Well I'm down to 2 commission jobs on my desk and then that is IT! No more commissions.  I like to have time to draw for myself & look after other projects that I am interested in.  I like to have one project to focus on at a time! The problem with that is then I have to stat to say No. LOL - Not everyone takes 'NO', too well. Oh well.
It is COLD outside today, the girls happily snuggled on the floor. It has me thankful for a warm home and power to it! 
I have not had time to draw much, as I am getting some art ready for an exhibit in Toronto!
A very neat book store on Queen St. contacted me and asked if I'd  consider putting my art there for 2 months... I said YES! I grew up in Toronto and LOVE BOOKS and book stores, I can get lost for hours in them. I am proud to say I have passed down that love to my son!

Life taught me a new lesson with reading and my twitch, something we take for granted... the pleasure of simply sitting and holding a book, resting, reading. Well, I read between the lines and between the twitches now! LOL So it takes longer. 
I force myself to begin each day with reading and even picked up a book recently called ZOO - an easy read. I think it is important to continue to exercise my mind  & eyes with reading no matter how frustrating it can be. It is a luxury I do not want to lose.
My son had an eye apt today and had some bad news, he has pressure building up and has to have a laser procedure done at the hospital very soon on each eye, the Dr. was very concerned and talked about Glaucoma. Well we ARE already on the best known medicine for Glaucoma.   We know Storms condition is progressing, still not something a 21 year old wants to hear - who already deals with so much. If there is one thing I know by now - 
My son is my hero. He will handle every obstacle life hands him... hopefully one fish at a time. ;-) Until when, we both will enjoy reading and the sunshine! 
God willing we wake to each new day! The rest is easy...

<>< xox

Well scratch that off my bucket list! 
I saw & HEARD Deva and Mitten LIVE and it was a night I won't forget.  The best part of the evening of course was the company! My son purchased these tickets - back in January I think!! He wanted to do something special for mothers day and he accomplished it. 
Several years ago I was introduced to the music of Deva Premal by a good friend Sr. Jane. I've been hooked ever since! After surgery especially, I try to keep relaxing music in the background and these mantras I find I sing without even realizing. 
It calms my brain. Listen for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j2BxkCSmiQ&list=TLlDP2KdFYfeM
We started with Lunch! A quick stop to SAIL for a reel for my fisherman. Then downtown! We had a wonderful meal at an Italian place across the street, again a treat from my son. 
It is so nice to have such a fine young man for company- such great conversation. Medicated (twitch somewhat under control) the show began and it was an experience for the eyes and ears and mind. You could not help but smile watching the GURU, Storm commented several times how much he was enjoying the show much to his surprise.  
Intermission - outside for a quick puff and Storm had me cracking up!   
Back in to see Deva, Mitten, Manose and Maneesh  - It was everything I imagined and more. You can't help but feel peace listening to such beauty. 
I will say one thing - there was a woman 2 rows in front who filmed much of it on her ipad! 
It was a distraction - it was like a TV screen in front of us, and she could not hold still - it was BEYOND rude, and I was not alone - the looks of disgust were obvious but clearly in her selfishness she did not care about those around her.  
What is with people?  We just tried to ignore her as best as we could and focus on the show.  
I am thankful for Cannabis, I was medicated for the first part of both shows  I did have a bad attack through part of Deva but I rode it out and just reminded myself to breath! 
The twitch did not ruin my evening.  
Nothing could have ruined my evening. 
I was with my son and that was enough right there. 
POPPY - on the other had - it was our FIRST real separation for any amount of time and she was not happy. My hubby said she cried all night! awww...  She was so happy to see me when we got home you think I had been gone for a year. If only husbands acted like this at our return lol .

Want to bring yourself some peace today - Listen to  Deva and Mitten or The Guru Ganesha Band! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVYylcHszrM  Love this song..

Want to teach your son patience... 
Teach him to fish. 
We did not - well yes, we did fish with him when he was little, but it really was other friends that introduced him to it.  
My boy loves to fish & he is getting better at it each time. 
He has always been amazed with fish.  It amuses me how long these guys can sit and sit and sit.. lol, then they get a nibble and the thrill is there! 
I enjoy it but not nearly as much as I enjoy drawing. 
I enjoy the relaxing on the boat and conversation with my son. ❤

Anyhow I am thrilled Storm LOVES to fish. It has connected him with nature and it is a love I can see will always be there. Awesome.  Teach a man to fish..  He is into remote places though and a mom worries, especially after I hear a bear showed up in their camp one night! But - got to let that go.  My baby turned into a boy and that boy is now a man, what an awesome experience called LIFE.   He inspired the drawing above. 

