China is now telling pet owners to get rid of their pets in a district, or they shall be killed. Really?

I sometimes shake my head when I hear the news but do so now daily, hear the news that is. Sometimes I don't talk about certain things because I don't want the culprits to get the attention they seek, which is mainly from men who hate women and wish them harm. However, I have spoken about China before. Did you know that google is not allowed in China? People forget that it is a communist country. I will once again try not to buy anything from China. How can I feel good buying products from a country which exploits and controls its people, place limits, topples churches and now wants to go on a killing spree for pet owners. Katrina did something where we learned from them. Civilized countries and yes I will use the "awful" word civilized, learned that pet owners stayed and died with their pets rather than being rescued. Toronto certainly allows pet owners and their pets to go to emergency shelters, after Katrina, when there is an emergency situation as when we had a power failure and it was winter. I mentioned the last time I talked about China when it was toppling Churches that a business man was telling us that we should mind our own business. God forbid if it upsets his business. Our Prime Minister talked about values and the people or words to that effect which clearly indicated he was opposed to this. So, I shall once again not buy anything that comes from China because I do not like how they treat their people. I certainly do not like how limited we are becoming in what we can buy or more precisely where it is from. There are very good people living in China and many come here to make it their home. They want to have more children than they are allowed in China, they want to taste freedom. So, think about the benefits you have in your country. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere, where would it be? What do you think?

Pope Francis (Pastoral)

As you know by now, I tape everything I want to watch in advance. Then I normally watch it in segments. One of the weekly shows I tape is 20/20. Last week it was about Pope Francis. I was very interested and I watched it in segments, allowing it to penetrate and for me to discern. It was about poverty and the States. Our Pope and I will call him ours, because he is mine and I believe he belongs to the world. He has a great compassion for the poor. From the Vatican and with todays technology he was able to enter places in the States where he could communicate personally with people who had suffered. The impact he had on these people who spoke to him of their suffering was powerful. More than once I shed a tear in this process. There was a single mom with two children who had just found an apartment for the first time after living in shelters for so long. There was a youth, seventeen I believe who was supporting his entire family because his father was ill. This youth lost his scholarship when it was learned that they were not legal in the States. They had escaped Mexico. I do hope I have this all right because I don’t want to minimize the show or distract from it. What the most powerful aspect for me was watching the transformation of these suffering souls as the Pope validated their importance. I worry about this Pope more than the others. I worried about Obama as President more than the others. Every time I see a leader who is different, who brings a new perspective that is positive, I feel a bit of a concern because I know that they face new challenges. My focus is the Pope and Religion here. The Pope has many enemies. He has the Mafia who have a twisted distorted view of Catholicism. They forget that killing and terrorizing is not sanctioned. He has other Catholics too who do not agree with his views. Yet, the Pope is only preaching what it is to be a Catholic. Catholicism is about embracing, justice for others, sustaining others etc….Catholicism should be about helping. Too often I see disdain and criticism. Too often I see hate. I am not perfect either and remember going to my school one day and there was a homeless man sleeping outside my building and I flinched. I had disdain and concern. I had not noticed that it was a sculpture of a homeless man. I had not known that it had been turned down to display from every Religious Institution at the University but my own. After that I would sit beside the homeless man and discern. It forced me to look at myself. I love going to the States which has come to a halt after adopting my previously abused animals. What I always did when driving down there is taking detours off the main highway to see the landscape and with that I saw people and with that I saw a state of poverty I have never quite seen in Canada. I know we have it here and as I watch the news and see how people are now living in Ontario Housing, I realize how shameful it is becoming here. Our countries are rich and there should not be one person in either of our countries who do not have a clean place to live, good meals and opportunity for growth. We are failing our poor. We are trapping our poor. What the Pope did for me is make me proud of him. He teaches by example. I do not normally advertise I am a Catholic because I help so many people of so many religions and quite a few hate Catholics. As a Pastoral Counsellor Specialist which is one of my qualifications I deal with the spirituality and concerns of all people. They come from different religions or none. I have butted heads with some of my own when I say that there should be a coma after spirituality as an option, rather than integration. But, I also know that it is a question of interpretation. We may mean the same thing but I am coming from the perspective of a private practice where I deal with all kinds of people, trauma, couples, relationships, addictions etc…Some suffer because of their experiences with religion, some are confused about their religion, some stay in abusive relationships because of their perspective of religions. Ministers have told them that God wants them together, so they believe that God sanctions the beatings, etc…Ministers have all to often abused and because of this the religion is blamed rather than the man or woman. There is all to often a distortion of religion. People often commit horrendous acts and terrorism in the name of God. All this has nothing to do with God. All this has to do with their own twisted distortions. There is no room for hate for God. When I interned at a hospital often I would hear someone tell me how much they hate Catholics. I never took it personally. I was interested in why. What I heard was usually valid but it had nothing to do with being a Catholic, it had everything to do with being hateful and ignorant. These people exist everywhere but there is hope for them. There has to be or this vicious cycle will continue. As I look at our world I continue to have hope. There are so many good people in it. I believe that the majority of people are good. Often this is skewed from people who work with and only see the bad. I remember a Priest and Professor telling me how in the Philippines, in the poorest part, a Priest was badly beaten by Catholics. It was a Muslim who carried the Priest home and eased him back to health. I remember another Priest and friend tell me how when working in South America another Priest and friend of his was killed after he protested for the release of two young men who were scheduled to be killed. He succeeded, they were released and he was killed in kind. What did the mother of one of the youths say? She said it was his job. I saw how my Priest friend suffered and told him that he should write a book. He agreed but never did. He is resting with God now and his friends. There is so much I can share but I am not here to write a book. Perhaps in the future I will write one about Spirituality and Religion but not today. As you know I write for fun, right now, not to the pleasure of everyone. But after watching the program with the Pope capturing my heart all over again, I have re-examined myself. Instead of thinking how much I need to pay off this or that, I think of how much I have. I have a home that is bigger than I need, though much less than those I know. I can eat to my hearts content. I am healthy. I have an education that no one can take away. I have respect from my community. I have an office and private practice. I have so much when I really think about it. Ok, so my home is old and need of care and my car is old and should be replaced but that is not what I should be dwelling on. Therefore, I thank God that I have and have had the life I have. So, please I ask everyone today pray for Pope Francis because we really need him so we can all decide to be better people, including Catholics who have fallen in the wayside. I believe that we can end this cycle of hate and wars and terrorism and poverty. All people should be validated. What we are doing is not working so this is time to change. I hope I have touched one of you today. The Pope asked Americans to pray for him, but I ask it from world.

