Notable Books Of 2012

You Might Like To Try These Books

133 Books borrowed from the library in 2012, and while most were enjoyable reads, there were only 11 that really hit me as exceptional. I suppose my criteria for selection is vague – the book just has to strike me as one that stays with me long after reading, and that I would recommend to others.
I should also point out that these are books I read in 2012, but they were not necessarily published in that year.
1. Bill Bryson At Home – a typical Bryson book – non fiction, well written, well researched, easy and enjoyable reading, and one where every page reveals a nugget of information that is both fascinating and new, and you want to tell someone about.
2. S.C. Gwynne Empire Of The Summer Moon – a fascinating non fiction read detailing the final years of the powerful Commanche nation, as well as the true story of pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches.
3. Mary Doria Russell Doc– a fictionalized account of the life and death of Doc Holliday. Not one of those glamorized shootemups, this book gives real depth to the characters and the times.
4. Sylvia Tyson Joyners Dream – The story uses a secret journal between 1788 and 2006 following the lives lived and the music played by the fiddlers of the family. A fascinating tale of multi generations, using the language of each age, and a cast of believable and roguish characters. Who knew Sylvia was more than a pretty singer?
5. Dave Barry/Alan Zweibel Lunatics – Just plain hilarious escapism – a quick amusing and satisfying read.
6. Elmer Kelton Lone Star Rising - A Trilogy about the beginnings of the Texas Rangers –same era as #2 above (Empire of the Summer Moon)
7. Eowyn Ivey Snow Child - A whimsical magical tale with wonderful detail of homesteading life in 1920’s Alaska
8. Barbara Wood The Blessing Stone – using a story about a unique stone, the reader gets glimpses into the lives and customs of various ages and cultures.
9. Sybil C. Lynde Stirling – To A House In Whitby – a beautifully written true account of the Lynde family (and associated families) as they make their way from the US to upper Canada. Very informative about York (Toronto) and what is now Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, etc. I should tell you that to my knowledge this book is not available in the library - it was loaned to me by the author.
10. Peter May – The Black House – a murder mystery in the Outer Hebrides, but it would still be a wonderful read even without the murder angle, just for the insight into the island culture, and the story of one person as both child and man.
11. Louise Erdrich – The Round House – His mother’s violent rape changes life for a 13 year old indian boy on a reservation. Despite the circumstances this is still in many ways a delightful story and worth the read.

email deerthistle@sympatico.ca



Giant Cecropia Emerges

We Are Excited

In August of 2011, I entered a post showing the caterpillar of the cecropia moth. I placed it in a bottle to show our grandchildren the next day. They never did see it because when they arrived it had already spun itself into a cocoon. It was left outside over the winter and earlier this spring I carefully cut the cocoon out of the bottle (it was too small for the moth to emerge) and glued it to a stick that I then stuck in a potted plant. Then we waited and waited. I had almost given up hope when today – May 27, 2012 – the beautiful moth emerged.
A couple of pictures are included here, but if you want to see more, visit my album at
http://hanna1.magix.net/album#/my-albums/!/oa/6545675/mode/gallery/
I will leave the album on line for a month or so, and there is no password required to visit or download if you want.
Nature is truly wonderful!

You can enlarge these pictures by clicking once, and then again to get full size.

This is the cocoon awaiting the emergence of the moth

Voila - in all its splendor

The Granddaughters sing

Singing for Grandpa!

The files for these videos are too large to post in the blog, so you can see them on youtube. The videos are very casual, just performing for me in our living room, and of course their snoopy little dog has to show up in each.
In one video, Ashleigh and Morgan sing a song made popular by Alison Krauss - "I'm Just A Ghost In This House". In the other video, Ashleigh sings a shortened version of "I dont feel like loving you today", by Gretchen Wilson.
Here are the links. I hope you enjoy.
"I dont feel like lovin you today"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjOaK1xXbqE&feature=youtu.be
"Ghost in this house". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoN3-pHA5b0&feature=youtu.be
They have several other videos on youtube you may want to watch also.

