I've come to the conclusion that people often think the blog is about them, when in fact it is not.  lol   Which leaves me wondering...   Why do people think this?    
It's not my concern, really.   I can't begin to assume.   Ask.
SO,  I've decided from this day forth - if I'm writing about someone, I will be happy to clarify whom I'm speaking of.   Why Not?  Which also brings this quote I've seen on PIN to mind:

This past week I've painted at least one painting a day -not huge - but kept me busy thinking.  Here's the thing. I'm not interested in nasty/shitty people anymore so, I'll just try to avoid & focus on the rest.
I am interested in fascinating, funny, educated in life, excited about people and issues.  
I'm not going to waste my breath, thoughts or time on those who are negative and can't dream... just cause you can't does not mean I can't !  I can, I do  I will.
.
Painting at peace here & giggle, think, get angry, cry, dream, research & draw! 
All seems to find itself. I find myself.  At soon to be 53, I never felt more confident with my decisions... my trick it appears is learning patience.   hee hee hee
I know what I want.  I'm excited to welcome it.
What makes my heart beat faster, puts a SMILE on my face and makes me want to paint - that's what I'm focusing on!! I make no apologies.    You should too! 

My current toon does not have me smiling it's an editorial called: world war three. 
Less bitching - unless its about a 'world problem'.  
More painting... this too shall pass.

Everyday I am stepping out of my comfort zone and going one step closer to where I want to be. It's exciting! Poppy likes her new found  "main" character fame but she is in hibernation mode already with his cold grey weather, after getting me up at 4, she has been in bed ever since.  Hello November.
Bring on the SNOW! lol 

Have faith
<><
​xox

We are family! I got all my sisters and me!!!   lol    Sing it! 
It's time for the Mushrooms! Today is another Foray day!  We will be leaving soon.
I am amazed at the variety of mushrooms found on the last foray  including a Blue mushroom,  it's a wonderful way to learn about nature as well as informative on mushrooms and how much they effect our environment.  I hope to find an edible one! 
This is a gouache painting.. the only thing I forgot was a bug or two. I can still add them.

Later today, I'm working on a new painting and thinking of a couple of cannabis related cartoons, here in Canada I think a 'calm'- regarding cannabis has fallen..  legalization in 2017 is on the way, still in the United states it's legal here and not there, I find it hard to believe how celebrated the plant is in some states- yet it others it's still backwards! A NewMexico state fair stopped a medical Cannabis provider from allowing a plant or even brochures at a fair!?  WTF. I don't get it. I remember years ago Treating Yourself was at the Women's Home show!  Marco Renda -made sure 'Treating Yourself' was everywhere - The Toronto Home show, garden shows and even tiny town Home shows.  At the Women's show- it was the only booth of its kind -  let it be everywhere, educate everyone. Familiarize people to the plant. PLANT. I truly believe at this point, anyone that prohibits such 'displays' is only contributing to abuse, addiction and even death of generations to come. 

I did read a response editorial written by Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health which reminds me of struggles we are currently having with Health Canada and dispensaries.  'Dorothy' at the State fair:
​
Dorothy, the three ­week old medical cannabis plant who was proudly on display at the New Mexico State Fair for a mere 6 hours, was the center of attention for many fairgoers yesterday. It was also surprisingly the center of attention for members of the Department of Health and state fair officials.
But, Dorothy was never intended to be a surprise. The entire time Dorothy was secured and under the supervision of the licensed producer. Law enforcement was cooperative and present throughout the display period.
The fact that the DOH is going out of its way to scrutinize Ultra Health’s activity at the New Mexico State Fair is both absurd and a waste of DOH resources. There are several other issues with the Medical Cannabis Program, including dispensaries operating illegally and without approval as well as delays on patient cards, that the DOH should be focusing on, rather than a medical cannabis plant with only trace amounts of THC that was approved by officials operating the fair.
Ultra Health applied for a booth at the fair on August 1, with our application explicitly stating we would be providing at least one medical cannabis plant for viewing and educational materials about the health benefits of cannabis. Ultra Health even provided a mockup of what the booth would look like, plants included.
After weeks of back and forth communication, the director of the Concessions Department notified Ultra Health of an opening on September 6, just two days before the fair was to open. The fair notified Ultra Health that the contract must be signed and the booth paid for by Wednesday, September 7 and its booth must be fully functional by the morning of September 8.
With less than 48 hours notice, Ultra Health complied with the state fair’s demands and respectfully followed through with the booth it had planned from the beginning.
Ultra Health should not be faulted for a poor handling that happened wholly on the fair’s end.
The New Mexico State Fair has beer gardens and an array of unhealthy, fried foods. Neither beer nor these varieties of food have any known health benefits, unlike cannabis, which is improving the qualify of life for more than 30,000 New Mexicans today and more than one million across the country.
To quote DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis Young, "​ In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care.”
The fact of the matter is that the world is changing. Just last month, Oregon featured an entire cannabis exhibit at their state fair, including a live plant competition and learning opportunities
for growers. In Washington D.C. cannabis plants have been put on display to the public. Isn’t it time New Mexico embraced a plant that it should truly be proud of? 



