Don't think I write about my knee problem to get sympathy. It's just that I think it's a good idea to chronicle important events so that we can all learn from them.
My latest knee pain was caused by standing pretty much in place for 3 hours. The pain was constant and progressive from October 23rd and reached it's apex of intensity around November 25th. I used a combination of Aleve, cold packs, glucosamine, and a brace to try to bring the pain under control. The improvement was so gradual that I couldn't count on it but it really did improve.
I believe the brace and cold packs did the most good. Surprisingly, the pain in my knee was worse at night when I was in bed but I discovered that placing a pillow under it relieved the pain enough to allow me to sleep.
It's no secret that when you are a senior and do any damage to your knee that it's probably permanent so I know I'll continue to have problems. It will all have to be treated medically when I get back home in the spring but I plan to baby it till then.
I've done a lot of walking over the past couple of days using the brace and, uncomfortable as it is, it made walking for more than a couple of minutes possible. I bought it at Walmart for $15 and it's worth every penny.
A hint to the wise...don't stand in place for long with your knees locked. Apparently thats what caused the inflamation in my knee.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Keeping the Faith
I read something on the internet today that made me uneasy. Someone wrote vehemently against allowing religious students the opportunity to learn anything about atheistic beliefs.
I wondered why they were so afraid of differing ideas of theology since we are surrounded by them and there actually is no escape.
My only experience with something similar is when I was in New Orleans and visited a store that sold voodoo paraphernalia. I couldn't control my irrational fear of the sales people or the strange items sitting on the shelves and had to leave the store quickly. And I'm not even religious!
It was simply a fear of the unknown and it's ability to permeate my thinking that frightened me. Looking back on that episode I'm ashamed for my lapse of logic and I'm sorry I didn't use the opportunity to learn even a tiny bit about a brand new culture to me.
We should never be afraid to learn as long as we're adult enough to be able to pick and choose what we want to accept into our lives. It's the purpose of all schools to teach their students that alternate beliefs exist in the world and they aren't all bad. It shouldn't be taught that a person who follows a different religion or belief is a demon. Many atheists have higher moral standards than some priests.
There is good and evil in every religion. There is good and evil in each one of us and we have to choose which will rule our lives. I've always found that travelling the high road made my life easier and happier so it's been a simple choice for me. It wasn't a priest or minister or church that influenced me. It was common sense. We should use a little common sense when it comes to what we teach our children.
I wondered why they were so afraid of differing ideas of theology since we are surrounded by them and there actually is no escape.
My only experience with something similar is when I was in New Orleans and visited a store that sold voodoo paraphernalia. I couldn't control my irrational fear of the sales people or the strange items sitting on the shelves and had to leave the store quickly. And I'm not even religious!
It was simply a fear of the unknown and it's ability to permeate my thinking that frightened me. Looking back on that episode I'm ashamed for my lapse of logic and I'm sorry I didn't use the opportunity to learn even a tiny bit about a brand new culture to me.
We should never be afraid to learn as long as we're adult enough to be able to pick and choose what we want to accept into our lives. It's the purpose of all schools to teach their students that alternate beliefs exist in the world and they aren't all bad. It shouldn't be taught that a person who follows a different religion or belief is a demon. Many atheists have higher moral standards than some priests.
There is good and evil in every religion. There is good and evil in each one of us and we have to choose which will rule our lives. I've always found that travelling the high road made my life easier and happier so it's been a simple choice for me. It wasn't a priest or minister or church that influenced me. It was common sense. We should use a little common sense when it comes to what we teach our children.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Reporting Child Porn
I read this morning that Manitoba is considering making it a crime for people to not report evidence of child porn. Call me naive, but I always assumed it was a illegal to not report a crime, especially one against children. It's frightening to think that the rest of our provinces don't have this law on the books.
Consider this, you witness a child being raped or physically abused and you choose to ignore it. Isn't that one of the worst crimes you could commit? Maybe I'm confusing legal culpability with moral culpability but they should both apply in cases like these.
A child who has been the victim of a sexual deviant will carry the scars in his/her psyche for the rest of their lives. If they're lucky they'll truly understand that they were innocent victims but many feel a sense of guilt or personal uncleanliness because of their abuse. If they're strong enough they will file charges with the police and hunt the pedophile down no matter how many years pass. And, if they're luckier still, their abuser will finally be forced to face the shame and consequences of what they've done.
I'm all for putting pedophiles in prison for life once they've been convicted. It's possible some learn self control after a while but the simple fact that they've harmed even one child makes them unfit and unworthy to live in society.
The country that takes a strong stand to eliminate pedophiles from society will earn every honor bestowed on it. I wish so much that Canada would lead the way.
Consider this, you witness a child being raped or physically abused and you choose to ignore it. Isn't that one of the worst crimes you could commit? Maybe I'm confusing legal culpability with moral culpability but they should both apply in cases like these.
A child who has been the victim of a sexual deviant will carry the scars in his/her psyche for the rest of their lives. If they're lucky they'll truly understand that they were innocent victims but many feel a sense of guilt or personal uncleanliness because of their abuse. If they're strong enough they will file charges with the police and hunt the pedophile down no matter how many years pass. And, if they're luckier still, their abuser will finally be forced to face the shame and consequences of what they've done.
I'm all for putting pedophiles in prison for life once they've been convicted. It's possible some learn self control after a while but the simple fact that they've harmed even one child makes them unfit and unworthy to live in society.
The country that takes a strong stand to eliminate pedophiles from society will earn every honor bestowed on it. I wish so much that Canada would lead the way.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Carole's Trailer
My friend, Carole, bought an old trailer here in the park and has spent almost every waking moment for the past 2 days cleaning it. She's been scrubbing from the ceiling to the floor in every room and finding some interesting things along the way. Under the bathroom sink is a little nest of weird looking fungus. It's kind of mustard colored and no-one here has ever seen anything like it. That's the trouble with being a northerner in the south because we don't recognize some of the perils. This stuff certainly looks like a "peril" and we need to find out exactly what it is. Our plan is to ask the pest control man because we figure he's seen everything. Also, he's a Floridian.
Carole paid Florida Power to turn on her electricity so her room lights are working. Unfortunately, her air conditioner isn't. Today she enlisted the help of 2 neighbor men who tracked the power line from her air conditioner across 2 lot lines until they traced it to a meter. The power in that meter wasn't turned on so how come she has lights??? The meter is hers, though.
Now her air conditioner is working but we don't know who is paying for the power to the rest of the trailer. Oh, the mysteries of life in a trailer park.
A friend of mine bought a trailer here a couple of years ago and was told by the previous owner that he got free cable T.V. and had for many years. Sure enough, my friend also got free cable T.V. but her conscience bothered her too much and she notified the cable company and she now pays for her cable T.V. She's a better person than I am.
This park began as a campground many, many years ago so the underground plumbing and wiring is archaic. This could explain the strange electrical system in Carole's trailer.
One thing I've discovered in this park is that these trailers are more darn trouble than a brick house. They're flimsily made so we can't expect too much from them. Regardless, I love every moment of being here in my little dollhouse (which happens to have a leak that we're trying to trace). I wouldn't give it up for a half million dollar house in a boring gated community. And that's the truth!
Carole paid Florida Power to turn on her electricity so her room lights are working. Unfortunately, her air conditioner isn't. Today she enlisted the help of 2 neighbor men who tracked the power line from her air conditioner across 2 lot lines until they traced it to a meter. The power in that meter wasn't turned on so how come she has lights??? The meter is hers, though.
Now her air conditioner is working but we don't know who is paying for the power to the rest of the trailer. Oh, the mysteries of life in a trailer park.
A friend of mine bought a trailer here a couple of years ago and was told by the previous owner that he got free cable T.V. and had for many years. Sure enough, my friend also got free cable T.V. but her conscience bothered her too much and she notified the cable company and she now pays for her cable T.V. She's a better person than I am.
This park began as a campground many, many years ago so the underground plumbing and wiring is archaic. This could explain the strange electrical system in Carole's trailer.
One thing I've discovered in this park is that these trailers are more darn trouble than a brick house. They're flimsily made so we can't expect too much from them. Regardless, I love every moment of being here in my little dollhouse (which happens to have a leak that we're trying to trace). I wouldn't give it up for a half million dollar house in a boring gated community. And that's the truth!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Bad Dreams
Have you ever had a bad dream that was so real you woke up believing you'd been given a message? I had one such dream and spent yesterday evening waiting for it to come true.
The night before last I dreamt I was in a car on the highway at night. There were 3 other people in the car with me and the driver was William Shatner (Star Trek). This should have clued me into the fact that I was dreaming but it didn't. All of a sudden I realized we were driving the wrong way on the highway and headlights were coming our way. I urged "William" to pull to the side of the road quickly and then proceeded to calm him down so he wouldn't feel too guilty for his mistake.
Last evening I went out to dinner with 3 friends. We were on the highway at night and Ron Woods was the driver (a much nicer man than William Shatner). He made quite a few u-turns on the highway because his wife couldn't make him understand which Walmart we wanted to go to after dinner. Occasionally we were head on with oncoming traffic but it was all legal. In Florida you're allowed to make u-turns at intersections when on a turning light or even on a regular green light if the road is clear.
Just an interesting comment about the validity of our dreams.
The night before last I dreamt I was in a car on the highway at night. There were 3 other people in the car with me and the driver was William Shatner (Star Trek). This should have clued me into the fact that I was dreaming but it didn't. All of a sudden I realized we were driving the wrong way on the highway and headlights were coming our way. I urged "William" to pull to the side of the road quickly and then proceeded to calm him down so he wouldn't feel too guilty for his mistake.
Last evening I went out to dinner with 3 friends. We were on the highway at night and Ron Woods was the driver (a much nicer man than William Shatner). He made quite a few u-turns on the highway because his wife couldn't make him understand which Walmart we wanted to go to after dinner. Occasionally we were head on with oncoming traffic but it was all legal. In Florida you're allowed to make u-turns at intersections when on a turning light or even on a regular green light if the road is clear.
Just an interesting comment about the validity of our dreams.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday Breakfast
340 days of the year my breakfast consists of a piece of fruit or, at best, a small bowl of cereal but when I'm in Florida we have a Sunday breakfst ritual. Sheila and I will drive up to a local restaurant early Sunday morning and meet up with a half dozen or so friends and have a "proper" breakfast. I'm never hungry for this but I'm big on rituals of any kind so this is something I do enjoy.
Sheila always has french toast. She is definitely a creature of habit. I used to enjoy my usual cheese omelet, toast, and home fries but after making a serious committment to healthier eating last summer my meal will change to poached eggs, toast, and home fries. Okay for a once a week in the winter breakfast.
I had a bit of a setback on my healthy eating yesterday. Fries have been a no-no since last March but I had some yesterday and this is why. My knee (the one I hurt dancing New Years Eve) has been paining me badly and I'd gone to Walmart to buy some stuff, including knee bandages. Halfway through the store my knee hurt so bad I could have cried so I went into the cafeteria so I could sit for a while. It was lunch time and they didn't sell baked potatoes there...just fries. I was in pain and hungry so I lost all sense of judgement and ordered the fries. It won't happen again but they were darned good.
I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do about this stupid knee. It had gotten almost back to normal up until October when my daughter, Kim, had her car accident and I had to stand in the Emergency room for 3 hours. It was the standing that caused the pain to flare up again and it hasn't subsided much since then. It makes me mad because I have lots of plans for this winter which include walking. I've decided that no matter how well the knee heals over the winter (if it does) I'm going to see my doctor in the spring and go through all the damn tests, exrays, and whatever else it takes to make it better.
Right now I'm off to my Florida Sunday morning breakfast.
Sheila always has french toast. She is definitely a creature of habit. I used to enjoy my usual cheese omelet, toast, and home fries but after making a serious committment to healthier eating last summer my meal will change to poached eggs, toast, and home fries. Okay for a once a week in the winter breakfast.