Sleepng Children Around The World ( SCAW )

Sleepng Children Around The World ( SCAW )

While chatting with an aquaintance at a concert recently, I asked about his brother Mike, and a very interesting story came out. About 2 years ago, Mike Slocombe of Bowmanville Ontario was a donor to a “Time & Talent” auction for their church. He offered to drive anyone going to the airport, in their own car, return the car to his home where he would thoroughly clean it inside and out, and pick them up on their return. I do not know how many trips he had on offer, but it was a great success and was quickly sold out.
Subsequently, another lady contacted him and said she was sorry she had missed out.
Would Mike consider taking her to the airport and she would pay him. Mike told her he would be glad to do this, but would not accept pay for it. She insisted that she pay something, and they reached an agreement whereby she would purchase a couple of bedkits for donation to an organization called SCAW (Sleeping Children Around The World).
This was the start of an ongoing program and a passion for Mike, who has since donated or caused to be donated many many kits. I know that his wife Janice is also wholly involved in assisting Mike in this venture, and I am sure they both feel a great sense of fullfillment.
Currently Mike requests that a minimum contribution be made to the charity to provide for three bed kits, however some willingly provide more.
Mike provides this service at any hour of the day or night, and in fact likes the very early and very late deliveries because traffic is at a minimum in those hours. The clients love the service because it provides them with a cost saving alternative to parking at the airport, they know their vehicle is safe, and they know they will be delivered on time, and picked up when they arrive. This is a real win/win situation for everyone.
If you do not know about SCAW, it was founded by Margaret and Murray Dryden in 1970 (their two sons played hockey – you might remember Ken & Dave!). This registered charity guarantees that 100% of all donations are applied – there are no paid administrators – even the volunteers who travel to other countries to give out the kits pay all their own expenses.If you are interested in finding out more, go to www.scaw.org - they have a wonderful story to tell! Who knows, you may get an inspiration! You might even decide to copy what Mike does, but be aware –

Mike OWNS Bowmanville!

(For your information it is important that anyone considering doing this, should do it in the client's car. This will protect them from insurance issues. the unfortunate real world.)



COLLECTING STRAIGHT RAZORS

And other shaving stuff.

 In the early 1960’s I inherited a straight razor. Nothing special, but it was a fine instrument. When I saw another at a flea market I bought it. Soon I had several and found myself looking for them. My interest widened to any shaving memoribilia including blades, safety razors of all types, barbers bottles, advertising posters, sharpeners etc.
I soon learned not to tell friends what I was collecting because people laughed when I told them. It was not until I found a book on shaving artifacts that I realized there were other people in the world that had the same affliction. During the following years my collection took over one room in our house and included a big old barber’s chair.
When I was on business travel in various parts of the world and had some spare time I haunted antique stores in search of more treasures. My good friend Mike started buying razors for me, but soon found that he enjoyed the pursuit so much that he started his own extensive collection.
After retirement, I decided it was time to let others enjoy my collection and started selling piece by piece on Ebay. My first sale was a Marvel Safety Razor set that originally sold for .15 cents, and for which I paid under a dollar. I was more than a little shocked when it was bought by a collector for a big price.
I could ramble on all day and fill many pages on the delights of the search, the thrill of acquisition, the joy of ownership, and the pride in displaying, but I will not.
I have had thousands of pieces in my collection, and if you are thinking of the plain black handled straight razor that your grandfathers used – think again when you look at these few pictures. They are a tiny representation of the many finely crafted and elegantly styled straight razors that were prized by men of earlier generations, and many of which are still being used today by men who want the ritual and the wonderful shave only available by using one of these instruments.
As a footnote I would add that the variety and complexity of safety razors is equally interesting. If interested, google Roy Ritchie and Ron Stewart’s book “straight razor collecting”. One section contains pictures of some of my razors!
                                             Beautiful example of early 1900s ivory handled

This one, believe it or not, is late 1700's or very early 1800's with silver inlays and real tortoise shell handle

                                                 Another early 1900s with a snake handle

              Quite rare, this shotgun handled razor from the early 1900s is highly sought by collectors

                          A gorgeous ivory handled set with silver pins inlaid is from approximately 1840.

