Grumpy Old Men Fix Australia

“Absolutely love this!

Whoever thought it up is a genius ~

they need to be congratulated!”

Accept my gratitude, Tom, for sending me the following letter.

It was sent to Tony Abbott, the current Prime Minister of Australia.

Dear Mr. Abbott:

Please find below our suggestion for fixing Australia's economy.

Instead of giving billions of dollars to car companies and other businesses that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan...you can call it The Patriotic Retirement Plan. There are about 10 million people over age50 in the work force.

Pay them $1 million each severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

          They MUST retire ~ Ten million job openings ~ Unemployment fixed!

          They MUST buy a new Australian car ~ Ten million cars ordered ~ Car Industry fixed!

          They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage ~ Housing Crisis fixed!

          

          They MUST send their kids to school/college/university ~ Crime rate fixed!

          They MUST buy $100 WORTH of alcohol/tobacco a week ~ and there's your money

          back in duty/tax, etc.

          Instead of stuffing around with the carbon emissions trading scheme that makes

          us pay for the major polluters, tell the greedy bastards to “Reduce your pollution

          emissions by 75% within 5 years or we shut you down.”

          Cut down on pollies' perks ~ they earn enough money to pay for their own petrol,

          food, drinks, airfares  for their wives and families...like all other hard-working

          Aussies  do.  We pay big money but we still get MONKEYS!

          No government credit cards for pollies ~ let them get their own then they will be

          more careful about how they use it and pay up on time so as not to incur interest.

It can't get any easier than that!

          P.S.  If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their

          falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

          If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know!

Grumpies of the World Unite....with Other Suggestions

Let's put the pensioners in jail and the criminals in nursing homes!

This way, the pensioners would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.

They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs, etc. and they'd receive money  instead of paying it out.

They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly...if needing assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed  and returned to them.

A guard would check on them every 20 minutes and bring their meals and snacks to their cells.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counselling, pool and education.

Simple clothing,shoes, slippers, PJ's and legal aid would be free...on request.

Private secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard with gardens.

Each senior could have a PC, a TV, a radio and daily phone calls.

There would be a board of directors  to hear complaints and the guards would have a code of conduct  that would be strictly adhered to.

The Criminals would get...cold food...be left alone and unsupervised.

Lights off at 8 pm and showers once a week.

Live in a tiny room and pay $600 per week and have no hope of ever getting out.

The Australian Constitution

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq...why don't we just give them ours?  It was drawn up by a lot of really smart guys;  it has worked for centuries and we're not using it any more.

The Ten Commandments

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse  or Parliament is this:  You cannot post Thou Shalt Not Steal...Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery...and Thou Shalt Not Lie...in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...it creates a hostile work environment.

Think About All the Foregoing!

If  you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone:

YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

It is Time for us Grumpy Old Folk of Australia to speak up!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Purpose, Persistence and Passion

were three attributes paid to Bernie Morelli

for his achievements as a Hamilton politician for 22 years.

Scripted by Merle Baird-Kerr...January 19, 2014

Comments most welcome...send to

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Julia Did It Again!

 Australia says NO ~ This will be the second time

Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia has done this...Wow!

(She was the 27^th Prime Minister of Australia

and the Labour Party Leader from 2010 to 2013

being the first woman to hold both positions)

The Whole World Needs a Leader Like This!

She sure isn't backing down on her hard line stance and one has to appreciate her belief in the rights of her native countryman.  A breath of fresh air to see someone lead with guts and determination.

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.  Quote:

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS MUST ADAPT...Take it or leave it!  I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.  Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. 

This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian...or any  other language.  Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society...learn the language!

Most Australians believe in God.  This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.  It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.  If God offends  you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as  your  new home..because God is part of our culture.

We will accept your beliefs and will not question why.  All we ask is that you accept ours...and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND and OUR LIFESTYLE...we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.  But once you are done complaining, whining and griping about Our Flag, Our Christian Beliefs or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom...THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!

