There has been so many noteworthy events happening this past week I must clear my head to enjoy the weekend. Endless conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Canada picks the conflict in Syria and Iraq to send our troops because the prime minister always follows the Americans in thinking an deeds. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia is bombing its neighbor and Nigeria is being invaded by a barbaric sect who never ruffled a feather in Ottawa.We are now helping the most vicious dictator in Syria by fighting its enemy within the Syrian borders. Things are so complicated over there we should just help the civilians to survive and let the tribes who have been fighting for a thousand years get it over with by themselves.
Here at home the provinces are struggling with budgets and we as a country have not had a budget yet as the finance minister is hiding under his desk in Ottawa. We won a gold medal in pairs figure skating at the worlds and should be so proud.
Mother nature loves the west coast with the early spring while the Maritimers suffer with the worst weather on record. Daughter Lynda is having a birthday and it makes me look very old and grandson just returned from back packing around Europe for the last month.
Theresa and I are continuing to settle in to our new home and cannot wonder how all the things in the garage arrived at our house.Maybe this will be over in a week or two.
Now that I got that off my chest I was happy to see the return of the robins, cardinals and starlings. The creek behind our house had its spring flood and now settled down to a trickle so summer is just around the corner. Sister Carol Ann and her girls went on a cruise and loved every minute and plan more travel plans for the future. Next week will return to normal and I shall write blogs about other events .
Because of my mistake saying that Jeannie travelled with her two daughters instead of Carol Ann I hope that my suggestion will become a reality and Jeannie will have the same wonderful experience that Carol Ann did on her cruise with her two daughters.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Our Library Is shaping Up
Theresa and I are having fun developing our library. We had a substantial number of books at our old home and even though we gave many away we were left with many boxes of valuable ones that we had to save.One of the most precious of our keepsakes are our photo albums. We must have at least 30 of these treasures. Today with the digital cameras there are few hard copies for the preservation of the past.
I noticed that when we were in the process of moving that the grandchildren were visiting and saw the huge pile of boxes of books and albums. The kids dug into the boxes and entertained themselves for a long time . They laughed at how they looked as babies and children and without meaning to ignore us they were in a world of their own.
Some of my fondest quiet times are looking through old books and especially photo albums. Pictures of friends and family no longer with us come alive in the photos from the past. I have hundreds of school pictures and I am sorry that I did not write the names on the pictures when I had a sharp memory. Even now I struggle to name all the kids in the school pictures.
Theresa and I built fourteen feet of shelving from the floor to the ceiling and I am sure that the space will be well used in the near future . Books play an important role in my life and our library will be a comfort in keeping it so.
I noticed that when we were in the process of moving that the grandchildren were visiting and saw the huge pile of boxes of books and albums. The kids dug into the boxes and entertained themselves for a long time . They laughed at how they looked as babies and children and without meaning to ignore us they were in a world of their own.
Some of my fondest quiet times are looking through old books and especially photo albums. Pictures of friends and family no longer with us come alive in the photos from the past. I have hundreds of school pictures and I am sorry that I did not write the names on the pictures when I had a sharp memory. Even now I struggle to name all the kids in the school pictures.
Theresa and I built fourteen feet of shelving from the floor to the ceiling and I am sure that the space will be well used in the near future . Books play an important role in my life and our library will be a comfort in keeping it so.
Our Polar Bear Is Back Home
After being confined to a box for nearly two months we are able to get him back up on the wall in our family room.I worried that the bear might have been damaged during he long period of confinement but I must have done the proper procedure to keep him safe from mold and damage.
We wrapped him up in large towels and put an outer wrapping that was water and moisture resistance. I kept the bear in a cool place and for a long time out in the garage where the temperatures were below freezing. I worried that while in the garage mice might find their way there and they could cause problems.
Once while I was up north I had stretched two spotted seals on plywood to dry and cure.I spent the best part of a day to make sure I removed all the flesh and since I was at my camp I left them out for the night.The next day the seal hides or skins were practically all eaten .I learned a lesson at the time as all Inuit knew that Arctic Foxes loved to eat seal skins when they were hungry and the skins were fresh.
My recreation room is beginning to take shape as much of my familiar treasures are unpacked and I shall feel at home once more in my new house.
