There doesn't seem to be any way for us non-smokers to completely avoid it! Smoking is banned almost everywhere which means that we can now eat in restaurants in comfort, have a drink at a bar in comfort, do our business in comfort...but we can't stop our neighbors from smoking outside their own homes and having that sickening smoke smell drift into our lungs.
Right now I'm sitting at the computer, about 10' from the open patio door and I'm half choking on the smell of cigarette smoke. One of my neighbors must be smoking on their balcony where they have every right to do so. I'm wondering if we can't have a new law prohibiting smoking outdoors anywhere. How can it be legal for someone to passively pollute the air I'm breathing even if they're doing it from their residence??
I do think it's time to put further restrictions on smokers.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Friendships
I was just thinking about the nice friendships I gained when we started going to 3W for the winter, both American and Canadian. Every one of them I probably would not have met if it wasn't for 3W.
Yesterday I had tea with Shirley who has recently moved into my building but who I met through Carole S. a few years ago. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with Randy, Janet, Barb, Bob, Norma, and Charlie...all who live here in Stoney Creek but who I met at 3W. Only Randy and Janet still go to the park but good friendships can last forever.
When I look back on my middle years, I can clearly see how stunted my life was and how I couldn't enjoy the company of friends. Thank heavens I had great in-laws but it still was a lonely existence. Having girlfriends now has been a godsend for me. I think I've always been a very social person so being isolated all those years was very hard on me. I have to say that when Dennis pressured me to give up my friends, I was stupidly flattered that he wanted me all to himself. For anyone reading this...NEVER give up your friends for anyone.
Anyway, I have such a happy life now and I'm grateful for it. Mary came to visit last Sunday to Tuesday and we yakked, drank Gin and Tonic, and went to the casino where I lost and she won. Tuesday was my Swedish weaving day with Donna and Faye. Wednesday was dominoes at Cindy's. And one of the best news was that Kim finally got a full time job! Her benefits from Cancore run out in November so we were getting a little worried.
Faye and I leave for Nova Scotia on Monday where I'll stay the week with Mickey and Sylvia and Faye will run the roads with Marilee. Sylvia, who I met at 3W, is one of the most precious people in my life. I'm so looking forward to tooting around her area of the world because I've never spent more than an overnight in Nova Scotia.
Oh, another thing of note...I had a steroid shot in my bad arm last week and it's working extremely well. No more constant ache and no more sleepless nights because of pain in the arm. I still feel the occasional pang of pain but it no longer dominates my life. I'll get another shot in November which I hope will at least see me through the winter but I'm hoping it will last forever.
Life is pretty damned good!
Yesterday I had tea with Shirley who has recently moved into my building but who I met through Carole S. a few years ago. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with Randy, Janet, Barb, Bob, Norma, and Charlie...all who live here in Stoney Creek but who I met at 3W. Only Randy and Janet still go to the park but good friendships can last forever.
When I look back on my middle years, I can clearly see how stunted my life was and how I couldn't enjoy the company of friends. Thank heavens I had great in-laws but it still was a lonely existence. Having girlfriends now has been a godsend for me. I think I've always been a very social person so being isolated all those years was very hard on me. I have to say that when Dennis pressured me to give up my friends, I was stupidly flattered that he wanted me all to himself. For anyone reading this...NEVER give up your friends for anyone.
Anyway, I have such a happy life now and I'm grateful for it. Mary came to visit last Sunday to Tuesday and we yakked, drank Gin and Tonic, and went to the casino where I lost and she won. Tuesday was my Swedish weaving day with Donna and Faye. Wednesday was dominoes at Cindy's. And one of the best news was that Kim finally got a full time job! Her benefits from Cancore run out in November so we were getting a little worried.
Faye and I leave for Nova Scotia on Monday where I'll stay the week with Mickey and Sylvia and Faye will run the roads with Marilee. Sylvia, who I met at 3W, is one of the most precious people in my life. I'm so looking forward to tooting around her area of the world because I've never spent more than an overnight in Nova Scotia.
