Holiday Spirit

With a New Year, comes a new Opportunity
to pause and think about the year's new challenges

with a fresh perspective.

New Year's Day is the first blank page of a 365-page-book ~

its pages are blank ~ waiting for us to write words ~

called Opportunities.

Wearing a black tilted top-hat...he, with bulging tummy...and no socks on his barren feet, Mr Snowman smiles...and holding his broom, he brings country wishes. Behind him is a country home with icy-flowing stream in front, Snowy brings Seasonal Greetings and Winter Wishes.

'Twas the night before Christmas and out on the ranch,

The pond was froze over and so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.

The kids were at home on vacation from school.

And happier young folks you never did see...

Just sprawled around a-wathin' TV
Then, suddenly, sometime around 8 o'clock,

There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead!

When Grandpa came in from the shed,

With an amount of wood, the house was all dark.

'Just what I expected,' they heard him remark.

Them power line wires must be down from the snow.

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago.'

“I'll hunt up some candles,' said Mom. 'With their light
And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right.'

The teenagers all seemed enveloped in gloom.

Then, Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,

Uncased his old fiddle & started to play
That old Christmas song about bells and a sleigh.

Mom started to sing & first thing they knew,

Both Pop & the kids were singing it too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang 'Holy Night'

Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.

They stayed up till midnight ~ and would you believe

The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;

And when the kids awakened, the power was on.

“The power company sure got the line repaired quick,”

Said Grandpa ~ and no one suspeced his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,
He had pulled the main switch ~ the old “Son -of-a-Gun!

(Anonymous)

Charles Lamb stated, “New Year's Day is every man's Birthday.

As we grow older, we learn new lessons and become better versions of oursleves.

“May your coming year, be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.

I hope you read some fine books. And that you kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful.”

(Author unknown)

Never under-estimate the power you have

to take your life in a new direction.

Every moment is a fresh beginning.
I like the dreams of the future

better than the history of the past.

(a notation from one of my readers)

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 28, 2019

To reply: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

The Best of Me

Having recently read this novel, I am inspired
to consider its application to our hopes and prayers

for the year 2020.

“Jarod, due to a vehicle accident, was in hospital ~ awaiting a necessary 'heart transplaant' ~ who asked his mother, Am I going to have a normal life? Confusion and apprehension played across his youthful features. He understood that his future had been irrevocably altered. The doctors told me that the average transplant lasts 15 to 20 years years, then I'll probably need another heart.

Replying, his mother wisely said, there are so many things you still haven't experiencd:

like graduating from college,
the thrill of buying a home,
the excitement of having that perfect job
or meeting the girl of your dreams and falling iin love.

Jared didn't show any signs of having heard her, but she could tell by his alert stillness that he was listening. You will still be able to do all these things...you'll make mistakes and struggle like everyone...but when you're with the right person, you'll feel almost perfect joy and feel like

 the luckiest person who ever lived. Patting his arm, she continued, In the end, a heart-transplant has nothing to do with any of these things...because, you're still alive! And that means you will love...and be loved...and nothing else really matters. And, Jarod lay there without moving.

Tentatively he asked, “You really believe everything you just said?”

* * * * * * * *

Best Advice for the Incoming 2020 Year

“Write it in your heart, that every day is the best day
 in the year.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

“Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing ~

 it's about Doing, Being and Becoming. (Unknown)

  “ I like dreams of the future,

better than history of the past (Unknown author).

Some things go in one ear and out the other, but when you learn

 just the right message...at the right moment...and from the right person, 

it impacts you.

Ray Goforth states, “There are two types of people

who will tell you, that you cannot make a difference in this world:

those who are afraid to try

and those who are afraid you will succeed.”

From observation, Henry Ford said, “ Whether you think you CAN

or think you CAN'T ~ you're right!

Wit from Albert Einstein:

Creativity is Intelligence having fun.

Unable to improve upon the foregoing thoughts of wisdom,
I wish everyone ~ Happy New Year ~ and

 May all your Dreams Come True!

Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 26, 2019

As always, comments most welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Seasonal Considerations

People will walk in ~ and walk out of your life ~

but the one whose footstep made a long-lasting impression
is the one you should never allow to walk out.
(Michael Bassey Johnson)

Santa, Can You Send Me a Relationship for Christmas?

