Local Human Tragedies

Several weeks ago, inspired by positive Hamilton Spectator headlines, I published a writing reporting to you of same. However, in recent issues, we read much about mankind's lack of kindness to others of his race. 'Tis said, You cannot have a positive life with a negative mind!

Beginning November 25, I recorded these captions:

Woman,70, killed in east end 'hit and run

Driver, 18, stable after crashing into a tree.

Horrors of Bullying told by a 16-year-old Hamilton boy

Voices Against Bullying stated:

It's about somebody taking their own power ~

and imposing it on somebody else in a hurtful way.

Body of man pulled from Lake Erie

Was shooting self- defence?

Police seek dangerous man who escaped

Fate of Detained Uighur Canadian in China

Agri-food Sector already reeling from a Bad Harvest

Untreated Sewage over 4 Years (Hamilton)

Man killed in crash on Highway 403, crossing over centre median ~

colliding with other vehicles

OPP search for missing teen

Man linked to Mtn.break-ins

Newborn (2 weeks old) offered 'for sale' on Craiglist ad

Child Welfare Award Doesn't Help all Indigenous Children

Where to Get Help

Distress @ Crisis, Ontario

Your Life Counts!

Connex Ontario@Good2Talk

Something SMELLS at City Hall

They Should be Ashamed!

And on the plus side:

“Leaker Should Get a Medal”

The Hamilton Spectator, on entire page 11,

published about 2 dozen letters in the section: “Readers Write”

finalizing with: Getting Caught is What Hurts!

(written by a Hamilton resident.)

November 25 issue: Woman 70, killed in east-end 'hit and run'

Driver, 18, stable, after crashing into a tree.

Horrors of Bullying.told by a 16-year-old Hamilton boy

Devan Selvey's stabbing death outside Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School

Rev. Ryk Brown (member of 'Vocies Against “Bullying stated

“Bullying is all about Power!”

Police looking for Missing Man

Flamborough Man gets 2 Years for Ponzi Scheme

(Dale) King said.,he bought a gun for Protection, after being robbed,

tied up and burned with boiling water.

Have You Seen This Person? Headed by a 1/4 page photo of Lilly Constant,

15 years old... blue eyes...blonde hair.

Police Investigating indecent act at Mountain Library

Seven-month jail sentence for man caught with child porn

Three children among victims of plane bound from Toronto to Quebec

All the foregoing was gleaned from The Hamilton Spectator,

published over a few days: thus ending my prolific reading of local experiences.

“A positive attitude causes a chain-reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.

It is a catalist ~ and it speaks extra-ordinary results,” according to Wade Boggs.

Matt Cameron's adivce: Live Life to the fullest and focus on the positive.

Perhaps the best advice: Life is not about negative circumstances that happen to you,

it's about what you do with the golden opportunities hidden within,” suggested by Rhonda Byrne.

* * * * * * * *

Ending on Positive Postings:

RED LIGHT CAMERAS

Use your HEAD ~ STOP at the RED!

A Plus for the Guys (with attached photo)

High School rowers finishing their early morning practice at Leander Boat Club.

Here, the crew of 4 carry their boat off the water

AND

High School sport participants also report fewer mental health issues

and dietary problems. ~ and less emotional stress

than those who do not play!

Assembled by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 29, 2019

Opinions respected: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Where Were You During World War II ~ Part 3

Anna could handle the farm work, though,

but she was always driven toward education.

She loved learning ~ but some things are easier said, than accomplished.

“I didn't have any schooling after Grade 8 because there was no school. So, I went to a country school that was kind of like high school. We were taught housekeeping and cooking. So I had to go on my bicycle.about 5 miles. And here came an airplane or two. The farmers were in the field ~ and I saw them shoot at the farmers. So, I dove into the ditch on the side of the road and put my body on top of the bicycle, so it wouldn't shine ~ making it so that they wouldn't see me and shoot at me. But, they were shooting at the farmers ~ and I bet you ~ those were just young kids in those airplanes. And, well the farmers, they fell. The planes left. I hopped on my bicycle and went to the next village.

Llife just goes on when you're in a war.

During school, they gave us a glass jar to go out and pick the bugs from the potato plants, because they were killing the crops and that was our source of food.

Potato soup, potato bread, potato pudding, potato everything!