Oh, another thing of note...I had a steroid shot in my bad arm last week and it's working extremely well. No more constant ache and no more sleepless nights because of pain in the arm. I still feel the occasional pang of pain but it no longer dominates my life. I'll get another shot in November which I hope will at least see me through the winter but I'm hoping it will last forever.
Life is pretty damned good!
Saturday, September 17, 2016
The Wall
I probably look at my turquoise wall a dozen times a day...I'm trying to get used to it. It's okay and it does give life to the room but I'm still not positive I can live with it. I'm not comfortable with huge and different decorating even though I love small weird decorations. It's the size that matters.
Everyone says it's nice but most people would just be kind and not hurt my feelings by saying they didn't like it so I can't count on them to tell the truth. Faye and Mary will be here tomorrow and maybe they'll tell me the truth. I can count on Faye to be brutally honest and Mary to be honest but a bit kinder. They won't lie, that's for sure!
Everyone says it's nice but most people would just be kind and not hurt my feelings by saying they didn't like it so I can't count on them to tell the truth. Faye and Mary will be here tomorrow and maybe they'll tell me the truth. I can count on Faye to be brutally honest and Mary to be honest but a bit kinder. They won't lie, that's for sure!
Friday, September 16, 2016
Head of Statistics Canada Has Resigned!!!
I'm a little euphoric right now because I just discovered that the head of that dreaded Statistics Canada, the bastard that wanted to make all surveys sent to citizens mandatory for them to complete, the jackass who wanted to make our beautiful country into a police state where no-one had the right to any privacy at all, has resigned. I hope that long sentence was clear!!!
Someone in government more powerful than this Smith jerk (I forgot his first name) saw where he was going in his aim for infinite power and stopped him in his tracks. I can't wait to find out who it was or if it was a group of people. Smith resigned because he couldn't have his way...plain and simple. We did dodge a bullet this time and it scares me how close we came to having mandatory household surveys thrust on us. Can you just imagine being forced to answer any and all questions Statistics Canada chose to ask you? Can you imagine being fined or thrown in jail if you refused?
To all the people who refused to take his mandatory survey and stood their ground despite being threatened with fines or jail...I'm proud to be a part of your strong and stubborn group! We did the right thing and made ourselves heard!
Someone in government more powerful than this Smith jerk (I forgot his first name) saw where he was going in his aim for infinite power and stopped him in his tracks. I can't wait to find out who it was or if it was a group of people. Smith resigned because he couldn't have his way...plain and simple. We did dodge a bullet this time and it scares me how close we came to having mandatory household surveys thrust on us. Can you just imagine being forced to answer any and all questions Statistics Canada chose to ask you? Can you imagine being fined or thrown in jail if you refused?
To all the people who refused to take his mandatory survey and stood their ground despite being threatened with fines or jail...I'm proud to be a part of your strong and stubborn group! We did the right thing and made ourselves heard!
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Ordering on Ebay From China
I've had a little business/hobby selling jewelry at bazaars for a few years. Believe me, it's more a hobby than a business when it comes to profit but it's something I enjoy doing occasionally. I used to have a couple of venues every year but now I'm down to one so I'm definitely not run off my feet. Kim comes with me to help and now she's even gotten interested enough to buy a few things to sell. We buy from China on Ebay because that's the only way to make a tiny profit.
I've always had good luck dealing with China. They're polite, keep you up to date with e-mails, and refund when necessary. I've seldom had items simply not arrive but this year was different. I'd ordered maybe 24 bracelets and only 6 arrived. This has never happened before but Canada Post was threatening a strike this summer so maybe that has something to do with it.
Anyway, it takes a good 6 weeks to get your purchase from China but it's sent postage free so I accept that. Because of the threatened strike that never came about, I wasn't too concerned when most of my items didn't come on time. I gave them another 2 weeks before asking for a refund. It was then that I found out I'd waited too long and 6 of the items were no longer covered by the Ebay guarantee. I sent refund requests anyway and was more than pleased to see I got a complete refund for all of them overnight. I doubt very much that Canadian businesses would respond so quickly and after a guarantee had expired!
