Just finished Tom Brokaw's book Boom. The focus is 1968 and the influence that Baby Boom Generation had on society for the next 40 years. It was a time of great turmoil and some of us will remember two of the most tragic events of that year, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy.
Martin Luther King was assassinated 40 years ago this week at the age of only 39. I had not realized that he was so young at the time since he had accomplished so much and seemed destined for more greatness. Wish that I had accomplished as much when I was 39.
Bobby Kennedy was another young man who was ready to use power for the greater good of others.
It was interesting reading Brokaw's book and reflecting on the changes at the time and how people have been affected in both positive and negative ways since then and that at the beginning of 1968, people were still filled with hope for the future. By August, that had all changed.
Hopefully, this generation will find its leaders who will give them hope and direction for the future.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Letters
Despite the fact that I use computers all the time, I still love snail-mail and am often found buying stamps in bulk. I know which mail boxes have 9 o'clock pick-up so that the mail will get to the recipient a day sooner. I love e-mail messages, phone calls and keeping in touch but I do love the sound of mail coming through the mail slot of the bundle being put between the front doors. The bills I could do without.
I know when the mail person has decided to go slow and not work so hard. Those days, I don't get mail and that is usually days like the Thursday before Easter and a few other holidays. Normally, I get mail everyday and have the elastics from the large bundles to prove it. I keep the elastics for bundling flyers that I distribute. (Working with music groups also keeps me busy.)
Today, I received the kind of news that will encourage me to keep writing my letters and even try to put them on nice paper even when they are word processed. I type faster than write. It is easier to correct mistakes as well. I think faster than I write and forget that I did not yet write a word.
Went to a visitation this afternoon and the daughter of the woman who had passed away told me that her mother had enjoyed my latest letter so much that she had her daughter read it to her 3 times and then she had her dial so that she could call me to let me know how much she had appreciated the letter. So nice to know that those letters and cards matter. I will be back at the mail box tomorrow morning.
We should all try to remember that sometimes it is little things that help bring pleasure to someone else. Let's take the time.
I know when the mail person has decided to go slow and not work so hard. Those days, I don't get mail and that is usually days like the Thursday before Easter and a few other holidays. Normally, I get mail everyday and have the elastics from the large bundles to prove it. I keep the elastics for bundling flyers that I distribute. (Working with music groups also keeps me busy.)
Today, I received the kind of news that will encourage me to keep writing my letters and even try to put them on nice paper even when they are word processed. I type faster than write. It is easier to correct mistakes as well. I think faster than I write and forget that I did not yet write a word.
Went to a visitation this afternoon and the daughter of the woman who had passed away told me that her mother had enjoyed my latest letter so much that she had her daughter read it to her 3 times and then she had her dial so that she could call me to let me know how much she had appreciated the letter. So nice to know that those letters and cards matter. I will be back at the mail box tomorrow morning.
We should all try to remember that sometimes it is little things that help bring pleasure to someone else. Let's take the time.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hospital Visit
Over the years, I have visited friends and relatives in the hospital but don't think that I would do this for anyone but then again I don't have a horse.
LIHUE, Hawaii:
A man hoping to cheer up an ailing relative at Wilcox Memorial Hospital hadn't considered one of the visitation rules: No horses allowed.
The man thought that the patient would enjoy seeing his stallion, said hospital spokesperson Lani Yukimura. He and the horse entered the hospital earlier this month, then rode an elevator to the third floor, where they were stopped and turfed out by security neigh-sayers.
LIHUE, Hawaii:
A man hoping to cheer up an ailing relative at Wilcox Memorial Hospital hadn't considered one of the visitation rules: No horses allowed.
The man thought that the patient would enjoy seeing his stallion, said hospital spokesperson Lani Yukimura. He and the horse entered the hospital earlier this month, then rode an elevator to the third floor, where they were stopped and turfed out by security neigh-sayers.
Letter to the Editor -published
Just a quick note that my letter to the editor was published yesterday in the Toronto Star. Michael even thought that it was well written.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Letter to the Editor
In case some of you thought that I was too busy to write yesterday and yes that was part of the problem; I did manage a letter to the editor. Imagine my pleasure when I got home from a lovely Easter Sunday dinner with friends and listened to the phone message from the letter to the editor department wanting to verify that I had sent a letter. This will be my second letter to the editor in the Toronto Star, successful both times.
