For Love of Country : Military Policewoman continues https://www.silvaredigonda.ca

...sends his regards and adds that sight of your retirement message brought such a flood of memories of CFB Baden that it would require a publisher to do justice to the anecdotes. Silva is gifted with a supreme self-confidence which, when coupled with her incomparable hauteur… Tom, I thought to myself, you have improved your vocabulary. I’m impressed. Four letter words and antieducation – puff – gone! … has led her down the road to embarrassment many times. Silva, I remember window shopping in Karlsruhe… Oh, yes the prostitutes. I recalled my embarrassment. … diesel fuel in the benzene vehicle, vehicles in the bush, bush in the vehicles, vehicles on dikes, not to mention June bugs in your cup, or the time I had to search your apartment for your notebook and the resulting pseudo-sexual misunderstanding. Nothing was done with anyone’s underwear… I could not remember that one. Just as well, I suppose. Above all, however, I recall the phone call you received from the Commanding Officer of… who wished to complain about someone playing a stereo on the lawn at 0300 hrs. After giving his rank, name, and address the Colonel balked at giving his social insurance number and other particulars as he wanted to go to bed. The last thing he heard before the dial tone was your voice saying, “Sorry, Sir, but we don’t take anonymous phone calls.” You’re exaggerating a bit, Kaufman. He refused to identify himself, and we didn’t know who he was until he complained.

Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. For love of country : military policewoman

Single Parents - Is it enough? essay continues from a grade 13 student - Me (at the time of course)

A child hounded by a well meaning parent for whatever reason may compound it by a diverse reaction. An ally is required for the child but does not have to be a parent. It can be another adult, a child or even his dog, “I looked out the kitchen window and watched the two of them fetch and throw…..I was grateful to this black dog that made John so happy, that simply delighted in him, that never asked him about homework or wondered what in the world was going to become of him. I was grateful to Jesse for being to John what his mother could not”2 (Carol Lynn, Pearson. The Ups and Downs of a Single-Parent Family. New York: Random House Inc, 1988. Page 10. Further refs will be indicated by author and page number. John’s dreaminess had started long before Gerald [her husband] had left, long before John was three, in fact (Pearson, 11). Pearson has the intellect to separate the cause and effects from being a single parent to other possibilities. This open-mindedness reduces the stress that she would have if she blamed her predicament at being sole parent. Beal (from previous blog) reflects that, “Intact families have an average income that is twice as high as single-parent families (p257).” This is probably true in a sense but what does it reveal? Pearson reflects on such an occasion. The outcome was rewarding. A neighbourhood boy had stolen the Christmas bulbs which had encircled the house, “It made me angry too. The lights had been a luxury. Every other house in the neighbourhood had long strings of coloured lights that blinked their good cheer from mid December on. (p 73)” This particular resourceful family retrieved their bulbs from the found culprit and bought him a gift to “…return good for evil…”p 75. Years later the culprit gave them a gift in return. Poverty can also make one appreciate what is really important - love. to be continued next week.

Ignatian contemplation through photography

For Love of Country - Military Policewoman continues https://www.silvaredigonda.ca

“The Base Security Officer, senior non-commissioned members, and non-commissioned members and staff of CFB Shilo Military Police Section wish to extend best wishes to MCpl Silva Redigonda on the occasion of her retirement after twenty years of loyal and dedicated service in the Canadian Forces and the Security Branch. We wish Silva health and happiness in all her future endeavours. Silva, Baden Soellingen was a more interesting place to work due to your presence and patience with the numerous pranks played on you by us juvenile, but fun-seeking chauvinists. All the best in your new career. Tom Kaufman! I thought. He tormented me in Europe. My mother nudged me timidly. The section had requested the presence of a family member and my mother had volunteered. It seemed appropriate. “Do we have to stay much longer?” she mumbled, trying not to open her mouth. She had bitten hard into a piece of chicken earlier during the meal, only to have her dentures break. I found it amusing, but to her it was a nightmare. She had quickly disappeared into the bathroom to remove the damaged goods. “Yes mother, it’s my retirement party. I have to stay. No one will care if you have teeth or not.” Sgt Tom Kaufman sends… So it wasn’t Kaufman! Who’s in Shilo, I wondered?" Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman. Come to Word On the Street to see me at Queens Park, Toronto, 11 and 12 Jun (Sat&Sun) 22

#Vladamere Putin - Russia’s Satan 11 - a relative?

