Is it a bird? Is it superman? It's the air show from my back deck.......

 

House is forsale at 860,000 - Backyard, a repose in the city.

https://www.realtor.ca/l/bTeEz/ka 

I cannot buy this again, because I cannot stop eating them. Hawaii you say? Hold me back!!!

 

Thoughts of the Week

 First I want to give my sincere sympathies to the two children who were killed, the children who were shot and survived and the three adults who were shot, plus the families and community of Minneapolis.  That the church was barricaded so more children could be killed is devastating.  There is no greater suffering in grief than a parent who loses a child to death.  This type of death only compounds it.  As a society we need to protect all children.  Such innocence.  I don't think it would be fair to share these thoughts with anything else right now.  

Ford promises to stop experimental testing on cats and dogs - Some sharing

Years ago before I was a therapist, a student approached me casually and told me that she was feeling badly because she had to kill pregnant bunnie rabbits and abort the fetus for studies.  She was concerned because she was bothered by this.  I told her that when it stops bothering her, is when she should get worried.   Another person I knew also a Psychology student at a Masters level was walking her dog and of course I marvelled at the little beast.  She told me that the dog had been used for experiments and after they were done, one of the students was to euthenize the dog and dispose of her.  However, the student stitched up the dog and sneaked her out of the lab and hence the pleasant dog I was now seeing.  There are strict rules in how animals are to be treated in experiments.  Is it being done?  These are just two shared stories.  There are many more.  That Doug Ford is going to stop these experiments, are going to get a rise out of the people who are in charge of these experiments and those who support them.  They will try to get around the system.  It should prove to be interesting.  Thank you Doug for doing this.  This will stop a lot of suffering.  It will perhaps make us aware of the importance of compassion and empathy.  In the previous blog I have cut and pasted an article from the globe and mail.  I also pasted it on Facebook which can be seen more clearly.

Thank you Doug Ford!

 Ontario will ban research testing on dogs and cats, Premier Doug Ford said Monday as he called the practice “cruel.”

“You aren’t going to use pets – dogs or cats – to experiment on any longer,” Ford said at an unrelated news conference in London, Ont. 

“Simple as that. We just don’t do that, it’s cruel, and it’s unacceptable.”

Two whistleblowers came forward to Animal Justice earlier this year with concerns about dogs undergoing tests for cardiac research at the Lawson Research Institute at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

The animal rights’ organization then put the staffers in touch with the University of Toronto’s Investigative Journalism Bureau.

That led to an article published earlier this month that found the dogs – mostly puppies – were used for tests and killed before their internal organs were removed for further examination. 

Opinion: The use of dogs in medical research is a tragedy

The research institute decided after speaking with the province earlier this month to stop all research on dogs. The hospital said it conducted the experiments under proper authorities and followed all rules and regulations.

It noted that both Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration “require animal-tested protocols as proof-of-principle for efficacy and safety, before new treatments can be used in human patients.”

The hospital also said animal testing is only done when there are “no scientifically valid alternatives.”

St. Joseph said it has since stopped its “groundbreaking research that has resulted in major strides in cardiac care and treatment.”

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News of the dog testing kicked off a series of texts between Ford and one of the whistleblowers.

“I got to thank the whistleblower that sent me pictures and texted me and everything else,” Ford said. “That person’s a champion.”

Ford also had a warning for other scientists.

“Now I’m gonna start looking for everyone else,” he said. 

“If there’s anyone else out there that’s doing this to animals, come clean, because we’re gonna catch you.”

The whistleblower Ford described as a “champion” said Monday that they were surprised at the strength of the premier’s reaction. The Canadian Press agreed not to name them because they fear legal repercussions for speaking publicly. 

The whistleblower, who worked at the facility, said they reached out to the premier over an unrelated issue and he called back right away.

When the conversation turned to their work, they explained to Ford how puppies as young as eight months old would be brought to London from the U.S. for experimentation, the whistleblower recounted.

