I've recently learned about Ultra Health in the USA, through radio interviews, news clippings and the special on Weediquette * POT Powwow, which I highly recommend you watch so you understand what I'm blogging about. Ultra Healths CEO, Duke Rodriguez is one of the busiest gentlemen, literally a 'trail blazer' if you ask me (every pun intended) in the cannabis industry who appears from radio interviews to be having  difficulties with such ironies & issues as  limiting plant counts.  Who is this helping at this point - patients? Keeping prices at a premium?  I don't pretend to understand our own policies so I won't try to even grasp American 'pot politics'. One state it's legal with conditions, another medical, one illegal- YIKES!  Where do I plan my next vacation??  Albuquerque?

Duke was questioned for a recent music video that was filmed in the Ultra Health Grow facility, I read the article before viewing  the 'song and was horrified - thinking to myself... is there naked women rolling & bouncing in bud?  Scantily clad teens twerking while trimming?  I couldn't  imagine the Duke I know going that direction... there was nothing like that at all and to be completely level I enjoyed the video- it allowed me to see exactly where  this medicine is grown!  What a view.  Being a Canadian already preparing for winter - I think I might have even enjoyed it more than a local,  the tune truly 'catchy.  I didn't understand all the fuss - are there not more prevalent issues. Something about card delays for patients.. it reminded me of our own Health Canada and kitty littler distractions.  The only thing I knew about Albuquerque before witnessing that secnic video was; it is where Bugs Bunny should have taken that left turn.

What I have learned about Utra Health: They are trying to finally help the North American tribes in the process, Wow.   Helping, Lifting Up Higher...  so to speak.
Duke was interviewed: 
What drew you to working with Native American tribes?
We recognized from day one that if anybody's going to positively utilize cannabis in this country, it's native people. They have many competitive advantages—they own land, they have water and access to power, and they have a historical and cultural tie to cannabis and natural healing. They also have a distribution network—smoke shops, reservations, and casinos across the country. It's clear that cannabis will bring what casinos originally did for tribes to the next level. We started communicating with and educating tribes across the country. It's a long process.

We are all aware of the problems around the world with indigenous people; used and abused. Fact. To turn around a situation - where let's face it everyone is going to benefit- Native Indians in particular, as Duke states in the Pot powwow special  "We're not providing them with jobs, were providing them with a future".
I agree!  It's about time!!!  
I hope someone is paying attention and we can possibly plant the same seeds/ideas up here with our own indigenous people - Lord knows they deserve a break.
Watch the video, its an education.. the policy regarding 'pure blood'?  WTF?
Just one more way for  government to pass JUDGEMENT on people who have already been stripped of pretty much everything. Except their heritage.  
I do believe Ultra Health is providing more than cannabis - they are providing hope.

Ending on a positive note,  I communicated with Duke before I was aware of any  of this.. he contacted me requesting work - and like I do with many people, we exchanged several e mail,  joked around  & became friends.   ;)
I'm sure other days he thinks I'm  a never ending stream of questions and comments.    
How could I not be?? How exciting is this? 
I think it is some of the best news I've heard to date regarding growing cannabis!
The more I've learned more delighted  I am to call him my friend..  he has inspired a few drawings.  He also makes me smile.
​
I foresee some drawing work down the line...  
You never know what tomorrow will bring.  
​Look at the direction cannabis is going now!

Have Faith
<>< xox

The King of the Jungle is complete!  
The little kitty purrs peacefully as she meditates, knowing her King has her back..  Kings.  
See it as 3 cats of the jungle if you wish, it's meant to make you smile, that's all.
The meaning for me is beyond words. Countless brushstrokes, thoughts, ideas.
As soon as it is framed in the snuggery it goes, where I will see it  every day.​ 41:10

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way
-- things that I had no words for.
                   ~ Georgia O'Keefe -

Happy Thanks Giving Weekend Canada!


