Norm and I went out last night to pick up a few things. Walmart opened not long ago - too close for comfort. You can see it from my house, it is the quickest and easiest for Norm. 
Not being well, I have had to rely on him to go shopping and this has led to endless frustration and numerous untold arguments. 

I Am NOT a fan of their produce to begin with! I swear, buy something and almost over night it starts to shrivel in my fridge! Never buy anything in a bag, usually one or more is rotten.. it’s endless,  last night I need garlic.  

Garlic a little root plant right? That grows in the ground grown in Canada. 
Do you think I could find any? Only garlic from China - not even another option or choice - there it is!!  That is what divides Norm and I he will say “Screw it, I’m not driving all over for garlic...” and get it. I will say  “Screw it I’m not buying it!”  That is what we have to do. 

Why can't I get some F&^%$ garlic from Canada - or anything else for that matter!?
We can invent all sorts of stuff, send men to the moon but can't grow a decent tomato year round without pumping it full of S*&^?
Why are our options stuff that has come from foreign soil, foreign pests, foreign 
rules/laws/regulations for growing...  across miles in crates and trucks for days, picked too early to ripen on the way!?

YUK!
YUK!
YUK! 

I hate this time of the year for vegetable shopping and being on a limited budget  (aren’t we all) you lean towards deals instead of health! 
Less off, in the cart yesterday was MEAT.  
More spices, greens, fruit and WHOLE grain bread. No food in a box.
No Junk isle.  I am on the road to recovery and I am taking him with me like it or not. 

Don’t get me wrong - I get it! I get he’s tired, worked and then has to go get groceries and does not want to drive all over for garlic!  When does it end and when will it start to change if we don’t act every chance we get?

Please the next time you go to  the grocery store - make a point to buy Canadian.
As a matter of  fact I was so pissed that I put stuff back and that is all we bought.
Going to feasting on mushrooms and sweet potatoes for a while! LOL - Choices limited.

Thank God, Canadian have been able to produce their own HOMEGROWN Herbal medicines.  That could all change in the future. Just as it has been with Cannabis it may become illegal to grow other herbs and foods, then our limited choices even fewer and our chance to say no to GMO - out will go!  
While in Canada - for as long as it remains I prefer to support fellow Canadians and keep my greens as FRESH and HEALTHY as possible - the best way to do that:

                                                                  GROW your OWN! 


Wait till you see my garden this summer !
xox <><

I had a very difficult time with this carton from the second I first read the sentence: 
Two fishermen sentenced to death for trafficking in cannabis
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/two-fishermen-sentenced-to-death-for-trafficking-in-cannabis-1.197967

I mentioned to someone the other day about the expected cost of Cannabis  because of the increase suggested by  Health Canada MMAR,  they told me - "That's a   700% INCREASE !"   WOW!   
A small price to pay when you read what it costs others around the world? 
No, ones health and freedom are never a small price.
Our health can be a high price to pay, our health and security both.  
Life needs we should not have to 'stress over' living in Canada.

Cannabis is a world wide problem. 
No, it is NOT world HUNGER - compared to that it is bullshit - but bullshit is exactly what all this is! All smoke and mirrors.
 Stop wasting money on cannabis and drug prohibition and you will have the money to avoid world hunger! Not to mention the plant! We should be shipping hungry nations hemp: protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals! 

I had a difficult time for several reasons and when time to ink I was inking and crying.  
I had to walk away and go for  a nap.  
I love to learn, research, discuss and draw and then I remember I’m living these cartoons too. It set me back a bit - but in between tears 'Mama bears' hackles rise ...

I was also dismal when I thought - I’m going to put the ‘place’ on the bottom of the cartoon - my first intentions the first pane - Colorado - but it could be may places including Amsterdam!  The second my obvious choice : CANADA.   The third (inspired the cartoon) was Thailand, but it could as easily be other places and has been and might continue to be.  Too many places! 

Death for a plant. It is not by hanging it is by lethal injection. Drawing the hang noose was hard enough  for me. 
Putting men to death for a plant - death for what God provided on this earth. 

Next year in Canada will people be put in jail for doing what they were told they could do in the first place. Will sick Canadians be treated like criminals for a plant that is a proven medicine all around the world? Recognized by our own Country as a medicine! 
If they don’t go to jail,  who will help with the added stress of now having to pay a up to 700% increase for medicine they use to provide for themselves or were able to purchase at a fraction of the cost?