We wrapped him up in large towels and put an outer wrapping that was water and moisture resistance. I kept the bear in a cool place and for a long time out in the garage where the temperatures were below freezing. I worried that while in the garage mice might find their way there and they could cause problems.
Once while I was up north I had stretched two spotted seals on plywood to dry and cure.I spent the best part of a day to make sure I removed all the flesh and since I was at my camp I left them out for the night.The next day the seal hides or skins were practically all eaten .I learned a lesson at the time as all Inuit knew that Arctic Foxes loved to eat seal skins when they were hungry and the skins were fresh.
My recreation room is beginning to take shape as much of my familiar treasures are unpacked and I shall feel at home once more in my new house.
Building Fear On Misconceptions
Harper has being building fear among the people of Canada built on absolute misconceptions.He constantly speaks of the danger we face by Isis as they have declared war on Canada. Imagine for a moment that Isis has the ability to declare war on anyone. They are a dangerous criminal group who do not have the power to declare war. Harper knows that we cannot as a free country declare war on such a group. He is giving them status that they do not have the right to receive.
For some reason (politically) he has presented Canada as a war mongering power. The war planes that bomb the people in the troubled zone do little to raise our status as a peace loving nation. Every bomb that kills people on the ground makes us hated more by the people living there. Did we not learn from Afghanistan that we lost because we never earned the love of the people they were trying to help. The middle east mess will have to be settled by the people of the middle east. Our effort may seem noble and the Canadian men and women over there are following orders and do a good job.The problem is that you cannot defeat an idea by killing people with bombs.
We are in less danger from Isis than our own people who kill school children or shoot policemen or other crimes by radical people who often are the product of mental disorders.Harper knows that if you make people fear enough that they will turn to the government for protection. He has built all this for political gain and has become Canada,s enemy number one.One would hope that the population will be intelligent enough to see through this charade before we start counting body bags again
Further involvement to a point where we send our young people to that area to fight will he a tragedy..
For some reason (politically) he has presented Canada as a war mongering power. The war planes that bomb the people in the troubled zone do little to raise our status as a peace loving nation. Every bomb that kills people on the ground makes us hated more by the people living there. Did we not learn from Afghanistan that we lost because we never earned the love of the people they were trying to help. The middle east mess will have to be settled by the people of the middle east. Our effort may seem noble and the Canadian men and women over there are following orders and do a good job.The problem is that you cannot defeat an idea by killing people with bombs.
We are in less danger from Isis than our own people who kill school children or shoot policemen or other crimes by radical people who often are the product of mental disorders.Harper knows that if you make people fear enough that they will turn to the government for protection. He has built all this for political gain and has become Canada,s enemy number one.One would hope that the population will be intelligent enough to see through this charade before we start counting body bags again
Further involvement to a point where we send our young people to that area to fight will he a tragedy..
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Canada a Police State
With all the discussion about Bill-51 it becomes apparent that many Canadians are waking up to the fact that this bill could tear at the very fabric of our civil rights and make our security forces in many ways closer to a police state. The many rights that could be trampled by security forces because of the lack of oversight causes us to question the need for such haste in passing this bill. Cooler and more sober minds could take the good points within the bill and negate the poorer clauses to protect us without tramping on our liberties.
Harper has brought on a sense of fear among Canadians and for political reasons has convinced his party that there is a constant danger to our country by terrorists and this is just not true. There is adequate legislation to defend ourselves and the laws can enforce the needs but maybe there needs to be a better understanding of just what is the requirements for better enforcement.Better budgets and better tools could possibly help but we do not need an atmosphere of fear but rather a sense that we are capable of taking care of bad situations with a strong resolve to provide the manpower to use our legislation presently in place.
Canada is losing its status as a free nation because of the government acting on the basis of ideology instead of fact based information. Our pm is so geared to making our nation a right wing country he has lost the ability to make rational decisions . We are not a police state yet but with unsupervised security agencies we could become on in short order. ```````````````````
Harper has brought on a sense of fear among Canadians and for political reasons has convinced his party that there is a constant danger to our country by terrorists and this is just not true. There is adequate legislation to defend ourselves and the laws can enforce the needs but maybe there needs to be a better understanding of just what is the requirements for better enforcement.Better budgets and better tools could possibly help but we do not need an atmosphere of fear but rather a sense that we are capable of taking care of bad situations with a strong resolve to provide the manpower to use our legislation presently in place.