I would advise anyone buying on Ebay from China to not buy something that might need to be returned, though. I'm not sure paying the return postage would be worth it. Anything I've bought has been about 80% great but the few items that arrived damaged or not at all were immediately refunded. I don't deal in high priced items, either, so I don't worry about losing money.
Some people say we're taking advantage of the Chinese by purchasing items at a low price but where do they think the regular stores get their merchandise? You can bet they buy in bulk and at lower prices than we Ebayers do, too.
Personally, I enjoy dealing with China and have found their sellers to be very conscientious and very polite. Of course, I'll continue to buy from them!
I've always had good luck dealing with China. They're polite, keep you up to date with e-mails, and refund when necessary. I've seldom had items simply not arrive but this year was different. I'd ordered maybe 24 bracelets and only 6 arrived. This has never happened before but Canada Post was threatening a strike this summer so maybe that has something to do with it.
Anyway, it takes a good 6 weeks to get your purchase from China but it's sent postage free so I accept that. Because of the threatened strike that never came about, I wasn't too concerned when most of my items didn't come on time. I gave them another 2 weeks before asking for a refund. It was then that I found out I'd waited too long and 6 of the items were no longer covered by the Ebay guarantee. I sent refund requests anyway and was more than pleased to see I got a complete refund for all of them overnight. I doubt very much that Canadian businesses would respond so quickly and after a guarantee had expired!
I would advise anyone buying on Ebay from China to not buy something that might need to be returned, though. I'm not sure paying the return postage would be worth it. Anything I've bought has been about 80% great but the few items that arrived damaged or not at all were immediately refunded. I don't deal in high priced items, either, so I don't worry about losing money.
Some people say we're taking advantage of the Chinese by purchasing items at a low price but where do they think the regular stores get their merchandise? You can bet they buy in bulk and at lower prices than we Ebayers do, too.
Personally, I enjoy dealing with China and have found their sellers to be very conscientious and very polite. Of course, I'll continue to buy from them!
Monday, September 12, 2016
Accent Wall
I have 2 pictures of manatees on that wall and the background is a blue tone of turquoise so I'm hoping it will blend with the wall color. If not, they can be moved. It's kind of scary to step out of my comfort zone with this but my favorite color is turquoise and I've got a few items of that color in the room already. I'm removing the turqoise table runners, though, and replacing them with white fabric with turquoise yarn. They look very nice if I say so myself.
Of course, it's only one wall so, if I hate it, I can easily change the color. Light beige walls with turquoise accent walls seem to be popular right now but that's not why I chose the color. It really is my favorite!
By the way, I just found out that we're not allowed to have bird feeders on our balconies in this building so I might have to give mine back to Cindy. Apparently the bird seed attracted rats!!! I would die on the spot if a rat got into my apartment! I'm thinking it might be okay to just put suet in the bird feeder holders so I might try that first. It's been just lovely watching the birds at the feeder and I hate to let it go but I certainly don't want to attract vermin.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Family
I've seen a lot of the love in my extended family lately and it makes me feel so darned good. As I've said, I learned about strong family bonds from the family I married into and it makes me so happy to see how that has filtered down through the younger generations. All of my children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren have strong ties to the whole family and most are friends with each other. How wonderful!
Now here is something I probably haven't mentioned before. My good friends become like family to me just by being good friends. The people I keep in my life are all decent, kind, and loving people and they mean the world to me but a few bad apples have been pushed aside for my emotional wellbeing. I don't believe we have to engage with people we don't trust even if they are family members.
When I see my grandchildren being good friends with my nieces and nephews, it makes me feel as though I've been partly instrumental in having a hand in future generations. These people will almost certainly teach their children that life is better if you have good interaction with your extended family.
My mother hated her 2 sisters so that's what I saw growing up. Not everyone can be lucky enough to marry into a loving family but we can all start one. Had it not been for my in-laws, I'm not sure I would have known how to build a loving family on my own...thank heavens I got some good teachers who came right along with my husband.
The way to having a great family is to be loving, kind, tactful, and to bring the extended family together at every opportunity. Some actions are deal breakers, though, and we just have to live with it by keeping our distance with some people.