This is an example of a later razor, likely 1920s or 30s with art deco handle and beautifully shaped blade



More Conscience & Consequences

We all have things in our past we wish we could change. Anka wrote, and Sinatra sang “Regrets, I’ve got a few, but then again, too few to mention”. I guess they were either lucky or saints. I know I have lots of regrets - things I did or said, or things that I could have done or said but did not – and when the memories flash in my mind now, I cringe – generally things that no one else would even remember or care about - not important to anyone but me.
However, sometimes people do or say things that are important to others, and those memories can cause embarassment, regret, or severe guilt.
After the previous post, I was contacted with another story.
The gentleman involved in this instance owned and operated for many years an automotive supply business, dealing with service stations, garages, body shops, and anything related.
A customer had purchased a piece of equipment that for some reason malfunctioned or simply did not work properly. Perhaps he was having a very bad day, or the equipment malfunction caused a loss of income, or maybe he just had anger management issues. Whatever the cause, when he could not contact the owner who was away on business, he spoke to the owners wife, and during his rant at her, he stated that he “would like to kill” her husband! Did he mean it literally? Probably not. Still, those words could not be recalled.
This took place a very long time ago, and while the equipment issue was subsequently resolved, the words still hung in the air.
They have met on many occasions since that time, but it was only last week that the man approached the owner, now long retired, to express his “deep regret” at those hateful and frightening words.
There is an old adage that says “confession is good for the soul”. I guess you could turn that around and say that keeping guilt inside without attempting to make amends is soul sickening. Conscience is our personal moral compass. It may not prevent us from doing or saying something rash, but it can direct us to the appropriate way to get rid of that terrible feeling of guilt or shame.

Conscience & Consequences

Recently, a friend (we will call him Bob) told us a remarkable story of deceit, guilt, and atonement.
Walking with his wife on the main street of a small town, he was approached by a man who called him by name. Although he did not recognize the man by face, he did recognize his voice. The man asked him if he could talk to him for a few minutes, which they did.
More than 40 years ago, Bob had been in a car accident at night when another car with two male occupants came from a side street and they collided. No one was hurt, although the car was totalled. Bob turned off the ignition in the still running vehicle, turned off the lights, and got out to wait for the police.
The other driver was charged, and when it came to court, the other driver, and his passenger told the judge that Bob had been driving without lights. Their case was dismissed.
Several years later, Bob received $1,000.00 in his mailbox from an anonymous source, which he puzzled over for a long time and then forgot.
You have likely guessed by now that the person who stopped him on the street that day was the driver of that vehicle many years ago.
He told Bob that he had not had peace of mind in all those years. He was the source of the money left in Bob’s mailbox, but that had not eased his conscience. He is now a respected businessman in that community, and when he saw Bob on the street, he took the opportunity to make his confession. He also told Bob that because of the guilt he suffered he had worked extra hard to be a “good man” for all the following years.
There are lots of elements in this simple story.
Consequences of our actions - Guilt as a life spoiler - Conscience - Confession -Atonement.
I admit to an admiration and respect for this man who did wrong, suffered for it, and has spent his life trying to atone.

Notable Books of 2011

Come Read With Me

These are books I read in 2011, but not all were new in that year.

My library record shows that I borrowed 151 books during the year. Those listed below are books that stand out in my memory when I look at the whole list. I will not attempt to do any kind of extensive review of them – you can find reviews on line. There were many other fine books on the list, but these were the standouts.

I find that as time passes, I want fiction books that provide several things – noble heroes and heroines that win, bad people that lose, some poetic revenge is always good, and happy endings.

I want murder mysteries to define the chase – not the details of the atrocities.

I want authors that do not get in the way of the reader if you know what I mean.

I want to feel satisfied at the end.

