Another sleepless night...awake until at least 4:30 A.M. and then only dozed until 7:30 when I gave up and got up. My day does not look too promising.
I've been sleeping pretty well lately so I have no idea what kept me awake last night. It seems to happen regularly, though, and it's a royal pain in the butt! I went with Kim yesterday to watch the little boys play t-ball and it was a lovely evening for being out. I thought the fresh air would guarantee a good sleep but I was wrong.
A lot of seniors deal with sleepless nights so this could just be an age related problem for me. Thank heavens I have the freedom to nap in the daytime if needed but, of course, this could interfere with tonight's sleep.
I did my laundry and tidied the apartment so my work is done for the day. I do have to go out for some groceries and I'm thinking about getting a pedicure, too. I don't have too much to complain about, do I??
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Gas Regulation
I'm not sure if I wrote a blog about this but I do know I mentioned it on Facebook. Maybe 3 weeks ago I bought gas at a Petro Canada station with a $25 gift card from CAA. I normally don't pay attention to how accurate the gas pump is but I always have a pretty good idea how much gas I need...I pay with cash so I have to estimate it before paying first.
Anyway, I noted before entering the gas station that I already had a half tank of gas so I knew it would take the $25 for sure. I pumped the gas but didn't look at my gas gauge until I was driving away and saw that I'd only received 1/4 tank of gas for my $25!! Now, I've never complained before about a faulty gas pump but this really bugged me. I won't go to that station again but how many other people will be cheated if I don't complain?
Somehow I found the government department on the internet that regulates the accuracy of gas pumps and phoned the number they provided. A very nice lady took my call and promised the gas station would be checked and they would let me know what they found.
This morning I got a call from an inspector who was at the gas station and wanted to verify which pump I had used. She also was very nice and promised to call me back with the results. She said that the gas station's records were out of date and the reason she was given was that the station was going to be revamped (new variety store and new pumps) in the near future. That's no excuse for them to have faulty pumps right now!
I'll be interested to hear from her later but right now I'm kind of amazed that my complaint was followed up on at all. We tend to think our legitimate complaints to government fall on deaf ears but that didn't happen in this case. I'm impressed!
Anyway, I noted before entering the gas station that I already had a half tank of gas so I knew it would take the $25 for sure. I pumped the gas but didn't look at my gas gauge until I was driving away and saw that I'd only received 1/4 tank of gas for my $25!! Now, I've never complained before about a faulty gas pump but this really bugged me. I won't go to that station again but how many other people will be cheated if I don't complain?
Somehow I found the government department on the internet that regulates the accuracy of gas pumps and phoned the number they provided. A very nice lady took my call and promised the gas station would be checked and they would let me know what they found.
This morning I got a call from an inspector who was at the gas station and wanted to verify which pump I had used. She also was very nice and promised to call me back with the results. She said that the gas station's records were out of date and the reason she was given was that the station was going to be revamped (new variety store and new pumps) in the near future. That's no excuse for them to have faulty pumps right now!
I'll be interested to hear from her later but right now I'm kind of amazed that my complaint was followed up on at all. We tend to think our legitimate complaints to government fall on deaf ears but that didn't happen in this case. I'm impressed!
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Smokers
I'm a lifelong non-smoker who literally can barely breathe when I'm around a smoker. This always leaves me wondering if smokers care at all about the effect their addiction has on other people. They were very angry when buildings became smoke free and they had to take their stinky habit outside...why would they think they had the right to foul the air that the rest of us breathe??
My husband began smoking at age 16 and continued until about a month before he died of esophageal cancer (probably caused by his smoking). I was forced to inhale second hand smoke all those years but I would never do that again. Knowing my own personal rights now, I would have done what Kellie did with Matt...make a choice, smoking or me!
It's not a simple thing to deny non-smokers smoke free air to breathe. It's truly a selfish, ignorant act on the part of the smoker who insists on spreading these cancer ridden agents into the lungs of people who don't smoke. Dennis seemed to understand this the few times he was able to kick the habit but conveniently forgot as soon as he was hooked again.
I believe smokers know that, even though they might smoke outside, the smoke remains in their lungs when they come inside and spew it out with every breath they take. That was always my first clue when Dennis began smoking after a clean spell. I would smell the smoke on his breath as he walked by me. I never nagged him to quit but I did beg. It did no good, though, because he was thoroughly addicted.
I've had a smoke free home since Dennis passed away from that horrible disease that definitely could have been caused by smoking but I'm still at the mercy of one of my neighbors who smokes on their balcony. I have no idea how far away they are but the stink travels from their balcony, through my patio doors, and right across the room to where I sit at my desk. Is this fair to me? No!
Dennis smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day and in today's dollars that would have cost him $10 a day to pollute his lungs and anyone near him. I think this is absolutely crazy! Why would anyone start smoking when the cost and effect are so horrible?
My mother, who also died from lung cancer, was a chain smoker and her ugly habit of sticking an unlit cigarette to her lip was one of the reasons I never started smoking. Thank you, Mom! She died at 64 as a result of her addiction to cigarettes. We all know of many, many more people who followed the same path to illness and death because they foolishly lit that first cigarette.
Two of my three daughter smoked at one time but were able to quit quite a while ago. I'm grateful for their determination which will no doubt add years to their lives. I worried a lot about both of them because both have slightly damaged lungs (due to when they smoked, I wonder??).
Dennis was one of the most strong willed people I've ever known and he was unable or unwilling to stop smoking permanently until the month before he died...way too late. I can only assume he'd reached a desperation point with his cancer and that was why he quit. Talk about stubborn and strong willed...he had heart stents put in when his arteries became clogged but he wouldn't admit they'd clogged because of his smoking. He even argued with the cardiologist that smoking didn't cause heart disease. Did I also mention that Dennis truly was one of the most intelligent people I've ever known? It's amazing how even very intelligent people can fool themselves to believe their addiction isn't causing them any harm.
And so, smokers, do your best to quit before cancer or heart disease grabs your ass and kills you. If you don't smoke, don't start. Simple as that!
