Sunday, September 23, 2012
Glenda's Birthday Celebration
Our youngest daughter had a birthday a few days ago and we had a double treat. Not only did she have a happy time but made us aware of her selection to take her MBL. This is quite an honour as only 30 were chosen to partake in this unique program where leadership is the main focus. This is a challenge that she will gladly take and is a reward for her years of hard work in her leadership role in education.
Most of the family were present and it is always special when we get together. There will be another celebration when Glenda graduates and makes us all proud of her accomplishments.
Last Rose of Summer
On the last day of summer my garden looked better than it did during the drought of this summer.I wandered around the house and took a few pictures and noticed that the beans, Swiss chard ,peppers and Tomatoes were still producing and happy with the cool nights.
Our last days of summer came with good rain and the ground really needed it. The trees specially require that they go to bed with wet feet so we should make sure that they get a good soaking before the frost. Fall is a nice comfortable time of the year as it slowly gets us ready for the chill of winter.
Our leaves will not be as brilliant as usual because of the drought but some re already turning colour and look OK. We usually take a drive up on the escarpment which is covered with deciduous trees. Hard maple and red maple are prominent but the yellows and purples mixed in make a perfect fall bouquet.
While I was taking pictures Chipper our chipmunk was following along and begging for peanuts.
I have a few weeks left to feed the rhubarb and lawn before departing for our winter retreat and shall take in all our fall beauty because there is no such a display in the deep south.
Our last days of summer came with good rain and the ground really needed it. The trees specially require that they go to bed with wet feet so we should make sure that they get a good soaking before the frost. Fall is a nice comfortable time of the year as it slowly gets us ready for the chill of winter.
Our leaves will not be as brilliant as usual because of the drought but some re already turning colour and look OK. We usually take a drive up on the escarpment which is covered with deciduous trees. Hard maple and red maple are prominent but the yellows and purples mixed in make a perfect fall bouquet.
While I was taking pictures Chipper our chipmunk was following along and begging for peanuts.
I have a few weeks left to feed the rhubarb and lawn before departing for our winter retreat and shall take in all our fall beauty because there is no such a display in the deep south.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Keys To Success
Theresa prides herself in always taking care of keys, making sure the car and house are locked every time we leave and generally is a careful person. We also know that the one job around the house I do not like very much is plumbing.
With these two thoughts I will tell you a story stranger than fiction. We arrive home after being out for some time and Theresa makes a quick exit to the basement bathroom. This is not unusual as I do the same thing when I am out for an extended period of time where there are no facilities.
I was in the family room when I heard this commotion. Theresa used the toilet and flushed as she stood to arrange her clothing and her keys fell into the toilet bowl as she flushed. I heard the keys hit the water and Theresa letting out a small but painful yelp. Being curious about the alarm in her voice I went to her rescue. Theresa was very upset as the key chain had the car remote, house keys and other items. Looking down the toilet bowl was of no consequence as all we saw was clear water after the flush.
I tried to reach into the dark recess of the toilet with no success. I have a snake and tried to get some satisfaction but again with no success. We both decided that the keys were gone. However we decided to not use this toilet until today. This day we were going to go to the Milton Fair but the weather was not good. I decided to take up the toilet and maybe, just maybe, the keys would be there.
'
I hate plumbing but I just installed this unit a few months ag0 so I asked Theresa to go to Home Depot and get a new wax seal and We would be OK. Theresa left and I removed the toilet without a problem but it was heavy and when I moved it away and laid it on it's side a splash of water came out on the floor.As I inspected the bottom of the toilet I saw a key in bedded in #@%$#@ and I removed it and placed it in the sink. After washing the keys they were none the worse as they were water proofed.
The wax seal only cost $1.89 but I fixed it and cleaned out the mess that caused the keys to be rescued. In a few minutes I had the toilet back in place and the mess cleaned up. Just as I completed the job Theresa came in with not one but two wax seals. It seems that the girl thought we might like a better than ordinary one so Theresa bought two. As I showed Theresa the keys she was extremely happy and we both were better off for the effort.
