This octopus is a work in progress- just like me. Us. 
His tangled legs force me to focus as they twist and get lost in each other..
You will like him- He is very cannabis friendly.

 I've discovered,  I paint octopus when I'm dealing with something I really need to process.

On my mind..   California.  
I KNOW why I was to go.  A test to myself. 
Sitting on the beach, long walks with Poppy & a lot of alone time.
Painting time. I felt physically better. It was not just the weather. 
It was many things, I didn't do much or  go many places.  My friend was a vegetarian so in many cases that's what I had also & have to say I've not had meat since. Really! I've no desire for it.  As you might imagine I'm cooking without it - so all around everyone is eating less meat or they don't eat- or get takeout.  Not my problem.  Less Pig  for sure.
I'm looking after myself  and cook what I feel is best for this bod & mind. 
I am not saying I won't eat meat again, I will saver the experience' and not just eat it to eat it
-  a beast had to die for it.
 
A new CALM appears to have kicked in..  thank you California.
I'm giving all I have to think about to what I do want.  Calm, Love, Peace.
​I know exactly what I need.  I've thought about it for  years.
Bring it on!   I work for it...   isn't anything worth having even better if you work for it?

                  My body is a temple.. not suitable for poison in any form.
                                               Plant, animal, chemical or human.  

Since home & medicating properly I'm noticing a huge improvement again back to focusing and painting. I have had much time to process my  California experience.  It appears my friend I visited is no longer communicating with me.. he was disappointed and verbally expressed this to me a couple of days after my arrival - it wasn't going as he expected.  Too bad. Even though honourable intentions were expressed before the vacation things changed, so did the dynamics of my vacation- but this was o.k.- it forced me and Poppy to have a lot of alone time - thinking and crab watching.
I was upset at the time but later I laughed with Storm and said "what can I say -Your  Mama is just too damn desirable!!"  

Boundaries were made clear before I even left. It went as I expected. I had no misconceptions of what my vacation was going to be - a vacation.  Cest la vie- I've made several attempts to continue our friendship.  Do I feel bad - no.   I've done nothing wrong.  I'm not making any apologies for others behaviours any longer.
It's sad though.. a friend lost- why- a hurt EGO.  Men.  
Arrrrrgh. What ever, I walk away - held held HIGH. 

My body is a temple, I have no intentions/need of  being  'intimate' just for the sake of a F*ck.  At the age of 53 - it's nice to be strong enough not to cave to OTHERS desires if I'm not feeling them myself.  How many times do women in particular do this?  Too many.
​
The dogs missed me & Bird had me concerned... he really missed me.  
Next vacation I might smuggle him with me!  lol  Joking. 
Next vacation - I am going  alone... I made up my mind.
Not one single  thing to worry about but me... up in the mountains on a peaceful county side.  

From this day forward Everything  that goes into this body will be deserving.
Just as I AM.  

What will you place in your body today?  Is it good For YOU? Mentally & physically?
Will it nourish or just fill you up with junk that will only make you ill in the long run.
Think about it - with every nibble.


With Love
​g

​Back to this tangled green Cananbis love.

Yesterday was the 4th of July.. a big day here in the USA.
It might surprise you but I didn't partake in any festivities...  this was my choice.
Red, white & blue all over...  flags every where you walk.   American pride.

This 4th was surrounded  with somber feelings in the USA.
The president - well... I don't need  to tell you how many feel over here about him.
Hard to celebrate 'freedoms' when so many are NOT free.
Not free to live a good, productive life without fear of being deported.
Not free to use natural medicine, not free to even express your opinions on many levels here.  Look at he American Prison system..  not free and many not guilty.
​
I also opted out of fireworks.  My heart was not into it.
We instead went for a walk and then painted out back listening to Fireworks - so loud I could feel them every time they went off.  Poppy was not fazed by them, nor was I.
​My bears had love painted into them as always. They felt it. 

Joshua  visited me for a couple of days but he too is on his continued adventure to draw 'SIN CITY  (he is sketching the world) I've flipped thought his sketch book in amazement and enjoyed watching this alien adventure comic appear!
What a friend I have in Joshua... coming all this way to hang with me.
He makes my heart swell. 
I introduced him to a great vegetarian pasta dish- I created myself!  
I think along with Poppy- he couldn't tell this Chorizo was not  MEAT!
 lol & every spaghetti noodle went missing! 
He's away today and I will miss him- I hope it does not take another 6 years for us to hang out- he is staying in California, I just might see him again.
I'm heading home soon too.