We also have to be tolerant to a point. Not everyone has the same values or lifestyles but diversity is interesting...as long as it doesn't hurt. As of today, I exist in a little bubble of good family and friends who make my days worth living.
Now here is something I probably haven't mentioned before. My good friends become like family to me just by being good friends. The people I keep in my life are all decent, kind, and loving people and they mean the world to me but a few bad apples have been pushed aside for my emotional wellbeing. I don't believe we have to engage with people we don't trust even if they are family members.
When I see my grandchildren being good friends with my nieces and nephews, it makes me feel as though I've been partly instrumental in having a hand in future generations. These people will almost certainly teach their children that life is better if you have good interaction with your extended family.
My mother hated her 2 sisters so that's what I saw growing up. Not everyone can be lucky enough to marry into a loving family but we can all start one. Had it not been for my in-laws, I'm not sure I would have known how to build a loving family on my own...thank heavens I got some good teachers who came right along with my husband.
The way to having a great family is to be loving, kind, tactful, and to bring the extended family together at every opportunity. Some actions are deal breakers, though, and we just have to live with it by keeping our distance with some people.
We also have to be tolerant to a point. Not everyone has the same values or lifestyles but diversity is interesting...as long as it doesn't hurt. As of today, I exist in a little bubble of good family and friends who make my days worth living.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
I Remember When I Didn't Hurt
Was it just last year when I smugly showed disdain for old people who woke up hurting because I didn't? Well, I don't do that any more. I go to bed hurting. I wake up hurting. I spend my day hurting...all because of this damn arm I hurt in February by lifting a futon at the trailer. This does not make me happy!
It's not only old people who can take on a lifetime hurt in a moment, though. Accidents happen so quickly and from out of the blue you can find yourself with an injury that will keep on haunting you forever. It happened to Kim when she had the car accident that badly injured her foot. Cindy hurt her knee skiing many moons ago and the damage will never go away. None of us are invincible.
I've stubbornly kept from taking pain medication for my injury all summer but I did take Tylenol for the first few months...otherwise I couldn't have survived the pain. Last night I smeared Aspercreme all over my bicep and it slightly numbed it so that I got the best sleep I've had in a long time. My hope is that I can get a cortizone shot before I leave for Florida and that it clears up the pain permanently. I have very high hopes!
It's funny how I've apparently lived a life where I escaped major body damage from my foibles but end up causing serious damage just by lifting something. I was lucky enough to heal well from the broken wrist and don't seem to have any arthritis from it so I foolishly felt I'd always heal that well. Not so, though.
I guess that it's only a matter of time before all of us hurt and I don't like it one bit!
It's not only old people who can take on a lifetime hurt in a moment, though. Accidents happen so quickly and from out of the blue you can find yourself with an injury that will keep on haunting you forever. It happened to Kim when she had the car accident that badly injured her foot. Cindy hurt her knee skiing many moons ago and the damage will never go away. None of us are invincible.
I've stubbornly kept from taking pain medication for my injury all summer but I did take Tylenol for the first few months...otherwise I couldn't have survived the pain. Last night I smeared Aspercreme all over my bicep and it slightly numbed it so that I got the best sleep I've had in a long time. My hope is that I can get a cortizone shot before I leave for Florida and that it clears up the pain permanently. I have very high hopes!
It's funny how I've apparently lived a life where I escaped major body damage from my foibles but end up causing serious damage just by lifting something. I was lucky enough to heal well from the broken wrist and don't seem to have any arthritis from it so I foolishly felt I'd always heal that well. Not so, though.
I guess that it's only a matter of time before all of us hurt and I don't like it one bit!
Thursday, September 08, 2016
Peace and Quiet
There is a big difference in the emotional makeup between teens and the elderly...I'm going to generalize.
When I was a teen, peace and quiet bored me to death and I couldn't escape it fast enough looking for excitement. It was a gradual change to how I feel about peace and quiet now that I'm 76. I love it! Too much excitement seems to tire me in some way, maybe high emotions in old age draws too much energy.