WE ARE FAMILY.. Please show your support whenever you see an injustice regarding the cannabis plant. The more it is seen, doodles, pictures, brochures - the more it will be recognized and decriminalized- at least in the minds of many - (I laugh typing that) the fact that we have to TRY to make a plant seem normal, natural - wow.  
Ultra Health, is on instagram, please show them some love.  www.instagram.com/ultra_health/   Strength in numbers, it does not matter if we are Canadian or American or  __________ (fill in the blank), we are all striving for the same thing.  Freedom to choose what we want to put in our own bodies. 
The healthier option  for me..  is Cannabis.
​
Time to get ready for the foray!! yay!! 
Have a terrific day All!
We are family! ... I got all my sisters and me!

Have faith... in good things to come! I feel it!  I Am ready!
xox - for all who need a kiss and hug! This ones for you!
<><    ...what a man. 

I was recently asked if I would share this infographic from:
Jason Adams @ Jason@cannabis-truth.org 
​It is 'clean', easy  to visualize, understand and includes informative links so that
YOU may research it for yourself!  
Knowledge is power.   
If you have any questions or concerns, I suggest you ask Jason. 

Ending on positive notes..  
I'm about to do the fine sketch for The Cannabis Digests Fall Cover!
Which means it will be complete before the end of the weekend
*a long weekend here in Canada!   WoooooHooo!!  
Not that it really matters to me, I get to draw every day and that means...
every day is a weekend.

I woke at 5 this a.m. and looked out my window - the stars were so beautiful I went out & stood in the dark in PEACE, in the middle of the vegetable garden..   it was exhilarating.
Poppy would beg to differ.

Have Faith
<><
xox

Yesterday was 4/20 a day to 'celebrate cannabis', now recognized around the world.  I did not do anything 'too special' yesterday- what I did do is enjoy the day, shopping and touring around Aurora with Poppy & my mom, looking for some garden inspiration & something for my mom's B-day - BUT, I was able to do this because of CANNABIS.  Medicating in-between stops, we enjoyed the day.  I was originally  booked to meet with the brain surgeon again, I have as you know decided against this. Id be lying if I said - it did play on my mind a bit yesterday- have I made right choice? I feel I have.

***Todays blog is a guest blog... written by someone I met recently,  just one of the  many stories that far too many people never get to hear. I am grateful she shared & STILL completely GET why she did not use her real name... yet.  
Enjoy. 

Apri 20th, 2-16

Dear Colorado,
You don’t know me.  You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between me and a whole lot of other people.  I’m 38, central/eastern European ethnicity, average height, from a big Midwestern city.  I have a pretty interesting job.   I’m a runner, but not a particularly fast one and not of enormous distances.  I am not unattractive, but I am not a supermodel.   My eyes are a bit of an unusual color.  Overall, I’m really pretty normal.  If you met me at a party, you’d tell your wife that I was friendly and maybe kind of entertaining.  (I think you are a straight dude, Colorado.  I think you’ve got a wife.)
However.
I’ve struggled hard with my mental health for my entire life.  I’ve been in and out of therapy--mostly in--for twenty-one years.  I’ve seen at least seventeen different therapists and doctors.  I’ve taken nine different kinds of mainstream psych meds and I’ve been incorrectly diagnosed five separate times.  A few years ago, I had the breakdown that had been coming, and finally got the correct diagnosis.  PTSD.  I worked and worked and worked to get better and I got to…functional and maybe even mostly OK.  And I thought that mostly OK, most of the time, was as good as I was going to get.
Here is where you enter the picture, Colorado.   Important piece of backstory:  I had never smoked weed ever.  Ever.  Not once.  Not interested.  I am not a criminal.  Smoking is gross.  Etc.  Etc.  But I was going to be on vacation, and when in Rome, you know, so I decided to be a little brave. 

