Storm was off work today and we had lunch together (compliments of Hallmark Cards ! ;-) and watched River Monsters.  http://animal.discovery.com/videos/river-monsters
We love that show. It is so great on many levels. It teaches you about people and how they live, how they depend on a fish to LIVE. We have it so good I am humbled. It is about patience.  Peace. Determination.
It has amazing FISH! Big fish, toothy fish, killer fish, flat fish, take over fish, incredible fish - and you know that story- about the fish that goes up the penis .. IT'S TRUE!  I mostly enjoy the places he goes and the people he talks to. Jeremy Wade is the host and to tell the truth I like him more than the fish (wink wink nudge nudge) I can watch him for hours, just like I've watched the movie 300 - oh - 300 times! ;-) He is incredibly more attractive with each episode. Although in real life I bet his smell is hmmm.. something that takes getting use to,
you should see the size of some of these fish! When he holds them he can hardly contain his excitement in his face! OH - and when one gets away- GASP .. the way he stares at that empty hook. The one that got away. 'SIGH' ... it breaks my heart. 
 He seems to me, like someone who has spent his life doing what he loves! How blessed. A good guy. Making a positive difference on this planet.  I love the grey hair.  I asked Norm to dye his grey - he said no. His loss ;-)
Anyhow I drew in between visits from my busy son and just had a good day! GOT an amazing email that had had me grinning ear to ear!  ALSO in touch with a new magazine that is interested to publishing the strip AND a compassion club ordered a box of comics to give to their patients! ;-)) How cool is that?"  A wonderful day.  Here is a toon I did inspired by yesterdays visit to Richters ;-)  Good night, I'm off to have nightmares about River Monsters! Or dreams of Jeremey. tee hee hee  
FISH ON!!!

I had a great day today ;-)  I spent the morning with Marie at Richters and both the company and the herbs were so refreshing! Hee hee hee -me sampling all the while, talk about Cannabis, Viagra, stinging nettles  - LOL
Some serious talks, problems, past history, Hitler and people suffering. Todays problems. The environment... and to be around all those amazing PLANTS - reading what each one ‘does’. It's amazing. Educating. I came home with a few new babies.
 I LOVED Richters. It’s worth the drive!    http://www.richters.com/
 I hope one day to go and buy a strain of cannabis from such a place. How cool would that be? Pick a Clone? HERBS R US!? I’m going to go to the ‘FREE BEE’ seminar in August for sure. ;-) hee hee hee- want to build an army for Norms nose LOL!!! 
 Marie was introduced to me by God at his house one weekend ;-)  And I am forever grateful for that. What a wonderful person, she is a gift  to me and to many, especially all her volunteer work, not to mention the food bank! Her and Alf ;-) I did have many laughs today.  

Then my day only got better! I went to lunch with Cathy! ALWAYS guaranteed a laugh!!
 Cartoon ideas- but so many we forget what they were.. One of us will remember. Her and her itchy nose! She can’t resist patting the girls but is allergic. We also seem to cover every topic. The sadness in Norway, the boys- I love hearing about them all, one time it will be about Corey, next Travis, an other times Kyle.  WE LOVE our boys ;-) and thank God for them daily. Mike, cookies, camping, Life. I also was introduced to Cathy at Gods House ;-)  It has been a while and Cathy has been with me most of the way. Through thick and thin. How Blessed to have her as a friend. We also talk a lot about Cannabis. 
 IT is my life. It is my son’s life. Literally.
 The added pressure that is put on people by the government is criminal. Medical and recreational users alike. OUR kids are getting records for smoking a joint! Our friends are going to jail from growing a HERB!!!!  Our parents, brothers, sisters, children suffering  - being made to feel like criminals because they are ILL? 