In response to the letter-writer's plea, Ellie wrote about this girl
(a 34-year-old female...working full time...and doing volunteer work

which has made her dating quite challenging. She then wrote to Santa!)

Since I last wrote you, Santa, I finished elementary and high school, then got undergraduate and graduate degrees. I did volunteer work in Southeast Asia ...then some freelance writing about it ...and landed a job in the public service. For Christmas this year, I want lots of snow.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are two of the ways I love to spend my weekends.

My second wish? A date or two that could turn into a long-time relationship.

Dating sites aren''t working out for me. Though I've gone on some nice dates, with some interesting men, you, Santa, have a much broader reach than those sites. So, maybe Santa, you know of someone who's outdoorsy...kind...loves his Mom (from a healthy distance)...and is open to an adventurous life.
It would also be great if he worked full time!

To her request, Elle stated, “ This column is not a dating or match-making service. “

Elle's Tip of the Day

Pursue your interests and seek like-minded people ~ and you, not Santa,
will find your next relationship.

Help Save Cootes Paradise from Sewage with Your Old Christmas Tree

RBG scientists want to build a yuletide barrier between

ongoing contamination in Chedoke Creek and the environmentally sensitive marsh.

Barry Gray's photo illustrates a man tossing his Christmas tree into a provided space.

Blue Jays: Starter Roark

Yes, Readers, I'm well aware this is onlyDecember.

.However, I'm also aware that professional sports team owners and managers
seek to fill necessary positions on their teams.

A baseball columnist wrote: “The reason right-hander Tanner Roark decided to sign with the Blue Jays boiled down to one simple concept: They made him feel wanted. Toronto was the first team to reach out to Roark's representatives when 'free agency' opened last month. The Blue Jays organization maintained constant communication from start to finish. There were lengthy phone conversations with both the pitching coach and the bullpen coach. The club provided stats showcasing the defensive talents of its young talented catchers. The Jays wanted Roark to feel as comfortable as possible before 'signing on the dotted line.' As most of you know, I've been a Blue Jay's fan ~ since way back to the days when prior to the Major League, they were known as The Toronto Maple Leafs...playing in the International League.. games played in Maple Leaf Stadium located in the city's western end.

Holiday Gifts for Four-Legged Family Members

Shoppers are busy 'making lists and checking them twice' should ensure they don't overlook the family pet. Christmas has gone to cats and dogs as a greater number of people include their companion animals when selecting gifts each year ~ gifts ranging from everyday needs like food and treats ~ to more lavish extravagances like 'spa treatments. Other purchase gifts may be: Natural Pet Products... Specialty Pet Services...Mobile Pet Grooming...and here are a few more:

Pet DNA test to trace breed and ancestry
Interactive puzzles to keep pets engaged to banish boredom

Stylish storage baskets for pet toys

Hidden cat litter or dog crate items to camouflage commonly used pet items

Heated pet bed for cozy nights and mornings

Vests, coats and sweaters to look good and remain comfortable
Pet Gifts are popular this time of year~ ensuring all family members have a treat to open.

Solutions to Life

(stated by Roy T. Bennett)

Instead of worrying about what you cannot control,

shift your energy to what you can create.

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...written December 22, 2019

Comments always welcome...mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Christmas in the Caribbean

Christopher Columbus wrote:

”As soon as I arrived in the Indies, in the first island which I found,

I took some of the natives by force ~ in order that they might learn and might give me

some information (about whatever there is in those parts). And, so it was, they soon understood us ~ and we then, either by speech or by signs ~ and they have been very serviceable!”

No man is an island, entirely of itself;

every man is a piece of the continent.

(... famous quote by John Donne)

My son, home for 10 days from university...my daughter (a teenager whom I had to keep busy)...and I (divorced from marriage) pondered, What could I do for a memorable Christmas family vacation?

One of the best decisions I ever made

was booking us on a cruise ship to visit a few islands in the Caribbean!

We each took gifts to exchange on Christmas Eve while on sail.

How glorious and memorable this Christmas was!