1. The girl who kicked the hornet's nest -Stieg Larsson –so well known nothing needs be said

2. The friends of meagre fortune - David Adams Richards – a Canadian tale of lumbering and lumbermen in past days.

3. The confession - John Grisham – includes a powerful indictment of Texas for it’s record of executing murderers.

4. Paganini's ghost - Paul Adam .Lots of interesting information about violin making as well as a good mystery

5. Snakewoman of Little Egypt - Robert Hellenga. A rather bizarre story of snake handling sects in America – makes an interesting read

6. Revenge of the lobster lover - Hilary MacLeod .A lighthearted Canadian murder mystery set in PEI

7. The best laid plans -Terry Fallis. A hilarious account of a reluctant Canadian politician

8. Pacific glory - Peter T Deutermann. Historical fiction – the battle of Midway – terrific!

9. The high road - Terry Fallis. A sequal to “The Best Laid Plans” (above). Equally hilarious

10. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand. A non fiction account of a Unique American from WW11

11. From the far side of the river - Paul Quarrington. A Canadian author’s short stories of fishing. Quarrington is, surprisingly, not well known despite his many literature awards. Now deceased. Look him up on the net for his books (including Whale Music), and his music.

12. The Beothuk saga - Bernard Assiniwi. Historical fiction by a Native Canadian about the Beothuks (now extinct) of Newfoundland

13. The octave of all souls - Robert Eady. A story of a small Canadian town. Highly entertaining & nostalgic

14. The good son - Michael Gruber. A different viewpoint of split allegiances as well as terrorism. Worth the read

15. The evolution of Bruno Littlemore - Benjamin Hale. From ape to human – will disturb many readers, but probes deeply into what makes a “Human”

16. Thunderstruck - Erik Larson. Non fiction that reads like fiction - the stories of two men—Dr.Hawley Crippen, murderer, and Guglielmo Marconi, the obsessive creator of the wireless telegraph. Highly recommend!

17. Caleb's crossing - Geraldine Brooks. Historical fiction and well worth reading for the details of life in that era in America, and especially relating to Harvard University.

18. A lonely death Charles Todd. A murder mystery, but more compelling is the traumatic after affects of WW1 on the characters

19. Sailing alone around the room - Billy Collins. Poetry. Wonderful, glorious, riotous, humerous, nostalgic. A must for poetry lovers!

20. High plains tango - Robert JamesWaller. From “The Bridges of Madison County” author comes this book that got lots of bad reviews by critics. Still, I LOVED it! Hits all my buttons.

21. A Redbird Christmas - Fannie Flagg. A great way to end the reading year. Flagg never fails to picture small towns and small town people in a wonderfully warm way. This is a “feel good” book.

22. Miles To Go - Richard Paul Evans. While this is actually a sequel, it is a good stand alone read.

I am currently halfway through Bill Bryson’s book – At Home. Great so far, but that will have to wait for the 2012 review.

Remembrance Day 2011

IMPRESSIONS OF REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
2011
Brilliant golden leaves still clinging

halo the trees in the November morning sun

and cast into shade the cadet sentries

at each side of the cenotaph

rifle butts to the ground

heads bowed

in reverence and remembrance.

*

Clouds roll in bringing brisk winds

the flags snap and stand out stiffly

the wind noise

picked up by the sound system

rumbles behind it all

creating ghostly echoes
of the sounds of war
*

The crowd stands silent

Civilians, veterans, cadets

berets, medals and poppies abound
the troops march in to the open square

an eloquent and moving tribute

to the quick and to the dead

*

The Last Post once again issues

from the bell of the bugle
and dissipates into the heavens

tears fall, hats and caps are

held over hearts, memories

flood those who have served

and gratitude those who have not.

*

Orders are given and rifles fire

Their sounds driving lumps into our throats

While the wind, now icy

and with hints of snow

creeps into hands and feet and souls

and whispers “this is how it was for Them”.

*

Chaplains pray for the souls of those lost

Politicians speeches are carefully worded

subtle pleas for votes

A torrent of leaves is stripped from the trees

And hurtle violently toward the ground

in my mind they become

the countless and faceless dead

Blown away by the evil

of mainly forgotten wars

*

Familiar words “They shall not grow old …” are recited
A familiar hymn is sung “Abide with me
fast falls the eventide…”
Some of us know the words!
*
EMAIL deerthistle@sympatico.ca

The cenotaph in Oshawa

Fred Eaglesmith

Fred the Auctioneer

In Sue Wiegand’s excellent blog “ Stories from a small town”, she reports that Fred told her that he hopes he does not “make it” until the day before he dies.