Cheap way to travel in the summer

Did you know you can find great deals when you travel by checking out the universities in the summer when students are away at play or work? Apparently according to Sage, summer 2015, you can stay in the heart of downtown Montreal from $49. a night for a single dorm-style room with shared bathroom to 119.00 a night for a room at the four star Citadelle, a converted Marriott on Sherbrooks Street West. This is kept so quiet that even students don’t know. Big hotels get upset if they know there are great deals apparently. You know that great hall in Harry Potter, why not stay at Oxford and take a look at Keble College. What do you think?

Self care is important - Have fun this holiday weekend

I did work this long weekend but it was very limited because the focus was fun and a few other minor details. It is lots of swimming, a bit of Starbucks coffee (I am still waiting for the one near me to open, as promised. Summer is almost over guys) and sailing with a few lunches thrown in here and there. I went to the ex as well and that is something I recommend for all tourists. Don't forget to see "Show Dogs" and the Ice Show. I must admit I have been enjoying my summer and soon it will be serious work, serious conferences and serious fun. Enough of being serious. I have still to return to my third book because life happens, but my desk and white board is waiting. I have different coloured pens ready to list my clues. I think I shall begin from the start and this time record my clues and characters a bit differently. It is all in my head right now and scattered on notes. Will I need more than one board? Maybe, but I see that they are still at Costco. A bit more reading for one of my volunteer positions to advance a student and a bit of catch up for some more paperwork and still I should be preparing a proposal for one of my books, mainly my second but thinking of a way to squeeze in my number 1 and then it is back to my book. I like to write when I am fresh as soon as I wake up. My brain is more alert then and so if I am doing other important stuff, then well I have to give it priority. But, enough of work and hobbies. It is time to enjoy my weekend. I suggest you do the same. A balance of work and play is so important. If you have struggles in your life do not hesitate to contact me. Oh, I have been asked to be a regular on some internet radio show. Though I have said that I will do no more volunteer work numerous times, I cannot say no to a friend, nor to where veterans are concerned. So sometimes, situations change and then we need to re-think our priorties. What do you think? Have fun guys.

