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 <>< ☮☯☝

Yesterday I met with my surgeon again, he apologized for the surgery not being a success and that he was disappointed and I could see that this came from his heart.  
I told him that made two of us & I thanked him for trying 
(and thinking, and not 'sneezing'  -lol).  
Yes. I was bummed.

Options. Botox - been there done that.
Surgery.  I will not even let that enter my mind at this moment. It was no piece of cake and did not work.  I was very ill after as well, they had trouble getting me to stop vomiting. So it would not be for a while if even an option. 
There was a swollen blood vessel removed the teflon inserted. I keep telling myself - perhaps it's just going to take longer. I have hope. 

I am grateful that it does not interfere with my drawing and the rest will have to adjust.
If this is how it is going to be this is how it is going to be.
Love me or leave me - twitch and all.   
One day at a time.  

The day was not a complete disappointment - The handsome Dr. Raphael (?)
Raffael was into see me first ;). I believe he had a slight accent and was trying to figure it out but reminded myself to focus on my head and not his lovely accent.
Really, just looking at him made me 'feel' he is a nice person.  I love when you meet someone  and they can instantly warm your heart. What is that?  -Awesome.
I did have a 'feel like a dork' moment - when he appeared I instantly without thought, said 
"Hello Dr. Raffffaaeelll..."  - and  proceeded to let it roll off my tongue.  People must think me a bit of a nut.  It turns out it is his first name.  lol. I don't even remember his last. I was too busy listening to him say his first. ;-)
When we like others we should let them know. If even with just a smile.   Too many times we do only the opposite, Bitch when we don't like someone. 
 
It was a great - people- experience aside from the opening on the skull thing.
Since in the city & close we decided to visit some family ❤ Nothing says loving like a hug from my favorite aunt and uncle.  Of course spending the day with my son, interesting conversation - we argue too and then try to explain where each is coming from.  Always educational and usually very interesting.  He is such a good person.  Also Awesome.

For now I will continue to pray  and keep on going.  I am blessed to be doing what I love
and everyday I wake up -and think wow! - I'm still here! 
Get up and try to do something positive today to make the world a better place.  
That's it. 
Thank you to everyone that has e mailed me and sent me well wishes and prayed. 
I very much appreciate it. It gave me strength when I needed it most.
Everything for a reason.  ❤☝☮

Every now and then someone will say something to me 
(e something to me is more like it) and my mind will instantly 'click'.  Then I scramble to grab a pencil & jot it down before I forget. The seed planted.
Later I see that seed and I think how do I want to draw that. Those are powerful words...  My friend Grant wrote - " they need to come out in the open like the gays did. Demand to be treated equally the way black people did. 
People need to be burning their spliffs in public like women did their bras!"
Yes, it is that simple. All crimes against humanity.

African American -treating people like they are different because of the color of their skin- taking advantage of that -still in the year 2012!  WTF? The black and poor are still the first to go to jail in the U.S.A  and that sucks! THEY ARE ALSO the first to go to war. 
They live in situations where  it is so hard to overcome. Yet the drug war goes on.  
Billions blown by the government and sons and daughters blown up in a war- for what?
Spend it on healing your people.

Homosexual couples. So many people on this planet are alone surrounded by billions of us an they feel alone.  If you find some other human who makes you happy and feel in love, some one who makes you want to wake up in the morning then you are blessed. 
Love is all we need. ♥
Women!  Where do you start. Just look at the advertising throughout history-
Trying to keep women where they belong under men. Not.
Treated like 2nd class people even when women give the gift of human life! Birth! 
Abused, Not paid equally, Used and abused sexually as objects, tossed aside when
they grow older. In some places abandoned left to starve. For being born a woman.