My husband began smoking at age 16 and continued until about a month before he died of esophageal cancer (probably caused by his smoking). I was forced to inhale second hand smoke all those years but I would never do that again. Knowing my own personal rights now, I would have done what Kellie did with Matt...make a choice, smoking or me!
It's not a simple thing to deny non-smokers smoke free air to breathe. It's truly a selfish, ignorant act on the part of the smoker who insists on spreading these cancer ridden agents into the lungs of people who don't smoke. Dennis seemed to understand this the few times he was able to kick the habit but conveniently forgot as soon as he was hooked again.
I believe smokers know that, even though they might smoke outside, the smoke remains in their lungs when they come inside and spew it out with every breath they take. That was always my first clue when Dennis began smoking after a clean spell. I would smell the smoke on his breath as he walked by me. I never nagged him to quit but I did beg. It did no good, though, because he was thoroughly addicted.
I've had a smoke free home since Dennis passed away from that horrible disease that definitely could have been caused by smoking but I'm still at the mercy of one of my neighbors who smokes on their balcony. I have no idea how far away they are but the stink travels from their balcony, through my patio doors, and right across the room to where I sit at my desk. Is this fair to me? No!
Dennis smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day and in today's dollars that would have cost him $10 a day to pollute his lungs and anyone near him. I think this is absolutely crazy! Why would anyone start smoking when the cost and effect are so horrible?
My mother, who also died from lung cancer, was a chain smoker and her ugly habit of sticking an unlit cigarette to her lip was one of the reasons I never started smoking. Thank you, Mom! She died at 64 as a result of her addiction to cigarettes. We all know of many, many more people who followed the same path to illness and death because they foolishly lit that first cigarette.
Two of my three daughter smoked at one time but were able to quit quite a while ago. I'm grateful for their determination which will no doubt add years to their lives. I worried a lot about both of them because both have slightly damaged lungs (due to when they smoked, I wonder??).
Dennis was one of the most strong willed people I've ever known and he was unable or unwilling to stop smoking permanently until the month before he died...way too late. I can only assume he'd reached a desperation point with his cancer and that was why he quit. Talk about stubborn and strong willed...he had heart stents put in when his arteries became clogged but he wouldn't admit they'd clogged because of his smoking. He even argued with the cardiologist that smoking didn't cause heart disease. Did I also mention that Dennis truly was one of the most intelligent people I've ever known? It's amazing how even very intelligent people can fool themselves to believe their addiction isn't causing them any harm.
And so, smokers, do your best to quit before cancer or heart disease grabs your ass and kills you. If you don't smoke, don't start. Simple as that!
Monday, June 27, 2016
Solving a Problem
I also had to put a tote on the balcony under the air conditioner to catch the water it dispelled. This year I decided to have him put the air conditioner in the window closest to where I sit so that I had a bit more room on the balcony. This became a problem for me using the computer when it was on, though. I froze up pretty fast!
So today I thought I could solve this problem by putting something in front of the air that blasted at me but still allowed it to cool the apartment. I took an old magazine and hung it on the air conditioner, held it place by a heavy sandstone carving. It works!
I'll find something neater than the magazine later but this is great for now.
Rear Balcony
There was an old movie made called "Rear Window" with James Stewart about a man who is recuperating and stuck at home with only the goings on he saw from his rear window to keep his mind occupied. I sometimes have similar experiences from my "rear balcony" and thought it might make a cute story.
I'm a writer at heart if not from ability but I do love to write. My problem is that I have no discipline and could never sit and write steady as is necessary to actually complete a novel. I'm also scared to death of rejection and that's why I blog. Read it or not, I won't know and I won't know if you like what I wrote.
Anyway, back to "rear balcony". My apartment balcony faces a lovely ravine to the left and parking lots of three buildings (one my own) to the right. I first thought I'd ignore looking to the right as much as possible and concentrate on the lovely scenery to my left but then life happened.
No, I've never witnessed a possible murder out there but I've seen one ridiculous screaming argument between two drunken women in the parking lot...the "F" word was used at least every second word. I've watched various dumpster divers, all men dressed nicely so they weren't street people. I've watched what looked like a set up meeting between 3 neighborhood cats in the ravine and could make out which one was the dominant male, which was the horny female, and which was the junior who knew enough to keep it's distance.
I've watched many, many neighbors taking their dogs out for a poop and noticed the only ones who didn't scoop were the ones with dogs that did their business in the bushes. I've seen young teen girls meeting and talking in a circle just like teen girls have always done.
A true writer has the ability to take small incidents like this and weave a whole story around it. I think I could do that but I'm not sure I want to. It's enjoyable to me to just watch, weave, and blog without committing to hours/days/weeks of actually writing a novel about it.
I'm a people watcher and I do love the eccentrics most of all. There is a sweet little old lady in my building who must have been beautiful when she was young. Now she's withered with age but she still covers her face with makeup, dark lipstick, and pencil painted eyebrows that make her appear constantly surprised. Old ladies don't start doing that when they're old. It's a holdover from their youth and they mistakenly think it still makes them look good. I often wonder what her life was like when she was young...I'm going to imagine she was an actress.
Now the screaming, arguing, foul mouthed ladies are easy to make up a story about. They were at a bar where each lady went dressed to attract (that's what ladies do who go to bars) even though they both were with their own man. One lady thought the other was getting too friendly with the wrong man and declared war. Dirty looks became subtle words which became screaming curses. The men played innocent...as they always do.
I loved watching those cats. They came from 3 different directions all at the same time and took up their positions in a small clearing. I could write for ages about what I imagine their little lives to be like. Each would live in homes but wander the hills, dales, and streets every day and have one adventure after another. Junior would one day become fully grown and steal the trampy female from the old cat.
Gosh, I could write a book if I only had some discipline!
I'm a writer at heart if not from ability but I do love to write. My problem is that I have no discipline and could never sit and write steady as is necessary to actually complete a novel. I'm also scared to death of rejection and that's why I blog. Read it or not, I won't know and I won't know if you like what I wrote.