I had a bit of a setback on my healthy eating yesterday. Fries have been a no-no since last March but I had some yesterday and this is why. My knee (the one I hurt dancing New Years Eve) has been paining me badly and I'd gone to Walmart to buy some stuff, including knee bandages. Halfway through the store my knee hurt so bad I could have cried so I went into the cafeteria so I could sit for a while. It was lunch time and they didn't sell baked potatoes there...just fries. I was in pain and hungry so I lost all sense of judgement and ordered the fries. It won't happen again but they were darned good.
I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do about this stupid knee. It had gotten almost back to normal up until October when my daughter, Kim, had her car accident and I had to stand in the Emergency room for 3 hours. It was the standing that caused the pain to flare up again and it hasn't subsided much since then. It makes me mad because I have lots of plans for this winter which include walking. I've decided that no matter how well the knee heals over the winter (if it does) I'm going to see my doctor in the spring and go through all the damn tests, exrays, and whatever else it takes to make it better.
Right now I'm off to my Florida Sunday morning breakfast.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Internet Service
I'm one of those internet users who travel the web in a fog. I have no idea how it works, why it works, what it's actually doing to my messages, or why it stops working. I am a captive to my server's whims.
My new server is Tengo which is wireless. I don't know what that even means. Apparently my computer catches and sends messages via the air instead of along telephone lines. Tengo is high speed but many, many times the signal is too low for me to even get on the internet. This is an improvement over the telephone line??
With AOL I knew where everything I used was located. With Tengo I seem to need to go through Google. Wonder why? It's all a mystery to me.
On the plus side I can still surf the net, write e-mails and blogs, and send them off into the wild blue yonder. The internet is a magical and hugely interesting area to wander in...even if you're doing it blindly.
My new server is Tengo which is wireless. I don't know what that even means. Apparently my computer catches and sends messages via the air instead of along telephone lines. Tengo is high speed but many, many times the signal is too low for me to even get on the internet. This is an improvement over the telephone line??
With AOL I knew where everything I used was located. With Tengo I seem to need to go through Google. Wonder why? It's all a mystery to me.
On the plus side I can still surf the net, write e-mails and blogs, and send them off into the wild blue yonder. The internet is a magical and hugely interesting area to wander in...even if you're doing it blindly.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Black Friday
For some reason the Friday after Thanksgiving in the States is called "Black Friday". Stores open at midnight and crowds of people who have lined up for hours storm in to take advantage of sales. At home we call this event "Midnight Madness" and various stores hold a sale like this at various times of the year. I like our title better because it is more descriptive of the mindset of shoppers willing to behave like stampeding cattle in search of dubious bargains. There were even tales today of battles between supposed adults who had the nerve to try to butt into the front of the line. Talk about taking your life in your hands!
A few years back I joined a few friends and participated in the ritual. It was pitch black out and the parking lot looked like noon on a Saturday. We lined up with all the other cattle and waited until the doors opened. People were actually jumping over other people in their frenzy to reach their purchase of choice quickly. Heaven help the small and the weak because they could well end up trampled by the wild and the greedy.
I was after a 27" T.V. on sale for $80 (as I recall) and thought there was no way there'd be any left by the time my line wove it's turtle pace in that direction. But store buyers had made sure to have lots of stock and I toted my bargain back home. The experience was too unpleasant for me to ever do it again, though.
I love to bargain shop but prefer smaller crowds and fellow shoppers who haven't reverted to uncivilized animals.
A few years back I joined a few friends and participated in the ritual. It was pitch black out and the parking lot looked like noon on a Saturday. We lined up with all the other cattle and waited until the doors opened. People were actually jumping over other people in their frenzy to reach their purchase of choice quickly. Heaven help the small and the weak because they could well end up trampled by the wild and the greedy.
I was after a 27" T.V. on sale for $80 (as I recall) and thought there was no way there'd be any left by the time my line wove it's turtle pace in that direction. But store buyers had made sure to have lots of stock and I toted my bargain back home. The experience was too unpleasant for me to ever do it again, though.
I love to bargain shop but prefer smaller crowds and fellow shoppers who haven't reverted to uncivilized animals.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
American Thanksgiving
Today is the American Thanksgiving. Most of us will take for granted that it's just another holiday where we'll gorge ourselves on a specially large and festive meal but not me. I know how much I have to be thankful for this year.
My daughter, Kim, was in a car accident on October 23rd which left her with a severely broken foot. Surgery was required to put it all together again and she'll have a long, long period of therapy to bring her mobility back to near normal. But I am thankful beyond words that she wasn't killed in that accident.
Life is tenuous at best and none of us can ever know for sure where the next moment will find us. Some people scoff at those of us who constantly say our goodbye's with the added, "I love you", but we can't be positive that we'll have another chance to say those words. A hug, a kiss, and a declaration of love can heal the world.
I'm so thankful for my 3 precious daughters who have grown into darned good human beings. I'm thankful for the precious grandchildren they've given me. And I'm thankful for this new day which will be filled with friends, laughter, and , yes indeed, a dinner plate full of turkey with all the trimmings.
Happy Thanksgiving!
My daughter, Kim, was in a car accident on October 23rd which left her with a severely broken foot. Surgery was required to put it all together again and she'll have a long, long period of therapy to bring her mobility back to near normal. But I am thankful beyond words that she wasn't killed in that accident.
Life is tenuous at best and none of us can ever know for sure where the next moment will find us. Some people scoff at those of us who constantly say our goodbye's with the added, "I love you", but we can't be positive that we'll have another chance to say those words. A hug, a kiss, and a declaration of love can heal the world.
I'm so thankful for my 3 precious daughters who have grown into darned good human beings. I'm thankful for the precious grandchildren they've given me. And I'm thankful for this new day which will be filled with friends, laughter, and , yes indeed, a dinner plate full of turkey with all the trimmings.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Lizards
I have 2 lizards in my trailer. At least 2 that I know about!! Now I'm a lady who detests bugs in the house and it's difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that a couple of little creatures larger than most bugs are lurking somewhere under the furniture or curtains in this quite tiny little trailer. I'm not afraid of them but if one ever dared land on me I just might have heart failure.
Heaven knows how they get in but it's common here in Florida...and I've never heard of one touching a human being because they're really quite timid. With my luck, though, one will accidently walk across my face while I'm sleeping and that would snuff my life out as quickly as a knife in the heart.
Life really is full of perils, isn't it?
Heaven knows how they get in but it's common here in Florida...and I've never heard of one touching a human being because they're really quite timid. With my luck, though, one will accidently walk across my face while I'm sleeping and that would snuff my life out as quickly as a knife in the heart.
Life really is full of perils, isn't it?
Home in Florida
Well, here I am back to my Florida trailer life and happy as pig in s___t! I had to have a few blood tests and a catscan to declare me safe to travel and all was just fine. I've got a few extra white blood cells that shouldn't be there but my doctors assured me it would be years before they gave me any trouble.
I arrived at the trailer early Sunday morning and settled right in. Friends stopped by for hugs and I even got over to the pool in the afternoon. The park looks lovely even though few people are here yet. Many wait until after Xmas to head south.
On Monday I went out to the shed to get my gardening tools and found the lock rusted shut. It was so frustrating because all I could use for trimming back wild shrubs and foliage were my kitchen scissors. Every man that ventured by was dragged over to try their luck at opening the darn lock but only one was successful. Cliff removed the whole double handle and took it home to saw off the lock. Then he came back and reassembled the whole thing. In this park we never have to search too hard for help when we need it.
Tuesday I did my planting and then spent the afternoon at the pool. Life is too short to waste it working when you have the opportunity to take your time. Tuesday evening was game night at the clubhouse but there were only 4 of us ladies playing Farkle and Rummicubes. The rest of our bunch will arrive before the new year.
Today I did laundry and then went over to the clubhouse to peal potatoes and cut up bread for stuffing. The men always work in the kitchen cutting up turkey for our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. The ladies peal the veggies but there was one man who joined us. It seems more like home when a group of people volunteer to prepare the feast. And that's one of the reasons why this place feels so much like a home away from home.
After lunch I'll be off to the pool again but right now I'm going to list a few things on Ebay if I can still remember how to do it.
Life is good!
I arrived at the trailer early Sunday morning and settled right in. Friends stopped by for hugs and I even got over to the pool in the afternoon. The park looks lovely even though few people are here yet. Many wait until after Xmas to head south.
On Monday I went out to the shed to get my gardening tools and found the lock rusted shut. It was so frustrating because all I could use for trimming back wild shrubs and foliage were my kitchen scissors. Every man that ventured by was dragged over to try their luck at opening the darn lock but only one was successful. Cliff removed the whole double handle and took it home to saw off the lock. Then he came back and reassembled the whole thing. In this park we never have to search too hard for help when we need it.
Tuesday I did my planting and then spent the afternoon at the pool. Life is too short to waste it working when you have the opportunity to take your time. Tuesday evening was game night at the clubhouse but there were only 4 of us ladies playing Farkle and Rummicubes. The rest of our bunch will arrive before the new year.
Today I did laundry and then went over to the clubhouse to peal potatoes and cut up bread for stuffing. The men always work in the kitchen cutting up turkey for our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. The ladies peal the veggies but there was one man who joined us. It seems more like home when a group of people volunteer to prepare the feast. And that's one of the reasons why this place feels so much like a home away from home.
After lunch I'll be off to the pool again but right now I'm going to list a few things on Ebay if I can still remember how to do it.
Life is good!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Hospital Care
Well, Kim is still in the hospital...feeling a little weak from blood loss but ever so anxious to get home. The problem is she has to be evaluated by a physical therapist before they let her leave. The bigger problem is that none of the nurses or doctors in her ward knew that no therapists were available Saturday, Sunday, or Monday but told us each day that one would see her on those days and then she'd be released to go home.
My question is...why wouldn't the nursing staff know these things?
Also, Kim is on Percoset (spelled right??) for pain and she got her meds an hour late on Sunday because there were none in the ward. Shouldn't there be someone in charge of seeing that the wards are supplied with enough pain medication for their patients?
And...I watched another patient in Kim's room ring 6 times for a bed pan before it was brought to her. A bloody shame!
Whenever I went up to the nurse's station it was packed with people. Some were on computers but many were just standing around talking. This could well explain the lack of nurses tending to patients.
All of this is happening in just one of our city hospitals and I didn't see this inefficiency in the other hospital that Kim was first in. It's scary to see how absolutely helpless a patient is when they are unable to care for themselves.
We need to see improvement in our health system because the present state is unacceptable.
My question is...why wouldn't the nursing staff know these things?
Also, Kim is on Percoset (spelled right??) for pain and she got her meds an hour late on Sunday because there were none in the ward. Shouldn't there be someone in charge of seeing that the wards are supplied with enough pain medication for their patients?
And...I watched another patient in Kim's room ring 6 times for a bed pan before it was brought to her. A bloody shame!
Whenever I went up to the nurse's station it was packed with people. Some were on computers but many were just standing around talking. This could well explain the lack of nurses tending to patients.
All of this is happening in just one of our city hospitals and I didn't see this inefficiency in the other hospital that Kim was first in. It's scary to see how absolutely helpless a patient is when they are unable to care for themselves.
We need to see improvement in our health system because the present state is unacceptable.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Nervous Mom
Kim had to stay another night in hospital because her blood pressure dropped significantly during surgery and it's left her quite weak.
I think I'm getting on her nerves with my worry, suggestions, and presence. Granted, we've spent an awful lot of time together since her accident and I am the world's worst worrier. I think I'll have to make an extreme effort to keep my big mouth shut and give her some space.
Mothers never stop worrying about their children but we have to keep reminding ourselves that when our children become adults we need to back off a bit.