They said they told him how researchers would induce hours-long heart attacks as part of efforts to improve medical imaging processes for humans.

“I didn’t think we could expect somebody so high up to be on our side with this,” the whistleblower said.

“I’m very, very thankful for him, for speaking out on behalf of the animals. Because now that he’s involved, I actually, I really feel like we’re going to make a lot of changes.”

Animal Justice welcomed news of the upcoming legislation.

“Ontarians love our pets like family, and they should never be made to suffer in cruel experiments,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of the organization. 

“But we hope this is just the beginning. Ontario currently allows lost and abandoned cats and dogs in shelters to be sold to experimenters. It’s important to close that loophole, and to pass laws making sure animals get a second chance and can be adopted after experiments.”

York University - Retiree speaker provided notes for an event I missed. It should be ok to share.

 CURITY

GATEKEEPER

Authentication

Passwords. Achieve maximum complexity while retaining your ability to remember it by de-

vising a ‘root’ password. It should contain a minimum of twelve characters comprised of up-

per and lower case letters, numbers, symbols and a variable that corresponds to, for exam-

ple, the first letter of the website to be signed into: Lock500$File would become Lowk500

$File for ‘website.com’.

2-Factor Authentication. To further reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts,

simply enable this feature, if offered, and provide your cell #. At each subsequent sign-in, a

text containing a one-time, temporary passcode will be sent to your phone. Enter it at the

sign-in screen to proceed with accessing your account.

Additional methods. Biometrics, security keys, password managers and authentication apps

all offer additional methods for protecting accounts and devices from unauthorized access.

Time spent developing a general understanding of their functions and adoption will signifi-

cantly improve security of personal information.

Hazards

Phishing Email. Their primary objective is to lure the recipient into clicking on a hyperlink,

resulting in any of four outcomes: Previous usernames and passwords captured from brows-

er cache, keystrokes captured going forward, direction to website featuring genuine-looking

but false account sign-in page, or ransomware that locks your hard drive ahead of an extor-

tion attempt. These risks can be minimized by opening the email on a desktop computer,

then carefully hovering the mouse pointer over each embedded hyperlink or hyperlinked

button. If any of the revealed URLs don’t precisely match the actual organizations domain, ie

‘website.com’, it is likely a hoax and should be deleted immediately.

Spear phishing. A ruse whereby the perpetrator has targeted a specific organization member

with an email, ostensibly from a senior employee, instructing them to undertake an urgent,

financial task. New employees are prime targets, who, once onboarded, should be informed

to report all similar requests to their manager.

(continued)

1Hazards (continued)

Public Wifi. Logging into accounts via public wifi should be avoided. When urgently required,

a VPN session should first be activated on the device in order to encrypt the user’s wifi traffic

so it cannot be captured by nearby eavesdropping.

Finance

E-Transfers. The majority of funds misappropriated from e-Transfers are a result of a compro-

mised email account. Do not send the question and answer to the recipient via the same ad-

dress as the e-transfer link. Also, be certain of the recipient’s email address or cell #, as a mis-

type for a Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer may send the payment to the wrong re-

cipient.

Online purchases. Ensure that the vendor for purchases being considered has a demonstrat-

ed reputation and is not merely the lowest price. Also, secure websites have an authority-

issued certificate that can be verified for authenticity. Click the padlock icon to the left of the

URL, then (slightly varied between browser types) click ‘Connection is Secure’, follow

‘Certificate is valid’ and note the website beside ‘Issued To’; it should match the vendor’s

website URL.

Cryptocurrency. A grasp of the transaction security process is crucial. Crypto keys can be

stored at multiple locations within two storage types: 1. A custodial ‘hot wallet’ at either a

crypto exchange, cloud storage, personal computer or mobile device. These are all online to

the internet. 2. A non-custodial ‘cold wallet’, either a specific physical device similar to a USB

flash drive, or a ‘paper wallet’ - simply a physical paper copy of your keys. Additionally, should

a wallet or device become unavailable, access to its cryptocurrency can resumed if its owner

possesses the generated ‘Seed phrase’, a 12 or 24 word collection.