“Eventually after the D-Day invasion, they had to get all the men that were capable into the war because there were not enough. And, as it turned out, they had to get my (eventual) husband,who was 17. The older guys were killed or couldn't do it anymore, so they got the kids and put them behind the gun.But, finally, the Allies arrived at Anna's village ~

and as American tank and infantry personnel started funneling their way

down the streets, everyone started to panic.

“I was scared when the Americans came into the village...with tanks and troops...and the farmers took us young girls and hid us up in the hayloft because they were afraid they would rape us.

Fear quickly gave way to relief. Thank God, it was over.

We could go, buy food again, little by little.

Whatever we had in our savings account wasn't worth anything anymore,

We got $50 per person to restart our lives..”

Anna spent the next nine years living in the countryside.

until she and her husband decided to move with their 2 young boys to Canada.in 1954.

Anna, 25 and Albert 28, settled in Wallaceburg, Ontario. ~ and had 2 more children, two girls.

“Canada from Day 1, meant to me freedom! I love Canada.. Freedom!”

When asked to define what freedom means to her, she says,

Wide open spaces...doing what you want to do...and not being afraid to do it.

“If there is a war today, I know what to do,but an average Canadian person,

especially children, wouldn't know what to do.

I automatically know that I can live off that land out there!

I can get some seeds...dig up the ground...and get going.

When asked if she had any advuce for the young people of today, she smiled:

“Experience as much as you can in life and take chances. But, please be safe.

A submitted photo of Anna Frey, dressed in pink, she has just turned 90.

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 14, 2019

Comments most welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Where Were You During World War II ~ Part 3

Anna could handle the farm work, though,

but she was always driven toward education.

She loved learning ~ but some things are easier said, than accomplished.

“I didn't have any schooling after Grade 8 because there was no school. So, I went to a country school that was kind of like high school. We were taught housekeeping and cooking. So I had to go on my bicycle.about 5 miles. And here came an airplane or two. The farmers were in the field ~ and I saw them shoot at the farmers. So, I dove into the ditch on the side of the road and put my body on top of the bicycle, so it wouldn't shine ~ making it so that they wouldn't see me and shoot at me. But, they were shooting at the farmers ~ and I bet you ~ those were just young kids in those airplanes. And, well the farmers, they fell. The planes left. I hopped on my bicycle and went to the next village.

Llife just goes on when you're in a war.

During school, they gave us a glass jar to go out and pick the bugs from the potato plants, because they were killing the crops and that was our source of food.

Potato soup, potato bread, potato pudding, potato everything!

“Eventually after the D-Day invasion, they had to get all the men that were capable into the war because there were not enough. And, as it turned out, they had to get my (eventual) husband,who was 17. The older guys were killed or couldn't do it anymore, so they got the kids and put them behind the gun.But, finally, the Allies arrived at Anna's village ~

and as American tank and infantry personnel started funneling their way

down the streets, everyone started to panic.

“I was scared when the Americans came into the village...with tanks and troops...and the farmers took us young girls and hid us up in the hayloft because they were afraid they would rape us.

Fear quickly gave way to relief. Thank God, it was over.

We could go, buy food again, little by little.

Whatever we had in our savings account wasn't worth anything anymore,

We got $50 per person to restart our lives..”

Anna spent the next nine years living in the countryside.

until she and her husband decided to move with their 2 young boys to Canada.in 1954.

Anna, 25 and Albert 28, settled in Wallaceburg, Ontario. ~ and had 2 more children, two girls.

“Canada from Day 1, meant to me freedom! I love Canada.. Freedom!”

When asked to define what freedom means to her, she says,

Wide open spaces...doing what you want to do...and not being afraid to do it.

“If there is a war today, I know what to do,but an average Canadian person,

especially children, wouldn't know what to do.

I automatically know that I can live off that land out there!

I can get some seeds...dig up the ground...and get going.

When asked if she had any advuce for the young people of today, she smiled:

“Experience as much as you can in life and take chances. But, please be safe.

A submitted photo of Anna Frey, dressed in pink, she has just turned 90.

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 14, 2019

Comments most welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

November's Autumn Reverie

Yesterday and Today, encouraged by October's sun ~

the leaves on trees are silently quiet ~

unmoved by wind or gentle breeze.

Nature did bring us a snow-white teaser

bringing omen of chill and what will seem

a winter, so eternal.