We're hoping they let her out today so wish us luck.
I think I'm getting on her nerves with my worry, suggestions, and presence. Granted, we've spent an awful lot of time together since her accident and I am the world's worst worrier. I think I'll have to make an extreme effort to keep my big mouth shut and give her some space.
Mothers never stop worrying about their children but we have to keep reminding ourselves that when our children become adults we need to back off a bit.
We're hoping they let her out today so wish us luck.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Kim's Surgery
Kim had her foot surgery yesterday and it apparently went quite well except for a minor bleeding problem that kept her in the hospital overnight. She's been through so much this year...lost her husband in August and now this.
She has such a wonderful attitude about life. She's a truly good soul and there aren't many in this world like her. I hope the worst part of her injury is over and she can now begin healing and getting back to a normal life soon.
Her son, Nicholas, has been a godsend throughout the loss of David and taking care of the business end of Kim's injury. He's only 23 years old but an absolute rock to lean on when trouble hits. Matthew, on the other hand, has been his usual ditsy self. He has a heart of gold and cares deeply for his mother and just about everyone else but he's spent far too much time buggering up my computer while visiting his mother. She stayed with me while waiting for surgery.
Anyway, we're hoping Kim can come home today and get started on that healing process. I'll keep everyone updated.
By the way, does anyone know how I can get rid of Matthew's MSN messages which keep popping up on my computer?????
She has such a wonderful attitude about life. She's a truly good soul and there aren't many in this world like her. I hope the worst part of her injury is over and she can now begin healing and getting back to a normal life soon.
Her son, Nicholas, has been a godsend throughout the loss of David and taking care of the business end of Kim's injury. He's only 23 years old but an absolute rock to lean on when trouble hits. Matthew, on the other hand, has been his usual ditsy self. He has a heart of gold and cares deeply for his mother and just about everyone else but he's spent far too much time buggering up my computer while visiting his mother. She stayed with me while waiting for surgery.
Anyway, we're hoping Kim can come home today and get started on that healing process. I'll keep everyone updated.
By the way, does anyone know how I can get rid of Matthew's MSN messages which keep popping up on my computer?????
Thursday, November 08, 2007
I'm Back...for a bit!
I'm still not on the internet properly. No paid server but I'm apparently piggybacking on someone else's wireless service. My grandson showed me how and I feel like a thief.
Circumstances have prevented me from leaving for Florida as planned so here I sit with an illegal internet connection until I know if and when I can leave.
A routine blood test showed an increase in my lymphocytes so extra tests were scheduled for November 14th with the results supplied on November 22nd. I almost wanted to ignore the problem and leave for Florida anyway but fate has a way of stepping in. My oldest daughter, Kim, was in a car accident on October 23rd which broke her foot quite severely. "Fate" knew I'd never leave home until Kim was on the mend. Since I had to stay here for her I decided to go ahead with the tests.
Kim has surgery tomorrow to have screws inserted in her foot to try to put all the broken bones back in alignment. It's serious surgery which will keep her off the foot for 2 months and then she'll have therapy for many months after. She'll probably have pain or discomfort for the rest of her life, damn it. The accident was caused by a van running a red light and hitting her little Saturn sporty car. We consider her lucky to be alive.
Any way, we'll plod our way through whatever we have to. Life is never fair or easy but we'll do what needs to be done. We are family and we have much to be thankful for.
Circumstances have prevented me from leaving for Florida as planned so here I sit with an illegal internet connection until I know if and when I can leave.
A routine blood test showed an increase in my lymphocytes so extra tests were scheduled for November 14th with the results supplied on November 22nd. I almost wanted to ignore the problem and leave for Florida anyway but fate has a way of stepping in. My oldest daughter, Kim, was in a car accident on October 23rd which broke her foot quite severely. "Fate" knew I'd never leave home until Kim was on the mend. Since I had to stay here for her I decided to go ahead with the tests.
Kim has surgery tomorrow to have screws inserted in her foot to try to put all the broken bones back in alignment. It's serious surgery which will keep her off the foot for 2 months and then she'll have therapy for many months after. She'll probably have pain or discomfort for the rest of her life, damn it. The accident was caused by a van running a red light and hitting her little Saturn sporty car. We consider her lucky to be alive.
Any way, we'll plod our way through whatever we have to. Life is never fair or easy but we'll do what needs to be done. We are family and we have much to be thankful for.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Last Blog For A While
This will be my last blog for a while because I have to close my AOL account today. All of this broadband equipment has to be returned to AOL and they shut the service off the moment I contact them to send me the return kit. It will be hard for me to lose the internet even for a little while but it can't be helped.
My plans are to use my Florida park's internet service while I'm there and to use cable internet once I get back home in April. AOL has become too difficult to deal with and I'm all about making things as easy for myself as possible.
Anyway, blogging has been lots of fun for me and I'll miss my daily routine of reading blogs of my favorite people and writing my own rambling thoughts. Nothing important better happen while I'm out of service!
My plans are to use my Florida park's internet service while I'm there and to use cable internet once I get back home in April. AOL has become too difficult to deal with and I'm all about making things as easy for myself as possible.
Anyway, blogging has been lots of fun for me and I'll miss my daily routine of reading blogs of my favorite people and writing my own rambling thoughts. Nothing important better happen while I'm out of service!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Kim's Solution For Solving Native Claims
My daughter, Kim, and I were talking today about the native claims along the Grand River. I told her I'd watched a program on T.V. where one faction of native spokesmen considered it fair for homeowners on the disputed land to pay the natives a fee if they wanted to stay in their homes. Neither our provincial or federal governments will put these homeowners at ease by making a firm decision on native land claims.
Kim said that natives have approached banks holding mortgages on these homes and told them they should think twice before renewing any mortgages on land where natives have claims. Scary stuff!
Then she came up with a great idea! Homeowners on 6 miles either side of the Grand River (disputed land) should notify the government that they will withhold property tax until the dispute is settled. After all, they surely need to know that the right people are getting all those tax dollars!
I think this is a terrific idea but it would only work if a large percentage of the property owners banded together and got a lawyer to advise and represent them. There is strength in numbers. I feel so bad for these people whose homes are threatened and our government is doing nothing to help them. It just isn't right.
Our home is the largest purchase we'll ever make in our lives and it is our haven from the rest of the world. People work so darned hard to even put a down payment on their homes and then continue to pour their life blood into them. I thought of this as I watched the 2 native spokesmen on T.V. calmly discussing how they should get what they felt was owed to them. They had done zero to develop this land and yet they thought it fair that the hard working home owner should work a little harder to hand more money over to them. Just because they are native. Not because they've done one darned thing to earn it.
Kim said that natives have approached banks holding mortgages on these homes and told them they should think twice before renewing any mortgages on land where natives have claims. Scary stuff!
Then she came up with a great idea! Homeowners on 6 miles either side of the Grand River (disputed land) should notify the government that they will withhold property tax until the dispute is settled. After all, they surely need to know that the right people are getting all those tax dollars!
I think this is a terrific idea but it would only work if a large percentage of the property owners banded together and got a lawyer to advise and represent them. There is strength in numbers. I feel so bad for these people whose homes are threatened and our government is doing nothing to help them. It just isn't right.
Our home is the largest purchase we'll ever make in our lives and it is our haven from the rest of the world. People work so darned hard to even put a down payment on their homes and then continue to pour their life blood into them. I thought of this as I watched the 2 native spokesmen on T.V. calmly discussing how they should get what they felt was owed to them. They had done zero to develop this land and yet they thought it fair that the hard working home owner should work a little harder to hand more money over to them. Just because they are native. Not because they've done one darned thing to earn it.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thank You, God
The little girl whose photo has been distributed by the press after a child porn tape was discovered has been found. She's 7 years old now so that means she was only 3 years old when she was molested. The information so far received is that the molester was a friend of the family and they had no idea what had happened. The little girl appears fine...but inside her mind and her heart she'll always carry the scars of her ordeal.
A lot of good people, men and women, worked diligently to find this child and make sure she was safe. They are what human beings should be. The molester is an abhorrent piece of garbage.
Legislators should keep the picture of that little girl's angelic 3 year old face in front of them. Maybe a constant reminder of her total innocence and helplessness will prod them to pass strong laws removing pedophiles from society forever.
A lot of good people, men and women, worked diligently to find this child and make sure she was safe. They are what human beings should be. The molester is an abhorrent piece of garbage.
Legislators should keep the picture of that little girl's angelic 3 year old face in front of them. Maybe a constant reminder of her total innocence and helplessness will prod them to pass strong laws removing pedophiles from society forever.
Friday, September 28, 2007
An Open Letter to God
God, if you're out there, please stop the pedophiles of this world from destroying the children. We human beings don't seem to be able to keep our children safe. We can't even form decent laws to keep pedolphiles segregated from society for the rest of their natural lives.
The picture of the tiny little girl, about 4 years old, staring into the camera with all the innocence of a baby, will haunt me for the rest of my life. Knowing the piece of human garbage behind the camera was the person who intended to defile that sweet child fills me with an anger I can barely contain.
I'm one of the least violent people alive but if I had a gun and was left alone with the man destroying that baby I'd kill him.
So please God, if you really exist, help her and all the other little ones who are being preyed on by the scum of the earth.
The picture of the tiny little girl, about 4 years old, staring into the camera with all the innocence of a baby, will haunt me for the rest of my life. Knowing the piece of human garbage behind the camera was the person who intended to defile that sweet child fills me with an anger I can barely contain.
I'm one of the least violent people alive but if I had a gun and was left alone with the man destroying that baby I'd kill him.
So please God, if you really exist, help her and all the other little ones who are being preyed on by the scum of the earth.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Update on the Heel Spur
Well, the reflexology seems to be doing it's job. Yesterday I could certainly still feel some pain when I walked but today the discomfort is about halved. I believe 1 or 2 more sessions with the reflexologist should clear it up.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs are pretty common and pretty painful. I was actually crippled up with pain from them about 10 or 12 years ago. For 2 years I couldn't walk on grass or sand and had to practically live in running shoes so my foot wouldn't wobble. Walking even short distances was slow and painful. OHIP paid for 3 sessions of therapy, totaling 9 months, and it did nothing at all to alleviate the pain. I even had 2 very painful shots of cortisone to no avail. It was then I thought to try reflexology.
Foot reflexology is a deep kneading of the foot and not a particularly pleasant foot massage. It's considered alternative medicine so our government OHIP coverage won't pay for it. Heaven knows how much 9 months of traditional therapy cost the tax payers.
I was very lucky to find a good reflexologist on my first try and, lo and behold, the heel pain disappeared after 5 $20 sessions. The relief lasted a year and I had 2 more sessions which gave me 3 more painless years. I returned to the reflexologist for 1 session only and have been pain free until 2 days ago when I woke up unable to put any weight on my right heel.
Experience had taught me that this pain wouldn't go away on it's own so I visited a local reflexologist (now $50 per session) and spent an hour having my poor heel poked and prodded. Today it feels much better but I think I'll go back to my original reflexologist because he's only going to charge $40. It's a shame that OHIP doesn't cover the cost of a cheaper medical service that works so well.
But then, we can't be foolish enough to expect our government to act in a rational way, can we?
Foot reflexology is a deep kneading of the foot and not a particularly pleasant foot massage. It's considered alternative medicine so our government OHIP coverage won't pay for it. Heaven knows how much 9 months of traditional therapy cost the tax payers.
I was very lucky to find a good reflexologist on my first try and, lo and behold, the heel pain disappeared after 5 $20 sessions. The relief lasted a year and I had 2 more sessions which gave me 3 more painless years. I returned to the reflexologist for 1 session only and have been pain free until 2 days ago when I woke up unable to put any weight on my right heel.
