As I prepare for our journey I'm thinking about Poppy and peoples reaction.  
I don't care anymore what anyone 'thinks'..  I know what I experience and I know I could probably be popping pills right now that would have me so stoned' (not in that good way) zonked  I would be very 'relaxed' for my journey, no one would mind seeing my dog on the plane with me.  I wouldn't have to worry about strangers if she stayed home - no one would dare walk up to me for no reason and say - "Hey! You takes pills?  Awwwww... Why? You don't look sick... What could those pills possibly do for you."    

I refuse to take pills that will effect my BRAIN, LIFE and MOOD for attacks which I get, that only last seconds -yet are incredibly frightening.  Poppy pulls me out- calms me down. Helps me breath- PILL FREE.. once over and I can catch my breath again, function - I don't need any pills in my system wearing me down. For what?  Whom?
To make life easier for others?  There are little ones far worse off than I am that would be doing more if WE learned to tolerate more.  Getting out with their (well behaved) service /therapy animals..  It's been proven many people carry just as many IF not more allergens on their clothing than my Poppy will on her tiny body for our flight.
 
You know how I feel about Service dogs.. pets in general- is there anything more calming for many of us than a cat who sits on our lap & purrrrrrssssss.  They help with PTSD and old aged - Pets keep many of us Going.  Pets are fantastic for kids - especially kids with no friends.  Just like I might not agree with fidget spinners in the classroom - I don't personally know any children off hand they assist - I WILL BE the first person who will tell you - let's try it BEFORE pills! Anything over pills for our kids. Fidget spinners spin!  I saw a cute photo, it was a pencil with a wooden ruler on the top 'the original fidget spinner' lol  Remember? Who did not spin it on top of the pencil.. or doodle.  Encourage doodling! 
​
Lets not get me started on medical cannabis. YES, I do wish and pray more parents & Dr.s start to investigate this before pills.  Cannabis has never been responsible for a death- let me ask you- Do you think Storm was the only kid, nope- it's been 10 years + and I know many kids- many who dose MUCH HIGHER than I - have any died from cannabis?  No.
I have never restricted my sons medical intake.  

ALL of these choices are PROVEN to help children & adults YET  society as a whole would rather not be inconvenienced, we'd rather each other Pop a pill into a mouth of  body- (especially another body) and move on.  FEATHERS that!  

Come on - the USA is NOW the leading country in drug overdoes.  With a new generation of addicts following fast at their heels. ;(   opiate addiction is at an ALL TIME HIGH- and by giving kids pills at an early age -  we are teaching them they NEED them  to function- it's inevitable they are the next addicts.
The next walking dead.   Not me,  I'll be walking my dog.

I'm not a Dr. and I 'GET' this. 
​Still teachers, family members and Dr.s who spend very little time with our children * with the exception of course*  are readily to offer advice and prescriptions.  Parents overworked, over stressed, exhausted and worried don't think long term.  Many can hardly think about the weeks groceries with so much going on.
  
IF OUR children had the CHOICE & they should (I am so thankful to God for giving Storm his defiant  stance towards medication when he was little)  it is THEIR little bodies which will be affected after all.  Long term.  
I know what most would choose..   I bet you can guess too!

NOT PILLS.

With Love
G

A couple of days off..  ;)
​xox

I made the mistake of reading a magazine I was given at the LIFT EXPO & quickly became so frustrated my teeth clench. The 'Bottom line' of the article in particular...  How one should avoid Cannabis if they have a 'Mood Disorder..' & If you have tried everything else!?
Oh My Gouache  are you serious? Like what?  Pharmaceuticals?  
Like the ones that can cause a twitch that never goes away- read the symptoms- or the ones that are KNOWN proven to cause thoughts of suicide? Physical side effects, liver damage. Brain damage? 
I hang my head & sigh- I have to turn to the cover and think- O.k., Yeah, I'm pretty sure I just picked up a Cannabis magazine...   Phhhhht...   Arrrrrrghhh.
​Hyprocry all around the table it appears these days. In between the sheets & papers of the glossy magazine. 

Not something TY Magazine believed it. Free speech, possibly some of the last.
Are other magazines following the same? There is that a$$ mighty advertising dollar. It was wrote by someone in the USA who's interests are in Biological pest control...  It went on to state 'try everything else first'.  At what cost? AT WHAT COST?   $$$   I can imagine his opinion on Children & cannabis as a medicine.
I guess everyones trying to protect their ass as well.  At what cost.

Continue reading another article WOW - about CANADIAN legalization and Marketing.
"Cheech & Chong aren't going to cut it anymore" blah blah blah.  Sure, I'm in agreement - there is fabulous new marketing out there.  There is also sterile, cold and  BORING already. It all looks the same & it will all blend into one -  become almost confusing.  
I'll be very selective with whom I choose to let use my work. I know I have a style all my own as do many talented artists, not to mention our own creative ideas.  Look already, how many photos 'going into the woods.  A tree view from the ground up, cup of coffee.. it's IG of WEED & much looks the same already, perhaps others will mistake your company and use another- but it 'Looks great'. .  Yes... It will need to be very different.  
Constant creativity. 
Clearly they are NOT aware also  of the old attage- Everything Old is NEW again.
I wish I had my '80's crap' that I threw out.. that old stuff. lol is worth $$$
Lets see how soon Old is New again. 
BTW - I say 'they'  There is no 'real  person' to contact, no name.  It seems, for the entire magazine.

