Growth is Painful...Change is Painful

but, nothing is as painful as staying stuck

where you don't want to be, wrote N.R. Narayana Murthy.

“Without 'continual growth and progress,

such words as improvement, achievement, and success

have no meaning,” (Benjamin Franklin)

Progressive Path: How We Can Help Grow Hamilton's Biodiversity

With a photo by Cathy Coward of 2 men and a dog 'canoeing in Cootes Paradise',

it is among the ways nature-oriented citizens can experience biodiversity.

Carolyn Zanchetta, (stewardship and education co-ordinator for the Hamilton Naturalists Club, wrote:

“Our little nook in Southern Ontario, is a biodiversity hot-spot. It is easy to forget how naturally diverse Hamilton truly is ~ and how much opportunity we have to immerse ourselves in nature and appreciate where we are. Cradled by the rocky Niagara Escarpment and at the edge of Lake Ontario, the variety of habitat is a unique benefit of living here!

“In one day you can hike along the mountain's edge on the Bruce Trail...

touring the many waterfalls...before taking a bike ride along the Waterfront Trail...and grabbing an ice cream by the beach...then meander through the meadows of the Dofasco 2000 Trail with outstretched hands greeting the numerous wildflowers.

“We live in the warm climate of the Carolinian life zone ~ a hotspot of biodiversity in Canada.

Nearly 400 different species of birds have been spotted here. Around 200 species stick around over the summer to rear their young.

Peregrine falcons nest on top of skyscrapers...a plethora of ducks dabble and wade around the harbour

and migrating warblers flit through the forest in bursts of yellow. Butterflies of 100 species like the 'giant swallow-tail'...and estimates of around 350 bee species following the flowers from garden to garden, finding their favourite plants. Dragonflies and damselflies fly low over the marsh, metallic colours glinting in the sunlight. At the northern limit of the Carolinian zone, Hamilton hosts a surprisingly large diversity of plants from sassafras and tulip trees to bellflower and yellow hyssop.

Follow the waterfalls down to Cootes Paradise and hear the frogs

calling in the spring evenings, identifying themselves by their croaks.

See basking turtles, as still as the logs they occupy.

“With 32 species of reptiles and amphibians in Hamilton, life is all around ~ and often hidden under rocks and logs along the forest floor. Get in a canoe to spot some of the 87 species of fish spawning and feeding throughout the creeks, marshes and lake. Among the the 43 mammal species in our city,

deer delight us as they make their way through the hydro corridor...opossums and raccoons waddle across the road in the night ~ and mice look for warmth and shelter from hunting owls.

Nature is all around and within our city!

Help to increase the biodiversity, by planting native wildflowers to attract pollinators!”

Progressive Improvement: Volunteers Collect 37,052 Cigarette Butts

The 'Butt Blitz' (a single day event) removed as much cigarette butt litter as possible from the environment. Most of the butts were picked up in the downtown BIA and on Kenilworth. Earlier, the city launched a 'litter prevention program' to remind smokers that cigarette butts should be disposed of in an ashtray or a receptacle.

In reply to this notice, Andy, from Ancaster, commented:

Personally, I've never smoked or even wanted to ~ especially when reading: “Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals such as arsenic and formaldehyde.” The norm has always been to throw the butts out of a car window while driving down the highway. This is disconcerting at night when a spark bounces off the road in front of you. Also, walking downtown, I see collections of butts in the curb outside restaurants and other establishments. A 'smoke-break' is part of a person's routines, but it doesn't need to be a 'litter break'!

Progressive Learning: Lessons Learned from University Students

“My advice to first year students is to be prepared for a huge transition. Try your best to develop good study habits in high school. Lower your expectations from high school to university. Try your best and aim for 'better next time'.Get involved and work hard ~ and have fun with all the new people.” (Sarah)

Mohamed advises: “University gives you the chance to get out of your comfort zone and meet new wonderful people. As an introvert, it was hard for me to keep a conversation, let alone start one! I challenged myself to speak to everone in my class. From then on, I gained many new friends and I was voted as a 'first year representative'. I recommend that you guys get out of your comfort zones.

“It's harder than high school. Don't procrastinate...never skip classes. Make good friends...and make the most of this experience,” stated Alsha from McMaster.

Vanessa from Trent University proclaims: Get involved! Join clubs and teams. Volunteer your time and get to know as many persons as possible. Really, immerse yourself in your University community because that's where you're going to make all your memories and do most of your learning.

Progressive Health: Eat Green!

Avocados are a good source of mono-unsaturated fat ~

the same type found in nuts, olive and canola oils.

Native avocado trees in South America had to compete with larger trees for sunshine. The larger pit supplied extra nutrients needed by a seeding to reach a height where it could be nourished by the sun.

One of the most popular varieties is the Hass avocado ~ named for a California mailman, Rudolph Hass who planted a seedling in his yard ~ giving it his last name.

Biologically, avocados are fruits ~ or more specifically, single seeded berries,

says the Hass Avocado Board.

Nutritionally, however, they are classified as healthful sources of fat ~

because they are a good source of monounsaturated fat.

Avocados are also deemed nutrient dense which means

they supply a boatload of nutrients for the calories we invest in them.

One third of a medium avocado supplies 80 calories...numerous vitamins...potassium...

magnesium... and dietary fibre.

Placing it in the refrigerator, it should last 2 to 3 days.

When saving the rest for another day, sprinkle the cut avocado with lemon or lime juice;

and store in the fridge in an air-tight container or covered with wrap to prevent 'browning.'

Ronald Reagen stated,

“There are no great limits to growth

because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination and views.

Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...May 4, 2019

Your views welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net