I am still here. Busy, busy, busy

I have not abandoned you. I am here. Fall is officially here tomorrow and I have been trying to put on the breaks. This morning while having coffee in my backyard I saw the tiniest hummingbird. What a gift! I have now seen two in my life but had no idea they could be so small. I had just finished breakfast and Mr Attitude had his paws on my leg so I picked him up and was about to kiss him when I saw this cute little creature watching me while his wings reminded my of fairies. I have to read a bit about them. People are still dying from COVID in our overwhelmed hospitals so I am still wearing my mask and have not opened up my office though I am seeing clients on my platform. I like this new platform which was started by a therapist who wasn't happy with what was out there. I am thinking of opening up world wide as a consultant. I attended my first live conference. I tested myself and was COVID free. The conference was about "men". Since this was world wide I attended one session held in Hong Kong (webinar) and another from England. Of course I shall be sharing with you. I have a webinar tomorrow for two hours and I have made room for some fun. Last weekend I spent Sunday at the Ukrainian Festival. It was wonderful listening to the men's choir on stage while eating lunch outside. I bought some sunflowers where the proceeds are going to buy a truck for Ukraine. The World is slightly mad with dictators still trying to claim land which isn't theirs and women are suffering and dying from foolish men with have no idea about the Muslim religion except to manipulate it for their own selfish and ignorant self-fulfillment to raise their stature. We continue to pollute our planet which is so beautiful, but there is hope! We can all do our part. Enough about politics and hate. I haven't had time to write for fun and once I catch up again I want to get back to it. Ominous did have offers from publishers but I didn't accept any because it seemed too selfish on their part. I am looking towards traditional publishing but that seems to take a long time which as you know I am a bit thin on patience. I am waiting for two more responses and if I get one that is traditional than I shall jump to it. I am waiting to hear from one in England and another from the States. I have a publisher I have written my first three books but am considering a Toronto publisher because she has her own book store. I haven't reached out to her as I have put everything aside on my favourite hobby. I didn't go to the zoo yet but shall let you know as soon as I do. For now, I didn't want you to think I have lost interest in my blog. This is a constant. I want you to have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the weather while you can. Florida is appealing to me more and more as weather changes. I miss Disney World, but still cannot travel more than one overnight. Spend time outside in nature, it does wonder for the soul. Talk soon.

Self Psychology - Harvard Medical on line continues - notes

People have the ability to adapt quickly with both negative and positive circumstances. Regarding lottery winners - a year after winning, no happier than the control group who didn’t. How to get happy: 1. Feeling good - seek pleasurable emotions and sensations, seeking to repeat and savour pleasant experiences. 2. Engaging fully - pursuing goals and activities in which totally immersed. 3. Doing good. Take a walk outdoors, volunteer, have lunch with a friend. Several studies indicate that marital satisfaction declines after the first child is born and only recovers after the last child leaves homes. Being married, having more friends and having more sex is all positive. Exercise: Smile at the first ten people you see today. The facial expression you make is likely to make you feel better. To be continued with strengths

Used Car Salesmen live up to their names - What do you think? Ok not all, of course. Don’t ever feel pressured to do something you don’t want to. This is the only reason, their gimmicks are still in effect.

