"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
                                              but to live in a way that respects
                                            and enhances the freedom of others" 
                                                                                                                  - Nelson Mandela -

I want to be clear on a topic that's on my mind.  
Do you know how many women are sexually abused? In Canada & the USA? 
I've been researching for some editorial cartoons because it is a topic I'm a passionate about..  other women.  Once you start to research & read about it seriously as a woman, IF you don't get a little nervous - you're not reading enough.  Add the mentality of people/men like Trump .. 'Pussy grabbing president' is it any wonder abuse towards women is on the rise?

I think women are beautiful - I stare at nude women to draw them like LIFE drawing classes - this is next best, to achieve proper portions & shape - nudes are the perfect  I stare at nude men also but usually male models online wear a speedos (lol I'd rather nothing), not that it matters - you seen one you seen em all.  ;)   I often see semi nude photos on Instagram- and many can be classy- getting the point across - yet others - I gasp- 'what the heck are you thinking?  An attractive woman - suddenly posts a photo of herself with her crotch  facing the camera, no skill, no art, no professional backdrop - just a cheap shot, calling attention to between her legs & not much more.  I think  'She's old enough to know better'.  Is there an age for common sense?  I Keep looking  & soon you notice its a trend & with  younger & younger.  Older women- is this what we teach our younger sisters? Daughters? Granddaughters?  Where does this lead?  You tell me.  
Will she be an internet sensation- perhaps, become famous and make millions?  
Probably not.  More likely she will become a statistic:

• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States has been raped in their lifetime.
• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence
• 19.3 million women and 5.1 million men in the United States have been stalked in their lifetime.

​Women should never be ashamed of their bodies but  this is not going in a good direction for women in general.  It is  heart breaking when you research these topics-  to post yourself so freely, perhaps You might understand the ramifications - are you thinking long term- are you wondering who is seeing your account, following?  Male & female?
Friend or Stranger.  Many rapists are known by their victims.

I could care less  if you're an older woman who apparently knows better - YOU are planting the seed for younger women. Will you be held accountable if  she is raped -  she looked up to you? No & chances are neither will her rapist-  Courts will say "dismiss the charges -she was posting her shots of her breasts & vagina all over Instagram!"
Lawyers will profess with much greater skill than many of the photographs that taken.  
It's facts, statistics, world events.   READ. Research.

​Why should I care...  Not my monkeys, not my circus.
Knowing I had the power and did not, chose not  - is a waste of my gift & ability to share it as well...   All who have the power of the internet at their fingertips should use it of some good occasionally.

Boobs & bongs- Please.  No one has to lecture me on 'recreations or medicinal', I am the first person who will say many people who think they are recreational are using it to self MEDICATE, perhaps PTSD in early childhood.. we all have stories.  For medical purposes  -when I see a 'medical dispensaries' page with naked women on it - I instantly pass.
Sex sells - what?  Am I looking of sex or quality medicine & if sex is what companies HAVE to resort to - the product can't be all that great or it would speak for itself.  
Are you purchasing cannabis or a mental image of a woman?  It's your  $$$. 

'You who do not have children'  & who use cannabis 'recreationally'  DO NOT understand the battle it has been.  Due to the stigma- boobs and bongs all over the internet,  for decades  'cannabis porn'- that is what it is- is a nightmare for patients seeking serious medical assistance with cannabis, try & tell a family member - 'yes this is the medicine my  14 year old son is on.'  Or Dr.s for that matter.... because they can't believe it could be medicine when they see nothing but porn associated with it. 

There are many legitimate patients who NEED cannabis to function- I am one of them... IT is our medicine and I don't want/need it associated with a vagina thanks. 
It is un professional & all ABOUT sex and nothing else- don't be fooled & it's always women on these sites - you don't see men with bongs in their crotch. Who do you think is making the most money? The women?  Phhhhbt.
Women who are raped every minute- some left behind dumpsters, some watch their rapist walk FREE like Mr. Cosby... that is the price women pay.  What message are you sending out?