Anyway, back to "rear balcony". My apartment balcony faces a lovely ravine to the left and parking lots of three buildings (one my own) to the right. I first thought I'd ignore looking to the right as much as possible and concentrate on the lovely scenery to my left but then life happened.
No, I've never witnessed a possible murder out there but I've seen one ridiculous screaming argument between two drunken women in the parking lot...the "F" word was used at least every second word. I've watched various dumpster divers, all men dressed nicely so they weren't street people. I've watched what looked like a set up meeting between 3 neighborhood cats in the ravine and could make out which one was the dominant male, which was the horny female, and which was the junior who knew enough to keep it's distance.
I've watched many, many neighbors taking their dogs out for a poop and noticed the only ones who didn't scoop were the ones with dogs that did their business in the bushes. I've seen young teen girls meeting and talking in a circle just like teen girls have always done.
A true writer has the ability to take small incidents like this and weave a whole story around it. I think I could do that but I'm not sure I want to. It's enjoyable to me to just watch, weave, and blog without committing to hours/days/weeks of actually writing a novel about it.
I'm a people watcher and I do love the eccentrics most of all. There is a sweet little old lady in my building who must have been beautiful when she was young. Now she's withered with age but she still covers her face with makeup, dark lipstick, and pencil painted eyebrows that make her appear constantly surprised. Old ladies don't start doing that when they're old. It's a holdover from their youth and they mistakenly think it still makes them look good. I often wonder what her life was like when she was young...I'm going to imagine she was an actress.
Now the screaming, arguing, foul mouthed ladies are easy to make up a story about. They were at a bar where each lady went dressed to attract (that's what ladies do who go to bars) even though they both were with their own man. One lady thought the other was getting too friendly with the wrong man and declared war. Dirty looks became subtle words which became screaming curses. The men played innocent...as they always do.
I loved watching those cats. They came from 3 different directions all at the same time and took up their positions in a small clearing. I could write for ages about what I imagine their little lives to be like. Each would live in homes but wander the hills, dales, and streets every day and have one adventure after another. Junior would one day become fully grown and steal the trampy female from the old cat.
Gosh, I could write a book if I only had some discipline!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Today
I did some heavy duty housework yesterday...this means pulling out furniture so I can clean the floor completely. I usually have all the floors done like this when I first get home from Florida but I was lazy this year and only did the livingroom. Now the bedrooms are done and I feel pretty good about that. I also washed the tiled floors because I got tired of waiting for the repairman to fix the spare bedroom window/wall where there is water damage. I'll have to wash them again as soon as he does that work because there will be plaster dust dragged around for sure. No big deal!
And now today I have only one little job and that's to pull out the livingroom end tables to clean under them properly and then to teak oil them. Those tables are probably the most expensive things I have in this apartment. I paid $10 for the 2 of them at a yard sale and they're worth around $1200+. Some deal, right? I really love teak furniture but it's become prohibitively expensive to buy in a store. If I ever find a teak diningroom table with deep fold down leaves I will buy it if I can. Other than that, I won't be buying any more furniture for the rest of my life.
Yesterday it was one of those 90 degree days that we'll have today and tomorrow before it cools down to nice and normal. I watered the plants on the balcony and then sat out there for a while enjoying the lovely cool breeze that is always out there in the evening no matter how hot the day happens to be. I wonder if that's because there's so much open space in the ravine and that I'm on the 6th floor. Whatever, it's always so nice!
I was up before 6 A.M. again this morning and posted my flower photos on Facebook (starts my day perfectly), had a shower and washed my hair, and now I really should get to work...probably 1/2 hour and then I'll be done for the day.
Life is good!
And now today I have only one little job and that's to pull out the livingroom end tables to clean under them properly and then to teak oil them. Those tables are probably the most expensive things I have in this apartment. I paid $10 for the 2 of them at a yard sale and they're worth around $1200+. Some deal, right? I really love teak furniture but it's become prohibitively expensive to buy in a store. If I ever find a teak diningroom table with deep fold down leaves I will buy it if I can. Other than that, I won't be buying any more furniture for the rest of my life.
Yesterday it was one of those 90 degree days that we'll have today and tomorrow before it cools down to nice and normal. I watered the plants on the balcony and then sat out there for a while enjoying the lovely cool breeze that is always out there in the evening no matter how hot the day happens to be. I wonder if that's because there's so much open space in the ravine and that I'm on the 6th floor. Whatever, it's always so nice!
I was up before 6 A.M. again this morning and posted my flower photos on Facebook (starts my day perfectly), had a shower and washed my hair, and now I really should get to work...probably 1/2 hour and then I'll be done for the day.
Life is good!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
No Day For Me
We have special days or holidays dedicated to certain groups of people but I only get Mother's Day. Black people have Martin Luther King Day and now we have Aboriginal Day. There is also Gay Pride Day. I'm a white, heterosexual lady with mixed heritage so where is my day??
We celebrate many different nationalities and religions in Canada which is all very nice but what about someone like me...a mongrel of sorts? I want my day, too, so we could all be part of it. We could name it "People Day". I bet everyone would enjoy being part of such a huge group. We might even see black, white, French, native, muslim, gay, straight people looking at each other and realizing we really are one people.
I think "People Day" would do more to bring us all together than having presidents and prime ministers of various countries trying to do just that by having a conference.
It hasn't been announced yet so I'm making a decision it will be every single day of the year. Happy People Day!
We celebrate many different nationalities and religions in Canada which is all very nice but what about someone like me...a mongrel of sorts? I want my day, too, so we could all be part of it. We could name it "People Day". I bet everyone would enjoy being part of such a huge group. We might even see black, white, French, native, muslim, gay, straight people looking at each other and realizing we really are one people.
I think "People Day" would do more to bring us all together than having presidents and prime ministers of various countries trying to do just that by having a conference.