In my opinion, and that shared by all Fred Heads everywhere, he has already more than “made it”! Still, we all know what he meant by that, and I am pretty sure that all his fans hope he never does “make it” if it means that he stops being the Fred we know – the Fred that entertains people in small groups in halls and pubs and theaters. The Fred that allows you to get up close and personal.

His concert in Orono last night was a testimony to everything he espouses. He delights in entertaining.
During the concert, some home made pies were auctioned, and who but Fred was the auctioneer. He said prior to the auction that he and his group had played Ottawa last week in a 40 million dollar hall. “They don’t do pie auctions” he said – “they have benefactors”!
“It doesn’t get any better than this – a beautiful old town hall, a concert, and a pie auction”.
He told us that a man in BC, told by his doctors he had only a few weeks to live, told them he was not going until Fred came to town. “That’s better than Letterman” Fred said, referring to his recent appearance on that show. He told us that a boy who did not speak listened to one of his albums, and then started singing, and now speaks. “That’s better than a Tony!”.
I will not try to say anything about his music, other than this – If Norman Rockwell were a singer and songwriter, his name would have been Fred Eaglesmith.
The brief video is a little bit of the pie auction. I apologize for the very poor quality – totally my fault. My camera video was set on Compact, and I could not reset it to normal quickly enough. Hower, it will give you a bit of an idea of how the auction went, but in reality it was so so much better than the video shows.
Thanks for a great evening Fred, and perhaps someday you will include Carne Del Toro in your concerts.

email deerthistle@sympatico.ca

Addition to original post

I have been asked to explain the reference to Norman Rockwell. He was a painter who captured on canvas a broad section of ordinary people doing ordinary things during a distinct era in America. He did it with humour and a sense of nostalgia, and his paintings are iconic. Fred also captures ordinary people doing ordinary things in his music and there is an underlying sense of nostalgia, generous doses of humour and often pathos. If you listen to "John Deere B" you will picture the work worn farmer longing to buy that decrepit old tractor to ease his work load, only to be disappointed because a big corporation outbids him and uses it for a lawn ornament.
In "Rocky", you will meet characters and circumstances that you can picture immediately, identify with, and perhaps shed a few tears because the characters you see are your family, or perhaps your own future.
In "Small Motors", who has not been to a country fair and seen that same old man the song talks about, sitting on a steel implement seat with a small motor at his feet – it’s brass gleaming, it’s gold letters aglow, it’s black paint spotless, and it’s little flywheel humming steadily to the puhtush puhtush puhtush sound of the engine.
Through Fred’s music you will see the characters in your mind’s eye more clearly than even Rockwell could portray them, because they are people you recognize.
Fred is chronicling working class America song by song

A Lesson in Canadian Citizenship

Becoming Canadian

A friend contacted us with obvious excitement – she was about to receive her Canadian Citizenship - would we like to attend the swearing in ceremony?

Of course we would, and we did.
We arrived to a packed courtroom, crowded with the friends and families of 42 applicants representing 23 countries. It was a colourful crowd in both clothing and skin, and there was a buzz of excitement in adults and children alike.
The judge made comments before and after the swearing in ceremony. His words were exceptionally well chosen, and were explanatory, advisory, and cautionary. As he spoke and the audience listened intently, I found myself experiencing an emotion that has been rare in recent years – patriotism, a sudden burst of pride in Canada, and in being Canadian! Perhaps the last time I truly felt this was during the Vancouver Olympics.
Another friend commented after the ceremony that “It was a wonderful message for the new Canadians, and also for me. We all need to be reminded of what we have and who we are”.
I don’t know if all swearing in ceremonies are as meaningful as this one was, and I doubt any judge could do a better presentation. I do know that all Canadians could benefit from attending one of these ceremonies.

In the picture below, our friend Monica is congratulated by the judge.

and below, the radiant smile of a new Canadian!

email deerthistle@sympatico.ca



Morgan sings Someone Like You

Morgan sings Someone Like You

This song is originally by Adele, and is the song Morgan sang recently at her audition for Canada’s Got Talent. This is the short version required by the audition, but this video was done in our home on Thanksgiving.
We don’t know the results as the auditions were private and only attended by the video crew. Judges will determine the results by watching the videos. If she should make it to the second round, she will be advised by the end of October.
Regardless of the outcome, we are proud that she tried out! I hope you enjoy this video.