My car as you know is on its last legs. This morning I went outside patted him and asked him to hang on just a bit longer. I was expecting him to die last year but I have been gentle. I only drive in the city and I only drive him to go shopping for groceries and other stuff. I didn’t really want the guy when I got him, but he grew on me and now that the search is on, he looks better to me. However, I know that he has had a long life and we have to say goodbye. Now, years later after buying my Miata convertible, which I loved terribly and named Billy, I am once again conducting my search and after one sleepless night, I decided to not buy my next car and you are going to hear all about it. Billy wasn’t used. He was brand new to Canada, still wrapped when I laid eyes on him. It was love at first glance and we drove all over the place and we even went to Disney World together. We were in love and I trusted him and drove him for about 17 years, where one day my mechanic at the time, said you cannot take him off the lot. He is done. I bought one off the lot at the same garage and I have been driving him carefully for the last few years. I haven’t even been to the zoo, in case he couldn’t make it back. I didn’t name this one. It was my first used car in Canada. And though he has been used and discarded, he found me. I have nurtured him the best I can but I know he is dying. And so the search began. Let’s go back to finding Billy. I knew I wanted a Miata. I went to a dealership near my home, took it for a test drive and I was super excited. I loved the convertible top down. Wait a minute. Let’s go back, back into time. Back to my first car. It was a Chevrolet Vega. I had just begun my first career. I asked my dad to lend me the money. My dad finally relented and told me that if I could save half the money for a car, he would lend me the other half. Apparently, according to my mom, he never thought I could save half the money and that is why he made the offer. But, I did and after basic training I had my first car. It served me well and then I had to go to Europe to work for four years so I gave it to my sister. My mom wasn’t too happy with me because my sister gingerly cared for it spending too much time according to my mom removing the rust and perhaps putting some money into it. I felt she got a free car, my mom thought she got a money pit. Oh well. I go to Europe and decide to ask one of the guys to go with me to look for a car. That is something I never did again. He fell in love with a Peugeot convertible and I must admit I did too. However, he was telling me to buy it and I wasn’t sure if the car was good. I bought it and there were not that many of them in Europe. It was white with brown leather seats, a soft top and a big grill at the front of the two seater with a proud lion at the front. What a beauty! We drove through much of Europe as I filled up the gas and the oil at each stop. I cannot remember how long I had her, but eventually, when trying to sell her I was so disappointed at what I was being offered that I brought it to the firehall and asked them to take her and use for training. They wanted me to pay for that and of course I said no. I sold it for barely a quarter (in cents) to a man who was married with no money. Of course, the guys I worked with were not happy, because he sold it and kept all the money. They felt he should have given me half, but quite frankly I didn’t care. I began working at the age of 13 part time and haven’t stopped since, so work is in my blood? When I wanted something I would buy it and save until I could afford it, like good ole dad taught me. So, I needed another guy and this time I left the boys at work and began my search. I really liked a British two seater. It would have been brand new but I had to wait for six months to get it. Now, I needed to borrow money to buy a car and I found out that wasn’t automatic. I went to the German bank and though the guy was very nice to me, he kind of explained why they couldn’t lend me the money. So, I went to our bank and I got to see the bank manager. I was escorted in by a woman who smirked as the manager was asking me questions such as have I borrowed money before? No (my dad wouldn’t count) and no no no to all the questions. Then he asked me how much assets I had. I believe I had about 300. which was my stereo. Now by this time, I am beginning to wonder how can I ever borrow money if it is expected that I have done so a first time, when this is my first time? However, I answered all the questions and he turned over to the woman who seemed to be enjoying herself and told her to arrange the money loan for me to buy my car. The smiling face turned into one of shock. She was no longer smirking and she quickly went to get what is done, done, when some poor soul goes to borrow money. I didn’t find any of this fun. I bought a Chevrolet Nova I believe. It was very reasonable with my discount. I had really wanted another convertible but what I liked cost about five times more. I didn’t feel the love for this vehicle. It was practical and served me well. I brought it back to Canada and when I went to pick it up, all the expensive stereo equipment I had bought for it was stolen. Sad. It was a problem at the time (now they just steal the entire car). So, then it was time to go to the Middle East and so I left my car at work and one of the guys promised to start it once in a while and of course when I returned home, six months later the battery was gone. I fixed it; drove it but it was never the same. My abandonment was too much for the car. Next I bought a Suzuki. That was a nightmare. I mention the accident of that one in my book (www.silvaredigonda.ca) There may have been one more which for some reason I have forgotten so I can assure you that it was not a convertible. Now, let’s get back to Billy. I knew I wanted my convertible once again. I knew I wanted it to be a two seater, once again and I called six dealerships trying to get the best price. I was faxing everyone at that time and when I picked the best price, he told me that he really couldn’t sell me the car for that price. What???????Now before deciding on buying this particular car I had checked out different car dealerships to see what they offered. I was stunned to see one salesman take a man’s keys and telling him, he wasn’t going anywhere until they finished the offer. The salesman was taking the man’s keys of his own vehicle. I was surprised to see the salesman still standing when I left. Obviously I would never buy a vehicle there. By the time I had decided to buy my Miata, I was getting very tired of the game playing and so what I did was call the manufacturer and tell them that I loved the Miata and explained the fiasco I had been through. They asked me for my number and called me back sending me to a woman manager just South of Richmond Hill, off of Yonge. In about 15 minutes I had completed my deal to buy the car I wanted. A male salesman when I returned to retrieve my car was complaining about the price I paid for it. That has been my favourite car to date. So, back to my present car. When I am at my dealership which I love because they give me the VIP treatment. They wash my car, provide me with free coffee, provide me with free Uber etc… I am told how expensive it is going to be to fix my car and I decide to look at their used one. I am taken to the only one I can afford