It hasn't been announced yet so I'm making a decision it will be every single day of the year. Happy People Day!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Bosma Killers Sentenced To Life
The world is getting scarier and scarier. The men who senselessly murdered Tim Bosma have been sentenced to life in prison which will amount to no more than 25 years. They will both be in their 50's when they will be free to roam the streets again and be fully capable of committing more crimes. In my opinion, they should never be free again. One of the murderers is also being charged with the murder of his father and a girlfriend, incinerating her body. With luck, he'll be sentenced as a dangerous offender and spend the rest of his life in jail.
We have no death penalty in Canada and it's a clear fact that these 2 monsters should have been put to death. It won't happen, though. I can't remember when Canada banned the death sentence but I do remember thinking it was a good thing to not have one. I'm not so sure any more.
The 2 killers and their friends and even family are the filth of the earth. What scares me is that there were so many people who knew what these monsters were planning to do, helped them hide the evidence, but will never spend a day in jail. There is something wrong with our laws when the mother and girlfriend of one of the murderers cleans fingerprints from a vehicle to hide evidence but they won't even be charged.
Tim Bosma's very strong and united family will go on to live their lives as decent law abiding people. The family and friends of the killers will also go on with their lives and surely commit more crimes because that's the kind of people they are.
Karma might be our only hope for justice.
We have no death penalty in Canada and it's a clear fact that these 2 monsters should have been put to death. It won't happen, though. I can't remember when Canada banned the death sentence but I do remember thinking it was a good thing to not have one. I'm not so sure any more.
The 2 killers and their friends and even family are the filth of the earth. What scares me is that there were so many people who knew what these monsters were planning to do, helped them hide the evidence, but will never spend a day in jail. There is something wrong with our laws when the mother and girlfriend of one of the murderers cleans fingerprints from a vehicle to hide evidence but they won't even be charged.
Tim Bosma's very strong and united family will go on to live their lives as decent law abiding people. The family and friends of the killers will also go on with their lives and surely commit more crimes because that's the kind of people they are.
Karma might be our only hope for justice.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Some Of The Perks Of Old Age
Well, first of all you made it to old age! I know I've said this before but my husband used to say, "if I'd known I'd live this long I'd have taken better care of myself". There is immense truth in that statement because the damage you did to your body during your youth comes back to bite you in the bum when you get old.
I attribute my few aches and pains to the fact that I was lucky not to hurt myself too drastically when I was young and, also, that I became a sissy in middle age. The worst thing I did to my body was to eat the wrong things and too many of them.
Anyway, now the biggest perk! No-one expects a senior to put up with crap. They think we've simply become impatient but that's not the whole truth. If we're smart we've gradually eliminated anything and anyone that doesn't make us happy or content. We want peace in our old age and we're determined to get it!
I, for one, have survived a lot of crap in my life so I recognize it when I see it and then I walk away from it. I don't have a job to go to where there might be other employees, bosses, or customers that I have to put up with. I don't have a husband to answer to. I have surrounded myself and my life with good family and friends to the point where I don't need to put up with nasty ones.
And lately I've been starting each day by going through Facebook and looking at the amazing wonders of nature...flowers, animals, scenery, etc. Believe me, if you start your day like this you are guaranteed a good day.
I do hate my wrinkles but not my grey hair. Life is not perfect for anyone but we have to make the best of whatever situation we're in if we can't change it. Now, if you're lucky enough to reach your golden years, enjoy the fruits of your youthful labor with as much enthusiasm as you can muster.
I attribute my few aches and pains to the fact that I was lucky not to hurt myself too drastically when I was young and, also, that I became a sissy in middle age. The worst thing I did to my body was to eat the wrong things and too many of them.
Anyway, now the biggest perk! No-one expects a senior to put up with crap. They think we've simply become impatient but that's not the whole truth. If we're smart we've gradually eliminated anything and anyone that doesn't make us happy or content. We want peace in our old age and we're determined to get it!
I, for one, have survived a lot of crap in my life so I recognize it when I see it and then I walk away from it. I don't have a job to go to where there might be other employees, bosses, or customers that I have to put up with. I don't have a husband to answer to. I have surrounded myself and my life with good family and friends to the point where I don't need to put up with nasty ones.
And lately I've been starting each day by going through Facebook and looking at the amazing wonders of nature...flowers, animals, scenery, etc. Believe me, if you start your day like this you are guaranteed a good day.
I do hate my wrinkles but not my grey hair. Life is not perfect for anyone but we have to make the best of whatever situation we're in if we can't change it. Now, if you're lucky enough to reach your golden years, enjoy the fruits of your youthful labor with as much enthusiasm as you can muster.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
The Way It Was
Life really was better in many ways back in the 1940's. I was born in 1940 and spent my childhood enjoying a lot of freedom that children today don't have. I could be outside playing all day far out of the sight of my grandmother who took care of me because there was very little danger of a bad person grabbing me and hurting me. Yes, we had pedophiles even in those days but they kept better control of themselves because, if they did harm a child, they'd get the crap kicked out of them by street justice before the police ever arrested them.
It was so much safer for a little child to play out on the street in those days that it's hard to understand when and how it all went wrong. Maybe then we had more stay at home mothers who watched out for all the children in the neighborhood...and chastised them when necessary, too.
We played unorganized sports in vacant lots. There were no interfering parents forcing us to wear team shirts and follow team rules. We had our own rules and that's how we learned to play the games. It was fun. And when it wasn't fun we went somewhere else to play. You never saw parents fighting over how their child didn't get enough times up at bat or enough time on the ice. No parent was around and we liked it that way. It was safe for us to be on our own. When did that end?
It was common practice for children to play out on the streets until dark when we were called home by our parents. I'll bet our parents liked having that time away from their children, too. Nowadays it is fearful to have your children out of your sight. You have to know where they are at all times. No-one is free of supervision anymore and that's the way it has to be because there are too many predators on the streets. How did this happen?
Immigrants moved into the neighborhood and we sort of laughed at their accents at first but grew to enjoy the different delicacies we were given by our new friends. In no time at all, we paid no attention to what country our new friends had come from. They were as Canadian as the rest of us. Immigrants held on to some of their home country customs but being Canadian came first.
