Suicide Thoughts and tid bits of my hobby - writing

I think I am going to start with Suicide Ideation. I attended a one hour lecture yesterday for my education hours. As you know I exceed what I require and attend anything new, when I think I need a refresher, or anything interesting. I have attended quite a few about suicide ideation because it is a serious problem and my job is to give people hope to stay alive. I am glad that our government has been listening to us who are opposed to MAID for the mentally ill, at least they are delaying. When it is easier to just assist people to die, than to actually provide the support needed, it makes one wonder. I will be getting the video probably next week and post it. Though it is meant for therapists, I believe it is very beneficial for everyone to be aware of. One of the things I was taught while a grad, was to have a client sign a contract that while in therapy, they will not commit suicide. For the first few years as a therapist it was almost a fear that if I did something wrong, it would cause the death of my client. After years as a therapist, I recognize that I am only human, I can do the best I can with a combination of my education and experiences but I cannot control the fate of others. I can only do my best. I was always told that I worked too hard and needed to detach myself more. I think I have done that, but it may have more to do that no one in my care actually died. However, I also know that can change. I stopped asking clients to sign contracts because part of my learning is from my clients themselves. It was when I was asked if I really thought that my contract would have stopped her/him from committing suicide. The one thing I do not ever want to do is insult a client. I have stopped with the contracts. What I do is try to determine if there is a plan and if the person is in danger. By law, I would have to report it. However, I have to believe it. I have heard from people who had blurted out to unqualified counsellors that perhaps they should kill themselves after being forced to watch war movies for a reaction as an example and have their careers ruined. In Ontario we are all registered and if one is not registered than that person cannot be a therapist. There are fines for that. I have found that many with suicide thoughts do not share those thoughts until they have come to therapy. What I try to do is have them share what they are going through with a parent if they are young or with a spouse etc...If you are reading this and you have suicide thoughts, you are definitely not alone. Tell someone. I also encourage support groups. Unfortunately, I have not found support groups for persons in Toronto specifically designed for the person suffering from suicide thoughts. I was surprised to find one for family, with MAID advertized as well. Obviously I would never recommend such a facility. My objective is to keep people alive and by doing that, it is to re-ignite or find hope, a purpose to live. We are not meant to live in isolation and need others. People live with so much burden, guilt, secrets etc.....This is why I work directly with the client and do not share any information with any organization. It is no one's business even if they are paying for it. This may apply to the government, Veteran Affairs etc.....As a therapist it is my obligation to protect the client and report only when I am obligated to report and that is with the client's knowledge. We still need work there to stop organizations getting information and use payment for therapy as a crutch, rather than an aid for clients. Insurance companies are beginning to get it. Others are not. It is duress when to pay for therapy, you ask the client to sign in agreement that info will be shared to them. That is why I have clients submitting claims themselves. I also know that people will not talk freely if they know that information will go elsewhere. Of course there is more involved than what I am talking about right now. Canada has also recently provided a Suicide Prevention number "988", where you can call or text. Why not take that first step in getting help for yourself? Friday I will be attending another lecture about siblings. This is from the Ontario Association of Family Therapy. Last night I listened to a talk from the Alliance of Independent Writers. One man there has written about 250 books. That is amazing to me and I will definitely be looking him up. So, once again I have lots to catch up with. Take care for now. Next topic will be light - my hobby.

From the Men’s Conference: Increasing Challenges with High Conflict Separations by Dr Rachel Birnbaum, King’s University College, at Western Canada. Notes

This was the first session of the second day. It began with a talk about children deserving a relationship with both parents. High conflict family - How to get evidence going to court more without a lawyer and different for children not having relationships with both? The high conflict family is characterized as litigious, exhibiting poor communication and having poor problem solving skills and in some cases by violence. It is pathology driven. Ontario is blessed with a lot of services. However, in some places, in Ontario, there are no services, in Alberta; out East. Children don’t want parents fighting. They want them to get along. There are challenges in the court system - a blind instrument. In Toronto there has been a request for a unified court for years, so people don’t have to tell their stories over and over again. We were shown a video of a child asking her mom not be high. The child wants everyone to smile. “My heart is empty. If we live in a world that is mean, everyone will be a monster. I’m trying not to be mean.” The child wants everyone to be as nice as possible. In 2015, 10% of child protection cases involve a custody dispute. Research on rates of intentional false allegations in custody and access disputes range from 4% to 23%. Divorce causes stress for all children. Judge wants therapists - less therapists willing to do it (I am one of them) and less doing it with competence. There is conflict within hospitals of parents arguing over surgery or not and of options for their children. Laws being changed to put children first and must be heard. Ref: The Voice of Child is increasing. Birnbaum R and Baln. (2022) High Conflict Parenting Cases and the Role of State - funded agencies in Ontario. Challenges, Perpetual Crises and Lack of Support - pictures. Any error listed would be my own and not of Dr Birbaum.

