Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmm Mushrooms!!
Last night was the fall mushroom dinner with my son @ Piatto Restaurant  and the meal was as usual - delectable!  From start to finish, every meal has mushrooms and each course better than the last! Also a nice detail with everyone having a 'big mushroom shaped potato' on their plate - I KNOW the amount of work this would have taken and it was a lovely, impressive touch.

We sat with some lovely people, very interesting (I feel like bugs bunny when I just said that) sharing adventures, travel stories and more- there was never a silent moment - unless we were all eating and even then - the conversations never stopped. From cat towers to waterfalls...  quite a few giggles were to be had. 

Ironically before arriving I asked Storm "do you mind if we sit alone tonight, I just want it to be about the meal- no idle chatter "  lol - so glad  when we arrived  we were immediately told 'where we were sitting - at the head table. hee hee - Storm looked at me -  we exchanged the here we go glance :) & had a  terrific evening as usual! I can't thank my son enough... he does not have to take me, it does me proud to attend this meal - to see my son 'the Foray Director' (hee hee) is respected & liked and everyone has a smile an something nice to say!   Not to mention his knowledge on mushrooms, he can hold a conversation with the best of them and does.  
The Mycological Society of Toronto is growing in leaps and bounds - I get it!!!
The Forays are FUN - the wide range of people is incredible, every profession and level of education all mingling - coming together by mycelium - Don't fool yourself if you think the mushrooms are not bringing all these people together.  Watch a documentary - here is a good one: World of Fungus   Have a watch.  You will learn something! The forays are also a way to LEARN which mushrooms are safe and which are NOT - *NEVER EAT A MUSHROOM YOU FIND IN THE WILD IF YOU DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO EAT.  People dies STILL all the time, recently a little boy in B.C. died from eating a "death cap" while on a foray with his parents - especially little ones! Teach THEM NOW, I've seen death caps all over this foray season.
Cannabis - O deaths.        Hmmmmmmmmmm... just sayin'.

One gentleman was sharing he is making a mini film with the song 'Oh' Canada' for our 150 this year!!  Canada will be 150 years young and there are many events planned this year
so  COME VISIT!: Canada is 150 years old!   I can't wait and will share when complete.  
Ending on a positive note - guess who was asked to draw a cartoon for the  MST newsletters?  I'm going to get right on that  & today I'm finishing my painting.               39

Have Faith
<><
​xox

          If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform
​                                           one million realities.

                                                - Maya Angelou -

The other day I was handed a bunch of BIG PUFFBALL mushrooms - edible -more important to me a 'drawable mushroom!  I joked and asked the finder if he was now  the Puff master or something - the second I thought "he is a PUFF DADDY " I started to laugh, finally able to paint it today, it's been a busy weekend - week.  

Today was a Foray! It was more fun than anticipated as usual.. what a work out, I am sore just sitting here, welcome to  Canada- it was brisk this morning! I had so many layers I must have been at least 10lbs heavier. It was really nice to see little ones there today!
Two  of them and one made me laugh, he chatted to Storm like I've never seen chatting! "Can puffballs grow in my throat?" we talked about him at dinner this evening, he is a handful for sure! lol  
I spoke with a woman briefly at the beginning that told me - she was looking for cartooning classes, as its what she is really interested in,  I have her contact and will send her and e mail as she was also speaking about Gouache painting.   The forays are a nice place to get out exercise, LEARN.  I was beat today and decided to sit it out on a log with Poppy in the sunshine after and missed the "identification" time. 
There I also met Karen,  a like minded woman- we had a great conversation.  I asked her if she knew the statistics on a subject we were discussing and she said "As a matter of fact I do!"  How cool was that- and she did! - the day was definitely, Indubitably, refreshing. Everyday, I meet new people and think...  we could be friends. 
I hope that never changes. 

The King of the Jungle is nowhere near complete, the amount of detail that goes into these paintings, although small is more than I put in most work.  Tomorrow, I'm starting a new canvas & sharing  the W.H.O.  cartooon- ...WHO has time to think, sleep, eat..   good.  
I'm actually going to work on another small bit of positive fun painting now, not too tired to sleep, listening at the moment to Santana,  makes me want to move.. the song "Smooth". & Black Magic woman..  Classic ;)  Time to medicate and meditate!     
Do what makes your heart beat faster & puts a smile on our face... 
of course I mean - Foraying! hee hee hee

Have faith!
<><
xox

There is nothing like walking through the woods with a basket and your dog running around your side...  It felt good, at one point like 'Dorothy & Toto' -all I needed was ruby mudboots and a straw man,  lol   I'm not sure 'my companions' appreciated the analogy, but again - it gave me a good giggle.   Life is too short not to giggle. I hope most realizing when I'm joking.   If not, ASK.  

I'm not joking when I say another good day was had on the Foray.  What a fantastic way to get out, meet new people, learn interesting facts and be in nature & although I did not find as much as the day before, the forrest seemed drier,less active, the samples smaller still at the end it was nice to see the table full with many different varieties. I will admit- a 'mushroomnoob' like myself is picking up a few things, just from listening and watching others ask questions. The lead speaker/identifier was Jan Thornhill who is also an illustrator and author of children's books, It amazes me how each instructor has their own "feel about them" and each one brings a new interest to the table. A few laughs as well.  There were several small dogs, they all behaved and Poppy never left my side, she was  the only one in a sweater, it was a cool morning.   