Experience had taught me that this pain wouldn't go away on it's own so I visited a local reflexologist (now $50 per session) and spent an hour having my poor heel poked and prodded. Today it feels much better but I think I'll go back to my original reflexologist because he's only going to charge $40. It's a shame that OHIP doesn't cover the cost of a cheaper medical service that works so well.
But then, we can't be foolish enough to expect our government to act in a rational way, can we?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Global Warming
If you don't believe in global warming then you didn't spend the summer in Canada. Today, September 25/07, it is 30 C (90 F) which is rare indeed for this time of the year. It feels strange to be trying to avoid the hot sun while watching the leaves on the trees changing to fall colors. I think the relatively cool nights have allowed the leaves to change color and fall from the trees despite the warm daytime temperatures.
I'm a creature of habit and last week decided that our hot weather was over so I covered the central air conditioner beside the house. This keeps the falling leaves from filling it up and interfering with it's cooling ability in the summer. Now I'm hot as hell but just not prepared to uncover the air conditioner for this one extremely hot day. It will cool down tomorrow to about 25 C (80 F) on it's unseasonably slow downward curve to actual chilly days.
When I was a child we had snow for most of the winter, sometimes very heavy snowfalls but those are days long gone and Canadian winters now in my neck of the woods are just one grey, dry day after another. A couple of really heavy snowfalls can still be counted on to close the city down but it just isn't like it used to be. If it wasn't for the world effect of global warming I could almost enjoy having less cold weather.
My winters in Florida began as a means of escaping the frigid cold but I'm apparently only escaping the so-so cold now. What's more important is that I'm escaping the grey days. Florida is the land of sunshine no matter what the temperature is and that's why I love wintering there. We don't get terrible heat throughout the winter but a mixture of nice warm days occasionally interspersed with a cool day or two. I would love to have that kind of weather all year round.
With true global warming we will probably first see our food supply affected. Farmers' crops usually can't survive constant hot weather. Ponds dry up and water becomes a scarce and expensive commodity.
I'm not sure how human beings have brought us to this state but I read once that humans were the cancer of the earth and I'm beginning to understand why. For the most part we plunder the earth's riches and give little back. We pollute the air and lay concrete over healthy soil. And we may have let it get too bad to make it right again.
I'm a creature of habit and last week decided that our hot weather was over so I covered the central air conditioner beside the house. This keeps the falling leaves from filling it up and interfering with it's cooling ability in the summer. Now I'm hot as hell but just not prepared to uncover the air conditioner for this one extremely hot day. It will cool down tomorrow to about 25 C (80 F) on it's unseasonably slow downward curve to actual chilly days.
When I was a child we had snow for most of the winter, sometimes very heavy snowfalls but those are days long gone and Canadian winters now in my neck of the woods are just one grey, dry day after another. A couple of really heavy snowfalls can still be counted on to close the city down but it just isn't like it used to be. If it wasn't for the world effect of global warming I could almost enjoy having less cold weather.
My winters in Florida began as a means of escaping the frigid cold but I'm apparently only escaping the so-so cold now. What's more important is that I'm escaping the grey days. Florida is the land of sunshine no matter what the temperature is and that's why I love wintering there. We don't get terrible heat throughout the winter but a mixture of nice warm days occasionally interspersed with a cool day or two. I would love to have that kind of weather all year round.
With true global warming we will probably first see our food supply affected. Farmers' crops usually can't survive constant hot weather. Ponds dry up and water becomes a scarce and expensive commodity.
I'm not sure how human beings have brought us to this state but I read once that humans were the cancer of the earth and I'm beginning to understand why. For the most part we plunder the earth's riches and give little back. We pollute the air and lay concrete over healthy soil. And we may have let it get too bad to make it right again.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Back to the Casino
My daughter, Kim, and I went to the casino yesterday because I had free tickets for 2 dinners. Of course, we planned on doing just a tad of gambling while we were there.
We took the back roads to escape driving on the QE which I thought would be too busy and it would have been a nice drive if there wasn't so much construction going on. Detours had us driving in zigzags. Finally, after settling for the QE, we proceeded quickly to the casino.
We gambled a bit and then met for dinner at 5 P.M. I was in the longest line I've ever encountered at the casino...one hour to sit-down. Kim left for a while to gamble, came back to show me her winnings, and then went off again until we got in the curlicue line close to the diningroom. We chatted most of the way with an American couple whose hobby it is to travel from casino to casino playing poker. They were very nice and I thought how lovely for both of them to have the same hobby.
Dinner was great but we gobbled it up so we could get back to the machines. Every time I came across Kim she was carrying a new win ticket. I just continued a slow spiral of loss as usual but before I could lose it all Kim decided it was time to go home.
We headed back on the QE and ran headlong into the longest bumper to bumper traffic imaginable. More construction had reduced us to one lane. It took us almost 2 hours to get home which is about double the time.
Speaking of construction, it seems that Ontario is in a maddening state of road repairs. What's worse is that many of the roads not under construction look absolutely dreadful. Did they wait too long to start repairs and now have no hope of keeping up with them? It really doesn't look good for the future.
Anyway, this was a lovely day to spend with my daughter. We talked and ate and played. She won some money. I lost some money. Just another day in paradise.
We took the back roads to escape driving on the QE which I thought would be too busy and it would have been a nice drive if there wasn't so much construction going on. Detours had us driving in zigzags. Finally, after settling for the QE, we proceeded quickly to the casino.
We gambled a bit and then met for dinner at 5 P.M. I was in the longest line I've ever encountered at the casino...one hour to sit-down. Kim left for a while to gamble, came back to show me her winnings, and then went off again until we got in the curlicue line close to the diningroom. We chatted most of the way with an American couple whose hobby it is to travel from casino to casino playing poker. They were very nice and I thought how lovely for both of them to have the same hobby.
Dinner was great but we gobbled it up so we could get back to the machines. Every time I came across Kim she was carrying a new win ticket. I just continued a slow spiral of loss as usual but before I could lose it all Kim decided it was time to go home.
We headed back on the QE and ran headlong into the longest bumper to bumper traffic imaginable. More construction had reduced us to one lane. It took us almost 2 hours to get home which is about double the time.
Speaking of construction, it seems that Ontario is in a maddening state of road repairs. What's worse is that many of the roads not under construction look absolutely dreadful. Did they wait too long to start repairs and now have no hope of keeping up with them? It really doesn't look good for the future.
Anyway, this was a lovely day to spend with my daughter. We talked and ate and played. She won some money. I lost some money. Just another day in paradise.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Cheating the Tax Man
My sister-in-law told me that she and her husband plan to put the proceeds of the sale of their house into the hands of their children, to be doled out to them as needed. This is an effort to cut down on the inheritance tax the government will take when the old folks pass away. This is also my own plan for when I sell my house in a few years.
Someone told them that it might not be wise to put their earthly possessions into someone else's hands but my sister-in-law claimed that if she couldn't trust her own children she couldn't trust anyone. How lucky she and I are that we can truthfully say that.
It got me wondering about how we are fortunate enough to have loving and trustworthy children when so many others can't say the same. There are horror stories about elderly abuse where children beat and rob their own parents. The elderly are as defenseless as children in many ways and can often be preyed on in the same way.
Though I never want to be dependant on my children, I can trust they'll make sure I'm cared for right to the very end. It's reassuring for aging parents to know they have someone they can trust implicitly.
There are so many scams that are directed toward old and gullible people. I fend them off on a regular basis but I always worry that others who are maybe more gullible will fall victim to them. It's wise for a child to listen carefully to what their elderly parents have been up to and it's a good idea to have power of attorney and even joint bank accounts with their parents so they can easily see if too much money is being spent. Usually the aged are bright and alert to the very end but not always. Sometimes we need a bit of protection.
I've already told my children that there might not be a penny left for them when I pass away because I plan to enjoy the fruits of my husband and my labors as long as I can. My good children cheered me on.
Someone told them that it might not be wise to put their earthly possessions into someone else's hands but my sister-in-law claimed that if she couldn't trust her own children she couldn't trust anyone. How lucky she and I are that we can truthfully say that.
It got me wondering about how we are fortunate enough to have loving and trustworthy children when so many others can't say the same. There are horror stories about elderly abuse where children beat and rob their own parents. The elderly are as defenseless as children in many ways and can often be preyed on in the same way.
Though I never want to be dependant on my children, I can trust they'll make sure I'm cared for right to the very end. It's reassuring for aging parents to know they have someone they can trust implicitly.
There are so many scams that are directed toward old and gullible people. I fend them off on a regular basis but I always worry that others who are maybe more gullible will fall victim to them. It's wise for a child to listen carefully to what their elderly parents have been up to and it's a good idea to have power of attorney and even joint bank accounts with their parents so they can easily see if too much money is being spent. Usually the aged are bright and alert to the very end but not always. Sometimes we need a bit of protection.
I've already told my children that there might not be a penny left for them when I pass away because I plan to enjoy the fruits of my husband and my labors as long as I can. My good children cheered me on.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Unreasonable People
Every one of us will have to try to deal with unreasonable people in our lives and I have the perfect solution. Walk away from them.
There are so many really wonderful people out there to spend your allotted time on earth with so why waste precious time on unreasonable, and nasty people?
When I was in my "depression" period I was pretty isolated which is one of the worst things for people who are depressed. Opening up to allow potential new friends into your life isn't easy but it's healthy. I'm not the most trusting person but I've been so darned lucky to become close to a good number of trustworthy, honest, and fun people in latter years. The odd "nasty" has just been swept to the side.
My attitude towards friends has changed over the years, too. I'm more tolerant of idiocyncrasies because I finally realize I have my own. I love quirky people, just as long as they're honest and aboveboard.
When I get a crabby salesperson or intolerable relative, I walk away. It isn't the coward's way out, it's my way of reserving my time on earth for better things. Some people learn this early on in life but it took me a little longer. In any case, it works well so give it a try.
There are so many really wonderful people out there to spend your allotted time on earth with so why waste precious time on unreasonable, and nasty people?
When I was in my "depression" period I was pretty isolated which is one of the worst things for people who are depressed. Opening up to allow potential new friends into your life isn't easy but it's healthy. I'm not the most trusting person but I've been so darned lucky to become close to a good number of trustworthy, honest, and fun people in latter years. The odd "nasty" has just been swept to the side.
My attitude towards friends has changed over the years, too. I'm more tolerant of idiocyncrasies because I finally realize I have my own. I love quirky people, just as long as they're honest and aboveboard.
When I get a crabby salesperson or intolerable relative, I walk away. It isn't the coward's way out, it's my way of reserving my time on earth for better things. Some people learn this early on in life but it took me a little longer. In any case, it works well so give it a try.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Computer Wires
One of the reasons I bought a laptop computer to take to Florida is because of the forbidding maze of wires under the desktop computer. Can this really be necessary? It's actually scary to look under there.
Yesterday I was surfing the web (I love the freedom in that phrase) when my mouse stopped working. It was the old mouse from my old computer so I thought it had just worn out. I still had the mouse that came with the new computer so I attempted to remove the old and plug in the new.
As I climbed in among miles of entwined wires going in all directions I tried tracing the route of the old mouse so I could disconnect it and plug in the new one. Sounds easy? No.
I yanked gently on a wire I thought was connected to the old mouse and followed it down to the computer where I discovered it had another wire attached to it. How could that be, I thought? After a few attempts and still finding this same double wire I gave up and called Anna, my neighbor, to come and help me.
Over came Anna in pyjamas after working all day and she climbed under the computer desk to deal with my wires. She easily traced the proper wire (I'd been following the one connected to the camera dock), removed and replugged and I was all set once more.
She said the old mouse might not have been compatible with Vista. I hate Vista. I once said that people (or things) you hate don't deserve space in your life. Well, I'm cursed with having to live with Vista because it came with the new computer so I'll just have to learn to accept it.
Wonder what surprises it has for me in the future?