When I was a teen, I was always on the go with friends because being alone didn't suit me at all. Now, I love time spent with family and friends but I do believe I love being alone just as much.
I know everyone doesn't age the same way and Faye is one of them...she has to be engaging with people constantly. I get tired just listening to her describe her day! Now, Mary and Donna are more like me and we treasure our alone time. The nice thing is that we all have pretty good senior lives and can choose how we want to spend our time.
Today is my day to see the dentist for a cleaning and then I'll have no commitments until next week. I like it like that!
When I was a teen, peace and quiet bored me to death and I couldn't escape it fast enough looking for excitement. It was a gradual change to how I feel about peace and quiet now that I'm 76. I love it! Too much excitement seems to tire me in some way, maybe high emotions in old age draws too much energy.
When I was a teen, I was always on the go with friends because being alone didn't suit me at all. Now, I love time spent with family and friends but I do believe I love being alone just as much.
I know everyone doesn't age the same way and Faye is one of them...she has to be engaging with people constantly. I get tired just listening to her describe her day! Now, Mary and Donna are more like me and we treasure our alone time. The nice thing is that we all have pretty good senior lives and can choose how we want to spend our time.
Today is my day to see the dentist for a cleaning and then I'll have no commitments until next week. I like it like that!
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
Hot Summer 2016
I'm not sure about the validity of global warming but this past summer has been the hottest in my memory. In southern Ontario, we're used to only a few days in the 90's off and on over the summer but this year we've had too many for me to count. On hot days like that I usually stay inside and it feels like a day wasted.
Today is September 7th and we're having a few days of 90+ weather...it's as though it will never stop. I know it will and then we'll be squawking about the cold but, for me, this kind of heat is not welcome. People might wonder why I prefer to winter in Florida if I hate heat but it's not the same there during the winter. We usually have lovely warm days until April when it can get too hot for comfort. I also love the seemingly constant blue skies of the Florida winter. Canadian winter days are often grey and ugly.
And so I'll hang around the apartment today until Kim picks me up to go to Costco and then to Cindy's to play dominoes. This has been such a nice thing to look forward to all week...dominoes at Cindy and Don's every Wednesday evening. I hope they carry it on year round but it must be a little hard for 2 busy people to do this.
Anyway, I saw the weather map and it looks like our temperatures take a deep dive at the end of the week. Thank heavens.
Today is September 7th and we're having a few days of 90+ weather...it's as though it will never stop. I know it will and then we'll be squawking about the cold but, for me, this kind of heat is not welcome. People might wonder why I prefer to winter in Florida if I hate heat but it's not the same there during the winter. We usually have lovely warm days until April when it can get too hot for comfort. I also love the seemingly constant blue skies of the Florida winter. Canadian winter days are often grey and ugly.
And so I'll hang around the apartment today until Kim picks me up to go to Costco and then to Cindy's to play dominoes. This has been such a nice thing to look forward to all week...dominoes at Cindy and Don's every Wednesday evening. I hope they carry it on year round but it must be a little hard for 2 busy people to do this.
Anyway, I saw the weather map and it looks like our temperatures take a deep dive at the end of the week. Thank heavens.
Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Nicole's Wedding
Not only is the family thrilled to death that our Nicole is marrying Sam a year this November, but we're also excited about where we'll be staying for the wedding. Shelley has found us a mansion...yes, a mansion. 13 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and a huge house to play in for the time we'll be there. It will hold both John's and our immediate families and be the party house for everyone (immediate and otherwise) for all 4 days before the wedding.
When Shelley and John got married, it was the most fun wedding I'd ever attended and that was mainly thanks to the Cuban element. Nicole's wedding will have much more Cuban element and I'm expecting it to be the most fun yet. I hope Sam's family is ready for the fireworks.
Most of my grandchildren are in long term relationships but this is the first granddaughter to get married. I know marriage isn't the goal everyone strives for but I'm very happy that my beautiful sweetheart has chosen that path. Many people in common law marriages are more committed to each other than some in traditional marriages so, as long as they're happy, that's what counts most.