Most people graduated from high school and immediately entered the job market because university or college tuition were out of their reach. Jobs were plentiful in those days. My family was low income but both my mother and my grandfather had full time jobs. I knew no-one who was on welfare.
No, it wasn't all good but it was safer for children. We were taught values for the most part that would stay with us for the rest of our lives. We were taught respect. We were taught to work for what we wanted to achieve. In school we were taught how to cook, sew, and do repairs. Granted, it was very sexist then and only the girls did the cooking and sewing but that's not so terrible. The boys who were interested learned to cook at home but not many were interested in sewing. Good fathers taught their daughters how to do repairs. It all came out pretty good in the end.
We learned to do math in our heads instead of needing a calculator. Try handing the change to a young cashier today after they've rung in your purchase. It's sad how many look at you blankly and say they can't do that. Now I do have to say my genius greatgrandson, Nolan, can do math in his head but I don't know whether someone taught him or he taught himself. It's a skill he'll benefit from for the rest of his life.
Fewer families owned cars in those days so we walked a lot. I'm assuming that meant we were healthier for the activity. If there was a gym anywhere around I think it was for boxers. Think of how many family gyms we have now because our busy lives don't allow much time for physical activity. Some people have such long commutes to and from work that they have no spare time at all. So sad.
Now here I am using a computer that I'd hate to live without and that is one of the greatest inventions of the modern world...but I'd give it up if my greatgrandsons could play out on the street without fear of being hurt or killed by the bad guys. Would I want to go back to the innocence of the 1940's? Maybe.
It was so much safer for a little child to play out on the street in those days that it's hard to understand when and how it all went wrong. Maybe then we had more stay at home mothers who watched out for all the children in the neighborhood...and chastised them when necessary, too.
We played unorganized sports in vacant lots. There were no interfering parents forcing us to wear team shirts and follow team rules. We had our own rules and that's how we learned to play the games. It was fun. And when it wasn't fun we went somewhere else to play. You never saw parents fighting over how their child didn't get enough times up at bat or enough time on the ice. No parent was around and we liked it that way. It was safe for us to be on our own. When did that end?
It was common practice for children to play out on the streets until dark when we were called home by our parents. I'll bet our parents liked having that time away from their children, too. Nowadays it is fearful to have your children out of your sight. You have to know where they are at all times. No-one is free of supervision anymore and that's the way it has to be because there are too many predators on the streets. How did this happen?
Immigrants moved into the neighborhood and we sort of laughed at their accents at first but grew to enjoy the different delicacies we were given by our new friends. In no time at all, we paid no attention to what country our new friends had come from. They were as Canadian as the rest of us. Immigrants held on to some of their home country customs but being Canadian came first.
Most people graduated from high school and immediately entered the job market because university or college tuition were out of their reach. Jobs were plentiful in those days. My family was low income but both my mother and my grandfather had full time jobs. I knew no-one who was on welfare.
No, it wasn't all good but it was safer for children. We were taught values for the most part that would stay with us for the rest of our lives. We were taught respect. We were taught to work for what we wanted to achieve. In school we were taught how to cook, sew, and do repairs. Granted, it was very sexist then and only the girls did the cooking and sewing but that's not so terrible. The boys who were interested learned to cook at home but not many were interested in sewing. Good fathers taught their daughters how to do repairs. It all came out pretty good in the end.
We learned to do math in our heads instead of needing a calculator. Try handing the change to a young cashier today after they've rung in your purchase. It's sad how many look at you blankly and say they can't do that. Now I do have to say my genius greatgrandson, Nolan, can do math in his head but I don't know whether someone taught him or he taught himself. It's a skill he'll benefit from for the rest of his life.
Fewer families owned cars in those days so we walked a lot. I'm assuming that meant we were healthier for the activity. If there was a gym anywhere around I think it was for boxers. Think of how many family gyms we have now because our busy lives don't allow much time for physical activity. Some people have such long commutes to and from work that they have no spare time at all. So sad.
Now here I am using a computer that I'd hate to live without and that is one of the greatest inventions of the modern world...but I'd give it up if my greatgrandsons could play out on the street without fear of being hurt or killed by the bad guys. Would I want to go back to the innocence of the 1940's? Maybe.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Peaceful Religions??
I checked on the internet and there are 10 major religions in our world and I'll bet they all have a loving god that teaches them to be decent and honorable human beings. So why are so many (if not all) wars fought over religious beliefs? Don't all religions teach you to love your fellow man? Do any of those religions teach you to murder someone because their beliefs are different than your own?
Religion simply mystifies me. I've known good religious people and I've know bad ones, too. I've read about priests who molested little children...aren't priests the most religious of all?? I've read that islam is a religion of peace. But is it that religion or offshoots of it that are producing terrorists hell bent on destroying as many innocent souls as they can??
In my day, we saw battles between protestants and catholics that were often led by their priests or ministers. I couldn't understand it then and I sure as hell do not understand these murderous religions now. In order to preserve your own religion, is it necessary to destroy all others? Does anyone's god want them to use bombs or automatic rifles to murder innocent people whose lifestyle or beliefs might differ from their own?
In my internet search I also discovered that the largest "religion" now was being agnostic or atheist and I can honestly understand why. I am an agnostic and it's because organized religion seems to be breeding hateful people who have no tolerance for anything other than their own beliefs.
The members of the Westboro baptist church are just as hateful as terrorists. They might not kill (yet) but they have no heart when they picket military funerals and scream hateful messages at the mourners. Is it still teaching love for your fellow man if a catholic is kicked out of the church because they marry someone of a different religion? What kind of religion teaches hatred and intolerance for a certain group just because that group doesn't follow the rules of their religion?
It's been many years since I had trust and belief in organized religion. I understood at a young age that there was more hate than love taught in church. Most of us were disgusted by the terrorist who murdered 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando but darned if one of the talk show evangelists didn't say he agreed with it. If this is religion, they can keep it. I want no part in any religion that spews hatred.
Religion simply mystifies me. I've known good religious people and I've know bad ones, too. I've read about priests who molested little children...aren't priests the most religious of all?? I've read that islam is a religion of peace. But is it that religion or offshoots of it that are producing terrorists hell bent on destroying as many innocent souls as they can??
