University of Toronto Magazine - Spring 2026 edition, p33

 Caitlin Maikawa an assistant professor at U of T's Insititute of Biomedical Engineering, co - develped PRIM, a swallowable pill that releases harmless blue dye when there is inflammation in the intestines and the toilot water will turn blue when inflammed.  The pill will cost less than 50 cents (let's keep it from being exploited).  Seven million people live world wide with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).  Earlier detection can now result in adjusting treatments faster, potentially preventing serious harm and improving quality of life.

Remember when I tried to sell my house last year? Well people still want it but are waiting (for me to decrease price) Not going to happen people.

 Quaint Toronto house is a rare find for under $1 million but still needs work http://www.blogto.com/real-estate-toronto/2025/04/510-northcliffe-boulevard-toronto/

Had fun at Motive event

     The first photo you see here is our poster boy.  Actually, he is an author who was keeping our tent from flying away.  Nice guy.  You also see three young intelligent women enjoying the event and I thank them for buying two of my books.   I hope they enjoy.  I am sure I shall be notified.  Then there is me holding one of my Christmas gifts -  a writer's coffee cup from my baby sister.   I always enjoy the university environment full of inquisitive brains.  I had a nice weekend and the fun hasn't stopped.   You'll learn more about that tomorrow.
 

Hope to see you tomorrow or Sunday at Motive - I shall be signing and selling my books

     I am all ready for tomorrow or almost.  I just have to load books in my brand new plastic containers bought at Walmart.  I usually keep my books in their original boxes but it shall rain and perhaps thunderstorms to boot so I am trying to be as prepared as possible.  The good thing is that we will be under tents this year and that is a bonus.   I don't have my lovely poster this year because it went missing last year at the same event.  I do have a cartoonish image of me and that will do for this year since other places don't want bulky signs.  I haven't made up new book markers because I am still not sure which web site I want to continue with.  However, I do have my new business cards made up which came in the mail yesterday.  So, today will be somewhat of a relaxing day, just tying up loose ends.  

     I do hope you come and visit me.  You don't have to buy a book, but do come and tell me that you read my blogs and if you follow me on facebook. 

So, again,   I shall be at table nine sharing a table with fellow Crime Writers of Canada Authors each day,  Sat Jun 6, 26 and Sunday, Jun 7, 26,  from 1100 hrs - 1700 hrs (5pm).  I am usually early because I give myself plenty of time to find parking close to the event.

It is at 73 Queens Park Crescent,  University of Victoria, in the University of Toronto.  It would be off St Charles, East side.

See you tomorrow!!!!!!!Bring an unbrella.  Sunday may not rain.  Eitherway I shall be there!

Good talk!!!!!!!!

  

Loneliness (AAMFT Conference 2023) USA

 

22% of Adults report feeling lonely and isolated most if not all the time.  47% of people report having no meaningful relationship in their lives.

Challenges and Barriers

Money -  17 % of adults declared bankruptcy or lost their home as a result of heath care costs.

33 % stopped therapy soley because of cost.  38% of adults or family member did not seek health care because of cost.  Insurance pays 14% less while making billions.  350 individuals looking for therapy for every one mental health clinician.  Where do we go from here?  How Marriage and Family Therapists shape the future.  The kids are not ok and neither are the adults.  Mental health disorders have been on the rise since 2020.  

Mood Disorders -  21% of adults have a mental health condition.  Second leading cause of deaths for children 10-14 years of age is suicide.  31% are adults between 18-25.  One of eight emergency room visits are mental health related.  Loneliness is a global health crises.  

Loneliness, loss of connections and its impact on Mental Health -  39% more are getting some type of MH  in 2022 vs. 2019.  Innovative new way to take therapy to the people.  Relationships matter.   Intergenerational trauma and the impact of parental/family of origin has made its way to mainstream.  Harvard “happiness” study makes another resurgence to the popular media.  Tuning inward, tending to the healers.  Prioritizing our wellness as a model of sustainable care.  52% of therapists reported feeling burnout this year.  Self care is not enough.  Cultivating self - compassion - mindful awareness, self kindness, common humanity.  Shortage of professionals - financial challenges with payers- a challenge and often inequitable road and licensure.

-inadequate support systems for clinicians and students (for professors).  Systemic oppression and bio permeates all our professional layers.  Health disparities show up in every aspect of treatment.   How do you cover for something that never ends?  Representation doesn’t exist for most.  Things are changing.  Therapy speech is everywhere.  Mental Health disorders and relationships are being openly discussed by celebrities and the general public; social media.  

