From Crayons to Perfume - To Sir With Love

I have been so fortunate to have known wonderful men and Chief Elliott, was definitely one of the best. Not only was he intelligent, nurturing and dignified, he was a gentleman. My mother once said that she noticed all the men I had as friends were gentle. She was right. I never cared for the loud mouths, arrogant men who demeaned others due to their own frustations and inferiorities. We all have to tolerate people we may not choose to socialize or work with because that is the nature of life. However, when we surround ourselves with people who are positive, and generous in spirit, we are fortunate. Chief Elliott was one of those men. Chief Elliott was a man's man. I don't think there has ever been a time, that he asked something of me and I did not comply. Though I have been retired many years since working for him, he could still pick up the phone and ask me to visit a sick military man and I would respond immediately. He never asked for himself and I suppose he knew that if he had I would have responded immediately. I knew Chief Elliott when he was the youngest Chief. He was offered his commission and he declined. He led men and women with dignity. I was very green when I met Chief Elliott. He is responsible for grooming me into who I have become. He is not alone in that. I have been fortunate to have been groomed by others. None who have ever showed any disrespect or treated me any different than he would have a man. I knew that if we were sent into a fight, I better stand my ground. I knew if my partner bled, I better be bleeding. I knew that when doing my work, he would support me 100%. How many can say that? Goodbye my old friend. You shall certainly be missed, especially by me. You were one of the greatest in my life. If anyone who knew him wants to know about his funeral arrangements please let me know and I shall forward the email I recieved which contained the information I have pasted for you. To Sir With Love. I salute you.

Guelph Conference - Campus Therapy Dog Program

As you know I had so much fun at this conference. It was a holiday and I was not alone thinking that conferences are holidays so that was nice. I was really excited that after the lecture we would have our own therapy with the dogs. The Ontario Veterinary College has raised 45 million dollars. There is a “Best Friends” Magazine which was in our gift bag and thoroughly enjoyed reading. There are pet loss booklets which I need to note down and order. There was a talk about the bond betweens humans and companion animals which is mutually beneficial. What are the benefits of dog ownership? Physical - improves a variety of health outcomes, including chronic conditions; inspires regular outdoor activity. Caring for dependent animals keeps the mind active. There is a psycho social aspect: companionship, unconditional love, release of de-stress hormones through interaction, enhances diminishing social networks and mitigates effects of loneliness, loss and depression. What are therapy dogs? - Personal pets and members (with owners) of a therapy organization. They serve in regular placement (often weekly). There is a formal application and an assessment process. Dog and owner are assessed to see how they work as a team. Standards are more rigorous than Canadian Kennel Club’s “Canine Good neighbour Program” test. A service dog is a working dog and bred, socialized, rigorously trained and tested to fill a specific role in the life of his/her human partner. An emotional support animal is a personal pet certified by a physician or licensed mental health professional as beneficial for an owner with mental or emotional disability. ( I don’t provide that service). Where do Therapy Dogs volunteer their service? - Retirement Homes, hospice, libraries, universities, airports, public parks and court rooms in Victim Services programs, long term care and hospitals. The formal application process - Therapy Dog - interview, dog owner assessment, police check, monitored visits, annual vaccinations. The speaker, a delightful happy woman with the cutest doggie brings her dog to “Diamond in the Rough Retreat. Her dog is hypoallergenic and has no hair shedding ( I happen to be allergic to my own pets and it is too bad so sad but I had no intention to give my pets away. My own pets I keep for life). The specialist did say that one can still become allergic to dogs even if there is no hair shedding eventually. She really didn’t want me to have any pets. Her dog is an lowchen. I hope I spelled that right and they are bred as companion animals historically. So, after the lecture I went to play with the doggies during my coffee break and the lowchen just lay flat on my lap like my own pets do, a meaty thermal heater. They use pet therapy for the students at Guelph University during exams. I remember how every once in a while a student would get anxious in class and become hysterical when I was in undergrad. I am all in favour of animals any time under supervision. I loved it especially since I was missing my own little beasts. So, I have to go now and won’t even be able to read what I wrote. My bad. I am uploading a photo of the doggie on my lap. Next week I shall continue with the Missal and then it is back to the conference. The title - Can we use bugs as drugs? Do you feel like you are at the conference too? Have a splendid weekend. If you are thinking of getting a pet, remember they are living creatures with actual feelings and needs. Please really think hard to determine if you can actually take care of one. For that reason I do not recommend pets to clients. Hoarding animals is difficult for them as well. Til we meet again. www.redigondapsychotherapy.com www.silvaredigonda com

Delay about writing more on the conference

I have a very bad cold and it actually put me out of commission. Good thing I got to see the movie on Monday and then I was toast. It wasn't the movie. So, forgive me if I am delaying a week to provide you with notes of the conference. I am a one person operation so when I am down, it all shuts down. I had a wonderful doctor who unfortunately retired and she used to tell me just rest, drink fluids; do nothing. She would tell me to eat yogart and drink gingerale. She would also want me to clear my head. I do all of that. So I should be back to normal next Tuesday because that is what I am giving myself. So have a great Canada Day. I shall be missing the festivities I was so looking forward to and Happy Independance Day. I shall be watching all on the tube. I am looking forward to sharing with you about pet therapy. Til next week.

