It seems that every time we turn around we are visiting some sort of medical office. The dentist, your family doctor or a consult with a specialist caused by a referral from your concerned family doctor. The health clinic which does the blood testing, X-rays and other procedures are jammed packed every day.We have a great caring system but just maybe we over use the system.
For one trip to the dentist after an issue with a fifteen year old crown I have had five visits to complete the work on a implant. The time is nothing but the tab for the work is about $3500 and that is just one tooth..
In olden years we never had this socialized medicine and people made do with home cures or did without.As a teacher who worked in the field 60 years ago it was normal to see children with cavities and in need of dentist work. Today it is unusual when you see a 12 year old without braces. Young people are given great care and their health is a major concern. Today we are having to deal with two new troubling issues...obesity and diabetics
These two conditions affect many of our youth and it is cause for concern. We have on one hand the greatest health care in the world and on the other hand we have new issues.Health matters has become the single most expensive item in government budgets and it will only get worse as we have an aging population. By the year 2020 we will for the first time have more senior citizens over the age of 65 than children under the age of 16. There has been so much talk about the aging populations lately it is no small matter that there is a crisis in our health system.
In the mean time I will chew my vitamins and write my medical appointments on the calendar and look forward to my visits with my medical caregivers.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Early Morning Surprises
I was getting prepared to go to the health club when Theresa called from the bedroom . What matter of urgency could motivate her to call in such a eager manner? Well it was enough of a call to get me up there in quick time and there was Theresa looking out the window. It was barely light but on top of our gazebo were two raccoons trying to fit themselves in the small opening covered by vines.
They were large ones and cute and looking for a place to sleep. The berries on the vines is what caused them to climb way up and after a good feed searched for a sleeping spot.I tried to get a picture but failed so I quickly went outside and tried to track them down. I was unsuccessful but the rainy morning motivated me to film some of my unfinished work from the day before.
Compost to spread, trees to trim and now leaves to compost. There are always the last rose and the one or two dahlias still beautiful so I took their picture. I was interested in the beauty of even the wet, dreary day and decided to get going to the club and enjoy the warm ,fun atmosphere of people wishing to improve their fitness.
They were large ones and cute and looking for a place to sleep. The berries on the vines is what caused them to climb way up and after a good feed searched for a sleeping spot.I tried to get a picture but failed so I quickly went outside and tried to track them down. I was unsuccessful but the rainy morning motivated me to film some of my unfinished work from the day before.
Compost to spread, trees to trim and now leaves to compost. There are always the last rose and the one or two dahlias still beautiful so I took their picture. I was interested in the beauty of even the wet, dreary day and decided to get going to the club and enjoy the warm ,fun atmosphere of people wishing to improve their fitness.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Breaking Family Ties
Today our government or rather the Prime Minister made an announcement that cut me to the core as he on his own decided that Canada would not be taking part in the general meeting of the Commonwealth Of Nations. He will not attend but will send a token representative because the host country has a bad record in human rights.
The Commonwealth of Nations is the largest and oldest voluntary family of free countries and is the envy of the world. Nearly a third of the people of the world living in numerous countries form this association and during its proud history influenced its members to live up to a high standard of human rights. There are members who are emerging democratic nations and are dealing with major problems but with the support and help of the Commonwealth strive to improve their standing regarding human rights,
Our Prime Minister has during the past week cut Canada off from the UN and now the Commonwealth. We as a country are a leading member and along with Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India South Africa and numerous others form a historic group of nations with a common bond. His reckless behavior is destroying our world standing and reducing our nation to become thought of as a non caring country and a shill for the USA.
Where is our world leadership gone? This prime minister who made this decision today had Canada represented at a important meeting held in the Congo last year. The Congo which has one of the worst if not the worst record in the world as far as human rights is concerned. His behavior will soon cause us to hide the maple leaf when we travel. What a pity.