I AM Canadian this is not what I imagined. I have learned so much in just 4 years and it just does not make sense.  It is sad. AMERICA..GROW HEMP! You are struggling, people are worried ;-(  It would help your economy. 
Obama - you know the truth! You SMOKED Cannabis - a few times I bet ;-) WHO CARES!?
In the great words of the best all time cartoonist ever...
                                  ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!! 
Today, I spent a while in a HERB garden where some of the plants clearly tell you they will kill you! They are legal. They should be!!  
                                      IT is about educating ourselves!!  
 IT’S A F*&^%$#!!!   PLANT.  Put here by GOD. WHO is anyone to tell me(US) what I(WE) can and can not grow on this GOD given earth? Especially if it easing our pain? It should be that simple.  LEGALIZE IT!!   RESEARCH IT!   
FOCUS on real crimes like Murder, People trafficking -WORLD HUNGER! 
THERE are so many things to focus on ;-(( 

The facts are there. Learn them. 
I need to go draw... get it out of my head onto paper.
What a terrific Tuesday I had.  Loved and Inspired.
xox <><

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<><

We had a busy weekend. All keep pretty busy normally. The wonderful thing that happens automatically when you don't have cable ;-)  Lots gone done around the back yard especially. That is all our favorite spot. The inside suffers but who cares life is short and we want to be having fun;-)  So while painting the shed - I hit a wasp nest! One stung me in the arm and I went running (duh, I should have jumped in the pool) anyhow Norman was rather amused with this and actually chuckled! I went in the house cursing! " You probably put it there! " Well he went to go get Wasp spray and when he came back I reminded to get the other one in the gazebo as well.. as he sprayed it one flew right up his nose! LOL you should have seen him! Jumping around swatting and blowing his nose! Flying off the desk into the house.. Teee hee hee   We put in new stairs by the pool as well and did some gardening.
I drew a few cartoons. Inking and posting now and the next couple of days.
 I was on FB today and felt - discouraged. Amy Winehouse died. Yes, it was probably an overdose. Sad to say. Probably a broken heart.  But to see people comment "- no loss.. she sucked anyhow.. " How sad is that. A life was lost. Tragically really.
 I see that they (the comments) are showing up my page so I guess that means they are a FB friend?  No thanks. This is NOT what I want to surround myself with. I hope when they need help that people do not judge them as harshly as they judge others.  No great loss? To someone she will be a devastating loss..  
There is not greater loss right now than the loss of all the parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents of all those kids (people)  in Norway.  I know eye for an eye is not good. We'd all be blind.. BUT he should be put in  a (SMALL)box and shut away.  He will and should be haunted by what he has done.   HE should NOT get any MEDIA coverage. I for one shall NOT be watching.  I will be saying a few prayers of strength for all the families.  
Cartoon:  Health Canada making some changes. GOOD!  HOPEFULLY for the better. Enough people  wrote to them so lets see if they listen. I wrote and so did Storm. Very passionate letters as you might imagine. Storms more - 'intelligent' than mine (as usual) ;-)
 I want them to take this seriously - It is a VERY serious matter. Start by using the PROPER *&^%$!  NAME!!!   CANNABIS.  Did you know Marijuana is a slang name meant to be derogatory ?    CANNABIS SATIVA   is it's PLANT name.  Plant... don't forget that! 
EDUCATE YOUSELF ;-) >> Great new link>>        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx9U4GuAbuI    
So, I thought Id have a bit of fun.  SERIOUS fun ;-)) 

