Having worked the morning with Adam, Theresa and Glenda moving Doris to her new home I arrived home to a house with an empty bedroom. As I entered my home and looked down the hallway I could not help but notice the quiet, completely empty bedroom at the head of the stairs. It was not a good feeling but a lonely one.
We had removed all of Doris' furnishings and placed them in her new home at Chartwell. This independent living lodge is beautiful in every sense and her personal living space is just right for an elderly person who is capable of taking care of herself. The best thing is that the lodge is close by in our town and not miles away so visitations are convenient and home visits for special events easy to manage.
Doris will be turning 95 in a month and can no longer travel with us to Florida for the winter. She will however fly to New Brunswick to visit her friends and relatives next week and drive back with us on our return from N.S. in a few weeks.
Our home will not be the same without Doris as she has been the third member of our family for over thirteen years, During these years she has been a constant traveller and adventurer and never showed her age. No trip was too long or drive too far for Doris and she never slept a wink on any of our travels in the van. I wondered if it was to make sure I was always awake or just her love of seeing new things.
Doris was easy to live with as she had a great appetite and loved everything which contained sugar.She was a great contributor to the household chores and loved to hang out clothes, do dishes and help with the preserving. I will miss her and her morning greeting every morning at exactly 8.30 am. She was our weatherman and read the the morning paper every day. I thought she was interested in sports as she always had that section in her hands when she first opened the Star. Actually it was because the weather was on on the back page of the sport news.
Doris will establish friendships with people of her own age although there are not many her age there at Chartwell and share memories she has gathered over her years of a happy, eventful and rich life. Our family will include Doris at every opportunity and she will still be the great grandmother to her many family member and a vital link in the strong chain of our family fabric. I have every reason to believe her life will be even richer in her new surroundings once she gets established.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday Family Cruise
Son in law John has a beautiful cruiser and tries to have a family cruise every summer. It is impossible to get all the family together but those who make it really have a great experience.This year we were blessed with perfect weather and over the nearly six hours we sailed along the Lake Ontario shoreline between Oakville and Hamilton Harbour.
This year we had a special guest as Matrix the dog in training came along for the trip. The girls were taking in the sun on the foreword deck but made frequent trips to the galley to share in the treats provided for the occasion. Matrix had his share of treats as well but remained well behaved during the whole journey.
This body of water is very busy and numerous marina facilities dot the shoreline. Sandy beaches provide good swimming for the local residents and the shoreline provides beautiful locations for housing. Hamilton Harbour also provides exceptional locations for heavy industry and it is the home to Canada's steel industry and thousands of jobs.
Every sailing we have provides memories of the time shared on the water and for me it brings back some of the happiest moments when I sailed the Ottawa River.
This year we had a special guest as Matrix the dog in training came along for the trip. The girls were taking in the sun on the foreword deck but made frequent trips to the galley to share in the treats provided for the occasion. Matrix had his share of treats as well but remained well behaved during the whole journey.
This body of water is very busy and numerous marina facilities dot the shoreline. Sandy beaches provide good swimming for the local residents and the shoreline provides beautiful locations for housing. Hamilton Harbour also provides exceptional locations for heavy industry and it is the home to Canada's steel industry and thousands of jobs.
Every sailing we have provides memories of the time shared on the water and for me it brings back some of the happiest moments when I sailed the Ottawa River.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The Boat Which Would Not Float
Years ago when I was a young boy I was always near water and dreamed of owning my own boat some day. Dad used to build boats for fishing and we use to enjoy our time in that row boat. We lived near a big pond. It was rather like a lake as it was over a mile long and close to half a mile wide. A highway ran through the pond at one end and caused a smaller pond or head as we called it.
This pond became the recipient of much pollution in the early days as water from the mines was dumped in at several points. We called it coppers water because it caused all the rocks and land to turn a copper color because of the impurities.
My friend Tom and I used to have a tree fort close to the pond and frequently walked its shores. One day we spotted what looked like a sunken boat close to shore. We thought we had found the best prize of all and our imaginations went wild. Plans flew from our lips and before half an hour we were sailing with a mast and sail installed...in our minds only.
Off came our shoes and socks and in we went. On close examination the boat appeared sound but it was filled with sand and muck. We came out of the water convinced we had a treasure.We swore each to secrecy and walked home making plan all the way. We would clear the boat of all that kept it from floating and pull the hulk up on the shore and clean it up.
We never gave it a thought about who may have owned it as we felt it was salvage. Tom and I realized we had to work quietly and quickly before our parents became involved. For several days we made stories to our family about our keen interest down by the pond and worked with a shovel and bucket to clean out the boat. Every day we would get much of the sand and muck cleared but the next day it would be filled again.
To make a long story short we did clear the boat one day and with a heavy rope and a tackle we were about to pull the boat up on shore. We tied the tackle to a large birch tree and it did its job but as we began to pull the boat out of the water it became very heavy. We bailed it nearly dry and on close examination saw several large holes in the bottom of our boat. We were not discouraged and managed to get it almost clear of the water when we heard a very unkind sound.
With a crackling and sound of splitting we saw our dream boat separated into two halves. It was rotten right down the stem and was abandoned for that reason. Discouraged a little but never the less happy for the experience we decided to go on for bigger and better things. We decided to build our own boat. In the meantime we had to be happy with our four pole raft and long poles to explore the shoreline of the Big Pond.
This pond became the recipient of much pollution in the early days as water from the mines was dumped in at several points. We called it coppers water because it caused all the rocks and land to turn a copper color because of the impurities.
My friend Tom and I used to have a tree fort close to the pond and frequently walked its shores. One day we spotted what looked like a sunken boat close to shore. We thought we had found the best prize of all and our imaginations went wild. Plans flew from our lips and before half an hour we were sailing with a mast and sail installed...in our minds only.
Off came our shoes and socks and in we went. On close examination the boat appeared sound but it was filled with sand and muck. We came out of the water convinced we had a treasure.We swore each to secrecy and walked home making plan all the way. We would clear the boat of all that kept it from floating and pull the hulk up on the shore and clean it up.
We never gave it a thought about who may have owned it as we felt it was salvage. Tom and I realized we had to work quietly and quickly before our parents became involved. For several days we made stories to our family about our keen interest down by the pond and worked with a shovel and bucket to clean out the boat. Every day we would get much of the sand and muck cleared but the next day it would be filled again.
To make a long story short we did clear the boat one day and with a heavy rope and a tackle we were about to pull the boat up on shore. We tied the tackle to a large birch tree and it did its job but as we began to pull the boat out of the water it became very heavy. We bailed it nearly dry and on close examination saw several large holes in the bottom of our boat. We were not discouraged and managed to get it almost clear of the water when we heard a very unkind sound.
With a crackling and sound of splitting we saw our dream boat separated into two halves. It was rotten right down the stem and was abandoned for that reason. Discouraged a little but never the less happy for the experience we decided to go on for bigger and better things. We decided to build our own boat. In the meantime we had to be happy with our four pole raft and long poles to explore the shoreline of the Big Pond.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
London Excitement
With only a few days remaining before the world will be watching the Olympic games in the City of London The city is bursting at the seams. Not only the streets, hotels and parks are filled but for miles around there is zero available space for the person who did not have the good sense to make reservations.
