It's Voting time in the city. Who did you vote for?

Tomorrow night I'll be watching to see who wins the next Provincial election ? Will it be our present Ford? Will it be the green party? Will it be the NDP? Will it be liberals? It should be interesting. I actually voted last week. It was bare. I suggested they should give out free sandwiches and coffee as a motivation to vote. I said that it was what I would do if I was a politician. As I approached the table and displayed my ID a man walked over to me, looked at my picture and said I haven't changed a bit. His remark was not lost on me, though he thought it breezed over my head. Normally, I am asked for a driver's license but the young man recognized me. Did I mention I have turned blonde again? I then made a remark about how I couldn't wait until the voting season was over, since I have to look at a huge sign on my neighbour's lawn each time I leave the house, either it is sitting out front drinking my coffee or watering the grass, I keep seeing that smile. I think it my case it's effect is the opposite it is trying to create. I am trying not to look. I tilt my head here and there and still the smile peaks through. It's not a bad smile, a bit over the top. I can imagine the photographer. "You're beautiful. Yeah you are the next leader of Ontario, yeah look up, yeah let's look at the pearly whites yeah, open your mouth a bit, no close it a bit, yeah! Gotcha ya." The politician is smiling away like it's New Years Eve. I shall be celebrating when all I have to look at is the birds and trees plus the traffic of course. Not that I have anything against the politician, but I need a break from office. "ZZZZTTTT" the young man warns with his boyish good looks and playful manner who reminds me of my elementary teachers about to give me detention. I am about to open my mouth again when he once again speaks in the foreign language, "ZZZZZZZTTTTTTT." My eyes wide with the expression ooops, my bad is expressed behind my mask. The masked woman, going to vote and no one but me is in the hall. He gives me my voting card and I go to the booth and scroll down to see who I am voting for. "Oh, there you are" me thinks quietly. I then walk over to another table where my prize possession is scanned and deposited. I thank everyone and I am also thanked for the entertainment. As I leave, the host tells me that next time she will have a coffee and sandwich for me. I am delighted and thank her. After that episode, I decide that I need to get out more, so last Sunday I was in Niagara Falls. I love that place and always feels like I am going home. Wierd, since Toronto is home. I see the Freedom Convoy being loud as they drive along the road passing the falls. They have vulgarity about a politician printed on their trucks. I wonder how the Mayor of Niagara would handle it if they tried to take over Niagara Falls. It must be nice complaining about the lack of freedom while creating so much noice you can't hear the falls roar. It must be nice complaining about the lack of freedom when having F--- Trudeau spelled out incorrectly. I wonder how Putin would deal with that in Russia? It doesn't matter who you vote for. People are always complaining even those who do not vote. So, vote and have a voice where it counts - the power of the x on a form. What do you think?

For those who are interested. I received this email to share the link. I aim to please.

Hello, Thank you for joining us for our recent instalment of the Compassion and Social Justice Series: WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR: Pluralism & Catholic Health Care on Thursday, May 26th with David Cayley and Dr. Michael W. Higgins, PhD. We are pleased to provide a link to this timely and important discussion, as well as, access to our previous lectures, on our Vimeo Showcase Channel*: https://vimeo.com/showcase/9323983. *Please feel free to share this link with others. The next instalment in this series is planned for the Fall! Watch for information on this in the coming months. With kind regards,

Attachments (notes)

I have already written extensively on Attachment Theory from my undergrad in this blog. In this notebook I am writing from my Pastoral notes. This may be of interest to students or as a refresher for others. 1. Secure Attachment - caregiver responds promptly and consistently to the needs of the child. Feels some stress. 2. Avoidant Attachment - There is little affection, sharing and play as well as little and no response in return (Indifference). 3. Anxious attachment - more distressed. 4. (Chaotic) Disorganized Attachment - Caregiver presents frightening and fearful. Exhibits role of confusion, poor communicators and to mistreat the child. Patterns in the child upon the return of the parent are shown in things as freezing or rocking motions. There is a lack of coherence. Object Relations Theory - internalize attachments and become aware of it. If you could modify one point of attachment/placement what would you change in the position? Think of three to five years of age. What would it ideally look like? This is to empower the client with imagination. If we can imagine, maybe we can have it happen. Object relations is moving from what was to what can be. Of each year of neglect and abuse etc….think of one year of therapy. Able to use as a resource, we come forward enough to help others to heal, assess, emphasize; connect. As I write these notes, I think you should know that the first five years of a child’s life is very important. Some parents simply have no idea how to raise children and thankfully there are many resources in Toronto to help with that. Regarding my notes regarding the duration of therapy, it differs with different people. I would say that one year of therapy for each year of neglect and abuse may be excessive in my opinion. What do you think? Next notes will be a continuation of ethics theology.