I have discovered that it feels good to have your opinion recognized and approved by people who are not your friends. Your friends are kind and respect your opinions and sometimes even praise them without being as critical as national papers or even local papers- I have managed to have some letter printed in community papers as well.
Must get out my papers and read; hopefully I will find something worthy of
comment.The difficult part about this, is that I must have some knowledge about the topic that I am commenting on. My first topic was trees and their maintenance in Toronto and this time it is heritage properties and the OMB. Will let you know when it gets published.
I have discovered that it feels good to have your opinion recognized and approved by people who are not your friends. Your friends are kind and respect your opinions and sometimes even praise them without being as critical as national papers or even local papers- I have managed to have some letter printed in community papers as well.
Must get out my papers and read; hopefully I will find something worthy of
comment.The difficult part about this, is that I must have some knowledge about the topic that I am commenting on. My first topic was trees and their maintenance in Toronto and this time it is heritage properties and the OMB. Will let you know when it gets published.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Is Everybody Happy?
Psychologist Takahiko Masuda and his colleagues at the University of Alberta asked two groups of university students - one in North America and the other in Japan if a character in a drawing is happy. To the North Americans, the boy looked happy. But to the Japanese, his emotional state depended for more on the four other children around him.
If the four were frowning, the Japanese tended to give the figure in the middle a lower score on a 10-point scale for happiness.
Not so the North Americans, who spent less time looking at the other faces, and made their assessment based on the middle kid's grin.
This suggests, says Dr. Masuda, that Westerners see emotions as individual feelings, while Japanese see them as inseparable from the feelings of the group. He grew up in Japan but did graduate work in the United States before coming to Edmonton. Moving between cultures gave him the idea for the experiment.
In North American, he says, people believe that facial expressions are connected to emotions. In Japan, focusing too much on a person's expressions or behaviour is not seen as a good way to understand them. " We use the words 'read the air' which means understand the atmosphere of a situation" says Dr. Masuda.
His findings will be published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Interesting cultural contrast about how we feel in social situations.
If the four were frowning, the Japanese tended to give the figure in the middle a lower score on a 10-point scale for happiness.
Not so the North Americans, who spent less time looking at the other faces, and made their assessment based on the middle kid's grin.
This suggests, says Dr. Masuda, that Westerners see emotions as individual feelings, while Japanese see them as inseparable from the feelings of the group. He grew up in Japan but did graduate work in the United States before coming to Edmonton. Moving between cultures gave him the idea for the experiment.
In North American, he says, people believe that facial expressions are connected to emotions. In Japan, focusing too much on a person's expressions or behaviour is not seen as a good way to understand them. " We use the words 'read the air' which means understand the atmosphere of a situation" says Dr. Masuda.
His findings will be published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Interesting cultural contrast about how we feel in social situations.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Better to give than to receive
It is true-it really is better to give than receive.
Apparently, research suggests that money buys happiness only if you spend on someone else.
Elizabeth Dunn, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, found that people who spent a windfall on friends or family, or gave it to charity, reported feeling happier than those who spent the money on themselves.
One of her experiments involved giving students either $5 or $20 to spend, but she also surveyed employees at a Boston company after they were a given a bonus of between $3,000 and $8,000. In both, cases, those who spent cash on others reported an increase in their level of happiness.
The findings published today in the journal of Science, add to the burgeoning happiness literature ,which includes studies on how everything from comfort food to exercise to having braces can affect happiness.
The study found that spending even $5 on someone else can brighten your day. Dr. Dunn said. Yet most people don't expect that to be the case.
Hope that many of us, think about the study and be happy.
Apparently, research suggests that money buys happiness only if you spend on someone else.
Elizabeth Dunn, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, found that people who spent a windfall on friends or family, or gave it to charity, reported feeling happier than those who spent the money on themselves.
One of her experiments involved giving students either $5 or $20 to spend, but she also surveyed employees at a Boston company after they were a given a bonus of between $3,000 and $8,000. In both, cases, those who spent cash on others reported an increase in their level of happiness.
The findings published today in the journal of Science, add to the burgeoning happiness literature ,which includes studies on how everything from comfort food to exercise to having braces can affect happiness.
The study found that spending even $5 on someone else can brighten your day. Dr. Dunn said. Yet most people don't expect that to be the case.
