You did NOT wake up today to be MEDIOCRE 

A tree who has indeed Mastered the Tree pose.
​  

With Love 
G
​

She's coming along nicely, my bear..
I think this is the way to go! No more over thinking.. just paint!
This bear- the entire painting was inspired by those mushrooms she is looking at.
Afternoon Delight!  Natural Medicine.  Cannabis is my  morning, afternoon & night delight!

A wonderful summer day... which we should still be getting this week according to the news.
This morning felt like fall indeed! I had to insist Poppy go out to pee!
She was holding it, waiting until it warms up...
This ain't California Poppy.

I'm painting to destress & I think about everything or nothing at all.
When I was in California, shortly after I arrived my friend remarked 'he was disappointed he didn't realize how ill I was & then I met someone else shortly after how also apologized 'they didn't realize how sick I was.'      Do people think I'm faking this?
Am I any different in real life than on here?
Some..  only in the sense I don't tell you how bad things can be, every day.. what's the point? 
My Dr. tells me  it's partly because of this blog - which makes me laugh (really) because I thought I've been very honest by sharing 'living with TN on this blog.

Is it because I refuse to stay in bed and feel sorry for myself?
Is it because I continue to paint everyday - Doing what I LOVE?
Is it because I laugh and play everyday with my dogs & significant others?
Is it because in my e mails I enjoy having  fun - does this mean I'm misleading people?
Is it because I try to celebrate God & am thrilled about my own faith being what it is?

Oh! I bet it's because people think I sit around and smoke cannabis all day!!!  & I DO!
Thank God! Without it.. I doubt I would be doing much of anything.   

I see people struggling on line- No money for Hydro bills$ and I can honestly say- I have been there. We have had our hydro cut off .   You  FOCUS on moving forward.
You have your health - you can see, hear, speak & walk (with a few exceptions)
& PRAY - on your knees  if it's 'that bad'.
I suggested this to someone else and then realized later they post on FB every hour at least.. all day every day.  Yep.  How much are you giving God if you're on social media all day crying the blues  OR your kids or YOURSELF. 
& if not on Social media- then STUCK in front of the television. 

I think the best thing for anyone who is struggling would be to turn social media off!
TRY IT FOR ONE WEEK.
Focus on your life- do what takes. We all have a GIFT.
You won't find it constantly distracted by your phone. 
We all have opportunity.
We all have LOVE.
We are never alone.  

Do people think 'I'm faking it'- yes, I guess so.
Good.
I'm doing something right.
Back to Bear & 'Afternoon Delight! 

What a Glorious day Indeed!  GIVE THANKS! 
​More bear tomorrow..

Good news- remember the boat by-law?  While I was away this summer , the boat by-law was tossed! You are now able to keep your boat in the driveway in Georgina..  too bad we had to have such a negative experience with the town over it,  clearly I'm not the only one who complained of unfair treatments. All is good! Enjoy the last days of summer.

I'm feeling stronger mentally than I have in a while.. my own son remarked - have you started taking anti depressants? lol  NO!!! (*I know  some people believe they need medication, I'm not judging - I'm just telling you what I know does NOT work for me.
The woman on the subway who bites her dog, definitely needs medication.)             Cannabis helps with moods... In light of the recent events- he said I seem 'happier these weeks' - I can see his surprise.. it's quite the opposite actually and I'm thrilled about it...
​I'm nearly OFF the medication I was taking for my nerve pain.  Still having the pain and side effects from the pills so I decided 'they had to go, not to mention a few things I read were setting off alarms.  I feel  CLEARER headed than I have in ages, my balance is better, walking is  the best it's been in years, I don't feel like I'm going to vomit as soon as I wake up, I know it was the pills! Im not even making as many e mail mistakes.. I feel as though a fog has been lifted.  Almost off!!  GREAT NEWS. 

Canada will be legal across the country soon for cannabis, along with it will come acceptance and the stigma will be realized and understood- more people will use it for PTSD, chrones, arthritis, nausea, pain.. MORE people will be OFF of pills!  ;)))

We are having a lovely end to this summer with a few warm days.  I predict a cold, lots of snow winter - painting supplies ready!  I'm not a groundhog so I could be wrong with my prediction.

Daisy is now the official household Frisbee champion! Just ask Scruffy & Poppy.

I think I witnessed an alien sighting this week- seriously..
I've included the photos below, circled in red. it just hovered for the longest time after clouds opened and then  vanished UP.  Anyhow, I was not abducted.. so it's good news too! 