I wondered, driving my car ~ an October day,

this beautiful golden sun ~ I must enjoy

before it becomes 'cloud hidden'

its view I must... I must not bar.

My hibiscus 'bush' now early inside,

she's relinquished the frosty nights.

Near the windowed door ~

and neath the eyes of 'wolf clock'

o'er the winter, she'll abide.

And on this day.......

The sky is azure blue ~

Not a whisper escapes the pine;

Most birds have headed South

and the few remaining ~

perhaps wishing they, too, had flew!

This morning, I went on errands

to the library and 'Food Basics,'

No snow last night ~ the ground still bare.

Black leather gloves from their compartment

I retrieved, which my hands warmly greeted

as long-time winter friends

and into them, my fingers shoved.

Perhaps you too, have such reveries

you could share with others and me!

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr... published November 19, 2019

As always, your comments, appreciated:

mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

What Were You Doing During World War II ~ Part 2

Where Were You During World II ~ Part 2

Germany had now been at war for almost two and half years

and food shortages and bombing raids were taking centre stage

in the family's daily struggle to survive.

“I was in public school until Grade 8 and the war was going on ~ so there was no more schooling. Every day, the sirens would go off ~ and we would have to sit in the basement because they were bombing: the Americans by day ~ and the British and Canadians by night.

And we went out of our beds and down into the damp, stone basement

for two to three hours at a time. I still see the sky, black with bombers.

.

Our apartment house had a roof garden and when my father returned from Poland

to visit and the alarms went off ~ my father and I ran up to the roof garden to look ~

and we saw them coming ~ and saw them drop the bombs.”

“The seriousness was the complete shortage of food that had most of the war-ravaged countries grabbed by the throat. When you had nothing to eat (or very little to eat), my mother got a quarter-pound of liver sausage for a family of six. ~ and she had to lock it into the kitchen cupboard, so my brother wouldn't get it. He being 5 years old and hungry would have eaten the whole thing in one bite. But then, we would all go hungry, So she had to hide it away. Bad times! Very bad times!”

“Food distribution was run by the government using food stamps ~ being able often only for water, tea, butter, no sugar and not much flour. Eventually, the toll on civilians was becoming too much for even Hitler ~ and he decided to move all the families with children out of the main cities and into the countryside. The farmers had to take us in ~ and they did not like that! Since we were 5 kids, we were all on different farms, except for the two youngest, who were with our mother.

The farmers, felt this was a tremendous burden to endure

while still caring for their own families and fields throughout the war. “We had to work...we had to work in the fields...get the potatoes...work when the pig was killed...work, work, work...and, I was only 12 or 13,she said. We had to keep working, so we would be allowed to visit our mother.

“One day they were told that a massive raid on Frankfurt was underway. The allies were dropping incendiary bombs on the city trying to break the will of the German population. Years of bombing specific targets, had taken place ~ but never seemed to solve things long enough.

So, a blanket bombing the city was ordered. 

Anna's mother knew that they still had valuables in their apartment,

most importantly 2 feather beds ~ and she sent Anna on a cross-country train ride to retrieve them. She was 13 years old. When she returned to her home alone, the neighbourhood was in ruins and smoke...fire and bomb craters all around. “So I went to the apartment and got the feather beds ~ and I had to get back to the train station with my 2 big valuable sacks. People there helped me ~ they could see my problem.The trains were packed full...they were hanging outside...and on top of the roof. And I had to get in with my big feather beds. But, they helped me...they stuffed the beds in....stuffed me in...closed the door...and the train was off.. That was the last time I saw Frankfurt for 60 years.”

She then made her way back to the countryside ~ and back to work.

Be sure to read Part 3 ~ ensuing in my last issue.

Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...November 13, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Where Were You During World War II

Fortunately, my father had a productive farm ~

raising crops of grain, corn and fruit orchards ~

and was not solicited personally for war duty.

A couple of times, we drove to The States to procure items, unavailable through war-savings stamps (or at limited supply here at home.) Certain foods, nylon stockings and gasoline for vehicle and tractor ~

the latter purchased in Ontario near the U.S. border.

How a Teen-Aged Girl Watched and Lived

as the Second World War Exploded Around Her

Alex Day, a member of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's D-Day Commemorative Gala Committee contrbuted this writing. Her experiences, I share with you in 3 or 4 episodes.

