I had these plans and have been given a couple of detours - LIFE . COMES with detours.  We have had something very upsetting happen and utterly ridiculous!  It has me angry, outraged and simply pissed off. BUT I am hoping it is solved with a simple apology. Every time I turn around I hear someone say "Im gonna sue!" I don't believe in that. Sometimes 'stercore fit' (latin) and we deal with it and hopefully learn from it.  One thing I will never apologize for is Storm having cannabis as his medicine. If someone is uneducated on the topic - that is their problem not ours. 
And thus is the case.  Everything for a reason even if at the time all you can do is shake your head and ask are you serious?   So - feeling miserable and ill - thinking  while lying in bed today I got another phone call - To get GREAT news. Completely differnt situation - LOL - but I can't say anything  for legal reasons - until they do first ! LOL - LEGAL stuff.  It can put such a damper on things. I'm going to forget the bullshit and think about the amazing,  I have faith that what ever happens will happen for a reason and we will all end up the better.
I am so excited to tell my good news I can hardly contain myself but I have to wait for the official o.k.  
Below a few more photos from the EXPO  

Almost at the end of the EXPO - this was it my weekend to spread the word! 
I was embarrassed at the beginning of the expo because I wrote on FB I am going to speak-  and people asked me - or commented - “Oh when are you speaking, near Jodie?” 
I was so embarrassed - I meant I was going to speak to anyone that would listen to me from my booth.  Get on stage with my face and twitch ? No thanks. 
Anyhow, I met so many amazing people and Sunday the best day yet! I was stewing in my booth  remembering a conversation (very short) I had had and was thinking and told myself - move on, remember why you are here- and I swear to you - these two Buddhists walked up to my booth! Sounds like the start of a bad joke... I speak to everyone - sure enough one likes cartoons and draws but is a Dr. so he does not get to draw  much anymore.   The english was a little difficult, but I believe if we want to we can communicate with anyone (I had a wonderful conversation with Lauren in the Vape lounge and don’t speak sign)  you just have to be open and patient. - I am so glad I was!!! So any how these two Buddhist - one is a Dr.,  the other a MONK! (former) We start Ommani - that is how it started! He noticed my necklace and asked me if I knew what it meant! HOW COOL! Compassion - it gave me the idea for Cultivating Compassion (former blog) I was telling them the mantras I listen to when I draw ;-))) 
 I was once again at peace!
 My mind again on track we laughed, exchanged cards, good vibes, they laughed at laughing Buddha! LOL! So glad he was with me. I remember thanking God for ‘that sign’ - how cool!!!  
This was the last day - it got really quiet and I prayed I had made a difference - this insanity and ignorance about Cannabis has to end - too many people are suffering because of it.
So, I thanked God and thought the show is almost over - anyone else I need to speak with best be soon...
 He sent me Moses! LOL - I was lying in bed when that toon popped in my head and I started to giggle - I have a head cold and have felt crappy pretty much all day
BUT I had to get up and draw! God sent me Moses ;-)))

I said I was going to talk and hoped someone would listen. I saw Moses standing over to the side and I realized who he was and I was instantly nervous! OMGOSH! That’s Moses! If you are not Canadian you might NOT know who Moses is `but I do! 
This was it! IF I had once chance to spread the word and there is MOSES! 
I’m giggling because I just started to walk over and grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into my booth! The man did not have a choice ;-) I STILL cannot believe I did it. Storm was so proud of me. Perhaps I was not meant to talk to a crowd ;-) I think I was able to do it because I saw (in my mind- not crazy) Michelle - I still miss her - she was a class act in my book. Her hair, red lips and smile always a hug and a genuine one at that. She sent Storm a goodie box when she found out he was legal!  She would want me to speak to her friend Moses!  I remembered the year they two of them walked around the expo arm and arm.  That was it! I’m not sure who exactly kicked me in the ass but I took that first step! That leap of faith-  I planted the seed about cannabis and kids in Moses mind - LOL - o.k. it’s probably already there - the man does everything, but I refreshed ;-).