If a woman is raped it is NEVER her fault- it is a man out of control - it might start with a stalker who has been watching these images and thinking they are for them- heck  I have people who THINK my blog is about them-  phhhhhbt.. shallow vanity.

There are many children seriously ill who could benefit from cannabis - they don't need the negative stigma attached and every time you post a shot you are encouraging the stigma - most PEOPLE still believe .  

This is what bothers me most.. and then these women post/comment that others are  judging or body shaming - because we do NOT want to encourage violence towards women. Call it what ever you want- for the record- for any attempting to say all who protest soft cannabis porn are body shaming or  judging - are judging.    
​WE ALL judge.  
Show me someone who thinks they don't.

I think women are beautiful & powerful should be proud, dress how they want, walk proud as daughter of God walk like they are stardust! WE ARE  - EVERYONE OF US!!!
Part of the UNIVERSE!  
One that deserves as much love and respect as the other half of society. 
Head held high & save that CROTCH for a very special guy (or girl).  
Abuse, sex trafficking, rape, stalking of women is on the increase as well as 'sext shaming' and its' getting younger and younger... online predators are at an all time high.  
Wonder why? Ask yourself - what are you posting?
WHAT message are you sharing with the universe?

Do you have a daughter?  Granddaughter? Would you want them posting photos like this? 
Not me-, I'd much rather a young woman post her talents, use her brains or imagination or creativity.. It will probably in the long run get her much further & safer.

With Love
​G

With love
​g

I  found this artwork by an American (I could not find the original link or artists name) and instantly  thought it would make a lovely tribute  piece with a cannabis twist.  The original is 
​for planting a vegetable garden -as seen below... imagine if every American who still had a garden planted a vegetable garden!  & Canadian!

I was thinking about the poster as I painted "Every Garden a Munition Plant", planting gardens was turned into Munition - war.   The hat- I'm not sure aboot (not a type O" I'm told Canadians say 'Aboot." hee hee. I loved all else about her- her glance, dress and attitude.  Doing what needs to be done for  her country & family!
American women are strong! They are protective moms like every other mom on the planet.

If only Americans would  take the same stance with cannabis- everyone grow your own, If we can't get people to grow their own food- they won't grow their own medicine. Luckily there will be many choices for them in the future..
Near future - I don't think so- unless you are  medical patient- you'll still struggle.
I predict from all I was reading at least another 7 years of this mass media- reefer lingering madness, where people will still be persecuted for a plant in the USA.
Canada - it's over. I can feel it. Thank GOD!  Thank You Justin Trudeau & Family .

I overheard a woman telling another today- 'her knee is really bad and Tylenol, Aleeve - nothing is helping only making her feel sick - OF course I piped up:  
Why not ask your Dr. for cannabis?  
She looked at me eyes wide and said "I wish I could get a prescription- I know cannabis helps"  - I replied: DEMAND IT.  
DEMAND it. Go to your Dr. if you are legitimately suffering (and they know if you are) and DEMAND IT if you feel it is better for you - this time next year it will be legal and Dr.s should be providing PAIN RELIEF.  Perhaps more Americans should demand it. 

My gosh you're not A CRIMINAL because you want pain relief- Criminals are the ones WHO force you to take something against your wishes- NOT good for you - in order for profit. That is all it is.  As soon as Dr.s make money off of cannabis like all OTHER prescriptions, and why not- they are a business like everyone else...  they will l change their tune- they had better or they will miss the canna boat.

Cannabis is proven for numerous ailments and I can attest to PAIN being one of them. I have witnessed now for over 10 years how it has helped our son, and  I also use it for pain and  frustration.  It was not as accepted in Orange County- I didn't feel as comfortable - there were kids on both sides of the house... I didn't medicate enough. I felt more at peace but this' is persistent .

​ My seed planter is a little tired in her appearance- she has bigger issues than vegetables to think about.  Ending the war on each other - not drugs.