according to my budget. It is the same as mine, I am told. I start it up and it bounces back. If that happened at home I may run down the friendly neighbourhood cat. I am told I have to start it with my foot on the break. “Why?” I ask. “That is how all cars are made nowadays.” I am told. I have a problem accepting that. I don’t like the idea of having my foot on the break to start it so I don’t hit the friendly cat or raccoon. We negotiate. I see a car I really like and it is a convertible. He shakes his head. He wants me to see a loan officer. I don’t want to borrow money. I must he says. Really, I must? I don’t think so. Ok, Ok, we can skip that because he is one of the big men. He is rather tall. I produce my credit card. No, no, I have to pay with a draft thing or other. Credit cards won’t pay for that amount. They caught on he says. Really? Was I born yesterday? He says the car is peppy. I don’t like peppy. The Uber driver had a peppy car and I almost asked him to stop the car because I thought I was going to throw up. I don’t want a peppy car. I say no, but thanks and I see that hint of anger. “Are you mad at me?” I ask surprised. He composes his facial expression and states no. I walk away thanking him and wondering if my car will make it home. The next day the dealership calls me and asks if I am happy with the service. I say yes. They offer me six months of free roadside service. I thank them and say I already have that service. CAA has been my lifetime buddy. Now what? I decide I want a small car. I noticed an increase of small cars and noticed the Fiat 500. What do you know? I talk to a woman who parks her little car nearby and she lets me see the inside and her trunk when I ask if I can. She has had the little car for ions and she is going to give it to her daughter or she would sell it to me. I start noticing the Fiat 500’s everywhere. One passenger of the little car also gives me the middle finger when he passes me on a small side street. I like going the speed limit. I find it amusing that a man in a little car who isn’t even the driver gets that angry over me going the speed limit. I go to the dealership where the woman who parks her car nearby goes to. I have read bad reviews but she states she has had no problems. I go and hold and behold, I see it. I am smitten. It’s not for sale but they let me go for a test drive and I fall in love all over again. It is a convertible once again with a red top and white leather interior. It is an older car and has too much mileage, but I focus with my heart and not my head. If they had accepted my offer right then and there, I would have driven off the lot. However, there were all these games once again. Write down your best offer. Really, write down a number? Is this a big firm I am bidding my salary on? You want to know what it will take for me to work here and then show me a figure much grander that I cannot say no? Come on!..Ok, I gave them the same figure I had offered and they had accepted. The games would not stop. They wanted more money and thought that badgering me would get them 300. more which is what they said was their one and final offer. Nope. I walked. “I’m not going to call you?” he angrily informs me. He is not my type so I don’t expect him to call me. Me thinks, why would I want an angry guy to call me? Please don’t. He got his employee to call me. They had accepted my offer. I wanted no more games. I wanted to ensure the vehicle was checked properly and it was found sound. Yup, yup. I get a call to come and sign the papers at the end of the day. The vehicle has been checked and is good. All ready. I am assured that there are no more games. I go again and did they check the vehicle? Of course not. The paperwork they showed me is what the dealerships checks for. It is a standard form they give to clients. There are no check boxes; no signature. There is no warranty. I walk. I am not a happy camper. I am told that this is how transactions are done. Yea, really? I find it comical that during that same night, the dealership is on my tv with an ad offering no games or gimmicks. Really???????????????? I can’t recall when I was so angry. I decide to give it a rest. My car is making louder noises. It sounds like a race car. I stop at a Ford dealer ship because my eyes see a beautiful red convertible calling my name. I am coming! I find two men in the lot walking. “Are you salesmen? “ I inquire politely. Both turn to look at me. I am immediately comfortable. These are men I am used to. They are down to earth and polite. They are (wait for it) sincere. I tell them I fell in love with the red convertible. They say it is affordable and tell me it is about 25,000. I tell them my budget and the one guy smiles at me and tells me to get my muffler fixed. I wait and call a Muffler place and as I drive there I ask my car to please make it this one last time to the garage. My poor car. I go and it is a husband and wife team. He is the mechanic of over 30 years. Was it 36 or 37? He checks my car and tells me the cost. It is cheaper than the VIP treatment place. “Take your time to think about it.” He encourages as he sees the devastation on my face. I like it that he has suggested I think about it. I say yes. He assures me it is worth it. I tell him that VIP said I only needed one part of the muffler fixed. However, he shows me the back which is about to drop any moment. I see him playing with it like a slinky toy. Ok, fix my baby. I don’t actually say that. I just state yes. They say it will take an hour. I am relieved. I walk to a nearby restaurant where they still give wonderful breakfasts for a fair price. I have my back to the wall, and watch the flow of people walking in. There is a group of men and I cannot figure out if they are from out of town and what they are doing here altogether. They are safe, no aggression. A woman starts to steal all the sugar from the tables. I find that annoying because she received the royal treatment. Of course I let the proprietor know. She grimaces and it is obvious she never knew. The lady stealing, watches me and knows that I know. She stops and returns to her seat. I have a book but find the people too interesting. Is there a character I should use in a book? I leave after paying and am pleased that I have come here. I tip and thank her and she says Ciao. I say the same. I think she believes I am Portuguese. I didn’t know they said Ciao. I have to check with my Portuguese neighbour. I return to the garage. I sit outside at one of the chairs they have available. I watch them using a torch on my car and raising the new muffler up and pinning it in place. It looks sturdy. It has been given a new life. The Mechanic tells me it is all done. We are all back in the office. I am told that the car should give me five more years. “Can I drive it on the highway?” “You can drive it anywhere.” I smile. Me thinks I can now go to the zoo. I can now drive it. “Come here in the future. Don’t go to the dealership. It's a good little car. They just want to sell you another.” I think I may just do that. It is a ma and pa shop with a local independent restaurant nearby. I shall let you know how it goes if it fails me, but I don’t think it will. My car is purring. Did I mention, there was a convertible in his lot which he wouldn’t sell me because it is his and he rarely drives it. “But I would drive it all the time.” No, he grins. I love it.”