The Commonwealth of Nations is the largest and oldest voluntary family of free countries and is the envy of the world. Nearly a third of the people of the world living in numerous countries form this association and during its proud history influenced its members to live up to a high standard of human rights. There are members who are emerging democratic nations and are dealing with major problems but with the support and help of the Commonwealth strive to improve their standing regarding human rights,
Our Prime Minister has during the past week cut Canada off from the UN and now the Commonwealth. We as a country are a leading member and along with Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India South Africa and numerous others form a historic group of nations with a common bond. His reckless behavior is destroying our world standing and reducing our nation to become thought of as a non caring country and a shill for the USA.
Where is our world leadership gone? This prime minister who made this decision today had Canada represented at a important meeting held in the Congo last year. The Congo which has one of the worst if not the worst record in the world as far as human rights is concerned. His behavior will soon cause us to hide the maple leaf when we travel. What a pity.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Stupidity In High Places.
Everyone expects ordinary people to make some mistakes and to appear stupid sometimes. We do not however expect to see people in high places acting stupid in carrying out their responsibilities. We see elected people in the government of the USA closing down the government because 43 members of the Republican Tea Party are dedicated in tearing down the Obama health program. This small militant group have gained so much strength in the Republican party that they call the shots.
We have a minority group who are holding the country at ransom for their selfish demands. Stupid..Yes, but as long as their system permits such ridiculous situation the rest of the world looks on and wonders how the most powerful country in the world gets in the situation. I said the other day their stupidity almost makes our government look OK. I quickly retracted that statement as we on the world stage have been doing some stupid things as well.
At a conference on women issues our government offers money to be used in third world countries but not for women and girls who require proper medical care for abortions involving child brides and rape cases where rape is used as a weapon of was and terror. This is ideology used in the worst possible manner.
Our Prime Minister is using tax payers money to travel throughout the USA to support a private company who wishes to build a pipeline to Texas to process our dirty oil from the tar sands. How ridiculous..stupid. In the same way as the huge moneys given to the oil companies to extract our natural resources to make a profit. These companies can well afford to pay their way as they are among the richest companies on earth. It is passing strange that these companies are centered in Alberta and it has become the PM's obsession to help these enterprises get even richer. Incidentally most of the profits from oil are of an international type and are sent out of our country.
Stupidity is not the domain of the USA government as we have plenty of it to go around right here in Canada.
We have a minority group who are holding the country at ransom for their selfish demands. Stupid..Yes, but as long as their system permits such ridiculous situation the rest of the world looks on and wonders how the most powerful country in the world gets in the situation. I said the other day their stupidity almost makes our government look OK. I quickly retracted that statement as we on the world stage have been doing some stupid things as well.
At a conference on women issues our government offers money to be used in third world countries but not for women and girls who require proper medical care for abortions involving child brides and rape cases where rape is used as a weapon of was and terror. This is ideology used in the worst possible manner.
Our Prime Minister is using tax payers money to travel throughout the USA to support a private company who wishes to build a pipeline to Texas to process our dirty oil from the tar sands. How ridiculous..stupid. In the same way as the huge moneys given to the oil companies to extract our natural resources to make a profit. These companies can well afford to pay their way as they are among the richest companies on earth. It is passing strange that these companies are centered in Alberta and it has become the PM's obsession to help these enterprises get even richer. Incidentally most of the profits from oil are of an international type and are sent out of our country.
Stupidity is not the domain of the USA government as we have plenty of it to go around right here in Canada.
Going South
As the weather changes and the days become even shorter we begin to think of going south. Several huge flocks of geese have being heading south but many stop over in the corn fields to fill up for their long flight to Georgia or some other wetlands south. I have not seen a robin for over a month until yesterday morning when I saw a small flock on our front lawn trying to get some worms in the soggy and cold grass.
Nature has that power to make the migratory birds prepare for their move to the warmer climate for the winter months. We have been witness to the event every year and actually joined the birds by moving to Florida for the winter.We are called snow birds and the local residents in the southern states welcome us with mixed feelings.
They know the economic benefits for the months that their homeland is invaded as the lineups at the restaurants and cash registers tell one story. The other side is that the locals complain about the crowded roads and the driving habits of the grey haired seniors who are on vacation and have a relaxed manner in getting from their rented place to the mall or beach. When there is an accident involving a senior the announcer or reporter always starts the news item by stating the age of the person involved. A 87 year old driver of a Cadillac car caused an accident by driving up a one way street. Probably true but it is emphasized.