As far as I am concerned I do have the garden of Eden ;-) Well, a tiny version ;-) I have flowers, berries, vegetables, herbs, a pond, places to sit and a pool. I am blessed. I have been weeding my garden for a couple of weeks.  I was weeding it when Hope died ;-(  Then could not go back out there for a few days. I am happy to say that tonight the garden is watered and weed free! Team work. All three of this small family.  
Toil the soil of my mind is what I did when I worked in the garden. It really makes me think, about people who garden without the luxuries that we have, RUNNING water.  Vegetables and of course HERBS, soon- FOOD from our garden!!!  I think how many people do not even have food let alone a garden. It was hard work. I also thought of people who do this hard work all day - for peanuts($) - that do not get to take a break and go for a swim...  I thanked God then and there for my garden. I remembered I am blessed.  Funny when I work out there I learn things as well. I have a neighbor that whistles like a bird (really!) It is the most impressive whistling I have ever heard - sometimes to entire songs .. like Super Tramp - "take the long way home". One has company - relatives - nice to hear them laughing all the time.  I hear kids laughing, playing in the pools,   I learn that another neighbor is having trouble making ends meet, I hear arguing and I am reminded that we all have stuff going on.  Love your neighbor - they know you best really when you think about it.. They see me in the morning with my coffee, out to the pool, hair unbrushed.. no bra in an assortment of (I don't wear sexy nighties kinda gal) Cannabis T shirts! (LOL* Thank you to all the magazines *except TY, I don't have one of their T shirts - hmmmmm.) and Norms boxers. So LOVE thy neighbor. TRY. 
 I especially have grown fond of all the different barks, all saying hello to each other once in a while. They talk to each other all the time.  I'd have to say I have great neighbors. All. 
I shall share my garden with them. 
Hot peppers for everybody! Ye haa!
I am blessed! Made me want to draw a Laughing Buddha ;-)))( on LB page)
Below the issue of the newest magazine to carry the comic strip ;-)
Planting the seed in the mind. Cannabis seed and education. Awareness. HOPE.

A cartoon I drew after reading an article in the Sun. Sad statistics 
What do I think should be done?  Legalize cannabis and do what ever it takes to HELP these soldiers who defend our country. I can only imagine what they have seen and now must forget.  Not turn them into criminals. 

I went to the purple Turtle art festival yesterday (still on today) and LOVED everything about it ..  It was a beautiful drive - for me only 15 mins. If you go along Metro(lake drive it is so beautiful - not to mention all the beaches and people. It was on the property of the old Red Bard (sadly still missed because of a fire a while back) There was live theatre (very well done!) Lots of room to roam!!  The art was fantastic! There were several artists but below I have photos of just a few of my favorites.  Rboin was a crafts man from way back, his tools and use of antlers and other natural materials were beautiful and interesting.  Each photo will also be their link.  I did purchase a clay plate that looks like a lotus flower leaf. A perfect addition to my studio to hold some trinkets like rings when I'm working.  I look forward to attending again next year!  You can always red more at: http://www.purpleturtlearts.ca/painters.html
The rest of the weekend spent but the pool with Norm and Storm and Tequila and Scruffy. 

it is a beautiful day, lots getting done although very hot. I thank God for my family 2 legs and 4.  This toon inspired to celebrate the dogs I have. 
Still missing the ones I've lost. 

My strip has just been picked up by another magazine called 1000watt.  I like it, the look and the message they are sending.  I am very proud to be in all the magazines I am in! Last week I turned down a magazine. I liked the articles on Cannabis and the look but there were shots, lots- of  naked girls.. pretty girls. Although  I am sure most not looking at the face.  I wrestled with this - I want to make people aware so I should publish my toons where ever I can.  I am not judging  ( I too was young and wore low cut high cut clothing ;-)  and had boobs that I probably used to my advantage a few times ;-)  BUT it is not the direction I am going now.   Especially for a medicinal magazine. Why cross that line? If your about Cannabis awareness and medicinal Cannabis - why the boobs?  

I have personally gone from getting high (in highschool) giggle giggle, mellowing out in my 20's from time to time,  helping de-stress and sleep in my 30s to realizing the potential this plant has for helping those seriously suffering. Including my son. 
 I admit had this not happened and my son did not suffer from chronic pain. I'd probably be like so many others warning him against the evils of MARIJUANA.  

It should be all about choice and CONTROL.
  