With love
g

Today did not start off well.. 
I woke thinking how some people can be cruel.
Why was this the first thought on my mind I have no clue.   :(
Some are cruel without intention and some with.
Those who do have intention & realize their actions are causing others to feel pain - are the worst.  I don't understand it.  It had me questioning 'Gods intent'.
I then started on a hermit crab painting (trying to distract my thoughts) and my friend  and I had a good chat over breakfast, about 'Daniel and the lions den' of all things... I did feel a bit better. 

Perhaps it's reading the paper daily- which I'm finding fascinating, you don't understand 'this' until you're immersed  in it. I am having hard time reading about all the Mexicans who are being deported/detained - if they don't have any money for a lawyer-$$$ well, we all know how it works - they become lost in a system for months... years.  Good people,  NOT hardened criminals like were led to believe according to Donald, he is a person who is intentionally cruel to others & we are ALL witness to it.  Try & deny.
It is heart breaking IMO to see America in such turmoil and surrounded with anger & fear led by a nasty, cruel "president' who is more concerned with TWEETs than he is his people.
Protest are being held this July 4th weekend - 'Not my president'.  ;(

Poppy & I then headed off to the beach! It is July 4th - soon,  not realizing this the beach was CRAZY! I felt somewhat frazzled then I met  nice 'California Sherif'  who made me smile.  Next thing I was sitting beside him - in his very cool little beach Police Buggy! My arm wrapped around his we'll tanned, muscular arm (hee hee) he had a friendly smile and made me feel very welcome. ;)  We snapped a photo and  he told me & Poppy to have a great day at the beach! I didn't share I was a cannabis activist - I don't think it would have mattered.   I did see him several times & each time he went out of his way to wave and smile.   I shared our photo on IG knowing some will think - 'what, consorting with he enemy!'  if you follow this blog I believe  we can't judge all police  by a few- and I know several good people  (especially in Canada) who are Police officers- and they would die to protect me/us.  
I believe this.  Thank you.  

I was sitting there and I looked up... way up and in the distance I saw this tiny figure.. realistically 2 centimeters tall- but I knew by the swagger exactly who it was, even tho I've not seen that walk for years. He said if I came to the USA he would come and hang out with me & he is a man of his word.  Joshua Boulet walked down the beach and I started to smile.  I've not seen Josh for years! He is my cartoonist buddy I met at the first TY expo and we became friends.  What a buddy he is .. he took a bus and rode it all night to meet me on the beach this weekend.  Josh would never hurt or be cruel to anyone intentionally.  
Perhaps that is why he is my friend. His drawings focus on 'LOVE' and it's tattooed on his wrist as a constant reminder. He made me feel loved today.  
lol My friend said "mi case es su casa"  so when I asked can Josh stay a day - he said of course! & we have all gotten along as I knew we would.
I try to surround myself with good, kind, intelligent & creative, inspiring humans..

Tomorrow we paint! We're going to go for a walk and sketch, I'll celebrate my first July 4th
in California with 2 very different (born & raised) Americans.  
In my heart I'll ignore DONALD & celebrate it for ALL Americans  living here in the land of opportunity.

A little reminder of  what America was built on and stood for & I  love about the USA: 

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

My day started off difficult...    now - God and I are good.  
Prayer  & love & thought.   I get it.
I'm sorry..   I just can't imagine - I know anyone who is intentionally cruel.  
I don't.  Not intentionally anyway. 

I keep dreaming of France & caves  (for months) &  Josh handed me a 'little trinket' he picked up for me,   all I could do was smile & KNOW:
                               
​                                          With God everything is  possible.

I asked for a little sign this morning..  after our talk of Daniel & the Lions.
​He has no idea how this 'little trinket'  reinforced what I already know. 

