Joe Biden - You served with Grace

Well, I have been put out of commission due to my right calf. I am ok and can now move better with crutches. I cancelled all appointments, until my leg is up and walking. I was going to say running, yup. Anyhow, I just want to say that I heard the news about Biden not running for the next election. I liked him. In my opinion he was grounded, kind and solid - a gentleman as well. He was also a friend to Canada and realized the threats in the world and how to deal with all this in a dignified manner. I have decided I will not be watching the elections in the States. It is too painful. Anyhow, I shall be sharing my adventures with you as a result of my leg. Ouchie! Have a good one.

Just want to express my condolences to the USA

I just want to express my sympathies to all involved in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Trump. I have been watching the updates on CNN and acknowledge the suffering of so many people. I wish Trump a speedy recovery. I also feel sad for the family of the fire figher who needlessly died and his mourning family. May God be with you all during this difficult time. I have always had a love for the States. There were so many people involved in trying to help, which is the true spirit of humanity.

Tired and Wired: Sleep and hyperarousal - notes

Last week I attended an interesting webinar provided by Dr Anne Germain, Founder and CEO, NOCTEM Health. I am providing some notes for you in case I won’t be able to share the video once it comes out. Duration of sleep differs - most feel good with seven hours, as long as they feel rested. Sleep supports homeostasis across body systems - mood/irritability, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, weakened immune systems etc…….There is a correlation between obesity and lack of proper sleep, significant risk of psychiatric disorders. Main disruption is hyper arousal. Consequences - fatigue; malaise, daytime sleepiness, concentration. Insomnia include problems falling or staying asleep, at least one day consequence; at least three times a week for at least three months, despite an inadequate opportunity for sleep. Most insomnia is Comorbid, precurser to psychiatric disorders, relapse from previously treated and physical problems. In combat Veterans with PTSD - Combat exposure increase possibility of PTSD. Having insomnia or problems sleeping prior to combat is a risk factor for PTSD. Insomnia is a treated condition. CBT first. Stimulus control: Aligning time in bed to sleep duration (+30 minutes), relaxation and cognitive restructuring and behavioural experiments. Healthy hygiene is not a treatment of insomnia. Target sleep first when targeting other psychological conditions. Resources provided - Coleen Carney. I looked her up and she is at Toronto Metropolitan University (right here in my city. I would recommend you look up these references). Oversleeping - nine hours or more can cause problems. However, if you feel energized that is ok. Ages 18-30 period of vulnerability. If you sleep nine hours and have problems - good to go to a sleep clinic. Sleep apnoea - runs in families - nap and never feel rested. Regarding children 11-12, engage parents. Joey Mandel is an expert. Treatment with or without ADHD. Caffeine - amount and timing is important- quite a bit of variation between people - can take 10 hours to get out of the system. Cannabis - not enough science and data. Literature is all over the place. Very small - some negative and some positive. EMDR when used for nightmares can be useful, not a focus of insomnia.