We all have other more pressing issues to focus on - How about those vegetable gardens!? Hunger is a problem & a better reason yet - MEAT is a bigger problem on many levels so: VEGE UP AMERICA! Plant & raise a seed of awareness if nothing else - help end the insanity. You deserve to be happy, healthy & wealthy - you work hard don't you? 
Sow the seeds of Victory - Today they would be HEMP seeds and Cananbis seeds.
& lets change it to 'Every Garden a Nutritious Plant.'    ?  
It's a start for peace. Plants & people.. 

God provided every seed for everyone- Genesis 1:11..    What is there to be confused about?
YOU ARE NOT criminals for  wanting to be happy, Healthy & Wealthy.
It's the American Dream. after all.
​
With Love
g

'As I start this blog, I am reminded myself  of a 'man' who TRIED to intimidate me recently, why? I declined his advances &  he got NASTY.  What happens when men become insecure?  They cheat, abuse, hurt, beat, stalk and try to 'over POWER' the weaker (in their mind) of the human race - women.  This sort of treatment is on the increase - and easier to do - I'm sure a stalker is reading my blog now. They follow your facebook/Instagram social pages BUT he won't post or comment- they are cowards. 

The second you show any FEAR  cowards thrive.
F*CK that,  DO not tolerate  ABUSE in any form from anyone.
SPEAK up the second you are touched 'uncomfortably'. If someone won't get out of your personal space - ask them to 'MOVE Please.'  
The second they say anything you believe is un appropriate...
   ASK: What did you say to me?  & say it LOUD!!

NO job is worth it, it just progresses, until you quit anyhow. Been there done that.
SAVE the  nasty e mail you are sent, phone calls  & TEXT messages and SHOW them to someone.
ANYONE.   Take photos, record them if need be.  If they persist contact the police.  
Tell your dad, Tell your mom, Tell your brother... unless your brother is handy with baseball bats..  well, then again.  I do not encourage physical violence ever - unless you are being abused by someone who won't take verbal hints, sometimes the only understanding violent people have  is to be threatened with he same, when I was younger I had to have a friend go and "warn someone to back off.."  * he didn't - I still had to go to the police and court systems,   too many times we read how the police could/would not help until it was too late - instead of a violence report it becomes 'just another murder statistic.  Too often the police do not take 'it seriously',  - if they don't live it - it would be difficult to comprehend.  They are ALSO BUSY - arresting non-violent offenders for such things as... cannabis. 

There are many forms of abuse.. mental, physical.. several forms of control.
CONTROL. When someone physically hurts another- it is their loss of control.
It is proven - society today, because we witness so much- is losing empathy - seeing a woman beaten, brutally raped, is no big deal... turn on the television, go to the movies, WORSE, read the headlines: girl raped behind dumpster- golden boy is set  free.
Just headlines - just wait until it's your little granddaughter.   Will you speak up then?
Treated as no more than sexual objects, it's why I get so upset with these "lovely" young ladies - who don't understand the implications  -each post of their 'tits or ass' shoved in the cameras 'face' is also shoved in the faces of  not so nice strangers & encouraging MANY already out of control, frustrated men to act upon their - fantasies.  
Yes, they are out of control  -so don't fuel the fire, is what I'm trying to say.  
There is never an acceptable excuse for rape. Never.
It never has anything to do with 'how' women are dressed OR HOW much women have drank/drunk  in an evening. Rape is RAPE.
'No means no' and if she can't say 'No' then Presume:  'NO'. 

We have a generation growing seeing violence against women as an every day occurrence - growing in violence and confidence.  Internet grooming is on the rise - are we not warning our kids yet!? This should taught in CLASS as a part of life skills,  Grade one.
​Too young to teach them?  Predators - they don't care if your child is only in grade one- they like them even younger.

With Love
​Georgia 

1 in 4...   