If you aren't happy here, then LEAVE.  We didn't force you to come here.  You asked to be here.  So accept the country that accepted you!

If we circulate this amongst ourselves in Canada and United States...

WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

(The foregoing was sent to me by Sydney...thanks greatly!)

Why Cannot Our Governments Do Likewise???

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) stated:

LEADERS aren't born  ~ they are made!

They are made by hard work and effort … which is the price

which all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.

A Country becomes poor when there is political CORRUPTION

and a country prospers under political INTEGRITY!

(Unknown Author)

Five Basic Duties of the Prime Minister of Canada

The Prime Minister chairs cabinet meetings and controls the agenda.

The Prime Minister selects the other Ministers of the Crown for appointment by the Governor General.

He directs the government's policy and legislative agenda.

He advises (in a most binding way) the Governor General and the Queen  on the performance of their constitutional duties.

He receives ambassadors and public ministers of foreign powers.

Five Basic Duties of the President of the United States

The speeches the President  gives to Congress are called...the State of the Union Address.

The President can suggest that Congress pass certain legislation.

He can convene (or call into official session) one or both houses.  This has been done to deal with national emergencies.

If the House and Senate cannot agree or call an adjournment, the President can intervene.

The President receives ambassadors  and public ministers of foreign powers.

Canadian Wish List

(from a loyal Canadian Friend)

Borders:  Closed to illegal immigrants!

Illegal Boats:  Stopped!

Parliament:  Obey its own laws! Make politicians keep their promises or have them disqualified from further election.  No programs scheduled to start past the next election!

Dual Citizenship:  Abolished!  You’re either Canadian or something else!

Languages:  English and French!

Culture:  Respect the Canadian culture and stop trying to change it to the mess that you left back  home.  Stop trying to change us!

Drug Free:  Mandatory Drug Screening before Welfare!

NO Freebies to Non-Citizens:  Look after Canadians BEFORE donating to other countries.  No Canadian welfare for any country developing nukes or spending more than reasonable $$$ on arms.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr … November 21, 2013

To comment...e-mail to
inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

 NOTE:  My next blog submission is “Grumpy Old Men Fix Australia"

  

"Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries"

This idiom means that  “life is good and is easy ~ just like a bowl of cherries which are sweet; life is very carefree.”  Sometimes, it produces...aches and pains...yet frequently spiced with sprigs of humour.

Consider the following mini-stories

which Tom has forwarded to me:

I was in the six-item express lane at the store...quietly fuming.  Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward...looked into the cart and asked sweetly, “So which six items would you like to buy?” 

Wouldn't that be great if that happened more often???

Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbour and his wife were told there would be a 45 minute wait for a table.  “Young man, we're both 90 years old,” the husband said.  We may not have 45 minutes.”  They were seated immediately!

The reason politicians try to hard to get re-elected is that they would “hate” to have to make a living   under the laws they have just passed.

All eyes were on the bride as her father escorted her down the aisle.  They reached the alter and the waiting groom.  The bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand.  The guests in the front pews responded with ripples of laughter. Even the priest smiled broadly.  As her father gave her away in marriage, the bride gave him back his credit card.

Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

Three friends from the local congregation were asked, “When you're in your casket...and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?”

Artie said, “I would like them to say that I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader and a great family man.”

Eugene commented,”I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made  a huge difference in people's lives.”

Al said, “I'd like them to say, “Look, he's moving!”

Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close to God.  Looking up, he asks the Lord, “What does a million years mean to you?”  The Lord replies, “A minute.”  Smith asks, “And what does a million dollars mean to you?”  The Lord replies, “A penny.”  Smith asks, “Can I have a penny?”  The Lord replies, “In a minute.”

