From the book Living Buddha, Living Christ  - the above quote inspired this image. Nice and simple. We are all connected. The colors so much more vibrant and detailed in the real image and the words in green - hard to notice - yet here they pop out!  Fate ;-) 
I read all day yesterday and have several new Cultivating Compassion cartoons to ink today! I fear I will never run out of material. I have a special wishful thinking toon to post tomorrow! Stay tooned...   For now - it's the weekend! Storm at work and Norm home - I have a day full of domestic stuff and drawing ahead. Thank God.  I am drawing more - I will admit - the botox just does not seem to be taming the over all twitch this time around.. When I draw - I become absorbed and I hardly notice it.  Yet when I watch TV it is all I can focus on, so simply - I'd rather be drawing is definitely my motto I am meant to draw!  Good thing! Happy St. Patty's day! 

After reading about the guy strip searched cause his little 4 year old drew a gun - it got me thinking. Columbia tried to sue Mike Peters (Mother Goose & Grimm) for a cartoon he did, we all heard about the cartoonist who drew a God as a dog. Burnt his home to the ground ;-( 
I draw about Cannabis all the time - an illegal drug.  I am sure at some point I might have someone say something to me. 
Actually a while back I did - something along the lines as 'using a comic strip to educate about Cannabis, something geared towards kids...'  Well it just happens to be a comic strip because that is what I do - was born to do, LOVE to do -  I found recently some images of cartoon characters smoking- not only were they smoking but they were promoting SMOKING! Intentionally!!        Yikes.             NOT o.k.  
We choose - actually, LOOK around- did you choose to have that giant alcohol/underwear/donut ad in front of you where you walk by everyday - no - we are bombarded with images that we did not choose. 
BUT what we choose to do about them is a different situation. 
I do NOT feel alcohol is a disease. A sickness yes. A disease you wake up with everyday - you have no control.  Some people are born with them. AN alcoholic chooses to lift that drink to his/her lips with each sip.  So - if after you read my cartoons you go and smoke a fattie - the choice was yours. But if you smoke a go do something stupid-  I'm having trouble even finishing this sentence - its the person people, NOT the POT!  Just like every person that drinks and drives and kills someone cannot go and sue the alcohol that got him that way .. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm   Or the prescription drug - when mixed with your other medication - stopped your heart - well you can TRY to sue. If your still alive.
We need to take responsibility of our own choices. We need to be making educated choices.
Recreationally, Cannabis is much safer that alcohol. 
Medicinally - Cannabis is much safer than many prescribed medications. 
So If I have changed your mind - over to Cannabis with a cartoon -I'm thrilled - it's a start in the educated direction.  If I have made you at least question your other choices - Yippie!! 
If you plan on suing me because you over ate a brownie or two and missed that job interview - IT'S the person NOT the pot! 

- People draw much worse, they draw about murder, crime, rape, torture- it's endless... we all do what we feel we have to.  It is art.  It is how someone expresses this life. 
Who is anyone to say it is wrong- if it is NOT physically harming anyone - it is an image. 
If you do not agree with it - make your own choice.  
It is as simple as - if it is a product - do not buy it.

Halloween finally put away.. a few trinkets remain, fish are out of the pond and in the house for the winter.  Todays been a day for chatting with my guys, reading, lazing on the sofa - sunshine window,  jotting down some toon ideas.  I love Sunday's.  I have been working on my first set of cards! They look (if I do say so myself) very cool! I will NOT post them. I want who ever gets a card to not have already seen it a few times on FB.  I've had fun thinking of one for  every month occasion!  Some turned out so good I will make them into strips...
A couple serious but most for fun, I hope to give giggles. Anyhow I am selling them in groups instead of one at a time or else I'd have to charge more money for shipping. Plus I don't know about you BUT I LOVE snail mail, who needs an excuse to send one some happy wishes? You can order my cards on my stuff for sale page.
 Or maybe someone will send you one!  Hee hee hee - I already have a few to mail out!! 
I've also added some new art for sale.  Seeing as this is my only income I guess I have to part with a few sooner or later ;-)  Back to the sunshine... Have a fantastic weekend!