Now I have to find an outfit to wear, something I won't sweat to death in and something that feels comfortable. I've got 14 months to shop! I like the idea of an Indian sari type but Kim said no. Hmmm! No problem, I'll get what I want. I think I'll spend this winter shopping for a wardrobe for the whole 4 days of the wedding and pre-wedding.
People who don't have good family ties with their extended family really don't know what they're missing. I adore John's family, especially his Mom and Dad. It all makes for a happier life and much anticipation for getting together again.
Both Nicole and Sam are very family oriented. I don't know his family well but have met them and they're very nice people. It makes me happy that Nicole is marrying a good guy like Sam who has excellent ties to his own family. I think that gives promise of a good marriage for both of them.
Life does go on, doesn't it? If we managed to have good children, good grandchildren, and good greatgrandchildren, we must have done something right, Dennis!
When Shelley and John got married, it was the most fun wedding I'd ever attended and that was mainly thanks to the Cuban element. Nicole's wedding will have much more Cuban element and I'm expecting it to be the most fun yet. I hope Sam's family is ready for the fireworks.
Most of my grandchildren are in long term relationships but this is the first granddaughter to get married. I know marriage isn't the goal everyone strives for but I'm very happy that my beautiful sweetheart has chosen that path. Many people in common law marriages are more committed to each other than some in traditional marriages so, as long as they're happy, that's what counts most.
Now I have to find an outfit to wear, something I won't sweat to death in and something that feels comfortable. I've got 14 months to shop! I like the idea of an Indian sari type but Kim said no. Hmmm! No problem, I'll get what I want. I think I'll spend this winter shopping for a wardrobe for the whole 4 days of the wedding and pre-wedding.
People who don't have good family ties with their extended family really don't know what they're missing. I adore John's family, especially his Mom and Dad. It all makes for a happier life and much anticipation for getting together again.
Both Nicole and Sam are very family oriented. I don't know his family well but have met them and they're very nice people. It makes me happy that Nicole is marrying a good guy like Sam who has excellent ties to his own family. I think that gives promise of a good marriage for both of them.
Life does go on, doesn't it? If we managed to have good children, good grandchildren, and good greatgrandchildren, we must have done something right, Dennis!
Monday, September 05, 2016
When to Refuse
Nick and Bev had us all over for breakfast again yesterday and the conversation somehow turned to my refusal to answer Statistics Canada survey questions. For the life of me, I can't understand why my family believes we should answer ALL government questions no matter what they are or even if we think they have no right to ask them. I just don't get it.
This got me wondering at what point my family would balk and refuse to answer a government question. Would it be when they are asked about their sex life? Would it be when they're asked how much they paid for their car? Would it be when they were asked how much alcohol they drink in a month? Would it be if they have unnatural thoughts?
We all have our limits and I don't believe my family would blindly answer what they considered to be questions that invaded their privacy. But that's how I feel now. My family would tell the government where they vacation but I won't. I already answered one question on the survey by telling them I live alone...but I should not have done that.
Apparently I set a lower limit than my family does about what I feel the government needs to know about my life. Maybe Canadians are too passive for their own good.
This got me wondering at what point my family would balk and refuse to answer a government question. Would it be when they are asked about their sex life? Would it be when they're asked how much they paid for their car? Would it be when they were asked how much alcohol they drink in a month? Would it be if they have unnatural thoughts?
We all have our limits and I don't believe my family would blindly answer what they considered to be questions that invaded their privacy. But that's how I feel now. My family would tell the government where they vacation but I won't. I already answered one question on the survey by telling them I live alone...but I should not have done that.
Apparently I set a lower limit than my family does about what I feel the government needs to know about my life. Maybe Canadians are too passive for their own good.
Friday, September 02, 2016
Starving Artist
I believe I'm kind of artistic. I love to write stories, poems, blogs. I love to be creative with needlework and beading. I'd paint if I could draw a straight line. We all have some artistic ability but almost all of us are just not good enough to earn a living with it. I really admire the artists who do.
I don't come from a particularly artistic background but my husband did. His mother was an artist of sorts and so was he. His sister is good at folk art and so is my daughter. Any artistic talent among my offspring came mostly from my husband's side of the family.