A man goes to see the Rabbi. “Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it.”  The Rabbi asked, “What's wrong?” The man replied, “My wife is going to poison me.”  The Rabbi

very surprised by this, asks, “How can that be?”  The man then pleads, “I'm telling you, I'm certain she's going to poison me.  What should I do?”  The Rabbi then offers, “Tell you what.  Let me talk to her; I'll see what I can find out and I'll let  you know.”  A week later, the Rabbi calls the man and says, “I spoke with your wife on the phone for three hours.  You want my advice?”  “Yes,” and the Rabbi replied, “Take the poison!”

Random Facts About Life

(and how would  you respond?)

You would have to walk for seven hours straight...to burn off a Super Sized Coke, French Fries and a Big Mac!  (Picture yourself consuming this “ever-so-popular fast food.”)

After 100 years from now, Facebook will have 500,000 accounts of DEAD people.(Who notifies Facebook of their demises???)

If you mouth the word, “colourful” to someone,  it looks like you are saying, “I love you.” (Understand this from a “lip-reader's” interpretation.)

Men have nipples because, as an embryo, everyone is a female...until the Y chromosome kicks in. (Often, I wondered why!)

The lion used in the original MGM movie logo, killed its trainer and 2 assistants the day after the logo was filmed.  (“Looks could kill,” whether human or animal!)

The average cell phone contains more bacteria than a toilet seat.  (WOW...How Startling!!!)

You see your nose at all times...your brain just chooses to ignore it.  (Are we to trust our brain???)

The first man to survive going over Niagara Falls...later died by slipping on an orange peel. (Absurd!)

99% people backspace their whole password when they just mess up one letter.  (Somehow, “simple” over-rides being more practical.)

Jellyfish evaporate in the sun.  They're 98% water.  (Incredible!  No wonder I saw several dead jellyfish along Prince Edward Island's sand beaches.)

When a person cries and the first drops of tears come from the right eye, it's Happiness.  When it's from the left eye, it's Pain.  (A new observation to determine the person's emotional state.)

90% people wet the toothbrush after applying the paste.  (I wet my brush BEFORE applying the paste.)

For a very short period of time...you were the youngest person in the world.  (Every minute of life is significant.)

It would take about 1,000 years to watch every video currently on “YouTube.”  (One can never say he has nothing to do!!!)

Quote by John Wayne

Tomorrow is the most important thing in life.

Comes into us at midnight very clean.

It's perfect when it arrives...and puts itself in our hands.

It hopes, we've learned something from yesterday.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 29, 2013

Comments are most welcome...e-mail to

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Winter Observations in My Neighbourhood

Do you remember the first book written by Dr. Seuss for children? 

“And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street!”

It was a delightful story about young Marco who concocts

a colourful cast of characters  ~ literally “fantasy stories”

he dreams up to relate to his father about his walk home.

And to Think That I Saw It In My Neighbourhood!

(and these are not “fantasies”)

My first observation of winter was of the bare trees, void of their leaves, to now expose to us what their well-dressed limbs protected and hid from our view. From spring to late fall, we see squirrels scampering here and there hunting for materials from which to build their nests...perhaps it'll be in a soil filled flower pot on patio or balcony...perhaps it'll be built of grasses, straws and twigs...perhaps  hunting for “food stuffs” (when overly kind people feed them...which is a “No! No!)...or pilfering and storing nuts for their winter provisions. With their tiny sharp claws, they can hastily climb brick walls.  Ever playfully, they jump from branch to branch or from fencing to posts.  Now, displayed in the fork of  barren tree branches are sizeable comfy nests snuggly fastened and supported against wind...where these cute little pesky creatures spend the winter. THESE I Now See!