Hell - theology notes continue

Does the Church say you have to believe in hell? There is a hell. You don’t have to believe there is anyone there. Dante indicated that there are betrayers in hell. Paul warns us about judging. One of the reasons the notion of hell is necessary is because of free will. Ignatius - meditation of hell in first week. Wants you to get the gravity of your own freedom. (I shall give you a tip here. You are never to be kept in hell for too long if you go for individual spiritual care. I have been advised that it may be done by some and it should not be. Aquinas said a decision for an angel is - their mind is one. Hell - four suggestions: Statements of heaven and hell are not parallel. Heaven is concrete, living reality; hell is a possibility. Our faith assures us there is someone in heaven. Human freedom attains its finality in God. We try to be good people, good deeds. There are not a lot of people working on going to hell. Although we don’t know for sure if everyone should be saved, but would. Stover tries to take us away from visions of hell to a state outside of human relations. Outside of God. Sacks is getting at universalism, final restoration. A note to God cannot be an alternative to years? What is universalism? x,YOK2TA{Thois - restoration of all things. Will eventually all who rebel against God finally becomes saves - if that is the case than hell is not permanent but we have purgatory. Hell is a real possibility because we are free of choice. Inflicted by God for sinners. Universalist would say it is not up to us to put limits in God. Eschatology and universal salvation. One has to do with the resurrection of the body and the other, xy^Ok{qgthois (I am afraid my computer does not have the symbols so I improvised. Sorry) Descent into hell ——Holy Saturday, perfect world would be established. God will invite you to come around. Timothy - wills salvation at all. Raising Abel is a book recommendation (which I never did read). Next for theology is Ernst. Block. Jewish Atheist not approved by gospel. Hope.