Have a good weekend people!

I was going to post about one of the talks from the Men's Conference, but decided that I didn't want to leave you with that, so I posted from my Sinai tour and included a photograph. I have many albums of photographs of my travels. I haven't placed them in my books but am doing the same as my papers, scanning them and then in the garbage they go. My Veteran buddies have informed me that I should not do that but give them to our school. The photo I just posted, I don't think our school would want. So, why not post them here for you so you don't have to see the same book cover, over and over again. My veteran buddies have informed me that I am destroying memories. I don't look at it that way. My memories are in the crevices of my brain. However, I have listened and am keeping the most cherished. I will give some up to the school and others with people in them to those people if I know where they are. I do hope you enjoy them. This weekend I am attending another Sisters of Crime event about books. I am also attending a party, hardy, "winter blues event". For those of you who do have a seasonal sadness, go find yourselves one of those lamps which provides artificial sunlight. You should be able to find it at Costco. I woke up feeling like I want to read a book for pleasure, so I am going to find some time for that. Remember to try to keep balance in your life. Work is important but so is family, friends and time for fun. We are not meant to be in isolation. We need others in our lives but make sure they are a positive influence. So, for now, rest up and recharge. "Ominous" will be available shortly and then I shall begin my next book. A teaser will be at the back of "Ominous". What do you think?

For Love Of Country Military Policewoman - Middle East Continues (Photo just off Base shown) www.silvaredigonda.ca/amazon

One of the American military police gave me roses for no special occasion. He had been on assignment where he could buy roses and he did. I kept those roses for my entire tour of duty. I would just love looking at them and as they withered and died I could not bring myself to throw them out. For the first two years after returning home from the Middle East, I would constantly have fresh flowers in my home. To this day, I love flowers and have them inside and outside of my home. Red roses have always been my favourite and those red roses my American colleague gave me were cherished for a very long time. Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.

Just letting you know about my writing and postings - Writers corner

For you who are new reading my posts, I have kept copies of all my work. For a bit of time, I have posted on this blog and then used the paper as scrap to write notes etc...Sometimes, like I just did now, I will copy and paste some old work. Don't ask me why. Perhaps it is just a way of not letting me think that it was a waste. We all learn as we go through life. I do believe I get better as I grow older. If not, I am sure someone will let me know. I also write notes of seminars and Conferences I go to. This year I want to spend more time on my writing for fun while still working in my practice. My latest book "Ominous" is very exciting for me. I do hope you will like it. If you belong to a readers club, have a bookstore, or know of a fair in the Toronto area where I can go and sell my books, please let me know. I love interacting with other authors and readers. Often, when I am at a Book Fair, I have aspiring writers coming to me for advice. I always make time for them. If you want to write, then write. If you want to sing, then sing. If you want to paint, paint. Please do not let people discourage you from your dreams, hope, passions.......(as long as it is legal). Be who you want to be. Surround yourself with positive people. Re-examine who is in your life. Do they make you happy? Have a good week. Being able to sing, write, paint etc.....is a gift. Cherish it and nurture it........What do you think? Always feel free to ask a question or leave a note.

To Love (old English essay for you if you are interested) Reading this now, I think I did a horrible job. Hey, that's life. I believe these are two Canadian Books.

