I was sitting at the kitchen table with a friend- who brought BIRD a gift, some 'bird friendly' plants to turn my office into a mini  dazzling jungle! - lol 
We were sitting there when he asked me - “Did you hear Marco the Strain Hunter died yesterday?”  My mind instantly went - What?? Marco dead? From TY?? But not a Strain Hunter..  I do not have a FB feed,  it was confirmed online instantly
- Franko The Strain Hunter has died.

I felt bad for my friend as I started to cry, he apologized.  He did not know it would effect me the way it did. In a way I thanked him,  it was nicer hearing it from a friend than seeing it on line myself. I am floored.  

Franko was the very first person Storm met at our very first EXPO and  asked to take his photo with him - he looked up to Franko “The Strain Hunter!” The guys signed a Poster to him, it hangs in his apartment still, and struck up a conversation with him, I was thrilled.   Storm visited them in Europe last year and went fishing just this past summer with Arjan, the look on his face when he confirmed the news  said it all.  
Franko was by far one of the most passionate growers there was out there.
Photos of him fondling the plant like they were his lovers & they were.   He will be deeply missed, I can’t imagine how his business partners/closest friends, as well as his family are feeling.  Rest in Peace Franko and THANK you of being a positive influence in my sons life & for Cannabis - WORLD WIDE.

By the Grace of God - yep.
xox
<><

I just wanted to say Thank you!
Thank you to:
`Everyone who supports medical cannabis- even if they do not use it themselves.
`All who do use cannabis and are not ashamed but part of the educational movement - for healthier options for pain relief- mental relief, seizure relief, chronic pain.. you get it.
`Recreational users who also take the time to educate.
`Dr.s who are finally on board and supporting patients and giving them another option.
` Closet smokers - who are coming out of the closet! 
`Politicians who know we are adults who should be permitted to make informed decisions regarding our bodies.
`Kids who educate us by witnessing the miracle of cannabis as a medicine. I have one! 
`People who grow! Show and  then teach others what they know! 
`Women who are talking and toking more than ever - out loud!
`Professionals, actors, 'respected members of the community'  - those in power to be heard  saying something intelligent about cannabis, not contributing to the lies of confusion that already exist.

The list is endless - so, Thank YOU!  
Truly, you are making this journey easier and safer for us all. 

A fan from the first expo invited me to the Lift Expo. How neat was that!
He was even going to come up, get me and bring home. It was really kind of him...
Storm's also going and invited me as well so, I believe I will go.
I am excited as well as a bit nervous, its been a while since I've seen - it will be a new experience to finally go to an expo and take it all in..  We are attending Saturday, I kinda wish I was going Sunday as I prefer the  speakers- a few topics I've been very interested in.  Either way an eventful day! Poppy is joining me so if you go and see us say hello! 

I am giggling because - I am curious to see the Metro convention centre security guard. I hope she is still there. She cracked me up!  I am getting more excited just thinking about it to see everyone! Woo Hoo! 

Tomorrow!! The introduction to my 'International Cannabis collection! 
Lets have some creative fun!  & educate as well as bring attention to cannabis around the world!  First stop: Scotland! 

Believe 
xox
<>< 

FaceBook notices - when will I learn- shut them off!  Lead me not into temptation, an e mail notice arrived --  it's David Kaminski's Birthday!  My other 'Favorite Glass Guy!'  I won't log into FB but I will blog about David! It's time & it's his Birthday! 
Here I go... I Love David! lol - I do and he knows it! I tell him monthly at least - lol in e-mail and FB messages. 