Yesterday I was watching Putin’s new missile and it appears he calls it Satan 2. So who is Satan 1? Is Putin naming new adopted relatives, such as Junior or Senior? Is Putin number 1, 11, or 111? As Putin parades his toy of massive destruction he reminds me of the clown he is. I don’t like comparing him to a clown because I was a clown during one Christmas Parade and it was quite fun. I felt so much love from the little innocent children, enjoying their freedom. It is no surprise that this guy, Puta, oops, spelling mistake, was obviously ignored at some functions from the West. Now Putin has a new General who apparently is known for his cruelty. How much more can this unfair war against Ukraine last? Actually, it is a desecration against Ukraine, continuing to kill civilians, children, women as well as their pets and of course men. With Russians shooting civilians in the back of their heads, raping women and children, it is no surprise that Putin names his toy Satan. They are well acquainted or related - whatever. You know, I always wondered how Hitler managed to take over Germany and cause such massive torture and killings. I wondered how they failed to kill him, though people did try. I wonder how people with limited intelligence cause so much harm. The trauma that this Putin is causing is endless. Children should feel safe. Children should be safe. Democracy needs to be protected. As much as Putin’s war has disgusted me, Volodymyr Zelensky has uplifted my admiration for a leader, a comedian, an actor displaying dignity, and bravery for love of country and his people. I was watching a comedy series he is in about a teacher who becomes president after his rant about politics goes viral. I had to stop watching, because as I watched the beauty of Ukraine, its people, city and way of life - a democracy - it was too painful after Satan Jr or Senior or whatever identity Putin is owning, invaded to destroy. There is a place for you Putin and I do hope that you stop this war. It is disgraceful that one person and I use the word loosely can hold that much negative power, but I think it is clear what we need to do sooner rather than later to stop this threat against humanity.

Singles Parent Families - Is it enough?

As I go through all my paperwork which I shred after reading, I came across an old essay I wrote in OAC which is equivalent to grade 13, which has been eliminated with now grade 12 being the standard. I will share what I believe is still relevantI. I was a late bloomer getting a computer and didn’t until I went to university, where it was impossible to survive without. So here goes: Being a single parent now is more popular and acceptable in this country than ever before. Society asks is it enough? Yes. Interview Commentary: The young attractive woman had a mysterious aura. Her long dark fashionable coat enhanced her appearance. It had been donated. The young mother, a ward of the country had an aura of sophistication. Her flawless dark skin, perfect teeth, combined with natural grace made it difficult to imagine her at Canada’s mercy. The questionnaire was responded to without self pity nor arrogance. The young Refugee, pregnant and with a child, was being given every opportunity to become a Canadian. The young woman seemingly helpless does not represent all single parents, a substantial amount are financially independent, well educated and socially active. Single parenting is an alternative or option to placing the child for adoption, abortion, or duel parenting (especially where parents living together are fighting or unhappy). Single parents may foster children indicating positivity. —-Single Parent Families: Being a single parent may be difficult for both the parent or child. The Ups and Downs for a Single-Parent Family by Carol Lynn Pearson and Divorce, and Single parent Families by E.W. Beal helps to understand the stress involved for families and the support from others to overcome it, “There are currently over 11.3 million children [living in single-parent homes in the USA] (Beal, p 256). As of October 2021 according to Statista Research Department there were 208.4 million single family units in the USA. Pew Research reports (Dec 12, 2019) that for decades the share of U.S. children living with a single parent has been rising accompanied by a decline in marriage rates and rise in births outside marriage. In Canada according to Statista There were about 1.83 million single parent families living in Canada, compared to 1.56 million in 2010. (Now keep in mind that the US has about 10x more of a population than Canadians). Beal indicates that, “Dysfunctional-child relationships can no longer be compensated for by a sympathetic other parent.” (Beal, 257) To be continued: I have added some recent stats for you. I will continue to provide you with video from the Ignatian two day seminar spoken in English (hopefully) which may be of interest to some of you. After that is completed I shall continue to provide you with the theological ethic notes, continue with the single parenting essay which I am modifying for you and of course add some of my own stories I have published for fun only at this time. I am trying to provide you with three entries a week. Reminder that during 11 and 12 of June I shall be at Word on The Street. Come and say hello.

Making good decisions individually and in groups