Information in this handout is intended for general guidance only. Any reliance you place on the information in this handout is strictly at your own risk.

Steve Chapelle has been providing information privacy and security education to

Canadian professional, parent, student and retiree organizations since 2006. Prior to

that he spent over 20 years in information technology management, analysis and

customer service, primarily in the financial services sector. Experience has included

security, availability and disaster recovery planning. He is also an instructor and

developer at the Udemy online course platform, and the author of ‘No Deci

Botanical Gardens - Close to Burlington/Hamilton

 The Botanical Gardens almost went bankrupt and a business man donated one million to save it successfully.   It has changed since I last went there.   Before there were a series of locations and a bus would take you from one area to another.  There was a lovely Rose Garden which I adored and another location where I had lunch with friends.  There was also a manor's house to explore - all gone.  However, the one saved which is the main location is still worth visiting.  I have more pictures to post at a later time.

Shipping to USA for my books is no longer practical - Sorry. Too expensive.

From Canada Post Office 

What's changing 

"Goods valued at US$800 or less that are shipped to the United States through the postal network will be subject to an ad valorem duty. This duty will be equal to the effective tariff rate applicable to the product's country of origin under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). For Canada, the current IEEPA rate is 35% for most goods." 

      I was asked not too long ago if I am still wiling to send my books to the States.  I replied of course, why not?  Well, I am afraid 35% is too much and it was expensive before and now well .................Toronto is a great destination as well as Niagara Falls for American tourists.  I would recommend buying my books when you visit.   You may buy directly from me.  It is unfortunate that this is the situation.  Just last night I was talking to a neighbour who is American but has decided to live here.  She said that Americans contacting her are telling her they are so sorry of what is happening to us because of Trump.  They had voted for him, not expecting this attack against Canada.  Americans  I don't blame you for what is happening, this round.  Anyhow, I am glad you are still coming to Toronto and Niagara Falls because I see you and welcome you.  I will be selling my books at Word On The Street, Saturday and Sunday, 27 & 28 September on King Street this year.  Depending on whether I sell my house or not, this may be my last time at Word On the Street.  It is now a two day event each year and locations seem to change which is not always ideal for me.  So please come and if you American, I shall give you a free copy of "Hey Guy Buy Me" as a token of no hard feelings.