Have faith
<><
xox

Yesterday  I was sitting outside getting some sun, I add nuts to the feeder then I sit out there and have my tea.. when I came back inside I saw a friend sitting on my kitchen table - a Bluejay! Of course it was frightened and it started towards my kitchen window - I reached out and grabbed it!  I' have 'Bird' to thank for my bird catching skills (hee hee hee _ I grin with pride)  I guess because I couldn't believe it myself & it just got calm.  Like I said I do this to bird all the time and at first he would shake.. until he knew I meant him no harm, now he likes it.. this Bluejay was so calm for one second started to panic.. then it looked at me, right in the face and calmed down, looking at me.. its beak was open and I wondered if it would bite so I gently rubbed it and it seemed to like this.. I rubbed its head feathers and it leaned in.. I could not stop smiling! I walked  up to my office to get my camera.. it just looked at me. 

I took some photos... I am so glad my hands were warm, I can tell you it's a strange sensation to have a bluejay claw around one of your finders. It was a powerful yet gentle grasp, big enough so my finger could have been the branch. Wow. 
As I spoke gently to it looked and blinked and did not try to escape once.
We walked out to the back deck, and opened my hands and it was gone, I can still see it leave my hands.. as though a perfect scene from a movie. 
Not long after I'm sure the same bluejay visited me at the deck feeder it sat there and just looked at me...  picked up 3 nuts before deciding and left. 

I have this big black canvas waiting... as I finish the 3 cats today I'll be thinking about my next bluejay painting. I want it to be allegorical, only I'll understand it's meaning, I started one of Scruffy in a boat earlier in the summer & decided to not continue. It was full of meaning, meaning that can stay in the past. 

After I research bluejays, symbolisms & facts I'll start to sketch. I'd be lying if I said my bluejay encounter didn't feel like a blessing. I'll admit holding it  -for one second -sorry, but I thought of John Jame Audubon who I found out watching a documentary- killed and used the dead birds to draw from, which made them so incredibly accurate.  
No.   I could never do it.  There is no need now, so many photos are available- I've taken 100's of bluejay photos! 

Letting it go, the dogs were in shock! I think, they thought I was faking it!?  I was so calm -the bluejay was so calm.. when it left my hands all their eyes (7 in total) including the cat- bulged!! It was comical- then they looked at me like WTF was that!?

Time to finish King of the Jungle & imagine good things - cause they make me smile! 
Have a great day & remember miracles happen ALL the time.  Big & small.  
Open your heart and watch what happens.

Have Faith
<><
xox

No Text Tag!  Text tag or Toe tag?    
I have been with my son and on occasion he uses his phone when driving.. looking at and responding to a text.  I explain how much it bothers me - he is my one son and I read, see about it accidents all the time now.  I don't' want him hurt.
I have watched others do it as well - Adults.  Many of them.
www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats 
Rather than words I've made these little tags.
I'm going to carry them in my purse and when I see or am with a driver  who uses their phone - I'm going to hang a tag of their rear view mirror ;)   I can imagine the response now.  It's something.   I hope
I've included a free download for you to do the same.  
Moms & dads put them in the car the kids are using and visa versa.
                  CLICK on this LINK for the PDF to download and print your own tags.

I also suggest writing on the back a simple I love you.
Sometimes they need that simple reminder.

​I love you...    we all need that little reminder sometimes. 

It's Friday! Not that it means much to me- it's another great day to paint. 
​Have a terrific weekend - no matter what you do. 

Have Faith
<><
xox

Fall is here and what a beautiful day it was. 
Yesterday I helped my friend Linda at the harvest Festival in keswick! it was a terrific time, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Linda's grand daughters- one of which is quite the talented artist, as well as pretty bright, I look forward to some cartooning lessons in exchange for some 'Instagram' lessons lol.  Poppy won 2nd place in the costume event! Woot Woot! 
In her little TuTu, tail all up in the air, she never barked at anyone,  was quite confident and curious about the horses/ponies..  she rolled in horse poop in her TuTu! 
O.M.Goodness! I mean come on how often does a girl get to roll in horse poop? 
I saw some friends I had bot seen in awhile and was grateful to the Kocky dog, I was able to medicate in the back, I'd rather not in front of kids.  I don't know how much help we were to linda in between horse carriage rides and face painting! LOL I am grateful she invited me regardless. I hope to next year have a table beside her.
Today, still exhausted I mostly puttered, played and drew.
A few photos... 