Sleep Paralysis

Mission Appeal Yesterday by Deacon Rory desmond of the Diocese of Miao

On occasion I will watch a documentary regarding missionary work. My interest is of course religion and how it affects people all over the world. This is important in my work. Yesterday at mass I listened to Deacon Rory. I didn't quite know what to make of him. He was praising the altar men and their families. I thought that perhaps he was trying to recruit young men for his cause. A Deacon is not a Priest. Normally, he can be moved forward to becoming a Priest. Women are not allowed to be Deacons in the Catholic Church. He began talking about a small place in the Himalays (India). He said that there have been Roman Catholics there for forty years. If you type out the Deacon's name you will get more information. I have read some, but want to talk more about what I did not see. He said that at the time the tribe which is considered lower than the lowest Caste in India had no choice but to be Hindu. Through missionary work, the tribe learned about the Catholic faith and converted. This wasn't allowed and the punishment was death. However, the tribe protested in large amounts and so the women and children were gathered by the military (who are in charge) and tortured. The children and women began to recite the rosary during the torture to a point where the army men believed their God was too powerful. Long story made short, they were left alone. Actually if you want to hear him, you can look up utube and paste St John Bosco Church, 0900 Italian mass and fast forward to where he talks. I didn't take notes and so please note that any errors are my own. Since, of course I was thinking about religion, different perspectives, torture and culture. We don't learn do we? I was also thinking about wars and the anti Israel protests and the requests about no affiliation with the University in Israel. I was thinking about how old men would go out to the wilderness etc.....all alone to think. Of course, I like to think and relax in my backyard. The idea of going anywhere where I couldn't have my coffee shops well.................I remembered a conversation with a Chinese student I liked. He was trying to convince me that China had to protect itself against Religion. There was a protest of the Tibet people going on at the time. He rationalized asking me to imagine if a religion gained popularity in advance numbers, what that could do to the stability of maintaining the function of the Chinese government. Though I didn't agree with him, I did understand his perspective. That is the arena of universities - dialogue, knowledge, research, thought etc....I have listened to research from countries throughout the world regardless of the politics because academics are a culture of knowledge, hope etc.....I could easily understand how people who are considered the lowest of the lowest within their own country would want to believe in a God who offers them equal status. The Catholic Church has taken care of them with medicine and education. This is what the talk was about. The Deacon was asking for funds from us to help them. I have known many people from India, mostly those I attended school with. I was even asked to go to work in India but how can I do that? I have to admit, I like my comforts and coffee and you are beginning to note is one big one. I was also asked when I was going to UofT by a class mate if I was interested in working with the poor in Kentucky. There would be very little pay but I would have room and board. She explained how mothers would give their babies coke to drink and there was an attempt to educate. Well, of course I said no, even though I love the States and love mountains, but little pay? I am no St Therisa. Is that a weakness? I don't think so. There are always requests to go help people all over the place on my own dime. What I see is a failure for countries failing their own people. We are hurting a bit now in our own country which I never saw before but again this seems to be a trend. Look up the Urban Planner, a Canadian who travels throughout the world watching the people losing their homes and this becoming a big market for the rich to build luxury homes/condos. I see that it has started here. A social worker was telling me how sad it was for her to see seniors on the street, homeless and unable to take care of themselves. Did I ever think I would see this in my own country? Never in a million years. However, I do see hope, because the people are beginning to see what is going on and different levels of government need to pay attention because we live in a democratic society. As a therapist I have been in awe of people who come to me because of torture regarding the refusal of changing their religion. Women who are raped and tortured because they believe in Jesus. They refuse to deny their faith and take another. They are braver than me. I would tell the bozos anything they want to hear because I have no respect for them. However, I would be praying for help at the same time. However, we don't always get it right at how we will react in a crises. I have surprised myself at times. I have seen men and women from various religions who suffer. Here in Canada they can practise their faith. This needs to be preserved and respected. This is part of our democracy. I will consider this as thoughts of the week. Have a good one. It will be a good pace for me. Find your own safe place where you can relax. What do you think?

What have I been up to?

Happy belated Canada Day and America, Happy Independence Day! In the summer time fewer people need my help because in general people feel better in the summer. It has been so hot in Toronto that I can only deal with it in the morning and evening. Otherwise, I am in air conditioning. Yup - and I also read a lot more when I can sit outside. I have to admit, I have been feeling lazy, wanting to play more and work less. I should be loading up photos soon of places to go. I went to my first gay wedding, my first outside wedding and my first Jewish wedding all in one day. Again, I had to travel to the middle of nowhere. Now, if you ever go to a Jewish wedding, bring yourself a thermos of coffee. The brother of the bride whom I know, did his best and couldn't succeed. There was all kind of booze but no coffee bar. Apparently if meat is served, milk won't be and that is why a Jewish friend of mine, said that coffee was not served. That I take my coffee black didn't matter I suppose, but you know what? I got my coffee, by telling my server that if I didn't get my coffee within a half hour, she would not want to see me. She quickly brought me a coffee to go. Only, of course I stayed. There was red wine and white wine and all kinds of spirits. However, I was driving. Don't drink and drive people. It doesn't take much for me get drunk and that is exactly what happened when a friend of mine who has cancer came over. We each had two drinks of wine and that is all it took, because I guess we don't drink that much. I blurted out that my friend could not die because I am running out of friends. That caused a lot of laughter. So, say a prayer please for my friend. I debated what I was going to do Canada Day but decided that this year I would stay home with Mr Attitude. He is 100 years old in cat years apparently. We are getting old together. He is getting more annoying but I cannot imagine him gone. I didn't even want pets, but boy did I get attached with this little guy no one wanted and his two adopted siblings no one wanted because they were so wild. Holy Terror died and so did Misty girl. So, I spent the night on Canada Day watching the fireworks from my room. The little guy is scared of fireworks so the airconditioning is on and all the windows closed, because my neighbourhood invests in lots of fireworks. When my little guy goes to pet heaven, I shall soothe myself by going on a great vacation. I have been looking at trips and real estate for years but the little guy who hisses at big dogs and house cleaners, is a priority. He hates people and animals. Now that he is older he doesn't hide but challenges so I need to be careful. No more cleaners or new visitors. I have to hope he stays away from my office. I want to have as much fun as possible while still maintaining my responsibilities. That is all for this week, but I shall continue with all my saga next week, you will once again get my work on theology, therapy and writers corner. For now, have fun this week, try something new but stay out of trouble. Good talk. If you want a suspense spooky book, order mine at www.silvaredigonda.ca What are you waiting for - Ominous - released for the first time this year. Feel free to make positive comments on any of my books. Again, I am available to book clubs etc...I actually, unlike my pet, like people. What? You don't like my book?????????? Where's my violin? Next book event is 24th of Aug 24 at the Coptic Centre in Mississauga. They are nice to me. Later.