TO LOVE By: Silva Redigonda To Love Love between a man and a woman is powerful, so powerful, that the passion found in that first love influences future relationships. This essay will demonstrate how the difference of characters between Quoyle in The Shipping News and Will in Medicine River influence Quoyle's relationship with Wavey, and Will's relationship with Louise, through stages which progresses to fulfillment for Quoyle and Wavey but not for Will and Louise. To Be The Shipping News depicts Quoyle as a man doomed from the beginning of his life as indicated in the beginning of the text, "raised in a shuffle of dreary upstate towns…he survived childhood…at the state university…he camouflaged torment with smiles and silence. Stumbled through his twenties and into his thirties…counting on nothing." (Proulx, p1) Proulx uses repetition of the word "failure" to re-inforce Quoyle's father's image of his son; paving a road to Quoyle's destiny to failure and insecurities, "failure to dog-paddle…failure to speak clearly; failure to sit up straight; failure to get up…failure in attitude; failure in …everything…All stemmed from…a failure of normal appearance." (Proulx p 2) Quoyle also has an abusive relationship with his brother Dick, who calls him derogatory names such as "Ugly Pig,…stupid"(Proulx, p2) etc…Quoyle seems like a nice guy just wanting to be liked and to enjoy the company of others, "For Quoyle was a failure at loneliness, yearned to be gregarious, to know his company was a pleasure to others."(Proulx, p 4) King depicts Will as a Canadian Native who loses his right of Indian status due to his mother marrying a white man and therefore is deprived not only of a father who leaves him at a young age and later dies, but of his Native culture (King, pg7, 8 &9). The difference between Will and Quoyle is that Will has a positive relationship with his brother and mother. Despite being robbed of his native rights, Will has the love and support from his family and community. His mother supports him in his youth, "Will's the athlete in the family…James is the artist"(King, p 13). Though poor, Will's mother manages to buy him good shoes when he tells her that his teacher told him that he played basketball well."(King, p 13) Though Will played tricks on his brother, James seemed complacent in return. "I had expected James to be angry about his drawings, but all he talked about was the eagle and how he was going to do the whale next." This establishes a healthy relationship between him and his brother with the usual pranks. Will seems to have adopted his mother's philosophy in life, "My mother had a favourite expression for all those times in life when things didn't make sense or couldn't be explained.""That's the way things are,""she'd say. It was more of a way of managing the bad times. …My mother would just shrug and get on with what she was doing."(King, p252) This philosophy explains Will's accepting nature, throughout the text excluding his own obsession with the father he never was allowed to know. At the age of twenty five he begins to invent his father, "My father is a senior engineer with Petro-Canada…My father is a pilot, doctor…lawyer…."(King, p78, 79,80,) and on it continues. Will creates the possibilities of who his father could have been. Quoyle who did have a father knew how cruel one could be. The characters of both men seem to be predicted by the way they were treated and their opportunities growing up. Will rather complacent and accepting, longing for the father he never really knew and Quoyle suffering a complex after being put down for most of his young life. New Love Quoyle and Wavey as well as Will and Louise progress through different stages in their relationships. Both Wavey and Louise have children, yet Louise's child is very important to Will and a major focus in his life while Wavey's child is rarely mentioned. This is no surprise since Will understands the need to have a father, while Quoyle would not have such a focus. The relationship between Quoyle and Wavey develops slowly and they eventually marry. Will too progresses through stages that seem more sudden and consistent but ultimately leaves the reader feeling that the relationship needs to continue towards development into another stage. These stages continue to reflect Quoyle and Will's characters and how they progress through a new love after having suffered a broken heart from their first loves. Quoyle notices Wavey, "Saw her. The tall woman in the green slicker…A calm, almost handsome face, ruddy hair in braids…Looked right at him. They waved simultaneously and Quoyle guessed she must have legs like a marathon runner."(Proulx, p 86) Quoyle begins to think of her, " …the tall woman, Wavey, came to mind. He looked…to see if she was walking…He pulled up, glad she was alone, that he was too." (Proulx, p 128) The initial stage has begun. King in Medicine River begins the novel with Will already knowing Louise, "I took my tax forms to Louise too." (King, 25) It is Harlen, who reveals to him that Louise has an interest in him, "You know, after the game, Louise Heavyman came over and asked where you were. Good-looking woman, Louise." (King, p 21) Will's response is simply, "Sure." (King, p 21) This ritual of Harlen talking about Louise, and Will not seemingly interested continues, "The next time I see Louise…."states Harlen …"Hmmmmmmm." replies Will ( King, p 28). Will's response to Louise being pregnant and unwed and Harlen's suggestion of taking her out is, "I don't want to get married." (King, p 31) After Harlen's consistent nagging, Will does go to see Louise to take her out to lunch, "I felt like a real ass walking into Louise's office the next day. I probably wouldn't have gone, but Harlen knew me too well. He picked me up and drove me over."