News reports give a picture of overcrowded streets with thousands of cabs demonstrating because they are unable to get use of the streets near the many sporting venues. Complaints about the use of the Olympic logo is causing a stir and broadcasters are trying to get the most favourable views for their viewers back home. It is estimated that 7 billion people will be watching at any one time and the people paying for the privilege of advertising will get great world coverage.
We in Canada as well as in other countries are being bombarded with the names of the people who will be representing us at the games. There is so much emphasis on the medals that the pressure is enormous for our athletes . Just being there representing your country is a huge privilege but getting a medal is a bonus. Some countries reward their competitors with cash awards for medals won.
My feeling that there is too much emphasis on the medals as coming in fourth or tenth among all the world is a tremendous accomplishment. The original code of the Olympics did not have the nationalistic emphasis but today it is all for country and not for personal gain. What a reversal.
A small country like Canada does well to compete at the world level and we should feel proud of all our athletes no matter how they place in the medal count. London will do a great job in hosting these games and with all the world fears for violence and terrorist attacks will be attended to by this country.
We will all be watching the events and shed a tear when they play our national anthem when some of our people stand on the podium. Let us hope that the Olympic code is present in all the events and their objectives are met at the end of the day.
News reports give a picture of overcrowded streets with thousands of cabs demonstrating because they are unable to get use of the streets near the many sporting venues. Complaints about the use of the Olympic logo is causing a stir and broadcasters are trying to get the most favourable views for their viewers back home. It is estimated that 7 billion people will be watching at any one time and the people paying for the privilege of advertising will get great world coverage.
We in Canada as well as in other countries are being bombarded with the names of the people who will be representing us at the games. There is so much emphasis on the medals that the pressure is enormous for our athletes . Just being there representing your country is a huge privilege but getting a medal is a bonus. Some countries reward their competitors with cash awards for medals won.
My feeling that there is too much emphasis on the medals as coming in fourth or tenth among all the world is a tremendous accomplishment. The original code of the Olympics did not have the nationalistic emphasis but today it is all for country and not for personal gain. What a reversal.
A small country like Canada does well to compete at the world level and we should feel proud of all our athletes no matter how they place in the medal count. London will do a great job in hosting these games and with all the world fears for violence and terrorist attacks will be attended to by this country.
We will all be watching the events and shed a tear when they play our national anthem when some of our people stand on the podium. Let us hope that the Olympic code is present in all the events and their objectives are met at the end of the day.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Toronto's Big Problem
Toronto is experiencing a huge problem with the use of guns and gang warfare. One of its biggest problem dealing with the situation is the Mayor. How he is so uninformed about the causes of the youth gangs is remarkable. Budgets have to be balanced and every time you cut support programs for the youth in the city's troubled areas you can expect trouble.
Youth gangs form and grow because the alternative to the comfort of the gang is unemployment and idle hands. Regent Park is a good example where in the old days with the old living quarters there was a definite need for change and change there is. New housing and a volunteer and paid staff to bring meaningful programs for all ages have turned life in the Park around. Everything from sports, music and cultural events have made the Park a good place to live. The residents feel safe and the programs work but they cost money.
The Mayor publicly states that he hates "hug a thug" programs. He wants more police. Does this sound familiar to that Federal Minister who wants to build more prisons. How sad when people get elected to high office and are ignorant of the basic understanding of what causes social problems among the youth. Sadder is the belief that more police will solve the problem.
Monies shared with communities who wish to bring about change can be one of the most cost effective means of balancing a budget. Most people realize that preventative programs save huge amounts of money in the long run. It costs over a $100,000 a year to keep a person in a prison where the youth will learn to be a better criminal when they are released. Some of that money used in a proper program can save some of the youth to become sound citizens.
After all these shootings mothers say to the press that her boy was a wonderful son. How sad that these wonderful sons and daughters join a gang and become a negative influence in the community.
I confess that the problem is very complicated but we have to find a solution to the problem and we surely will not with people like the Toronto Mayor in charge. He is a sad reminder of the mistake the people of that great city made when they elected him Mayor. How embarrassing.
Youth gangs form and grow because the alternative to the comfort of the gang is unemployment and idle hands. Regent Park is a good example where in the old days with the old living quarters there was a definite need for change and change there is. New housing and a volunteer and paid staff to bring meaningful programs for all ages have turned life in the Park around. Everything from sports, music and cultural events have made the Park a good place to live. The residents feel safe and the programs work but they cost money.
The Mayor publicly states that he hates "hug a thug" programs. He wants more police. Does this sound familiar to that Federal Minister who wants to build more prisons. How sad when people get elected to high office and are ignorant of the basic understanding of what causes social problems among the youth. Sadder is the belief that more police will solve the problem.
Monies shared with communities who wish to bring about change can be one of the most cost effective means of balancing a budget. Most people realize that preventative programs save huge amounts of money in the long run. It costs over a $100,000 a year to keep a person in a prison where the youth will learn to be a better criminal when they are released. Some of that money used in a proper program can save some of the youth to become sound citizens.
After all these shootings mothers say to the press that her boy was a wonderful son. How sad that these wonderful sons and daughters join a gang and become a negative influence in the community.
I confess that the problem is very complicated but we have to find a solution to the problem and we surely will not with people like the Toronto Mayor in charge. He is a sad reminder of the mistake the people of that great city made when they elected him Mayor. How embarrassing.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Birthday
Birthdays come every year and we celebrate every one as a family gathering. Yesterday was no different as many of the family gathered to help Theresa have a happy time on her special day. This year some of the grandchildren were away on their summer projects and were missed. With so many activities going on during the summer months we just make do with the ones that are able to come and enjoy.
Ribs, chicken,sweet corn and Peter's potato wedges made up the menu and of course a home made birthday cake made by Glenda, topped with ice cream completed the dinner. Gifts and laughter made for more fun as the group had a chance to discover facts about Theresa with a 10 question Quiz. Lyn was best informed and won the prize.
For nearly four hours we were one big happy family enjoying each other's company and sharing thoughts and musings about the ones who were not present. We have a few more birthdays left and look forward to our next family gathering.
Ribs, chicken,sweet corn and Peter's potato wedges made up the menu and of course a home made birthday cake made by Glenda, topped with ice cream completed the dinner. Gifts and laughter made for more fun as the group had a chance to discover facts about Theresa with a 10 question Quiz. Lyn was best informed and won the prize.
For nearly four hours we were one big happy family enjoying each other's company and sharing thoughts and musings about the ones who were not present. We have a few more birthdays left and look forward to our next family gathering.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Drought
You realize just how powerless we are when it comes to Mother Nature and her ability to impact our lives. This year is the year of the drought and with over half of the USA and a large portion of Canada within the boundaries of this dry area we can only sit back and watch. The sun belt and the heartland of the USA is so dry the impact on the country and world is significant. Much of the world's corn in grown in this area and so far the results show that most is either withering or will be in the days ahead.