In the past few winters, snows have diverted around us here in Southern Ontario. Often coming from winds and blizzards generated by Lakes Huron and Ontario, these storms have churned a path through The Golden Horseshoe...usually heading to Niagara and Buffalo areas and into New York State.  This year, Mother Nature has inflicted us with cold frigid temperatures...tons of snow  (both gently falling and wind driven blizzards). Traffic has been snarled...visibility at times almost nil...vehicle accidents by the multitude...major delays at airports and other points of travel.  Truckers by the dozens were unable to cross the Niagara River bridges due to closures.  Major highways are shut down...the QEW, the 400 series of roads in Ontario...Interstate 90 in NY State and Routes 190 and 290 out of Niagara Falls...for hours...up to a couple days. My son, home for Christmas, was returning to New Jersey after New Year's Day.  Fortunately he had not rented a car...fortunately he had not booked a flight...fortunately he had not purchased a bus ticket...FORTUNATELY,  he had arranged an Amtrak train reservation!  His route was safe...but shortly thereafter, train service was unavailable due to blizzards of snow and ice!

New to this area were Snow Quakes!

The Ice Storm just prior to Christmas, downed many limbs, branches and complete trees which caused excessive damage...power outages in vast areas of Hamilton, Burlington and our rural areas.  Hardest hit was Toronto with thousands upon thousands of families without electricity and heat….many depending upon wood stoves and BBQ’s.  This storm, the worst in decades, extensively damaged trees, roads and properties…although most services have been reinstated, the clean-up of  fallen trees, limbs, branches is incredible.  Metropolitan Hamilton, due to last July’s massive wind gales and now December’s Ice Storm, reports about 9000 city-owned trees have been lost.  The average per year is about 1200 trees.

The Winter Beauty of Niagara Falls  has never been so dramatic ~ the American  Falls, as it pours over the escarpment, forms masses of snowy ice ~ the frozen mist from the cascades coats the landscape in silvery frost ~ and against the azure blue sky, starkly stand numerous silver-dressed trees  The weirdly formed ice sculptures along the coastlines of  the Great Lakes are highly frosted like angel cakes ~ ice crystals form on frozen ponds.  Even in Florida, icicles hang from oranges on orchard trees!

A local photographer was lucky to photo a blue heron doing a “triangular split” (2 legs plus long neck) landing on a frozen pond near Burlington Bay…hoping to snag a fish for dinner! Another local photo shows a trumpeter swan calmly resting (amid icy winds) on the frozen bay water near La Salle Park Pier. A photo in today’s Spectator of a handsome red cardinal, showed him snuggled on a tree branch  ~ snow gently blowing ~ his feathers wonderfully fluffed providing him a protective eider-down coverlet to keep off the icy chill.

Some neighbours in Hamilton were vitally concerned about a mid-size-short haired dog chained to his dog house (night and day…supposedly a “watch dog”).  He did have a dog house but lacking proper conditions as set out by the SPCA. Frequently a neighbour lady came by with bowls of warm water for this dog who happily lapped it all each time.  She and others reported this neglect to authorities and the media (radio, TV and The Spectator); however nothing was done to rectify this supposed cruelty.  After much concern and the publicity, someone must have “dog-napped” him!  Now, I read, he has been returned to his rightful keeper…the doghouse  insulated and blanket inside to warm him.

Another good-will story is of a man, who caring for his dog, donned him with a fitted coat…and placed boots on his feet covering his legs for their daily cold winter walk  His canine buddy, stunned by this new winter wardrobe, tried desperately to remove  his new foot gear, then resorted to using his teeth to remove the velcro straps on his boots as if to say, “Are  you nuts, Master???”

Today, driving  home from my physiotherapy session, I viewed a small truck plow with a snow blade attached to the front bumper.  SNOWWAY was yellow lettered across it..  I’m confident the driver has been busy with driveways and strip mall parking lots.

Words of Wisdom

“Think of all the beauty still around you.”

(Anne  Frank)

Merle Baird-Kerr…written January 6, 2014

Comments Welcome…e-mail to:

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Investment Tips for 2013

 For all of you with any money left  be aware of the next expected changes so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some Big Bucks! Watch for these consolidations in 2013.

(And did any of these develop?)

Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush and W. R. Grace Co. will merge and become...Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace!