Hope that many of us, think about the study and be happy.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Amaretto Cheesecake
Here is the Amaretto Cheesecake recipe at the request of the woman,Krista who got me started blogging.This is an excellent recipe. Love the topping-if the surface of your cheesecake cracks and this can happen, the topping covers it with taste and style. I put chocolate chips or grated chocolate on the topping. You can choose other favourites.
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter
Melt butter. Add to graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon. Mix well. Pat into bottom and 1/2 inch on sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
With electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in Amaretto. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes until set.
Spoon cooled Glaze over cake. Refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours for flavor to penetrate fully. Cover with grated chocolate if desired.
Glaze:
Add sugar to sour cream. Mix well; add Amaretto.
First baked for New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2007 for friends Helen and Doug. Doug loves Amaretto.
The recipe is excellent and best if made at least a day in advance.
Amaretto Cheesecake recipe
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
24 ounces cream cheese-three standard size packages- 8 ounces.
1 cup granulated sugar
4 medium eggs
1/3 cup Amaretto liqueur
Grated chocolate
Melt butter. Add to graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon. Mix well. Pat into bottom and 1/2 inch on sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
With electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in Amaretto. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes until set.
Spoon cooled Glaze over cake. Refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours for flavor to penetrate fully. Cover with grated chocolate if desired.
Glaze:
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon amaretto
8 ounces sour cream
Add sugar to sour cream. Mix well; add Amaretto.
First baked for New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2007 for friends Helen and Doug. Doug loves Amaretto.
The recipe is excellent and best if made at least a day in advance.
More recipes to follow and I will only post ones that I have tried and are guaranteed to be flavour bursts.
Easter
With two feet of snow surrounding the house, (I can not walk into the backyard because the snow is still up to my hips), I find it hard to believe that it will be Easter weekend. Much too early. The Orthodox church has it right, their Easter is not until the end of April, that will be a nice time of year.
I am off to buy some chocolate for Sunday, we have been invited out which will be a special treat. I am going to bring one of my special cheesecakes, I make the best cheesecakes, have about 30 recipes that I have tried with great success. I am always on the hunt for the next great recipe. The current favourite is an Amaretto cheesecake, very tasty and topped with chocolate chips everyone likes it.
Tomorrow, Mike and I will go for our traditional Good Friday dinner on the Danforth. Feels very festive to have dinner on the Danforth and I don't mind not cooking the meal.
Do not to make a friend envious but I will get some hot cross buns this morning since they will be gone after this weekend.
No Easter bonnet this year, just a warm scarf and mittens. Will be nice to sleep in.
I am off to buy some chocolate for Sunday, we have been invited out which will be a special treat. I am going to bring one of my special cheesecakes, I make the best cheesecakes, have about 30 recipes that I have tried with great success. I am always on the hunt for the next great recipe. The current favourite is an Amaretto cheesecake, very tasty and topped with chocolate chips everyone likes it.
Tomorrow, Mike and I will go for our traditional Good Friday dinner on the Danforth. Feels very festive to have dinner on the Danforth and I don't mind not cooking the meal.
Do not to make a friend envious but I will get some hot cross buns this morning since they will be gone after this weekend.
No Easter bonnet this year, just a warm scarf and mittens. Will be nice to sleep in.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Julie, Julia
I listen to recorded books while driving and yes, I can safely do both. The latest tome that I am listening to is Julie, Julia, the record of a 29 year old woman's quest to prepare all the recipes in Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking over a year. She wrote a blog about her efforts and this blog became a well-read and in my case well listened book. She is now a full-time writer. Would be interesting to know how many people are able to launch new careers from their blogging efforts.
Interesting People
No time today to read the paper and magazines; will have to wait until I get home from playing wind quintets- wonderful way to spend time with friends who happen to play: flute, clarinet, oboe and french horn and I am the bassoonist in the group.
Today, I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon of retired teachers not something I am usually keen to do but I am have acquired a new position- programme coordinator- my name was put forward by a friend who I taught with over 30 years ago and who knows that I programme concerts at the McMichael Gallery of Canadian Art and Toronto General Hospital-Cardiac Unit. I will be programming some of my very talented students into the series. Good way for them to get paid for all their efforts.