In Ontario there is widespread need for a really big rain. Some of the crop will be saved it this occurs within ten days. Driving through the countryside is depressing when you see corn barely surviving the lack of rain. By this time of the year you expect to see corn a foot over the page wire fences.
Some areas have been fortunate and did receive some relief and others have a watering system to withstand the drought.Predictions are for rising prices for food products and corn is not the only crop affected, Our apple and other fruit trees are practically down graded to show a huge decrease in productivity.
World news shows that many areas of the globe have either not enough rain or too much. Extremes are the norm and with the climate changes predicted for the future we can expect much more of the same.
Mother Nature has the power in determining how our climate will be in the future. We should be preparing for long range changes in our weather and climate.
In Ontario there is widespread need for a really big rain. Some of the crop will be saved it this occurs within ten days. Driving through the countryside is depressing when you see corn barely surviving the lack of rain. By this time of the year you expect to see corn a foot over the page wire fences.
Some areas have been fortunate and did receive some relief and others have a watering system to withstand the drought.Predictions are for rising prices for food products and corn is not the only crop affected, Our apple and other fruit trees are practically down graded to show a huge decrease in productivity.
World news shows that many areas of the globe have either not enough rain or too much. Extremes are the norm and with the climate changes predicted for the future we can expect much more of the same.
Mother Nature has the power in determining how our climate will be in the future. We should be preparing for long range changes in our weather and climate.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Helping A Neighbour
Over the years I have learned to be pretty well independent in so far as household repairs and odd jobs. I have shared my limited ability to help my neighbours from time to time. In our neighbourhood area there are number of widows who live across from us.These ladies look after their property and keep up the yard work in a meticulous manner. I offer to help with items which are out of their scope of expertise.
The other day my neighbour asked if I could repair a dresser drawer which needed some help.I took the drawer to my garage where I keep all my tools and surveyed the project. I was optimistic I could fix the problem in a few minutes. I set up my work station and removed the bottom of the drawer. I recognized this drawer as one I worked on before and remembered I had a problem. I cut out a new bottom drawer from material I kept in the garage and proceeded to push the new bottom along the grooves and it appeared to be a perfect fit.
I wished to add a little glue along the side of the drawer which was a little unstable and put the drawer on its edge on the workbench. I went for the glue and as I did a wind blew the project from the bench to the garage floor. I now had five pieces of material which could be rejoined to make a drawer.I was so close to completion.
When I examined the pieces of wood I noticed that all the nails had been pulled through the material which was that pressed wood.Work as I could I was unable to get the parts to fit properly. Frustrated and out of patience I wished to escape so I piled up the wood and closed the garage door. This am I returned to the project but only after I visited Home Depot. Glue called no nails and a new sheet of thin material for the drawer bottom was supposed to make my work easier and fast.
This glue was great and after I lined up the grooves and clamped the corners I was in business. Everything went well until I tried to put in the bottom sheet.I cut the sheet to make a tight fit but I cut it a mm to large.I could not use my saw to bring it to size so I used my sander. Finally it went into place and I quickly ran it over to the neighbours and left it on the doorstep as she was not home.
I used five hours to complete a job that should have taken less than an hour.Some days you should stay out of the workshop and play golf and get your frustrations in a fun way. Anyway my neighbour has a good as new drawer for her dresser and I discovered a new product , no nails.
The other day my neighbour asked if I could repair a dresser drawer which needed some help.I took the drawer to my garage where I keep all my tools and surveyed the project. I was optimistic I could fix the problem in a few minutes. I set up my work station and removed the bottom of the drawer. I recognized this drawer as one I worked on before and remembered I had a problem. I cut out a new bottom drawer from material I kept in the garage and proceeded to push the new bottom along the grooves and it appeared to be a perfect fit.
I wished to add a little glue along the side of the drawer which was a little unstable and put the drawer on its edge on the workbench. I went for the glue and as I did a wind blew the project from the bench to the garage floor. I now had five pieces of material which could be rejoined to make a drawer.I was so close to completion.
When I examined the pieces of wood I noticed that all the nails had been pulled through the material which was that pressed wood.Work as I could I was unable to get the parts to fit properly. Frustrated and out of patience I wished to escape so I piled up the wood and closed the garage door. This am I returned to the project but only after I visited Home Depot. Glue called no nails and a new sheet of thin material for the drawer bottom was supposed to make my work easier and fast.
This glue was great and after I lined up the grooves and clamped the corners I was in business. Everything went well until I tried to put in the bottom sheet.I cut the sheet to make a tight fit but I cut it a mm to large.I could not use my saw to bring it to size so I used my sander. Finally it went into place and I quickly ran it over to the neighbours and left it on the doorstep as she was not home.
I used five hours to complete a job that should have taken less than an hour.Some days you should stay out of the workshop and play golf and get your frustrations in a fun way. Anyway my neighbour has a good as new drawer for her dresser and I discovered a new product , no nails.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Flying High
My grandson is taking a summer at flying school in London , Ontario. All ready he has taken the steps to lead him to this point of real flying. He has been gliding for a couple of years and this year he won a scholarship to become a licenced pilot.
He has posted his flying experiences and yesterday he flew solo. I am so proud that he has accomplished this feat. Flying solo is a head game and no matter how confident you are there is always the fear factor. Back in 1959 when I was in Fort William one of my parents by the name of Weaben gave me lessons for free and I had a solo flight in a old 172 off the water. It was a very big moment in my life so I can only believe how great it was for Little Henry.
This lad has goals to achieve and is on his way. He just graduated from high school and was elected to be the Valedictorian. He is 17 and has more confidence then most his age. By the end of the summer he will likely come home and tell his dad that he wants to get his flying licence.
Opportunities come to those who reach out and grab the brass ring. Henry is one of those and I am very proud of his achievements and will follow his way up the ladder and be there to bask in his success.
He has posted his flying experiences and yesterday he flew solo. I am so proud that he has accomplished this feat. Flying solo is a head game and no matter how confident you are there is always the fear factor. Back in 1959 when I was in Fort William one of my parents by the name of Weaben gave me lessons for free and I had a solo flight in a old 172 off the water. It was a very big moment in my life so I can only believe how great it was for Little Henry.
This lad has goals to achieve and is on his way. He just graduated from high school and was elected to be the Valedictorian. He is 17 and has more confidence then most his age. By the end of the summer he will likely come home and tell his dad that he wants to get his flying licence.
Opportunities come to those who reach out and grab the brass ring. Henry is one of those and I am very proud of his achievements and will follow his way up the ladder and be there to bask in his success.
Dog Days Of Summer
During this hot spell felt among a dozen states and several provinces we are finally believing in climate change. The USA is experiencing drought conditions that they have not seen during the record keeping of such data. Massive crop failures are about to take place and the world will be impacted because this is the bread basket of America. Canada's west is pretty well off but Ontario has been hit very hard in the corn belt and rain is needed in the next ten days to avoid huge failures.
On a smaller scale Theresa and I were in Hamilton during the past few days and all you see is brown, burnt grass and withering bushes and trees. Our yard would be the same were it not for the gallons of water I put out every day. Water restrictions are in place in many areas and there is no end in sight.