My son made friends and hobnobbed with the Greek crew...my daughter discovered a girl in similar circumstances( as she was) with whom to 'hang out.' I happily observed their participation in ship activities. On Christmas Eve we docked at Curacao ~ my daughter, with exceeding joy, discovered a McDonalds within her sight ~ and off she dashed!!!

Such a pleasure to see Christmas decorations in tropical countries!

Surprising to me was to note that some of the larger stores

had imported tall evergreens to decorate as we do in Canada!

Returning to the ship, on the open deck,the cruise ship band played Christmas carol music for all the passengers to enjoy the Christmas experience...even with a magnificent voice, a passenger gentleman stood before the mike and sang for us O Holy Night!

The last day of this Caribbean cruise, we spent in Aruba.

The north coast was rugged with rocks and deep waters;

the south coast invited us to waters calm and placid...

and this was ready-made for tourists like us!

'Twas a Christmas holiday we've long remembered!

Norman Vincent Peale said, “Christmas is the season of joy and of families united.”

Ronald Reagan further suggests that Christmas is a holiday

that we celebrate, not as individuals ...nor as a nation...

but as a human family.

“Christmas is a time to appreciate the love of family and friends

and a time to express our gratefulness for every blessing

bestowed upon us.” (Unknown author)

Merry Christmas to all ~ wherever you be.

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 13, 2019

Citations from Newspaper Readers

Who Said What Recently

“It's like being punched in the gut. My heart jumps to my stomach when I realize he's 
tweeted about me again. The President of the U.S. is calling me names to the entire world. 

He's demeaning me and my career.”

Lisa Page, former FBI lawyer who became a frequent target of Donald Trump
 after criticizng him during his candidacy in 2016,

ending nearly two years of public silence.

“Too little has been done before, almost nothing. But we'll go stadium by stadium,
 sector by sector, and identify these people to keep them out of there.”

Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Italy's top soccer league,

on the rampant racism among soccer fans.

“There are several reasons we find this problematic,” stated OlavNjoelstad,

director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

He was troubled that Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmid, the 2019 Nobel Prize winner

won't attend any event next week where he could be asked questions publicly.

Ethiopia has seen violent unrest.

“I think people are understanding the force of angry kids. If they want us to stop
 being angry, then maybe, they should stop making us angry.”

Climaate activist, Greta Thunberg, on criticism from some leaders

about the tone of her speeches.

“This is not some sordid sex story; this is a story about being trafficked. This is a story
 about abuse ~ and this is a story of your guys' loyalty.”

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, speaking to the BBC in an hour-long documentary.

The American has claimed she was forced to have sex with Britain's Prince Andrew

when she was 17.

(the foregoing, appearing in Hamilton's Spectator, December 7, 2019)

My Home and the Air I Breathe are Poisoned by Second-hand Pot Smoke

Heather MacDonald-Archer stated “There is no such thing as a right to fresh, clean air.

Although I've fought for it from childhood, it has eluded me

right through smoking bans in work places and pubic buildings. It's a losing battle!

I grew up with smoking parents ~ smoking was cool...acceptable...and social.

But,surrounded by the cigarette smoke of family and friends, I spent a lot of my childhood in
 bed ~ almost dying from asthma, waiting for the doctor to arrive with the magic syringe that would
 release the chains from my chest. It was so bad, the doctor taught my clergyman faather
 how to boil the syringe...draw the adrenelin from the ampoul ...and instructed him on
 just how much could be administered to keep me going, but not kill me.

During my frequent attacks, my mother kept an eye on my breathing

while shouting down the staircase, “Hurry up: her lips are blue

and my Dad prepared the meds.

I was overwhelmed with joy when the first pocket inhaler became available ~ when I was 10.

I could ride my bike ~ and do kid things ~ without the fear of being felled,
 gasping and wheezing . These effective inhalers were always with me:

in my purses...and coat pockets...I wouldn't go to school, shopping without it.

I got married, carrying a puffer. It's a miracle!

Asthma is often outgrown, but I'm well over 60 ~ and as I write,

my puffer sits beside me.

The condition often goes hand in hand with severe allergies and eczema

and I've got both.The allergies are often aided

to some degree with anti-histamines.