In my day, we saw battles between protestants and catholics that were often led by their priests or ministers. I couldn't understand it then and I sure as hell do not understand these murderous religions now. In order to preserve your own religion, is it necessary to destroy all others? Does anyone's god want them to use bombs or automatic rifles to murder innocent people whose lifestyle or beliefs might differ from their own?
In my internet search I also discovered that the largest "religion" now was being agnostic or atheist and I can honestly understand why. I am an agnostic and it's because organized religion seems to be breeding hateful people who have no tolerance for anything other than their own beliefs.
The members of the Westboro baptist church are just as hateful as terrorists. They might not kill (yet) but they have no heart when they picket military funerals and scream hateful messages at the mourners. Is it still teaching love for your fellow man if a catholic is kicked out of the church because they marry someone of a different religion? What kind of religion teaches hatred and intolerance for a certain group just because that group doesn't follow the rules of their religion?
It's been many years since I had trust and belief in organized religion. I understood at a young age that there was more hate than love taught in church. Most of us were disgusted by the terrorist who murdered 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando but darned if one of the talk show evangelists didn't say he agreed with it. If this is religion, they can keep it. I want no part in any religion that spews hatred.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Mass Murder in Orlando
The United States has two HUGE problems that won't be, might never be, dealt with and fixed. The deadly mass murder in Orlando is the latest but definitely not the last that we'll see from that severely troubled country.
They have allowed muslims to immigrate into the country en masse without noticing that many of them have terrorist ties. If they did notice but allowed them to immigrate anyway, that is another huge problem.
Obama did his best to stop the public sales of automatic assault rifles but the NRA and a whole lot of uninformed American citizens fought against it and won. Anyone without a criminal record can walk into a store and buy an assault rifle. It doesn't matter if they are mentally ill or belong to a terrorist group as long as they haven't been arrested. What the hell!!!
The United States is infamously known for the number of mass murders that occur there and most were committed with automatic assault rifles. Is there any sane reason why a regular citizen should be able to buy a weapon like this? Is there any sane reason why the majority of Americans don't want it banned? I just don't understand this.
I've seen postings on Facebook from good people who like to say that guns don't kill people, people do. But not one of those mass murders could have been accomplished without an automatic weapon. A hand gun needs to be reloaded after 6-8 shots (I know nothing about guns) and that would give most potential victims a chance to get away. It is pure insanity for the United States to continue to allow the public sale of assault rifles.
Now back to allowing the immigration of people with terrorist ties. Why, in the name of all that is holy, would you invite anyone that dangerous into your country or your home? There are good people all over the world that would love to live in the United States...consider the poor Mexicans who sneak in for a better life...and work to make it an even more beautiful free country. Why aren't there stricter rules demanded for anyone wanting to move to the United States??
Another big "why" is why do some people leave their wartorn and ugly home country to live in the United States or Canada and then not want to live by our laws? Now, the nightclub killer was born in the States but his father and mother were immigrants from Afghanistan and his father had terrorist ties. It doesn't take a lot of thinking to realize where he got his values. He hated gays and felt he had the right to kill 49-50 of them in one fell swoop. But...without the legal right to buy that damned assault rifle, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish what he did.
I love my American friends and family but, for those of you who refuse to give up the right to buy assault rifles, you are destroying your country. Can you imagine citizens who have become fearful of going to a shopping mall or a concert? I saw in the news a few years ago that Disneyworld was a possible target for terrorists. Is this the way you want to live? Please, please reconsider banning assault rifles. It won't stop anyone from owning a hand gun but it will stop mass murders.
They have allowed muslims to immigrate into the country en masse without noticing that many of them have terrorist ties. If they did notice but allowed them to immigrate anyway, that is another huge problem.
Obama did his best to stop the public sales of automatic assault rifles but the NRA and a whole lot of uninformed American citizens fought against it and won. Anyone without a criminal record can walk into a store and buy an assault rifle. It doesn't matter if they are mentally ill or belong to a terrorist group as long as they haven't been arrested. What the hell!!!
The United States is infamously known for the number of mass murders that occur there and most were committed with automatic assault rifles. Is there any sane reason why a regular citizen should be able to buy a weapon like this? Is there any sane reason why the majority of Americans don't want it banned? I just don't understand this.
I've seen postings on Facebook from good people who like to say that guns don't kill people, people do. But not one of those mass murders could have been accomplished without an automatic weapon. A hand gun needs to be reloaded after 6-8 shots (I know nothing about guns) and that would give most potential victims a chance to get away. It is pure insanity for the United States to continue to allow the public sale of assault rifles.
Now back to allowing the immigration of people with terrorist ties. Why, in the name of all that is holy, would you invite anyone that dangerous into your country or your home? There are good people all over the world that would love to live in the United States...consider the poor Mexicans who sneak in for a better life...and work to make it an even more beautiful free country. Why aren't there stricter rules demanded for anyone wanting to move to the United States??
Another big "why" is why do some people leave their wartorn and ugly home country to live in the United States or Canada and then not want to live by our laws? Now, the nightclub killer was born in the States but his father and mother were immigrants from Afghanistan and his father had terrorist ties. It doesn't take a lot of thinking to realize where he got his values. He hated gays and felt he had the right to kill 49-50 of them in one fell swoop. But...without the legal right to buy that damned assault rifle, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish what he did.
I love my American friends and family but, for those of you who refuse to give up the right to buy assault rifles, you are destroying your country. Can you imagine citizens who have become fearful of going to a shopping mall or a concert? I saw in the news a few years ago that Disneyworld was a possible target for terrorists. Is this the way you want to live? Please, please reconsider banning assault rifles. It won't stop anyone from owning a hand gun but it will stop mass murders.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Getting Religion
Honestly, I've never in all my life found a reason to believe in the "man upstairs" because the logic defied it. That is until I started reposting photos of flowers to Facebook! My mind is having trouble getting around the fact that the absolute perfection and symmetry in flowers has to be by design and not by accident.