Canada is losing its status as a free nation because of the government acting on the basis of ideology instead of fact based information. Our pm is so geared to making our nation a right wing country he has lost the ability to make rational decisions . We are not a police state yet but with unsupervised security agencies we could become on in short order. ```````````````````
Cleanup Day
This day is going to be a fun but work as well. My two daughters and Theresa will be giving our old house the once over before the new owners take possession. The move gave the house a rather dismal look as four men with dirty boots traveled over the floors numerous times and left.
It was surprising just how many places in the empty house needed some care. The bathrooms and kitchen looked great after work put in by the girls. It was little consequence that the new owners were about to do a make over and the floors were to be replaced.As a matter of fact all the work completed was in vain as the contractors were about to completely renovate this building.
As we completed the cleanup and left the house for the second last time we were saddened to know that the house which was our home for sixteen years was to become a far different place and the dream home for strangers.We tried to imagine how the changes were to become the new house but the owners had little trouble describing the changes.
We were so busy with our own new place that 1229 Falgarwood was just a house now and not our home but we wanted to hand it over to the new owners in the best possible shape. After the work was completed we went out and had a great lunch and never mentioned the house as we had closure and instead talked about all the work we had to complete to make Itabashi Way our new home.
It was surprising just how many places in the empty house needed some care. The bathrooms and kitchen looked great after work put in by the girls. It was little consequence that the new owners were about to do a make over and the floors were to be replaced.As a matter of fact all the work completed was in vain as the contractors were about to completely renovate this building.
As we completed the cleanup and left the house for the second last time we were saddened to know that the house which was our home for sixteen years was to become a far different place and the dream home for strangers.We tried to imagine how the changes were to become the new house but the owners had little trouble describing the changes.
We were so busy with our own new place that 1229 Falgarwood was just a house now and not our home but we wanted to hand it over to the new owners in the best possible shape. After the work was completed we went out and had a great lunch and never mentioned the house as we had closure and instead talked about all the work we had to complete to make Itabashi Way our new home.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Science .....Ideology
In the world of politics we are always faced with leaders who have a mission to make decisions based not on fact and science but ideology.We have such a leader and party in Canada whose mission is clearly to transform this country into a right wing conservatism nation. It is sad that decisions are made on this basis as science and factual information is available but ignored.
This government has trashed the research arm of the federal government and has on every occasion decided to ignore good science and use their ideology to make decisions.The losers are the environment, health and safety and the vast resources of our brilliant researchers who are being summarily let go when the government does not agree with their findings.
The world community had being very vocal about the change in Canadian objectives and Harper will thumb his nose at democracy when he seeks his own way.The new bill-51 will turn out to be a travesty as it tramples personal liberties and gives too much power in the hands of the police and secret service. We saw what happened when Harper insisted on holding the G20 in Toronto and gave the police the powers that denied our citizens the liberty and rights to walk the streets of Toronto without being arrested and without charges laid.People were held in compounds and treated as criminals. This is only the tip of the iceberg as power without oversight is a very dangerous thing.
Canadians are being fed fear propaganda by Harper and his mob in order to win another election. Canadians will put an end to this terrible situation in the same way as they did during the Mulroney days when they were driven out of the seat of power and Canada gained respect once again in the family of free nations.
This government has trashed the research arm of the federal government and has on every occasion decided to ignore good science and use their ideology to make decisions.The losers are the environment, health and safety and the vast resources of our brilliant researchers who are being summarily let go when the government does not agree with their findings.
The world community had being very vocal about the change in Canadian objectives and Harper will thumb his nose at democracy when he seeks his own way.The new bill-51 will turn out to be a travesty as it tramples personal liberties and gives too much power in the hands of the police and secret service. We saw what happened when Harper insisted on holding the G20 in Toronto and gave the police the powers that denied our citizens the liberty and rights to walk the streets of Toronto without being arrested and without charges laid.People were held in compounds and treated as criminals. This is only the tip of the iceberg as power without oversight is a very dangerous thing.