Thoughts of the Week

The weather has cooled, though it doesn't seem to have helped our fires and I am not going to repeat myself about that.  I spent time again in Niagara Falls/Niagara on the Lake and as usual wish I could sell my home and move there.  I know, I am repeating myself.  It doesn't look like I am going to sell.  People who do have to sell are lowering their prices consistently.  I will not be doing that.  I am communicating with people who have sold and not those who have opinions galore but are not selling.   I now understand why my fifth grade teacher taped my mouth shut (wouldn't be able to do that now, huh?).  Of course I had to be the comedian when I wasn't getting the strap.  Anyhow, back to the Falls area.  I met a few Americans.  One had a T Shirt with the Canadian flag on it and the words, "I'm sorry," printed on it.  "I forgive you." I shouted since I was in Mama Cucina dining and the American couple were outside.  They became emotional and I too a tad, as they formed hearts with their hands and placed it against their hearts.  It is sad, isn't it, all this mess?  Anyhow, I didn't know that someone I know is also American and he complained that when he was coming to Canada, he was asked by American Custom's why he wanted to live in Canada.  He was quite upset by that and said he liked it better up here.  He actually has three citizenships and I informed him he was greedy.  Chuckles away.  I also met an older woman while I was sitting alone and taking a breather to look at the Falls from the casino.  She too has three citizenships.  She married an American and lives in the States in a place I never heard of, but it must be nice, because she said she feels safer in the States than here.  She hails from Hamilton, Ontario and is stunned by the increase in crime.  She said she came to Toronto and found it to be filthy, a pig sty?  She said there was garbage all over the place.  I didn't ask where in Toronto she saw this, but ironically, the news reported a mess of garbage somewhere.  The news has been unsettling as well.  Some white guy spit at a Tim Horton's server in Mississauga (remember I was there to buy Olive's book?)  He gave the old, go back to your country stuff and then really gave a horrible spit from a distance.  They should have no problems finding this guy.  He is stocky and not to pleasant, and drives a big truck with an aluminum extension.  Yup, easy to spot and with a bright coloured red or orange t shirt.  Yup, if you are going to do something like that, dress for the part so you can easily be found.  Then we had a guy out on bail, breaking into a guy's apartment in Lindsay, Ontario and yup, the bad boy woke up someone who gave him a beating with something.  The bad boy is in hospital and the guy he surprised has been charged by the Police.  Yup, all too interesting.  Our Premier Rob Ford, you should know him.  He likes to  go to the States and tell them how we are neighbours and they should be nice to us.  He was doing summersaults and very frustrated that the home guy was charged.  Then you have all these guest lawyers who report why it is ok for a guy who is on bail as they all seem to be these days can go into someone's home in the middle of the night and cannot be beaten up badly.  I know it is excessive force and the police are not to do that, but regular citizens don't get that course.  They don't teach you in high school that it is not ok to beat someone excessively who has broken into your house.  Now, I am not a lawyer, but if I was, I would want this case.  Yup, great tv.  "My client feared for his life." " My client lost control (because ignorance is no defence).   My client feared that his family's life, dog's life, cat's life, mouse life were all in danger and he had to protect himself.  He grabbed the first thing he had and beat up the guy who could have killed them all."  Yeah, lots happening - over load.  So, I recommend limiting yourself to negativity including the news.  I love sitting on my back deck and looking at my little wildlife on the trees.  Did I tell you that I have two morning doves?  What do you think?  Oh by the way I really like it when Rob Ford tells the system off.  I enjoyed him supporting the home resident  and telling everyone that the bad boy, on bail (that is very common right now) invades home and everyone would protect their families.  Yup, I do enjoy watching him in action.  Anyhow, what do you think?  Have a good weekend world.  Oh, wait!  I almost forgot.  You heard about Air Canada and their flight attendants needing food banks to survive and living with others in the same boat in multi units because they cannot afford a living?  Yup, that was good.  Looks like this corporation which I believe gets money from our government (and shouldn't)  only wanted to pay them when they get into the air.  Where is that sign I posted, that you can bang your head?  Scroll down and you will find it.  Then the Minister of Transportantion, orders them back to work because they were on strike for wanting to get paid for work.  The Minister's severe facial expression did not work; the union refused to go back and even stated jail would be the better option.  All I heard were complaints galore about the airlines and not one about the workers.  Now the government wants to investigate?  Yup,  looks like people didn't buy all this mess from a corporation.  That's all folks.  Too many thoughts this week.  Time for fun.

 

Busy Weekend once again.