All records are being broken and extremes are recorded every weather report.Using our water resources will be a high priority in the near future. Canada does not have a comprehensive water policy but it is easy to see with the USA running out of options they will be looking to use more water from the Great Lakes. Already the residents around Georgian are complaining about low water levels. The St. Clair and Detroit Rivers have been dredged to accommodate larger ships so the rate of water flow has increased and the result is the Great Lakes dropping significantly.
These problems are increasing in the Sun Belt where we witnessed dry lakes and rivers in the south. Florida was so low in it's water table that navigation in some canals were discontinued last year. These are just the tip of the world problem. In Africa whole areas have returned to near desert conditions thus causing famine.
I guess conservation begins at home so I will put away my sprinklers and water with a watering can for the next while. A little brown colour on our lawns could be a symbol of green power in the future.
On a smaller scale Theresa and I were in Hamilton during the past few days and all you see is brown, burnt grass and withering bushes and trees. Our yard would be the same were it not for the gallons of water I put out every day. Water restrictions are in place in many areas and there is no end in sight.
All records are being broken and extremes are recorded every weather report.Using our water resources will be a high priority in the near future. Canada does not have a comprehensive water policy but it is easy to see with the USA running out of options they will be looking to use more water from the Great Lakes. Already the residents around Georgian are complaining about low water levels. The St. Clair and Detroit Rivers have been dredged to accommodate larger ships so the rate of water flow has increased and the result is the Great Lakes dropping significantly.
These problems are increasing in the Sun Belt where we witnessed dry lakes and rivers in the south. Florida was so low in it's water table that navigation in some canals were discontinued last year. These are just the tip of the world problem. In Africa whole areas have returned to near desert conditions thus causing famine.
I guess conservation begins at home so I will put away my sprinklers and water with a watering can for the next while. A little brown colour on our lawns could be a symbol of green power in the future.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Where Are Our Priorities?
During tough financial times governments and people in general have to make big decisions on where our resources will be utilized. Unfortunately the people and programs most effected nearly always impact the most vulnerable in society.The first layer of cuts effect none as these are just the extra money put in budgets for the just in case syndrome.
The people making these cuts make a big fuss to get us ready for the real thing. Politicians try to make us feel that the next set of cuts are absolutely necessary so they send out notices to finance people and demand a percentage cut across the board. The leaders leave the cuts up to the people on the ground and there is still little impact as people making budgets can play with auditors to cook the books.
The next level of cuts are often motivated by political considerations and attack individuals. Programs for inner city youth will go, people who look after our safety in food production, engineers in the environment business are cut, grants for the arts will take a hit and I could go on and on.
In the end we have a budget which will reflect cutting and slashing and leave many of our citizens scrambling to make ends meet. At this time Canada and the provinces are facing this dilemma and it will be interesting to see how each body deals with the challenge. Since there is a strong move from the right wing conservatives across America ,we the middle class and working class are left unprotected. Unions which traditionally protected the workers are ignored by the government, workers become pawns in the hands of the big business as they manipulate ownership rules and close down plants and open them again with labour rates greatly reduced.
Social programs are greatly affected and our old, needy and unemployed are going to find life a little tougher. It is a sad situation but all we can do is hope that the decisions which are made will not wear out our moral and economic fabric. Canada is getting poor press world wide because of the actions of our government. The world is not looking kindly to the changing face of the civil Canadian of the past. The world always looked to us as the gold standard in human rights and as peacekeepers. What is our image becoming with the present trend of international decisions betraying that trust we earned over decades of service.
The world is watching as never before and during the next decade we could erase the good done if we don't get our priorities right.
The people making these cuts make a big fuss to get us ready for the real thing. Politicians try to make us feel that the next set of cuts are absolutely necessary so they send out notices to finance people and demand a percentage cut across the board. The leaders leave the cuts up to the people on the ground and there is still little impact as people making budgets can play with auditors to cook the books.
The next level of cuts are often motivated by political considerations and attack individuals. Programs for inner city youth will go, people who look after our safety in food production, engineers in the environment business are cut, grants for the arts will take a hit and I could go on and on.
In the end we have a budget which will reflect cutting and slashing and leave many of our citizens scrambling to make ends meet. At this time Canada and the provinces are facing this dilemma and it will be interesting to see how each body deals with the challenge. Since there is a strong move from the right wing conservatives across America ,we the middle class and working class are left unprotected. Unions which traditionally protected the workers are ignored by the government, workers become pawns in the hands of the big business as they manipulate ownership rules and close down plants and open them again with labour rates greatly reduced.
Social programs are greatly affected and our old, needy and unemployed are going to find life a little tougher. It is a sad situation but all we can do is hope that the decisions which are made will not wear out our moral and economic fabric. Canada is getting poor press world wide because of the actions of our government. The world is not looking kindly to the changing face of the civil Canadian of the past. The world always looked to us as the gold standard in human rights and as peacekeepers. What is our image becoming with the present trend of international decisions betraying that trust we earned over decades of service.
The world is watching as never before and during the next decade we could erase the good done if we don't get our priorities right.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Robin Red Breast
I never wished to make her nervous or worried but I have to cut the grass, whipper snip and generally walk in the back yard. I never realized that robins, especially this tired and small mother could be so protective.
Some blackbirds came close to the nest this am and without warning she drove them not only away from the nest but out of the yard. She has been feeding what I thought was a brood but on closer contact I see that she has only one chick left in the nest.
With the ground so dry and hard the birds who eat worms are having a tough time. I was watering my beans and peppers yesterday and she was right in the water from the hose and showed no signs of being scared. I watered a large area so she could provide for her chicks but she doesn't return the favour. She is relentless in protecting that one last chick.
I took a picture of the nest and chick and for once she was not around. I really admire the instinct that drives her to the actions of self preservation. I should call her Robin Hood and stay out of her way.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Help From The Professionals
It seems that once you get on the roller coaster with the medical profession that there is no end to getting help. Sometimes it feels that you are just being passed on from one to another. In my case I have received the excellent care I desired and every step to recovery was directed by professionals. It is a long road as I was told from the very beginning but it is nearly completed.
My final stage after surgery is in the hands of a caring professional from Chedoke who is building me a device to enable me to walk normally. I counted 11 specialists who have walked me through the system from pre-surgery to me leaving the system some 12 months in all. Every one played a role and used their expertise to guide me along the correct path. Each specialist stayed within the framework of their particular talent and all delivered sound healing along the way.
Theresa and I are looking forward to the end of numerous visits to medical offices and consultations. Our final {I hope } visit will come in two weeks when I have my fitting for an orthotic which will correct a walking issue. She explained and showed us what she is going to do so I thought I would get a little jump during the two weeds and make my own. I took one of my old orthotics and built up a layered thickness to the device. I used that great material called duck tape. Today Theresa and I went for a long walk and I must say it worked very well. I just thought that if this helped, imagine how much better the professionally designed device will work.
I never took any step along the way without seriously following most of the directions and tried to do what was right.Now that the end is near I realize that without the help of Theresa and family who encouraged me it would have seemed like a nightmare. Instead it was a journey of healing that I am and will be eternally grateful for the rest of my life. Certain words resonated with me after I left the hospital. Everyone who was my caregiver said many times, make sure you do not ruin the gift you received by being foolish.