Word On The Street coming where I shall be signing and selling my books. Why not come and visit? 27 September 15! & back to gym update

I cannot believe how fast my life is racing. I barely blink and summer is over though our Mayor keeps thinking it is mid summer. It must be the hot weather. Anyhow, with the ending of summer comes "Word On The Street". This year it will be held at the Harbour Front. I think it is a wonderful location since it is one of my favorite spots in Toronto. I will be at Booth 180, East of the Amazon.ca Best Sellers. Note that I said East (from) of Best sellers. So, if I know you please bring me coffee, black, no sugar. Parking will probably cost a fortune. I have been coming to this event since I wrote, "Hey Guy Buy Me." I noticed at my last street sale that people were buying my first book rather than my second. It could be the cost. However, I make more money selling Hey Guy Buy Me than my second which I don't really break even since I fired my first editor and returned to my publisher. I like her because I trust her and she is honest so there are no surprises. I would love to have my books in stores but it is too costly. Last night I had a dream that I was given a writers grant and I was so excited as I could then afford to have my books sent to book stores. Oh well, it is nice to dream and I didn't realize that I was so excited about having that happen. Our dreams do bring out what lays below the surface. Oh well, grant or no grant, I can still write what I like and find an audience. I have my two fans and so I am sure that I shall sell them each a copy of my second book. If it took ten years for Stephen King's son to be recognized as a writer (without letting on who he is) it should take me 20. I am ok with that because I do love what I do. I have spent most of my summer replanning my businesses, my advertizing, my professional development. I really like what I am doing. Actually, I really love what I am doing and feel that it is a gift that I can be doing it. I have such a joy of life as I ponder what I can do next. I have also since my trip to Montreal returned to the gym. While in Montreal, my cousin has a huge mirror in the bedroom that becomes mine when I am there. I noticed meat where I had not noticed it before and wondered who was inhabiting my body. At home I have a small mirror that focuses on my face so I can scream each year on my birthday and then get over it. I am getting older, like fine wine. However, for the last seven years I have been sitting and sitting and sitting. I sit when I type on my computer which monopolizes a lot of my time and I certainly sit with my clients. Can you imagine me standing and hovering over people? Of course not! Career kill! So, though most of my life has been spent outdoors and moving, when school became full time and my third career became a reality, I sat and sat and sat, so viola, excuse my French, I saw a body that I did not recognize. So, it is back to the Health Club and of course as I was once told, "The bodi, it does not forgit." And, as my neighbour likes to say, "eegiot" Yes, I have been. I have been so focused about getting my businesses on board that I have forgotten the importance of movement. So, it is a real treat for me because I love the water and I do like to exercise. I have tried to stop meeting too many people at bakeries for get togethers and I have stopped storing too many treats. Now, do not get the wrong idea. I do love myself very much. I do not think I look awful. I think I am very attractive especially for my age like fine wine. So, for you people who may have a bad impression of your bodies, get a full length mirror and tell yourself while in the nude how beautiful you look each day. Remember to eat well and exercise moderately to keep healthy. Spend time treating yourself. You deserve it. So come and visit me at the Harbour front on the last Sunday of September and buy one of my books, if you haven't already. Have a nice week.

Meeting for name change decisions in Georgetown - Pastoral Counselling

Well I had another opportunity to get out of the city and was transported there along with three other colleagues, one being my mentor and previous professor. We shared the gas money and after our meeting went out to lunch in a fifties type restaurant. It was going back into time in all sense of the word. The town is small and cute and the hospital is small and cute, built like a maze to confuse patients so they can't escape. I have some big decisions I am going to make in the next several or perhaps more years. I will decide if I am going to move away from Toronto and where that will be. I will decide which Associations I am going keep or belong to. Presently I am a Registered Psychotherapist, a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and a Specialist Pastoral Counsellor. I have to pay to belong to each, I must meet the qualifications, education, and ethics requirements of each, but the most important consideration is the cost. The American Association of Familty Therapy will remain the same, with its divisions. That means I do not have to decide if I will let go the Ontario branch and keep the American or vice versa. I voted for this to remain the same and it appears that I was part of a majority of therapists who thought the same. The College of Psychotherapy is a no brainer. That is a requirement to practice in my province. The college regulates us and protects the public. That is my priority. With members of the Ontario branch of Family therapy I meet up with and am kept up to date with changes, education, conferences, peer reviews. They are working hard now to work for us by letting the public know the validity and importance of Couple and Marriage Family. I had already decided to keep them regardless of the vote with the hope of restructuring for the powers to be, due to concerns of money. With Pastoral Counselling, I think they have a wonderful education system, but aside from being on their web site, I am giving much more than I am getting. I have been asked once again to assist for advancement review of a student. I have been asked to be part of the advocacy committee and of course I did accept all requests. Why do I accept? Because we only have 45 Pastoral Counselling Specialists in all of Canada from various religious denominations. I never received any type of assistance for schooling. I was informed by one student that I was too honest. No, I do not live on tuna. I eat well and always have. My dad taught me that. I do not intend to lie to get any bursaries, scholarships etc... I received assistance from the University of Toronto, Masters program, and just recently gave them a tiny (very very tiny) cheque for others. York University also provided me with a scholarship for academic achievement one year and I never paid to go to school there. There were some that thought I should not have accepted the scholarship money. What I say now is too bad, so sad. I earned it by studying so hard and holding a full time career. So, the great strain because I was somehow doing three programs at the same time was Pastoral Counselling Education. I learned very much. There is money and students do get assistance but I am weighing everything myself as I have to decide what I am going to keep. Most of my peers work in hospitals; a few working from a hospital and private practice, others in prisons. I do not work in a hospital. They have just begun having an occasional dinner which I admit I have not been to because of seeing clients etc. I would never not see clients because of a social dinner during the week. That is the problem, it is during the weekday evenings. In a hospital there are regular hours even if it is shift work. I have clients who need to see me during the evenings or Saturdays because they are working so it is not practical for me to take time off during the week. Education in Toronto is retricted to a day here or there. Mind you the discussions are important, the education is important. So yesterday was the first day this year that I met my peers and many I saw for the first time in a few years. They do not all belong to my other associations. Many in the program are ministers from different religions or instructors. The morning was interesting and we were discussing the scope of our practice. There was debate on individual names, concepts, etc...It was interesting because I saw how many variations of thought there are for what we do. We have different concepts but deep down we have one main determination and that being what is best for our clients/patients. We disected words, phrases and objectives. Some were more passionate than others. Some were mainly observers. I have the gift for gab so never mince my words. The hospital setting was very warm feeling which is unusual. Perhaps it was because it is so small. I have to admit I am scared of small town hospitals. I was bit by a dog once in a town and when I went to emerg the duty physicians gave me meds that was ineffective because he did not give me the proper amount. Once my finger began to swell, I went into a walk in clinic here at home to save time, and the physician was furious. He wanted to know who the doctor had been. I certainly couldn't remember his name, but after that I became frightened of small towns when it came to medicine. I know we have great hospitals here at home. During one quick break, I put up my business cards on a board. Who knows I may get a call. It was nice having lunch together. More important it was nice connecting with mentor and previous fellow students. I had missed them all. I am glad that they are each doing well either at a hospital and a few through the educator/supervisor arena. If I move from Toronto to Niagara I will no longer be with this group. There is another division. So, did I decide? No I have not. Spirituality is important. However, my Masters in Ministry and Spirituality can never be taken away. It has grounded me. I have learned more about my own spirituality. I have learned about the various philosophies. I have learned about different religions. I have learned about ethics when it comes to difficult decisions. My Masters, and studying from the Jesuits was like going home. I do not impose spirituality or religion or even my own ethics. I try to provide a safe place for clients and to help them with what they want to achieve, not what I want them to achieve. I feel that to truly help people I need to understand all of them and that includes their spirituality. So, have I decided if I am going to give something up and to move where I can afford a home office and a pool? No, not yet. I need to think carefully before I make big decisions. I need to think how my decisions impact me, my lifestyle, my professional development, my family and my friends. I am fortunate that I have an occupation where I can go anywhere here in Canada and the States to practice. I am fortunate to be able to do what I love. There is no better feeling for me than when someone feels better after working so hard in therapy. Therapy is hard work. It is difficult for people to really look at themselves objectively. It takes time and it takes patience. So, by writing this today, I hope it helps you to examine how you make decisions? Do you make plans? Are you spontanious? How do you prioritize? May I suggest something like this: Write something you are thinking about and have not decided. In my case it was shall I move? First you need to think where you want to move to. Write down where that is. It may be a transfer. Draw up some lines of pros and cons. How will it effect your partner? How will it effect your family, children etc....Maybe it is a big promotion that requires you to go to another country? Would you have a better life style? If this is a decision that effects more than you, perhaps you can have a family plan to decide the pros and cons from everyone's perspective? What do you think? Oh by the way I got a Zero score for views at my web site, www.silva.redigonda.com. Books I can write anywhere in the world unless I am being shot at, that is, and those countries I avoid with a passion. I also avoid countries where women are not appreciated for our wit, intelligence and humour. So that is a no brainer decision of where to live or not. Have a nice week. Think about those decisions you have to eventually make. Why not start a chart today with what you want? What do you think?

Had a mini vacation in Montreal

It is always wonderful to spend time with family. I do love Montreal and if it was not for my not being able to speak the French language I would be more than tempted. Montreal has that European feel which is so unlike the rest of Western Canada. I have never been out East even though I did see the signs for Newfoundland once upon a time. Canada is beautiful and I do love her so. What I noticed this time when I went to visit my family, is that it has become more multi-cultural. I actually felt very much at home with that atmosphere and the English language was spoken more commonly than before. I only had one small incident which actually determined my decision not to consider Montreal again. I was at a Loblaws store with my cousin and at the payout counter the cashier insisted on speaking to me in the French language, even though I had asked a question in the English language. She continued to speak in French and as far as I knew she could have been calling me names. I understood naught. That did it however and I actually felt bad for the city. It was once the biggest city of all Canada. It had it all and because of a language which became very political business fled. I realize it is more than a language it is also a culture as it usually is. I cannot chance starting a practice in a place where I can be made to feel like a second class citizen in my own country and worse not being able to help people because I do not speak French. However, everyone else was wonderful. I had been asking people I encountered casually what it is like for an English speaking person to live in Montreal? One woman from India told me that she had lived in Toronto for two years and she found the people cold and uncaring. She said that people would enter their apartments and want nothing to do with their neighbours. She could not afford a house in Toronto but in Montreal she had a house. This lovely bubbly woman spoke of how happy she was in Montreal. Another told me that things are getting better regarding people who do not speak French. She explained that government staff always oblige in either language, "But you get those die hards that refuse to speak English or acknowledge....." I would have a problem I was told. So, Montreal, I shall continue to visit you and perhaps one day there will be equality for everyone since it is becoming more and more muticultural. I understand as one person told me that there is a fear of losing a language, an identity. I can understand that because I have heard it before with other languages. On a bright side, I was informed to walk through a tunnel to get to the main street which is like our Yonge Street. I was hesitant even if my cousin who is male recommended it. I cautiously walked towards it and saw a woman and child exiting it. "Is it safe?" I asked. I was assured once again. I took the chance and entered. It was long and lit up, the sun no longer visible. I saw another woman with some children enter from the other side and I continued after having taking some pictures. That is one tunnel I would never, never, never go through in Toronto. When I spoke to my cousin about the tunnel he assured me that nothing ever happened there. He said that there was one incident of some youths smoking a drug and they were arrested. It immediately made the papers. He told me that the Police walk into it at times and that there are cameras connected to the police station. I marvelled. Returning to Toronto as always I felt I was coming home. My city is vibrant however I saw two police questioning a vagrant who appeared to be under the influence. He had possession of a sad looking dog and I was grateful that the police would probably take care of the dog. It was very hot and the dog had no water. As I returned home and after greeting everyone and settling down, I turned on the news and heard that women had been sexually assaulted on the belt line which I only went through once on foot and alone because of its isolation. A sexual preditor pretending to be a minister had held a special needs person in a hotel for two months sexually molesting her and it was not his first offence. How horrible I thought for a young girl to come to Toronto and her first experience when she comes off the bus is to be taken advantage of. The taxi driver who had taken me home asked about the area. "They stabbed someone down the street." I continue, "My neighbour told me he saw some road rage and a fellow lifted his shirt to expose a revolver." I add, "There was a sexual assault too in the laneway." I wonder about my city and what it is turning into. They keep telling us that it is a safe city but I know better because I have seen the increase in crime since my youth. The cabber enlightens me with his veiw, "When I come here it is only to drop someone off. I don't pick up any fares here." The taxi cabber lives in Scarborough and he fears my area. I wonder how quick I can learn French. I have found my corner of Montreal where one of my stories will be born. Bonjour!!!!!!! (I posted a picture of the tunnel and would be very interested in knowing what you think)