Feeding the future..........more of lectures from Guelph University.

Guelph Conference cont……… I should finish up with Guelph, however, I do think this is all important except for when the politicians came to talk to us, or when the librarian came to discuss what they offer which you can find on line. Don’t get me wrong, it was all good, however, I would like to stick with what I think is of benefit for you, so I may continue with more recent seminars etc……Our second last professor whom I would like to introduce is Evan Fraser who lectured on Feeding the future, climate change etc.. He is a professor of Geography. He has authored books. He indicated that the population is seven billion and growing. Also, with climate change, food will be more sparse and expensive. He reminded us of the potato famine where a quarter of the population died. He showed us slides which revealed that from 2008 - 2011 - an unfair food system where some starve and others have an abundance of food. Does it sound like a production problem? No, it’s about equity and distribution as well. Last generation or so there has been an increase in obesity and also the most malnutrition. What should we eat? Fruit and vegetables 50%. In the future we should be producing more nutritional foods. In Vancouver they throw out 80,000 dollars of food away. Waste and equity is just as important. At the University of Guelph, food for thought has received a grant. A screen depicts a tractor driving itself and functioning better than one would manually, and can tend the soils. Robotic arms identify ripe tomatoes and takes it. Program smart tractors, actually work the land. This can reshape the land of farming. The green revolution was about homogenization. New technology will provide transparency. Now we can discover what is in the meat. They went to a restaurant and had sushi. They ordered tuna but it was not what they received. It was a fish that is banned in many countries because it causes an orange diarrhea. They now have bar codes on the label which you can scan and it will provide you with all information so it is harder to provide food fraud. The prof continued how we all know that there is a war for data ownership. Farmers are saying no and asking where the value is for them. Our food system is being susceptible by cyber criminals. The lesson - technology change means new people will gain power especially around data. This is a big change. Labour upheavals are inevitable. There will be winners and losses. There are four jobs for every OAC grad entering Ontario’s fast food and agriculture. The gap between grads and employer needs is expected to grow. There will be an increase in the number of new hires over the next five years. Check out www.uoguelph.ca/oac/sites. 1. >25 of Canadian jobs will be heavily disrupted by technology. 2. The economy is expected to add 2.4 million jobs over the next four years. 3. There will be those who can adapt and those who cannot which will cause a larger gap. Conclusion: Be pragmatic: be aware of incentives and on the look out for trade offs. Change the training environment. Seek a portfolio eg. Rwanda, on world bank, extraordinary successful. Increased crops by 4X. He was there. They met HIV positive women and asked them how this increase in productivity affected them. With assistance malnutrition decreased among the children. We have to change our paradigm. What will work in our country, may not work in others. Guelph has been provided with a grant to use funding to address food security, to improve life which is the motto of the university. arrellfoodinstitue.ca frasere@uofguelph.ca 57/58 is the average age of farmers. There will be a huge turnover. Will have to train differently. Any errors found in this blog will be only my fault and not that of the speaker. Next week I will like to talk about Sexuality and Aging which I will also utilize as part of my own education hours. How could I forget this one? So there are two more blogs for University of Guelph. I do like it whenever I go there.

Book selling and signing at Word On The Street, 22 Sep 19 (Sunday)

Time is not going fast, it is speeding..........My heels are on trying to stop or at least slow down time. My pets are healthy as I continue to watch property in Niagara Falls. I work and play with equal enthusiasm. I had a wonderful long weekend. However, I also keep up with the news and my heart goes out to Texas and victims of the hurricane. I still owe you some blogs about the remainder of the Guelph Conference. My bad. But I would like to write to you about my book signing and selling today at Word on the Street. I shall be at Booth 338C. Look for the "Hey Guy Buy Me sign" I am glad I thought of that title because it does get attention. Not always good, but attention is attention. I haven't looked where that will be exactly however there are signs and people to direct you. I do hope to see you there. Tourists usually pick up a book and so do Toronto natives. I will bring candy. I prefer chocolate but it depends how hot it will be. So, if you cannot come please consider ordering on line at www.silvaredigonda.com . If you have any problems whatsoever, let me know. Bye for now. Silva

Scams galore This one is new for me......impersonating the FBI I believe is asking for trouble