“She was 13, the day she was sent into her family's burning apartment building ~ to rescue a feather bed . I was just a kid, said Anna Elisabeth Graumann. But my world was already big. It had to be.

Anna, now 90 and living at the Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington,

was born on April 17, 1929 in the German city ~ being a hub that was home to a massive railway complex that connected the people of Germany. Her father, a First World War veteran, was a police constable. Her mother had 5 children at home. Anna was the eldest of her two brothers and sisters ~ thrusting her into a more mature role right away.

Germany, like the rest of the world, was suffering through the Great Depression in the 1930's ~ and the country was hungry, literally and figuratively for a hero. To them, Adolf Hitler was that man! When Hitler came, he gave all the Germans, work. That's why everybody stood and said Hail Hitler. The same sentiment was echoed by the population after the German blitzkrieg of Poland in 1939.

You would hear it on the radio ~ Germany had won Poland

and everyone was happy about it because it was Hitler! He did it!

“To Anna, then a 10-year-old girl, Hitler was nothing more than 'the talk of the town.' She saw him standing in his car...saluting as he drove past thousands of adoring.cheering Germans in Frankfurt.
To her, it was just exciting news ~ that Germany was thriving again.

But soon, her father was transferred to a government position in the post office in Poland after its fall ~

and that made Anna the oldest person for her mother to turn to. She would take her 4 siblings to the park every day so her mother could rest for a half-hour or more. She would clean the apartment and bathe the kids ~ and even began her love of cooking from her mother.

“Hitler also had a plan for the children of Germany: He often said that they were the future of the Reich ~ and he wanted them indoctrinated in Nazi doctine early in life.The Hitler Youth!

The mandatory attendance for those of age, ensured they got a good taste of Hitler's Ideology.

It was masked by being a group for the 'team-building ' and 'cohesiveness' for young Germans.

Hitler had the youth...the boys and girls.

And we had to go to the meetings...and if we didn't go,

there would be an SS man at our door asking:

Anna wasn't at the meeting today. Why wasn't she there?

When Anna did have free time, she spent it looking forward to any chance she got to visit her grandmother in her second floor apartment. Her grandmother would always ensure to slip Anna a few cents so she could see a local show. That second floor apartment had a row of windows that allowed an easy side-to-side view of the street below. The same street, Anna and her siblings would draw hopscotch on with some chalk to keep themselves entertained.

One day, something strange took place on the street.

Something that Anna and her family didn't understand at the time.

We looked out the window and here were trucks across the street...and here were soldiers...and the people were forced into the trucks. They had to go into the trucks! We saw that they took clothing...snd bags...and feather beds...and they had to go into the trucks. But we didn't know what was going on.

We had no idea ! Later, we found out:

“Those were the Jews living in the house ~ and I'm ice cold when I think about it.

They got the people out of their apartments ~

and took them to concentration camps.

I didn't know anything Jewish...or German...or Russsian...or Polish.

We were all people.

Like those Jews who were across the street ~ they were 'just across the street.'

They were people just like I was.

Be sure to read Part 2 ~ ensuing in my next issue.

Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...November 9, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

..

Unconditional Love

We patronize the animals for their incompleteness.

for their tragic fate of having take form so far below our selves.
And therein we err ~ and greatly err.

For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours,

they are more finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained ~ living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren...they are not underlings...they are other Nations
caught with ourselves in the net of life and time ~

fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

(Henry Beston)

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons.

They were not made for humans any more than

black people were made for white ~ or woman created for men.

(Alice Walker)

Recalling my childhood, Mom related that when my older sister was born, our part-Collie/Shepherd dog, was introduced to the baby in the crib. Nero placed his front paws on the crib...and looking at Mom...he chatted happily with her about his joy...and the baby 'cooing'at him,

It was a 3-way conversation.

Although a farm dog, Nero had a reciprocal bonding with his family humans.

'Tis said, Man's Best Friend is his dog ~

yet often, Dog's best friend is His Master.

Nero and my father had this reciprocal bonding. My favourite dog was Kiska, a black and white Siberian Huskie.we raised in the city when my son and daughter were teen-age. I was delightfully pleased when my son outfitted Kiska with a harness ~ so she could pull him on his skis.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

Today is Remembrance Day:

I submit to you excerpts from a writing by Lee Berthiaume

published in The Canadian Press:

Remembering Those Animals Who Served Canada ~ including 'Winnie'

Not all of those who served Canada ~ and in some cases, laid down their lives ~ have been people.
And while much attention in recent weeks has focused on 'Conan,, the U.S. military dog' who helped hunt down the leader of the Islamic State, Canada has its own legacy of animal heroes.