My best friend and I nervously bought some 10mg chocolate bars from Canary’s Song in beautiful Nederland.  After about an hour, I felt...fine.  She got giggly and hilarious, but I was…fine.  Day wrapped up with me sleeping through the night (a rarity—sleep disturbances are a hallmark of PTSD).  The next morning, I woke up, anticipating a galactic hangover, and I felt...good.  Then I ran eight miles in the hotel gym. 
I texted my surprised reaction to my pleasant experience to a friend and got back:  “Do we have a fledgling stoner on our hands?”  I thought, “Of course not.  What a ridiculous idea.”
I announced that I was glad I tried it, and figured that was the end of that.  

My travel companions, however, had other ideas.  After my husband brazenly carried a bag of candy through security at Denver International  (thanks for looking the other way on that one, btw), I was home to start conducting a scientific study on myself.  Turns out, I was NOT worse on weed.  Turns out I was better.  I was a lot better.  

Except.

I was the one person who had swallowed every bit of misleading, politically driven racist bullshit about gateway drugs, about stoners being directionless losers, about how it was going to kill my ambition.  The one kid who believed Nancy Reagan, was, apparently, me.  For months, every time I did something flaky or forgot something, I would freak.  My husband started regularly reminding me that I’ve done flaky shit my whole life.  I kept waiting to wake up in the morning, unable to do anything except dunk Cheetoes in CoolWhip and listen to Phish.
You’ll think this is funny, Colorado, as you used to be the residence of the late Dr Thompson, but I seriously thought that smoking weed was going to send me on some sort of strange path careening into unemployment and God knows what else.
Except, what happened was the more cannabis I consumed, the more things continued to not get worse.  
I discovered I could sit still longer at my desk every day at work.  I started regularly sleeping through the night.  I went to the doctor and dealt with a persistent running injury with the physical therapist.  I noticed that my caffeine consumption went down.  My business revenue went up.  I tackled some more issues with my PTSD.  My husband and I worked out some longstanding problems.   I lost 20 pounds.  I quit drinking.
And I realized that I had to overcome a massive case of culturally conditioned stoner shaming.  And I looked at you, Colorado, and I saw a bunch of people who were out hiking your mountains and biking your trails.   And I talked to people in the cannabis community and found out that everyone to be friendly, welcoming, and not judgmental.  And realized that I’m the healthiest I’ve been, ever, even if I do own a lighter for the first time in my entire life.   
So, Colorado, I guess what I’m trying to say is, you changed my life for the better.  And, in doing that, you changed a lot of lives around me for the better, too.  You can’t even calculate how far this ripple effect could go.   And I’m just one person. 
Millions of people visit you every year.  My story is repeating every day.
Keep up the great work.  The world is watching.  
Eternally grateful, 
Jane

PS Of course Jane is not my real name.  
PPS  But maybe someday I will publish this and sign my real name.  That would be big progress.
PPPS  Buying my first bong for my 39th birthday.  That’s a sentence I thought I’d never write.
PPPPS  I still don’t like the Grateful Dead, but, turns out, Cheech and Chong are funny.
​

;D  Thank you Jane! xox Georgia
Believe
<>< 

I thought today might be a good day to tell you about Walnut INK! This way you can scope out a walnut tree and try to make some of your own this fall! I heard about this when in Halliburton listening to the radio - I wished I could have went to the evening so I contacted the woman and she shared her walnut ink recipe with me 
! Below is the e mail she shared! Enjoy! 