I went to Mississauga on Saturday to buy a book from someone I know.  Olive Rose Steele lives in Mississauga and I have mentioned her before.  When I injured myself and couldn't attend a book event she was hosting, she came to my house in Toronto, picked up some of my books and sold them.  Who does that?  She is so nice, that it is difficult for me not to deny any requests.  So when she asked me to go to the Hazel Library for her latest book, of course I went.  "Before You Go" is perhaps the third book of a series and it is not my genre.  It's a bit raunchy and I think I would have had to read the first two books to fully appreciate it.  Again, I haven't written a series, which is in demand at the moment.  What surprised me was my reaction to Mississauga.  I couldn't find parking and so stopped at the back of the library where a festival was being held (did I mention I am suffering from festival overload).  I don't think I can attend another for ten years.  Yeah right!  Anyhow security was there so I waved to him and he approached me suggesting I don't park there because I would probably get a ticket.   Now my walking ability hasn't been the greatest.  I feel like I have a rod going through the length of my right leg and it provides me with an uncomfortable gait.  I seemed to be in a loading area and merchants were unloading their vehicles and going to their stands.  I was utilizing my charm on the security guard and it seemed to be working but he was adament about me probably getting a ticket.  Five minutes I promised?  I called Olive, but got her husband at home.  He didn't know where I could park.  Then I saw about three Police Officers and waved one over who seemed to be in charge.  He was handsome so once again I used my charm.  All three come over and as I am asking about parking, he tells me that they are on an emergency call very calmly.  Boy this is not Toronto.  There would be a frenzy to get to the call.  Do they drink coffee here in Mississauga?  Everyone seemed so nice.  So, I deduced that if the police give tickets and not security, and the police seem to be on an emergency situation at the Festival, they are not going to stop to give me a ticket.  So, I leave the windows open to look like this is temporary, I tell security what I believe and I am advised that I should close my windows and lock the door.  "There is nothing to take."  He doesn't quite believe me.  I leave, go to the side and enter this enormous library which makes mine in Toronto look like miniature village.  I take the elevator to the second floor where I am directed to a hiding spot where Olive has a small audience but takes the time to greet me.  I buy the book, explain why I can't stay and she even gives me a thank you card and a sample of perfume.  Did I mention that she is soooooo nice?  I rush back to my car, which isn't really rushing and I greet the Security Officer and show him my book.  Of course I drop something and he graciously picks it up for me.  How gallant they are in Mississauga.  I get into my car and drive around the block.  I see mega police cars on the other side of the festival and appreciate their budget.  Our Mayor should visit them.  I drive back towards Toronto and realize I am almost out of gas.  I stop at a gas station and notice a beautiful sports car at the station.  I see a tall man trying to get out of his compact vehicle.  At least it looks compact because this man is a big man and very tall.  Not big as in overweigh but big as mancho man.  I immediately forget about the lovely car because this man is suffering.  "I know the feeling!"  I yell out to him.  Poor guy.  He tells me that they botched an operation and I am feeling it for this man.  I open the door to the gas station for him because this guy is struggling.  "I was going to open the door for you."  He states.  "That's ok." I respond and as I search for the bathroom I hear the gas attendant tell him how much he loves his car.  I had forgotten the car.  I saw only a man in pain.  Well, after using my own tissues because the station didn't have any, I talked a bit to the attendants.  They were Hindu and so of course I wanted to know a bit more than what I had studied.  "I don't like too many rules."  I mentioned not telling them that I am a Roman Catholic and so I am flooded with rules.  I continued my drive to Toronto and when I saw the Toronto sign, I felt safe.  I was home.  This really did not make me happy.  I don't want that feeling of home, because I want to move to Niagara Falls and want that to be my feeling.  Oh well, there is no place like home, even if it drives you up a wall.

A group of us had enjoyed lunch at "Mama Cucina" at Niagara on the Lake, 10 Queen Street - Mama Mia!

      Yesterday was simply a perfect day, sunny and beautiful, which only enhanced my experience at Niagara on the Lake.  I was with a healthy group of people from Toronto and of course eating needs to be a positive experience.   I fell in love with Mama Cucina has soon as I saw it.  Lanterns hanging, red and white table coverings and romantic seatings for two or more.  There is outdoor dining at its best but no matter where you sit, the outdoors comes to you.  I don't eat meat and if I want to annoy anyone, I usually say I don't eat little animals (I don't eat big ones either) and that just get some people's back up, but at Mama's Cucina after ordering a vegetarian wrap, I received some attention.  Even though the server was amazing, another came to me and made some recommendations for my wrap which of course I accepted.  She indicated that it was what she normally eats.  Works for me.  There was mega fries and one man at my table ate most of mine and another person's as well as his own.  I have no idea where he puts it all, but watching him eat reminded me of my dad.  He too used to clear everyone's plate.  I wish I had taken a photo of the brushetta because that in its own was amazing and the Tiramisu, well.  One Italian woman who made a Tiramisu the day before and is extremely critical gave it a pass.  Our table

 had a great time there and the service was one of the best I have had.  It felt like home.  Even if you go just for the desert it is well worth a visit.  