When did I meet David? It was before the first EXPO and it was at an event, put on by a new Cannabis awareness event/club.  Instantly - I liked David!  His smile! His enthusiasm for life an his Faith in God & in Cannabis was obvious all around!   I had a little table set up and  we talked about Storm and Cannabis.  Our photo below - we have both 'grown' quite a bit in 5 years I think.  I next met David again at the first TY EXPO we shared! He was there with his glass & so it began. My introduction into the glass world!
*Remember at the TY medical Cannabis EXPO - I had no time to socialize - let alone go around looking and learning about  glass, it was where I was (thankfully) introduced to a world on new art and artists! I'm pleased to thank God for putting David on a path that has taken me where I had no concept... as I sit here and touch (close to my heart, mentally & physically) my Laughing Buddha pendant,  Jerry Kelly created.  I alter that with my Zen Kitty pendant by Stephen Boehme! - Which is  guarded by my 'mighty hippo' when not wearing.  Storm pointed out " you have the coolest jewelry of anyone I know!"  Me too! I agree.  LOL  That and my promise of Love from Norm ;) I always wear. hee hee hee
Wow! Close to my <3 and I have David to thank - he introduced & arranged for Jerry and Stephen & I to work together. This is why David still does not have an original. lol
It has to be special.  It has to be one that says this is for David. * ALSO - it is the only time some said 'hold a piece of art work'  and someone else really begged/bugged me - and I let it go. That was David! I still feel bad about it ( I will make it up to him)- clearly he forgave me it was long before all of this. That is David.  < He WILL forgive you and he will mean it! & you will know he does.

David is a millie glass artist as well! lol - Im so impressed with David the person  I almost forget about David the artist ;) UNTIL I see what he is doing- some he won't show me!! I want to know what happened to the puppet- do you think he will answer my e mail? I'm smiling.  

From what I gather his speciality is black and white- it has a clean crisp signature- again  I'm amazed at he level of talent to be able to create in glass, many have difficulty with on paper!  I recently drew him a few little ideas - I hope he makes them, they made us giggle. He made a 'Wilma' that Fred would go bonkers over! Me too - lol.  What stands out about David in my mind above his glass is his love for others and positive attitude and never ending  display of compassion and patience for others- lol - just watch his FB page. He puts it to the test all the time and I love it!  
Oh! He also - I recently discovered (God has a way of showing me things when I NEED to see them) ha quite the talent for writing as I discovered in some back issues of a glass magazine - I'm only now getting around to reading!  A man of many talents.
He inspires me to be a better person.

Storm and I have quite a on going joke at the moment and he teases me- David said he sent something - well I've learned these glass guys - are like... me -  LOL! We ask - 'whats your address?' and then - WAIT...It's not intentional it is a fact and I understand it. We are creative, busy and doing 'it' all. David had a contest a while back - I did not get my mille slice :( - I didn't blame David - it was not  the first item I have no received- I blogged about it before - I'm having trouble with the postal service. Stuff is going missing! We were discussing it as a family last night.  What do you do?  I replaced the lock!? Who do you call?
*Say Ghost busters and I might poke you  in the eye!  Blame? Ask? Lost in transit? 
& Health Canada wants us to get our medicine like this? 
So, David said he mailed something, I remind Storm to check the mail and he said - "I don't know about David..." (with a smirk on his face) -Storm agrees with me... David is one of the nicest people we know.  BTW - he really did just check - no mail! good! I just want to wish David Happy Birthday! I am so happy he is is my life. He makes me smile. 
He is also a Jesus Fan. <>< !   Or should I say...  Yes! Yeshua !  Hee hee hee - couldn't resist. ;) 
Have a peek at some of Davids work below. Did you read the blog, about the time I lost the glass slice he gave me -TWICE!? - LOL - So Forgiving!  
<>< 
Have Faith 

Wow this was/is a difficult blog still to this date. 
Let me start by saying Norm (my hubby of 20 years) can drive me nuts!  I live with him and I’ve said a few things about Norm in the past -some not so nice! LOL 
BUT NEVER will you hear me say he is NOT a hard worker. ASK anyone, and he really gives it his best. 

As a matter of fact, the last company he was at, he was there 9 years, when the bosses house needed work - It was Norm that did it. He is also an incredible trouble solver and is called into many sites where they don’t quite know what happened or even how to fix it - they called Norm many times.  I still remember the first Christmas, the BOSS made a point to thank Norm for joining the company and all the amazing work he was capable of!  I am well aware of what Norm is capable of! Everything you see the busy beaver Norm built! He never stops.  He is also a VERY loyal employee. 