WALNUT INK                                      Judith Jaimet Bainbridge
 
Walking in the Experimental Farm in the fall, I noticed lots of rotting walnuts on the ground, under, of course, a black walnut tree, and I decided to make my own walnut ink.
It is fabulous for painting and writing. 
The recipe I found on the net was surprisingly easy.
I filled a pot with all the bits, fruit and seeds, rotting or not.
It is best to use the fruit when it is starting to turn black.  
Then I covered them with water and got it boiling.
It simmered all day, making the house smell all earthy, like a hobbit hole.
They recommend doing it outside, but I didn’t mind the smell. 
I strained the mess through cheesecloth and got the liquid boiling again.
It was about 10 cups at this point.

The idea is to boil it down until you have an almost black ink.
It made finally about one cup. Pouring it into sterilized jars will keep it from getting mouldy. When you use it, if you pour a little into a small container to dip your pen into, the original amount will stay germ-free longer. I froze some to see if it will stay useable when it is thawed, but I lost the cubes in my move. Try it and let me know please. 

The result was a gorgeous, brown-black ink- a nicer colour than the synthetic kind- that flowed smoothly and made crisp hairlines. I loved it! BUT it FADES! 
In about six months in a window, it had lost most of its intensity and was very pale.
That was a year and a half ago and it hasn’t faded away completely.
The old manuscripts that we see of brown ink were initially almost black. I have since learned that a little vinegar and salt will make it lightfast. I have not tested that. 
The synthetic, dried ink you buy from *John Neal Bookseller, is made from all natural substances and starts with peat. It is lightfast. It keeps and carries well because it comes in dried crystal form and requires only the addition of distilled water to make it useable.
 *johnnealbooks.com                       jaimetbainbridge@yahyoo.com

***Judith is retired from doing heraldic art and calligraphy for the Governor General and the Federal Government. She now does sculpture and the book arts.  She live 6 months in Ottawa and 6 months in Minden where she teaches for the HSA or for Fay @ Visible Voices Open art Studio!  They call the gatherings ‘Creative Interludes’ - short bursts of playful creativity - rather than workshops.  I wish it was closer! I'd be there!!
Leaders share their skill and knowledge and  all learn from each other. A Creative Interlude suggests an informality, a relatively short time to explore, experiment and experience that is open to anyone interested. Sometimes they get people who don’t really consider themselves to be ‘creative’  but are intrigued…and they want to encourage that.  If people want ‘more’ then they organize that.  Check it out:

Facebook: Visible Voices Open Arts Studio
www.openartsstudio.ca

Judith has not retired from teaching- 'I love it'.  It shows! I am thankful she shared this recipe with me IF you do try it PLEASE let me know as well! 

Believe! 
xox <>< 
​GET creative today! 

Did you guess correct?  ;)

This is it...
This is the last fucking cartoon I'm drawing about 'what kills kids - compared to cannabis'. 
Everything - everything kills kids more than cannabis - from wild elephants to button batteries to un-attended trampolines. This is it. I will not add to the confusion any longer with cartoons about pencils, peanuts, plastic bags killing more children than cannabis.
Fact: cannabis has never killed anyone - that i am aware- I can't even find a dog who has died from it. If you have facts- enlighten me - send me an e mail.

I am done. Every time I draw about a child who suffers more from inhaling COMMON household chemicals - I'm only adding to the confusion! SO - LET me be CLEAR :
LIES hurt & kill our children.
We should be educating them from an early age on all DRUGS - especially those 
THAT DO KILL.
Lets start with your prescription medications/drugs & alcohol if we want to be factual.
Don't get me wrong - when drinking - add Cannabis - you are being reckless and could get hurt. Everything in moderation, ask yourself 'why do you need to have both?' 
Drink and add a few OXY for fun and you might end up dead.  
The facts are if we continue to lie to our  kids and continue to let our government LIE - WE are killing our children.  
We certainly care about teaching them about oral sex at an early age- not chemicals that will kill them! Not how to make good life choices to keep them on the right path?
or IS it we don't wan to practice what we preach? Be honest with yourself, I don't care. Really.  I am NOT living your life.  I know I don't have any control over what you do or choose. I know where I myself have been and it's no ones business - except your kids.
What are you teaching them every minute of every day - because they NEVER stop learning.