Canadians are being fed fear propaganda by Harper and his mob in order to win another election. Canadians will put an end to this terrible situation in the same way as they did during the Mulroney days when they were driven out of the seat of power and Canada gained respect once again in the family of free nations.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Tip Of The Iceberg
Harper stated that our troops would not be placed in harms way on their raining mission. Yesterday our special forces men were not only in harms way but at the front and were shot at by our allies on returning to a safe place. Because they were shot at and killed they must have been returning from a space in front of the line. These men are well trained and followed the proper procedures to return safely back to their safe position. However they were dealing with foreign troops who were not so well trained and suffered the fatal consequences.
This is just the beginning as this Conservative Government is trying to win an election by scaring the Canadian people that they are in grave danger. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is more chance of our citizens being endangered by some of our people who are not properly treated than some foreign element. We presently have enough and strong legislation to deal with the situation as it exists. This government is playing politics with a few incidents here at home. I would not be mistaken if I said that the present government caused the problem of foreign negative feelings as Harper has war mongered to a point where the rest of the world do not see us as a peace seeking and loving people but a puppy dog following the big dog (USA) in its military economy keeping the factories busy producing war material.
Our involvement in the Middle East and soon the Ukraine will have us deeply committed and the Canadian Armed Forces will once again send our boys over there to die for what. There is no great honor in fighting in the middle east as they have been fighting since time began and the Ukraine is as much Russian as it is a free country and eventually there will be a separation and much of the country will join Russia.
Perhaps our politicians should sign up for a term in the forces and return with a different attitude. The problems over there should be solved by the people who created them and we should back away, real far and keep our little armed forces at home and with the money we save provide a democratic government here and provide our citizens with essential services like health care, clean water and equal educational opportunities. Many of the most progressive countries in the world do not get involved in wars outside their boundaries. We could learn from them....war is evil.
This is just the beginning as this Conservative Government is trying to win an election by scaring the Canadian people that they are in grave danger. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is more chance of our citizens being endangered by some of our people who are not properly treated than some foreign element. We presently have enough and strong legislation to deal with the situation as it exists. This government is playing politics with a few incidents here at home. I would not be mistaken if I said that the present government caused the problem of foreign negative feelings as Harper has war mongered to a point where the rest of the world do not see us as a peace seeking and loving people but a puppy dog following the big dog (USA) in its military economy keeping the factories busy producing war material.
Our involvement in the Middle East and soon the Ukraine will have us deeply committed and the Canadian Armed Forces will once again send our boys over there to die for what. There is no great honor in fighting in the middle east as they have been fighting since time began and the Ukraine is as much Russian as it is a free country and eventually there will be a separation and much of the country will join Russia.
Perhaps our politicians should sign up for a term in the forces and return with a different attitude. The problems over there should be solved by the people who created them and we should back away, real far and keep our little armed forces at home and with the money we save provide a democratic government here and provide our citizens with essential services like health care, clean water and equal educational opportunities. Many of the most progressive countries in the world do not get involved in wars outside their boundaries. We could learn from them....war is evil.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Adjustment To The New Home
Having lived in a home for 16 years you get well used to where everything is and especially in the kitchen where there are so many different gadgets reside.We have only been here for one day and many of the items were placed in their new location by daughters so there will be a time of search and remember for us until we try to place them in a more familiar setting.
It is rather exciting to have the opportunity to surround yourself with new walls and windows. The new environment here is more spacious with a more open concept and looking out the kitchen window there is a preserve which should hold wildlife during the summer. Our former home enabled us to observe many birds and small animals as we lived near a large forested area.
I will not dwell upon the benefits received when you move but the results can be quite expansive. We thought we had downsized but today after one day in our new digs we have to start the process all over. We continue to have far too much stuff so Theresa and I have to cull the clothes, books and furniture to meet the demands of a space which can only hold so much. This will finally get us on tract to a better living agenda and less reliance on things that we think we need when in all reality they are just things we like.
Our adjustment will be quick and final and we intend to become better homemakers with less clutter.
It is rather exciting to have the opportunity to surround yourself with new walls and windows. The new environment here is more spacious with a more open concept and looking out the kitchen window there is a preserve which should hold wildlife during the summer. Our former home enabled us to observe many birds and small animals as we lived near a large forested area.