Yesterday I was surfing the web (I love the freedom in that phrase) when my mouse stopped working. It was the old mouse from my old computer so I thought it had just worn out. I still had the mouse that came with the new computer so I attempted to remove the old and plug in the new.
As I climbed in among miles of entwined wires going in all directions I tried tracing the route of the old mouse so I could disconnect it and plug in the new one. Sounds easy? No.
I yanked gently on a wire I thought was connected to the old mouse and followed it down to the computer where I discovered it had another wire attached to it. How could that be, I thought? After a few attempts and still finding this same double wire I gave up and called Anna, my neighbor, to come and help me.
Over came Anna in pyjamas after working all day and she climbed under the computer desk to deal with my wires. She easily traced the proper wire (I'd been following the one connected to the camera dock), removed and replugged and I was all set once more.
She said the old mouse might not have been compatible with Vista. I hate Vista. I once said that people (or things) you hate don't deserve space in your life. Well, I'm cursed with having to live with Vista because it came with the new computer so I'll just have to learn to accept it.
Wonder what surprises it has for me in the future?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Arrests in Caledonia
Well gosh darn!!! 50 OPP officers in full riot gear marched into a Caledonia housing development (the one where a developer was viciously beaten by natives last week) and arrested 9 native demonstrators. The picture in the newspaper shows 4 officers carting away a 200 lb. woman. It's people like her that's held a town hostage all this time??
Of course, if I, a caucasian lady, had gone to Caledonia to do any demonstrating I would have been tossed in jail the very first minute. Maybe I'm naive but I can't understand why we have different laws for different people. The majority of us have always known that the rich and the church don't face the same penalties the rest of us do when we break the law but it's hard to accept that race or nationality can also be a factor.
If this was an ideal world there would be no distinction for law breakers but this is far from an ideal world. Politics, money and graft rule us more than we care to admit. We, the people, have to use whatever clout we can muster to force our politicians and police force to do what is fair. Free speech and peaceful demonstrations carry the word but our vote carries the punch.
To the citizens of Caledonia...you have a gem of a mayor. She has been a voice of reason and honesty in this situation even though her powers were limited in solving the problem. Remember her when it comes time to cast your vote. She'd get mine if I lived in Caledonia.
Of course, if I, a caucasian lady, had gone to Caledonia to do any demonstrating I would have been tossed in jail the very first minute. Maybe I'm naive but I can't understand why we have different laws for different people. The majority of us have always known that the rich and the church don't face the same penalties the rest of us do when we break the law but it's hard to accept that race or nationality can also be a factor.
If this was an ideal world there would be no distinction for law breakers but this is far from an ideal world. Politics, money and graft rule us more than we care to admit. We, the people, have to use whatever clout we can muster to force our politicians and police force to do what is fair. Free speech and peaceful demonstrations carry the word but our vote carries the punch.
To the citizens of Caledonia...you have a gem of a mayor. She has been a voice of reason and honesty in this situation even though her powers were limited in solving the problem. Remember her when it comes time to cast your vote. She'd get mine if I lived in Caledonia.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Musical in Toronto
My niece, Valerie, got free tickets for four of us to see a musical comedy in Toronto this afternoon. We got into Toronto early enough to have lunch at a nice restaurant and then take a little walk downtown before going to the theatre.
Downtown Toronto is an amazing place. I'm sure I looked like I just crawled out of the sticks because I couldn't stop staring around in awe at the skyscrapers, the massive crowds of people, and the heavy duty traffic. I've been there many times but I'm always impressed by the majestic size of that city. It's not even close to a place I'd like to live but it's the top of the line as a place to go for entertainment.
We saw "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Elgin theatre and, again, I stared around in open admiration at the grandeur of the theatre. If I remember correctly it is over 90 years old and was refurbished a few years back. Many of the theatres in Toronto are old, refurbished, masterpieces of architecture that are a joy to see because this kind of building isn't being done anymore. They are gaudy displays of days long ago when the cost of building was low enough to allow extravagantly decorative finishing. I'm not sure if the modern, streamlined architecture of today is because of changing tastes or prohibitive building costs. Personally, I much prefer the character found in old buildings.
Back to the musical...Val had told us it didn't have much of a story so I was half way expecting not to be fully entertained but the show turned out to be just wonderful. Bob Martin acted as the "man in chair" and his role was that of narrator. He was so good that you could almost forget he was acting...my favorite kind of actor! Val was right about the story being inconsequential but the singing, dancing, and unique concept of the presentation was terrific entertainment.
Valerie was our driver and I have to commend her driving ability in Toronto traffic. Despite one U-turn in bumper to bumper traffic, she impressed me with her fine tuned ability to weave through downtown Toronto like a pro. Good job, Val!
It was a wonderful day with good people. We ate a really nice meal, saw a fun show, and got home before dark. You can't ask much more than that from your day.
Downtown Toronto is an amazing place. I'm sure I looked like I just crawled out of the sticks because I couldn't stop staring around in awe at the skyscrapers, the massive crowds of people, and the heavy duty traffic. I've been there many times but I'm always impressed by the majestic size of that city. It's not even close to a place I'd like to live but it's the top of the line as a place to go for entertainment.
We saw "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Elgin theatre and, again, I stared around in open admiration at the grandeur of the theatre. If I remember correctly it is over 90 years old and was refurbished a few years back. Many of the theatres in Toronto are old, refurbished, masterpieces of architecture that are a joy to see because this kind of building isn't being done anymore. They are gaudy displays of days long ago when the cost of building was low enough to allow extravagantly decorative finishing. I'm not sure if the modern, streamlined architecture of today is because of changing tastes or prohibitive building costs. Personally, I much prefer the character found in old buildings.
Back to the musical...Val had told us it didn't have much of a story so I was half way expecting not to be fully entertained but the show turned out to be just wonderful. Bob Martin acted as the "man in chair" and his role was that of narrator. He was so good that you could almost forget he was acting...my favorite kind of actor! Val was right about the story being inconsequential but the singing, dancing, and unique concept of the presentation was terrific entertainment.
Valerie was our driver and I have to commend her driving ability in Toronto traffic. Despite one U-turn in bumper to bumper traffic, she impressed me with her fine tuned ability to weave through downtown Toronto like a pro. Good job, Val!
It was a wonderful day with good people. We ate a really nice meal, saw a fun show, and got home before dark. You can't ask much more than that from your day.
Getting Old and Sick
When you're young and get a touch of flu or other mild illness, no-one worries too much because the young are resilient. But when someone of advanced age becomes ill it's much more worrisome because older people don't snap back as easily.
Another worry about minor illnesses in the old is that many of us are living alone. Well meaning relatives and neighbors can't make up for that live-in person who, at 3 A.M., can hold your hair out of your face while you throw up and make sure you don't choke. It's just one of those tiny, niggling worries that always sits in the back of my mind.
I hurt my knee dancing last New Year's (as I've let everyone know many times over...even strangers on the street if they didn't run away fast enough) and thought it would be a permanent injury but I've been one of the lucky ones and the knee has healed almost completely. I still get twinges when I walk too long or twist too fast but, for the most part, it's almost like new.
My sister-in-law, Joyce, just went through a bout of antibiotics and got even sicker because it turned out she was allergic to one of them. She's 75 years old so it's hit her a little harder than it would have 20 years ago but she has her sweetie, Larry, to take care of her. They live out in the boon docks of northern Ontario so it would have been kind of disastrous if she'd been there alone, though.
As we age our immune system becomes weaker so a little cold could more easily turn into pneumonia. Yearly flu epidemics end the lives of many elderly people who failed to be vaccinated. A small injury could become a permanent, incapacitating problem.
I've mentioned my inner worries about getting older and becoming sick to my friend, Mary. She was very quick to reply, "don't worry because we (she and Faye) will take care of you". Now, doesn't that warm your heart?
Another worry about minor illnesses in the old is that many of us are living alone. Well meaning relatives and neighbors can't make up for that live-in person who, at 3 A.M., can hold your hair out of your face while you throw up and make sure you don't choke. It's just one of those tiny, niggling worries that always sits in the back of my mind.
I hurt my knee dancing last New Year's (as I've let everyone know many times over...even strangers on the street if they didn't run away fast enough) and thought it would be a permanent injury but I've been one of the lucky ones and the knee has healed almost completely. I still get twinges when I walk too long or twist too fast but, for the most part, it's almost like new.
My sister-in-law, Joyce, just went through a bout of antibiotics and got even sicker because it turned out she was allergic to one of them. She's 75 years old so it's hit her a little harder than it would have 20 years ago but she has her sweetie, Larry, to take care of her. They live out in the boon docks of northern Ontario so it would have been kind of disastrous if she'd been there alone, though.
As we age our immune system becomes weaker so a little cold could more easily turn into pneumonia. Yearly flu epidemics end the lives of many elderly people who failed to be vaccinated. A small injury could become a permanent, incapacitating problem.
I've mentioned my inner worries about getting older and becoming sick to my friend, Mary. She was very quick to reply, "don't worry because we (she and Faye) will take care of you". Now, doesn't that warm your heart?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Natives Attack Builder
In the ongoing saga of native unrest in Caledonia, a 52 year old builder was viciously beaten into unconsciousness by several young natives he found wandering inside a home he is building. Six Nations leaders quickly distanced themselves from the senseless savagery of the attack and apologized to the builder and his family.
But native spokesmen (not to be confused with LEADERS), say the youths were attacked first by men with guns. If there had been men with guns at that building surely they would have shot those cowardly natives while they were beating a helpless older man almost to death.
I'm beginning to believe the problem with natives in this country is that their honorable leaders have no control over them and their actions. In a few words...too many chiefs. There seems to be too many different factions speaking for the natives so no wonder it's difficult to deal with them.
The antics of natives in Caledonia have further separated all natives from mainstream Canadians and this something that should never have happened. We, in our desperate need to be fair, have allowed a small group of people to disprupt homes, businesses, highways, and progress.
The OPP were quick to say they would have protected the builder who was beaten...if only they'd seen the attack. But we all remember and will never forget how the OPP stood by and allowed natives to terrorize an elderly couple and also allowed them to beat a T.V. news reporter bloody. The OPP lost a lot of respect that day and haven't done much to gain it back.
Native terrorism isn't just in Caledonia. In Ontario alone it is all along the Grand River and 6 miles on either side. Anyone who owns a home in that disputed area is living on borrowed time. Sooner or later, unless our government puts a stop to it, the natives could demand all of that land back. Someone is going to get killed.
I don't know who was at fault 200 years ago but something should be settled right now so that people can get on with their lives. And when any citizen breaks the law in Canada, criminals should all be treated the same no matter what race they are.
But native spokesmen (not to be confused with LEADERS), say the youths were attacked first by men with guns. If there had been men with guns at that building surely they would have shot those cowardly natives while they were beating a helpless older man almost to death.
I'm beginning to believe the problem with natives in this country is that their honorable leaders have no control over them and their actions. In a few words...too many chiefs. There seems to be too many different factions speaking for the natives so no wonder it's difficult to deal with them.
The antics of natives in Caledonia have further separated all natives from mainstream Canadians and this something that should never have happened. We, in our desperate need to be fair, have allowed a small group of people to disprupt homes, businesses, highways, and progress.
The OPP were quick to say they would have protected the builder who was beaten...if only they'd seen the attack. But we all remember and will never forget how the OPP stood by and allowed natives to terrorize an elderly couple and also allowed them to beat a T.V. news reporter bloody. The OPP lost a lot of respect that day and haven't done much to gain it back.
Native terrorism isn't just in Caledonia. In Ontario alone it is all along the Grand River and 6 miles on either side. Anyone who owns a home in that disputed area is living on borrowed time. Sooner or later, unless our government puts a stop to it, the natives could demand all of that land back. Someone is going to get killed.