A couple of years ago - days after an expo - I was on the back deck recovering! I am so exhausted after an expo - it’s given me an entire new respect for those that do it full time!  Well, Norm shows up beside me and it’s only 2p.m.  Another thing about Norm - He is never sick, never calls in sick - unless he is dying and never plays ‘hookie’ - he then proceeded to tell me he thinks he has been fired!! 

I was shocked! What could he have possibly done to be fired!? 

He left a magazine and a tiny bag of catnip at a job site.

Norm was (and is) so proud of us as a family - what we do and the EXPO just literally passed not 24 hours was EXCITED,  Norm although never seen is a big part of it all - I’d never be able to do it without him - he was sharing with the guys at work  how the weekend went - one of the guys asked Norm to share our son’s story -with him... Norm went to his truck and brought one of the magazines - the Treating Yourself magazine that featured Storms story in it, (You can read it here) he also had one of my business cards I hand out at the expo. - * I’ve blogged about it before.. I hand out business cards with small amounts -1 tsp. of catnip in them, CLEARLY marked CATNIP * Marco made sure I did this for the expo. They are great people see me hanging out little baggies and come and get them, only to giggle when they see that is is catnip. They continued to discuss as they ate lunch...

Norm forgot the magazine and the catnip at the house (an empty home at the time)
he was called into work the next day and a STRIP was ripped off of him!  The boss was disgusted!!  He said “The client said the company had a bunch of STONERS working for them!”

Norm was sent home until they decided what to do about it...
I tried right away to sort it out! Poor Norm was so upset! I could not figure it out! 
It WAS just a magazine - found on an empty job site. No cannabis - No shoddy work - NOT FROM MY HUSBAND, no smoking - NORM NEVER smokes Cannabis.. and it was the magazine explaining Storms story!  I sent an e mail saying I would be happy to apologize to the home owner and explain about Storm and the situation. 

Nothing.. no reply.. 2 days later - Norm was called into the office and the bosses wife -  told Norm how “she could understand what we are going through...”  REALLY!? 

BUT, they had to teach others a lesson!  
Norm was sent home from work with no pay for 2 weeks. 

I WAS LIVID. I contacted a lawyer who told me that he had no doubts that what they were doing was illegal but he was out of Ontario and I’d have to call someone locally- Keep in mind I am not well - pre surgery.  I have to pick my battles - We are very much like the rest of you and LIVE paycheck to paycheck - That was over $2000. gone that we were not expecting!  It was and alway be to me, when they literally took food off our table. OVER a magazine and ignorance. 

Well - everything for a reason - the irony was I DID just finish the expo and we had some money that went all to bills- so much for my new glasses. It was June and we decided to HAVE FUN! Stuff got done! Norm had an unexpected vacation. I did not want him to go back. BUT he knew he had to - until we could sort stuff out.

EVERY time I thought of it, it hurt. Why? I should be use to ignorance and judgement by now, I’ve had it from a few good friends. BUT NORM? Norm never intentionally hurts a fly, he is such a hard working guy and he really was loyal specifically to the boss, I liked him too. He was a great hugger. <That was it. WE were hurt. Were we not part of the  company family all these years. They know what we deal with, Norm such a great employee - did they not even think to defend him!?  They said the owners were muslim- and that Cannabis is a sin. All I could do was think ‘GIVE Me a break’.

AND to prove a point?!?- $2000. What exact lesson was that? It wasn’t bad enough that you teated him like a criminal and ripped a strip of him for a topic that is about our son’s life saving medicine! I can tell you it was a good thing it was Norm in that office and not me.- Norm who would bend over back wards and did many times for that f*cking company.  Well - it was not long after that that he went into one of the VP’s office and questioned money that was not on his paycheck for hours worked - the response he got was “GET out of my office YOU are on thin ice! “   Talk about professional.  That was it. It got so bad I could hardly talk to Norm - I hated him going to work for people who treat employees like crap but we have bills to pay ;( 

Thecompany continued to ‘bully’ - the only word that I can think of.. what a way to treat your employes that work to get you where you are. Men who all have problems of their own at home, and are berated by ‘bosses’ that they help make rich.