(King, p 32). Will seems to lack motivation to a point where it appears he has no interest in Louise initially, while Quoyle has an immediate interest with Wavey and has never lacked motivation to be accepted. When Quoyle sees Wavey he studies her at a glance, "Quoyle glanced, saw her pale mouth, neck, eyes…But that sense of harmony with something, what, the time or place. He didn't know but felt it. She turned her head, caught him looking. Eyes flicked away again. But both were pleased." (Proulx, 129). There seems to be a mutual attraction igniting. Quoyle realizes that he is developing an infatuation for Wavey. "Watched her run up the school steps and in through the door. What was wrong with him?" (Proulx, p 129) Will too demonstrates an interest in Louise, displayed when he initiates his own contact. Will calls Louise after the first awkward visit to lunch which never materialized, '"What the hell.""Louise,""I said, ""it's Will. About the lunch date…""…."I was sweating when I got off the phone, and my heart was racing. And I didn't call Harlen." Will does want to take Louise out to lunch. It appears both men have come to the realization that they have a love interest. Quoyle is excited about driving Wavey to the library when she asks for a ride to her work "Friday and Tuesday afternoons…Didn't want to get excited. For God's sake, giving someone a ride to the Library. But he was." (Proulx, p 146) He readily makes himself available. Quoyle's and Wavey's relationship is about to enter another stage, a sexual one, which is stopped by Wavey. "He held out his arms. No mistaking what he meant. Transfixed, she hardly breathed. One flicker of movement and he'd be all over her…And afterwards some silent agreement, some sore complicity, betrayal."(Proulx, p 193 & 194) Louise maintains a similar distance with Will. "We never got around to being lovers. There didn't seem to be the time for that. We were friends. Louise was good to be with, but there was a distance and Louise kept it."(King, p 36) It is Will whom Louise calls when she realizes she has to give birth and needs to go to the hospital. He wants to wait with her but Louise discourages it, ""I got nothing better to do. Don't mind waiting… ""… ""No sense, Will…"(King, p 36) Both Wavey and Quoyle are haunted by their first relationships. Wavey begins to talk about Herold, her first husband when she and Quoyle are about to have sex. "Do you know how he died?" My husband? Herold Prowse? I'll tell you."(Proulx, p 194) And Quoyle thinks of Petal, his first wife," And what of Petal's essence riding under his skin like an injected vaccine against the plague of love? What was the point of touching Wavey's dry hand?" (Proulx, p 195) Their relationship is very slowly moving. Both have private demons with relationships. The only way is to move cautiously, slowly, for the both of them. "Their silence comfortable. Something unfolding. But what? Not love, which wrenched and wounded. Not love, which came only once."(Proulx p 195) Will, on the other hand is coming to terms with him not having a father. He immediately takes on the role of father to Louise's baby, longing for the family he never had. ""Most men like to be there when their wives deliver. Is this your first?"" ""Ah…yes."" he replies (King, p 38). Relishing in the feeling of being a father and husband he thinks, "I began thinking about Louise, and for the first time since I had come back to Medicine River, I felt good. Clean and strong. Maybe we could give it a try with the baby and all." (King, p 38) When Will holds the baby for the first time at the hospital he is enchanted, "That little girl kept looking at me, and I just sat in the rocking-chair in the nursery. I would have sat there longer, but the nurse came in to tell me that my wife was awake and wanted to see the baby."(King, p 40) Will is developing a bond with Louise's child. When Will is watching the baby in the nursery, a nurse asks him which one is his. He claims the baby as his own,""That one,"" I said." (King, p 42) Will's artistic side enables him to create his father and to create a family, neither which exist for him. It is Louise who stops the flow of the relationship between herself and Will and places restrictions. ""As soon as we get settled, I'll make dinner. Maybe we can go to a show, too."" Sure"" responds Will. (King, 42) Will never challenges. He seems to always accept things as they are. The relationship becomes controlled by Louise, "Louise and I hadn't gone out much since South Wing was born, but I would generally go over for dinner about once a week…"(King, p 136) Harlen attempts to have the relationship progress, "…everybody can see how much you love South Wing. Bertha figures you're pretty fond of Louise, too.""(King, p 136) Will has memories of another love, Susan, "…we talked about everything. We talked in bed, especially and always before we made love, sometimes for hours…(King, p 112 & 113) But in that relationship where there was so much talk, so much communication, it was only by accident that Will learned Susan was married. It was when he called her at home, "You want to talk to Daddy? I saw it too late…"(King, p 113). It is after this first painful love, that Will treads slowly, talking less; letting Louise take the initiative. Quoyle's relationship also takes a dip as he ponders," Their silence comfortable. Something unfolding. But what? Not love, which came only once." (Proulx, p 233) Though there are doubts as Quoyle too is haunted by his past love, he is also changing. He is becoming more assertive as a person, ""You have been thinking of all the angles,"" said the aunt. Dryly. She was used to being the one who figured things out." (Proulx, p 227) So assertive is Quoyle becoming that his suggests his aunt moves out on her own. "There's not room for all four of us…" (Proulx, p 227) Quoyle continues to examine his relationship with Wavey, "…They could go to dinner. A movie….It will be fun. The word sounded stupid in his mouth. When had he ever had "fun" …Wavey, chapped face already set in the lines of middle age, an encroaching dryness about her …Both of them the kind who stood with forced smiles watching other people dance, spin…Having fun." (Proulx, p 293) "When Quoyle gets drunk with his friends he mourns his wife. ""My wife,"" bawled Quoyle, ""is dead.""