It was interesting talking to the women at my table; one of them was 96 years old. I want to be just as with it and attending luncheons when I am her age. It was interesting hearing about teaching in one room classrooms- 9 grades at once and only 14 students on St. Joseph Island. Most of the group at my table taught kindergarten at some point in their career and they talked about classes of 35 to 40 students or over 60 with 2 teachers. Yikes! That would not happen today.
A fellow blogger would be interested to know that these women all meet to play Bridge once a month and were impressed with my friend Krista's daring, participating in a tournament. I suggested that it is a good way to meet other people even if you get a good thrashing game wise.
Fascinating what you can learn about people when you take the time.
Today, I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon of retired teachers not something I am usually keen to do but I am have acquired a new position- programme coordinator- my name was put forward by a friend who I taught with over 30 years ago and who knows that I programme concerts at the McMichael Gallery of Canadian Art and Toronto General Hospital-Cardiac Unit. I will be programming some of my very talented students into the series. Good way for them to get paid for all their efforts.
It was interesting talking to the women at my table; one of them was 96 years old. I want to be just as with it and attending luncheons when I am her age. It was interesting hearing about teaching in one room classrooms- 9 grades at once and only 14 students on St. Joseph Island. Most of the group at my table taught kindergarten at some point in their career and they talked about classes of 35 to 40 students or over 60 with 2 teachers. Yikes! That would not happen today.
A fellow blogger would be interested to know that these women all meet to play Bridge once a month and were impressed with my friend Krista's daring, participating in a tournament. I suggested that it is a good way to meet other people even if you get a good thrashing game wise.
Fascinating what you can learn about people when you take the time.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Joy of Six
Given the challenge how would you do it? Sum up your life in 6 words. Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith created what has become a best selling anthology using people's summation of their lives in 6 words. 832 submissions were included in the book Not quite what I was planning; Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. New contributions can be made their website http://www.smithmag.net/. and sixwordmemoir.com.
The contributors to this book attended a book party in Soho, New York and since then have begun to correspond and meet autographing each other's books,finding each other at events. From a simple idea, based on a literary legend that Ernest Hemingway won a bar bet to write a six-word story with "For sale:baby shoes, never worn". A best seller has been launched and people's lives touched.
Love to read your summations. I am still working on mine, as the authors suggest our lives are changing everyday.
The contributors to this book attended a book party in Soho, New York and since then have begun to correspond and meet autographing each other's books,finding each other at events. From a simple idea, based on a literary legend that Ernest Hemingway won a bar bet to write a six-word story with "For sale:baby shoes, never worn". A best seller has been launched and people's lives touched.
Love to read your summations. I am still working on mine, as the authors suggest our lives are changing everyday.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Do you Hear What I Hear?
March 6, Gloria Shayne Baker passed away. She composed the hit Christmas song "Do you Hear What I Hear?" in 1962. I had always thought that the carol was much older. Apparently, she wrote the song as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile crisis. She wrote the music for this carol and her husband at the time wrote the lyrics. The two collaborated often.
Gloria Adele Shain was born in Brooline, Mass. , on September 4, 1923; she changed the spelling of her last name early in her career . She earned a bachelor's degree the Boston University School of Music and afterward worked as a pianist, arranger and background vocalist for composers such as Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim.
Interesting to find out that the carol had a greater purpose than to just entertain at Christmas.
Gloria Adele Shain was born in Brooline, Mass. , on September 4, 1923; she changed the spelling of her last name early in her career . She earned a bachelor's degree the Boston University School of Music and afterward worked as a pianist, arranger and background vocalist for composers such as Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim.
Interesting to find out that the carol had a greater purpose than to just entertain at Christmas.
Friday, March 14, 2008
I won!
I won! The letter says so- I will be contacted as to how I want the money to be paid. My documents should arrive in less than a week. How am I chosen? Randomly and of course the system will check that I ordered a subscription to Reader's Digest. Legally, this is not supposed to be the case but who has ever checked. Do losers get to contact Reader's Digest and find out if the winners all have paid subscriptions?
My payment will be sent by courier or a direct bank-to-bank transfer. In today's world how many people want to give out their bank account number and hope that the piece of paper they have received is not fraudulent? The paper looks good but with modern technology people are fooled everyday, on the Internet, phone, at the door. If I win, I will take the payment by courier and will choose to have it delivered to my school where I work. That would be fun.
Did you know that winnings in Canada are tax-free. That is good news.
