd-generation, 3200 maple-tree bush-farm tucked away back of the back-of-beyond ... 

Sugar Shack Backwoods Adventure somewhere on Big Rideau Lake

Other jaunts included attending the 'Tall Ships Festival' in Brockville in sweltering heat - [trivia insert: did you know the phrase 'a loose cannon' comes from an 'untethered cannon rolling around on a ships deck'-???] ...

Tall Ships were an essential part of the opening-up of the St.Lawrence River via commerce & war. 

 ... We continued on with an early morning breakfast run at the incomparable and family-centric Glen Resort on the St. Lawrence River followed by a tour of the charming mini glass museum in Mallorytown; we took a memorable night-time river cruise during the inaugural St.Lawrence Writer's Fest; and took detours and explorations of the massive Moses-Saunders power dam and various lock system that control the St.Lawrence River - with a fascinating side-trip to the 'Lost Village' and the glorious Long Sault Parkway. [After construction of the impressive St.Lawrence Seaway in the mid-1950s, a number of villages along the river bank were flooded by rising waters so that ships could navigate through the otherwise treacherous rapids and tumbling waters. As a result of the dams and lock system, most homes and businesses were re-located, but, for many, early settler family homes and memories were submerged forever ...]

We wrapped up our touring this year with several fall festivals and fairs, starting with a double-decker ice-cream cone at the famed Opinicon Restaurant at the Caffey Lock junction on the Rideau River and ending with an impromptu raclette spread in the quaint village of Perth after attending the chilly, yet lovely & quaint Country Fair on the Tay River, a tributary of the Rideau River. - Phew! For two old gals, we sure packed it in during 2025! 

Exploring ... East to Cornwall, West to Gananoque and North to the Rideau Lake System

Aside from these domestic adventures, I was lucky to have Scottish and Toronto-based relatives visit through-out the year. Helen and Brian arrived late June: booted & spurred. We clambered over rocks at the river, swung golf clubs in my backyard, and eat & drank WELL for four days straight. Dear cousin R and husband T dropped-by too. Next up, an old pal from Switzerland, darling Janie, stayed over. Time has sure aged us both. Yet, thankfully, beneath our well-worn wrinkles & visible battle scars remains the bright-eyed spark of youth. After decades of living, it seemed just like yesterday as we reminisced about that seminal year overseas in 1974 ... We managed to channel-in our two other Suisse house-mates, Jane & Deb, via an inventive mash-up of Zoom/Facebook & iphone hybrid cross-wiring while polishing off a delicious cheese fondue. Finally connected, the 'Battista Babes' babbled on happily for hours like the teenagers-we-once-were. Priceless and memorable: then and now.

Relatives stay, 'Apollo's Moon Shot' (painted by me) & the 'The Battista Babes' connected on-line

Two gentlemen callers also passed through this year. Dear 'Apollo', who after several stiff martinis went a-wandering at midnight under a starry-lit, full-moon night and ended up, head first, in the pool ... and then, dependable Doug, on route to the East Coast. He arrived with plenty of gossip from Toronto that I never knew I missed. 

The fall wrapped-up with a lovely lunch and walk-about with old family friends from Port Hope. Our familial roots go deep. Conversations are so much richer when there are several generations familiar to us all swirling between the words we shared. All those long-gone 'grand ones' live on within the vivid and fond memories from our somewhat enchanted childhoods. 

On the MLH art-producing front, well, honestly, not that much this year. Only four paintings this year. -- BUT -- a new children's book is now in-the-works (- with tentative release in 2026). I'm also looking forward to doing much more painting as I settle into the snow-bound winter months ahead. 

In truth, I'm STILL settling in - to my very own 'Sweetie-Pie Sweet-Pea Home!' (Not sure yet how to turn that into a memorable house name ... but I'm working on it.)

Season's Very Best to you all - and a Very Merry Christmas. - Ho! Ho!

-- Margaret Lindsay Holton 

p.s. If interested in my recent novels, TRILLIUM, an award-winning, "epic" multi-generational tome set in the Niagara region of southern Ontario, or the re-released Gilded Beaver - or my first short story collection, STICKS and STONES - kindly consider the format you prefer - (ebook, softcover or audiobook) - via this Book Link (... And thank you all very much for your much appreciated on-line reviews. They do make the world of difference.)

Merry Christmas! -- Here's to a Happy & Healthy New Year -- One & All!

Winterlude 2025

 

'Otter and Mink are out for a stroll, when WHAMO' ... Acrylic Painting by MLHolton, 2025

Hello All, :)  -- Today is officially the FIRST DAY of SPRING. Woowho!!! 

It's been a snow-rich winter ...  Over that time, I continued on with work and renovations at my new home and studio space. Today, I'll be sharing some winter photography from mid December to early March - as well as a few select images of 'before/after' shots of the upgraded bathroom and the new floor in the living room.