“Lots of my friends smoke: their choice! You can run air purifiers...we have three..
.dealing with the problem. But no purifier can really handle pot smoke ~ and I'm deadly allergic
 to it. My throat itches and closes in...my lungs spasm...and I start to wheeze and gasp.

 I open windows and sliding doors.

But we have some pot smokers on our floor ~ we are between a rock and a hard place!

And I am sick ~ physically and at heart. This is the dark side of legal marijuana.

No clean air for me ~ it's illegal, apparently.”

Knowing When It's Time to Shut Up and Listen

(written by Paul Berton, (Editor-in-chief of the Hamilton Spectator)

“Aging white men got another lesson from Don Cherry: Stop Talking and Listen!

But most are not listening ~ they're still talking (yelling)...writing letters...tweeting...posting...and calling news editors. Over an entire career of of conversations with readers, many ot them annoyed, angry or outraged, I have never felt the need to raise my voice. But, I did this week during a call 
with a reader complaining about the treatment in the media concerning a hockey commentator.
 I barely got a word in ~ he was talking and not listening! The world is changing, usually for the better, despite what some may think. Angry rants about the good old days or making things great again may play well to some audiences ~ but we can't go back ~ and we can't stand still.

Journalism has always championed new ideas...supported and even agitated for change...

and defended what is progressive...because after all, life must progress!

Each of us interprets that differently, but aging white men (including me)
 should take particular note before we let loose in anger ~even if it's just for show.

They have much to teach ~ but much to learn also.

It was the same for our parents ~ one day, it will be the same for our children.

The foregoing, applauded by Merle Baird-Kerr...written December 5, 2019

Opinions respected: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Connection to Wildlife

Yearly, the Canadian Wildlife Federation sends me

a wonderful calendar featuring monthly photos by Nature photographers.

So delighted am I to daily reference each for my activities.

Prior to saying 'Adieu' to 2019, I happily send you

comments from May to December.

MAY: The Gray Treefrog can be active from April to until the beginning of October. Growing up to six centimetres in length, the female is is usually larger than the male. Depending on light and temperature conditions, the Gray Tree frog can change its colouration becoming lighter or darker.

JUNE: The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in Canada. It has elaborate courtship displays and often nest in colonies. The male and the female share nurturing duties: both incubate the eggs and feed their young. The adult Blue Heron has a few natural enemies. It is occasionally attacked by eagles. Crows, ravens, gulls, birds of prey and raccoons prey upon the eggs and young.

JULY: The Humpback Whale has an incredibly melodic way of communicating with other whales. It sings intricate and complex songs that can last up to 20 minutes long and can be heard over 32 kilometres away. The male Humpback will sing the same song again and again for hours.

AUGUST: The Monarch is unique among North American butterflies in performing an annual two-way migration in vast numbers from one area of the continent to another. Probably no other insect among the millions of species on earth performs a similar migration. Many of the Monarchs that arrive in Canada, are actually the great grandchildren of the Monarchs that left Mexico on their northward migration.

SEPTEMBER: The Snowy Owl, unlike most owls, is active during the day and at dawn and dusk. In the breeding season, it is typically found from the treeline to the northern limit of Canada, preferring high rolling tundra with tall points of land for nest sites and perches. During winters in southern Canada, it inhabits prairies, marshes, open fields or shorelines ~ habitats that resemble the treeless tundra of the breeding range.

OCTOBER: The Red Fox has excellent eyesight, a keen sense of smell and acute hearing, which helps greatly when hunting. The slight movement of an ear may be all that it needs to locate a hidden rabbit. It can smell nests of young rabbits or eggs hidden by long grass.

NOVEMBER: When the Red-tailed Hawk isn't circling above the fields, hunting for a vole or a rabbit, you might see it perched on top of telephone poles or other tall structures keeping an eye for

prey. If you're bird-watching, you'll find this raptor hard to miss, one of Canada's largest birds.

DECEMBER: The American Goldfinch breeds late in the year from July to September ~ a fact that has puzzled many scientists. Some have suggested that the timing of breeding is linked to the bird's unusual habit of moulting or shedding feathers. The American Goldfinch and its eggs are vulnerable to a variety of prfedators ~ including cats,weasels, snakes, squirrels, jays and Cooper's hawks

.