Yes, here I take an opportunity to tell you it is because of Cannabis he can sit, sometimes just sitting is painful for people.  So is sleeping.  How many of us take each for granted all the time.  Myself included.  He's gone fishing as I type this.  I ask do you have your meds?
It's not an easy task BTW, even getting the boat launched he does all by himself.  I am useless - Not as useless as his friend who forgot to hold the rope when Storm was parking his truck... LOL  he had to jump in to then save his boat! 
Hee hee hee, glad it was his bud and NOT me! 
 So when I remind him to wear his life jacket, I also ask if he has enough meds.  
If not, it would become painful.  We have forgotten, or we have gone out  thinking we would not be as long as expected...  anything when in pain is NO LONGER enjoyable . 
My son needs his medicine to function.  Thank GOD it works for him and is keeping him as healthy as he can possibly be! Waiting ... any moment now... 

xox <><


BTW - I hope my son has protected lakes to fish in  as he gets older. 
Welcome to Steven Harpers Canada Eh?
http://o.canada.com/2012/10/22/its-open-season-on-canadas-waterways-is-your-favourite-lake-or-stream-protected/

xox <><

Music for your blog reading enjoyment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzs1K3caXJk
Wow, this cartoon smacked me right in the head ;-) Awesome.
It started with a joke from my best bud Cathy.♥ 
I was stressed wondering what to draw for 4/20?! 
The universal day of 
Celebration for Cannabis!!! 
A Plant.
Grown from a seed.
Made by *GOD.
(*original patent holder)


Medical, Recreational, Hemp, Food, Fuel.. 
It's the day and I want to say THANK YOU!  
                                       I have said it so many times, I thank God daily for this Plant! 
Give us this Day our daily Bud...  <3 Wow. YES,   I read recently  how powerful that prayer is;  Give us this dayour daily bread,  -not thanks for yesterday, or make sure I have it tomorrow. Give us THIS day.  Focus on today.
.. and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,
 and that                 ^ ^        ^  That simply put means  ^    ^  ^             :
                                               PEACE, PEOPLE!  
Religion aside... who can argue with those lines?  How else are we going to get ahead, clearly WAR is not the answer! 
Thank you Marvin, now in my head for the rest of the day.
People all around the world who suffer over a plant. A plant less toxic than many others,  proven helpful to ease pain, yet illegal and lives destroyed because of it.    
WTF?   O.M.God.  How disappointing.  
A PLANT.  While others  rape, kill, abuse, terrorize, suffer & starve needlessly... 
enough with the bullshit distraction. 
FOCUS on the REAL problems at hand. 

Rise Up people! Speak up! <3   Celebrate this Plant! Let it be a symbol of change.
It all starts with a SEED!!!  Life.

So.. Yes!
     Give us this Day our daily bud, 
       and thank you Lord  for it!
I do! Everyday! Keeping the Love of my life happy - How could I not give thanks?
Celebrate 4/20, Spread Peace and Love !!! 
- there are already enough assholes doing the opposite;-)


xox <><

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Slugs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
 What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

I drew this cartoon in the summer  in the evening after a day of fishing.  It's true, it happened.  Storm makes me laugh. He knew I would not get mad as I dress like a lumberjack to go fishing and prepare for fish guts and more.... it is the way he did it that is priceless. 

20 years of Santa and counting!  
Of course since Storm was little we waited in line to see Santa, every year - long after he believed. Well you can always believe in the Christmas spirit and that is exactly what my son has done.  
Every December I would take out the photos with Santa! Each in it's own frame! Imagine after 16 years... that is a lot of photos - and my favorite decoration! 

Long after he stopped believing he would go - because he knew it was my favorite decoration. I am amazed he still went this year! I cherish these photos even more now! 
I finally scanned them all - I am missing one! (will be searching- until I find it) Here they are below. 
What a gift our Children are! 
Blessings every single day. 
Happy New Year! 
xox

I am drawing daily in bed, but that's as far as it goes.. I can't ink properly with a paint brush, black india INK and Daisy and Scruffy jumping on the bed to say hello! It's just not happening - I tried.
First I think it - in bed 
then I sketch it - in bed, fine toon it  (clean it up, erase. Pencil in and letter -in bed.
I've even coloured and painted in bed - not easy or worth the stress of it not being 'better' so that is it.. no more painting. I need to paint in with black ink, colour, wash, scan resize, organize and mail out and post. If I'm up for too long I am dizzy so..this is the best I can do for a few.
 It is giving/forcing me more time to read, research and as always be inspired. I've done several drawings I call 'Chances are..' I can't seem to get that song out of my head, and it's before my time..  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QAqkGHD4Q8  My hope is that these toons hit home with those a bit younger. If you do this Chances are..this will happen.  I never listened when anyone lectured me- but I did pay attention to cartoons... chances are it might work! ;)It might sink in! I'll take those chances!  
A few on the gateway theory -it continues to blow my mind people think Cannabis is a gateway drug. ONLY the un-educated on the topic - so thats's good. There is hope.  Usually with one question I can 'shut' them up - they just have to - stop and think about it for one second... and it makes COMMON sense. 
I NEED visual, they sink in faster and last longer! A picture is worth a thousand words and I enjoy that challenge. I must saw today I feel GOOD mentally!  My twitch still here but no where what it was and for the first time in a long time I no longer feel like I am dying!  YEHAW! 
Storm told me I was being selfish not seeing those who I care about and visa versa because of my face- he is right.  I can't hide. I will be very truthful and say that I know I look like I've aged 10  years in just the past year alone. I have photos to prove it- BUT I have been ill- It took me a while to get like this and it will take a me a while to get better. We are so hard on ourselves-  BEAUTY is only skin deep. We all learn this sooner or later -
some because of time, other because of illness or an operation.  So I shall embrace the new me because I am still here! That is all that matters. Below some fun on the laptop..
I am surrounded by love. Storm and I also played with a new program! hee hee hee! 
I will try to be a patient patient and hope you can be patient for new cartoons ... 

