I was hanging laundry this morning thinking - this is AWESOME!! LOL - Hanging laundry. Last year I was so sick and so bad with balance I could not hang laundry (kinda tricky as it is at the top of my deck stairs) without fear of falling. Today I am HAPPY to be hanging laundry! Who knew! ha ha ha

Everyday I feel a bit better! The only medication I take is Cannabis. It does not stop what is happening IT makes it LIVABLE - yep, and thank God for THC  - even laughable at times! 

I will tell you what else recently has been helping me.. my Da Vinci  Vaporizer!  I love it.  
We have a volcano- which Storm uses every day while at home, I prefer a bong for quick results and to try to calm the twitch when at full power.. BUT when I am out and about,  NOT a joint smoker... I have never smoked cigarettes and  honestly I don’t even like to see someone with a cigarette in their mouth, especially beautiful young ladies,  so I use my one hit dug out and quickly put it away - the smoking apparatus looks like a cigarette - the last thing I want to do is set an example that smoking cigarettes is o.k. - lol even thought I am not.

I have wanted a vaporizer for years! A portable one. I have a Plenty (also like) but the cord  - well not so portable.  The best place to get anything - IMO is at the EXPO,  show prices and such a variety - wow..  that being said  over the years I ALMOST bought a few, I say almost as they are not cheap - $100 and up - but  over the years I have seen and heard many people say things like - “I bought that and it lasted a few weeks” or “it broke, it does not work properly, it’s too hard to clean..”  blah blah blah

Storm bought one last year and it lasted 2 weeks - $150 up in smoke ;) it was some pen thing.  So I was cautious. This EXPO I got smart! LOL - I asked everyone:

Over the years I have heard many people talk about their BUD collection. There are so many different strains of Cannabis and many have a slightly different flavor, taste, smell and effect. Much like a wine collection - if I had to compare. I know someone who saves a small jar of every bud he smokes, with names like Great White Shark, Grape Escape, 

Blueberry, purple/pink kush and more - it is interesting to hear about all the different  LOVELY buds! People are passionate when they talk about their buds! 
I am looking though all my photos, the new display was a hit to say the least! 
The 2 hole spot for 2 best buds was a good idea! It is so fun to see peoples faces when they see it - instantly a smile appears across their face! Some would run to take the photo, other needed some coaxing but every one laughed! Once again FB profiles become Buds all over! It is AWESOME. That was the idea! Make people smile!
Plans are already in the making for a new display for 3 best buds!!!  

Then, I realized:
 I HAVE the BEST BUD collection in the world ! 
I love my buds. Some I do not know - they just needed an extra face! 
Others we soon become Fb friends and others really are best buds. 
Either way - I now have hundreds of bus with all different names from all over the world! My buds come in all shapes and sizes, colors and classes!  I am blessed to have them all!  Each one makes me smile.

In some photos you might notice, I was botoxed up for the expo. Ironically smiling, laughing and even eating trigger my twitch, Storm and I were literally laughing last night when looking though some of the photos and I held up an envelope to show only the  smile side of my face and then the crazy side... Storm said  “mom when you look at the photos all you need to remember is you were laughing and it triggered the ‘look’ so who cares... the laughing is all that matters.”  ♥

I look at my photos and some make me feel a bit ‘sad’ but then I look at the person beside me in the photos - their face the look in the eyes - the smile on the face and that is all I need. It makes me happy just to look at them. I have the best buds in the world. 

I look forward to growing my collection!!  Have a look at my  ‘Best Buds’ from over the past few years. You might know a few! 
If you have a bud photo and it is not here, please feel free to it it to me and I will happily add it to the collection! 
xox <><

It's Monday 4:20 and I am exhausted! Physically and mentally and loving it. The Treating yourself EXPO is over another year and it was the best year yet for many reasons and on many levels. 
The 4th year now, many people have attended every year - Exhibitors and Attendees - It is so nice to see the same people over and over again , especially as some are from the other side of the world.  Each year becoming just a bit better friends ;-) 
An educational experience to say the least and thrilled to hear even more people yet again- praising the health benefits they get from Cannabis.  
More than anything it was a weekend to spend with my so in the city - doing what we are both strongly passionate about - educating others, especially parents on cannabis. It is done in many ways, through drawing, talking or just hanging out and sharing in conversation.  I had one mom come and thank me after their visit last year for pointing them in the right direction, this year she had her license and mom is less stressed, daughter feeling better  (as better as a terminally ill person can be) and I felt good too.  If thats it. o.k.  I am feeling overwhelmed today, thinking about the many conversations we had over the weekend. Everyone. 
 The quote came to mind instantly..  