I don't know who was at fault 200 years ago but something should be settled right now so that people can get on with their lives. And when any citizen breaks the law in Canada, criminals should all be treated the same no matter what race they are.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Closing Down for Winter
I'm really a lazy person. I do a lot of work in small increments and that's the way I approach cleaning up the yard for winter. Today I spent 10 minutes stacking the patio chairs in the tool shed (wish I had a garage, but no). Mind you, this isn't my pattern for preparing the yard for summer because that's too much fun and I actually wear myself out then. But preparing for winter isn't fun.
When I close up the house and head for Florida, I'm wearing clam diggers and sandals...even if it's cold as hell. I don't care, I'm looking forward to sunny skies and warm weather which I'll drive into within a few days. Arriving in Florida to spend the winter is like preparing for summer again and I go to work. Dragging flower planters into their spots, planting healthy and colorful flowers, weeding, and pruning...I wear myself out the first few days but fall asleep with a smile on my face.
But that's Florida and this is mid September in Canada. Maybe next week I'll drag myself out into the yard and cut down the raggedy Morning Glory vines. I'm not going to wear myself out.
When I close up the house and head for Florida, I'm wearing clam diggers and sandals...even if it's cold as hell. I don't care, I'm looking forward to sunny skies and warm weather which I'll drive into within a few days. Arriving in Florida to spend the winter is like preparing for summer again and I go to work. Dragging flower planters into their spots, planting healthy and colorful flowers, weeding, and pruning...I wear myself out the first few days but fall asleep with a smile on my face.
But that's Florida and this is mid September in Canada. Maybe next week I'll drag myself out into the yard and cut down the raggedy Morning Glory vines. I'm not going to wear myself out.
Laying David to Rest
Yesterday was the first cold and windy day we've experienced since last spring and it was the day we put David's ashes in the ground. Fitting in a way because the weather reflected the state of mind of the mourners to be burying the remains of a once vibrant human being.
Just the closest family stood around the grave site, uncomfortable in the cold and saddened to be bringing an end to the ritual of David's life and death on earth. It's a cycle that begins the day we're born but it still seems so unfair when the end arrives way too soon.
We know that David is long gone to his reward but the ritual continues out of respect. It's not only a laying to rest of David's ashes but a laying to rest of the mourner's pain. Now begins the time of healing, of getting on with the life we still enjoy. It doesn't mean the pain will disappear overnight but it will diminish in time.
My generation is old now. We're probably next in line for the final ritual but that's the way it should be. We hurt less burying the old than we do burying the young. For me, I want more time to have fun and laughter right here on earth but there is an inate curiousity about what's on the other side. And I know there is another side...logic tells me so.
Just the closest family stood around the grave site, uncomfortable in the cold and saddened to be bringing an end to the ritual of David's life and death on earth. It's a cycle that begins the day we're born but it still seems so unfair when the end arrives way too soon.
We know that David is long gone to his reward but the ritual continues out of respect. It's not only a laying to rest of David's ashes but a laying to rest of the mourner's pain. Now begins the time of healing, of getting on with the life we still enjoy. It doesn't mean the pain will disappear overnight but it will diminish in time.
My generation is old now. We're probably next in line for the final ritual but that's the way it should be. We hurt less burying the old than we do burying the young. For me, I want more time to have fun and laughter right here on earth but there is an inate curiousity about what's on the other side. And I know there is another side...logic tells me so.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Six Nations Natives Levy Illegal Tax
Six Nations natives have formed a development group which will levy an illegal tax (paid directly to them) on developers wishing to build along the Grand River. It will be in the form of a building permit (also illegal) issued by Six Nations. Where the hell is the Canadian government and why are they not protecting the citizens who pay their salaries?
The government recently washed their hands of the situation and said that developers are on their own if the natives decide to squat on their land and disrupt building. Where the hell is the OPP and why are they not protecting the citizens who pay their salaries?
In a few years I'll be selling my house and looking to move outside the "big city" and my choice at one time was Caledonia. Not in a million years would I now subject myself to the native bullying that is happening there. Property values in Caledonia must have plummeted in the last couple of years causing hard working property owners to lose some of their investment in their homes.
How can our government allow a group of people who dispute, not prove, that they have a claim on land sold by their ancestors 200 years ago to disrupt so many lives? In this case, the natives have plenty of time to cause disruption because most of them have no jobs. This may not be a "politically correct" statement but it's true.
It doesn't matter whether we expect the provincial or federal government to clear up this mess. If the provincial government fails to do their job then the federal government should step in and do it for them. Remember who you elected the last time and DON'T vote for them again. We need fresh blood and people with the guts to take a stand.
To the Six Nations natives who are behaving like criminals...you are a disgrace to your honorable ancestors. Remember that respect has to be deserved.
The government recently washed their hands of the situation and said that developers are on their own if the natives decide to squat on their land and disrupt building. Where the hell is the OPP and why are they not protecting the citizens who pay their salaries?
In a few years I'll be selling my house and looking to move outside the "big city" and my choice at one time was Caledonia. Not in a million years would I now subject myself to the native bullying that is happening there. Property values in Caledonia must have plummeted in the last couple of years causing hard working property owners to lose some of their investment in their homes.
How can our government allow a group of people who dispute, not prove, that they have a claim on land sold by their ancestors 200 years ago to disrupt so many lives? In this case, the natives have plenty of time to cause disruption because most of them have no jobs. This may not be a "politically correct" statement but it's true.
It doesn't matter whether we expect the provincial or federal government to clear up this mess. If the provincial government fails to do their job then the federal government should step in and do it for them. Remember who you elected the last time and DON'T vote for them again. We need fresh blood and people with the guts to take a stand.
To the Six Nations natives who are behaving like criminals...you are a disgrace to your honorable ancestors. Remember that respect has to be deserved.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Still Eating Like a Saint
I'm now a couple of weeks into eating healthier and, honestly, I feel better even though there's not much less poundage on my hips. Since I eat in restaurants a lot I've learned where I can buy the food that's acceptable to me. McDonalds is out and Wendy's and Arby's are in because they serve baked potatoes.
Swiss Chalet (sorry, in Canada only) serves chicken sandwiches, barbecued chicken, and chicken soup...also the blessed baked potato.
Fancy restaurants are out most of the time because of the expense but on special occasions they can be counted on to serve excellent salads.
At home, I have garden tomatoes and cukes along with poached salmon. One of my favorite grocery stores sells 8 small frozen salmon steaks for $10 and they are excellent. Snacks are almost always fruit. Lunch at home is a chicken sandwich or the tomatoes/cukes with canned salmon and cottage cheese.
There are lots of carbs in beef so I seldom have it but I never ate much beef before so it's no big loss.
Oh yes, I've begun eating a proper breakfast. I'm seldom hungry in the morning but I've started eating a low sugar cereal (Kashi) mixed half and half with Kellog's Special K. I only use skim milk for cereal and coffee.
I'm not calling this a diet because the main purpose is not to lose weight but to simply consume healthier foods. If I also lose some weight then that's a bonus.
So far, so good and I do feel physically healthier. I'm still learning what I should be eating and maybe my choices aren't the best but they will improve with time. After all, I am woman, I am strong, I am determined.
Swiss Chalet (sorry, in Canada only) serves chicken sandwiches, barbecued chicken, and chicken soup...also the blessed baked potato.
Fancy restaurants are out most of the time because of the expense but on special occasions they can be counted on to serve excellent salads.
At home, I have garden tomatoes and cukes along with poached salmon. One of my favorite grocery stores sells 8 small frozen salmon steaks for $10 and they are excellent. Snacks are almost always fruit. Lunch at home is a chicken sandwich or the tomatoes/cukes with canned salmon and cottage cheese.
There are lots of carbs in beef so I seldom have it but I never ate much beef before so it's no big loss.
Oh yes, I've begun eating a proper breakfast. I'm seldom hungry in the morning but I've started eating a low sugar cereal (Kashi) mixed half and half with Kellog's Special K. I only use skim milk for cereal and coffee.
I'm not calling this a diet because the main purpose is not to lose weight but to simply consume healthier foods. If I also lose some weight then that's a bonus.
So far, so good and I do feel physically healthier. I'm still learning what I should be eating and maybe my choices aren't the best but they will improve with time. After all, I am woman, I am strong, I am determined.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Out of the Mouths of Babes
Sometimes the most hilarious things you hear will come from the innocent mouths of children. And sometimes they're the most embarrassing.
When my middle daughter was in kindergarten her teacher decided to have each child describe their parents. She wrote their answers on paper and posted them on the blackboard for parent/teachers night. This what my little sweetie had to say about her parents..."My daddy likes to work and my mommy likes to go to parties". She described us to a tee.
This same little girl was sent over to a neighbor's house because they were sitting on their porch playing guitars one warm summer evening. She was told to ask them if they would play "Wildwood Flower". After a long wait, we wondered why they didn't play our song and asked Cindy what she'd asked for. She'd asked them to play a plant.
My oldest girl joined some neighbors on a trip to the park. Not long after they left they returned with Kim who had tear stained, swollen eyes. When asked why she hadn't wanted to stay at the park, she replied "I'm just a homely child". What she meant was that she liked to stay home.
Shelley, the youngest, had a bit of a speech impediment...she couldn't say her "r's" until she was about 6. At one point she was trying to master the expression "goody goody gumdrops" but it always came out "giddy giddy dwumgops". She'd stomp off madder than a wet hen because we'd laugh at how cute she sounded but, in a few minutes she'd come back and try it once more. We'd hear "giddy giddy dwumgops" again and almost fall off our chairs laughing. As mad as she was, she just couldn't give it up and never understood that we laughed because it was so precious.
Those are just a few moments in my life that will always bring back fond memories.
When my middle daughter was in kindergarten her teacher decided to have each child describe their parents. She wrote their answers on paper and posted them on the blackboard for parent/teachers night. This what my little sweetie had to say about her parents..."My daddy likes to work and my mommy likes to go to parties". She described us to a tee.
This same little girl was sent over to a neighbor's house because they were sitting on their porch playing guitars one warm summer evening. She was told to ask them if they would play "Wildwood Flower". After a long wait, we wondered why they didn't play our song and asked Cindy what she'd asked for. She'd asked them to play a plant.
My oldest girl joined some neighbors on a trip to the park. Not long after they left they returned with Kim who had tear stained, swollen eyes. When asked why she hadn't wanted to stay at the park, she replied "I'm just a homely child". What she meant was that she liked to stay home.
Shelley, the youngest, had a bit of a speech impediment...she couldn't say her "r's" until she was about 6. At one point she was trying to master the expression "goody goody gumdrops" but it always came out "giddy giddy dwumgops". She'd stomp off madder than a wet hen because we'd laugh at how cute she sounded but, in a few minutes she'd come back and try it once more. We'd hear "giddy giddy dwumgops" again and almost fall off our chairs laughing. As mad as she was, she just couldn't give it up and never understood that we laughed because it was so precious.
Those are just a few moments in my life that will always bring back fond memories.
Some Things I've Learned
1. Old dogs can learn new tricks. No matter what our preconceptions,
we can open our minds to learn and accept new ideas.
2. There is incredible good and incredible evil in the world. If you align
yourself with the good it will rub off on you. And if you align yourself
with evil it will destroy you.
3. In this day and age we can't be too trustful of others. Sorry.
4. When you love, do it with every fibre of your being.
5. Don't waste time or energy on hate. Someone worthy of your hate
shouldn't take up space in your life.
6. Enjoy the moment. It could be your last.
7. Our pets could just be the angels sent to teach us unconditional love.
8. Draw new people into your life. Some of them will turn out to be
gems.
9. We have a lot more choices than we think we have.
10. Do your best to be a good parent, a good friend, and a good
neighbor. If you can manage these three things, you'll be a success
in life.
we can open our minds to learn and accept new ideas.
2. There is incredible good and incredible evil in the world. If you align
yourself with the good it will rub off on you. And if you align yourself
with evil it will destroy you.
3. In this day and age we can't be too trustful of others. Sorry.
4. When you love, do it with every fibre of your being.
5. Don't waste time or energy on hate. Someone worthy of your hate
shouldn't take up space in your life.
6. Enjoy the moment. It could be your last.
7. Our pets could just be the angels sent to teach us unconditional love.
8. Draw new people into your life. Some of them will turn out to be
gems.
9. We have a lot more choices than we think we have.
10. Do your best to be a good parent, a good friend, and a good
neighbor. If you can manage these three things, you'll be a success
in life.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Public Funding of Religious Schools
Years back our government decided it was "politically correct" to fully fund Catholic schools in the same way it funds public schools. I thought then and know now that this was just opening a can of worms.
All religious schools are now rightly demanding they be funded in the same way. What this will do is draw money from public schools which will suffer more shortages than they now have.
The public school system supports school buildings where they are needed depending on the number of students in the area. It's obvious there is a severe lack of funds when you see how many portable classrooms are on school property. Our children are expected to learn their lessons in portables that can't be kept properly climate controlled. Rather than travelling indoors from class to class the children don coats and boots and trudge from portable to building. Something is wrong here in the country of high taxation.
Public schools are provided for all children. If their parents wish them to receive a different kind of education then their parents should pay the bill. It's as simple as that.
Religious classes can be taken after school hours and in church. I just don't think that strictly religious parents want their children associating with children of other religions in a public school. They're afraid their children will see another way to follow but T.V. and movies have already shown their children the many ways of the world.
Public schooling blends all nationalities and religions together so that they can better understand each other's ways. We're all tired of wars and dissention between countries so why are we afraid of allowing our children to befriend children from other cultures? Common sense tells us that we fear what we don't understand so why not gather together and learn from each other?
Common sense is not going to prevail here. Canadians will buckle under once again and offer public funding for every religion under the sun so that children can remain separate from their neighbors. The money pot will be stretched so thin that no-one will receive the education they deserve. But our gutless politicians can continue to brag about how "politically correct" they are.
All religious schools are now rightly demanding they be funded in the same way. What this will do is draw money from public schools which will suffer more shortages than they now have.
The public school system supports school buildings where they are needed depending on the number of students in the area. It's obvious there is a severe lack of funds when you see how many portable classrooms are on school property. Our children are expected to learn their lessons in portables that can't be kept properly climate controlled. Rather than travelling indoors from class to class the children don coats and boots and trudge from portable to building. Something is wrong here in the country of high taxation.
Public schools are provided for all children. If their parents wish them to receive a different kind of education then their parents should pay the bill. It's as simple as that.
Religious classes can be taken after school hours and in church. I just don't think that strictly religious parents want their children associating with children of other religions in a public school. They're afraid their children will see another way to follow but T.V. and movies have already shown their children the many ways of the world.
Public schooling blends all nationalities and religions together so that they can better understand each other's ways. We're all tired of wars and dissention between countries so why are we afraid of allowing our children to befriend children from other cultures? Common sense tells us that we fear what we don't understand so why not gather together and learn from each other?
Common sense is not going to prevail here. Canadians will buckle under once again and offer public funding for every religion under the sun so that children can remain separate from their neighbors. The money pot will be stretched so thin that no-one will receive the education they deserve. But our gutless politicians can continue to brag about how "politically correct" they are.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Vote in a Burka?
Elections Canada is allowing women hidden under a burka to vote. They must show a photo I.D. (with uncovered face?) or have another phantom burka covered person verify their identity. It's got me wondering if we allow someone to immigrate to Canada and become Canadian citizens without ever showing their faces. Somehow, in this world of "political correctness", it wouldn't surprise me.
Muslims are coming forward and saying that it is personal choice, not religious demand, that a woman cover herself from head to toe with a burka. In truth, it is one of the most demeaning examples of female behaviour that I've ever seen. This habit can't last for long in a free country because the women themselves will rebel but I just don't understand why Elections Canada is allowing a fetish to rule something as important as an election.
There's something about a woman (if it is a woman) sailing through the streets completely clad in a black robe that even covers her face that gives me chills. I feel so sorry for her because she's imprisoned in that getup. There's absolutely no possibility of that woman blending in with her new Canadian neighbors. She is isolated.
It's difficult for me to believe a woman would willingly hide herself like this and I'm inclined to think that it's possibly a fanatically controlling husband or father that is pulling the strings. Maybe, or maybe not, but it certainly lends itself to that interpretation.
This is a free country and that's why these people came here in the first place so they have the right to dress in this fashion if they choose. I can't accept that they have the right to vote or obtain I.D. without showing their faces, though.
When you immigrate to any country you must accept the rules and laws of that country which should only be changed by a majority vote. That's what makes us a free country. Political correctness can be a noose around our necks if we allow it to blind us to simple logic.
In Canada we do it our way and if it's not to your liking then maybe you shouldn't come here to live.
Muslims are coming forward and saying that it is personal choice, not religious demand, that a woman cover herself from head to toe with a burka. In truth, it is one of the most demeaning examples of female behaviour that I've ever seen. This habit can't last for long in a free country because the women themselves will rebel but I just don't understand why Elections Canada is allowing a fetish to rule something as important as an election.
There's something about a woman (if it is a woman) sailing through the streets completely clad in a black robe that even covers her face that gives me chills. I feel so sorry for her because she's imprisoned in that getup. There's absolutely no possibility of that woman blending in with her new Canadian neighbors. She is isolated.
It's difficult for me to believe a woman would willingly hide herself like this and I'm inclined to think that it's possibly a fanatically controlling husband or father that is pulling the strings. Maybe, or maybe not, but it certainly lends itself to that interpretation.
This is a free country and that's why these people came here in the first place so they have the right to dress in this fashion if they choose. I can't accept that they have the right to vote or obtain I.D. without showing their faces, though.
When you immigrate to any country you must accept the rules and laws of that country which should only be changed by a majority vote. That's what makes us a free country. Political correctness can be a noose around our necks if we allow it to blind us to simple logic.
In Canada we do it our way and if it's not to your liking then maybe you shouldn't come here to live.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Coley's Quinceniera
I just saw the pictures of my granddaughter Nicole's quinceniera (hope I spelled that right) and she is gorgeous. It is a latin tradition that when a girl reaches the age of 15 they have a huge party to celebrate it. Someone likened it to a wedding reception in importance.
Nicole looks more like her mother than her father but she has inherited his beautiful Cuban coloring and really does look very Spanish. Like many girls these days she appears much older than her years. Thank heavens she has strict parents who have an old fashioned view on how to raise their children. My firm belief is that Nicole and her sister, Lisette, have such a strong, respectful bond with their parents that they'd never do anything to shame or hurt them. This is the way all families should be.
Nicole is very feminine but she's also a jock. When I'd visit them a few years back it was always cute the way sweet little Nicole turned into such an aggressive player on the soccer field. It brought back memories of her mother at the same age playing field hockey.
When Coley was very small she hated me. I have no understanding why because I wasn't lucky enough to see them often at that time. When her father had the accident that cost him his leg I went down to Florida to care for the girls (Jake wasn't born then). Coley was a gorgeous 4 year old who didn't have a kind word for me, often standing with hands on hips asking when I was going home. One day I'd had enough and told her we just wouldn't talk if she was going to be nasty. She cried and cried and then did a complete about turn and became the wonderful little girl she was to everyone else.
When her father returned from the hospital minus his left leg, Coley was the one who wanted to change the bandages. Again she reminded me of her mother who cried when hurt as a child but the sight of blood fascinated her enough to stop the tears. We have a strange family.
Today my beautiful Coley is all that anyone could ask for in a grandchild. She's lovely, smart, athletic, and well mannered...even to me now!
Nicole looks more like her mother than her father but she has inherited his beautiful Cuban coloring and really does look very Spanish. Like many girls these days she appears much older than her years. Thank heavens she has strict parents who have an old fashioned view on how to raise their children. My firm belief is that Nicole and her sister, Lisette, have such a strong, respectful bond with their parents that they'd never do anything to shame or hurt them. This is the way all families should be.
Nicole is very feminine but she's also a jock. When I'd visit them a few years back it was always cute the way sweet little Nicole turned into such an aggressive player on the soccer field. It brought back memories of her mother at the same age playing field hockey.
When Coley was very small she hated me. I have no understanding why because I wasn't lucky enough to see them often at that time. When her father had the accident that cost him his leg I went down to Florida to care for the girls (Jake wasn't born then). Coley was a gorgeous 4 year old who didn't have a kind word for me, often standing with hands on hips asking when I was going home. One day I'd had enough and told her we just wouldn't talk if she was going to be nasty. She cried and cried and then did a complete about turn and became the wonderful little girl she was to everyone else.
When her father returned from the hospital minus his left leg, Coley was the one who wanted to change the bandages. Again she reminded me of her mother who cried when hurt as a child but the sight of blood fascinated her enough to stop the tears. We have a strange family.
Today my beautiful Coley is all that anyone could ask for in a grandchild. She's lovely, smart, athletic, and well mannered...even to me now!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Doggy Kennel
I'm going to be taking care of my daughter's little Jack Russells while she's on holidays but I insisted on her getting one of those wire kennels so they can sleep in it. The last time I looked after them someone peed on the hallway floor in the middle of the night and it wasn't me. Neither one of them would own up to it, either.
They are the yappiest dogs but they're really cute. I'm going to make an effort to train them. I saw a dog trainer on T.V. and he trained 2 out-of-control Jack Russells during a half hour show so I'm hoping I can make some headway in the two weeks I'll have Bailey and Baker.
My neighbor just rescued the cutest little poodly dog from the pound and it's got me wanting my own again. They really are wonderful company and a joy to have around if they're well trained. Maybe two weeks with B and B will make me change my mind again!
They are the yappiest dogs but they're really cute. I'm going to make an effort to train them. I saw a dog trainer on T.V. and he trained 2 out-of-control Jack Russells during a half hour show so I'm hoping I can make some headway in the two weeks I'll have Bailey and Baker.
My neighbor just rescued the cutest little poodly dog from the pound and it's got me wanting my own again. They really are wonderful company and a joy to have around if they're well trained. Maybe two weeks with B and B will make me change my mind again!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
My Feet Hurt
I went cross border shopping with my young neighbors today. We crossed the border at 7:30 A.M. (I wanted to beat the long line-ups) and shopped and walked until 3:30 P.M. We stopped only because my poor feet gave out. Those girls were ready to hit another mall!
Some friends and I toured Dunnville yesterday and did a fair bit of walking there so I should have known my elderly tootsies weren't up for another day of walking but I had fun both days and wouldn't have missed either one for the world.
On the way home today we stopped in at a restaurant that had been recommended to me but I lost all hope of it being a family restaurant when we saw 2 BMW's parked at the front door. Being tired, hungry, hot, and having sore feet, I decided to go in anyway. We were a little unhappy with the prices but the food was excellent. The consensus between the three of us was that we'd eat at another restaurant next time, though.
Tonight I can vegetate in front of the T.V. with my feet up and by tomorrow I'll be ready for another adventure.
Some friends and I toured Dunnville yesterday and did a fair bit of walking there so I should have known my elderly tootsies weren't up for another day of walking but I had fun both days and wouldn't have missed either one for the world.
On the way home today we stopped in at a restaurant that had been recommended to me but I lost all hope of it being a family restaurant when we saw 2 BMW's parked at the front door. Being tired, hungry, hot, and having sore feet, I decided to go in anyway. We were a little unhappy with the prices but the food was excellent. The consensus between the three of us was that we'd eat at another restaurant next time, though.
Tonight I can vegetate in front of the T.V. with my feet up and by tomorrow I'll be ready for another adventure.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Hurtful Words
Jerry Lewis used the "F' word on his telethon and is now in deep trouble and people are demanding an apology. No, it wasn't the filthy "F" word but he said "faggot" when describing a T.V. character.
Should we be upset?
My way of thinking is that words like these are put-downs and should be addressed as such. Like the "N" word and the "C" word, we shouldn't allow them to hurt us personally but we shouldn't stand still and ignore it, either. The person using these words should be made aware that they are not acceptable and the users will be demoted in our esteem.
When one of our politicians was referred to as a "tar baby" in a local newspaper recently it was totally unacceptable and not to be tolerated. In this day and age we should never allow bullies to form the social norm. We're better than that.
Poor old Jerry Lewis, sick and angry with the world, shouldn't be allowed to run a telethon if he can't control his ignorance. And that's what it boils down to...ignorance.
Should we be upset?
My way of thinking is that words like these are put-downs and should be addressed as such. Like the "N" word and the "C" word, we shouldn't allow them to hurt us personally but we shouldn't stand still and ignore it, either. The person using these words should be made aware that they are not acceptable and the users will be demoted in our esteem.
When one of our politicians was referred to as a "tar baby" in a local newspaper recently it was totally unacceptable and not to be tolerated. In this day and age we should never allow bullies to form the social norm. We're better than that.
Poor old Jerry Lewis, sick and angry with the world, shouldn't be allowed to run a telethon if he can't control his ignorance. And that's what it boils down to...ignorance.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Problem with AOL
I presently use high speed AOL Canada for my internet service. I also spend half the year in Florida where I can't use the AOL Canada modem. My dilemma is that I have 2 choices. One, I can keep the modem and pay $100 deposit which will come off my service in April. I will also be charged the regular price for high speed AOL while I'm in Florida even though I'll only have slow dial up service. Two, I can cancel AOL and return the modem but I have to disconnect and have no internet service from the day I call them to return the modem.
I spoke to one of their representatives at length, explaining that I was a long term AOL user and couldn't understand why I have to disconnect all this stuff without paying a heavy penalty, plus pay for high speed for six months when I wasn't even getting it. It's policy, I was told.
My policy is that I'm not putting up with that crap and I'll bite the bullet and do without internet service for the 3 weeks or so it takes to get all the equipment sent back to AOL. While in Florida I'll use the park internet service and when I return to Canada I'll use my cable company for the internet.
AOL won't go out of business because they lost me as a customer but their present policy is just not fair to customers who go away for the winter. It's a money grab situation with no thought for the customers' needs.
Goodbye AOL, you didn't serve me well. Hey, I'm a poet!
I spoke to one of their representatives at length, explaining that I was a long term AOL user and couldn't understand why I have to disconnect all this stuff without paying a heavy penalty, plus pay for high speed for six months when I wasn't even getting it. It's policy, I was told.
My policy is that I'm not putting up with that crap and I'll bite the bullet and do without internet service for the 3 weeks or so it takes to get all the equipment sent back to AOL. While in Florida I'll use the park internet service and when I return to Canada I'll use my cable company for the internet.
AOL won't go out of business because they lost me as a customer but their present policy is just not fair to customers who go away for the winter. It's a money grab situation with no thought for the customers' needs.
Goodbye AOL, you didn't serve me well. Hey, I'm a poet!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Transexuals
I watched an interesting program on T.V. this morning. It was a documentary by and about a middle aged man who travelled to Cuba to film the Santeria religion practiced there (it's practiced in other countries also). The film maker was decidedly effeminate but had lived his life as a man with no interest in homosexuality but he'd always yearned to be a woman.
During his filming, he was told by a holy man that he possessed a female spirit and that was what was causing him so much personal turmoil. In all honesty, I think a child could have looked at this man and seen the inner woman trying to come out. The documentary continued with the man feeling he'd experienced a revelation and it was now time for him to become a woman.
I think we can accept that every human being possesses both masculine and feminine traits and that socialization teaches us to ignore or bury traits that aren't deemed suitable for our sex. It fascinates me to imagine someone whose body is completely opposite of the inner person.
I've always thought it so sad that a person would mutilate their own body to change the appearance of their birth sex. Is it social mores or religious conditioning that won't allow us to accept an effeminate man or a masculine woman? Maybe it's having to stifle their natural personality that makes them crave a sex change.
Social conditioning begins at birth and continues all of our lives. It's very difficult to look outside the box and accept something or someone a little different. We smirk, we laugh behind our hands, and some even use the difference as an excuse for violence. There's something wrong here.
Social conditioning brings order into our lives but it shouldn't prohibit us from including benign variations of human behaviour. After all, not one of us is exactly the same as another. We don't all look the same or have the same likes and dislikes.
As for me, I'm going to keep working on my own code of ethics, my own personal realization of what I consider right or wrong. There just might be room for improvement.
During his filming, he was told by a holy man that he possessed a female spirit and that was what was causing him so much personal turmoil. In all honesty, I think a child could have looked at this man and seen the inner woman trying to come out. The documentary continued with the man feeling he'd experienced a revelation and it was now time for him to become a woman.
I think we can accept that every human being possesses both masculine and feminine traits and that socialization teaches us to ignore or bury traits that aren't deemed suitable for our sex. It fascinates me to imagine someone whose body is completely opposite of the inner person.
I've always thought it so sad that a person would mutilate their own body to change the appearance of their birth sex. Is it social mores or religious conditioning that won't allow us to accept an effeminate man or a masculine woman? Maybe it's having to stifle their natural personality that makes them crave a sex change.
Social conditioning begins at birth and continues all of our lives. It's very difficult to look outside the box and accept something or someone a little different. We smirk, we laugh behind our hands, and some even use the difference as an excuse for violence. There's something wrong here.
Social conditioning brings order into our lives but it shouldn't prohibit us from including benign variations of human behaviour. After all, not one of us is exactly the same as another. We don't all look the same or have the same likes and dislikes.
As for me, I'm going to keep working on my own code of ethics, my own personal realization of what I consider right or wrong. There just might be room for improvement.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Broadside Collisions
Broadside car collisions are extremely dangerous, especially if there is someone sitting on the side hit. I was driving in the city today and observed so many close calls that I thought it should be noted in a blog.
I saw drivers deliberately making their turns directly in front of oncoming traffic just assuming the cars would slow down or stop so they could complete their turn. For the sake of saving a few moments these drivers risked life and limb of themselves, their passengers, and the unlucky people in oncoming traffic. Some of the near accidents were so close that it was a miracle it was avoided.
You would think that only single drivers in broken down cars would take such chances but you'd be wrong. All of the offending drivers I saw today were driving fairly new cars and at least one of them had a child in the passenger seat. If their car had been broadsided, the child would have been seriously injured or killed.
We see far too many vehicles being driven in a reckless manner by people in too much of a hurry. If only the driver of that car was killed in a crash it wouldn't be so bad but their stupidity usually takes out other cars and ruins or compromises the lives of innocent people who got in their way.
When my granddaughter, Lisette, was about 3 or 4 we were at the local mall and I was driving in the main lane through the parking lot. All of a sudden a car came roaring from a side lane where the parking spaces were and barely missed broadsiding me. If I had been going any faster it would have smashed into the side of the car where my granddaughter was sitting and possibly killed her. I was so angry that I took off after the car and chased it down until it stopped. The woman driver was in hysterics, terribly upset by what her careless driving had almost caused.
We really have to keep in mind that cars are large, heavy instruments that can cause devastation in a moment if we're careless or distracted. I hate to admit it but most of the bad drivers I see on the road are elderly. The young often drive too fast but some elderly drivers make the damnest stupid moves imaginable. One old man began to drive straight through a turning light at a major intersection one day, then made a U turn when he realized what he was doing. He slowly drove back the way he'd come and I've wondered ever since if he's still on the road.
I love to drive but I've made my own goofs. Luckily, they're few and far between because I'm a very cautious driver but I know the day will come when I have to give it up. Getting old is okay but getting too old is a pain in the butt.
I saw drivers deliberately making their turns directly in front of oncoming traffic just assuming the cars would slow down or stop so they could complete their turn. For the sake of saving a few moments these drivers risked life and limb of themselves, their passengers, and the unlucky people in oncoming traffic. Some of the near accidents were so close that it was a miracle it was avoided.
You would think that only single drivers in broken down cars would take such chances but you'd be wrong. All of the offending drivers I saw today were driving fairly new cars and at least one of them had a child in the passenger seat. If their car had been broadsided, the child would have been seriously injured or killed.
We see far too many vehicles being driven in a reckless manner by people in too much of a hurry. If only the driver of that car was killed in a crash it wouldn't be so bad but their stupidity usually takes out other cars and ruins or compromises the lives of innocent people who got in their way.
When my granddaughter, Lisette, was about 3 or 4 we were at the local mall and I was driving in the main lane through the parking lot. All of a sudden a car came roaring from a side lane where the parking spaces were and barely missed broadsiding me. If I had been going any faster it would have smashed into the side of the car where my granddaughter was sitting and possibly killed her. I was so angry that I took off after the car and chased it down until it stopped. The woman driver was in hysterics, terribly upset by what her careless driving had almost caused.
We really have to keep in mind that cars are large, heavy instruments that can cause devastation in a moment if we're careless or distracted. I hate to admit it but most of the bad drivers I see on the road are elderly. The young often drive too fast but some elderly drivers make the damnest stupid moves imaginable. One old man began to drive straight through a turning light at a major intersection one day, then made a U turn when he realized what he was doing. He slowly drove back the way he'd come and I've wondered ever since if he's still on the road.
I love to drive but I've made my own goofs. Luckily, they're few and far between because I'm a very cautious driver but I know the day will come when I have to give it up. Getting old is okay but getting too old is a pain in the butt.
My Nicky Has Allergies!
My daughter informed me that my precious, beautiful little grandson has been afflicted with the dreaded hayfever gene. Of course he's not so little anymore but he's still just as beautiful as the day he was born.
Nick was one of those dream grandchildren. Being the first, he would have been forgiven any bad character he possessed but he was an angel (from a grandparent's point of view). He was so darned smart it was scary. He always behaved but sometimes it took having to give the 1-2-3 warning.
When he was a baby I loved him so much I had to control how hard I squeezed him...something like a wild gorilla with a kitten. I'd waited so long for a grandchild and I just wanted to absorb him, I guess. He'd come through the front door and my arms would automatically reach for him, forgetting all about my daughter who held him. Everyone else in the room would disappear and my eyes and thoughts were only for him.
As he grew up he remained the most wonderful child in the world. He excelled in school and developed musical talents that were essentially self taught. I went to some of his plays in high school and was amazed at his singing voice...I don't remember him singing as a child. I was terrified to find out he was going to play the drums at a school concert because he'd never had lessons. He was fabulous! This boy was capable of doing anything.
Now he's a grown man, married and getting ready to start a family of his own. And I'll have the opportunity to start all over again.
Nick was one of those dream grandchildren. Being the first, he would have been forgiven any bad character he possessed but he was an angel (from a grandparent's point of view). He was so darned smart it was scary. He always behaved but sometimes it took having to give the 1-2-3 warning.
When he was a baby I loved him so much I had to control how hard I squeezed him...something like a wild gorilla with a kitten. I'd waited so long for a grandchild and I just wanted to absorb him, I guess. He'd come through the front door and my arms would automatically reach for him, forgetting all about my daughter who held him. Everyone else in the room would disappear and my eyes and thoughts were only for him.
As he grew up he remained the most wonderful child in the world. He excelled in school and developed musical talents that were essentially self taught. I went to some of his plays in high school and was amazed at his singing voice...I don't remember him singing as a child. I was terrified to find out he was going to play the drums at a school concert because he'd never had lessons. He was fabulous! This boy was capable of doing anything.
Now he's a grown man, married and getting ready to start a family of his own. And I'll have the opportunity to start all over again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)