 Last Saturday I was out in the garden all day weeding and playing with the dogs. We have a pool so in between we took dips to cool off. At 6 I went to get some groceries for dinner. Not in the door, groceries in hand and Storm told yelled "mom there is something wrong with Hope!" She was hardly able to walk and when she saw me she walked and stumbled to me and fell on the floor, I ran around looking to see what she got into and saw a pill bottle on my bed, chewed open. ;-(( I ran down and grabbed the phone and called our vet, I knew on Sat they would be closed but there is always someone there. The vets office told me you should call this poison control first. I wanted to find an emergency clinic so we could get her there but  - no call the number first.  I called the number - I was not completely calm if you can imagine Hope was on the floor drooling and now starting to moan, Storm crying and yelling "mom tell them to hurry, where do we take her!?" I told the girl that she has taken some medicine and WHERE do I take her? She then informed me I needed to provide her with my credit card!! ?? WTF  - Before she would tell me anything.  So there you have it dog dying on the floor and I'm being asked for my credit card. - it gets worse.  
I did not know where my credit card was, I did not know where my wallet was (-it was in my truck with the rest of groceries - that I remembered on Sunday)  Hope then had a bowel movement and started to moan louder, I was crying at this point and begging just tell me where do I take her. She then said what's  your postal code? I gave it to her and she named off this town that I have never heard of ! I said no - "tell me what's near Newmarket!!!??" Her reply - "How do I know I'm in Illinois!!!"  The entire time Storm crying, Hope moaning and me feeling completely helpless and in shock. Storm got on his phone and called the vet again, This time they told us where to go. I am sure it was only minutes but it felt like hours on that phone call ;-(( 

We rushed her to the emergency clinic in Newmarket, her moaning all the time and we could see her slipping away from us. The first thing they did was give us a number and tell us to call it for poison info...  YOU think a VET emergency clinic would have a link on google or a number that they could quickly find out the info. Again we were told to call and were charged again. The first phone call as you know was completely useless.  WHAT is this!? Your pet is dying and they don't care. How dare they say they care when the first thing they say is what is your credit card number!? The vet came and told us that it was too late. The toxisity level in Hope was too high and she did not advise that we continue - they COULD if we wanted but it would have cost us 1000's of $$ and she personally felt it was too late. 
It still ended up costing us over 700.  It was a long sad drive home. 
It is not about the money it is about the morals. 
Please tell me that if it is a child and you call the poison hotline they don't say -what's your credit card number?- as you watch your child dying.  It can't be. I have not looked into that yet but it can't be- it would have to be illegal and as far as I am concerned it should be for our pets also. 

I called our vet the next day and asked WHY they gave us that number. She did not have much of a response other than "that is the number we use." She was NOT aware that they charged and I also asked why a USA number. I did ask is they get a 'kick back' for suggesting people to use that number - she assured me they did not. Then WHY that F%!!^%$ number that was of no use to us what so ever??  I like my Vet as a person. I have known her for years and have taught her kids.  I do feel that if you are giving a number to hopefully help people in times of trouble you KNOW more about it!   
I am still so hurt. So is Storm. Hope jumped up on my bed, over to my dresser and took them out of a box containing other stuff like hand cream,  brush... things in my opinion would have been much more fun to chew ;-( Those pills were there the entire time I was away at my retreat -  yet, I went out for less than a hour and ..  it was an accident but my heart breaks thinking I could have avoided it.  It was my medicine ;-(  I feel terrible.   I have always had dogs, from Great Danes to Scruffy ( no clue on what she is - besides lovable) 
never, ever has anything like this happened.  They all lived long lives  with the exception of Hunny - ;-(( that died not too long ago and that was from the bone marrow of a soup bone. ANOTHER thing I did not know. I have given my dogs bones forever. You buy them at the pet store, but some dogs just can not stomach them. 
I got Hope to help get over Hunny. Now, how do I get over Hope.   What does not kill us makes us stronger. I want people to know about what happened. There are numbers you can call that are free. 
ASK YOUR VET! >>What number do you provide? <<  Bring it to their attention.
I do have the location of a 24 hour emergency clinic  now ;-((  
Hope would take stuff when we were not looking, fridge magnets, the remote for the apple T.v., the remote, stuff out of the blue box, garden tools, I have many visual half chewed reminders. I never smacked her for this ... she was a puppy, WE LOVED her. I have all kinds of special toys that we bought - extra tuff - and too big now for Scruffy and Tequila. I will put them away for now ;-(  I am afraid to even think about getting another dog.  Again the loss is like a huge void. Scruffy is really moping, they played constantly, we joked "what's Hopes favorite chew toy - Scruffy! "  The garden only 1/2 finished I will force myself out there again today. It's just not going to be the same. I did draw this cartoon (it was a shut door- that means I do not want to be disturbed, while crying)  but it gives me some feeling of peace. It is how I heal.  I pray Hope has forgiven me. I pray that someone will learn and this won't happen to them . It was not something I would wish on anyone. I use to miss the click click of Hunny's paws, how quickly I now notice the missing thud thud thud of those big clumsy puppy paws.
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.  ~Ben Williams