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou


How did you make us feel at this years EXPO? 
               ♥ LOVED ♥
I am so grateful you have no idea. 
Hopefully it will show in my upcoming work.

Resting today - Tooning tomorrow!!! Blogging too about :
Painted Boobies
Kids and cannabis
Talk about changes
Growing Cannabis.
custom Hempy Stalkers!
My bud collection ( it's the best in the world I can say that confidently!!) and more! 
Until then... xox <><

Introducing Running with Buddha.

Many of you might not be aware of my Hempy Stalkers.... probably because every year I am lucky if I can produce 10. This year only 8.  Each Hempy stalker is made with THC & TLC  & every year they get better and better. It’s only been 3 and like any other work you get better and fine tune it as you go along.  The problem is - NOT a problem for me - I have a few collectors that come back every year, so in essence they are sold before I even display them.

NOT this year!’
I did 2 things. I told all, they have to wait until the EXPO is officially one before they can purchase anything and Running with Buddha is NOT for sale. I decided that  with my ‘show special’ (More on that Wed.) 100 bags- every bag purchased is the only way you also get a chance to WIN Running with Buddha. 1 in 100, those are pretty good odds! 
If you do not win you still get an awesome limited edition bag full of Happy Hippie stuff. 
This way someone that might not be able to afford a Hempy Stalker can possibly own one.

My hubby is right now in the garage building me an awesome display!  Just for my Stalkers ;-) Each made with THC & TLC! Here are a couple of photo of Running with Buddha but like everything else ‘she’ is much more beautiful in real life.  

Of course there will be several available to purchase they are priced from $65.00 Up to $400. for “the Twins”  if you are interested you better decide early...   

Each takes a long time to make, almost a full year, proper drying and prep  then painting, bringing to life - most of them guide me as to what they become ;-)  I add little details, charms, beads, glass and what ever else seems to want to be part of Hempy Stalker ART. 

I have had Running with Buddha on display in my own living room and it is going to be hard to part with. Not one person walks by and does not make a comment! What a wonderful way to start a conversation about Cannabis.  Ideal for a Compassion CLUB, HOME. OFFICE anywhere!   I have a friend with one on order after the EXPO  to display in her store front window! EXCITING! 

To me they are sculpture, art...  that is what they are, NOT for Children. They are not toys. They are a little delicate but made to be handled, touched and appreciated for all they are, and all they represent! 
      LIFE - GROWTH and LOVE.

Want to see more!? See you at the EXPO and I will have a blog with all the Stalkers after the EXPO - sorry no point even showing them now, I don’t like to tell people “No.”
xox <>< 

It's time! Time to enter the contest! Contest time!  For one reason or another;  batteries in camera die, I fell asleep... lol  I am now finally posting this contest!  

My Treating Yourself EXPO Gift bag! 
Valued at over $400!  Full of fun stuff!