Creatively
Georgia
​

Be on 'High Alert... next

Soon it will be my sons birthday!  He never wants anything - so I paint. lol
Storm is also the Foray Director with he MST and since he is, my knowledge of mushrooms has  grown increasingly the past few years!  As an artist- let me tell you there is hardly such a variety you can find in nature - like a MUSHROOM  Foray! 
Every shape, color, size & smell imaginable, gills, pores and brackets - found on the ground and high up on a tree - Want to paint an alien creature- FUNGI is it! This past week my favourite new find was a star shaped base of a puffball - it's got the star name in it somewhere. 
The mushrooms also wanted to offer a bit of wisdom as well-  some fungi fun:

-Start from the ground up!                       What better way to learn it all?
-Stay well rounded!              Try to get along with everyone and see other opinions.
-Be a Fungi!                                                               That's a given.
-Have Good Morels.              You can't go wrong when you know what way is right.
-Hang out with Friends.                    Socialize with like minded peeps & chill.
-Be Different!                                           Stand out in a crowd- be unique.
​-Love Mush!                                             Keep trying, love mush & love often.

3 days of TLC was spent painting this with my son in mind, actually with many little ones in mind. I think this would be a great poster for kids rooms. Educate & amuse and even teach which are edible - The MOREL! Nom nom...  
When I started this peice- I went on a Foray and was approached by someone who appreciates my art (seen on Instagram) and knows of my interest for mushrooms- and I have been invited to this years 9/20 event!!  Mapping the Mind with Mushrooms - we attended this event a few years ago and it was incredibly informative - You should go!  Mushrooms are being studied as medicine and more. Much like cannabis for centuries many have used mushrooms as  helping experiences, some use as end of life treatments because of the peace of mind that can sometimes accompany a psychedelic mushroom experience. I was particularly interested in the discussions regarding  mushrooms and "microdosing' which many are trying for depression & PTSD.  

I AM no expert! It is why I like to attend such events! - I still won't be an expert - hee hee but I will have more knowledge at the end of the day then when I start. 
I been told I could sell some original ART (perhaps even this piece)  I've acquired quite the mushrooms portfolio' - some pieces I do sell OFF of Instagram, people send me a message and ask- and sometimes I do part with originals.
My son will be at the www.mycognosis.com/40th-annual-mycological-society-toronto-2017-cain-foray/ 40th Cain Foray in Muskoka - I know it will be an amazing time! & I will be at the mushroom event in the city with my friends Abby and Justin. Abby is also an artist and will have some of her work with mine.  This piece is too big for my scanner - so I have to show you in parts - or come to the show and see it in 'realife and learn a thing or two! 

Creatively 
​g

I have a severe case of Trigeminal neuralgia.
It is incredibly difficult on several levels and every day is a struggle in itself.
I have had it for over 7 years..  all day, every day not a one hour break.
It fucks with my mind like you can NOT imagine.  Forget the feathers' on this one.
I describe it as an invisible person/monkey on my back who zaps me when ever they feel like it. It bothers me most when laughing.  
Imagine laughing and suddenly you are literally JOLTED with pain... just a few seconds. 
After 7 years... you appreciate the laughs all the more.
What ever makes me smile I crave more.  I do not take smiling for granted.
Even though they can hurt- I still smile at every stranger I pass in the street.

What is it:
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also called tic douloureux, is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. TN is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) The typical or "classic" form of the disorder (called "Type 1" or TN1) causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as two minutes per episode.  These attacks can occur in quick succession, in volleys lasting as long as two hours.  The “atypical” form of the disorder (called "Type 2" or TN2), is characterized by constant aching, burning, stabbing pain of somewhat lower intensity than Type 1.  Both forms of pain may occur in the same person, sometimes at the same time. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating. 
The trigeminal nerve is one of 12 pairs of nerves that are attached to the brain. The nerve has three branches that conduct sensations from the upper, middle, and lower portions of the face, as well as the oral cavity, to the brain. The ophthalmic, or upper, branch supplies sensation to most of the scalp, forehead, and front of the head. The maxillary, or middle, branch stimulates the cheek, upper jaw, top lip, teeth and gums, and to the side of the nose. The mandibular, or lower, branch supplies nerves to the lower jaw, teeth and gums, and bottom lip. More than one nerve branch can be affected by the disorder. Rarely, both sides of the face may be affected at different times in an individual, or even more rarely at the same time (called bilateral TN).