I will not dwell upon the benefits received when you move but the results can be quite expansive. We thought we had downsized but today after one day in our new digs we have to start the process all over. We continue to have far too much stuff so Theresa and I have to cull the clothes, books and furniture to meet the demands of a space which can only hold so much. This will finally get us on tract to a better living agenda and less reliance on things that we think we need when in all reality they are just things we like.
Our adjustment will be quick and final and we intend to become better homemakers with less clutter.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Empty House
Theresa and I had to return to our former home today to pick up some frozen food and items we missed during the move. As we entered the empty house we were filled with a strange feeling from the past as we were now going down a different road. The house devoid of furnishings and momentum seemed cold and strange as our past memories were related to events which often were connected to some piece of concrete memorabilia.
We wandered through the halls and entered every room and as for me a flashback occurred at every entry. The sixteen years were the beginning of a new life for me and Theresa and our family grew up in the home and yard and became the fundamental driving force in our close knit family.I was not sad as I have moved many times before and always looked to the future without neglecting the past. I have a strong conviction that thinking about the plans you have for the future will give you the energy to make sure you make the dream a reality.
I am at an age that many would say was time to slow down and relax. How can you relax when you have not completed the list of must do. I know that I will die with many of my desires not completed but I will continue to strive to attempt to get some of them done and expect my children to carry on and finish the job.It is this part of my makeup that drives me to communicate with my friends and family and share ideas and time with them to the mutual benefit of all of us.
We wandered through the halls and entered every room and as for me a flashback occurred at every entry. The sixteen years were the beginning of a new life for me and Theresa and our family grew up in the home and yard and became the fundamental driving force in our close knit family.I was not sad as I have moved many times before and always looked to the future without neglecting the past. I have a strong conviction that thinking about the plans you have for the future will give you the energy to make sure you make the dream a reality.
I am at an age that many would say was time to slow down and relax. How can you relax when you have not completed the list of must do. I know that I will die with many of my desires not completed but I will continue to strive to attempt to get some of them done and expect my children to carry on and finish the job.It is this part of my makeup that drives me to communicate with my friends and family and share ideas and time with them to the mutual benefit of all of us.
New Home
Theresa and I had a special day yesterday with our two daughters moving 18 years of furniture,belongings and memories to a new house. we never moved very far from our old home but the ride seemed far for the first time.The movers were really great but the time it took for the wrapping of every lamp and piece of property was time consuming but we never suffered a single problem. I was amazed at the strength and endurance shown by the four helpers who conquered the five levels of our home with ease.
Once the move presented itself at our door the management of where every box and piece of furniture had to be placed in the proper area. was Theresa,s responsibility.We ran out of space half way through the process and then we filled the garage which is a full double. We though that we had downsized but we learned that we just had collected too much in the way of treasures.
We will take at least a dozen loads to the Sally Ann and I am sure that we will finally realize what we have been told many times that we had too many of everything. Glenda and Lynda probably got rid of many things and we would never have noticed. Yesterday was the most beautiful day for a move and today is an absolute loser and would have been problematic. My children do not realize that Mother Nature and I have a deal going and I booked the weather weeks ago.
In any case we are moved and we slept soundly last night. I was so sore and stiff from my week long effort that I had to resort to a long time remedy and had a toddy this evening to celebrate our good fortune.
Once the move presented itself at our door the management of where every box and piece of furniture had to be placed in the proper area. was Theresa,s responsibility.We ran out of space half way through the process and then we filled the garage which is a full double. We though that we had downsized but we learned that we just had collected too much in the way of treasures.
We will take at least a dozen loads to the Sally Ann and I am sure that we will finally realize what we have been told many times that we had too many of everything. Glenda and Lynda probably got rid of many things and we would never have noticed. Yesterday was the most beautiful day for a move and today is an absolute loser and would have been problematic. My children do not realize that Mother Nature and I have a deal going and I booked the weather weeks ago.
In any case we are moved and we slept soundly last night. I was so sore and stiff from my week long effort that I had to resort to a long time remedy and had a toddy this evening to celebrate our good fortune.
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