What’s in it?
3 signed prints from my friend Jason Belamm
1 Green Reefer - ‘Who you gonna call’  T -shirt
1 limited edition, hand drawn mug by GT ‘Good Morning Bud'
1 metal Cannabis sign decoration
1 tiny glowing mushroom (not edible)
Copy of Cannabis Digest
GT Original, Halloween card design 2012
2 Happy Hippie Comic Books
1 Scruffy card & envelope
 Cannabis Key chain By Linda
A Real Meal Table Fable- Early Georgia Work.
Peace wooden sign
Flip Flips LOVE moms for marijuana
Hemp Wick, Hemp ball in a box (awesome stuff)
Complete set of GT post cards
Box of Quintessential ‘Canadian Skinnies’ and samples
Legalize It Wrist Band(s)
Hand drawn, ladies baseball cap by GT
Re-USE Tote by GT and thanks Section 56
Hand painted Washer Poppy by GT
Mini Framed ‘Sea Weed’ By GT
Hand painted Cannabis egg by GT
1 lucky mushroom rock
1 original collage ‘Criminals’ BY GT
2 -3 DAY passes to this Years Treating Yourself Medical Cannabis EXPO! 
Please check out the links above.  (active links different color)
Thank you to all of my friends who support, encourage and keep me creative.

TO WIN: All you do is 
*share the TOON  above Posted, My favorite ‘Living Proof’ <3
*It must be shared from my original POST
Share as many times as you want.
YOU must also be subscribed to my FB page. 
Winner drawn MUST be able to attend the EXPO. 
You are responsible for getting there yourself.
It will not be exchanged for anything else.
Your tickets will be waiting for you at the main entrance.
Pick up the gift bag - come see me at my booth.
I will draw for the winner in 24 hours.. at 4:20 Yeah!!! Long weekend here in Canada!! 

So Share! Thank you for your support! No time for posting new toons but that does not mean they are not happening ;-)  New Display is done... more in Tomorrows blog.. xox

Well - as much as I'd like to think it's great minds - it's more like a too common problem on either sides of the planet.;-) I  wrote a blog and was trying to think of how to draw it when I saw one of Ivan's latest cartoons and  - it is exactly how I'm feeling!  My work done for me! 

After my surgery (photo - my badass mama bear scar! - lol no longer visible with hair) I got SICK.  It was a concern before going in- they don't want you heaving etc. when the fluid has just been drained from the brain. They had warned me about anti nausea medication that I would be on after surgery as well as some pain medication. 
I reminded my surgeon I was already on what I believe to be the best nausea medication - (Cannabis) to which he said something along the lines - yeah but we can't have it in the hospital and can't get into that now..
One needs to remember that I was sick- I was not about to argue with a brain surgeon, I just wanted him in and out and it fixed.  LOL - if only! 
                            
                                     You might not 'get that' until you are in my shoes.
                      There are times to pick you battles and that was not one of them.

Anyhow - he did just that - soon after I woke in the recovery room it started. Vomit.  
I could not stop and I was wondering the 3rd day, where the heck is this coming from!? They had  me on intravenous, that and the occasional attempt at a sip of juice was all I had in me... I went from those USELESS, little, liver, shaped spit bowls to my own batch (stack) of recycled compost-able vomit bowls. 
I remember the nurse looked just as upset when she told me yet again - "o.k. were going to try this medication - this one the 'cadillac" of chemo anti-nausea medication! It should work!!!"  It did NOT.  I was still twitching, and now worried about the nasty head ache from vomiting all the time and sore insides I was also getting from all the heaving. 
The 4th day they said I could go - I still had not eaten anything solid - but I nibbled and I wanted OUT of there. Storm brought me a Booster juice - banana - it was perfect I sipped the long drive home. Once home and in bed, vomit. Then I was frightened, at home and still sick...  Norm picked up 2 prescriptions they sent me home with for nausea- I took a couple but still felt sick and then "groogy" from the pills. NOTE: They were also $$$ (we do not have a drug plan) 

Storm came up stairs with a full volcano bag and I won't lie to you - he said to me 
                              "MOM, stop being a hypocrite - here vaporize!"  
I was worried! Nothing else worked, my head spinning, vomiting for 4 days, still recovering from major surgery  -  I took it and inhaled.  
That was it. I was never sick again. Never took a Pill again - I am giving them to a friend who's hubby is suffering with terrible sickness from Chemo. 

 My surgery was not the success I had hoped but I can say that thankfully - for now I appear to be getting breaks when I medicate and when it gets to be too much I can medicate and go nap- try napping with something poking you in the every second... Cannabis lets that happen.  Thank God.