SCAM ALERT ONCE AGAIN

This is something I get quite often and normally I just delete it. I am letting you know that this is very very common as probably many of you know. If you don't please ignore any of these fraud attempts. If you did order something don't respond to the email, phone number etc... Look up the number else where and call them. This is becoming more frequent. It is fraudulent. Just letting you know. What do you think? Dear Customer, Your package has been returned to the FedEx office. The reason for the return is : payment of shipping costs. the cost of your shipment is not paid, you will pay a processing fee of $ 4,65 (USD) You have a period of 72 hours to recover your package, otherwise it will be returned to the sender. Tracking Number: 786000779914 Click here to view the status of your shipment Support Team - Fed Ex

The Internet Murders - Come and meet me at Yorkdale, Indigo, 28 Jul 19

I have been bad getting back to seriously writing. I decided to take a break from my horror book which is rather horrifying and am returning to write a book on humour about two old ladies a friend of mine who is very sick asked me to do some time ago. Since she is progressing in her illness, I need to get back at writing a book to dedicate to her and make her smile. Along with humour I will add a touch of murder here and there so it doesn't get boring for me. I felt too young at the time she asked but I have a horrid cold which has aged me and so I can get myself into that frame of mind. However, I will be at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto, Sunday 28 Jul 19 from 1pm to 4pm, where you can come and say hello and better still buy a copy of "The Internet Murders" if you haven't done so already. I will autograph it for you. It only costs 14.95 and is well worth the money and the experience of meeting me. I will be at Word on the Street again this September and at York University Show Case in the Fall/winter. I do hope to see you there and appreciate the support. I will remind you before the date. Thank you for reading my blogs.

"Overcomer" New movie coming

Monday I saw the screening of "Overcomer" which will be coming to a movie theatre near you Aug 23. I would love to tell you about it but I have been sworn to secrecy. Actually we were asked (in red) not to provide a review so mums the world. The screening was held in Mississauga which had quite a few nice restaurants, though it was in the middle of nowhere land. It took a while to get there but it was worth it. I was allowed a plus one and took advantage of that. Hope you enjoy this family entertainment which has no sex, violence etc....in it. Hope it is ok to say that.

The New Missal (Roman Catholic ) Theology notes........

The New Missal (RC) There are two distinct evolutions: a series of changes to the general instruction of the Roman Missal; a new translation. How to celebrate the liturgy and new instruction. Now it is about 50 +years old - 1961 - 1971 - new set of text. There was a scholar introduction and in 1975 and 1982, a revision. Changes were minor enough. In 2002 there was a much more significant requirement. Liturgical sets out minimum conditions. Do this and not do that. It needs to be applied. Roman/Cannon law is abstract because it cannot account for all situations. This is more like French law when everything is defined. While English is more do not do that. Anglo and 
German law - it may be restrictive because we think it needs to be applied. Try to codify a better understanding of the Eucharistic. It is a witness to unchanged faith. Action, teaching and actions of Jesus - the idea that what we do with the Eucharist is not only the last supper but the entire mystery. Code words examples - satisfaction, thanksgiving….these words need to be broken open, a dense summary of the theology of the mass, for the celebration of the Eucharist, for the whole church. Consideration is given to what was not paid attention before. This is one of the important shifts. Eucharistic - meal and sacrifice needs to be together. These two elements needs to be held together. This has not been held well together. Ritual meals in first century Judaism - expressed religious truths with narrative, action rather than logically. We need to enter into the concept of action, leading to truth. Need to understand the ritual murals. Practised not only by Jesus, expressing and making social order through the ceremonies/rulers of the meal. Think of experience with different meals for us. Eg. Sunday meal we all sit down together and rituals preformed. Dad cutting roast, mom serving, children still (how many families still do this? But I’ll use it as an example anyway) This is a process demonstrating the rules outside of the meal. The structure of the family exists as the outside - social order. A ritual meal takes this - reproduces society. Our religious faith is how to live so we take the ritual meal. It is how we are created and are in relation to God, through the rules of the meal, washing of hands, feet or not. When we experience ritual rule, we are enacting. In addition, Jesus picks up these rules. Sinners and poor are at the centre. So you invite people who are in the magic, so Jesus is defining them as culture and the rest of us around. Creates a new communal order among God and the people. People got it and were upset about it. The passover meal was central. A is the height of the centre, intentionally re-received and re-founded. After the exodus, there is thanksgiving for liberation from Egypt. Already existed but re-defined. An offering of the first fruits of the harvest - this signifies my offering of ourselves which we couldn’t if we were not led out of Egypt. The meal becomes a way of participating now - signifying, empowering, what happened. By us in this meal, we remember. It makes us again, one that was freed by God. The unleavened bread takes us on the importance of a fresh start (The bread from sour dough always comes from the original. It continues to reproduce.) When say unleavened, bread is starting a new batch. It’s a new start. Blood in middle eastern culture of the past is where the gift of God resides. Where does this come from? Bleed to death, therefore blood is life. God - you will protect yourself by putting blood on the door - special permission to spill blood. In meal - beloved is presented by blood. What does it do? It feels like it is warming your heart. to be continued in two weeks. ……….(p 3 of notes)