I am living vicariously through the chronic crafter.. lol
I want to craft but can't as much as I use to, several reasons - mostly I'm too busy painting.
I can't remember how we met.. but we did! Sara's quite the crafter & lovely young woman,
we exchanged a few email & soon I felt as though we were' two pee's from the same creative  alien pod. Sara had a little 'needle felted  octopus', I asked if she wanted to barter, as I do.
YES! I have my octopus & more! My part of the barter is still being worked on NOW.. it was my reminder to post. Sara a.k.a the Chronic Crafter is  a crafty, determined person- her weekly newsletters are always a craft easy enough for beginners!!  
I get the entire 'stoner thing'..  so be it.  Like many enjoy wine at these painting parties, I too even think, I feel like getting HIGH. In reality - I just feel like feeling good.  Don't you?

My blog, has been a part-time  job, this I know- from cartoons & research  to persistence as well as constant content is NOT an easy task, it had to become habit. Build an audience on top of it that is interested in  repeat returns & POSSIBLY make any sort of income from it-- it too is CREATIVE work it's another reason I like what she's doing.  Persistence. 

Sara was the first to color my FREE Easter page and send it to me. ;) Thank You.
I've met many creative beings the past few years (especially fellow cartoonists) but it's nice to meet  someone who shares my love of crafting'- so much so- when I see something on PIN- I'll send it to SARA!  "Make this! or "This  looks easy & cool" - the next thing I see is - it was created in her newsletter. We both wanted to make the Stuffed Stash jar (I don't need a Teddy bear stash jar),  it's a cute idea to  stash your stash.. I gave her a little 'jar of a reminder to get busy on it-  her honesty- admitting she glued the Teddy Bears head on backwards made me giggle, I thought - 'Oh yeah, I could see how she did that!'  It's CRUCIAL for beginner crafters to realize -us "professionals" all F*ck up, it's how we learn.  Martha makes it look too easy - so when beginners try an do make a mistake they are discourage - I can't do it and don't.

DO! Sara and I both are here to tell you - DO! There are fewer things more satisfying as CREATING or  making something old new again - in this highly tossed world. I've pretty much already tried' much of what I have seen Sara creating (don't forget I use to teach crafts for  years) but I KNOW many of you have not- it does not have to be 'STONER crafts'- all crafts can be changed to use for kids, make a little stash jar for them to hide a tooth or treasure of their own.  Teach a little girl how to DIP  an old glass ornament even a shell into  nail polish - it does not need to be a bong.  HAVE FUN!   Sara is helping in her own stoner way to keep you inspired another day!  Turn off the television and DISCOVER what YOU are capable of!  Me - I can summons Wild Blue Jays! My power is endless! As long as my peanut supply is.

Sara is Canadian, lives with her honey & cute kitties in B.C., we have quite the distance to go to hang out together! For now we will continue being creative friends on line.  Check out her  website - it will take you to facebook, instagram & PIN!  

Speaking of PIN, being crafty- I found a carrot cake recipe. OH MY, OH MY! Using 2 cups of grated fresh carrots and all goodness - here's the thing- I toss all in a bowl and mix- it works terrific! The Butter Cream Cheese icing- NOM NOM! They are as good as I was getting from the little coffee shop - better- I'm making them! FRESH.
Know what tastes delicious  on a hot day? Frozen carrot cake.  
Thursday is expected to be 30 something!  A heat wave? Get baking now! lol
Here it is: ​http://pinchofyum.com/best-carrot-cake-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting
If you visit me - I have some in the freezer- unless I remember it at 2:00a.m. like last night. 

One more thing, I woke yesterday and said  OUT LOUD you are going to have  something WONDERFUL happen today..     It did.  
I was lying down for a nap and Storm called  me -I looked up &  there David' at the door (one of Storms friends since they were little) standing there, he had a  bunch of long stemmed roses & he smiled at me & in his peace-full voice said:
​
"Happy Mothers day, I'm sorry I couldn't get them to you yesterday".  

​They are some of the most beautiful roses I've ever been given, by far.

With Love
​g