The case I have is all over the scale' and it is visually obvious to others.  I appear quite fine  until I have an attack...  I have learned to talk through them - although- trust me- they are so strong they get my attention, I dare you to carry on a conversation while someone sticks a cigarette in your eye for a second. This is what it feels like.. so excuse me if I forget what you were just saying, although I usually don't. I have the annoying mini jolts which can seem as though I'm winking - I'm amused at the number of men who like a wink...   lol  

​Still, I do smile- even thought hurts. I smile because people make me smile.  
There is much to smile about.. my  life -my dogs, friends, summer, fresh produce, bees.. bears.
​
​Just thinking of some people no matter how hard I try not to   - the smile creeps across my face- so, I've learned to embrace the pain.
Who is worth smiling over is the key..  Storm.   lol  
Actually, I have a few friends which come to mind. 
I certainly don't need a reason to frown over anyone. I deal with enough pain. 

​Very few people appear strong enough to understand what I am dealing with and everyone forgets- it's easy to do when not happening to you. I get it. I surround myself with only the company of those I truly enjoy.  Poppy, Daisy, Scruffy & Storm mostly - Bird too!  lol 

My faith has not diminished- it has gotten stronger.  
I believe in the power of prayer, meditation & God.  
 
What causes trigeminal neuralgia?TN is associated with a variety of conditions. TN can be caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brain stem. This compression causes the wearing away or damage to the protective coating around the nerve (the myelin sheath). TN symptoms can also occur in people with multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes deterioration of the trigeminal nerve’s myelin sheath. Rarely, symptoms of TN may be caused by nerve compression from a tumor, or a tangle of arteries and veins called an arteriovenous malformation. Injury to the trigeminal nerve (perhaps the result of sinus surgery, oral surgery, stroke, or facial trauma) may also produce neuropathic facial pain

I do have a blood vessel putting pressure on the nerve - SO - before I left for California Storm and I had a difficult, short conversation. We were concerned  the thing in my head (?) what ever is causing this, would explode and I would not make the flight.  Live with what I am and try to tell me it would not cross your MIND.  Storms also. What am I going to do stop living? So, the fact that I survived the plane ride to California - was worth the trip & celebrating and I am grateful to my friend for the experience. 2 more flights- my fear is gone. Where to next!!?  I'm excited for Warmer weather this winter!  I miss my California morning chats - it was nice to converse about so many things.

Are you aware this condition applies mostly to women and after 50.
It is  on the rise.

What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?Pain varies, depending on the type of TN, and may range from sudden, severe, and stabbing to a more constant, aching, burning sensation. The intense flashes of pain can be triggered by vibration or contact with the cheek (such as when shaving, washing the face, or applying makeup), brushing teeth, eating, drinking, talking, or being exposed to the wind. The pain may affect a small area of the face or may spread. Bouts of pain rarely occur at night, when the affected individual is sleeping.
TN is typified by attacks that stop for a period of time and then return, but the condition can be progressive. The attacks often worsen over time, with fewer and shorter pain-free periods before they recur. Eventually, the pain-free intervals disappear and medication to control the pain becomes less effective. The disorder is not fatal, but can be debilitating. Due to the intensity of the pain, some individuals may avoid daily activities or social contacts because they fear an impending attack.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if I educate you on anything
BE AWARE of what you put int your body.  I do believe it started with a medication I was taking that 'stated in the side effects warnings it could cause a tick' in the facial area that does not go away.   I read that years later, after it started.   Anti depressants. 
Oh My God..  why didn't I learn to read the warning labels earlier I've asked myself a million times since.  I do now.  *I am blessed that I can touch my face, this does not cause me pain.  The only time it hurts is with a cold wind- welcome to Canada.  lol 
Why didn't I try natural paths before chemical ones, manmade experiments.

I do not share this for sympathy- it is the most difficult thing  for me to share... I do it so you will educate yourself and possibly avoid living with the same condition. IT MADE ME STRONGER! 

Every day I continue & I pray & THANK God for everything, focus on love, paint and try to tame this the only way I know how. I can handle it when I'm happy and laughing.
I've been feeling better and tonight I feel FANTASTIC- better than I have in a year!
What a year this is going to be! 
Imagine wonderful things? Places? Adventures?  

Actually - I LOVE Canada this time of the year- and fall and winter- until I get cold!
Then- Spain I think it might be. France is kinda pass' other than the caves- I've really no desire to see anything' there- other than Yann! Wink Wink'

People actually TN have it go away! 
I keep reading this and yes, this is what I pray for most.  
The day it happens I will drop to my knees and give thanks.   It will..    it will.
I believe in Miracles! A 'flood of healing' is on the way!
Right NOW..     I am created to create.

More soon on  Living with TN... and the ECHO dot- How 'Alexa' is teaching me patience and  physiotherapy - lol! 

                        WHAT is keeping ME going - Living with TN
             - CANNABIS -
                                                    THANK GOD!

Please  -  TRY IT FIRST.
I thank my son above all else.
He is the love of my life, always will be.

God looks after me- I'm more convinced of this every moment.

with Love
g
<><
xox