This year we are planning on staying put in Ontario to once again feel the joy of the season change and to enjoy sharing more time with family and friends. The palm trees and sandy beaches will have to wait for another year before we again will fly down south with our northern birds.
Nature has that power to make the migratory birds prepare for their move to the warmer climate for the winter months. We have been witness to the event every year and actually joined the birds by moving to Florida for the winter.We are called snow birds and the local residents in the southern states welcome us with mixed feelings.
They know the economic benefits for the months that their homeland is invaded as the lineups at the restaurants and cash registers tell one story. The other side is that the locals complain about the crowded roads and the driving habits of the grey haired seniors who are on vacation and have a relaxed manner in getting from their rented place to the mall or beach. When there is an accident involving a senior the announcer or reporter always starts the news item by stating the age of the person involved. A 87 year old driver of a Cadillac car caused an accident by driving up a one way street. Probably true but it is emphasized.
This year we are planning on staying put in Ontario to once again feel the joy of the season change and to enjoy sharing more time with family and friends. The palm trees and sandy beaches will have to wait for another year before we again will fly down south with our northern birds.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Dreary Fall Day
Today was a dreary day in Oakville
lnd after our early morning visit to the health club we decided to do some home baking. Apple pies with the really good northern spies started us off but bread making became our main effort. I decided to make loaves this time instead of a combination of buns and a loaf.
I made a double batch and asked Doris to put the bread which filled the bowl after rising for a long time into loaves. Her method was one which she said was the way her mother did it so the technique was about 125 years old. Doris always wants to get involved so I try to do just that and it turns out to be the right thing to do.
After baking the bread and buttering the crust to keep it soft Doris came into the kitchen and as usual shows great surprise that everything turned out OK. Meanwhile Theresa finished her cake and we decided that this was the final baking for today. What started a a dull and dreary day turned out to be a happy experience with all three of us making our favourite home made goods.
I made a double batch and asked Doris to put the bread which filled the bowl after rising for a long time into loaves. Her method was one which she said was the way her mother did it so the technique was about 125 years old. Doris always wants to get involved so I try to do just that and it turns out to be the right thing to do.
After baking the bread and buttering the crust to keep it soft Doris came into the kitchen and as usual shows great surprise that everything turned out OK. Meanwhile Theresa finished her cake and we decided that this was the final baking for today. What started a a dull and dreary day turned out to be a happy experience with all three of us making our favourite home made goods.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Working Together
Our yard call for a pile of attention. This fall I intend to change much of the back yard landscaping. Theresa suggested she could help and I accepted her offer immediately. Yesterday we began the task. We cut down vines by the ton from the house and other structures. Friday is yard waste pickup so we will have many containers of leafy waste at our curb.
Over the past ten years our fruit trees grew so much we have to prune them severely. My friend Doug said you could prune up to a third without hurting the tree so we will find out as we intend to downsize every tree. Our stone walls in the back yard separating the upper and lower level is nearly invisible and requires a cleaning. The English Ivy is out of hand and the Boston Ivy is taking over. We feel that cutting everything back will open up the yard and brighten it up. Our vegetable gardens need a good rotor-tilling and I intend to get rid of all the weeds which crept in along the sides of the beds.
All in all we could call this a good house cleaning in our yard. With Theresa's help it will be done during these last days of good weather in October. I always feel that working together makes the task so much easier and more pleasant.
Over the past ten years our fruit trees grew so much we have to prune them severely. My friend Doug said you could prune up to a third without hurting the tree so we will find out as we intend to downsize every tree. Our stone walls in the back yard separating the upper and lower level is nearly invisible and requires a cleaning. The English Ivy is out of hand and the Boston Ivy is taking over. We feel that cutting everything back will open up the yard and brighten it up. Our vegetable gardens need a good rotor-tilling and I intend to get rid of all the weeds which crept in along the sides of the beds.
All in all we could call this a good house cleaning in our yard. With Theresa's help it will be done during these last days of good weather in October. I always feel that working together makes the task so much easier and more pleasant.
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