The Dr. mentioned another surgery in the future,  I would not consider it unless I could have my plenty with me when I woke up. I did use my plenty steady as I recovered - I never had to have any pain pills either!! ;D I must say - I dropped that plenty a few times - I am very pleased with it as a product.  I still have some pain and am waken by the twitch very early  so I just turn on the switch, inhale and usually If Im lucky I drift back off.  

Cannabis  is  medicine.  Recognized in this country, prescribed by my Dr., 
But I could not use it in the hospital! ? WTF?
                                                    CHANGES need to be made! 


xox <>< 

Now Is that not the perfect cartoon!!?  I wonder if he was thinking of me ;-) 
Ivan is a friend and mentor and has been since I first started all of this. He was one of the very first people to ever encourage me on my Cannabis mission ;-) I am forever grateful.
He has an awesome book out : Hempathy!
You can find his page on FaceBook  @
https://www.facebook.com/HempathyFoodForThought?
A little bird tells me he also might actually make it to the next TY EXPO! 
I hope so I just love to watch him draw! 

Time to go medicate.

How true the quote is (by: Robert H. Schuller) With every seed planted we also plant hope - and that tiny seed  is a source for huge hope! When we start our tomato seeds every year the first thought I have is: I wonder how many tomatoes we will get and how great they will be - juicy, firm, red - better than anything purchased in a store! Well - other than the farmers market.

As with life - we only need a tiny seed sometimes of hope. I have to say when I woke up this morning,  it took so long (over 40 mins.)  for my twitch to kick in I thought - It's gone! 
It's gone! I got up - dressed, had coffee and still only a tiny little linger...

I hear this time and time again at the EXPO. Not me personally - but others telling me that they deal with this all the time. WHAT does sick look like? Can you see Cancer? Can you tell when someone is dying from a terminal illness? In many cases NO- So stop making Assumptions people!  Thank God,  everyone who is sick does NOT look sick - that is an entirely new issue to deal with -TRUST ME on that - I know!   My son does not look sick.  He does wear hearing aids and glasses but other than that he looks good! Several times he has had strangers  comment - WHAT the heck !? Is there not more serious issues to deal with? Why must someone LOOK sick to justify the use of Cannabis as a medicine?! 
If no one ever smoked it and only used "medibles" -medicated - baked goods, these comments would probably stop.  Smoking is the fasted way to medicate and I don't know about you but when in pain - I want it treated as quickly as possible. WHO does not?  It was one of the biggest problems for my son when he was little - by the time he asked for medicine - (codine for example)  the pain was so great that it took even longer to work - at the same time - if you know the side effects who wants to give a child codine ALL the time. 
 I am So happy my handsome son does NOT look sick.
I on the other hand have been dealing with a very 'visual' problem and get the opposite! Especially from those close to me - I have lost a lot of weight and have a very painful 'Twitch", Luckily my Dr., is able to somewhat control the twitch (contractions) with Botox for the time being - but as you can see in the Video below - it is obvious I am dealing with something. I've had people look at me and comment on my appearance for the past 3 years! 
"Did you have a stroke?"  "OMG are you O.k.?"  "You look terrible!"  "You better not lose anymore weight!"  AND I MUST say - That ON TOP of dealing with  actually NOT feeling great is even harder. It is depressing! I can't smile like I use to - I look like a mad woman sometimes - I use to be a bit of a hottie. Yet I don't feel that anymore when I look in the mirror.  ;-(
So MIND your business!!!
What does it matter to you? 
People if you use Cannabis to medicate, lucky if you have a Dr. that cares and has prescribed Cannabis -- - don't justify yourself - forgive the ignorance and look past the reefer madness! If you don't look sick than thank God -*Buddha,  Jehovah, Yoda- whoever you need to thank - thank them! 
Thank your lucky stars you look fine!  It is ONE less issue to deal with.
Video taken at the Treating Yourself EXPO - I was nervous. But I MUST look past my appearance - I am on a more important mission. If you can't get past my appearance that is your problem.  Thank you to Remo - the Urban grower for this - helping me spread the word! xox  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GgzJ3Kj1pI&feature=g-u-u

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.