Here is the 'maple syrup' on this Moose dropping magazine & article get this:  
FOR this terrific Marketing Advice regarding LEGALIZATION in Canada- they can't find a Canadian Experct to consult with?  They had to consult with an AMERICAN  company? Really? 
 Do we not have any creative marketing people in Canada??  OR successful companies?
ANY ONE... Hello?    Phhhhhbt.  What a waste of painting time this morning was.
​I certainly won't be reading this gem again. Rude to many creative people on many levels. 

* Creative marketing - My son informed  later after I told him about 'what I enjoyed' - my favourite display was a  new company,  much talked about these days...  
They get a point for creativity - it was the  tiny balls that could be moved on velcro & the string that you moved on nails - very creative and encouraged conversation with EACH other... NO pesky sales person in my face & the guys on the bike making coffee. hee hee hee.  
I actually turned to a stranger and wanted to say:
"How often do you play with blue balls in Public?"      
Instead, I behaved and said...

" Don't you feel like a cat?"   he laughed & and agreed. ;)   

I doubt I'll be asked for an interview (whew). 

Back to California Dreaming, painting  & unclenched teeth.

With Love.
G.

True.

With Love
​G

-Cannabis Gummies?  Please...
All these products and mor are available in Alcohol form:
-Suckers or Lolli Pops.
-Alcohol soaked fruit (cherries are a hot item it appears).  I might try these.
-Popsicles & Slushies (put alcohol in a ziplock an freeze (so easy)
-Cupcakes (Here is a recipe for Sangria Cupcakes), infused with Alcohol and some come with alcohol filled vials!  How is this 'not' confusing? > "Tipsy Treats' in Toronto.  
They sure LOOK appealing!  & fun...  Especially to Children.
-Liquor filled chocolates - has been around forever!
-Pour a bottle of Vodka into a watermelon and wait!
-Jello Shots! Who has NOT tired a jello shot? I have.
​-Flavored alcohol!  They even have CAKE flavour, PB & J! Butter Scotch, blueberry, strawberry.. here is a vodka that tastes like fruit loops. wow...  cheers kids!  Bacon- don't believe me - GOOGLE it. 
-All the lovely tasting, and attractive LOOKING drinks- with cute little stir sticks, umbrellas and more - Kids are drawn to them like magnets.
​-Alcohol whip cream.. www.temperancebrands.com/products/liquor-whipped/

Theses are just a small sampling of some of the many products with ALCOHOL in them and more on the way - to a grocery shelf near you!  
SO... GIVE me a Feathering break with this fear mongering around cannabis infused gummies and "pot brownies".  The average consumer IS educated on the difference between Cannabis & Alcohol. Well aware.  This is just a fun little visual reminder for the next time you read or hear such fear mongering.  
I don't want children consuming Cannabis or Alcohol. 
If they do accidentally,  from the many years of witnessing what we have, I believe cannabis would be the safest 'accident' with fewer negative side effects.
Defiantly not vomiting hangovers..  I am not a doctor- I am speaking from years of experience and I know  MANY who have been using cannabis much longer than I.  
I some days  realize - it's 3 and I haven't smoked.  This  why I also have troubles believing addiction. I have known a few who get up in the morning & HAD to start their day with a vodka Cesar. Fact. or beer..  Do you?
One day someone might die from cannabis- but there is no documented record of this... perhaps someone will have an allergic reaction to the plant.  I pray not.
Alcohol...  a different story.  
​
Enough with the lies and double standards.
Educate consumers are SAFE consumers.

Please, think before you speak- and think especially before you take a sip from your next DRINK - do not judge.  Alcohol is PROVEN far more harmful than cannabis.
Far more addictive  .   Alcohol poisoning - kills.  
Lies are keeping our children in HARMS way.
Tell them the TRUTH today! 

Painted
With Love
g

Do you have a favourite way to consume alcohol - I did find some really tempting- like Champagne bites & some of the cupcake recipes on PIN! Yes I will attempt.
Like my alcohol in our french onion soup. Nom NomNom.. mini moderation.

​

This song stuck in my head.. I'm listening to 'the jewel 88.5'  the music is soothing while I paint  - not distracting- other than it reminds me of  people from time to time or events. One broadcaster, the way he says "The jewellllll.." ladies- there is something about that mans voice- tee hee hee... I have a smile  my face as I type.  I don't want to 'know what he looks like'  I have him imagine in my mind.  Mostly older music, classics.

John Travolta wow... he's been around - I'm due to watch the movie Saturday Night Fever!
​It's been forever - It's an anniversary as well soon 20, 30? could be.
TaDa....  Saturday Nigth Bud!!!
I smiled while painting it. On a roll again & cant stop - Amen.
Buckle down. Paint Mode approach. what else is knew.
! Whats new!? I went for a walk and see the  Crock a Doodle  is open! 

What a week ahead:
New Mushroom art,   Broadway's Back! (Pun intended),   Chronic Crafting,  
A Cartoon for moms, creating cards, new logo.. I can't wait!
By the Grace of God.  ;)

​Have a Terrific week- I have painting to do and dreams to transpire into realities!
​With Love
G