Storm several times told  me of noodles in the past.. turns out he's made friends and they have noodles. Home made goodness.  ;) I was invited to the noodle fest! It's like a mini tailgate party at a mushroom foray and I leaned a few things there as well - Mini Sweet potatoes are delicious! Moon cake has a 'salted egg' yolk in the centre and had you told me that first- I'm not sure I would have been as anxious to try- it was really interesting and I liked it!  Homemade rice balls  stuffed with bean paste -  I am bringing lemon loaf next time!

Storm found a little treasure of  Chanterelles!  He shared to thank our hosts for the gifts they shared with us.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanterelle   
We shall fry them up tomorrow.
I can really see why my son enjoys the Mycological society as much as he does, such a wide variety of people, all bringing talents to the table! If you are looking for a new hobby- it's a wonderful place to start, not to mention educational.

The exercise has this Dorothy and Toto medicating  x3, good stretching pain, use it or lose it... and in bed early. I get up early so I never feel too guilty about it.  I was up anxious to continue working on the piece I am,  painting the tiny details is one of my favourite parts.
A work of heart for sure!  

Ending on a good note.. there were many people there from the previous week that ate finds and returned to tell!

Have faith
xox <><
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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.
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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. 

The mushrooms are coming!  It's fall in a couple of weeks - it's the same day as Storms birthday.  Today my son invited me on the first official foray put on by:
The Mycological Society of Toronto!  I have to say it was my first.. and I had too much fun.
I was laughing all the way home sharing stories of my walk with Joe & Randy - two people I just met today and throughly enjoyed their company! We almost got a little lost..  I followed - we'll Poppy attended her first foray also! She saw horses & horse droppings that were as big as her head... but I don't think she even knew what it was, she did not bark only looked. We had just finished speaking about Snakes- and to use caution when poppy accidentally rubbed against Joes leg and he jumped, I'm still laughing at the face he made as he looked down expecting to find - I don't know what. 

I felt  special to have these two talented computer geeks (hee hee, I'm only saying that as that is what they both 'do')  ;) - who where quite knowledgeable about many topics.
Joe is also  quite the herb enthusiast, between him and Randy I hardly knew which way to look! I learned about...
https://altnature.com/jewelweed.htm altnature.com/jewelweed.htm  which helps if you have been touched by Poison Ivy - and it happens to usually grow close to it, good to know as Joe was continually pointing out the poison Ivy  I was stepping on... lol  
BTW, there was all ages and races - Perfect! I heard a bit a about India, Russia, Missauga ;)   interesting as usual. 

NOW, I must quickly draw a few of the finds before they dissolve, Storm discovered the coolest find - an EMPTY turtle shell! I was so excited to see it on the table - and to learn it was ours! woot woot!  hee hee   Thank you Nature.  It was also  fun seeing my son in action for the first time as the Foray Director,  he is so helpful, everyone likes him- asking him a million questions- I was giggling at one time just listening to the 'Whats this Storm? 'Storm, How about this!?"  The president was also there as were a few older members who really know their mushrooms.
How fun was it?  There is another tomorrow and we're going again, my son tells me with the added bonus of the Burger priest  on  the way home.  Time to paint! 
Do what you Love! 

Have faith
<><
​xox

Here is a great article I  found on the Mycological Society of Toronto:
https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2010/05/12/foraging_for_morels.html

I must say .. My son and I & a friend had the best time at the 'mushroom Spring diner this evening! The meal was fantastic! The service- perfect.
I laughed all night and then - my son  who is also the 'Foray director' ;)  (come on - when does a mom get to brag...) assisted with the draw for the evening - everyone who attended was invited to enter their name to win a draw for the evening... guess who won  one of the draws! Me!  ;)
 
When they called out my name from the next room- I thought  'what??..'  and Storm just looked at me with a grin..  He admitted later when they handed  him 'the name' he just smiled.
How cool is that?!!
What a fun night I had this evening- so much -I could not wait to share! 

Believe
<>< 
xox
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It's Monday and the sun is shining! The dogs are locked outside, so I can vacuum in peace lol then Im off to FINISH ALICE! Hard to believe a water cooler is taking this long - Ive no desire to rush, other than the fact Im thinking of the tea party.
Over the weekend I did a couple of FUN fungi drawings  nature, children & imagination inspired! 
I'm learning how to paint mushrooms - I decided, perhaps I could do a little mushroom painting for kids! I am going to offer for a VERY LIMITED time on my Art for Purchase page.  For a small fee * for an original!
I will paint  a mushroom  of your choice with a few little details of my choice!  
When the link is no longer there - It means I will no longer be accepting commissions regarding this link.  I will learn, paint and give & make some $ for art supplies. ;)

Today I'm starting a logo!  
The one I agreed to do.. I'm excited,
It's had me feeling all bubbly inside just thinking about it!
Alice.. needs about one more hour. I'll be sharing her tomorrow! 
Have creative day - The sun is shining!
It looks like spring on this beautiful Canadian Morning.
Poppy and I will get out there - still chilly but bright! 