Ask and ye shall receive, one fellow was leaving  the company not too long ago and Norm mentioned to him as he was leaving “tell them if they need anyone else call me..”

Norm later received a call from the owner of a company called Findlays restoration.
He was asked to come in for an interview, he was offered less pay - not much less but a bit - he came home and I said - “I DON'T CARE! TAKE IT and get OUT!"  

Ironically as Norm was waiting to serve out his TIME - the last 2 weeks.. a memo went out to all the guys = calling them all a bunch of morons more or less- that need their ‘mommy’s to pack their lunch boxes’ and ‘should have memo’s stapled to their temples”.  I kid you not.   WOW.  

Norm is like a new man! I had a hard time thinking about all the rotten stuff the last place did - because he is so happy at this new place! He comes home daily tell me things - like all the others that work here can’t stop raving about what an awesome guy the owner is, he never yells, he is a great person to work for, he makes you feel appreciated... 
Just a few short months & his mood is a complete turn around. 
All I can say is thank you. Thank you for a lesson on so many levels.  

Thank you for teaching us - no matter what - we will fight for what we believe in and under no circumstance ever - will we be ashamed out Storms medicine and sharing it with the world.  Friends, family, co workers - until someone walks in your shoes I could care less what they think.  It was an expensive lesson  ‘it’s only money’ 

As it stood we were provided for ❤  and once again we survived. 

AND: One door close and another SWINGS OPEN!!  In this case the drywall, wood & paint is greener on the other side!
Have faith!  <>< XOX

While working on the Cartoon regarding not being able to consumer products, and thinking how insane it was... I was told  I better be careful about selling my Hempy Stalkers out of the country!  REALLY!

I have a couple that did not sell at the EXPO - I had enquires from many people, but several were from the USA and we were concerned about them being Cannabis stalks, as to wether they might get confiscated at the border.  Since home I have had 3 e mail from people that want to purchase a Hempy Stalker - all are from out of the country. 

I have been seriously warned to be careful - me thinking come on .. are you fucking kidding me? My painted sticks? My favorite - and now, I have decided never to part with him (he was for sale at the EXPO - glad he did not go) I call him “Budda” Like Buddha ;)

Every-time I look at him I smile, to the point I swear he has started to talk to me ;) Not all talking is done with words.  I might make him a regular in the strip. I did a bit of research and I am concerned about mailing them across the border. So I guess I won’t be.                           Hempy Stalkers - Only in Canada you say?   Pity...  

AS insane as it seems that I could be charged with trafficking for this painted Hempy Stalker stick!!?  The  media would be awesome! Perhaps if I was physically feeling a bit better I'd even be up to the challenge...

- Let us not forget Mr. Marc Emery still in jail for selling seeds. A fellow Canadian and Cannabis activist - He gets out next year I think. It is a crime he is in jail at all in my opinion. http://www.freemarc.ca/group/freemarcca/who-marc-emery-0

Mr. Tommy Chong! Who went to jail for BONGS. 
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm669487616/tt0478090?ref_=tt_ov_i
http://www.cheechandchong.com


Countless people have gone to jail for ridicules reasons surrounding cannabis.
It made me realize I just might! I can see us now...  Me & Hempy in our small cell, someone would be pulling out someone's roots! LOL

The only positive note I can think is Jack Herer said did his best work in Jail. That he did!! AND you can read it ONLINE for FREE  (we have a copy signed by Jack) :  http://www.jackherer.com/

Still over a painted stick - Trafficking?  When countless HUMANS of all ages are being bought and sold ILLEGALLY every day? THAT is criminal.