(Proulx, p 255) Quoyle has difficulty separating his beautiful young wife from this middle aged woman. Louise and Will take a step into acknowledging that they do have a relationship. Again it is Louise who brings it forth. "Louise laughed and leaned over the table and kissed me…Louise didn't pull away. She stayed there, leaning on the table, close to me. And she kissed me again…""You ever have a girlfriend before me?"" and Will a man of few words when it comes to this relationship replies,""sure."" (King, p 142) Will lets Louise control the relationship. He is accepting in nature. Quoyle seems torn. When Quoyle is promoted his assertiveness comes across as "gruff" and "hard boiled" because that is how he thinks he should act, "Write them up with a little more detail than you put into the S.A. stories." (Proulx, p 288) Quoyle now confident , suggests fresh ideas. He takes the initiative, "Those ads, Jack. I'd like to drop the fake ads. We need the news space…" (Proulx, p 292) Quoyle becomes more confident with his appearance as well, "He looked at his naked self,…Saw he was immense…Full shoulders and powerful arms…It was harder to count his errors now… (Proulx, 326) Quoyle and Wavey's final stage is not complete until they both discuss and come to terms with their previous loves. Both acknowledge that their relationships had been destructive. ""Harold,"" said Wavey, ""was a womanizer. He treated me body like a trough….I felt he was casting vomit in me when he come to his climax. And I never told that but to you.""…""I know something now I didn't know a year ago, ""said Quoyle. ""Petal wasn't any good. And I think maybe that is why I loved her.""….[Wavey states] It's like you feel that's all you deserve." (Proulx, p 308) This sharing of hurt, of realizing that their previous relationships was a reflection of their lack of self worth opens the door to a new beginning, a new stage. When Quoyle contemplates a life with him and Wavey married he wonders, "would Petal be in the bed with them? Or Herold Prowse? He imagined the demon lovers coupling, biting and growling, while he and Wavey crouched against the footboard with their eyes squeezed shut, fingers in their ears." (Proulx p 314) Will's first girlfriend left without even telling him, "On the way home the next day, I bought a paper and another bottle of wine…But Susan wasn't there. She had come by sometime in the afternoon, collected her things, and left. (King, p 188) Will has become careful as a result in his relationship with Susan. Louise shares her opinions, reflecting her own hurts, "marriage was always more of a burden on women than on men, that women always had to take on extra weight, while men just fell into marriage as if they were falling into bed. I [Will]tried to stay away from talk like that." (King, p 188) Will would rather accept things as they are then become deep and analytical since that is the way he was raised. When Will does raise his opinion, he and Louise have their first argument, "Louise and I didn't exactly have a fight. It was more a discussion about Harlen and Bertha, though in the end, the discussion didn't have much to do with them at all." (King, p 185). Even the community observes the slow pace of Will and Louise's relationship. Harlen again offers his suggestions, ""Bertha says you should give Louise an ultimatum."(King, p 187). Louise seeks Will's opinion when she buys a house, "I'm thinking of buying a house, Will, and I wanted to talk to you about it, first." (King, p 218) Quoyle and Wavey also have discussions and Wavey's opinion is valued and considered regarding Bunny going to Jack's funeral. Though Quoyle is contrary to the idea, Wavey succeeds to persuade him, " …if you look at the departed you'll never be troubled by the memory…And so Quoyle agreed." (Proulx, p 332) Louise stops the relationship from growing. ""He's not Mr. Heavyman,""said Louise. He's a good friend."" (King, p223) The mixed messages continue as she buys a house that has a "darkroom." (King, p225) When Will moves Louise and her daughter in, they make love and it is Louise who offers the possibility of their relationship to grow, "You ever think of us living together?" (King, p 228) Will is very laid back and instead of taking the opportunity he tells her that, "You've got me." (King, p 228) He finds it very difficult to communicate with Louise and yet he too wants to live with Louise, "thought of ways to bring up the subject of living together."(King p 231) But the moment has passed, "The darkroom was gone." (King, p 233) Their relationship takes another turning point when Louise announces that she will be spending Christmas with Harold and his family, ""Does this mean we can't live together?"" I [Will] laughed when I said it."(King, p 258) He can't seem to take a stand with Louise. Louise calls Will Christmas morning to tell him, ""he really wants to marry me."" ""And …?" replies Will "I don't want to get married." (King, p 259) Will again has permitted her to make her own decision without telling her how he feels about her. Their relationship cannot grow to completion. With time Quoyle and Wavey have become close. Quoyle is free, from Petal and the sadness of his past. He has become a new person. "Quoyle experienced moments in all colors, uttered brilliancies, paid attention to the rich sound of waves counting stones, he laughed and wept, noticed sunsets, heard music in rain, said I do." (Proulx, p 336) To Live Proulx has managed to depict how a man can heal himself from a tormented young life and marriage. He can gain confidence and find a mature love. Quoyle allowed himself to recover from Pedal's abuse, and realize that it wasn't love that Pedal had for him. Once Quoyle realizes that the relationship is destructive, he is able to move on with Wavey whom had her own demons to deal with and to recover from. Will's character on the other hand is sweet and complacent. He follows his mother's philosophy that things are beyond our control, which he experienced with his first relationship. He does not allow himself the freedom to communicate with Louise exactly what he wants. It is because of this that he and Louise cannot find fulfillment. There is a hole, something missing and regardless, neither can tell the other exactly how they feel and really want. There are hints and suggestions but ultimately the relationship to fulfillment cannot be accomplished because, "It's the way things are."(King, p 257) Bibliography King, Thomas. Medicine River. Toronto: Penguin, 1995. Proulx, Annie. The Shipping News. New York: Scribner, 2003.