This doesn't hold true for human beings because only young children have that kind of perfection. There is too much evil in the masses to prove that a loving god is in charge of them all. I guess some flowers are poisonous but they aren't vindictive.
Every morning I start up the computer and first go to a site that half way promises me a laugh...doesn't always happen, though. Then I begin hitting the 3 sites where I find photos of the most beautiful flowers, some animals, and some nature settings. All fill my mind with wonder, awe, and appreciation. When you think of it, it's the perfect way to begin your day.
I am particularly amazed by the astounding symmetry in the petals and composition of most of the flowers. It's unexplainable. It gives me some kind of hope that this is the kind of beauty that was planned for us human beings but we've sort of morphed into something not planned.
So many unanswered questions.
This doesn't hold true for human beings because only young children have that kind of perfection. There is too much evil in the masses to prove that a loving god is in charge of them all. I guess some flowers are poisonous but they aren't vindictive.
Every morning I start up the computer and first go to a site that half way promises me a laugh...doesn't always happen, though. Then I begin hitting the 3 sites where I find photos of the most beautiful flowers, some animals, and some nature settings. All fill my mind with wonder, awe, and appreciation. When you think of it, it's the perfect way to begin your day.
I am particularly amazed by the astounding symmetry in the petals and composition of most of the flowers. It's unexplainable. It gives me some kind of hope that this is the kind of beauty that was planned for us human beings but we've sort of morphed into something not planned.
So many unanswered questions.
Wednesday, June 08, 2016
Copy Cat Suicide
I read in the news today that hundreds of high school students in Woodstock, Ontario (population of 38,000) walked out of school in protest of how the schools have dealt with 5 suicides in the past year by people under the age of 19 (I'm assuming not all students). The students believe school authorities should be doing more to prevent these suicides.
I'm left wondering exactly what the schools should have done. Apparently they put up posters telling students to speak to their guidance counselors if they had suicidal thoughts. Should they have done more and what more could have been done? My belief is that the students who protested have no idea what caused those 5 young people to take their lives and no understanding that, if someone is hell bent on committing suicide, they won't even ask for help.
There is a phenomena where people will attempt or succeed in committing suicide as a copy cat reaction. It's as though they never really thought of it before but now think it's a good idea to fix their problems. It never, ever is! What may be breaking you down one day might not even exist the next day, month, or year. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
So how does a little city like Woodstock stop the youth suicides? They should talk about it but not dramatize it. It might be time to post some messages reminding people that death is forever...you don't get to be welcomed back, alive and healthy once more, by loving family and friends. And remind students that previous suicides that gained much attention and publication in the past are pretty well forgotten today. Life for the rest of us goes on.
I'm not making light of what may cause a teenager to commit suicide because I know how deeply their emotions go. I also know that, if we add drama such as student protests, it could lead to more copycat suicides. Photos of the protest show students hugging each other in abject sadness and some on their cell phones. Are they really sad or is this an attention grabber? It's hard to tell any more.
The stark reality of youth suicide is that it's permanent and a waste of a precious life that could have become a happy one in time. A copy cat suicide is the most tragic of all.
I don't think the schools or churches can do more than they have done to prevent anyone from taking their lives prematurely. It all comes down to individual responsibility. Reach for help when you know you're in trouble...that's the best you can do.
I'm left wondering exactly what the schools should have done. Apparently they put up posters telling students to speak to their guidance counselors if they had suicidal thoughts. Should they have done more and what more could have been done? My belief is that the students who protested have no idea what caused those 5 young people to take their lives and no understanding that, if someone is hell bent on committing suicide, they won't even ask for help.
There is a phenomena where people will attempt or succeed in committing suicide as a copy cat reaction. It's as though they never really thought of it before but now think it's a good idea to fix their problems. It never, ever is! What may be breaking you down one day might not even exist the next day, month, or year. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
So how does a little city like Woodstock stop the youth suicides? They should talk about it but not dramatize it. It might be time to post some messages reminding people that death is forever...you don't get to be welcomed back, alive and healthy once more, by loving family and friends. And remind students that previous suicides that gained much attention and publication in the past are pretty well forgotten today. Life for the rest of us goes on.
I'm not making light of what may cause a teenager to commit suicide because I know how deeply their emotions go. I also know that, if we add drama such as student protests, it could lead to more copycat suicides. Photos of the protest show students hugging each other in abject sadness and some on their cell phones. Are they really sad or is this an attention grabber? It's hard to tell any more.
The stark reality of youth suicide is that it's permanent and a waste of a precious life that could have become a happy one in time. A copy cat suicide is the most tragic of all.
I don't think the schools or churches can do more than they have done to prevent anyone from taking their lives prematurely. It all comes down to individual responsibility. Reach for help when you know you're in trouble...that's the best you can do.
Tuesday, June 07, 2016
Assisted Dying
It's been a tragedy up until now that Canadian citizens who are in the last painful, and debilitating days of their lives had to go to Sweden to be allowed to choose to die with dignity. I happened to watch a program last night about a Toronto lady who had suffered unbearably for 10 years until her family and friends took her to Sweden, at her request, so that she could pass away comfortably in her sleep on a day of her choosing. It was a heartwarming and informative program for those of us who are "getting up there" and have no intention of suffering if we can help it.
Then today in the newspaper, I read an article about a group of people in my city who belong to "Dying With Dignity", a national organization that I bet was instrumental in bringing about legal assisted dying in Canada. I thank them.
I'll be 76 years old in August so my time will arrive in the near future and I don't want my dying to be dragged out in pain or as a vegetable. I was going to get a living will, too, but forgot about it...I have to get busy with that!
They used to call assisted dying "assisted suicide" but I see that's changed for the better. I never minded the "suicide" because it is what it is. I'm just so happy I'll have the choice to stay or go when the time comes. It also seems that the church, which was the main deterrent against assisted dying, has come around to understanding that it isn't a sin for someone in dreadful and permanent pain or discomfort to make the choice to die. As the church gradually loses it's power over everyone, we will be released to live, or die, a more natural way.