Tens of thousands of horses, dogs and other animals have served Canada

and the Canadian military during war and peace.

They have helped with everything from transporting equipment and supplies

to carrying messages ~ to saving troops under fire.

Their sacrifices are memorialized in a monument erected in 2012 near the National War Memorial in Ottawa ~ while a select few have also received the “Dicken Medal” which was created by a British woman in 1943 to honour those who have shown bravery and devotion. Here is a short list:

Gander: This Newfoundland dog was given to the Royal Rifles of Canada, while they were stationed at Gander International Airport at the beginning of the Second World War. He travelled with the regiment to Hong Kong, shortly before Japan attacked the British colony in December 1941. Gander attacked and chased off Japanese troops on at least two occasions.

Beachcomber, a carrier pigeon, who travelled with Canadian forces
during the ill-fated raid on the French port of Dieppe in August 1942.

Shortly after the battle started, Canadian soldiers released 'Beachcomber'

to relay the first news of their successful landing at Dieppe, back to England.

Bonfire: Many Canadians know of Lt.-Col. John McCrae who captured the horrors and loss of war in his poem 'In Flanders Fields,' during the First World War. Few may know, he took his horse 'Bonfire' when he went to Europe with the Canadian military. When writing home to his nephews and nieces under 'Bonfire's name' ~ he signed it with a hoof-print.

Hughes: Canadian military engineers purchased this pint-sized-donkey

from a group of Afghan National Army soldiers

to help carry heavy equipment and supplies during Canada's war in Afghanistan.

But 'Hughes' quickly became more than just a pack animal,

thanks to his role in helping Canadian military engineers unwind in Kandahar.

Winnie the Pooh: No list of famous animals associated with the Canadian military would be complete without everyone's favourite bear. Purchased by Canadian veterinarian and soldier, Harry Colebourn and named after his adopted hometown of Winnipeg, this black bear would cross the Atlantic to England with Canadian soldiers during the First World War.

Indigenous Deer Harvest This Month

When, a few years ago, we were informed through The Spec, about the hunting of deer tthroughout the Dundas Valley, I was sincerely upset with the 'killing of the deer.' Such beautiful creatures! It is important to understand, that culling them yearly, keeps their herd in check for the limited area in which they dwell. Deer meat is also beneficial to the existing aboriginal peoples.

The annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest in the Dundas Valley,

will take place again this year under similar rules as last year.

The Haudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority and Hamilton Conseravtion Authority agreed that harvesting will take place in two areas of the Dundas Valley from Monday to Thursday between November 11 and December 5. The number of deer to be harvested by archery, is limited to 60.

These Working Cats Earn Their Keep

The orange/white tabby with green eyes captured my attention

as this feline stares into a dark hiding to locate a meal.

Andrea Sachs recently reported to theWashington Post: “My friends call me the rat killer, says Ralph Brabham, standing in his back yard in Washington. Brabham is a gentle man who hardly seems capable of splatting a spider, much less offing a rodent, But with a rat burrow on his neighbour's side of the fence, he had no choice. “I put out a ton of traps,” he says, “ I caught 3 rats in 30 minutes.” The last time the unwelcome guests visited, they would meet a new weapon of rat destruction ~ Gypsy ~ a cat with a proclivity for pest control. Gypsy is one or more than 270 former strays enrolled in the Blue Collar Cats program run by the Humane Rescue Alliance. Two years ago, the organization created a third way for feral cats unfit for adoption, because of their misanthropic tendencies.

Previously, such cats were candidates for euthanasia.

But, with this program, available in the Washington area, the animals can remain semi-wild: They reside outdoors, but under the care of a home owner or business. In exchange for sustenance and shelter, they patrol places rife with rodents and other nuisances.

Compiled by MerleBaird-Kerr...November 11, 2019

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Unconditional Love

We patronize the animals for their incompleteness.

for their tragic fate of having take form so far below our selves.
And thErein we err ~ and greatly err.