Email to deerthistle@sympatico.ca



Little Brown Bat

Our very own Little Brown Bat

This little guy is not bothered by politics or legislation, or the evils of the world. He just does what his kind had done for eons!
In case you dont know what you are looking at, this is a little brown bat who has made his/her home behind the decorative window frame (see picture below) on our front deck.
He comes out at dusk and does his thing. Then he goes to his cozy home. In the afternoon he likes to stick his head out to get some sun. That is when I took this picture. If you enlarge it you can see the claws he uses to grasp the brick.
Big ears huh! Aint he cute?

Smart Meters – Boon or Bane?

Serious Questions - No Answers

and - you can not opt out!

I thought it was a no brainer – but – it turns out that may not be the case! Have we once again been the victims of an insidious breach of privacy as well as possible victims of harmful radiation?

I will not write at length since so many others already have. Suffice it to say there is a storm of controversy that you can see by simply googling “Smart Meters”, or, for a short discourse on the privacy aspect, go to this link.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JNFr_j6kdI
You will be astounded at the information collected on your very personal life and habits if the allegations are true.
On the safety aspect, there are lots of condemnations by supposedly qualified experts. Try this link to see one expert opinion
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=26082
At the very least, the public should be made aware that the controversy rages, and provided with legitimate answers to the questions, rather than hiding the fact that these questions exist. In none of the official government sites can I find any indication of the negatives.
I understand also, that there is no safety agency such as CSA or Underwriters Laboratory that have approved these devices.
If a drug manufacturer advertises a product, they can give the benefits, but must also give the potential side effects.
If the allegations on smart meters are true, then the side effects are potentially horrendous – starting with cancer caused by the radiation, and going on to the potential disruption of devices in the home including medical equipment – check out this link
www.smartmetersafety.com/
In short, we have what are potentially illegal wiretap devices giving off dangerous radio waves that have been MANDATED for every home in Ontario with no public discussion.
I do not know if the allegations are true. I do know that there are enough serious and unanswered questions to cause grave concern.
The controversy over wind power (Windmills), and garbage incinerators, etc., has had huge media and public attention.
Smart meters ????
Here we go again on the slippery slope!

Memories of Black River

Prince Edward County

I knew it as Black Creek but probably pronounced it “Crick”. Being farm kids in the 40’s with the war only recently behind us, there was always lots of work to do. Still, several times each summer, Dad would tell us on a Saturday morning to dig some worms, and in the afternoon we would spend several hours on the bridge over the black water beside the cheese factory.
Curd was always on the menu, and we would go right into the back shop where the cheese was made and fresh curds would be scooped into bags for us. Somehow, I doubt we washed our hands very thoroughly even though we had been puncturing worms with our hooks.
The curds were brand new – juicy, salty, and squeaked when you chewed them. Not like the stuff you buy in stores today that are advertised as “fresh” but were made several days ago at least.
Today there is a new, and quite famous cheese factory on the same site, and we visit it several times a year to get fresh curd, and a kings ransom in various cheeses. The bridge is wide and modern, not like the one lane bridge that was there all those years ago.
The picture shows my brothers Keith (left) George (right) and I am the little guy with no pole. The cheese factory is just to the left - out of the picture.
The fishing poles were cut that day from a tree in our yard, and the fishing line was “reeled” by turning the pole around and around. The only high tech equipment was the store bought line and hooks. The floats, or bobs as we knew them, were hand made.
Today when children go to summer camps, visit other countries, and have all manner of entertainments, those little fishing trips of ours would not warrant a mention. In my memory though, they shine with the warming glow of nostalgia!

email to deerthistle@sympatico.ca



Amazing Cecropia Moth Caterpillar Pictures

Amazing Cecropia Moth Caterpillar Pictures

to fully appreciate you need to enlarge each picture by clicking on the picture, then clicking again for very large.

I found this guy on the base of a Manitoba Maple tree. I had never seen one before, but it is the caterpillar of the Cecropia Moth - Canada's largest moth.