I am keeping the extra seals as this might not be the last time one of us has an accidental dropping of something valuable into the toilet but this time I would just say these were the keys to success. A happy ending.
With these two thoughts I will tell you a story stranger than fiction. We arrive home after being out for some time and Theresa makes a quick exit to the basement bathroom. This is not unusual as I do the same thing when I am out for an extended period of time where there are no facilities.
I was in the family room when I heard this commotion. Theresa used the toilet and flushed as she stood to arrange her clothing and her keys fell into the toilet bowl as she flushed. I heard the keys hit the water and Theresa letting out a small but painful yelp. Being curious about the alarm in her voice I went to her rescue. Theresa was very upset as the key chain had the car remote, house keys and other items. Looking down the toilet bowl was of no consequence as all we saw was clear water after the flush.
I tried to reach into the dark recess of the toilet with no success. I have a snake and tried to get some satisfaction but again with no success. We both decided that the keys were gone. However we decided to not use this toilet until today. This day we were going to go to the Milton Fair but the weather was not good. I decided to take up the toilet and maybe, just maybe, the keys would be there.
'I hate plumbing but I just installed this unit a few months ag0 so I asked Theresa to go to Home Depot and get a new wax seal and We would be OK. Theresa left and I removed the toilet without a problem but it was heavy and when I moved it away and laid it on it's side a splash of water came out on the floor.As I inspected the bottom of the toilet I saw a key in bedded in #@%$#@ and I removed it and placed it in the sink. After washing the keys they were none the worse as they were water proofed.
The wax seal only cost $1.89 but I fixed it and cleaned out the mess that caused the keys to be rescued. In a few minutes I had the toilet back in place and the mess cleaned up. Just as I completed the job Theresa came in with not one but two wax seals. It seems that the girl thought we might like a better than ordinary one so Theresa bought two. As I showed Theresa the keys she was extremely happy and we both were better off for the effort.
I am keeping the extra seals as this might not be the last time one of us has an accidental dropping of something valuable into the toilet but this time I would just say these were the keys to success. A happy ending.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Ash Tree Problem
Oakville is known for it's oak trees however there are over 100,000 ash trees that line our streets. These trees have been attacked by a beetle which bores under the bark and kills the tree.We had two such trees on our boulevard and they were removed a few months ago.
We were assured that new trees would be planted to replace the Ash Trees and this morning sure enough men were outside our door planting new trees. I asked the worker what the name of the trees he was planting and he did not know. From the leaves I was unable to define the tree variety but it is not an ash I hope.
The tree program in Oakville is very active and we are fortunate to have the kind of leadership which recognizes the value of its beautification program. The replacement trees are all ten feet in height or taller and a minimum of 4 inches in girth. This ensures that vandalism will not cause damage to the new trees.
Blogs are written by fools like me but only God can make a tree. AMEN.
We were assured that new trees would be planted to replace the Ash Trees and this morning sure enough men were outside our door planting new trees. I asked the worker what the name of the trees he was planting and he did not know. From the leaves I was unable to define the tree variety but it is not an ash I hope.
The tree program in Oakville is very active and we are fortunate to have the kind of leadership which recognizes the value of its beautification program. The replacement trees are all ten feet in height or taller and a minimum of 4 inches in girth. This ensures that vandalism will not cause damage to the new trees.
Blogs are written by fools like me but only God can make a tree. AMEN.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Last Word On Asbestos
Finally we can put the asbestos story to rest. It took an upset election in Quebec to motivate the Harper Government to with draw its objection to naming asbestos as a dangerous and toxic substance. Now Canada's name may be added to the throng of other countries who signed a treaty identifying this mineral as hazardous to humans.
The new Quebec minority government made it's first strong statement that would withdraw the $58 million dollar loan to open a new asbestos underground mine. This clear direction came after years of the Harper Government supporting this industry internationally against all factual information and caused our country to be ridiculed by member nations of the treaty banning this substance.