With Love
g

Well, you don't  know homesick until you're away on Canada's 150 birthday!   I am.
I've searched South County for Poutine- to no avail. Oh well- it will be all the tastier when I arrive at home! Not for a bit, my Cali adventure is not over yet.  I do like BahaFresh and had to make do with that for lunch. Americans are already in July 4th mode.. I'll sing 'Oh Canada in silence in my head.. lol   

I've been finding items of interest. I found  change.. American coins, my rabbit skull, the surfers watch, a nice grey sweater  (I did take after walking past it the first time - as I forgot a sweater - so why not!? Finders keepers.. then not a while longer I spied this colorful -what I thought was a bottle cap in the grass - I kicked it with my feet.. but picked it up when I realized it was not a cap- Instead it was a colorful silicone container  - GUESS what was inside- BUD! LOL!!! Really- had my friend not been with me - he might not have believed - I was just joking about all the 'treasures' I've been finding!  Enough bud for 2 bowls I might add!   Hee hee hee  

Today is my lucky day- I have the feeling it shall only get better.
I Am going to THINK it so!  
I hope all are having fantastic day back home.  
I can't complain  & I've already Got some art work for Canada Day 151  When cannabis is LEGAL across the board in Canada! Amen! Thank you Justin! I see how sad and confusing and how the system is abused here.  I get why Americans are dealing with what they do, after reading up on it while I'm here and talking to everyone I meet.  Come on Donald - get the feathering off TWITTER and run the country you have been APPOINTED to run. 

CONGRATS NEVADA!! The 5th state to legalize recreationally! But the casinos won't let you smoke it, you can only in your own home- if you get caught in your car its a $600. fine.. silliness. Vaporizers, edibles, vaginal suppositories  - give it up and reap the $$ rewards that you know will be on the way with he money from legalization! 
I'm sure there is much more serious SIN in sin city to focus on - No??
Me- I'm about to go smoke some 'Cali bud I picked up at bud &bloom.. it is good medicine,
out back.. in the Cali sunshine thinking about...  Canada & bears.. France & caves.. 
my next great adventure! Every day- is just that.

With love
g

Poppy & I visited the Gerry Museum  #gettyinspired is correct- First of all- THANK YOU!
This California Museum is like no other I visited and it's FREE!! YEP! You pay parking $15. (same as at home) - that's it.  It has a bit of everything! Furniture, clocks, glass, statues, architecture, incredible views - it's endless! All stunning but..  I was moved to choking back tears when I entered the Impressionist painting room. Oh my gouache!!!  As soon as I spied the Vincent Van Gogh Irises - I could hardly contain myself!! Thank you Google  Culture for this: Check out this link and click on the painting!   My huge painting easel is going to get such  work out when I get home - it was all I could not to break out my paint box!
The strokes UP close - thinking what was he thinking when he painted this... I felt him - for only a few seconds and my heart has been forever touched.  Emotions arose that have not.
If I lived here- it would be someplace I would visit regular and just sit and stare in the impressionist room.  You can walk right up to the painting to lean in and look at the detail. Thank you California for this, what a gift you give to the rest of the world, sharing art for FREE! They also let you download art and see for free!
​But it gets better.. I know hard to believe right?

I turned the corner and there was this room - with art and statues and drawing easels!! You mentioned to the woman & she would give out paper & supplies and  you get to sit and draw- no line up- on a Saturday at a FREE museum. wow. Of course I did. If you make it to the California area and do not visit this museum it will be your loss- Just look at the views alone:

Indoor and outdoor there is so much to look at. I am grateful for the education.
Btw- Poppy loved it! Several people - which I found very amusing were not taking photos of art but Poppy, she is incredibly behaved - it  really amazes people, jumps on my lap when ever I sit and sits quietly. She also pee's on command... TRAIN YOUR DOGS & you will be happy! Both! When we wanted a break I'd take her outside and tell her to Pee and she would, all good.  lol    Poppy & I at the Getty!  History was made.
​Give Thanks! 

All that painting I was Getty Inspired ! 
lol - I did paint this little loon with some fresh bud on his back & in his beak... just for fun!
I did leave a little painting at the Getty my first art drop! & another on my walk this morning, more on that tomorrow!  
It's time for more California dreaming..
about what ?  
Hmmmmmmmmm... that's for me and Poppy to know and you to soon find out! lol

With Love
g