According to the booklet with the letter "some winners feel that it is a good idea to share the news with close family first in order to decide what to do with the prize." Others do not want to share based on cases like the man in London, Ontario who won a lottery prize, divorced his wife and then claimed the winnings.
I am ready for the prize and if I don't win, sadly I won't have the magazines to read to pass the time. Guess I will have more time to blog, when I'm not on the luxury cruise that I am looking forward to.
Don't worry, if I win, I will let readers of the blog know. You can help me decide what I should do.
My payment will be sent by courier or a direct bank-to-bank transfer. In today's world how many people want to give out their bank account number and hope that the piece of paper they have received is not fraudulent? The paper looks good but with modern technology people are fooled everyday, on the Internet, phone, at the door. If I win, I will take the payment by courier and will choose to have it delivered to my school where I work. That would be fun.
Did you know that winnings in Canada are tax-free. That is good news.
According to the booklet with the letter "some winners feel that it is a good idea to share the news with close family first in order to decide what to do with the prize." Others do not want to share based on cases like the man in London, Ontario who won a lottery prize, divorced his wife and then claimed the winnings.
I am ready for the prize and if I don't win, sadly I won't have the magazines to read to pass the time. Guess I will have more time to blog, when I'm not on the luxury cruise that I am looking forward to.
Don't worry, if I win, I will let readers of the blog know. You can help me decide what I should do.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Architecture
For a long time, I have been fascinated with architecture. When possible, I have gone on tours to see Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. I have been to Falling Water, a must see; Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Buffalo in the Elmwood area, site of a World's fair and and the Albright Knox Gallery, a real gem. I love going on tours of cities and seeing the interesting buildings. In Amsterdam, we went on a tour of the 10 ugliest buildings in Amsterdam, some of the buildings were fascinating and not so ugly. I am not stuck in the past as far as architecture goes but sometimes architects seem to have the philosophy that they will create certain designs because they can; not because it makes design sense and takes into account the climate and the structures in the area. What works in sunny California, does not work so well in northern climates with extremes of temperatures and precipitation. Ice falling off buildings from a great height is very dangerous.
Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind are two who are pushing the envelop and ignoring the structural integrity of their buildings. Gehry is being sued by MIT for structural problems affecting his Strata Building. An article, that I read in Fast Company mentions that Daniel Libeskind's Denver Art Museum is suffering from the same problems and I have a feeling that his Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum has structural flaws. It has been noticed that it leaks and now with spring approaching massive icicles are hanging from the corners of the building ready to impale someone.
On a more practical level, these buildings require extra expense for custom made furniture and display cases to accommodate the many unusual angles. Hanging art is a challenge and requires serious creativity. http://torontoist.com/2007/05/inside_the_rom.php
I suspect that some of these buildings will not be here while buildings that accepted the rules of nature and practicality of right angles and vertical walls are still standing centuries from now.
Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind are two who are pushing the envelop and ignoring the structural integrity of their buildings. Gehry is being sued by MIT for structural problems affecting his Strata Building. An article, that I read in Fast Company mentions that Daniel Libeskind's Denver Art Museum is suffering from the same problems and I have a feeling that his Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum has structural flaws. It has been noticed that it leaks and now with spring approaching massive icicles are hanging from the corners of the building ready to impale someone.
On a more practical level, these buildings require extra expense for custom made furniture and display cases to accommodate the many unusual angles. Hanging art is a challenge and requires serious creativity. http://torontoist.com/2007/05/inside_the_rom.php
I suspect that some of these buildings will not be here while buildings that accepted the rules of nature and practicality of right angles and vertical walls are still standing centuries from now.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Musical Tastes
As some of you may know, I have booked and coordinated the Sunday concerts at the McMichael Gallery of Canadian art for over ten years. Planning a season to please all tastes is a delicate balancing act. Recently, I was asked to assist with programming for a teachers' organization. I agreed but already I am having misgivings. The first performance I have been asked to plan is an exciting programme of music to interest 90 year olds and also others in order to keep them coming back for the rest of the season. This is for the first programme in September. The criteria are that not everyone likes jazz, not everyone likes classical, the 90 year olds do not want to pandered to. My contact likes Celtic music like Danny Boy and Molly Malone. My goodness, what am I supposed to plan for? The difficulty is that some people are very limited in what they choose to listen to and there is no convincing them that some jazz like Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock-album of the year at this year's Grammies, Chick Corea, Diana Krall is wonderful- I admit that some experimental jazz will not be to all tastes. I have never enjoyed Miles Davis although I can admire his talent. The same can be said for classical- who has trouble listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky? My list could go on. I can enjoy a few rounds of Celtic music but soon I am hoping for cheerful songs. Love watching Celtic dancing but again only in small doses; hard to convince me that I should watch Lord of the Dance for the full two hours. Despite, 10 years of planning concerts, I do not feel that I will able to make this work. What kind of music is left that will appeal to this group. Ideas?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Potato
I love interesting facts about things that have changed events even if in small ways. The potato is one of my favourites since there are so many unusual facts. I won't discuss its nutritional value today, but it is the complete food.