As you might imagine I get a few requests.. "draw me!" ;-)) Or "can you draw this idea..."
Most of them funny and I enjoy the ideas. Some It takes longer than others or sometimes and idea will trigger a different toon in the same direction. Some "I Get" & some "I Don't" 
just like many people with my comics. YOU can NOT please everyone. ;-)

But the other day I got a request, just a couple of lines that have forever changed my life. 
-"if you dont mind i would like to request cartoon for ending dead execution for cannabis in my country malaysia...to educate my people mind.."
My first thoughts: What?! Seriously? ...What? Oh my God... I asked for more information and it was provided. How sad. How sad all of this is on too many levels.
 HOW wrong it all is. WAR on Drugs? More like WAR on  WEAK. 
Then I had trouble. How could I? How can I draw this easily, seriously and pray it gets the message across. I thought about it all day yesterday. I went to bed feeling very tired (my twitch is constant & frankly exhausting) and a little sorry for myself. Then it came to me. Almost asleep ... quite simply: IT IS so sad on so many levels. 
I read earlier this week about a young mom who got sent to jail for 12 years! Leaving 3 kids. FIRST OFFENSE,  just over 4 grams. I think it said $30.00 worth. The judge 'justifying' it by 'setting an example'. OF what!? To her kids of how cruel life can be?  Selling a HERB that does not HURT anyone. Not a rapist, murderer, human trafficking, child pornographer.. not scum of the earth.  A MOM. How much will it cost for her to be in prison for 12 years? What will happen to her children? Clearly that judge does not care. Generations have suffered  and will continue to do so because of this war on CANNABIS. A PLANT.   

In Canada they are talking about taking away the already legal rights of the sick - so that they can no longer be responsible for growing their own medicine. Forcing the already suffering to resort back to "dealers" Legal or other wise.. Many can hardly afford our prescriptions now. ALSO limiting the types of strains that work for many different people. NOT to mention that it is a PLANT.  
HOW many gardeners out there would be devastated if your were told "NOPE - you can not grow another plant." If we say O.K. to Cannabis - what will be next- Tomatoes?  The funny thing  is that, it is NOT a JOKE.
                    But come on.. people being executed for Cannabis? PUT TO DEATH? 
                    For a PLANT that GOD placed on this earth.  Truly, that is a SIN.
PEOPLE we MUST work together.  You don't have to smoke it - BUT IF YOU DO and you don't stand up for your right to smoke a HERB    **ESPECIALLY if is is easing your suffering??    Others are DYING for that luxury.  NEVER be ashamed of what eases your pain.  Those of you who just like to smoke Cannabis, Thank God you you live where you do.
                            PLANT the SEED of CANNABIS EDUCATION TODAY!
How could I not do the drawing?  I know what Cannabis does. I have witnessed it. It is a MIRACLE plant that needs to be researched and Legalized to end all this madness...
over a plant.   So sad.  
I came up with this drawing. I hope and pray it gets people thinking. That is all I can do. More people have to be educated.  **Norm saw the drawing when he came home and said "I think that hanging is a bit much..."  I said "Me too!" And then told him the story and what I learned. He also had no idea. So Is it a bit much?  NO, it is the TRUTH . 
The truth shall set you free.                         
                    Please... PLANT the SEED of CANNABIS EDUCATION TODAY!

I want to start my week by thinking about what / who I am grateful for. My guys. I miss them Mondays the most. Storm off to work and the same with Norm. My time to catch up with domestic duties ;-) -Dishes and Laundry. It goes without saying I am grateful for them
Storm left this morning and then came back - I thought he must have forgot something. He did - He came and gave me a hug and told me he loved me.  I love my guys so much. My girls Ticky and Scruff  too.
I am grateful we are doing stuff we LOVE Storm has a great job at Yield of Dreams. If you read Maximum yield magazine - they have a wonderful article in it on the store. 
http://issuu.com/maximum-yield/docs/can_julyaug11viewMode=magazine&mode=embed
page 66 & 67. I know why they do so well, before the magazine and before Storm started to work there. Noel is a terrific guy and businessman. Always so helpful and patient and friendly and they know their stuff.  Norm works for Burkes restoration and he loves it as well. He is one of the head contractors and Handymen! He always has to keep busy and likes the variety of the different jobs and people.  Me- Im blessed to stay home and clean and draw!  I am grateful for my home and garden. Mostly I'm grateful for Who's NOT what's.  Jodie, Cathy, Jane, Josh...  especially the last couple of weeks. People who help me hold it together.  Links in my chain ;-)  
Well it's raining! Good day to draw and get caught up on computer stuff. Here is a toon I did about Health Canada's Medical marijuana. They will not be growing any more. The quality of the cannabis they were providing - was not 'very well received' it is also been - irradiated. I have asked several growers and they all say if it was grown properly there would be no need for this step. Funny, I was showing someone this toon and he said  "what's the big deal they do it to our food anyhow."  That alone is the big deal. We have become use to such procedures, accept them.. wether we like it or not . IT is a very big deal. With cancer rates soaring like never before in history. We should be taking steps to avoid any unnecessary  'chances'.  Instead we follow along taking the path that the government puts in front of us. Wondering why we are sick.  At one time they promoted cocaine for tooth aches, In the 1950s and the 1960s, plastic surgeons used synthetic fillers — including silicone injections received by some 50,000 women, from which developed silicone granulomas and breast hardening that required treatment by mastectomy. JUST becasue its been done in the past does not make it RIGHT or healthy. So.. My toon. Hope it inspires or EDUCATES someone to the point of thinking.  xox<><

A rest & retreat for the mind and soul and spirit! 