Today our son is 20! 20!!! Even typing it brings tears to my eyes. He is up and had his birthday breakfast and off to work! 20.
It sit here and I breath deeply and I thank God with every beat of my heart that our son is here and celebrating his 20th! I feel like a milestone has been reached! A 'magic number' if only in my mind. My son- no longer a toddler, boy, teen- he is a man. 

When you are a parent of a child with a serious illness you take nothing for granted. When you are told your child might not be with you as long as you imagine as a parent - FOREVER- It can mess with you mind to say the least. So....
Today I feel like yelling a big "FUCK YOU!!!" 
Fuck you Dr.s you were wrong!  A fuck you filled with LOVE because I am so happy they were wrong!!! 
My boy - now man is everything parent can hope for and more. He is a gentleman, handsome, polite, hard working, smart and determined to make something of his life!  It has not been easy, Storm does live with chronic pain every day - always has and always will  - he is an example to me and my husband, we would not change a single thing if we could. This lesson has been one of love that we are blessed to be a part of.  So today I am beside myself! Everyday is special but today is a day to celebrate!
 The day would not be right if I also did not say Thank You God.  I have prayed for years and will continue to do so- not for a miracle but for the continued strength we all need to face each new day. Thank God for my sons medicine - YES, I thank GOD! For the plant he put here! A medicine that helps our son function, work, hope and dream and LAUGH!  Some may still  'not get it'  I honestly HOPE you never do.  I look at the baby photos and now the young man before me and I could care less what anyone thinks. I KNOW why we do what we do. FOR LOVE.  Happy 20th Birthday Storm! MANY MANY MORE!! 
xox LOVE MOM & DAD ... Tequila, Scruffy, Daisy, Darkie, Jaws, Fluffy & Larry 

Please plant the seed of Cannabis education. I can honestly tell you I do not think my son would be with us today if not for his medicine. Please share - You might be helping other parents- other children. xox <>< 
http://www.georgiatoons.com/uploads/4/1/0/5/4105506/stormsstory.pdf

Growing up I heard that expression often - 'she needs to get off her high horse!' I never quite got it - although as I got older I understood it - it was not till recently that it gave me a giggle. Of course when I heard it just last week this was the first thing to come to mind.
I AM a Cannabis cartoonist ;-) AND proud of it.
I do get offended if someone asks if Storm 'high' - if he was taking prescribed pills would you ask me -is he high? He is medicated. He takes his medicine to keep his chronic pain under control. 
My Country says Cannabis is a legal medicine proven to help many ailments, my Dr. prescribed it (he is a medical professional with a degree) So really - why should we care what the average  uneducated (I mean on the topic of Medical Cannabis -not on life in general ;-)  person thinks? 
I saw a post where someone said "how do you get past the opinions of others?"  It comes so clearly to me the answer. SEE that your child is no longer suffering. See that your child gets a quality of life back that they did not have before. See your child be able to sleep finally. See your child happy and have POSITIVE outlook on life with a serious illness and it no longer matters what anyone thinks. Their 'Opinion' is no longer valid.
So get off your high horse and accept it for what it is. 
A medicine - easing suffering all OVER the world for all kinds of reasons.
A Plant.     How many are we?
xox <>< 

I've watched documentaries on the Amazon and how we go in and destroy. Simple. 
Many medicines are derived from Plants found all over the world. Cannabis just one of  many helpful herbs.  All plants are placed on the planet for all people. SIMPLE.
How many are we?  Educate someone today! 
Side note: My baby bro. (by one year) is spending a few days here with me.  He himself admitted he had no idea the scale of Cannabis education until a few short days spent here. LOL - TRUST me thats not because we walk around all day with a doobie hanging out our mouth  - it is because we take Cannabis very seriously in this home.  My brother quickly realizing we are not into stoner jokes or mentality  when it comes to our medicine. 
But again it just showed/reminded me - unless you live it you don't know - unless you seek the truth your still caught up in the reefer madness. 

If you had a child that relied on it for their quality of life you would take it very seriously also. I can't help but think of the Hyde family who have decided - no more tests, no more pain for Cashy - they are going to give him RSO and treat him at home. My heart is with them, prayers and HOPE.  
I have to admit I have 'lost it' a few times with people. Someone contacted me saying their license had expired and they needed to get re-signed cause they were growing and have small kids could I give them  our Dr.s name so they can get signed. 
I asked him if he had recently been diagnosed with a TERMINAL illness.  I was pissed. Still am kinda - not at the person - I actually like him as a person -Im more angry at the mindset. He has kids - all healthy I am guessing.  - SERIOUSLY!?  Stop and think.