It has been a week! Fireworks, Strong Winds and a bit of me

It has been quite a week in Toronto. The fireworks for the long weekend is a continuing disappointment in my city. People were arrested for throwing fireworks at the police, their horses, and towards the crowds. Officers needed treatment. One Police Officer sustained facial injuries because one firework was thrown into his face. People were also robbed. What has my city turned into? One Beaches resident reported on the news that two men were dragging a woman by her hair on the street and they they lit a firework in her face. This is what my city has turned into. Many were arrested. I stopped going to the beaches during the Victoria weekend/Canada Day, when the crowds became so large that I could not find parking. In my own neighbourhood, I stayed home because my pets are scared of the fireworks and there are fireworks all over the place. Mr Attitude was cowering next to my bed on the floor. When I held him, he calmed down. I could see the birds (on my security camera) who live on my front tree flying all over the place because they were scared. So, what I used to really enjoy is no longer a celebration. However, my neighbourhood was well behaved as far as I know. Then we had strong winds which took down trees and hydro wires. I was spared. Uxbridge, a pretty town outside Toronto was devastated. It has been a few years since I went there, hoping to get a ride on their vintage train run by volunteers it appears. They are on go fund me and I certainly donated a bit to help get their train/train station restored. I went on a train ride once North of the city also run by volunteers. They were trying to convince me to move there from Toronto and volunteer at their station. So, cute. My city keeps going downhill, you may just see me greeting tourists for a ride on a train or maybe I can work in the gift shop? All so cute, but not on my bucket list. You never know. Maybe when I reach old, old, age, I may just love doing that. Ok enough fun. Yesterday was a complete me day. Got my hair done, nails, and lunch too. Returned to my stylist of origin and we all reunited as old friends. However, I won't let him cut my hair because he cuts it too short. He coloured my hair blonde and I realize him and I look a lot alike. He too is now blonde. Did I work? Yes of course. Did I attend lectures? Yes. I attended another lecture about the war in Ukraine and the Russians. It didn't have anything to do with the psychology department at york and it was mainly about the historical history. I also attended a lecture for Specialists (physicians)Optimizing Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): The Role of Emerging Therapies in Improving Patient Outcomes. I don't know who invited me but I am not complaining. Clients who come to me also normally have physical ailments so I will certainly try to expand my knowledge which helps in their care. I won't be adding this to my continuing education since it has nothing to do with Mental Health. You know that mental health, physical health and spiritual health is all be interrelated in my practice. I also attended the "Sisters of Crime" again held on zoom from the States. They had three authors who talked about their books. I hope I didn't delete the email because I wanted to buy a book from them. If I find it, I shall paste the names of the authors. So that was my week to date. Still working today and then it is R&R for this weekend. What do you think? Have a good weekend. I certainly intend to. If you are interested in buying one of my books, don't hesitate. https://www.silvaredigonda.ca

Moral Theology - ethic notes

God is in all things. How do I need to be love? How can I best love by the decisions/choices I am making? If you are making the choice you are desiring, what would it look like? We are made in the image of the Trinity in art pouring love. Practise of Presence. Read the Gospel slowly. Poetry can invoke a calling. Arch Bishop Romero - “If they kill me, I will rise again the people.” A story within a story. As he fell the Eucharist fell, Romero fell and the people and their blood mixed. So, next Bishop was converted. Catholic ethics: Patience? Compassion? Hope? Didn’t want to suffer - total surrender of self. Lonliness/need/ anger. Prayer/concern for others. I must go on. Anguish of his mother. Love for his father/strength. Compassion for the prosecutors. Life/death. Presence of day/darkness. Human, betrayal. Satan tried to tempt him. Patience - Sanctify of Life. Thou shalt not kill. Natural death with dignity. Ordinary means, but not extraordinary means. If burdens outweigh the benefits (eg. series of chemotherapy - not to be obliged to take it) Pius X11 talked about burden. Burdens/benefits. Suffering. What was intended was incarnation. Part of the humanity would suffer for justice and life. How we live is how we die. When we say we walk with someone. Christ suffered, embrace it with love. Also embrace the reality. We become present. We are called to work with compassion and hope. We should be prepared to improve palliative care. Next: Electronic Media

Thoughts are for the children and adults killed and their family, friends and community in Uvalde, Texas

It was with heartbreak hearing what happened in Texas. There is no greater grief than for a parent to lose a child. I cannot imagine how much grief everyone is suffering. I just want to express my sympathies.

The Internet Murder Continues ........Look for me at Word On The Street, Jun 11&12, 22 (Sat & Sun) Queens Park Toronto (Indie Section I should be)

She raised herself up from the soft sofa with a bit of difficulty, to tend to Fr. Francis. She walked slowly to the kitchen. Fr. Francis was still sitting there, her scones untouched. He was praying the rosary. He usually prayed in Church or in his room. She could hear him talking to God sometimes. Sometimes he would be arguing with God. She was sure that God must have a special place in his heart, because she wouldn’t dream of talking to God like that. Fr. Santinelli didn’t talk to God like that. In matter of fact, she doesn’t remember Fr. Santinelli talking to God very much at all. “Now, I wonder why?” she pondered, in a whisper. “Fr. Francis, I have some nice mushroom soup, just the way you like it. Please let me warm up some for you, please Fr. Francis?” “Francis looked up at the frail woman. He thought of her as his own personal angel. She kept him grounded. Her presence provided a sense of normality. She was like a mother to him. “Thank you, Mrs. Delany. I would love some.” Francis didn’t really feel like eating, but Mrs. Delany looked so upset about him that he was concerned about her frailty. He was also very much aware of how he had raised his voice earlier. She beamed with pleasure and walked slowly to the fridge to prepare them both some lunch. ” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” Apple Books.