Last week I was away at a Art Therapy Retreat.  A first I thought, should I go I have so much to do... how could I not? It was also only 15 min. drive from home so  should I be needed I was not far away. Or rather should I feel like I needed to be home, pool, puppy worries- ;-)... 

What a wonderful week! Each morning we’d get up - usually around 6 - not because you had to but because the property is so beautiful  - I would wake up and just look out my window for about 30 mins. I had the COOLEST room in the house  (my opinion) But each room is special. I’ve included photos below of Loretto Maryholme and art. I have to say the place is special,  Never was I able to calm myself or thoughts easier. You are distracted all the time , NOT by television or radio but by the silence. The birds, the leaves rustling, the waves hitting the rocks. You are distracted visually by the light reflecting off the bottom of the lake, the FLOWERS!! I was so inspired by all the flowers. The trees, the rocks. The PEACE. We’d start the day at 8:30 with a singing bowl and then meditate for 20 mins. Simply clear your mind.  After we would read a few beautiful song lyrics, poems and prayers all inspiring and designed on creation and art and beauty. Then  some simple instruction on the project and we were set free! Free to explore - All the supplies on one table I felt like a kid in a candy store!  How nice, to start by talking about such positive subjects and then told to go create. Relaxed with a clean mind.  Sometimes we sat together - i enjoyed this as the ladies were wonderful. All of us strangers and now I can say I have a couple of new friends. Laughing talking, sharing, inspiring, praying. 

I had to leave Monday for Storms graduation! He is done high school! Yippie!  So proud to see him there with that hat and diploma but bitter sweet - truly a moment for moms to realize their baby boy is a man. He drove me back to the retreat and I told him just how proud we are and have no concerns, we know he is hard working and passionate and will do well, He is a ‘good person’.   I thanked God for attending such an amazing milestone in our lives.  Wed. I had to leave for my botox. Which I did not end up getting.

I did the monkey self portrait I think regarding that appointment. 

Other than that I was creating or enjoying friendship, amazing meals - ALL comfort food! 

or praying.  You can’t help but pray, it goes on all the time. I feel RESTED! Better than I have in at least a year. Of course there are few more cannabis educated Sr.s in the world who will be setting people straight ;-) LOL - How cool;-) 

My art.. I was playing with stuff I do not normally use, pastels, markers, clay and was determined not to stress over anything. I think you can tell. The two round ones are using our hands. I enjoyed that. I enjoyed it all! Mostly I enjoyed EVERY single woman that was in that house. I am going back next year for sure! I am going back often to walk the Labyrinth and pray, I would love to go to every retreat. If you get the chance you should consider it. Want some peace back in your life. This is the place. 

I felt loved. 

What a grey day.. I have drawing to do so hopefully it will distract me from this frickin' weather. I am a having a hard time doing some drawings.   How to get a million ideas fit into a single panel and get the point across successfully.
Perhaps it is the day or subject.. perhaps I need to think of other stuff and draw something completely different, perhaps I need to get off this computer and draw...

I did do this new LB. ;-) and a logo so far..
so  all is not wasted.

I just have to keep reminding myself .. This too shall pass... Although I'm still struggling with Hunny being gone, today I can't help but fell blessed. 
I woke up and was determined to draw. GET at it. 
This is the cartoon I am donating or our food bank, Kat (Kat's Gallery) is going to frame it and we are going to sell tickets for $2.00 ALL proceeds are going to go to the local food bank. As soon as it is framed I will make it official. I am blessed I have a gift I can share and even more blessed that I have the outlets to share it! The magazines, my www and FB. It is all meant to be. I'm not big on twitter.. The problem is I'd rather be drawing!

Most days now someone purchases a comic on-line (today I got an order from Norway! How cool is that!? I have a fan in Norway.  I get e mails from strangers telling me how much they like my strip. It has made someone smile , changed opinions and created the curiosity to look a little deeper. That is all I can hope for. It inspired me to keep going. It is all you can do.  I am blessed. I have a home, food and people (and pets) who love me. So where ever you are - mentally, physically, if your having a hard time please remember...
This too shall pass....          Have Faith!  
xox   me