I feel I have been a good patient with not a lot of patience but managed the best I could.
My final stage after surgery is in the hands of a caring professional from Chedoke who is building me a device to enable me to walk normally. I counted 11 specialists who have walked me through the system from pre-surgery to me leaving the system some 12 months in all. Every one played a role and used their expertise to guide me along the correct path. Each specialist stayed within the framework of their particular talent and all delivered sound healing along the way.
Theresa and I are looking forward to the end of numerous visits to medical offices and consultations. Our final {I hope } visit will come in two weeks when I have my fitting for an orthotic which will correct a walking issue. She explained and showed us what she is going to do so I thought I would get a little jump during the two weeds and make my own. I took one of my old orthotics and built up a layered thickness to the device. I used that great material called duck tape. Today Theresa and I went for a long walk and I must say it worked very well. I just thought that if this helped, imagine how much better the professionally designed device will work.
I never took any step along the way without seriously following most of the directions and tried to do what was right.Now that the end is near I realize that without the help of Theresa and family who encouraged me it would have seemed like a nightmare. Instead it was a journey of healing that I am and will be eternally grateful for the rest of my life. Certain words resonated with me after I left the hospital. Everyone who was my caregiver said many times, make sure you do not ruin the gift you received by being foolish.
I feel I have been a good patient with not a lot of patience but managed the best I could.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
MAGNETAWAN
Magnetawan is a small village hugging the shore of the Magnetawan River. The River flows through beautiful countryside originating south of Burke's Falls and flowing into Georgian Bay near Britt. I lived there for two years and enjoyed the quiet life of the village. It was settled by people of German descent and the names of the settlers are still prominent.
The population was 397 when I lived there in the fifties and it is not much larger at the present time except in the summer months.Situated between beautiful lakes, Lake Cecebe and Ahmic Lake it commands the territory for a place to re-supply and it does in a big way.The cottage owners have been coming that way for years and the famous people who owned these cottages relied on the locals for casual work and service personnel.
While I lived there I was immersed in German food. My landlady was an 80 something dear soul who pampered me as the young school principal. Sauerkraut, rough sausages and sweet bread and coffee cake made up my diet. I learned to make kraut in the fall and continued to do so for years after. There was a comfortable feeling living in a country side where you actually knew everyone.
All the young men were in the volunteer fire brigade and while I lived there we were called upon to engage in quite a few barn and house fires. We never managed to put any out but we saved nearby buildings. Saturday night was dance night and the agriculture hall was filled to capacity. Everyone came to the hall,children, seniors and active teenagers joined in Polka Quadrills and square dances from 8pm until 11.30. This was the second most important social event, church being the first. Practically everyone went to church.
Back in those reckless days I was a Lay Preacher filling in our ministers five point charge.I soon learned that education was a better bet for a good life than religion. The pay was poor {non existent} and the hours were long. Actually those two years with the church opened up my political eyes and I chose politics in the future. To this day I believe they are much the same or at least you have to employ the same skills to succeed.
The winters in Magnetawan were very quiet and people used the out of doors to skate, ski and snow mobile. One feature that this village can be proud of is its respect for the deceased. The most beautiful cemetery sits on a slope on a back road. Huge pines line the graveyard and it is kept in perfect condition. Many of my family and friends rest there and when I visit the area I have a visit with all the people who have gone on before me.That place is dear to me and my children and they visit every chance they get.
Villages have had a great influence on our lives in the past but are being passed over in the present because of the changing world and shifting populations. What a pity.
The population was 397 when I lived there in the fifties and it is not much larger at the present time except in the summer months.Situated between beautiful lakes, Lake Cecebe and Ahmic Lake it commands the territory for a place to re-supply and it does in a big way.The cottage owners have been coming that way for years and the famous people who owned these cottages relied on the locals for casual work and service personnel.
While I lived there I was immersed in German food. My landlady was an 80 something dear soul who pampered me as the young school principal. Sauerkraut, rough sausages and sweet bread and coffee cake made up my diet. I learned to make kraut in the fall and continued to do so for years after. There was a comfortable feeling living in a country side where you actually knew everyone.
All the young men were in the volunteer fire brigade and while I lived there we were called upon to engage in quite a few barn and house fires. We never managed to put any out but we saved nearby buildings. Saturday night was dance night and the agriculture hall was filled to capacity. Everyone came to the hall,children, seniors and active teenagers joined in Polka Quadrills and square dances from 8pm until 11.30. This was the second most important social event, church being the first. Practically everyone went to church.
Back in those reckless days I was a Lay Preacher filling in our ministers five point charge.I soon learned that education was a better bet for a good life than religion. The pay was poor {non existent} and the hours were long. Actually those two years with the church opened up my political eyes and I chose politics in the future. To this day I believe they are much the same or at least you have to employ the same skills to succeed.
The winters in Magnetawan were very quiet and people used the out of doors to skate, ski and snow mobile. One feature that this village can be proud of is its respect for the deceased. The most beautiful cemetery sits on a slope on a back road. Huge pines line the graveyard and it is kept in perfect condition. Many of my family and friends rest there and when I visit the area I have a visit with all the people who have gone on before me.That place is dear to me and my children and they visit every chance they get.
Villages have had a great influence on our lives in the past but are being passed over in the present because of the changing world and shifting populations. What a pity.
Monday, July 9, 2012
July 12th Red Tomato
July 12th is traditionally Orangemens Day but for me it is the day I expect to pick a red tomato from my garden. Over the years I planted the tomatoes when I arrived home from Florida at the end of April. More recently we arrive home in early May and don't get the plants in the ground until about May 10th.
This year I fully expected to have red tomatoes as the weather was perfect. Hot days and nights usually signal a great growing time. My plants are almost 6 feet high and are loaded with green tomatoes but none appear the make my deadline.
While living in the Valley I used to plant from seed and kept the young plants in a sun room and set them in the ground in April, carefully covering them for the first month.Sometimes I was rewarded by a big red one in late June. They were 60 day tomatoes and forced to produce. I don't do that anymore and just let them grow at their own rate.
This year I planted the fewest number {16} in two locations. This will supply our kids and friends and make some spaghetti sauce which had been a tradition for the last 50 years. Needless to say I get great satisfaction with my tomatoes so the date of the red ones mean little to me at my age.
This year I fully expected to have red tomatoes as the weather was perfect. Hot days and nights usually signal a great growing time. My plants are almost 6 feet high and are loaded with green tomatoes but none appear the make my deadline.
While living in the Valley I used to plant from seed and kept the young plants in a sun room and set them in the ground in April, carefully covering them for the first month.Sometimes I was rewarded by a big red one in late June. They were 60 day tomatoes and forced to produce. I don't do that anymore and just let them grow at their own rate.
This year I planted the fewest number {16} in two locations. This will supply our kids and friends and make some spaghetti sauce which had been a tradition for the last 50 years. Needless to say I get great satisfaction with my tomatoes so the date of the red ones mean little to me at my age.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Project Helper
For some time now I have working on a project in my basement room. I wanted to rid myself of the old wall unit which did not serve my need any longer. Firstly I had to get the unit out of the way, so I needed help. My son came along and did all the heavy lifting and cleared out the area so we could begin building.