As most of you know, on-going construction IN YOUR HOME can be unsettling. Tradesmen come and go from 8am to 6pm. You have to be 'available' but not in the way, 'on deck' but not derailing the build. The contractor I hired in early January somewhat enthusiastically said he'd be done in a week ... It took exactly one month and 14 days from initial rip-out to a new curtain shower installed. ... That's life. :)

Overall, I was happy with what I got, at, I believe, a reasonable price. A few weather glitches (BLIZZARDS) and minor misunderstandings (GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES) did slow down 'progress' on route. But, again, overall, it got DONE - and I am happy. :) Enjoy the photos. And HAPPY SPRING !! 

(Trying out a new video editor here ... it's so-so ... BUT, it's good enough!)

 

 

'New' OPEN STUDIO of MLHolton, Saturday, Sept.28th!

GREETINGS ALL - It's coming together, finally!

 

 

Happy to announce I will be taking part in 'Culture Days Canada 2024', a cross-country event showcasing Canadian talent from coast-to-coast-to-coast. It will be a limited event, one day only, on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, from 11am to 5pm. - Why only ONE DAY? In truth, I haven't exhibited in awhile and am a bit rusty ... :)

 

Photo - Copyright - MLHolton

I've decided to have this OPEN STUDIO at my new place to discern two things: 1) are any, in relative proximity, interested in what I have done to date & in what I might do yet? - ? - then, depending on that assessment, 2) I will determine how I will manifest and pursue my artistic practice going forward ... (aside from the on-going joy and pleasure associated with renovating, decorating and defining my fantastic new home/studio and 'space'!) - Meaning, this may be a 'one-off',  and thereafter, By Appointment Only.

 

The new studio 'space' IS taking shape. It houses an inventory of older works from beginnings in the 1970s, as well as works-in-progress - (ranging from hand-tinted black&white photo prints to experiments in soldering antique pewter to computational explorations in the AI 'craze') - as well as a comprehensive archive of supportive material from my decades of 'Canadian art making'.

 

In sum, it is my play room. It is the place where I can crank up a wide variety of music without offending the neighbours, spin in circles of joy or frustration, or, just sit - and continue to 'contemplate the eternal verities' ... The walls are crude and relatively bare, the floor is plywood, but the recently enlarged window and the newly-built deck provide immediate access to the 'outdoors'. There, I can see and FEEL the intoxicating immensity of the natural world all around me. Crickets chirp, birds sing, tree frogs burp, fox, squirrels, mink & chipmunks scamper. Wind constantly blows thorough the massive maples. The air smells SOOOO good here.  It is all so enchanting - and decidedly mysterious - under a full moon, especially when the fireflies emerge from the ferns ... Plus, just 400 feet away is my access to the mighty St.Lawrence River: work on that patch will continue later this fall. For now though, my focus is on the studio - and getting it ready for YOU! 

 

So, Mark Your Calendars: SAVE THE DATE! - Saturday, Sept 28th, 11am-5pm

 

If in the area, I am 5 minutes WEST of Brockville on the old river road. To those coming from afar, I am well-situated between the three main urban centres: Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. The drive here is pretty straight-forward from any of those directions. (The nearest international bridge is 20 minutes away. Zoom into the map via the link above or below to determine your best approach.)

 

EXACT address is: MLH @ The GATE HOUSE, 

1353 County Road 2 West, Elizabethtown, Ontario, Canada - K6V 7C7 - (NB: stone house & studio at the intersection of Watrus Bay Road)

 

Kindly note, I do not maintain a phone in my studio, nor is it wheelchair accessible. There isn't a public washroom here, nor is this a 'drop-in' cafe or bar ... So, please stock-up & discharge before getting here. That said, if invited and visiting with me at my HOME, all amenities & frivolities will be provided, free-of-charge. ;)

The St.Lawrence River really is a fascinating bi-national waterway linking the freshwater discharge from the Great Lakes basin to the Atlantic ocean, 743 miles away. Along route, birch-bark canoes, tall ships, and modern-day cargo ships have plied timber, furs and intercontinental household goods to the people of this vast land mass.

 

The surrounding area, in this south-eastern end of the province of Ontario, is visibly rich in early colonial history. 

 

Daily, I learn more of the varied indigenous people, the intrepid French voyageurs heading West and North, the skilled Scotch stonemasons and determined Welsh and Irish settlers of Upper Canada, the dispersal of military land grants to American allies of the British Crown after the War of 1812  - and our current American neighbours so close across the river ... There is PLENTY to take-in here.

So, join me, won't you, for a pleasant day, (rain or shine), along the river ... See what I've been up to in the past, and what I'm mucking around with now. Your attendance, and interest will, to a great degree, help determine my future endeavours ... Hope to see you soon! 

 

SATURDAY, Sept. 28th, 11am-5pm - MLH @ The GATE HOUSE.