We need more professionals.  There will be graduating MFT’s but will not practice because they are already burnt out.

     When I decided to retire in December 2025 it was after asking the College Regulator questions and having different people answering differently.  Needless to say I was frustrated.  The college decided to provide tests, to all every five years on top of all the required extra education.  With all the intensive education we have had,  I began to lose respect for the College (Moral Injury).  Even though I believe that the public needs to be protected, that alone should be their job.  They imposed more work upon themselves therefore requiring more people thus some not really knowing what they were doing from my perspective.  They were also insulting and condescending inspecting files and when handwritten calling it chicken writing or something to that effect and letting us all know that.  I found that disrespectful to the therapists out there.  Days before I retired I was informed at a group event that the college stated no one retires from psychotherapy.  So, when I decided to retire, I was informed that retirement is not acknowledged and won’t be in the future or words to that effect and that my title would be that I resigned.  Really?  My advice from mentors in the past was to stay under the radar and why which I won’t share.  Now I have the time to study the Toronto Housing Market to make the right decision of when to sell without worrying about accommodating clients or the high cost of Registration, Insurance and courses.  That is all for now.  I shall continue to provide my notes to you until I am all done and then just focus on Writing Corner.  This weekend I will be selling my books at Motive in Toronto and will provide you with at least one more blog about that event.  I do hope that if you are in Toronto you will visit me.  Take care fo now.  Always feel free to ask a question.

Time is flying - thoughts of the week

 I just want to wish you a great weekend and be careful if you fly.  I don't and should be safe on our railroads.  Of course now that there has been an investigation at the airport perhaps those in power will listen to experts in the field - Police.   This is the same place where the gold went missing.  What are the hiring practices and why when they are flagged are they allowed to be employed?  Who hires these criminals and what are their connections/qualifications?   I also have seen absurd results from people not qualified trying to ascertain if people are guilty or not enough to bring to trial.  Well, that is why we have a democtratic society where we can vote people in and out.  If some feel they are too imprtant to explain themselves, there may be an adjustment period to find someone more responsible.  I am curious if people who have been victimized and are innocent are going to sue.  Money talks.

     I am amazed at how quickly time flies.  I am still slowly updating and de-cluttering and upgrading.  Well not really upgrading.  I am getting there.  What I don't need, is going to the front of my lawn for others to take.   I am thinking about erecting a sign on my lawn about my books.   I can but there are so many rules about that and again there are security concerns.  I have ordered business cards for my books which if I get in time will be handing out at Motive.  I love summer and during the writer's conference, I mentioned to someone that maybe I should consider going South for the winters.  I mentioned I love Disney World.  The writer gasped, "They're all replublicans in Florida."  My response was that I didn't really care about the politics,  I just wanted sun and Disney.  She replied that they had crocodiles.  Now that I am concerned about.  Well, for now I shall stay put.  There is a lot of excitement in my city.  My neighbourhood has become a tad more quiet with the construction.   I have debated placing the house back on the market but I am losing the debate.  It is still a poor market for sellers.   Buyers if you don't buy now you will miss that chance.  People want a house but don't want to pay high prices.  Sellers sell when they have to.  Do I have to?  Nada, but I would like to.  Bring me an offer or disappear is what I kindly tell the vultures.  So,  I want to plant some flowers, trim some trees, go to the gym.  Oh yes the gym.  I was there the other day and an older man approached me when I was on the bicycle.   His wife (I think she is) told me not to be afraid, that he was sick.  I noticed he had a heavy weight in one hand hanging firmly.  Don't be afraid?  I have to admit I kept a close eye on him, especially when he went behind me.  I could just see it.  "Toronto woman died after being attacked by forceful blunt injury to her head with a gym training weight.  The woman was cycling and trying to read the Centurians when another gym member cautiously approached her and raised the weight, slamming and forcing her head open.  There was no one else in the city gym at the time aside from his devoted wife.  Silva Redigonda was known for her charm in the community and enjoyed writing books for fun.  She shall be missed.  The assailant has not been charged due to mental related health issues.  His wife is devestated."

That's all for now world.  Good talk.  We shall start with psychology notes next week.  June is a busy month, but I always have time for you.

     

Corruption or Incompetence at Transport Canada - You choose