We had a wonderful conversation I introduced him to Storm - OMGosh I think I forgot about  Marie-  I was shaking when he left. He was so soft spoken and I yell! LOL - Hearing impaired child,  I hope I didn’t frighten him. I was talking to a man that I admire- who makes a difference and has for a long time and I am reminded of the incredible difference one man can make! One man one woman!
Oh - Moses was just as peaceful as my Buddhist!  
HOLY COW!  LOL - I think I said that to them! ;-) We laughed a lot it was  so nice, so I guess I got a sign for sure! 
From Buddha and God!  HAVE FAITH!

It was wonderful. I am grinning from ear to ear. We are blessed.
xox <><  Read More about Moses here:  http://www.mosesznaimer.com/
Tommorrow I blog about "Oscar (not his real name as he is only 16) and wants Cannabis as his medicine. I was honored to meet him and his family too.

They say sex sells- o.k. sells what ? EVERYTHING. I'm not big on the sex sells medicine - yet look at viagra - HUGE seller on the market.  At the EXPO it just so happened that the booth directly in front of us had these girls in tiny little pink panties and a tiny T to match - At first I thought - COME ON... But since being home I have re- thought. Someone made a comment to me that "Marco should not allow such things"- Marco really had nothing to do with it - It was the booth and who they hired and again the more I think of it - so be it. 
If you come to the expo and all you take away is those ladies in their undies - then that is your problem not mine.  I ended up feeling very sorry for the girls - at one point the air was on and it was nippy! Or as Chevy Chase put it - "a bit nipply in here.. " And the heels! Buy the end of the day the strut became more of a stagger as the ladies tried to maintain balance in sore feet & 4 in heels! BUT it gets men over to the booth!  So, whatever it takes. If a woman can make money just  by walking around in short shorts - then who is the fool - the men or the woman. NOT the woman.   
 Now in all fairness they were also selling seeds.  Anyone promoting medicine was not running around with the nickers up the crack ;-)  Well my nickers were up my crack but not for all to see (thank God) LOL.
This is part of it- it will take time. They do use sex to sell most products so why should Cannabis be any different - there is always going to be someone with this mentality - 
Some people there found the GLASS far more sexy than any woman!  After meeting so may amazing people I looked past the nickers and remembered the reason  and focused on what I was doing.  A crack was made (pun intended) what if the men had to dress in a thong -  well 
there were a few that I would like to see in thongs LOL  but would anyone else -probably not - Especially since I think older men are hot!  So if anything those pink panties gave me some fun material. Storm who was at our booth and was forced to stare at T&A all day had no problem with the panties at all! Hmmmmmmmm..
I guess Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all!  
I still prefer not to have any naked woman promoting my medicine - but hey that's just me. 
Tomorrow I blog about meeting Moses!   xox <>< 

I am home! A bit rested - I am NOT use to the city and had a hard time sleeping, so I have a bit of catch up to be doing!  WE had an amazing time! There was so much happening and going on again - NOT once was I able to leave my booth and see the entire expo -I'd try but would see someone I know or knows me and would chat - realizing I had to get back to my booth - so I only really left when I had to.  I have made notes - several things happened at the EXPO I can not wait to share. A couple of 'events/situations' - not great and that too will be talked about - it is the only way to correct and make changes!  Luckily there were really only 2 things that bothered me - an ignorant radio host, a bad attitude politician (go figure) - more on that later...  other than that the show was fantastic!  I met so many wonderful people all ages, races and education! I was honored to meet several  people in particular famous and not. 
I had a few AMAZING things happen to us - wow my head still reeling - did that conversation really take place ?! KOWABUNGA - I am excited beyond- BUT I have to focus! 
I have drawing to do - I have a waiting list- I have made notes and have some great photos!
Like the one about of my handsome son in the booth this year ;-) 
All of which I shall share starting tomorrow!  Today it's re-organize, but just a few key words/names/people  I will be talking about:  Oliver ;-),  Moses, Marco, My liberal and NDP experience, Jodie, Patti, Lauren, Marie, Storm (of course),  Tiny pink panties, Tourists,
Options, Ignorant Radio hosts, Martin, Drawing, teen age boys, Buddhist monks and more! 
More importantly - to me anyhow - I get back to business today! DRAWING! 
MUCH love to all who came out to say hello- Thank you! Stay tooned! 
Oh BTW - Expo booked for next year already ! May 24- weekend 2013!!  If it continues to grow like I have witnessed it the past 3 years (which it will) I am convinced it is only a matter of time before cannabis is legalized and the insanity ended!
xox<><  