Some days I decide what to draw, other days the drawing decides for me!  
I was cleaning and saw this on the fish tank of all places!  The fish are outdoors for the summer - soon to come in and I looked at the tank! There was this toon! 
Inked. Not colored.  Screaming: Finish me PLEASE!  
Another of the ones I wish you could see as the white leaves are painted on with a thicker paint and really pop.  It was drawn to be a mental reminder to myself. 
These simple rules -when we remember to apply them can be life changing. 
They don't assume has eliminated so much drama from my life.

When my brain starts to take over; why did they not return the call, what is going on, Is she pissed at something I said..  lol we all do it. Well many of us do, until we try to tame the beast called brain.. 
I can see clearly now .. the brain is gone! ;D hahhahahaaa
So NOW I ask.  No more assuming. It drains the brain, creativity, passion and energy.
 I'd rather ask, find out and deal and/move on.   
Sometimes that's just what we do  MOVE on.  
Focus on what brings us peace and let all else go.   
The book: The 4 Agreements
http://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements-introductory-video/

My mom called at 9 and offered to take us for lunch for Storms B-day. We went to this great sushi place in Newmarket. You use an ipad to order and send and the food comes.
It was delicious. Everything - well  the soup had cilantro - I do not like cilantro.  I highly recommend.  The name...  Cynthia's Paradise.
We had a great lunch, Storm will be 22 on Monday! ;D
 
Tomorrow a cannabis related cartoon. 
xox <>< 

Picture time!  
Many of us hate having our photo taken. Imagine now you have a  "twitch' that contorts your face most of the time. Photo's? Yippie.  
I was asked for a photo for an upcoming interview & need one for another project and a book photo so I thought best to get it done right. 
Who better than someone I have known for years.  I asked Kyle Clements,  a very talented artist and photographer and the next day he showed up!!  Kyle is also down to earth and what I consider "quirky" in a great way, so I was at ease. 
I think that is part of the battle right there! As an added bonus Kyle brought his mom! 
LOL  *just in this case- as she is my best friend too, I am sure he does not show up for photo shoots with mom in tow, she did a great job of holding the light and making me laugh.   
When I got the photos I became teary, because I like them. 
I usually avoid  mirrors at all costs. I feel my face contorting a million times a day - 
I don't need to see it.    Know what I mean?
This is me. This is how I am and have been for the past 4 years now..  I wish I did not have the pain that goes with it. It is the pain and concern is what allows me to get past the rest though, see how trivial it all is.   
No touched up photos here, no fancy dress, no elaborate props...  they  all just add to the illusion.      

I have no time for pretend. 

Love me or leave me I care not - I will survive and continue on! 
It does not matter what we look like only that we still remain. 
What a difficult lesson this has been BUT I am grateful for every bit of it! 
It broke a barrier for me- I look differently at people with disabilities and those with vanity issues.  The more beautiful as of late, are those that YOU really see - not those that disguise it all with a beautiful shell and can be very ugly on the inside. 

My son puts it better than anyone ever will. 
"Mom when I look at any photo of you I see Love."
No one else's opinion matters. 

<>< 
Thank you Kyle.. I get by with a little help from my friends ;-) 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 <><

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...

Recently I watched a documentary- Radio Bikini
I like to do this when I am painting my cartoons.  I can watch, listen and paint at the same time. 
Woo hooo Multitasking! 
For what ever reason this doc. caught my eye.
Wow- what can I say, unless you watch the doc. 
you might not get the toon. 
How was this able to happen - EVER? Justified?
So much destruction - still. Lies and BULL in the name of government research and science.
From start to fishing - it reeks of sneaky lying. 
Here have fun party it up! Ice cream and beer! 
Sorry that you will die a horrible, lonely death from radiation exposure.  Never mind going to an island and removing the people who have always lived there. 

I will NEVER be a person who believes in this way of thinking. It is a crime against ALL humanity that this was ever permitted to happen in the first place. I was not aware. 
I was blind but now I see.   You should watch it, should this insanity ever tried to be justified again We ALL  need to STAND Up! Shout! Scream until we are heard. 
It was interesting. I watched it on Netflix.  I found a few sites when I googled where you could watch.
I thank God I was born in a beautiful country known for peace. 
I am incredibly proud of Canada for these reasons. I hope it never changes. 
I think children should also watch - (older kids) they will be in charge of these decisions later in life. If you do not know you can not make an educated decision.
xox <>< ☮☯☝