For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours,

they are more finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained ~ living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren...they are not underlings...they are other Nations
caught with ourselves in the net of life and time ~

fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

(Henry Beston)

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons.

They were not made for humans any more than

black people were made for white ~ or woman created for men.

(Alice Walker)

Recalling my childhood, Mom related that when my older sister was born, our part-Collie/Shepherd dog, was introduced to the baby in the crib. Nero placed his front paws on the crib...and looking at Mom...he chatted happily with her about his joy...and the baby 'cooing'at him,

It was a 3-way conversation.

Although a farm dog, Nero had a reciprocal bonding with his family humans.

'Tis said, Man's Best Friend is his dog ~

yet often, Dog's best friend is His Master.

Nero and my father had this reciprocal bonding. My favourite dog was Kiska, a black and white Siberian Huskie.we raised in the city when my son and daughter were teen-age. I was delightfully pleased when my son outfitted Kiska with a harness ~ so she could pull him on his skis.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

Today is Remembrance Day:

I submit to you excerpts from a writing by Lee Berthiaume

published in The Canadian Press:

Remembering Those Animals Who Served Canada ~ including 'Winnie'

Not all of those who served Canada ~ and in some cases, laid down their lives ~ have been people.
And while much attention in recent weeks has focused on 'Conan,, the U.S. military dog' who helped hunt down the leader of the Islamic State, Canada has its own legacy of animal heroes.

Tens of thousands of horses, dogs and other animals have served Canada

and the Canadian military during war and peace.

They have helped with everything from transporting equipment and supplies

to carrying messages ~ to saving troops under fire.

Their sacrifices are memorialized in a monument erected in 2012 near the National War Memorial in Ottawa ~ while a select few have also received the “Dicken Medal” which was created by a British woman in 1943 to honour those who have shown bravery and devotion. Here is a short list:

Gander: This Newfoundland dog was given to the Royal Rifles of Canada, while they were stationed at Gander International Airport at the beginning of the Second World War. He travelled with the regiment to Hong Kong, shortly before Japan attacked the British colony in December 1941. Gander attacked and chased off Japanese troops on at least two occasions.

Beachcomber, a carrier pigeon, who travelled with Canadian forces
during the ill-fated raid on the French port of Dieppe in August 1942.

Shortly after the battle started, Canadian soldiers released 'Beachcomber'

to relay the first news of their successful landing at Dieppe, back to England.

Bonfire: Many Canadians know of Lt.-Col. John McCrae who captured the horrors and loss of war in his poem 'In Flanders Fields,' during the First World War. Few may know, he took his horse 'Bonfire' when he went to Europe with the Canadian military. When writing home to his nephews and nieces under 'Bonfire's name' ~ he signed it with a hoof-print.

Hughes: Canadian military engineers purchased this pint-sized-donkey

from a group of Afghan National Army soldiers

to help carry heavy equipment and supplies during Canada's war in Afghanistan.

But 'Hughes' quickly became more than just a pack animal,

thanks to his role in helping Canadian military engineers unwind in Kandahar.

Winnie the Pooh: No list of famous animals associated with the Canadian military would be complete without everyone's favourite bear. Purchased by Canadian veterinarian and soldier, Harry Colebourn and named after his adopted hometown of Winnipeg, this black bear would cross the Atlantic to England with Canadian soldiers during the First World War.

Indigenous Deer Harvest This Month

When, a few years ago, we were informed through The Spec, about the hunting of deer tthroughout the Dundas Valley, I was sincerely upset with the 'killing of the deer.' Such beautiful creatures! It is important to understand, that culling them yearly, keeps their herd in check for the limited area in which they dwell. Deer meat is also beneficial to the existing aboriginal peoples.

The annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest in the Dundas Valley,

will take place again this year under similar rules as last year.

The Haudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority and Hamilton Conseravtion Authority agreed that harvesting will take place in two areas of the Dundas Valley from Monday to Thursday between November 11 and December 5. The number of deer to be harvested by archery, is limited to 60.

These Working Cats Earn Their Keep

The orange/white tabby with green eyes captured my attention

as this feline stares into a dark hiding to locate a meal.