3 more weeks.... and I will be another year older and way wiser! Woot Woot!
Time to DRAW!!

Believe 
xox <><
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A few things on my mind...  
Our mushroom meal, Thursday my son took em to dinner with the Mycological society! They have a meal - the last was in May I believe, and it was terrific!
My son is now the director of the Forays! He really enjoyed them and was asked if he would consider helping and excepted ;) I am always proud of Storm but thrilled he is pursuing his interests & helping. 
This evening was o.k... lol   It was awesome because I had the evening with Storm & saw several I had not seen in a while, I met some new people and had had 'a meal'.
I say 'a meal' because in all honesty, the meal was o.k..  I use to run a restaurant and I can tell you, we had some talented chefs. Ken, Troy and Erin (a woman - and she was my favourite) and I know what went into having a packed house and thought that went into preparing a special menu...           the food was o.k.
My seat was jammed in a corner, no one else could get it or out I had to step over a chair ? 
It was a safety hazard to say the least.
 As soon as the meal was finished it was 'wham, bam, get the fuck out vibe'. I hardly had one  SIP of my coffee - it was taken and all the drinks were cleared off the tables. 
On top of that it hit me at 2:00a.m., abruptly.  ;(  Kowabung.. not fun. I spent between 2  & 7 in the bathroom.  Another friend told me she does not attend for the same reason - the variety of mushrooms seems to upset her stomach. I'm not sure if it was that or the oil that we dipped our bread into that tasted rancid.  I will not promote the restaurant - my mom told me it was too bad, she and my dad use to go there years ago and 'the Italian was amazing.' 

I woke this a.m., read and drew the following cartoon. I don't get it all the talks of the denying refugees...  what it does boil down to is  people. people needing help. people wanting what we already have.  Why wouldn't they want to go to the USA - the land of $ and dreams and STUFF and commercials about FOOD & stuff and the Karddashians - look how OTHERS live! IF I watched Television that is what I might think also. I don't.
I DO have some good friends in the states, ( we say that here: 'in the states...')
Good people who care about people. 
ONE love means just that.
Really, they are coming over on boats hungry, cold, abused and beat down. With the clothes on their back. IF we all donated one OUTfit - well that would be that problem solved right there. Someone made me think about his when they said what about our American Children - who ae hungry - why ask me - ASK your government.
Charity begins as home. - but that does not mean it should stop there.
Of course there will be bad people. THERE are already BAD people everywhere who could bomb what ever they want. 
What IF it was you? And the bible belt? Jesus loving humans out there - I am one of them.
Really?? How can you say you believe and turn he other cheek- in a bad way. Denial.
This, this is the true test. Not if you swear, even have an affair..  turning away people who need it and are suffering and dying.  
Norm said the Derringer of Q107 said "Americans said 'if you let in the immigrants we'll go up to Canada'... lol  How is this any different? 
Where did your parents come from?
 & their parents?  
 Just curious.

​Do you believe - then ask yourself  What would jesus do.   Simple.

Have Faith
xox
​<><

I have a bit of time before we go.. and I can't paint 'Peeps' Cage stand, as much as I want to- or even cartoon because - If I do I will get ink or paint on my outfit.
51 years has taught me this if nothing else. lol 
I realized as I was getting ready, I am dressed head to toe in  an outfit provided my son - even my necklace! Which I must add was made by my good friend Linda! Talk about having good connections - when we were out they had a necklace with my top that looks good - but 
I wanted perfect. Why not? Storm suggested Linda!  Duh.
I e mailed  as soon as I got home: Linda! I need a necklace  blah blah blah by tomorrow.
So she came over & while we caught up, she whipped up my necklace & earrings.
Exactly what I wanted and Not PLASTIC not mass produced. I'm done with crap. 
I only want  buy from my friends when it comes to stuff like this.
Support the smaller businesses.  Artists or individual store owners Like Kat's up in Sutton.
I will be going soon because I know she has "neat things". Other friends who make personal items.. ;) Some I am bartering with! I <3 it when that happens! lol

Well here is my new outfit - but you cant see my feet- lol
This was my Christmas gift, I really do not 'cloths shop' so he treated me and I felt like a queen, we even had a great lunch and now dinner. ;) . ;) I don't think I'll ever take of this purple sparkly sweater- mmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can hug myself .   lol.
So happy to be going out with my son - did I tell you he is on the board now & is the Foray Leader/Director!? 

I feel great, makeup was a challenge - I know why I don't do it anymore. - it takes me forever! With, (thank God) many bong hits in between! lol 
You try putting on mascara with a twitch!
Oh, it was hard to pull away from Peep's cage stands front door! 
I know what I'm doing tomorrow - chores? - no! Painting!
I might when I come home tonight!  ;)  

Check out he menu below from the restaurant tonight Rossini  - no wonder Im excitedI
I'll let you know how it was tomorrow! 

xox 
Have Faith
<><    xox

I almost forgot!! My laughing Buddha Pendant! All day every day! ;)
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