LINK: A CULTURE DAYS 2024  'In Person'  EVENT. 

 

Margaret Lindsay Holton

Canadian Artist & Author 

... from my perch on the St.Lawrence River ...

 

Greetings from MLH!! - Spring Newsletter 2024

HELLO ALL! – FINALLY!! - Some time to properly catch-up on the last two years!!

Childhood Home and Family Farm: Stoneacres - plus me & mum over the years ...

As many of you know, dear old mum died peacefully at home in her 96^th year in February of 2022. Since then, my brothers and me worked for over a year to close down our family farm perched on the Niagara Escarpment overlooking Lake Ontario. As you can well imagine, this was an emotionally demanding and difficult process. Seventy good years of ‘stuff’ had to be sorted, packed-up, distributed, sold and/or stored away. Childhood toboggans and skies, abandoned farming implements, hundreds of tools, old curtains & rugs, even our old school uniforms, etc,: - EVERYTHING had to GO!

In February of last year, my parents’ beautiful old house and my childhood home, sold. Yes, it was all very bitter-sweet. Yet, rather than mop-about, I got moving. Literally.

My New Pad

On June 1^st, 2024, I purchased my first - and hopefully last! - home in Elizabethtown, a charming river-side hamlet in the Eastern Townships of Ontario. 

It is very picturesque around here. This 1830s sandstone farmhouse is situated on 1.5 acres - with 25 feet of frontage on the mighty St. Lawrence River. The river access is completely overgrown at the moment and the house was pretty run-down when I moved in. (Bucket under the kitchen sink!!) 

Summer & fall of last year was spent pulling it all together as you can see in this BEFORE/AFTER link. Renovations and just ‘moving-in’ consumed my full attention well into March of this year ...

Today, on my 69^th Birthday, (yeah me), I can finally say the worst is over. Phew. - The actual ENJOYMENT of this PLACE and SPACE can now truly begin. To wit, landscaping of the grounds and planting of flower and veggie gardens are next … O’JOY! - MUD!!  Glorious MUD!!

The Eastern Townships are super rich in early Canadian history. There are beguiling back-stories and plenty of supportive, family-friendly locals. I am certain there will be many good years of exploring and pleasure ahead.  

That said, as an active artist, I am not entirely sure, yet, what new paintings or artworks may manifest. There are a few clues ... This new location offers crystal clear night skies and bubbling riverside waters. Multiple and varied songbirds fill the air at dawn and dusk. A lovely fit fox crossed my lawn two weeks ago. There’s a sleek black mink tucked-in the woodlot at the back ...

I can certainly FEEL it ALL coming to the FOREGROUND now ... we'll see ... 

For the curious, I did finish a few indoor design projects over the winter months: sorting then applying mum’s exotic shell collection to two mirror frames, varnished my earlier painting of the dining room floor in an 'Elizabethan' pattern -and designed & upholstered two headboards. And, I have a new sketchbook of pencil portrait drawings underway. (Not my strength, FOR SURE, but I'm enjoying the process of learning what and what not to do ... )

New River Rat finds a Good Den ...

So, that’s it. 😊  - I am HOME now - and increasingly settled … You can follow along with my house and property ‘make-over’ on Instagram.

All those interested in my artwork or writing are most welcome to come visit The Gate House, aka ‘Lindsay’s Place’, in the months and years ahead. Just email to let me know what day and time you might be coming - at ‘lynholton’ at GMAIL dot com. 

Consider this a STANDING INVITATION.

For those with genuine interest in my life & work, my front gate will ALWAYS be OPEN:

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm,  (Weekends are reserved for family & house guests.) 

Hope to see you anytime!

A list of my recent books of art, poetry & prose  - (18 titles+ to date) - as well as a link to the 'still-going-strong' short film, The Frozen Goose, can be found here. Also, please do check out this recent 5-star review of my short story collection, Sticks and Stones, by Jennie Griffin of RedHeadNotes )

Recent 5-star review of Sticks and Stones + 'New Beginnings', Watercolour by MLH - SOLD

                                                     It really IS a whole NEW BEGINNING! 

                                                                Blessings to you all!

                                 Margaret Lindsay Holton --  Canadian Artist & Author

p.s. Some of you have very kindly sent ‘House Warming’ Gifts. - I really have enjoyed these unexpected kindnesses: THANK YOU! - For those who might like to consider it, yes, I am still in need of a few useful items … like a T50 staple-gun, a wheelbarrow tire pump, and - I need a small ironing board! - (Who knew?!)  -- If you would like to send on a wee something to celebrate this new chapter, an Amazon Gift Card really is the best. It avoids duplication and can help when needed most. Kindly forward to ‘lynholton’ at GMAIL dot com. --- Thank you! :) 

Margaret Lindsay Holton - Canadian Artist & Award-winning Author

                                 Now, get out there  - ENJOY this wonder-filled SPRING !! – mlh