This is it! It's TIME!  My Sherpa  Norman is packing the truck  Books, toons and STUFF!  I
have to admit I do not nearly have what I thought I would - only a few of everything ;-)  But I have more than I did last year so it's all good! Today I had serious pangs of nervousness because I know I have to speak to a lot of people! On the topic, I am NOT nervous! FAR FROM IT!  I know why I will be there. I want people to know how Cannabis changed our lives for the better! Saved our sons life.  Has given him  a life - like everyone else. 
As we get older we deal with more and more pain, imagine being born with pain and experiencing it every day, all the time -then like MAGIC you are able to somewhat control your pain, manage and even omit some symptoms! So - It is not what I have to say  it is other health issues I am experiencing. But, I have help!  I will be surrounded by people I love, like and care about! Friends and FB fans ;-) 
Fans of CULTIVATING Compassion! A PRO -Cannabis cartoon strip  that was just picked up by another magazine today!!!  Wow. 

The Happy Hippie is se up in my home - a few touch ups and he is ready for the EXPO.  I love this guy and so did the many people who had their photos taken with him last year.
People can not resist becoming a bud! My own aunt and uncle were up on the weekend and they both had their photos taken with Buddy ;-) LOL  Neither tired cannabis ever but are very supportive of our medicine.  Photos are memories - I don't care if someone buys something or not - He is here to take a photo and hopefully make someone smile ;-) 
I heard about a car show my cousin was at - he has a beautiful classic - and The Fonz was there  YOu know AAAAEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeee! It's The Fonz!  My cousins friend wanted a 
photo with the Fonz - I would too! BUT apparently it would cost him $20 bucks! FOR WHAT a PHOTO of the Fonz- who is not quite the FONZ anymore!?  Man it is all about $$! I was so disappointed to hear that. Last year someone asked me ( they were staring at the display and smiling and I told them to take a picture-) How much? FREE OF COURSE!  OMGosh! 
It makes my day to know someone wants a photo with my HH or this years Laughing Buddha! If I think that each time they look at this photo a little smile will sneak across their face - Well that is worth more than $20. bucks if you ask me. ;-)  I don't care if they do not know who I am or about my son.  I get such a smile watching them take the photos ;-) I took a few last year and e mailed to those who did not have a camera ;-)  FREE of charge. 
So COME take your PHOTO- PLEASE!
 FREE! 
SMILES FREE!

Fonz- $20. for a photo? Tisk Tisk Tisk  I still love you - but I wont pay $20 for a photo, now a kiss on the cheek.. an AAAAAAAAeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...   perhaps. 

Wow - when it rains it pours! GREAT stuff!!  Today my baby gets his first vehicle that he is purchasing on his own!  WOW - He drove my car to the end - the past year we had to have it towed a few times and Storm is also looking for a little more comfort and we safety ;-) I am SO proud of him ( both of us are) He works very hard and saves his money and today he will drive home his new wheels and drive his mom to the EXPO in comfort and style! LOL I can't wait till he brings it home. * note car for sale- great clunker  for getting around, also great starter car for new kid driver. DOES not go very fast hee hee hee.
In just 3 more days I'll be setting up for the EXPO! I'm as ready as I will ever be! My sherpa (below) in the garage making boxes for the originals, LB is painted and ready to take photos! The Happy Hippie is ready to GO!  I AM SO EXCITED and I'm feeling GREAT! 
My botox seems to be at it's prime and I have to thank the Dr.  he is mastering where the injections go and I am NOT in as much pain! :-) YEAH! Any that I am, is quickly  helped with Cannabis!!   I am SO READY! 
We did open the pool on the weekend and Daisy LOVES it! All Storm had to do was whistle and she was in - right over to him and would stay in the pool as long as he did.  Some photos below I have to go and do some last minute painting!!! <>< XOX