Will I see people I know and love go to jail - people that have NEVER harmed another person a day in their life for a plant? 
Probably,  being in control of ones life, happiness and health is worth fighting for.
It is NOT worth dying for or killing for.  
Is that what 'Health' Canada will be doing to a few people on the program? 
Unfortunately,  I believe so.  ;-( 

Remember when educating others on Cannabis - It is a world wide problem. 
ONE LOVE.
xox <>< 

Somedays my job is too darn easy...
What a imprudent comment to make. (above in toon) 
 I took it directly from the article.
Read it yourself: 
 Health Canada plans to treat marijuana like other medicines
Yes, it plans on treating Marijuana (*CANNABIS - *sigh* own government -does not address it by it's official/correct name) like other medications - Charging ridiculous prices and making it harder to get!
 Not to mention limiting strains and options. People will have no choice but return to the more harmful - cheaper and easier to obtain  prescribed pills/opiates.

Every time I read something about this It makes me angry, sad, disappointed and worried. 
Everyone that I have spoke with, be it someone who uses Cannabis or not, does NOT agrees with these changes.  

It is taking a situation for many - were they are able to supply themselves with their own quality medicine and say - now stop and pay someone else for what you have been successfully doing on your own. 
                   ????????????????????????   How is this o.k.?   Does this make sense to anyone?
* Don't forget - people were told from Health Canada that they could in fact  grow their own medicine. I know people who have invested THOUSANDS of dollars to properly set up and grow their  own medicine.  They have been producing it for years. One friend told me - he will continue to grow after they try to take away personal licenses, if he is arrested - he is prepared to fight. He is ill.  He still works from home and has not had to apply for any gov. assistance.  IF he loses his license he will NOT be albe to afford the SUGGESTED price increase!  How can they do this? 

THEY can't if we don't let them.

Among its proposals, the MMPR suggests the price of medical marijuana should rise to $8.80 per gram. It currently ranges from $1.80 to $5 per gram.
WTF? HOW dare they 'suggest' anything, let alone a price for something many people have been able to provide for themselves for much less than the 'SUGGESTED' price! I am sure all other growers (especially the ILLEGAL ones) are thrilled at the price increase!  Read a comment made by someone on Fb:
 
When you think about it, all they're doing is shooting themselves in the foot. 
A majority of people who have an exemption are also on disability because they're severely disabled or ill. If they choose to- on the tax payer's dime they have to pay to arrest these people, then pay for their lawyers with legal aid, while also paying court costs. Then should they become imprisoned, they must pay MORE to care for them with monthly transportation to doctors/hospitals, special diets and so on. Don't think because you're in jail you don't receive care anymore. In Canada, they pay to drive you to your doctor's appointments, MRIs, tests and so on while two guards making $30/hr have to baby sit you and drive you around since most prisons are not equipped with this. So really, the government wants to pay millions of more dollars, so a private company can make more money, and the 100 people abusing the MMAR out of 20,000 won't be able to anymore. 

I'm so worried about people not having their medicine I never even started to think about that! What bothers me most right now is, why so many already sick and hurting are even having to think or deal with this BULL and added STRESS is beyond me. 
Oh Canada ;-(  Focus your attention on crimes THAT HURT- Sex trafficking, child pornography, rape, murder...

ALL this over a fucking plant. Take a LOOK around the wold! 
A Plant that saves lives. 

xox 
<><

I read that on a post regarding the new MMAR - Who in their right mind would expects anyone to stop growing...  and I thought-
It's true when you look at this all!  It's INSANE!!  It is appalling. 
But then again so is Steven Harper - I can't even read about him - what a shitty representative of Canada. IMO.  People on hunger strikes - because they we feel we are not being heard, sick people losing the right to provided themselves with medicine after they were told they could!  Selling off Canada one snow covered rock at a a time Eh?  I cannot remember a time in history when people were as disappointed - no, that is not even the word - it's more like ashamed of  our  illustrious leader 'Steven Harper'.

EVEN if you do NOT use Cannabis -  How can the government tell people that they have to stop growing their medicine - when it has been legal for them to do so... AND They gave them permission!  It is NOT easy, It is NOT cheap and it has become a passion for many of these people.  All I can think in my cartoonist mind is two little kids - here you can have this this and this .. oh changed my mind! Take backs!  Someone is going to be crying.
ONLY the problem is in many cases these people need this medicine just to function daily lives! It has me really worried about the expected price increases and my son's health! ;-(
Growing your own or a Designated grower is a sure way to keep the quality and strain that is best for you. It will keep prices reasonable or better yet
                             - KEEP PEOPLE PROVIDING FOR THEM SELVES!!!
Self worth right there should mean more than anything.  No one likes to depend on others.
What if your child has such a food allergy to pesticides you decided to grow his own vegetables..  but was told you could not.  People SHOULD be thinking about this on several levels. WE are not talking METH labs we are talking garden rooms. 
 http://hempology.ca/protest/index.html  is just one of the many petitions. Please take the time to sign.  Educate yourself and if you grow your own medicine get ready to defend your right. 
xox <><

It's not easy being green and it is not easy having green as your medicine. 
I should be sitting here with thoughts of cheer,
 Christmas being just a few days away but I am preoccupied to say the least. 