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Unit on Africa case (filed IIA-8902-F2) regarding seized Funds of Foreign Individuals and Companies 2010-Date. Attn: Beneficiary of Fund! This email is reaching you from the office of Special Agent in Charge (Michael J. Anderson) in Charge of Chicago Division field (CFO) USA. Thank you for your email message with content noted. Sir, this is to affirm to you that my office have received and noted your email message for immediate assistance. You are advised to kindly follow the instruction below and fill-out the plain form as directed and send back to my office for further information and discussion on the release and recovery of your funds. Note, once we have received your full information, we shall contact you with further details and also intimate you on your funds release process. NOTE, PLEASE DO NOT PANIC, WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND GUIDE YOU TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY. Fill out your personal details on the below plain form. PRINT OR TYPE IN SPECIFIED SPACES. PERSONAL INFORMATION'S Complete Name: ---------------------- Country of Origin: -------------------------------- Present Address: ---------------------- Date of Birth: ------------------- Sex: ------------ Marital Status: ---------------Occupation: ---------Tel/Mobile: ---------------- Kindly attach a Valid I.D copy (D/L / Int'l Passport) --------------------- The attached I.D badge is for Special Agent in charge, Michael J. Anderson. Distributing or Editing is highly prohibited. This I.D badge is attached for your view only Signed By, Special Agent in Charge, Michael J. Anderson, Criminal Investigations Division, Crimes & Fraud Unit CFO (Field office) E-mail:fbicfu@fbireps.com United States of America This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify this office quickly. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named or addressed. If you are not the named/addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify this office immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake, delete from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. FBI

Fraud, Fraud, Fraud, It does get tiresome. Don't get fooled by these people who gain from the loss and suffering of others.

Dear xxxxxxxxxxx Your 2018 tax refund is now available - Don't miss your payment! Transaction Identification No. CRA/2019/B8AD06189664D9E97D Thank you for registering for the Canada Revenue Agency Portal. You have received this email to be notified that the CRA - (Canada). has issued a refund of $683.15 CAD to you. > CRA PORTAL GATEWAY - REFUND FORM < Connect to your CRA Portal Gateway to complete your refund form. Note! • the link expire's on 31 August 2019. • have your credit/debit card ready • A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons, for example submitting invalid records or applying after deadline. Refund information Payment details: Amount: $683.15 CAD Description: Payments from CRA Canada.ca Transaction ID: 716F29C3A2BFF568E-26497128CA-2019 Date: 27 August 2019 Please note: (CRA) Office will never request your password, financial information, information about your passport, health card or driver's license. Yours sincerely Canada Revenue Agency Please don't reply to this email; it's been automatically produced from an address that can't accept incoming mail.

Precious Blood Catholic Church in Scarborough

It has been a while since I wrote about my visiting churches. Sometimes the sermons are difficult to listen to, so it was refreshing to visit Precious Blood at 1737 Lawrence East. The mass began with us being asked to greet each other. I turned to my left and a man provided me with a sincere warm smile. I looked around and the smiles continued. I thought this was a wonderful start. We got to actually see who we were sitting with. The sermon was also inspiring. The Pastor spoke of poverty, how it will increase (don’t I know it), and provided a talk about a region in South America which has so much poverty. The Bishop (correct me if I am wrong) helped the poor which the politicians liked, however when he held them responsible for the poverty, they did not like that (my words; not his). His sermon made me think about how clergy has been killed not only in South America but other parts of the world when trying to help their poor and repressed. My heart went to the people of Hong Kong and my thoughts went to China telling us we should mind our own business. I think not. What I liked about the sermon was that it stimulated thought. We were not told about what to do or what to think. We were left in thoughtful poise. I looked up at a photo of Fr Pio at the front right side of the church, who loved the poor. He bore the stigmata. I watched a documentary about him and a film and recommend it. After mass there was coffee and treats, which I love. I noticed the Pastor speaking to everyone. What I also noticed for the first time in my case that there was no request for money for the treats. I can’t remember that. Nor, is coffee and treats available at all churches which is a shame because it brings the community together. Often those who cannot afford treats may be left behind. I thought they had a wonderful selection and I noticed one woman with about four children and was pleased that regardless if the woman could afford it or not, she and her children could enjoy their treats. I left the parish feeling refreshed and wishing there were more of this substance. It is a lovely big church with lots of parking. I also learned something at treat time. One of the Italian women I met, told me that Victoria Park separates East York from Scarborough. The Church is on the South side, just East of Victoria Park. If you are wanting to become a Catholic, they have studies there for that and I would definitely recommend that church. What do you think? (Theology is a definite interest for me. People who go for therapy range from a variety of religions, spirituality and cultures. I am so fortunate to be exposed to so many interesting people and ideas).