The potato was cultivated 4,000 to 7, 000 years ago, it was cultivated in the Lake Titicaca (love that word) region of the Andes.
In Europe, however its popularity was slow in coming. In the 17th century, Europeans considered the potato unhealthy and the work of the devil, and suspected it could spread leprosy. A committee of English and German scientists tried to promote it benefits, but in vain. Only a century later would the potato finally become appreciated.
A Frenchman by the name of Antoine Auguste Parmentier changed popular opinion on the humble tuber by means of a clever ploy. he had several acres of potatoes planted in the gardens of Louis XVI and brought in the army to guard the fields. Word got around that the soldiers were denying access to the crop because something truly valuable was growing in the fields. when Parmentier decided to remove the guards one night, thieves quickly made off with the potaotes. They realized that the spud was indeed fit for consumption. The news spread and thanks to Parmentier, we're able to enjoy this delicious vegetable today.
Who would have thought that trickery was needed to convince us to eat this ubiquitous vegetable?
The potato was cultivated 4,000 to 7, 000 years ago, it was cultivated in the Lake Titicaca (love that word) region of the Andes.
In Europe, however its popularity was slow in coming. In the 17th century, Europeans considered the potato unhealthy and the work of the devil, and suspected it could spread leprosy. A committee of English and German scientists tried to promote it benefits, but in vain. Only a century later would the potato finally become appreciated.
A Frenchman by the name of Antoine Auguste Parmentier changed popular opinion on the humble tuber by means of a clever ploy. he had several acres of potatoes planted in the gardens of Louis XVI and brought in the army to guard the fields. Word got around that the soldiers were denying access to the crop because something truly valuable was growing in the fields. when Parmentier decided to remove the guards one night, thieves quickly made off with the potaotes. They realized that the spud was indeed fit for consumption. The news spread and thanks to Parmentier, we're able to enjoy this delicious vegetable today.
Who would have thought that trickery was needed to convince us to eat this ubiquitous vegetable?
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Common lice
One of my many interests is history and I am always fascinated how sometimes the smallest things changed history. Who would think that the common louse could have defeated armies.
“Seen through an electron microscope (invented in Germany in 1939), a louse looks like pudgy long-horned devil with bulging eyes and six snaring arms. A military scourge in 1812, the bug vanquished Napolean’s Grande Armee en route to Moscow, a legend only recently confirmed by scientists. ‘We believe that louse-borne diseases caused much of the death of Napolean’s army’ Didleir Raout, of the Universite de la Medtierrannee in Marseille, reported in January 2005 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, based on an analysis of tooth pulp from soldiers’ remains discovered in 2001 by construction workers in a mass grave near Vilnius, Lithuania. As body lice transmitted the agents of relapsing fever, trench fever, and epidemic typhus, Napolean’s Grand Army dropped from 500,000 to 3,000 mainly through pestilence. Friedrich Prinzing’s Epidemics Resulting from Wars, published in 1916, tells the same, and also points out that more men died from lice-borne diseases in the American Civil War than on its battlefields.”
From the Zookeeper’s Wife , by Diane Ackerman (I would highly recommend this book about Warsaw during WWII.
And all this time, I thought that the Russian winter and determination of the people defeated Napolean’s Grand Army.