Time to take out Scruffy and Tequila and throw a ball and play in the pool.
 

Please go visit this site and check out this story.http://www.UF4A.COM/   donate if you can. xox  until you are a mother and watch your child suffer you have no idea.

Yesterday was our 19th anniversary. Instead of celebrating I spent the day crying. Heart broken. Saturday afternoon our pup Hope died.  It was very tragic and again she was dying in our arms as we rushed to the emergency clinic. Storm and I again went through this together.  I am sick with grief. I cannot even go out to the back yard. Saturday I spent the day with the dogs weeding and playing and swimming in the pool, Hope finally on the boat with Scruffy. As I was tossing the weeds she was catching and bring back ;-((   I can not even write about it as I can not see through the tears. I will thought, soon as I am terribly upset about a couple of thing that happened. We feel people have to know. I wish I did not have to learn this lesson and be the one to educate others. 

God only gives us what we can handle ;-(  I really don’t think I can handle anything else. I feel especially sad for Storm. Hope was ‘his’ dog. 

 Truth be told.  Storm's story is finally out. Over the years I have been asked to write something , do interviews (which I can not without tearing up - and like Oprah, I hate the Ugly cry ;-) So I sat down and wrote it out, let my guys read it and then sent it off to TY. I thought they would edit it, they corrected it but kept the entire story!  It was 'releasing' to write it out, although emotional - re living many of the experiences that I had hoped to put behind us. THIS story needed to be told.  There are so many people out there who are so misinformed about Cannabis. They hear only the negative and think it's all about getting high. For many sick and suffering people all around the world it is about medicine and pain control. I especially want parents to know. Parents who have sick children, there is a safer option.  The only way people will believe is when they look into things for themselves.  
If anything I pray the article gets people curious.  Everything happens for a reason.  It has been a constant learning  experience and it continues to date. This is my son's medicine. This is my sons life. This is our family. I thank God every day for Cannabis and finally some pain control for our son ;-)))  To those who have read the article and have e mailed me, thank you. I have had nothing but positive feedback.  One person said "You're so brave."
 I am not the brave one - it is my son Storm that has to endure everyday. He is Brave. My inspiration. My Love. 
The fact that he continues to GO GO GO every day, not letting his disease slow him down, not feeling sorry for himself when I know he is hurting is all I need to keep going.  If you have not read the article it is available in stores now.  Long before I was in the magazine with my comic strip (before anyone knew it was based on a true story), I though it was a terrific magazine. I am thrilled to be in several amazing magazines now. ALL educating, helping.  I do believe Cannabis will be legalized.  ONCE more people learn the truth it has to be. No point bitching about Steven Harper - his time will come when  eyes will be opened - many already are!! Instead of spreading the anger and hate - plant the seed! The seed of truth and knowledge ... it is growing big and tall like a weed, GeHARD to pull out of the garden! The greatest WEED of all. Cannabis. 
If you do want to support us, all I ask is that you purchase a comic! Maybe 2? One for you and one to help educate a friend. SPREAD the word, Share the story .. 
More than anything I want to say thank you & 
Prayers are always appreciated ;-) xox    Georgia  & family. 

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.