As much as it makes me shake my head ... I better not.
I’ll still make them - I have to - I love them, but they will be special gifts, for sale at the EXPO to Canadians only Eh!  Pity... ;-) 

xox <><

If I can go to jail for this - what next?! You tell me. How crazy is all of this?
JUST think about it.

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.
R. Buckminster Fuller 

A picture is worth a thousand words...
If you see love in this photo it is because it exists.

My hubby saw this photo and instantly asked “WHO is that?  Looks a little close  to me... “   
All I could think to say is “yes, it does, that is my friend Chris.”  ;) This expo was the first time Chris and I actually met and that photo taken then. We have been friends on FB since 2o10.  I never saw his photo before  the EXPO and had no idea what he looked like. The moment he said ‘Hi'  my heart jumped - CHRIS!  I thought & he is handsome too!  LOL 

When I first met Chris it was online, FB. He was a medical patient and had suffered a very serious accident,  I knew he suffered extensive damage to his face and brain not to mention everywhere else, I had seen photos of his x-rays but I did not know much more...  then  after a few posts, curiosity got the better of me and I asked.  I am learning to be BLUNT - how else do you find stuff out.

Well, the rest is history.  A history filled with questions, likes, comments, shares and more.  
Chris, for some reason I decided to trust and share a few details about my own head pain long before many others even knew what I was dealing with, asking him what strain he suggested for head pain, a few things... I still do ;-) Just the other day I asked: Do you swear more? 

I as you might know if you pay attention to this blog, I have been frightened to say the least, hard not to when you are dealing with something and Dr.s can’t seem to figure it out so.  I ask, he answers.   It has been a God send for me. 
That makes me giggle, Chris and I have a different opinion on God - BUT even that we put aside to discuss other more important stuff! < How it should be.

Who else do you ask? If you don’t know from experience - YOU don’t get it! 
He gets it. Explaining things I am experiencing.  

I was thrilled when I heard he was coming to the EXPO!  I really consider him a friend and I felt it!  I know he cares for me and I him and we just became friends on FB and because of Cannabis! How cool is that?   

That being said I did ask Chris If I could share a few details. I was going to ask him to write a blog but I thought -  no, better to see his answers, up front & honest.  Just as he shared with me and I am so grateful he did.

Below a few photos, I borrowed  from his profile, and a few of our messages... ;-) 

 I asked Chris to share his accident and he did: 
I have my card due to a very serious car vs. snow removal truck in 2003.
I was a passenger that had a 10 wheel dump truck full of snow turn in front of us, crossing our path. He turned illegally (double yellow line) into a parking lot to dump his snow (illegally on private property).
He claimed he did not see us, but that is only possible if he was not looking! There was nothing my friend could do, the truck turned and we hit the side at around 50mph (80k).

There were no airbags and the front of the car was destroyed, the dash actually came & hit me in the face, just under my chin and cracked everything up to my forehead. Lower jaw, upper jaw, cheekbone, eye orbits, nasal everything... it was not pretty.
Botched surgery caused me to need 3 more to adjust my upper jaw to what the idiots had done to the lower by mistake, all because of "god" complexes of certain doctors & the department in general.
Let's just say I do not recommend "teaching hospitals", part of a local university.
My other serious injury was to my brain, I have a frontal lobe TBI which is a real pain in the ass to say the least.
I'm not sure what you know of TBI (Traumatic brain injury), but it is a a serious problem with no solution, every victim will be affected slightly differently and it is invisible, so people just think we are rude, mean, all kinds of things that are associated with bad behavior. That leaves us open to discrimination and more problems. I am 'lucky' (Hurts to say that, because I really don't feel lucky!!) that I was highly functioning before so I compensate well in stress free situations, but it doesn't take too much to make me rattle me. Friends and family relations are strained, I am also really not the same person I was before, I like different music, different people, I dislike some friends and activities...
SO, I use cannabis for pain relief, which helps me a lot. I can do more things with less frustration and it makes me feel less pain to the point where I can think before I act or speak - a common trait with head injuries that can get us into a lot of trouble.
It also helps with anxiety, stress, makes me tolerant and compassionate.
I hope that wasn't too much info lol
Painful topic, once I start it's hard to stop the flow of words, I don't let them out often anymore.
To finish that up, 99.9% of people have no idea when they meet me if for just a few minutes, I hide it well, but after awhile it starts to show that I may not be in complete control of my thoughts, words and actions.
Cannabis gives me as much of those abilities as I can get, no other medication I tried even came close. 