The lady in last night's program lamented how she would have much preferred being allowed to die in her own bed and surrounded by her loved ones. Instead, she and a couple of family or friends made the long and expensive journey to Sweden where she chose the moment and died peacefully...but in a strange bed. I see a near future in Canada when we won't have to go to that extreme to die in peace.
One of the items missing from our assisted dying bill is that it doesn't take dementia into consideration. By that, I mean that a person must be in sane mind to agree to assisted dying but a person with advanced dementia is incapable of doing that. Somehow we must be able to include that in a living will while we are of sane mind. I don't mind being a little demented (might already be) but the end days of dementia are days not worth living.
None of us know when our time will come and that's why I take every chance to tell my loved ones how much I love them. I want them to be able to bask in the glow of their mother's, grandmother's, greatgrandmother's love long after I've gone.
I am proud of my country for finally taking the step to make assisted dying legal. It's better late than not at all.
Then today in the newspaper, I read an article about a group of people in my city who belong to "Dying With Dignity", a national organization that I bet was instrumental in bringing about legal assisted dying in Canada. I thank them.
I'll be 76 years old in August so my time will arrive in the near future and I don't want my dying to be dragged out in pain or as a vegetable. I was going to get a living will, too, but forgot about it...I have to get busy with that!
They used to call assisted dying "assisted suicide" but I see that's changed for the better. I never minded the "suicide" because it is what it is. I'm just so happy I'll have the choice to stay or go when the time comes. It also seems that the church, which was the main deterrent against assisted dying, has come around to understanding that it isn't a sin for someone in dreadful and permanent pain or discomfort to make the choice to die. As the church gradually loses it's power over everyone, we will be released to live, or die, a more natural way.
The lady in last night's program lamented how she would have much preferred being allowed to die in her own bed and surrounded by her loved ones. Instead, she and a couple of family or friends made the long and expensive journey to Sweden where she chose the moment and died peacefully...but in a strange bed. I see a near future in Canada when we won't have to go to that extreme to die in peace.
One of the items missing from our assisted dying bill is that it doesn't take dementia into consideration. By that, I mean that a person must be in sane mind to agree to assisted dying but a person with advanced dementia is incapable of doing that. Somehow we must be able to include that in a living will while we are of sane mind. I don't mind being a little demented (might already be) but the end days of dementia are days not worth living.
None of us know when our time will come and that's why I take every chance to tell my loved ones how much I love them. I want them to be able to bask in the glow of their mother's, grandmother's, greatgrandmother's love long after I've gone.
I am proud of my country for finally taking the step to make assisted dying legal. It's better late than not at all.
Saturday, June 04, 2016
Was He Flirting?
I got married so young that I never really learned how to flirt or recognize flirting but I did learn to be afraid when even a hint of what I thought might be flirting arose, though. I honestly can't remember my husband ever flirting with me, either.
And so...there I was at the casino when I sat next to a very good looking man, maybe in his 60's. I speak to everyone now but he spoke first, complaining about how much money he'd already lost. He had an adorable English accent.
Then he won a jackpot just as I moved to another machine. He told me I couldn't leave because I'd brought him good luck...I just laughed and played at my new machine. Once I lost enough, I stood up to leave and he immediately asked me to stay because I was now his lucky charm. I laughed again, wished him good luck, and went my merry way.
Was he flirting?
Update: Again, my girls read the blog and the consensus is that, yes, he was flirting. I told Faye the story and she gave me heck for not seeing how far it would go but I'm not like that. I'm far too old to play that game!
And so...there I was at the casino when I sat next to a very good looking man, maybe in his 60's. I speak to everyone now but he spoke first, complaining about how much money he'd already lost. He had an adorable English accent.
Then he won a jackpot just as I moved to another machine. He told me I couldn't leave because I'd brought him good luck...I just laughed and played at my new machine. Once I lost enough, I stood up to leave and he immediately asked me to stay because I was now his lucky charm. I laughed again, wished him good luck, and went my merry way.
Was he flirting?
Update: Again, my girls read the blog and the consensus is that, yes, he was flirting. I told Faye the story and she gave me heck for not seeing how far it would go but I'm not like that. I'm far too old to play that game!
Thursday, June 02, 2016
The "F" Word
I love my kids. I love my grandkids. But...they all use the "F" word much too liberally for my liking.
Now these are well educated and well mannered people so why do they insist on fouling the air with such terrible language? I've noticed they become significantly worse when they're in a group, too.
Cindy's been having everyone over to her house on Wednesday evenings to play dominoes and it's been a lot of fun. Not so much last night, though, because my family seemed to go "F" crazy. I know I'm the old gal but that's not how my generation talked and it still offends me to hear it so often.
They'll never understand but that's just the way it is for me.
Update: Apparently my daughters read this blog...I thought I was wailing into the wind! Anyway, without me bringing it up, both my girls began to discuss how everyone (except me, LOL) got out of hand the other night using the "F" word and it was going to stop. I was frazzled because it was never my intention to insinuate my feelings on the family. I just hoped the language would clear up of it's own accord, not by me being a party pooper. I feel as though I'm dampening their fun now and that also makes me uncomfortable. I think I'm in a no-win situation.
Now these are well educated and well mannered people so why do they insist on fouling the air with such terrible language? I've noticed they become significantly worse when they're in a group, too.
Cindy's been having everyone over to her house on Wednesday evenings to play dominoes and it's been a lot of fun. Not so much last night, though, because my family seemed to go "F" crazy. I know I'm the old gal but that's not how my generation talked and it still offends me to hear it so often.
They'll never understand but that's just the way it is for me.
Update: Apparently my daughters read this blog...I thought I was wailing into the wind! Anyway, without me bringing it up, both my girls began to discuss how everyone (except me, LOL) got out of hand the other night using the "F" word and it was going to stop. I was frazzled because it was never my intention to insinuate my feelings on the family. I just hoped the language would clear up of it's own accord, not by me being a party pooper. I feel as though I'm dampening their fun now and that also makes me uncomfortable. I think I'm in a no-win situation.
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