For Love of Country - Military Policewoman www.silvaredigonda.ca

Bill did not seem to tire from reading the messages. I was sure that people would soon become bored. I had attended so many functions throughout the years. "It does not seem that it has been almost twenty years ago that I met you. Upon receiving your retirement message, it gave me a reminder that we are growing older and eventually we all will have to make the inevitable decisions. While I sit and ponder what I should say, I reflect back on QL3 and QL5 and think of the good laughs and times we had during those days starting out, and of the different characters and personalities of the course instructors. There are some fond memories. I will not make an attempt at describing any embarrassing anecdotes and will just say that I personally congratulate you on your retirement and wish you prosperity, health and happiness for the future. LFA AHQ Halifax. Bill paused from his reading to look at me, “Sebastian?” he queried. “I nodded as memories stirred. Twenty years. My mother smiled. CHAPTER ONE Saying Goodbye Summer 1974 – twenty years earlier My mother smiled as she sat across from me at the Diner. The Diner had existed throughout my childhood and teenage years. It wasn’t my favourite restaurant, but it had endured, while everything around it changed. The Diner had a fifties look, not because of renovations but simply due to the passage of time. The only change to the miniature juke box at each table was the cost to play it. Even the songs were the same as years ago. The Diner was small, served beer to the same customers, and never became the teenage hangout that in appearance it had promised to become.” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.

Our Physicians are stressed out - No kidding!

The news today revealed a Canadian Medical Association Survey conducted last fall. It consisted of more than 4100 doctors and medical students (I think it would have been better to separate the doctors from the medical students to study their responses and why if any differences). 53% of the physicians have symptoms of burn out. The survey suggested that 1/4 experience severe or moderate anxiety; 1/2 are struggling with depression and 36% had suicidal thoughts in their life time (it would have been nice to know how many had suicidal thoughts during their life as a physician). This was up 18% since 2017. This is what the news revealed. The pandemic has increased mental suffering which is a no brainer. Physicians have been taken advantage of since I can remember. They were worked to the bone before the pandemic and now well, it is impossible out there. Where is the happiest place in the world? Should people start submitting applications? Recently while unsuccessfully looking for a car which isn't dying and finding a dealership less than ethical in my opinion, though they advertise no gimmicks had apparently two physicians from other countries selling cars. In a weekly peer thing, a physician from another country who came to Canada 20 years ago is not practicing as a physician. My hairdresser who came from Ukraine years ago is married to a physician who is riding a bus. One of the physicians told me that our school system is hard. My response: "Go back to school. Of course it is hard." I don't think we should decrease our expectations for the knowledge that our physicians have, our standard, but there has to be a better way. Why not have licensed physicians from other countries work in the hospitals assisting and learning under supervision with our own physicians. People need to get paid and education is expensive. Why not encourage, by having a signed contract where we can help educate more but also ensure we get our funding in return by having them work 5 years or 10 years or so as physicians after their education is complete and they are licensed here, in needed areas. We need them out of jobs they are settling for because of cirmstances to make a living and back where they have been trained for and into the hospitals. We need to stop forcing our physicians to work (and I am going to add nurses) beyond their threshold. People who are forcing them to do this, probably couldn't do the same themselves. We need to adapt and need to do so sooner rather than later. We also need to take a wake up pill and start voting accordingly. Do you want to vote for someone you can have a beer with or do you want to vote for someone who can do the best for us. We cannot keep making the same mistakes over and over because we think it can save money. It actually costs more. For physicians and nurses - boundaries need to be set, take your vacations and have mini ones, each day mentally. Surround yourself with positive people, learn mindfullness and other relaxing techniques. Spend some time in nature each day even if it is to go outside and take a mini break or lunch. If people notice you are stressed, slow down. All too often people don't realize how stressed they are themselves. It can creep up. These are just a few pointers. Let's start to seriously take care of those who care for others. We need them. Politicians, listen to the doctors when they tell you what is needed. They know. What do you think?

Men and Families Conference 2022 - I am definitely in attendance - Please say hi if you see me. Will be wearing a name tag

Attend the first-in-the-world, government-funded conference on fatherhood and men's experiences with violence and victimization: September 15 - 16, 2022! This conference will include 2 Keynote Speakers (Drs. Denise Hines from George Mason University, USA, and Joshua Coleman, Council on Contemporary Families), 3 panel sessions, and 68 presentations from 20 countries and regions across 6 continents! Conference is hybrid, limited space. A letter to confirm your education hours can be provided at your request. Registration includes great conference swag, 2 lunches and a 10-Course Chinese dinner in Chinatown! Visit menandfamilies2022.ca or email Susan Chuang (schuang@uoguelph.ca).