This is where I AM going for Christmas.
How about you?  

All I am bringing: Good food, cannabis, clean water, softer music, dogs & bird.
Snuggled all warm by the fire, no cell phones - a book!
iPad for drawing only when I'm tired of painting.
A snuggly blanket,  fire and a deer or two. Deer Not beer.

I leave today...
For the next week, month and possibly into the new year
I will be focusing on painting, reading, nature, dogs.

Limited  internet access.  Limited e mail.
Time to get caught up on conversation with God, nature, the stars, the moon.
Did you see that moon last night?
I just learned the moon never rotates, we always 'see' the same side. 
How did I miss this fact?  
What does the dark side of the moon look like?  
Is the moon hollow?
When is the last time you looked at snowflakes?
Do you like the new or the old Jim Carey?  
I am most curious about the new... as I browse at these delicate, stunning, detailed images of snowflakes.  The artist side of Jim inspires me most.

Tis the season to get caught up in consumerism, be careful.
​Make gifts.
Support individuals still striving to be unique!

Ho ho ho -  Here we go.
Georgia

Storm went to California and he brought me back the coolest thing he could find.
I laughed, it was perfect...   a soft rubber little 'banana slug now sits on my desk guarding my stamps.  I watched short documentary and no they are certainly not like our  slugs or snails.  They crawl through the northerners forest in California- they are a hit there and here we had no clue about them here in Canada - we'll I did not  and neither did Storm.
See how powerful travel can be... hee hee hee

Where to next? 
My imagination is already there.

With Love.
g
xox
<><
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Bird is free to fly wherever he chooses.. He follows me into the bathroom and when I'm lying down- he will fly in the bedroom, sit on the window ledge & give me a dirty look!  
"Get UP! Come paint and I will sing to you"   he TWEETs. 
He could fly downstairs and has done on a couple of occasions but has not for  along time.  Speaking of Bird & Birds eye view,  I was reminded a few weeks ago
this Frenchman in a helicopter. 

Have you heard of:
Yann Arthus–Bertrand  I think he is an exceptional human. 
He initially peeked my curiosity about France  a couple of years ago.  
I first learned of him with 'HOME,  I highly recommend it.  
What I really enjoyed most was: Earth from Above 
He showed us whats going on wrong in the world and those trying to do what's right..
He showed us HOPE.  ​Elegantly, I might add.
Now I'm watching HUMAN the movie.
I believe every school should show this from grade 1 up, every year.
Please turn off the trash  and consider educating your mind.

The woman who washes bottles for 12 hours a day- this is her life. If all I can do is send her my prayers- it's something.. how does she get up every day?  
He is a real life hero not to mention he is one impressive 71 year old, I would not have guessed, Wikipedia figures' it out for us ;). lol

Making a difference daily, no doubts.
Give Thanks.

g

WE (Poppy & I) LOVE to fly!
I was so frightened.. thinking my head would explode  (honestly)- lol
BUT hey I'm here to paint another day!  By the grace of God!
I am inspired by all I do & see & will never have 'Artist Block'
It's all in your mind. Just ask Brain...  not Heart.

 :)

Buckle up Baby! Yeeeeeeee Haaawwwww!
No matter where they seat us - Poppy & I are:
 First Class!   
Medicated- First Class!

Poppy and I are planning on being away for Christmas!  
No idea where yet...  Positive thinking is the first step in any adventure!
​
With Love
​g
<><
​xox

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.

This is how I feel when Storm arrives home from one of his journeys.
*In real Human life - he would be much taller - but I chose to make it cuter. 
​
I am equally as happy to see him go on theses journeys..
Life is for exploring.

With Love
g

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With love
​g

Pop Rocks! I called her 'Poppo' on vacation.  Poppy is the cutest, behaved little dog  proving me with a service of LOVE  & Protection in 7lbs of fierce! She will take your finger (tip) off if you don't watch out!  lol  
She actually is not aggressive at all- unless she feels she needs to protect me.
She keeps me from taking harmful chemicals. Fact.  
I will fight for Poppy like she fights for me, make no mistakes.
Keeping me natural like my medicine.  Thank God.

I know some can't understand what Poppy does- it's not for you to understand.
She brings me peace... and our trip to California - she proved what a little rockstar she is! 
Every Flight- she walked ahead on the plane with me towing my bag behind - Hooked to my belt so I am 'hands free'. EVERYone looked at her in amazement with  many Awwwwwssssssss and giggles - I'd say "here it is" (meaning our seat )  and she jumped up! Then I'd buckle up and she lay on my lap - I'd cover her with her blanket and that was that, she never made a peep! Every time! 3 flights - hee hee -  I'm going to put flight pins on her vest  & EVERY single time I had flight attendants  remark- "I forgot she was on the flight" & "she is by far the best service dog we've had!"   

California was awesome! Poppy went to the movies & had many patio meals and went to the Getty!! I only had a couple of incidents with humans.. one customer in a 'subway' gave me such a dirty look and shook his head at 'us.. he did it to me 3 times! I was in line behind him holding Poppy, I lost my appetite.  I said I wasn't hungry and would wait outside...  when the gentleman emerged I look at him straight in the eye and calmly asked: 
"Do you feel better passing judgement on me and you don't know anything about me?"
He stopped (caught off guard) "I wasn't judging you...  I was frustrated at.. the woman behind the counter" 
"Bullshit"  was my reply.
He calked his head back and says "well o.k., but.. come on & I love dogs but really? "
He reached out to Poppy but she turned her head & ignored him (awesome) 
"YOU judged me and you know nothing about me."
Who was he to look at me and shake his head in disgust...  I was NOT harming anyone. Poppy was Not harming anyone. I was holding her.. she is cleaner than most construction workers in there for  lunch. 
He looked at me and said  "I did."  
I looked at him and said "enjoy your lunch.."  
He  walked away. Food for belly & mind - I hope.
God was with me.   I knew what to say, calmly.

What is with people - Holy!  Are there not more serious things to focus on right now- like TRUMP?? I get it if a dog is misbehaving but I feel like we are constantly paying for it.  
If you see me having an attack, you get it. They are quick but fierce and I clutch her.. Some times she looks at me and jumps off my lap then stretches to be picked up again- "FOCUS on me" her eyes speak. She knows. It's not pleasant for others to see  - trust me when I say it's much more unpleasant for me to experience so please.. get over it.

Poppy LOVED California! I loved California! Truly & the people in general MORE.. not just my friends. As Canadians I hope we send them our prayers/good vibes daily, too many are suffering right now and are living in fear and unstably.  
All & all - California was friendly &  very understanding of Poppy & I when we ventured out as a team & I am truly grateful for having had her with me for countless reasons.

Please Don't judge people with service animals- if the dog behaves badly - YES, address it. Please don't just assume  we are all the "fakers". Do you really think I enjoy  taking a dog with me everywhere?  I don't. I LOVE her but it gets tiring...  thankfully, when I am with someone I am comfortable with I can leave her - someone who understands and just rides it out with me for a few seconds.   Next museum- in France (dream big baby!)  no Poppy!
Well... she does like Vincent van Gogh!!

Poppy Loved California & my friend too - which was terrific - it made my visit more comfortable.  I'm sure he is missing her. It inspired a funny card which gave me good giggle to paint! I'll share it another day.  More On Poppys adventure with the customs officers soon but these are some of her favourite photos of California. 

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

Be careful when 'bearing it all'... you might get burned.

With Love,
​g