The foregoing submission by Merle Baird-Kerr...written December 1, 2019

Always, comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

And when December ends, I can fully enjoy 2020's January calendar.

Connections to Wildlife

Yearly, the Canadian Wildlife Federation sends me

a wonderful calendar featuring monthly photos by Nature photographers.

So delighted am I to daily reference each for my activities.

Prior to saying 'Adieu' to 2019, I happily send you

comments from May to December.

MAY: The Gray Treefrog can be active from April to until the beginning of October. Growing up to six centimetres in length, the female is is usually larger than the male. Depending on light and temperature conditions, the Gray Tree frog can change its colouration becoming lighter or darker.

JUNE: The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in Canada. It has elaborate courtship displays and often nest in colonies. The male and the female share nurturing duties: both incubate the eggs and feed their young. The adult Blue Heron has a few natural enemies. It is occasionally attacked by eagles. Crows, ravens, gulls, birds of prey and raccoons prey upon the eggs and young.

JULY: The Humpback Whale has an incredibly melodic way of communicating with other whales. It sings intricate and complex songs that can last up to 20 minutes long and can be heard over 32 kilometres away. The male Humpback will sing the same song again and again for hours.

AUGUST: The Monarch is unique among North American butterflies in performing an annual two-way migration in vast numbers from one area of the continent to another. Probably no other insect among the millions of species on earth performs a similar migration. Many of the Monarchs that arrive in Canada, are actually the great grandchildren of the Monarchs that left Mexico on their northward migration.

SEPTEMBER: The Snowy Owl, unlike most owls, is active during the day and at dawn and dusk. In the breeding season, it is typically found from the treeline to the northern limit of Canada, preferring high rolling tundra with tall points of land for nest sites and perches. During winters in southern Canada, it inhabits prairies, marshes, open fields or shorelines ~ habitats that resemble the treeless tundra of the breeding range.

OCTOBER: The Red Fox has excellent eyesight, a keen sense of smell and acute hearing, which helps greatly when hunting. The slight movement of an ear may be all that it needs to locate a hidden rabbit. It can smell nests of young rabbits or eggs hidden by long grass.

NOVEMBER: When the Red-tailed Hawk isn't circling above the fields, hunting for a vole or a rabbit, you might see it perched on top of telephone poles or other tall structures keeping an eye for

prey. If you're bird-watching, you'll find this raptor hard to miss, one of Canada's largest birds.

DECEMBER: The American Goldfinch breeds late in the year from July to September ~ a fact that has puzzled many scientists. Some have suggested that the timing of breeding is linked to the bird's unusual habit of moulting or shedding feathers. The American Goldfinch and its eggs are vulnerable to a variety of prfedators ~ including cats,weasels, snakes, squirrels, jays and Cooper's hawks.

The foregoing submission by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 1, 2019

Always, comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

And when December ends, I can fully enjoy 2020's January calendar!.

.

Hushed Catastrophe

Headlining the Hamilton Spectator's November 30 issue,

page A5 displayed an April 23 (2018) aerial photo captioned:

A heron flies over sewage near the Princess Point boat launch.

And if the heron had died, it'd probably

make headlines, signifying its peril.

Yet, the City of Hamilton ~ including its mayor and City Council ~ were all hushed and 'closed-mouthed' about the disaster which had been known by them for several years.

On the Readers Write page, today, November 30, about 20 letters were posted concerning the 'lack of the city's governing power to address this existing dilemma.

Child-like, did the city just believe it'd go away?

It may interest you to read words from transcripts sent by concerned citizens.

Good Thing the Bunny was Safe: Reading the responses from Hamiltonians about Sewergate

captures the absolute disgust, helplessness and frustration about most Hamiltonians toward the mayor and members of the city council. Obviously, all of the participants responsible for monitoring the sewage system, have failed miserably. Not one tracking device to detect any abnormalities in the system worked for 4 1/2 years. How is this possible?

Now Hamiltonians will have to pay for the fiasco through increased taxes.

I'm a little perplexed as to why we will be footing the bill

for the incompetence of those involved in this stinking, colossal blunder.