Polygram Records, Warner Bros. and Zesta Crackers join forces and become...Poly, Warner, Cracker!

3M will merge with Goodyear and become...MMM, Good!

Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco and Dakota Mining will merge and become...

Zip Audi Do Da!

Fed Ex is expected to join its competitor UPS and become...Fed Up!

Fairchild  Electronics and Honeywell Computer will become...Fair Well Honey child!

Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become...Poupon Pants!

Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization for Women will become...Knott NOW!

And finally...

Victoria's Secret and Smith & Wesson will merge under the new name...Titty, Titty, Bang, Bang!

(My appreciation to Tom for the foregoing)

It is Certain that any of the Following Leaders or Officials may have strongly considered the foregoing investments. Who is the most likely to be persuaded with such a venture in 2014???

Sometimes, it just won't do to be sober and serious when referring to someone in authority.  These terms help convey an irreverent tone about a lordly leader  or an officious official.

Big Cheese: Interestingly, this slang phrase for an important person has nothing to do with dairy products; derived from a Persian word, “chiz” , that means “thing”, it was adopted by British civil servants and others who lived in India during the early 19th century, whence it spread to Britain and other English-speaking countries.

Big Wheel:  This slang term for an influential person probably derives from the  idea that such a personage, like the wheels on a vehicle, facilitates progress (and the bigger, the better).

Big Wig:  This word for an important (and self-important) person likely stems from the custom in European countries several hundred years ago of men wearing wigs.  Some wealthy and/or powerful men tried to outdo each other by wearing outsize specimens and so were mocked as bigwigs.

Kingpin:  Several theories exist about the origin of this word for a leader, especially one in a criminal enterprise, but it is most likely derives from the idea of a key component in a machine.  (An alternate possible origin if the name for the pin at the apex of an array of pins in bowling games; if you strike the kingpin, presumably  all the other pins will fall.

Mandarin:  This word, ultimately derived from the Sanskrit term “mantra” ~ originally, came from a Portuguese word referring to Chinese Officials.  (Portugal was among the first Western nations to have any influence in China.)  By extension, it applies to bureaucrats, especially officious ones, though it also connotes an influential member of the intelligentsia or the literary elite.

(The foregoing from “Daily Writing Tips”)
(and there were other examples given)

Wisdom Truths

“With motivation…anything is possible

as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down!”

(Eminem)

Nelson Mandela stated:

“It always seems impossible…until it is done.”

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible;

then they seem improbable

and when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.

(Christopher Reeve)

Who’d have believed that Orville and Wilbur Wright, would by experiment, fly the first powered heavier-than-air controlled flight in history?

Who’d have believed that Elvis Presley, who as a boy attended church and all-night-gospel sings, would become the biggest “rock and roll” star in the 20^th century…causing girls to swoon and scream and boys to pick up guitars?

Who’d have believed that several Americans and Canadians have been accepted on a Mars-bound-spaceflight to become the first residents on the planet Mars???

Merle Baird-Kerr … crafted July 30, 2013

To comment...e-mail to:

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

My Wish for 2014

If I had just one wish

I know what it would be.

I'd tell my wonderful friends

Just what they mean to me!

This great year

has quickly passed

And now we face the New Year

That's almost here at last.

One thing I'd really like to do

Is say “Thank You, My Friends,

For all the special greetings

That you always send.”

I wish you days that are merry;

May your nights be starry and bright.

I pray that the New Year

For you...will be just right!

(the foregoing poem sent last year to me...from Sydney)

Now...I reflect on many activities

That used to be of interest:

Tennis, golf, skiing, dance ~

My heart says, “Yes” but my strength says, “No!”

Yet, I'll always love winter every year

With its glory of sparkling snow;

Evergreens laden, frost patterned windows,

'Tis season with joy of ski and skate.

Many were the times we prayed for snow!

It was the passion we had for a weekend ski.

Georgian Peaks, Blue Mountain, Horseshoe Valley;

Possibly The Laurentians 'tween Christmas and New Year.