I kept it to show the granchildren, but before they came it had wrapped itself in its winter cocoon. I will now keep it to watch it hatch in the spring. It needs to be kept outside over the winter in order to hatch.
The four little "legs" are for locomotion, while the other limbs (look like little yellow rubber boots) are for grasping the stem or stalk. Take particular note of them when you blow the pictures up.
Also note that the little protruberences lining its back look like little candles when enlarged.
He is altogether one of the most beautiful and grotesque creatures I have ever seen.

A NON SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF BIRD POOP!

Without setting out to do so, I have become an observer of the habits of 3 different birds involving the way they deal with droppings in the nest. 4 years ago I allowed a pair of Barn Swallows to nest over our front door, much to my wifes immediate dismay, and to my later chagrin.
5 eggs and then 5 chicks in a tiny mud daubed nest.
Each day I took a picture, and each picture showed the rapidly growing brood, and the rapidly diminishing space in that nest. I observed that the babies would force their way through the crowd to the top, then position their derriere over the edge of the nest, and – bombs away – on the floor below. Soon there was a big pile of guano littering our deck under the nest.
When they had left the nest, and I took it down, there was not one dropping inside.
I do not recommend letting barn swallows build at your home. In addition to the mess, they are extremely aggressive, and will attack any and all interlopers on their territory. Not only that, they will also return the next year and insist on rebuilding on the ancestral site. It takes diligence and a broom to discourage them.
Bluebirds have a different method. For several years we have had the privilege of having bluebird broods in a birdhouse at the edge of our lawn. Lots of pictures to show for it, and they return each year. Currently, they are raising their second brood.
For some time I watched the male go to the house, poke his head inside, and then fly away with a small white package in his beak. When I cautiously opened the front of the house I found that the babies poop right on the front edge of the nest, just inside the entrance hole. The male picks it up, and carries it away, and not just anywhere, but far away.
When the brood leaves, you will find not one dropping in that nest.
Now, on the other side of this story are the tree swallows. Again, a nest built inside a bird house, and the nest is the epitome of perfection. It is lined with feathers all neatly interwoven to provide a cozy and comfortable place to raise the young.
However, their sanitary proceedures seem to be lacking, for when they finally leave the nest and I take it out of the box, it is brimming with droppings.
I guess birds really are a lot like people!

email deerthistle@sympatico.ca

DURHAM REGION CLASS ACTION SUIT

this is definitely a RANT!

It started when a memory stick was lost. You know, one of those tiny things you stick in your computer and it will hold in memory fantastic amounts of information? Well, this one happened to hold some information about everyone who had gone to get a flu shot.
Hardly an earthshaking event, but certainly worthy of a review of security procedures, and perhaps some disciplinary action if the loss was due to personal negligence.
End of story, right?
Wrong!
A class action suit has been launched on behalf of all of the people who received those flu shots, although I am not sure how they knew who they were since the stick was lost.
Anyway, my wife and I are now part of that class suit. Do we want to be? NO.
Do we have to be? Yes. That is unless we want to fill out a form and opt out.
Am I happy about this? You can bet your sweet bippy I am NOT!
What is even more bizarre is that the law firm handling the suit happens to be the same firm where the current finance minister is a partner.
In a nutshell then, here is the scoop –
 We are a part of a law suit we did not agree to
 Our name and address and perhaps other information were given to at least one third party – the law firm
 I understand from newspaper reports that the class suit was authorized by the courts
 I understand the region is being sued for several millions of dollars, for the loss of privacy of the individuals and for mental suffering
The only suffering I have undergone is when I found out I was part of the suit, that my personal privacy had been breeched, not by the loss of the stick, but by the court that ordered the information to be given to the lawyers.
By the anger that almost consumes me to learn that unless I take a specific action of opting out, I am automatically included. (This one really ticks me off!)
By the vitriolic animosity I now bear against whoever the odious twerp is that started this thing.
Who are we punishing with this suit – the taxpayers? They will foot the bill, and of course, many of them are people included in the class action.
Will “the region” be chastised by the verdict if found to be against it. Can a “region” be punished? Don’t they need to find a scapegoat to hang out to dry?
If the region is found guilty (or whatever they “find” in these cases) and charged only ten dollars, will it satisfy the need to punish, or does it need to be one hundred million dollars to be effective, or what dollar amount in between?
If I get a dollar at the end of all this, will it mollify my supposed mental anguish, or is there another specific amount that is deemed appropriate?