Recently changes have been made to our Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)  program with Health Canada. 
The 'just of it' in my opinion:  
 Merry F*&^%$* Christmas - all you sick and suffering - get ready for next year when we take you to jail for what we allowed you to do in the first place. 

For those what are not aware: when you applied to Health Canada for Medical Cannabis you could also apply to grow your own medicine. Storm could not as he was only 15 - I think you have to be 21. I have had the pleasure of meeting  many the past few years who do grow their own medicine and it is a God send!  It has allowed many to be in complete control with what they put into their body - as in how they grow their medicine and the desired strain. Different strains for different pains,  much like some prefer tylenol over aspirin.  It has kept them safe from purchasing  Cannabis from the black market and helped them financially. NOW the rules have changed? Health Canada is removing all the licenses for people to grow their own and are farming it out to BIG grows. Perhaps  the pharmaceutical  companies who already make billions for over priced medications. Go figure.  Who did not see that waiting in the wings...

So those who are already struggling will now be forced to fewer options, pay higher prices and have NO control.  MOST of the seriously ill that use and grow their own cannabis that I know of are already  struggling to make ends meet - are on government assistance and have a hard time putting food on the table let alone medicine.  One friend admitted to me she will go back on pills because they are easier to get and cheaper for her - even thought it is killing her insides and turns her into a T.V watching zombie ;-(
Lets not forgot about those who truly enjoy growing cannabis. The gardeners! 
Now they want to take away pleasure as well. 
It won't work. Prohibition does not work and this is still prohibition - It is worse! 

Health Canada told people they could grow, many people have invested a lot of money and time and education on learning how to grow good quality medicine for themselves and have been doing this for years.  Many also find it truly a release - a passion. I know people who say it is all they have - much like I need to draw! Another friend told me if he can’t grow his life will be over. It is all he does, all that keeps him going is working in his garden, his reason for getting up everyday.

One friend has taken to the art of bonsai cannabis trees- now suddenly he will be considered a criminal and sent to jail! 
FOR SOMETHING that was allowed by Health Canada?  
For growing plants. <<< Stop and think about that please.
I already hear people saying they won’t stop. 
WHY SHOULD THEY!?  
Who will get busted first - the people who have always had ILLEGAL grows? No, they will still operate - it will be those that were registered with the program and have been proud of the fact that they grow their own medicine. The illegal ones will still do it - only now  even those that do really NEED it will be forced to become criminals by their country  ;-( 

It is a crime! Not just about cannabis, a crime against human rights. EVERYONE has the right to be healthy.
These are NOT meth labs we are talking about - It is a few plants!!!  Not everyone that grows  has a grow factory! 
Media-scare tactics;  just like they use to say it had no medicinal value - funny now that everyone from government to entrepreneurs (just saw a cannabis pain patch for pets patent) trying to market Cannabis as a medicine.  
What about people like Storm that use Cannabis for their chronic pain!? Those who have HIV, Cancer, Arthritis, PTSD, all who use cannabis  In order to live - I read we can expect the cost to be anywhere from 30,000 for a year and UP!!  OMG. -Just the thought of that brings knots to my stomach  & tears to my eyes.  We do not have benefits, we can hardly afford any medications as it is!   I know too many in this same situation! 

I HOPE everyone that was given the license to grow FIGHTS - stands up for what they believe it. It is wrong. 
            Decriminalize.  It is the Humane thing to do.
Make it what it is a plant and end this unnecessary suffering and incarceration of sick people who just want to live a  HAPPY LIFE! 
Other places in the world people are permitted to grow small amounts for personal use. It should be the same.
We are never going to stop the big criminals that grow - especially if the police have to deal with more bullshit like arresting the sick?
How is this any different  than making your own beer?
It’s not - except that alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis,

and Cannabis helps ease pain and is used as a medicine all around the world and has been since the beginning of time.
My wish this Christmas- to put an end to this insanity so people can heal themselves. Mentally and physically . ONE LOVE

For now - Christmas is a few days away... back to baking, spending time with those I LOVE and thanking God for this plant that has helped so many. 
It has been the best gift our family has even been given and I as long as I breath I will never stop fighting for the rights of my son, for my own human rights and to try to help many who don’t seem to have a voice. Too tired most of them...  I can understand where they are coming from.
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/22/changes-to-medical-pot-program-could-double-costs-users-sayhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/consultation/marihuana/_2011/program/consult-eng.php
xox <>< 

It's out! In stores now! 