I will say that I will be happy when the EXPO is over so I might resume cartooning - the ideas are backlogged in my brain - Not much room in there these days ;-) 

It's Victoria DAY!   Or better known to us Canadians as 'May24' Even though it is officially the 21st - still May24.  24 as in GRAB a 24 THE weekend is here! It is also time for us to brave the garden! Plant the seeds - frost is past!  Time to open the pool (done and swam yesterday!) We had company yesterday too ;-) The weather could not be more beautiful!
There are many reasons to celebrate! IT'S a HOLIDAY! Family day! 
DID you know that Queen Victoria did dabs? Used Cannabis apparently on a regular basis
for menstrual cramps! Cannabis, cramps and ran the country - Go figure! LOL 
It was no big deal then - Cannabis was a widely used medicine and has been since the beginning of time. Just as it should be, so today we will also celebrate Cannabis and Thank Queen Victoria for NOT being a stoner but another fine example of someone in the past 
who used Cannabis to ease their pain.    HAPPY VICTORIA DAY! Cannabis or No cannabis celebrate it today doing what you love! 

We booked our hotel and of course because I left it so late - EVEN yesterday - I almost forgot again - so when I tried to get the same place as last year - it was booked, well we could have had a more expensive room with a cot! I think not..  after trying 4 places all booked for that weekend I was able to book us into the Delta Chelsea.  
Later Norm and I were talking and I was telling him it is a bit stressful the hotel $$$  but we tried to drive one year and if we did that I would not be able to give it my all for the EXPO (too tired) - Norm reminded me we stayed at the Delta Chelsea before.  It was the worst hotel stay of my life.  It was not the hotel. 
We stayed there when Storm was going through many tests just before his initial diagnoses
Hospital during the day  hotel at night - it had (has) a great kids camp that Storm did visit last time. I on the other hand would come back to the hotel and CRY.  Every day at sick kids they gave us test results and bad news.. I never ate, never slept so I don't even really remember the stay. So it's booked and  I thought FUCK IT! ;-)!!!  The last time I stayed there we were told our son might not make it past 12!  OUR son is 19! We are at a Cannabis EXPO spreading the word about his life saving medicine!! I will be reminded once again of what I am doing and WHY! We re going to enjoy every second of this trip! It's only $$$!! I will be up and in the pool at 6! LOL - Storm says he will believe it when he see's it! 
I can't wait we are so excited!!! READY OR NOT here we come!   Us last year at our not as nice as this time  hotel!:

I am thrilled! The Pool is open and just looking at it makes me smile. LOL It is too cold for me to swim but already I am constantly shouting  "Scruffy - Out of your boat!"  The second Norm starts we all gravitate to the back deck, so many fond memories to be had and make!  The opening of the pool is significant! Who is the first one in the pool?  It's been a challenge over the years! Last year was a guest from TEXAS! LOL Who - LOL - not use to our Canadian summers THOUGHT that that water must be as warm as the air - so he did a cannon ball  without doing the 'toe test" I'm still giggling at the Texas 'YELP!'   Storm has been it, Norm has been it a few times, Don (our oldest entry at 70) JUMPED in as soon as the cover was off one year! KOWABUNGA thank God he never had a stroke!   Tequila  has been it a few times too!
It also goes without saying if you are on the pool deck in our home you are 'fair game'  *EVEN Storm with his hearing aids has to be careful.  I can't tell you the number of times I have gone in fully dressed - not expecting to swim. So after 20 years just the thought of doing this as I sat and watched Norm on Monday brought me a bit of marriage bliss. 
I know that I would get away with it- it is expected of course.. and we would even laugh about it later. I did not do it. Probably because after 20 years he does know me too and he usually ends up dragging me in with him!  I am positive there are more pool toons to come!
xox