Imagine the little ones forced to have  chemicals over cannabis to 'help' their little bodies.
Or being parent and being forced to go against your best wishes for your child.
Because a bunch of adults continue to lie in order to  make $$$.
Cannabis does not kill, chances it may be used to heal a very sick child you know- now that you are educated on the topic! Please- dont' take my word for it!! 
Research, once you learn you will be amazed.  A rude awakening for many. 
It was for me.

 Have Faith
<>< XOX

P.S.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog!
I recenlty was made aware that I do have quite a regular number following.  
​The numbers astounded me and I had to ask weebly (website provider) if it was correct, they assured me it was. Wow.  
I will make more of an effort to try to help educate with love one doodle, drawing & craft at a time.

Please consider sharing it with a parent who has a child dealing with medical issues such as  chronic pain, epilepsy,  digestive issues & more - to name only a few.

If you want a post card send me an e mail  I'l see what I can do! 



​

Oh, Canada!!
Canada has changed a lot in the past 10 years, but never so shockingly as it did in December, 2012. That month Canada went from 2.5 million protected lakes and rivers to 159 protected lakes and rivers. 

You need to ask, why?  This is a quote from the Huff Post, it’s a pretty good assessment.

"It means the removal of almost every lake and river we know from the Navigable Waters Protection Act. From one day to the next we went from 2.5 million protected lakes and rivers in Canada to 159 lakes and rivers protected. You name the river, you name the lake and it is no longer protected by this act, and this has nothing to do with the budget that the government rammed through, it has everything to do with pipelines, because you are able to now are able to ruin navigation and not trigger an environmental assessment."

One little tidbit they didn’t mention is the most of the protected lakes and river are in Conservative ridings. Places that have millionaires cottages perched on the shores. The rest of us can just suck it up.

I’m angry; my children will likely lose the opportunity to swim in clear clean water (unless they marry money) and the risk to the environment, just when the rest of the world is starting to clean their countries up, will have reached epic proportion in Canada. My grand children will be at risk, their health, safety, lifestyle and living environment will be negatively impacted to benefit a handful of international mining companies and their rich shareholders (who live with THEIR children beside the protected lakes.)

This just boggles my mind.. since when is one group of people more important than another? Since when has Canada been willing to sellout its citizens? There is no net benefit, no silver lining, no payoff , unless of course you’ve invested in mining companies.

We need to ask our Conservative government a few questions. First- who are you working for? Second- Why are you so willing to risk your children’s future when you have a choice not to? Third, do you know what your grandchildren will think and say about you?

We need to get angry, folks, we need to start showing an interest in what our governments, at all levels, do in our names.

CETA, the European free trade deal is set to be ratified in September. Once that’s through we can expect even more attacks on what laws we have in place provincially to protect our wild and not so wild areas. This trade deals allow corporations to sue countries who have environmental laws that might hurt their “future” profits.. nice for them, eh? We’re rapidly losing control of our laws to greedy corporations and this Conservative government is smoothing the way.

Go find a nice lake or river bank this weekend, swim.. wash your hair, take a tire tube and show the kids how to paddle around the shore looking for minnows and turtles. You better take pictures though, as this is likely the last generation who will be able to enjoy it.


*Thank You Ellen Durkee!  Terrific Guest Blog. 
I get by with a little help from my friends!  <><
Read this.. more on the topic! 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lakes-across-canada-face-being-turned-into-mine-dump-sites-1.733972
You won't believe <>< ;( 


To see the Stephfin carper  in the flesh (yours), join me tomorrow at the Painted Perch Challenge!  I think it's going to be a lot of fun, Norm myself & Poppy! Adopting out - Zen Kitties and enjoying the day! My other artist friend Ellen Downe is also going! 
The kitties are $20 each with $5. for each purchase going to the Georgina Food pantry. 
* I figure that would cover mailing and they sell on line for $20 ;)  


I am just looking forward to the DAY!! In the park! Music! Crafts! Friends! Fun!
Come say hello, and if YOU want a free post card, just ask ;) 
xox <><