I cannot put in words just how much I despise this whole fiasco, and more particularly, the various authors – whoever started it, the court that okayed it, and the lawyers that will all profit from it whatever  the outcome!
email to deerthistle@sympatico.ca

Ends & Beginnings

Time Flies

June.
Graduation time.
The end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one.
Ashleigh graduates from Maxwell Heights high school as an Ontario scholar with two special awards, and prepares for university (Nipissing in North Bay) in the fall.
Jesse graduates from Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough.
Mixed emotions. Sadness at the too rapid passing of time. Pride in their accomplishments.
Congratulations Jesse and Ashleigh!

Email to deerthistle@sympatico.ca



Less Volume Please

A Little Less Volume Please!

A wise old owl sat in an oak
The more he heard the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard
Why can’t we be like that old bird? Author unknown

• Remember what peace there may be in silence – From desiderata
• Silence is a virtue – Ben Franklin (?)

Is it possible that we have become uncomfortable with silence? Can we not stand to be alone with our own thoughts? Who are all those people on cell phones talking to? What are they talking about? Why does that loudmouth guy in the airport think we are impressed because he paces back and forth all the while barking orders to some minion on the other end.
Why do we need to either fill every second with meanless gibberings ourselves, or turn on the tv or radio and let someone else fill our ears with their inane chatter?
I guess if you are reading this you already know I am old and crotchety – a dinasour! It is about networking you might tell me. It is about staying in touch you could say. It is about connectedness you will inform me.
It is about human communication and social intercourse you may try to convince me.
I would nod my thanks for the lesson, and think to myself, Bah – humbug (or maybe a less polite version)!
We are assaulted by noise these days. Our houses give off their electronic hums and clicks and buzzes. Our skies carry the sounds of jet engines. Cars are quieter now, but their tires screech around corners just as noisely as ever, and their Bose systems pound our ears with their deep bass THUMP THUMP THUMP.
Police cars and ambulances and fire trucks wail their distressing yodels 24/7. But for me, the worst noise is the constant droning of human voices saying nothing in a million words or more.
Not so long ago, going to church provided a few minutes of silence before the service started. People entered quietly, took their pew, perhaps bowed their heads and offered a prayer, then sat in the stillness while the organ played softly some familiar and loved hymn. No one would have thought to intrude upon their solitude. Now? Just try to sit quietly and meditate for a few minutes. You may as well be in the bleachers at a ball game.
So where do you go to get in touch with yourself and your spirituality for a few minutes? Does anyone actually do that now? The bible says “be still, and know that I am God”. Don’t be too still though, or you may be branded as an antisocial loner and misfit.
One of the things that bother me about telephone conversations is that there is no room for a pause. If you think there is, you just try it sometime. When you sit with someone on your deck, or in front of your fireplace, there is room for easy pauses in the flow of talk. A companionable silence. Not so on the telephone. A pause is embarassing. Don’t misunderstand, the telephone is a wonderful tool, great for short informative conversations, giving or getting instructions or directions, making appointments, and with a distant friend you don’t see often for longer conversations and catching up. I just don’t understand how you can spend an hour on the phone with someone you saw just yesterday.
So what is my point? I am not sure I know.
I thought about writing about the louts that chew gum in inappropriate places, the dipsticks that never take their hats off in the house or anywhere else, the general lack of common sense manners, the university grads that cannot spell, the drivers that pass and pull in one car in front of you because they just know they are more important, the snippy sales clerks that make “thank you and have a nice day” one word, or say nothing at all, - and a thousand other irritating subjects. These things just make me angry, and when I think about them too much, I develop a profound sense of futility.
I suppose in reality I am just mourning the passing of a more polite and genteel age. And more specifically, mourning the loss of quiet contemplation.

• Words are silver, silence is golden – ancient wisdom
• Nothing gold can stay – Robert Frost

email to deerthistle@sympatico.ca