Our Reputation Takes a Hit: I have lived in this city all my life, defending its reputation as a dirty-smoke-stacked industrial city. There were times when this was hard to defend with pollution visible from our steel industries. We have come a long way in cleaning up this city ~ reducing pollution ~ and shedding our steel-industry image with new innovative industries...world-class hospitals, arts, music, great post-secondary education opportunities with Mohawk College and McMaster University and an expanding airport. I love our green-space, our Mountain and all the great waterfalls, hiking trails and parks. The downtown is going through a tremendous renaissance with great restaurants, music and art events. We have great sports teams...with the Ticats, Bulldogs, Hamilton FC and the Honey Badgers. I love our nickname: “The Hammer” and I am proud to be a Hamiltonian!

This has all exploded into a mess with with the latest fiasco

with the sewage leak into Cootes Paradise and our lack of city leadership

in preventing this from happening.

I'm afraid our reputation has just reverted back a few decades

to the stinky city of Hamilton and I am sad, disappointed and really mad.

(comments by Gary from Hamilton)

I Could Have Given Better Advice: So now we know the city withheld information about the spill based on legal advice. Is it somehow compulsory that council must do what the lawyers say, with no room for applying their own judgment? And what about that advice designed to avoid penalties and liabilities? For a mere five bucks, I gladly would have advised the city to take 'the high road'

and take their lumps too! (submitted by Andrew, Hamilton)

Stop the 'Witch Hunt'! I agree with every person who wrote letters expressing what we are all collectively feeling about city council, the mayor and staff. There appears to be an over-management issue at city hall. Too many people behind desks with big egos making dumb decisions and not

listening ito their workers. They made their beds ~ now, let the chips fall where they will. And please stop the witch hunt for the leaker ~ and take your lumps! (stated by Lisa from Stoney Creek)

And Catherine from Hamilton addressing Steve Buist, Mathew Van Dongen,

Teviah Mono and Andrew Dreschel said to them: Thanks for the Journalism!

Taxpayers Can't Afford This: With Hamilton tax payers already facing a a 5.5 % increase next year, what is the first thing city councillors do? They nail us all with an additional $29 increase in sewer and water charges in the wake of the Sewergate fiasco/disaster! (Stated by Doug from Hamilton)

Here's to You, Council: I walked my dog regularly along the shore of Cootes Paradise. More than once, I had to wade through the 'high water' that crept over the trail. My dog, ill-advisedly drank from it. People canoed and kayaked through Cootes Paradise all through the spring, summer and fall. Anglers caught fish in the channel next to Cootes Paradise's crap barriar (whoops, I mean 'carp' barriar) and some took their catch home to eat. Not one member of council saw people around Cootes and thought, “They should know what's in that water!”

Not one member of council had the guts to say:

I'm not going along with this secrecy.

My constituents have the right to know a publicly accessible, recreational

body of water has 24 billions litres of watery sewage in it!

How Big is 24 Billion Litres? If you built a tank that ran from Queen Street along Main to James ...then up to Herkimer, back to Queen and again down Main and it was as high as the mountain ~ that is about 24 billion litres. “ Please check my math,” states Steve from Stoney Creek., “and that could be on the small side.”

Who's Really to Blame? The blame for the recent sewage spill fiasco does not lie with the mayor or city council. They are doing what they have been doing for years: mishandling projects...wasting tax dollars...and failing to keep the people informed!!! The blame lies with the voters who keep re-electing these incompetents! (assessed by Ron from Hamilton)

Great job and thanks for the coverage

on this important matter. (Catherine,Hamilton)

They Could Have Done the Right Thing: “I strongly disagree with your editorial stance that council should drop their search for 'the whistleblower.' They should absolutely do everything possible to find that person and present them with the highest possible civic award ~ for doing the right thing! ~ in contrast to the actions of the mayor and council who are hiding behind legal advice. They could have chosen to do the right thing,” stated Richard from Carlisle.

Good to See MPP Speaking Out! Henry fromHamilton, commented: “It's nice to see Nancy Shaw, one of our local MPP's show some fight for our city. It's not the first time she has been a strong voice. It's too bad our other local MPP, Donna Skelly has sat tight-lipped twice now in the last few weeks, listening to her Tory comrades belittle her ~ and our city.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 2, 2019

Your comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

`

`

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 Postive 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