Buy this all Canadian Book: Canadian Writer; Canadian paper; and Canadian Publisher - am I missing something?

 I love this book.  It does not matter that I wrote it.  I can be objective.  What do you think?    Order from silvaredigonda.myshopify.com 

I won't be able to mail it to you until Tuesday.  I do all the work around here - a one woman operation.

Middle of the week - Thoughts

 I am reading Rick Mercer's book, Final Report.  It's about his greatest rants.  I didn't finish the book yet so I will wait to tell you more about it.  I can tell you that I would vote for him if he decided to try politics.

Well they sold my Barbie House and I almost cried.  Almost, but didn't.  So now I am back to looking at MLS and there is not one house I am feeling.  So, this will make it easier to take my house off the market in October me thinks it is, and get rid of the staging.  I don't think I will ever want to stage my house again.  I want to have my house back or any house back 100%.  This not being able to work much has been interesting and I still don't know about that.  Having fun is fun and I like it but I do require some brain stimulation.  I have photos still to show you of the Botanical Gardens and my day cruise.  I know I still have those notes to continue and I shall.  What I have actually been doing is catching up with my paperwork for businesses.  Guess what?  Remember, that for last years taxes, I found an actual accountant?  Well once again, he gets failing grade.  He made mistakes.  How complicated is it to do you job?  I paid what 350.00?  He wanted cash when I went to pick up my stuff and so I had to rush to the bank to get it.  That was a hint.  So, I do believe I will do my own taxes next year as Revenue Canada suggested.   I know I got ripped off last year, but I will give revenue Canada this one, because I don't want to re-examine all the paperwork again.  So, I am calculating all my business expenses because I haven't done any since I live in a staged house and all my stuff is well you know (in hiding).  I did accomplish a lot but I have more to go.  It's all good.  I am working at a good pace, getting lots done and debating what I will and will not do for the following month.  Well I am soon to debate that.   So, because of the paperwork, I haven't provided you with more posts.  I like to keep my weekends free and I like to keep them "long weekends".  Why not?  For now, I want to say good evening.  I am going to watch a movie.  I did go see Weapons and I didn't know how to feel about it.  I know that when I write, people get some kind of closure (me thinks).  Yes, I like to keep the mystery open in case I want to write a series, but people understand demons and angels and cats.  I don't have to explain what it is has it happens.  Well, my cats are always a mystery and mine definitely were.  But that is enough about me.  With "Weapons", I didn't feel closure.  I felt something was missing.  So, if you go see the movie, please share your experience because somehow I missed it.  What do you think?  Later world.

Read Amy Schumer's book, The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo

Amy Schumer's book, The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo 

 I have been reading many books this summer because of more availability, as I decide if I should retire or not, even if I don't sell my house.  But,  I wanted to share with you something that stood out a lot to me because it is so common.  The book is rather raunchy but then she is a comedian.  One of the things that surprised me is how Amy felt about her body image.  It never fails to surprise me how many beautiful women do not recognize their beauty.  It happens to men too and this is the advice I give all genders.  Stand nude in front of the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful.  This is normally painful for people because they don't believe it, but nothing feels greater for me (well a few things) when people begin to see themselves differently.  They see themselves in a better light.  Some take longer than others but I have seen that it does work.  Please do this every day.  See the worth in yourself and stay away from people and social media trolls who haunt you.  Degrading a person's beauty is something quite often in abusive relationships.  The abuser expects the survivor to believe she/he is not worthy of the abuser and should be pleased.  Please try this with the mirror and even better find yourself a qualified therapist to help you explore where all these negative thoughts come from and help you process it to help you heal.  What do you think?

Please share

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