Cannabis-To go to jail, lose your home, be judged, lose your jobs, lose your children.. not be able to get a specific job later in life or leave the country (I miss my friend Josh), LOSE you medicine! In some countries DEATH  - OVER A PLANT!? 
Yet other have done it and continue to do it - brag about it and get away with it. 
 BULLSHIT.
Over a plant that has never been the cause of human death - unlike alcohol and tobacco, peanuts, motorcycles, glue sniffing, cows, meat, cats, chocolate...

We don't need words we are all to aware of the human injustices done around the world.
 I could only draw three.  Thanks to my friend Grant on the other side of the world for expressing himself and inspiring this toon. 
See ! We can all make a difference! 
♥☮☝

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

Ignorance is bliss... It was until I started to research all this Cannabis stuff!  I then was turned onto GMO information and documentaries on STUFF.  Cannabis is STILL illegal even after  centuries of  '0' reported deaths, proven medicinal qualities and numerous (MILLIONS) of first hand accounts from the PEOPLE on how it HELPS.  There is a growing (no punn intended) concern regarding GMO's from Salmon to tomatoes (GREAT DOC - WATCH FREE CLICK HERE)  -who will say what the long term affect of GMO's will be - a rise in cancer? That is what is expected ... EXPECTED!?  Don't believe me research it for yourself. I DARE YOU!  Yes because ignorance is bliss. 
Too  many would rather turn on the tube and be amused - worse - possibly educated by the countless mind melting reality T.V.;  NOT a REALITY of mine!! Thank God. Sadly in many cases children copy parents and we will have a new generation of mind melted drones - who will not have a clue what to do when they really NEED to. . they will eat all this crap and die at an earlier age - Oh wait! That is happening NOW! 
For the first time in history children are dying at a  earlier age with  diabetes and obesity & childhood cancers on the rise. Passing before their parents. ;-(
Do you know that the average very successful and intelligent person watches very LITTLE   T.V. ? And they for sure do not spend the day on Face book. Distraction. 
Like or not - we all all being distracted and sooner or later it will hit home.  In India they have tried to patent seeds - so that you can only ever get seeds if you have money! SEEDS!!
Should you plant a seed from a vegetable that is patent - you will be fined. Charged. 
We here say - well just go to the grocery store- in India - they say -  we will starve. That could be our future should we CONTINUE to lose control of our rights as humans.
When I was thinking of this toon I was going to have a animal say the comment on the end because the reality might not be appreciated, the next morning - before I started to draw  - on FB someone posted a starving man and my mind was made up. No cute gopher.
TOO BAD if some find it harsh.  It is reality and I will not be a part of ignoring it. 
I pray I can be a part of changing it.  
WHEN will you TURN off the T.V and TUNE into LIFE and the serious issues surrounding all of us? When you are starving? 
This is starvation. If you are interested. I found it by accident just now and thanked God I drew my cartoon. http://knowmorethanyouretold.blogspot.ca/  I was blown away - over a year ago someone sent me an image that changed my life.  I will warn you I NEVER got it out of my head, the same image and the same comment are at the bottom of that page.  It took me a while. But I thank God for seeing that image.
I was blind but now I see and I will make a difference. 
No one should suffer like that let alone innocent children. Imagine being that mother.  I Am BLESSED!!!    PAY ATTENTION!  Please.
xox <>< 
Oh BTH I have never seen the Kardashiens (really don't know how to spell it) from the rare posts and news bits that I have witnessed - It is a very sad sign that these people are being idolized.  I feel sorry for them and us.  

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.  

For everyone that embraces this plant - has educated themselves on this plant and all it's GOODness - medicinal, Hemp, Oil, Food, building material and MORE- That continue to fight for this plant and our rights as humans - It's time for a group hug! I know how frustrating it can be, feeling like your banging your head against a brick wall, wondering is anyone listening???
So today I thought,  let's take time for a group hug! Support each other, encourage and just celebrate the Plant! Thank each other!  I feel it in the air change is around the corner!!
But for just today- Enjoy Cannabis and all it does and for all of us, millions around the world.
NOW that is a GROUP HUG!!   
 xox <><