Cannabis is recognized as a medicine. Our Government and many US states (as well as other countries) all know Cannabis helps many life threatening illness and diseases. Chronic pain, cancer patients - and more. BUT some people are trying to get cannabis prescribed for headaches, depression and more and are being refused with Dr.s telling them it is NON-life threatening. In who's opinion?
I know from our own personal experience this past year with me not working as much, our financial situation 'tighter' than usual - and with that comes added stress. Stress because I am too sick to work, adding on top of everything else.  

My friend has been prescribed Migraine medication that is expensive and addictive! 
Fiorinal side effects: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) slow, weak breathing, severe weakness or dizziness, black, bloody, or tarry stools or blood in your urine or vomit. Other, *less serious side effects may be more likely to occur: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite, dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness, ringing in your ears. 
Butalbital may be habit forming.* << She agrees.
She like me, says all she wants to do on these pills is SLEEP. She cannot function at work on them so she goes all day in pain - by the times she gets home and take the pill -it usually does not even help her very much. She said once home she has one puff- ONE PUFF- This I will tell you is NO lie- All I need is one puff and my twitch calms right down and I feel better.   You don't need to sit and smoke an entire doobie - well people with pain like Storm - they do. 
In my case I dont' and neither does my friend. 
The one puff does not get her 'high' - it keeps her going- even puts a smile on her face while doing it! She eats ALL natural is a vegetarian and cares about what she put in her body - no alcohol and as few chemicals as possible, she does not even use skin creams unless they are all natural ingredients. 
So why is she being FORCED to take something - where there is a safer, natural alternative?
As for Cannabis and depression... I KNOW it works.  
As for life threatening -  tell that to someone in pain, worried about paying the bills and still trying being a positive, productive member of society.
SHE LOVES being a teacher. Was born to do it she believes.. 
It is o.k. for her to take her prescribed medications at work - that keep her at her desk - not capable of much more that what is required.  So why not Cannabis?  xox <>< 

It's that time fellow Canadians! Say goodbye to our little friends. Always sad to see them go!  Every spring they are the first sign (for me) that Summer will soon be here! Like summer, now I am reminded even before the leaves change colors, I hear the "honking" above- Fall is on it's way! 
Fall is one of my favorite times! I am looking forward to fishing on the lake with Storm and looking at all the colors (will take some photos).  Sweaters, stews, furry socks, mulled cider and cinnamon here we come! Of course even with it being cancelled -Norm is in the garage making a Halloween prop for the front lawn to let all know we will see them NEXT year! 
So Bring it on! Pull out your woollies and get ready for the most beautiful time of the year! Winter will soon be here - not to thrilled by that - thank God fall brings us in with such a final BURST of color - it makes the white blanket that we will soon see easier to embrace. Is there anything cooler than how the geese fly. They really area a wonderful example of how  nature works together to accomplish and incredible task! TEAM WORK!
Best movie on Geese : Fly Away Home - GREAT FAMILY movie! 
xox <>< 

My mom returned from vacation and brought me a gift she thought I might enjoy. She was right.  
Buddha Board: 
http://www.buddhaboard.com/
Let Go! 
The buddha board is not about detail it is about creation, fun and letting go. When I tried to do a detailed drawing ... well by the time I was at one side the other was drying! LOL 
- It forced me to KEEP it simple. It is also hard to resist. I have mine on my back deck and all who see must try.  You do NOT have to be an artist! Yet everything you draw has that oriental flair to it! 
I try daily to get rid of Stuff.  I have enough stuff but I can say I love this gift, I use it all the time and it is just as much fun to watch your drawing magically disappear as it was drawing it. It forces me to relax as I watch it fade - turning into other ideas as it goes. 
Below are my photos of my Buddha board as it faded. It is a gift for all ages IMO, I will keep it with a camera so guests can take a photo of their creation.  So perhaps you know someone who needs to  relax with a little zen..   xox <><

Fishing is so much more for me than the fish. LOL - I already giggle at that thinking Storm would say - Its all about the fish.  My boy loves to fish!  We went out yesterday - a BEAUTIFUL day on lake Simcoe!  We were out from about 3 to sundown. We laugh, talk, have snacks.. Storm fishes and I draw and take photos ;-)  I have had quite a bit on my mind the past couple of weeks. Stress higher than normal  yet- to sit there on that boat. Forced to just sit and see and listen - it overtakes you and al I could see after only a short while was all the beauty God provides us to see all the time - we just have to remember to look. 
When he first said he was getting a boat - I was a typical mom -- sigh.. oh, oh..  after yesterday watching him  get it in and out of the water and taking me on a tour of lake Simcoe, I now think- Thank you!  Thank you!  I loved every second of yesterday - including the water splashing us - cause I think he was driving a little too fast! (lol) The photos are in order and our day ended perfectly! With a gorgeous sunset and a Bass to boot!  Let go after the photo of course.  I'm looking forward to our next boat adventure! xox <><