I asked about Strains:
It depends what you mean by brain pain
Headaches? mental fatigue?
I am not the best guy for this, my brain is in hyper vigilance mode due to a TBI, so I can intake massive amounts of any indica with no negative effects. Makes me sleepy, but so does having a TBI.
What they do to me is different from what they do to most ppl.
I avoid sativas cuz they make me even more hyper vigilant, jumpy, annoying ... lol

If I had to name one strain for most brain issues, anxiety, epilepsy... -->Sensi Star. It covers a wide range of issues, seizures are one of them, which I do not have, but the same soothing effect it gives an epileptic, it can provide to me.  Hope that helps a bit 
...
Hi Georgia,
Secrets are safe with me
I hope the neuro can provide some good info, that sort of thing is complicated for sure. I have a brain injury so whenever I have issues with my eyes, speech, tingles, nerve pain, twitches... it is hard to know from where it actually starts.
I know an epileptic that swears he can take a few drops of Sensi Star tincture at the onset of a seizure (wife puts it under his tongue) and he almost instantly stops the seizures! Sensi Star may be the right strain for you, although they do have slightly different effects on each person.
Tinctures or eating it may also have an added benefit over inhaling for your purpose. I hope you find the strain you need

In between these e mail, we shared cute photos, jokes, toons, informative Cannabis info and Chris always supported my toons and work. He went even further to help me heal by sharing his advice on Hemp Products > Good for the BRAIN! - he sent me some AWESOME Hemp oil and that AMAZING honey  (by mr. Cookie - Brain) that is a terrific appetite stimulant! Helped me pack on a few pounds, after surgery I lost another 14!   I needed it. He still sends me tips and info for arthritis - something we also share.

That is all I will share with all of you...  it has been one of the best lessons for me,  you can make real, special friendships on FB. 
Strangers are willing to help!  ASK! Who knew!?
♥ You might be blessed to even meet them in real life! Chris thanked me over the years for inspiration.. I often wonder when someone comes into our lives is it for our advantage or theirs? BOTH. We are here to serve, help, assist, and share with each other.

Do you see love in that photo? I do ;-)  
Not the kind of love that first comes to mind, but one of two people who care for each other and want to help each other.   

All this week I keep thinking who knew, 4 years ago FB Friends you made would become real life friends. A drawing you did would be turned into glass by other artists?
 WHO knew!?  A caterpillar turned into butterfly.

 ONE LOVE! 
 Brought together by a PLANT! 

I hope Chris and I continue to be even better friends as the years go on, he really has been a life/sanity saver for me the past few years and I am blessed to call him friend.
I grateful Chris and his bud (also a nice guy - got to meet him too at the EXPO) - are still here with us today 
Lucky me!
xox <><

*** I discuss many blogs with my guys, and sometimes special friends before I publish.. I got a 'that seems pretty personal..'   WHY? Because I express  love for a friend, another human? Too often all we hear is negative. It surrounds us. We hate this and that...  I have no more room or time for it. Not a day goes by in this house were we don't say I love you to each other...  Storm and I every time he leaves or says goodbye - he throws in an I love you!  What an awesome way to end a conversation. ;-) Until we see that person again.
I'm done, If you make me happy your going to know it! I don't care if the world knows it. 
 Maybe if Chris and I hung out more, I'd see more of the side he mentions -  I have a hard time imagining (because he has only ever been nice to me) even then - because he shared with me,  I KNOW to be patient & understanding,  we are all far from perfect. 

We should share with people - It avoids a lot of guessing. ♥