I don't think you have to be a great artist to create. You just have to enjoy what you're doing and if others enjoy it, too, that's a bonus. It probably would stunt your artistry if you had to produce it on demand.
When I see photos of cave wall paintings done by our ancestors, it thrills me to know our creative drive came from that far back. It's instilled in us to express ourselves creatively in one way or another. It gives us a joyful feeling to see what our imagination can bring to life.
Our love of music and the way it affects us is also something that is part of our genetic makeup. I believe if every one of us turned to the beauty of art for expression rather than following the dark side (destruction), this would be a more peaceful world to live in.
I don't come from a particularly artistic background but my husband did. His mother was an artist of sorts and so was he. His sister is good at folk art and so is my daughter. Any artistic talent among my offspring came mostly from my husband's side of the family.
I don't think you have to be a great artist to create. You just have to enjoy what you're doing and if others enjoy it, too, that's a bonus. It probably would stunt your artistry if you had to produce it on demand.
When I see photos of cave wall paintings done by our ancestors, it thrills me to know our creative drive came from that far back. It's instilled in us to express ourselves creatively in one way or another. It gives us a joyful feeling to see what our imagination can bring to life.
Our love of music and the way it affects us is also something that is part of our genetic makeup. I believe if every one of us turned to the beauty of art for expression rather than following the dark side (destruction), this would be a more peaceful world to live in.
Thursday, September 01, 2016
I'm Testy
I had thought that I found my Statistics Canada drama funny and not really bothersome but I think that might not be entirely true. After making a series of calls to Revenue Canada Fraud Department and to Statistics Canada today, I'm peeved. It seems there is no-one who can make Stats Canada stop calling me. It's like living in Nazi Germany and having no government body to protect you from a government body that happens to be a bully.
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to my member of Parliament but haven't heard back. Today I sent one to Ontario's Wynne...now that is desperation! What I see with Statistics Canada is a government agency that has gone out of control with way too much power over the Canadian citizens. You can bet I will fight to the death but I shouldn't have to do that.
The Canadian census should be the only mandatory survey in the country but, due to an error, Statistics Canada is allowed to have one more and that appears to be the workforce survey (maybe not the right name but close). I haven't been told that this is the survey they want me to answer questions to so I'm a little confused.
Why, on a workforce survey would it be mandatory for citizens to tell where they holiday? Why would refusing to answer that question bring a fine or jail? It's the principal of the thing that I'm fighting for...no government agency should have the right to demand an answer to that question. There are many more that I take issue with, though. Question #1 was who lives with me or do I live alone. That is not a question I feel I must answer to anyone as long as I'm not harboring illegal aliens. I'm not!
Anyway, I'm not at peace because of this harassment and that is a shame. From now on I'll keep telephone messages and any notices that come in the mail. Who would ever have thought that an honest and law abiding citizen like me would have to deal with this crap?
Yesterday I sent an e-mail to my member of Parliament but haven't heard back. Today I sent one to Ontario's Wynne...now that is desperation! What I see with Statistics Canada is a government agency that has gone out of control with way too much power over the Canadian citizens. You can bet I will fight to the death but I shouldn't have to do that.
The Canadian census should be the only mandatory survey in the country but, due to an error, Statistics Canada is allowed to have one more and that appears to be the workforce survey (maybe not the right name but close). I haven't been told that this is the survey they want me to answer questions to so I'm a little confused.
Why, on a workforce survey would it be mandatory for citizens to tell where they holiday? Why would refusing to answer that question bring a fine or jail? It's the principal of the thing that I'm fighting for...no government agency should have the right to demand an answer to that question. There are many more that I take issue with, though. Question #1 was who lives with me or do I live alone. That is not a question I feel I must answer to anyone as long as I'm not harboring illegal aliens. I'm not!
Anyway, I'm not at peace because of this harassment and that is a shame. From now on I'll keep telephone messages and any notices that come in the mail. Who would ever have thought that an honest and law abiding citizen like me would have to deal with this crap?
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