Andrea Sachs recently reported to theWashington Post: “My friends call me the rat killer, says Ralph Brabham, standing in his back yard in Washington. Brabham is a gentle man who hardly seems capable of splatting a spider, much less offing a rodent, But with a rat burrow on his neighbour's side of the fence, he had no choice. “I put out a ton of traps,” he says, “ I caught 3 rats in 30 minutes.” The last time the unwelcome guests visited, they would meet a new weapon of rat destruction ~ Gypsy ~ a cat with a proclivity for pest control. Gypsy is one or more than 270 former strays enrolled in the Blue Collar Cats program run by the Humane Rescue Alliance. Two years ago, the organization created a third way for feral cats unfit for adoption, because of their misanthropic tendencies.

Previously, such cats were candidates for euthanasia.

But, with this program, available in the Washington area, the animals can remain semi-wild: They reside outdoors, but under the care of a home owner or business. In exchange for sustenance and shelter, they patrol places rife with rodents and other nuisances.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 11, 2019

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Remembrance Day ~ November 11

In 1915, Canadian soldier John McCrae who served in the Second Battle of Ypres in Flanders, Belgium, wrote a poem InFlanders Fields in remembrance of a fallen comrade who died in battle and was buried with a simple cross as a marker ~ fields that once alive with poppies, are now filled with the bodies of soldiers who died in action. The poem highlights one of the ironies of war: that soldiers must die so that a nation of people might live.

In Flanders Fields, the poppies bloom

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place and in the sky;

The larks still bravely singing,

fly scarce heard amid the guns below.

(John McCrae)

Jose Nuresky stated: In war, there are no un-wounded soldiers.

Pierre Trudeau proudly stated:

Our hopes are high...

Our faith in the people are great...

Our courage is strong.

And our dreams for this beautiful country,

will never die.

Adrienne Clarkson observed:

We only need to look at what we are really doing in the world and at home

and we will know what it is to be a Canadian.

This heritage of freedom, I pledge to uphold

for myself and all mankind.

(John Diefenbaker)

“Canada has also been known for its peaceful people...vibrant culture...

and beautiful countryside.

More than that, Canada is known for its patriotism.” (Unknown Author)

“I am Grateful for Canada”

wrote Abdullah Ahmad (Hamilton) in response to comments by

Malala Yousafzai on April 20, 2017 in the Hamilton Spectator.

Granting Malala Yousafzai an honorary citizenship has re-emphasized that Canada operates synonomously with the values of peace, tolerance and acceptance. My family and I were personal recipients of Canada's mercy,( as we fled to, as refugees from religious persecution that plagued my country) which offers equal opportunity for all ~ irrespective of race, gender, culture ~ it may be easy to take these values as granted.

An example is education. Malala spoke about the importance

of equal education among the genders.

It is important for all Canadians to understand that in some parts of the world,

these rights are non-existent.

As an Ahmadi Muslim, I am extremely grateful that Canada has accepted my family

and me with open arms ~ and hope that we continue to be world leaders

in the matters of tolerance and diversity.

I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear...

free to worship in my own way...

free to stand for what I think right...

free to oppose what I think wrong...

free to choose who shall govern my country.

(Unknown author)

Statement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

on Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June 27, 2018

As the first country in the world to adopt a policy of 'multiculturalism' time time again, that diversity and inclusion are sources of strength and at the heart of success.
One fifth of Canadians were born elsewhere

and chose to immigrate to Canada.

Vibrant, progressive and diverse, our towns and cities have become 'windows to the world'

because of the people who have made them home.
While we have much to celebrate, we need to recognize that the Canadian reality has not been, ~ and is not today ~ welcoming, fair and equal for everybody.

As Canadians, we must work even harder to create a level playing field that expands opportunity and gives a voice to all. Canada is successful and prosperous because generation after generation, of Canadians have embraced this task ~ and challenged themselves ~ and each other, to broaden our understanding of what it means to be an open, compassionate ~ and accepting country.

As we mark the 30^th anniversary of the Canadian Multicultural Act, I call on all Canadians to put our values into practice ~ and embrace the difference that make us strong.

We are all custodians of Canada's character.

May we never forget ~ or take it for granted, that Canada is an accepting, compassionate and respective country ~ and an example to the world, because we are accepting, compassionate and respective of each other.

On behalf of the Government of Canada,

I invite all Canadians to take part in the many activities being held across the country ~

and to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions

that people of all backgrounds have made and continue to make, to Canadian society.

To comment about the foregoing and essence of this writing:

respond to mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

(written November 3, 2019)