I shall box all the extra treasures and from time to time trade them off with the selected choices. I only have to find space to store those boxes. I was so happy to have my son once again help me with a project as it gave us time to talk and share our skills while just enjoying each other's company
I drafted a rough plan that fitted our needs and purchased the necessary materials. While my son was here we were able to cut the material into workable sizes. I painted the material before having it moved downstairs and that was a good decision. We were able to start by erecting the base and first shelf. Basements are not always perfectly square so measurements were a challenge.
While I was working at the wall unit my room was a mess and the pool table held all the electronic components as well as the treasured clutter that was exhibited in and on the old unit. It is amazing how much junk you can show in a relatively small space.
With Theresa's help we managed to place the whole new structure in a proper place without permanent fastenings. My helper returned yesterday and we were able to put the structure together. I was a spectator and gopher as my son worked on the electronics.Basically he managed to guide all the sound from the electronic devices through two large speakers. This gave a wonderful stereo tone. I could never have done that as I rely on my family to help Theresa and I with these chores. We rely on the same people for Computer encounters.
During the next few days I shall complete stage three of the wall unit and then the really difficult part emerges. I have hundreds of treasured clutter. Each treasure has a story and each one is important to me.I have agreed with Theresa to make this wall unit beautiful without clutter. I must make choices and that will cause me stress. As an example I had need of a short straight edge yesterday. I immediately went to the fireplace mantle and picked up a beautiful brass ruler given to me when I left PSPS. On one side it said, "from the perfect secretaries Betty and Nora" and on the other side, "to the perfect principal". That triggered warm memories of days gone by and I did have a great visit vicariously with my fellow educators. How could I get rid of such items?
I shall box all the extra treasures and from time to time trade them off with the selected choices. I only have to find space to store those boxes. I was so happy to have my son once again help me with a project as it gave us time to talk and share our skills while just enjoying each other's company
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Cold Front
With some of the hottest and most humid weather on record for the past few weeks we were greeted to quite a show this am. I awoke to a sunny morning but very early an quickly clouds moved in. We have been breaking records every day and the weather lady warned that we might have some thunder and lightening.
At about 8.30 am the darkening sky gave way to a blast from mother nature in the form of a far off thunder clap. Within minutes the rain came in torrents and lightening flashed . Our eave troughs were filled to capacity and still the rain came even harder. The next phase was the hail and lucky it was not too large but it made a racket on the roof.
This front moving through lasted only twenty minutes but the moisture did wonders to our parched lawns and gardens. It is early in the year to see brown lawns but the heat mixed with windy conditions caused damage to our trees and ground cover.
We welcome these little waterings from time to time. Yesterday I spent the best part of the mornings making sure our vegetable garden was protected from drought and you can be sure if you water rain will come.
At about 8.30 am the darkening sky gave way to a blast from mother nature in the form of a far off thunder clap. Within minutes the rain came in torrents and lightening flashed . Our eave troughs were filled to capacity and still the rain came even harder. The next phase was the hail and lucky it was not too large but it made a racket on the roof.
This front moving through lasted only twenty minutes but the moisture did wonders to our parched lawns and gardens. It is early in the year to see brown lawns but the heat mixed with windy conditions caused damage to our trees and ground cover.
We welcome these little waterings from time to time. Yesterday I spent the best part of the mornings making sure our vegetable garden was protected from drought and you can be sure if you water rain will come.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Early July In The High Arctic
Early July in the high Arctic is a wonder to behold. First there is the return of the first Snow Birds who arrive to freezing cold and sit outside the homes of the Inuit. They eat what they find and endure the chilling winds and cold nights. Suddenly there is a change in the air. The North West Passage shows Leeds where there once were cracks in the ice. Next the blanket of white which covered the entire north shows black tips of rocks peeping out of the white. There is a warmer wind and rivers which were dormant for the winter begin to trickle under the ice. Spring and summer is approaching.
People who were settled in there homes during the long winter begin to emerge and take in the cool sun. The airline pilots who fly in to the north tell of huge herds of caribou moving to the north shore of the mainland and are staging to cross to the islands for the summer. The water melts near the shorelines of the lakes and the ocean moves with creaks and groans. The ice moves and opens up Leeds and soon open stretches of water appear.
Birds from the south come in droves. Snow geese and Canada geese sit on the cold ice waiting for the signal to return to their ancestral homes. Swans come by the thousand and stay in a flock until one day as with a instinct fly away in pairs to distant lakes to have their chicks. Smaller birds come through but do not stop long as they are anxious to get to their space as the summer is measured in weeks not months.
People emerge from their winter habitat and crowd the shorelines and jig for the Arctic Char. The Char come from the lakes in numbers and feed on the abundant food for 6 to 8 weeks and retreat to the lakes for the winter. Excitement is everywhere and Inuit use this short summer to stock up on caribou and char to hold them over the long cold winter.
Summer here is so compacted that a day is like a week. Through the snow, finally comes the first flowers and they come in every colour in abundance. Their life cycle might only be a few weeks but for that time they really make a great show.
I loved the spring and short summer and one of the joys I realized was visiting the Inuit as they retreated to the land for the summer. Really all the Inuit moved from their hamlet homes to a preferred tent on the tundra and welcomed visitors with tea and pilot biscuits and jam with conversation about the fish and caribou. Always they were happy just to relive their past when they lived a free life on the Tundra.
Yes the spring and summer was beautiful and I loved it but with the warming of the Arctic new challenges will be presented to the Inuit but I have no doubt they will prevail and live and flourish on the Northern Tundra as they have for 10,000 years.
People who were settled in there homes during the long winter begin to emerge and take in the cool sun. The airline pilots who fly in to the north tell of huge herds of caribou moving to the north shore of the mainland and are staging to cross to the islands for the summer. The water melts near the shorelines of the lakes and the ocean moves with creaks and groans. The ice moves and opens up Leeds and soon open stretches of water appear.
Birds from the south come in droves. Snow geese and Canada geese sit on the cold ice waiting for the signal to return to their ancestral homes. Swans come by the thousand and stay in a flock until one day as with a instinct fly away in pairs to distant lakes to have their chicks. Smaller birds come through but do not stop long as they are anxious to get to their space as the summer is measured in weeks not months.
People emerge from their winter habitat and crowd the shorelines and jig for the Arctic Char. The Char come from the lakes in numbers and feed on the abundant food for 6 to 8 weeks and retreat to the lakes for the winter. Excitement is everywhere and Inuit use this short summer to stock up on caribou and char to hold them over the long cold winter.
Summer here is so compacted that a day is like a week. Through the snow, finally comes the first flowers and they come in every colour in abundance. Their life cycle might only be a few weeks but for that time they really make a great show.
I loved the spring and short summer and one of the joys I realized was visiting the Inuit as they retreated to the land for the summer. Really all the Inuit moved from their hamlet homes to a preferred tent on the tundra and welcomed visitors with tea and pilot biscuits and jam with conversation about the fish and caribou. Always they were happy just to relive their past when they lived a free life on the Tundra.
Yes the spring and summer was beautiful and I loved it but with the warming of the Arctic new challenges will be presented to the Inuit but I have no doubt they will prevail and live and flourish on the Northern Tundra as they have for 10,000 years.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Incredible Discovery
I have been following this 6 billion dollar scientific research project to try and discover the secret to how matter gained mass . If this project could get to the point where the scientists could actually duplicate this feat then many answers to the secrets of what happened after the BIG BANG would unfold.
An international group of many thousands worked together to solve the mystery. Years ago Higgs and others believed that one billionth of a second after the big bang the universe was a gigantic soup of particles racing around at the speed of light without mass to speak of. He and others puzzled over how subatomic particles which are the building blocks of the universe acquired mass. Simply put particles would not hold together without these subatomic particles and therefore no mass.
In the sixties Higgs and others thought another particle named the Higgs Boson creates a sticky field field that acts as a drag on other particles and creates mass.This is fundamental for scientists understanding of how the world came into being.
The team of scientists called this particle, God's particle. To prove the theory a huge Hadron Collider was built under Geneva and after years of research they finally discovered how mass was created from nothing. This exciting discovery captured my imagination as I always wondered how our universe was created beyond being told by clergy for years to have faith and believe God created the universe.
I wonder what take the fundamentalists will support in light of this scientific knowledge. This discovery is a once in a lifetime achievement and Gerald Oakham from Carleton University was a key player on the team who finally made the announcement.
As a followup the Hadron Collider will be improved to increase the capacity for making more collisions in the future by a 100 fold to more than 40 million per second they now produce. This will help in the next stage of research. These are exciting times.
An international group of many thousands worked together to solve the mystery. Years ago Higgs and others believed that one billionth of a second after the big bang the universe was a gigantic soup of particles racing around at the speed of light without mass to speak of. He and others puzzled over how subatomic particles which are the building blocks of the universe acquired mass. Simply put particles would not hold together without these subatomic particles and therefore no mass.
In the sixties Higgs and others thought another particle named the Higgs Boson creates a sticky field field that acts as a drag on other particles and creates mass.This is fundamental for scientists understanding of how the world came into being.
The team of scientists called this particle, God's particle. To prove the theory a huge Hadron Collider was built under Geneva and after years of research they finally discovered how mass was created from nothing. This exciting discovery captured my imagination as I always wondered how our universe was created beyond being told by clergy for years to have faith and believe God created the universe.
I wonder what take the fundamentalists will support in light of this scientific knowledge. This discovery is a once in a lifetime achievement and Gerald Oakham from Carleton University was a key player on the team who finally made the announcement.
As a followup the Hadron Collider will be improved to increase the capacity for making more collisions in the future by a 100 fold to more than 40 million per second they now produce. This will help in the next stage of research. These are exciting times.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
65 Years Ago
Back 65 years ago we celebrated with a migration to Groves Point. Because few people had cars the only transportation that could be mustered up was to get Buck Ashe to clean up his huge truck and carry us out to the Point for a picnic and swim.This truck was a ten ton job with an open box which could hold up to 25 people. He would take us out on the 12 mile drive, drop us off and return in the evening to take us home.
The drive was fun and as we arrived at the beach site everyone would run to get the choice spots under the big trees for shade. Blankets were laid out and the boxes laden with the lunches would be stored close by. We children would find a convenient place to change into our bathing suits and we would be off to the beach for hours of sunshine and swimming.
The adults would sometimes swim or group on the sandy beach keeping watch over we children. I would break away from the group and sneak up the nearby Glenn and follow a trial to a small waterfall. Usually we would see deer along the way and on the way back we would take a different trail and emerge near the beach.
Mom and the adults would move away from the beach and prepare the lunch. A loud voice would call us together for lunch.An open fire made smokey tea and Mom's salad with her special mustard dressing was always served. Potato salad and ham on plates balanced on shivering knees caused by the long time spent in the cold water was our table. It seemed everything we ate had a special taste and the good humour among the family and friends made the day memorable.
After lunch games were played on the open field. Usually a pickup game of ball kept us interested and entertained for some time. Everyone joined, even Mom and we all laughed when funny things happened.
The sound of music caught our ears so we gravitated to the fire which became larger as we kids gathered driftwood to feed the flames. A banjo, a violin would appear out of thin air and the singsong would begin. Shouts from the people seeking their favourite song made us forget about time. Hot dogs and marshmallows were produced and with hastily cut branches the party was nearly complete,
The beep of the horn from Buck Ashe's truck reminded us that the day was over.Sadly we packed up and crawled into the truck box, The little ones wrapped in blankets nearly sleeping from the day's activity saying that we should do this again next weekend. We arrived home tired and completely happy with having a great day at Groves Point with family and friends. This routine was followed many times during our young lives and remains even today one of those memories that stand out as just perfect.
The drive was fun and as we arrived at the beach site everyone would run to get the choice spots under the big trees for shade. Blankets were laid out and the boxes laden with the lunches would be stored close by. We children would find a convenient place to change into our bathing suits and we would be off to the beach for hours of sunshine and swimming.
The adults would sometimes swim or group on the sandy beach keeping watch over we children. I would break away from the group and sneak up the nearby Glenn and follow a trial to a small waterfall. Usually we would see deer along the way and on the way back we would take a different trail and emerge near the beach.
Mom and the adults would move away from the beach and prepare the lunch. A loud voice would call us together for lunch.An open fire made smokey tea and Mom's salad with her special mustard dressing was always served. Potato salad and ham on plates balanced on shivering knees caused by the long time spent in the cold water was our table. It seemed everything we ate had a special taste and the good humour among the family and friends made the day memorable.
After lunch games were played on the open field. Usually a pickup game of ball kept us interested and entertained for some time. Everyone joined, even Mom and we all laughed when funny things happened.
The sound of music caught our ears so we gravitated to the fire which became larger as we kids gathered driftwood to feed the flames. A banjo, a violin would appear out of thin air and the singsong would begin. Shouts from the people seeking their favourite song made us forget about time. Hot dogs and marshmallows were produced and with hastily cut branches the party was nearly complete,
The beep of the horn from Buck Ashe's truck reminded us that the day was over.Sadly we packed up and crawled into the truck box, The little ones wrapped in blankets nearly sleeping from the day's activity saying that we should do this again next weekend. We arrived home tired and completely happy with having a great day at Groves Point with family and friends. This routine was followed many times during our young lives and remains even today one of those memories that stand out as just perfect.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Day After
When all is said and done Canada had a great birthday. We are all pleased with ourselves and for 24 hours we could forget the huge cloud hanging over our rich and beautiful country. In the world there are some countries that are so blessed with natural resources that being a steward of these riches becomes the chief role of people who can properly balance the use of these gifts for all Canadians.
At this point in time Canada stands as one of these countries. We have riches in our resources that are envy of the world. The only country that can compare with us is Russia. Both of these countries have untold wealth because of their geographic locations.
Russia is a country which is tearing out its resources for short term gain. Russia is doing so at a great price to its environment. Their oil fields are a disgrace and the pollution is vast but few people are in a position to control this mess.That is true of most of Russia's resource development.
We in Canada had a record for honest, careful environmental regulations. The process took time and at times got in the way of hasty development. The benefits were the safe guarding of our water, our wildlife and our air. During the past year we have been pushed back fifty years in this regard. Today, one day after Canada day the government is offering for sale the finest fresh water monitoring station in the world. It seems they do not value this station at a cost of $2 million to report and advise the government on water safety like in the tar sands.
This is one small piece in the diminishing of the environmental safety net built up over many years. Every agency dealing with the environment is carefully being dismantled. WHY? This government is building a oil based economy from the tar sands and does not want anyone or anything slowing it down.
Saskatchewan has the same resources as Alberta but watch how they develop their economy around their resources. They have tar sands, and other vast resources but are taking a long range view of development and are making sure there is built in safeguards for the future.
We in Canada have vast resources and some are non renewable. These resources have to be used in a responsible manner for the betterment of all Canadians and our environment. This is not being done by this environment minister and our elected government.
At this point in time Canada stands as one of these countries. We have riches in our resources that are envy of the world. The only country that can compare with us is Russia. Both of these countries have untold wealth because of their geographic locations.
Russia is a country which is tearing out its resources for short term gain. Russia is doing so at a great price to its environment. Their oil fields are a disgrace and the pollution is vast but few people are in a position to control this mess.That is true of most of Russia's resource development.
We in Canada had a record for honest, careful environmental regulations. The process took time and at times got in the way of hasty development. The benefits were the safe guarding of our water, our wildlife and our air. During the past year we have been pushed back fifty years in this regard. Today, one day after Canada day the government is offering for sale the finest fresh water monitoring station in the world. It seems they do not value this station at a cost of $2 million to report and advise the government on water safety like in the tar sands.
This is one small piece in the diminishing of the environmental safety net built up over many years. Every agency dealing with the environment is carefully being dismantled. WHY? This government is building a oil based economy from the tar sands and does not want anyone or anything slowing it down.
Saskatchewan has the same resources as Alberta but watch how they develop their economy around their resources. They have tar sands, and other vast resources but are taking a long range view of development and are making sure there is built in safeguards for the future.
We in Canada have vast resources and some are non renewable. These resources have to be used in a responsible manner for the betterment of all Canadians and our environment. This is not being done by this environment minister and our elected government.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Canada Day
This morning as I read my morning paper it was filled with stories of what Canada means to you. One section was about your favourite place in this vast country. I began to think about these things and quickly my mind went back to my childhood and my memories of where I lived and the impact it had on my life.
Born in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton gave me a unique feeling about our country. My memories run back a ways but were dominated by WWII. Our town was situated on the north point of Sydney Harbour. The harbour was filled with activity during thew war. A huge net was placed across the harbour to keep out unwanted enemy and the inner harbour was filled with Liberty Ships all lined up to form a convoy to Europe. The net was opened at night and the ships would pass through and form up outside the harbour with navy warships darting about to maintain a safety ring much as a sheep dog does to protect its sheep.
All was in darkness and heavy curtains were requires so as to maintain security. Our Mom was quiet about the war but it was everywhere in our community. We lived right next to the railway and trains shook our house as they rumbled by carrying vital war materials to far off places. We watched these beautiful steam engines puff by at great speeds and our imagination was always active. The Union Jack flag was prominent in our school and church. We repeated the oath of allegiance every morning and took time to buy war savings in little cards. Pennies, nickles and dimes were collected and recorded to help the war effort.
Our uncles and aunts, mothers and fathers were no longer with some as many were away to fight for freedom.War was the main topic of discussion and the sad news of people dying made our community aware of the price being paid for our freedom. We were young and just beginning to form pictures about our land and how Canada was growing up in the world.
My parents were very loyal and proud Canadians and instilled just enough patriotism to make its mark on all of us. With rations, restrictions,media hype about the war children were brought into the reality but no more so than when we had air raid drills and when we had to put on those hated gas masks. I am sure they wouldn't have worked in reality but we were instructed to put them on. Some kids were scared and without doubt traumatized by the war. Our parents were calm and Mom explained some of the effects of the war and it was at this time my imagination went wild and I saw the enemy everywhere.
One day the announcement came that the war was over in Europe. That evening everyone went up town and stood in front of the post office and announcements were made to great cheers and the lights were turned on throughout the town. Some fireworks and more speeches. I was old enough to understand most of the celebrations and to this day remember the emotion which showed on my mothers face as she was remembering the death of her youngest brother who died in Europe.
During the war O Canada and God Save The Queen were sung thousands of times with feeling and we as young people were swept along with he patriotism. Today when they sing O Canada on the Hill in Ottawa the whole country will sing along with them. Many factors are brought into play when we try to describe what makes a Canadian and Canada. I believe much of that special feeling of pride comes from our family ties and their attitudes.
Born in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton gave me a unique feeling about our country. My memories run back a ways but were dominated by WWII. Our town was situated on the north point of Sydney Harbour. The harbour was filled with activity during thew war. A huge net was placed across the harbour to keep out unwanted enemy and the inner harbour was filled with Liberty Ships all lined up to form a convoy to Europe. The net was opened at night and the ships would pass through and form up outside the harbour with navy warships darting about to maintain a safety ring much as a sheep dog does to protect its sheep.
All was in darkness and heavy curtains were requires so as to maintain security. Our Mom was quiet about the war but it was everywhere in our community. We lived right next to the railway and trains shook our house as they rumbled by carrying vital war materials to far off places. We watched these beautiful steam engines puff by at great speeds and our imagination was always active. The Union Jack flag was prominent in our school and church. We repeated the oath of allegiance every morning and took time to buy war savings in little cards. Pennies, nickles and dimes were collected and recorded to help the war effort.
Our uncles and aunts, mothers and fathers were no longer with some as many were away to fight for freedom.War was the main topic of discussion and the sad news of people dying made our community aware of the price being paid for our freedom. We were young and just beginning to form pictures about our land and how Canada was growing up in the world.
My parents were very loyal and proud Canadians and instilled just enough patriotism to make its mark on all of us. With rations, restrictions,media hype about the war children were brought into the reality but no more so than when we had air raid drills and when we had to put on those hated gas masks. I am sure they wouldn't have worked in reality but we were instructed to put them on. Some kids were scared and without doubt traumatized by the war. Our parents were calm and Mom explained some of the effects of the war and it was at this time my imagination went wild and I saw the enemy everywhere.
One day the announcement came that the war was over in Europe. That evening everyone went up town and stood in front of the post office and announcements were made to great cheers and the lights were turned on throughout the town. Some fireworks and more speeches. I was old enough to understand most of the celebrations and to this day remember the emotion which showed on my mothers face as she was remembering the death of her youngest brother who died in Europe.
During the war O Canada and God Save The Queen were sung thousands of times with feeling and we as young people were swept along with he patriotism. Today when they sing O Canada on the Hill in Ottawa the whole country will sing along with them. Many factors are brought into play when we try to describe what makes a Canadian and Canada. I believe much of that special feeling of pride comes from our family ties and their attitudes.
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