Marnie's Volkswagen was our transportation;

 Skis and poles on the roof; bags and boots in the trunk.

We'd meet at 6:30 AM before the sunrise;

Arriving before lifts opened and ski all day.

Often, we followed tracks of the plow;

(We'd worry much later 'bout our homeward drive.)

If the snow was crisp...the hills very fast ~

Exhilaration was ours...as we skied most runs.

The only injury I had ~ a sprained right thumb;

More than once,  saw stars in my head

Taking a fall on an icy mogul

Or challenging some steepness beyond my skill.

Aah!  Those were the days...I still envision

A cosy chalet near the mountain's base;

 I'd  look above to the swaying gondola

 Soaring to the peak…thrilling  the downhill schuss.

I agree with Lady Bird Johnson who stated,

“When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season,

I'll know I'm growing old.”

My wish for you...Dear Friends

Is to discover your passion within.

Set Goals, Believe...and you will Succeed!

“What Day is this?” asked Pooh as he and Piglet walked in the snow.

“It's Today!” squeaked Piglet.

“My Favourite Day!” said Pooh.

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr … December 6, 2013
Comments always welcome...e-mail to:

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca
(Tell me of your winter adventures)

Collage...for January...2014

From Planet Earth Calendar (2010)

Rivers of Life:  In many ways, the river systems of Planet Earth are like the circulatory system of the  human body.  Certainly, water is the very life blood of our planet.  Without accessible fresh water, life cannot be sustained.  There are rivers in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.  Rivers are constantly being renewed...swelling with rains, floods and melting snows.  A variety of animals and plant life abounds beside the banks.  Man has also learned to divert the path of rivers in order to bring sustenance to more remote areas. Nature also diverts the course of rivers...refusing to be blocked.  Rivers bring nourishment.  They carry minerals and organic matter produced by erosion as the river runs its course.  They also provide us with an abundant of fish that thrive in the waters.  Just as we must guard against loss of precious blood in our bodies, so we must commit ourselves to preserving the purity and bounty of our rivers.

“Give a man a fish...and he'll eat for a day.

Teach him to fish...and  you'll get rid of him

for the whole weekend.”

(Viewed in a Deli Shoppe in Southbury, Connecticut)

Advice from the Canadian Red Cross

Winters in Canada are cold.  Be Prepared!  Know the Dangers of Ice!  Always check the ice thickness with local authorities before heading out.  Avoid going out on ice at night.

Did You Know?

(from the Canadian Wildlife Federation 2014 Calendar)

Red Foxes are exceptionally in tune with their senses...acute hearing helps them detect movement underground and their keen sense of smell helps them dig...to locate their prey.

MADD Facts

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has a lot of parents.

MADD is committed to helping parents, especially those with  high-schoolers, to navigate talking with teens about alcohol.  Your support enables parents to prevent the next generations of drunk drivers with directive programs...call 1-877-MADD-HELP.  Learn more at...madd.org.

FACT ~ on average, one in three people

will be involved in a drunk-driving-crash in their lifetime!

Special Event Days

January 1 (Wednesday) ~ New Year's Day

January 7 (Tuesday) ~ Orthodox Christmas

January 11 (Saturday) ~ Sir John A. MacDonald Day

January 14 (Tuesday) ~ Mohammed's Birthday

January 31 (Friday) ~ Chinese New Year

January Musing

The shortest day has passed and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to (January and February)...at least we notice the days are getting longer.  Minute by minute they lengthen out.  It takes some weeks before we come aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as growth of a child delighted, surprised us...we realize we can stay outdoors, when with the start of twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour.

(Vita Sackville-West)

Flower Garden Philosophy

“Plant a seed of Friendship; reap a bouquet of Happiness.”

(Lois L .Kaufman)

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr … January 1, 2014

All comments welcome...e-mail  to

inezkate@gmail.com  or  mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca