Toronto Homeshow and Blooms - If you have a CAA card ask for your deduction.

I do love my city and I like to write about certain places for tourists. Today I was a tad disappointed at the Home Show. It was not with any of the vendors. Everyone was wonderful. I got amazing ideas and as I continue to debate, "should I stay or should I go....." It is days like today that makes me want to go. However, Niagara Falls too has a tourist tax which is somewhat hidden and they don't have to tell either, nor does that seem controlled. Market place provided an update of that "scam>". I really recommend them. Thank God for the press. I know that one out of four people steal. At least that is what I learned in a lecture during my first career. And I suppose you can equate stealing with dishonesty. Anyhow, for self care I make sure I have fun in my life. It is mandatory. So, I went to the home show today at the spur of the moment because I knew a snow storm is coming tonight and it seemed to be a good day to go and worry about snow tomorrow. Parking underground is $15.00 and I am ok with that. I think it is fair in Toronto and it is a flat rate. When I went to the sales counter, the two women knew I was looking for a discount. I paid my $20.00 and went in. As I went to the booths, I saw the CAA booth and told them I was a member and would always be. I have been more than pleased with CAA. I last used them Saturday when my car wouldn't start. Buy an older car and you get an older battery so I was quite glad that I got a fair price from them and it was done asap. I love great service. The man asked me if I knew about the discount to get in and I said I knew about it on on line but did not realize it was available as a walk in. He told me I could have paid $12.00 instead of my 20.00. I am sure he said 12. I couldn't believe that I had not been advised of that. Anyhow, four hours after arrival I had seen it all and decided to leave. As I was leaving I asked the security guard why I wouldn't have been advised of the CAA discount. She suggested I go to the office and so I did. I spoke to the man there and he told me that he would inform the cashiers. I believed him (silly me). As I left, I approached the woman who had sold me the ticket and asked her why she didn't inform me of the discount. The answer - they are told not to. Now why would I believe her? I did. Hold and behold, I talk to the man again and he tells me that "CAA rewards" means you can get a discount and that it is displayed on the counter (good to know. I thought it was just advertisement which I am bombarded with daily). I informed said male that when I go to Harvies and other establishments they will ask me if I have a scene card. His response of course is that when he goes to Swiss Chalet, they do not advise of a discount. I have not been to Swiss Chalet but am grateful for Harvies (A Canadian Company). So, I leave telling man that I would write about that in my blog. He asks that I make sure to indicate that there was a CAA reward card on the counter. I reply in the affirmative. HOwever, I do expect honesty and transparency. So, if you are a tourist or just a visitor going to the homeshow make sure you ask specifically for a CAA membership discount or maybe, just maybe you won't know what you are entitled to. As I walk towards the parking garage, a man entering, opens the door for me. I advise him to ask for a CAA discount or he won't get one. He was surprised that he could get the discount. See it can be a bonus to open doors for women. Do you speak up when you feel that something is not right? Do you freeze, fight or take flight? When do you speak up? How far do you go? Are you curious, mad or do you have any other emotion? Are you aware of your emotions? Why not take a moment to reflect how you are feeling right at this moment? What do you think?

Is the world moving backwards?

Listening to the news last night and this morning, I have to wonder if we are moving backwards. I know there are a lot of intelligent people out there so what is happening? Are they not interested in politics? I wasn’t going to write in my blog today because I am focusing on my third book (which I love and hopefully a few of you will). I have stopped reading for fun, and am just reading for work. I guess what really prompted me to come here today is listening to the news that the Philippines is considering or reviewing the come back of the death penalty for drugs. If that is not bad enough for me, they are thinking of killing them by either hanging, a death shooting squad or injection. Really? Can you think of any more brutal ways of killing a person? Lethal injection is not the priority? Oh my God. Now the States - I love Americans; there is no doubt there, however, I am so glad I am a Canadian right now. Last nights news indicated that a white house secretary of something or other was saying how wonderful the opportunities are in the States and used the analogy of slavery?????????????? Really????????? That the person saying this is black, made it worse. Does he not know that Slaves were free people in Africa who had a life, who had a structure, who had families and were even royalty within, were chained, whipped, raped and even killed? They were kidnapped and brought to the land of opportunity where they worked hard, had no rights and continued to be raped, tortured and killed? Am I dreaming when I watch the news? The world needs to take a wake up call. The year is 2017. We have the ability of mass communication, technology and self destruction. We have North Korea shooting off missiles with no respect for anyone. That he was educated in Switzerland pains me. We have an abundance of crime and we need to start thinking of how we can work together, united for a peaceful and creative world. Those days of mass torture, hate, starvation and ignorance should be subsided and eliminated. Why not take a moment today to look within your own heart? Are you not at peace with someone? Why? Is there anyway you can make amends or peace with this someone? Why not? How about taking sometime each day to just reflect on what is important to you and why? Take a walk with nature and look up at the sky. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you think? Now back to my editing.

Update, third book

Ok, I am over a hundred pages of my second draft. I have made some changes and am surprised at how many errors I am finding, which means that I should look it over a third time. I do find this relaxing however, and I really like this book. It is my first actual fiction. It does advertise my city and some localities. I refer to a bar that does not exist and a police station that doesn't, so I should probably note that, so people don't go trying to find them. That just popped in my head. I will make the changes during the third reading. I hope I have motivated some of you to do your own creative writing, or begin writing a journal. I haven't had any questions, so you are all good. I am debating taking a very interesting course about the brain one of my previous classmates is tempting me with. However, I also have a conference next month. I need to think about this one. I don't normally take university courses unless I am using it towards a degree of some kind. However, for now I will enjoy most of the weekend and I hope you do too. Thank you for reading my blogs and also to those who have bought my books. Please make sure that the sites are legitmate. What are you doing with yourself? How do you relax? What do you think?

Busy

It is that time of the year again. I have renewed my qualifications with the college, I have attended a few meetings and I have had to let go one of my volunteer positions I have considered, due to lack of time. I have many interests and I must admit I never volunteer but seem to get volunteered a lot. I am only one person and have to focus on my two businesses and their operation which keeps me busy enough. Unfortunately the web is open to scams and somehow my books and ebooks are being sold without my authorization. I live and learn so I will have to determine if it is worth having ebooks. I encourage people wanting my books or ebook to buy directly on my web site - www.silvaredigonda.com. Unfortunately because the web site is American based, dollars are American and the postage is not from Canada Post. That is another problem and once this expires I need to find something Canadian, so I can add Canada Post. Unfortunately, when I tried to determine how to add them to my site, the person was reading from a book. Canada Post - you need to hire IT people in this day and age. People may contact me directly to determine postage and cost to any country. I do things by the book. If you are in Toronto, you may pick up a book at my office. I am into 70 pages of my second draft. It can be confusing when you are editing and doing other things as well, but hopefully after my second vetting, I will be good to go. I cannot go over something over and over again. If I do it becomes work and is no longer fun. Today is a beautiful day at 15 degress which is obviously due to global warming. They have discovered a new galaxy I believe with 7 planets much like our own with their own sun. There is so much excitement and fortunately it would take about 700,000 years to get there, so they are safe from us. At least that is what the local news broadcasted minus they are safe from us. I added that part. We cannot even get along on our planet and are slowly or rapidly destroying it so if there is life anywhere else, they would be best to block us, from finding them, until we smarten up. Good luck with that. I have been hearing a lot about anti Muslim and anti Jews in Toronto lately and that is very sad indeed. I had actually thought we had achieved equality. Silly me. So, hang in there as I complete my final draft ( I am at page 70 and it really should not be a final draft but what the heck). Live dangerously when you write. So now if you want to write a story, please sit down and write it. I do not know how many people I have encountered who want to write and haven't. Do it. It's fun. Find that 30 minute or less to just write. If you do not want to write a story, you may consider writing a journal. That is very therapeutic. Bear with me for a few weeks more and then I will get back to writing my notes for you. Remember if you want to ask me anything, just write a note below and I will get it and respond. No charge. I am also available to communities, churches, schools etc....to speak about counselling/psychotherapy/pastoral etc..... Hey, if you have a bookstore, I am more than interested in selling my books and signing. I love that. So, til next week, have fun! Keep healthy! What do you think?

Completed writing book (draft), Happy Valentine and Veterans consider me for support group.

I am surprised at how much work I can complete in a relatively short time. I wrote my third book and that is very exciting for me. I had been sitting on it for a bit because life happens and I do write for fun. However, I did it. Now I just have to re-read it all, correct it, and make improvements where ever, I think it needs it. So, that will still be my focus for a bit before I begin to write out my psychology and theology notes for you again. It is amazing how many mistakes I find, every time I read over a paragraph. I can only get better - so no worries. I renewed my registration for my college and I paid for my spot at "Word on the Street." I am optimistic that my book will be published by then. While writing my book, I thought of two more murder mysteries. This is so much fun! However, I do think it is best that I write a book about psychotherapy, while I'm young. I am reaching out to veterans in the Toronto area again so I can start my support group. I would like two more to begin. Remember I am taking names. I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day. This is a day that I encourage you to do something no matter how small for someone to brighten their day. It is amazing how a small gesture of kindness can warm a heart. Don't forget to do something for yourself. What do you think?

Update - 3rd book

I must admit, I do love to write stories. I am at page 152. I am hoping to build suspence at this point in time. Hey, I am feeling the suspence, so that is a good sign. As I reveiw my work and new thoughts pop into my mind, I make changes or decide to take a different route. People I have planned to die, I think they should probably live, so I can use them again in a sequence, if people like this book. I also get to like some of the characters and want them to live. It is fiction coming alive as I give them lives in my head. I am surprised at how much I get done in an hour. Sometimes I cheat and go overtime. When I am at a book sale, I often get people who want to know about writing. Sometimes it is a parent asking questions because he or she has an child who loves to write. I am certainly no expert with one or two fans. However, if writing is your passion, just do it. Don't worry how it is going to look. If you have an idea, go for it. Put it in writing. Idealy, as I have said before, I would be away somewhere and just focus on this book. I would love to just write in the morning, go out and have a long walk, and maybe return to write some more. In a few years, I may do just that. However, right now my first priority is me and my family, my clients second (I need to take care of me so I can take care of them) and 3rd my books. Of course my friends are right up there too. I have noticed that my second book is much better than my first. I hope this one will be even better. Wish me luck. If you want to try something - go for it. Having a hobby that relaxes you and makes you happy is beneficial. What do you think?

Sad week in Canada with Muslim killing - and update about book

It has been very sad regarding the killing of six men in Quebec, who while praying and standing were shot in the back. Why? - For the sole reason of being of Muslim faith. I never thought that would happen in my country. One act is one too many. Now children will grow without a father and women will have to struggle without their husbands. It is ironic that only the night before the killings, I was standing behind a Muslim woman at Tim Horton's. She was happy and carefree and I was pleased that in this country she can be so without fear. I was heartbroken the next day. Of course, whenever these senseless acts happen, it only brings the country and world together. I think we live in a very troubled world. We should be moving forward and not backwards. There should be always a zero tolerance for any type of racism. Everyone is a human being and should be afforded the same opportunities and respect. I am so sorry that the children have to grow up in this country knowing that their fathers were killed for no reason except prejudice. What is prejudice but mere ignorance. We need to work to move forward. My prayers are with the families concerned. Regarding my third book, I had to miss today, and the day of the killings, however, I have been working one hour a day on it quite faithfully. I have 80 pages done. I have made adjustments and corrections and am throwing in a few cues here and there. I love my characters and I think they like me too. So, til next week, please think of someone who may be suffering and say something nice and supportive to them. Surround yourself with things you love and perhaps be a tad nicer to someone who needs it. What do you think?