For Love of Country - Military Policewoman - Middle East continues For your own signed copy - www.silvaredigonda.ca

I went to Tel Aviv again with one of the Dutch Military policemen. We often worked weekend details. We went to the Israeli police station and one of the policewomen was looking at my uniform with intense interest. She thought I was modeling their new uniform. We entered a room full of policewomen. They were looking at my partner with an intense interest. He was being treated like a piece of meat, and I had to admit it was nice having roles reversed. One of the policewomen told him that she had mirrors over her bed. He did not know how to react and stuck to me like glue. I thought that all men needed to experience this at least once in their careers. Though I found it all quite amusing, I kept an eye on him. The next morning my partner and I went for breakfast. He kept turning around to look at a prostitute. With all the attention from the policewomen the day before, his ego was now flourishing. He kept telling me how the prostitute behind him was looking at him because she liked him. The prostitute finally glared at him, and asked, “What the fuck are you looking at!” I could not help but burst out laughing. My partner turned beet red and never said another word. We finished our breakfast while I casually talked about work and our travels. Because many of the Dutch men had blond hair and blue eyes, they were eye candy to the Middle Eastern women. Whoever I was working with would normally tell the ladies that he and I were married. I always found that amusing, but played along. I understood how demeaning having unwanted attention could be. I was beginning to realize and appreciate that there were not too many differences between men and women. It depended on opportunity and power. The more time I spent away from my home in Canada, the more I appreciated it. We didn’t have wars in our country and it was relatively peaceful. We didn’t need to worry about our clubs being blown up and being searched for explosives. We didn’t have to fear our neighbour blowing us up. Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.” www.silvaredigonda.ca