Third world countries and African countries used asbestos in unsafe conditions causing thousands of deaths to working people handling asbestos. This is a victory for people power - who finally are heard.
The new Quebec minority government made it's first strong statement that would withdraw the $58 million dollar loan to open a new asbestos underground mine. This clear direction came after years of the Harper Government supporting this industry internationally against all factual information and caused our country to be ridiculed by member nations of the treaty banning this substance.
Third world countries and African countries used asbestos in unsafe conditions causing thousands of deaths to working people handling asbestos. This is a victory for people power - who finally are heard.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Back To School
School is back in session and although there is some labour problems the students were happy that their summer break came to an end. I see the little ones happy to see their school mates and meeting their new teacher. Ontario is supposed to have the best public education system in the world and when labour strife comes into the picture it weakens that argument.
As a former educator I recognize the reasons for the problem but strongly disagree with the manner in which it was dealt with. Teachers never threatened strike but the government acted as they did and from there the sides were drawn. I feel confident that a reasonable deal could have struck has both sides been given the time to share ideas and compromise a fair deal.
Now the government who had the educators support for several elections lost that support and have angered teachers, students and parents.It seems like a lose, lose situation to me. How sad that we do not find reasonable methods to solve big problems. No wonder there is so much violent strife in the world where very large differences clash. Will we never learn?
As a former educator I recognize the reasons for the problem but strongly disagree with the manner in which it was dealt with. Teachers never threatened strike but the government acted as they did and from there the sides were drawn. I feel confident that a reasonable deal could have struck has both sides been given the time to share ideas and compromise a fair deal.
Now the government who had the educators support for several elections lost that support and have angered teachers, students and parents.It seems like a lose, lose situation to me. How sad that we do not find reasonable methods to solve big problems. No wonder there is so much violent strife in the world where very large differences clash. Will we never learn?
Hockey Lockout
The NHL is again going through this ugly dance between Billionaire owners and Millionaire players. As a hockey fan I wonder how much concern these people give to their loyalty base. The last time this occurred there was little problems in getting the fans back into the hockey palaces. This time there will be increased hostility as the media has given much of the financial dealings to the public.
Few fans will have sympathy for either side because in times like this with all the economic woes people making millions do not get consideration from people who are just making it at their place of work. This is a confrontation with sides wishing a bigger piece of the pie. Greed we call it and one could solve the problem in minutes if both sides could work with the present agreement until a reasonable solution is found.
During the last few years I have been watching junior hockey and college games. I find a real joy in seeing the younger, energetic and eager players working hard for the love of the game and their team.
Two years ago I took my grand daughter to a Maple Leaf game as her father was unable to do so. I used his tickets and was amazed to see the price was nearly $200. per ticket. A hot dog was $3.50 and a Beer was $6.25. Everything that was sold to the patrons was double the value and to top it all off parking was $20. With these prices I wonder how the teams can pack the rinks and sell out year after year.
The reason is that Canadians love the game of hockey and are being denied their fix on Saturday night so don't suggest that they turn to cricket or soccer. The only antidote is hockey.
Few fans will have sympathy for either side because in times like this with all the economic woes people making millions do not get consideration from people who are just making it at their place of work. This is a confrontation with sides wishing a bigger piece of the pie. Greed we call it and one could solve the problem in minutes if both sides could work with the present agreement until a reasonable solution is found.
During the last few years I have been watching junior hockey and college games. I find a real joy in seeing the younger, energetic and eager players working hard for the love of the game and their team.
Two years ago I took my grand daughter to a Maple Leaf game as her father was unable to do so. I used his tickets and was amazed to see the price was nearly $200. per ticket. A hot dog was $3.50 and a Beer was $6.25. Everything that was sold to the patrons was double the value and to top it all off parking was $20. With these prices I wonder how the teams can pack the rinks and sell out year after year.
The reason is that Canadians love the game of hockey and are being denied their fix on Saturday night so don't suggest that they turn to cricket or soccer. The only antidote is hockey.
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