Thoughts and update

I cannot believe that summer is coming to an end, especially since with humidity it will be in the thirties and my air conditioner will be running. I was reading one of my retirement associations periodicals and they were requesting information regarding personal experiences regarding the flu shot. I was rather disappointed because they have access to so much updated information by going directly to the sources who teach this. I thought back to my courses and remember studying this. I thought it would be in my blogs and so I read my titles and realized that I am not there yet. I also noticed that about five years ago I thanked my readers especially those from the States (my highest readers) for their dedication, etc…..and that I was stopping to blog. Obviously I didn’t. I got to see the titles of what I was writing about and it was rather a refresher. I have written so much for people to get info. They are merely tid bits but always useful information. I am rather very structured and to find all the technical information of how the flu shot works is not my mandate. I don’t know what the hysteria is all about. You are shot with dead viruses which the little armies in bodies respond to, and fight it. It is dead so it does not harm us, however, our armies will recognize it when it faces the real thing and then slam bang….It saves lives. Of course we don’t always know what new strains will be coming around so we will get sick by that. I am still writing about the new missal (RC theology) and my psych notes. I paused on both to write about the Guelph Conferences because I found it so interesting. In my first year of university, we were forced to take about four courses which I would not have taken because it had nothing to do with psychology. I thought it was a waste of time. It was not. I had to take a natural science, a social science and two others which I chose as (critical )writing with reason and critical thinking. The social science topic I selected was “man and masculinity” (the easiest course I have ever taken and rather fun. My humour would get me into trouble with the prof who didn’t share my sense of humour. He was an ex minister and divorced three times. I found that in itself amusing. My chuckling and laughter is what got me into trouble. However, I did like him and I think he did not mind me either, though I did anger him at times. The natural science was about health. All these subjects have only enhanced me as a therapist and a human being. Whenever I was exhausted about psychology, I would take a break and take an English course because that was my favourite subject. Hence, my love of reading and writing. It is my hobby because I certainly am not making money with that and if you are not making money, I am told it is a hobby. What can I say? I am not going to write back to the person who is asking hundreds of people I believe about the flu shot. I think that is too easy when you have all the resources you can go to. I would like to say go interview an expert and report what they say. However, that would sound condescending. So, I shall refrain from the obvious. Now back to us. Years later I am still blogging and getting all my notes in here and shedding them afterwards. The entire conference may not have anything to do with my profession, however, what I am learning effects people. And what effects people is something for me to take note. I have still to write update info regarding farmers and about coaching. I was going to skip that because I am counting my education hours and have to prepare for my submission to my college. I have to supply records of my education hours, topics and times, dates, people seen, what I call essays but they don’t etc……….It is not difficult but it is very tedious and time consuming. Do I wish I could avoid it? Of course. But the college is there to protect the public and the public does need to be protected. Now, hopefully slowly because nothing is rushed nowadays (that is what the politicians are saying about our daily shootings in Toronto area - it takes time, which is a start from the annoying “we are safer than………..) Enough about that. So I will continue with the last sessions of the conference and then move on to the next seminar, I attended which was about self care. I practise that with a passion. I have to also watch my web stuff which I find boring. I might as well live in Timbuktu (which is a real place, you know?) I prefer live with lots of interaction because I thrive among people. So enough about all this, I am just bringing you to date with the thoughts I have this morning. Don’t hesitate to ask me questions regarding psychotherapy. Thanks again for reading my blogs. What do you think?

Can we use bugs as drugs (conclusion)? by Professor Emma Allen-Vercoe, Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology Continues notes. Guelph Conference

Can we add beneficial microbes back? Probiotics from the drug/health store? Generally it is very safe and defined. Industry is poorly regulated. Effects are modest at best. There is much hype but little scientific proof. Faecal transplants? Have shown great promise in treating gut infections. There are many unknowns. It is difficult to figure out the therapeutic effects. It is rather disgusting. A hybrid study? Instead of stool, why not use pure microbes, isolated from the gut of a healthy person? Major barriers to cultivation are low abundance and fastidiousness. Someone needs to take the first step. There is a new framework being developed in what Prof Emma Allen-Vercoe considers in research the stability, diversity, functionality, and strain interactivity - The needs of the interactivity of the ecosystem. It needs to be commercialized; Needs of the patient: oral preferred. Coming soon - Met - 2 is a new first class biologic drug - lyophilized, standardized, ecosystem for oral delivery; Clinical c. difficile. Faecal transplant is already a thing and Canada Health is concerned about it. Regarding advertisement: Yoghurt probiotics - no. www.probiotic chart.ca has a list of all evidence that are legitimate. 99% sold is all rubbish. Read the small print.