“Seen through an electron microscope (invented in Germany in 1939), a louse looks like pudgy long-horned devil with bulging eyes and six snaring arms. A military scourge in 1812, the bug vanquished Napolean’s Grande Armee en route to Moscow, a legend only recently confirmed by scientists. ‘We believe that louse-borne diseases caused much of the death of Napolean’s army’ Didleir Raout, of the Universite de la Medtierrannee in Marseille, reported in January 2005 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, based on an analysis of tooth pulp from soldiers’ remains discovered in 2001 by construction workers in a mass grave near Vilnius, Lithuania. As body lice transmitted the agents of relapsing fever, trench fever, and epidemic typhus, Napolean’s Grand Army dropped from 500,000 to 3,000 mainly through pestilence. Friedrich Prinzing’s Epidemics Resulting from Wars, published in 1916, tells the same, and also points out that more men died from lice-borne diseases in the American Civil War than on its battlefields.”
From the Zookeeper’s Wife , by Diane Ackerman (I would highly recommend this book about Warsaw during WWII.
And all this time, I thought that the Russian winter and determination of the people defeated Napolean’s Grand Army.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Culture of cheaters and excuse makers
Everyone's cheating -according to an article in yesterday's Toronto Star.
And apparently, on balance, they're prospering.
Students fake their way to the top. Business leaders deceive shareholders and make millions. Couples cheat on each other for sport. and athletes go for the inside edge by playing fast and loose with the rules.
We are becoming a culture of cheaters and excuse-makers, researchers say. We cut ethical corners and defend ourselves by insisting everyone is doing it.
I don't want to pretend that the above are my ideas unlike George Bush's aid who lifted ideas from a Dartmouth essay and Barack Obama who also felt comfortable lifting ideas from someone else's work.
Interesting thought: if we keep copying each others work, could we create a loop of ideas that just keep circulating and very little new thought emerges?
Researchers claim that this lack of values is more prevalent during times of prosperity-is there a link? Whatever happened to hard work and sometimes, we must acknowledge luck?
Will the anticipated recession create a more moral society? Would like to read what the researchers find during times of economic difficulty when people are more desperate to succeed.
Off to play tennis and hope that my opponents make fair line calls.
And apparently, on balance, they're prospering.
Students fake their way to the top. Business leaders deceive shareholders and make millions. Couples cheat on each other for sport. and athletes go for the inside edge by playing fast and loose with the rules.
We are becoming a culture of cheaters and excuse-makers, researchers say. We cut ethical corners and defend ourselves by insisting everyone is doing it.
I don't want to pretend that the above are my ideas unlike George Bush's aid who lifted ideas from a Dartmouth essay and Barack Obama who also felt comfortable lifting ideas from someone else's work.
Interesting thought: if we keep copying each others work, could we create a loop of ideas that just keep circulating and very little new thought emerges?
Researchers claim that this lack of values is more prevalent during times of prosperity-is there a link? Whatever happened to hard work and sometimes, we must acknowledge luck?
Will the anticipated recession create a more moral society? Would like to read what the researchers find during times of economic difficulty when people are more desperate to succeed.
Off to play tennis and hope that my opponents make fair line calls.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Bug Monitors
A L.A school teacher created student 'bug monitors to rescue creepy crawlies and return them to the outdoors. When teacher, Melodie Conrad saw a student stomp on a bug several years ago, she knew that she had to do something. She created the 'bug monitor'. Now if any creepy-crawly wanders into her classroom, the student bug monitor swoops in with a paper towel or napkin, scoops up the critter and shepherds it outside. Her philosophy is "If you can teach a child to respect and protect the smallest and most maligned among us, you can help create better citizens who have compassion for others.'
At a time, when it seems that people have difficulty feeling empathy for others, this is a wonderful start at changing attitudes. I am sure that some teachers would have difficulty with the bugs but it is certainly worth considering. One of Melodie's students comments "I don't like hurting animals, even though they're tiny, they have an eco-system and it's a good idea to take bugs outside and to be kind,even though sometimes its creepy."
Children and others can learn more about the bugs on the website: whatsthatbug.com which offers information on which insects are harmless. Important information! Once we understand something we are more tolerant.
Maybe, I will find some of my friends who hide in the basement on the site. I won't take them outside until the snow is gone and with more snow arriving tomorrow, my household bugs are warm and toasty for awhile longer.
At a time, when it seems that people have difficulty feeling empathy for others, this is a wonderful start at changing attitudes. I am sure that some teachers would have difficulty with the bugs but it is certainly worth considering. One of Melodie's students comments "I don't like hurting animals, even though they're tiny, they have an eco-system and it's a good idea to take bugs outside and to be kind,even though sometimes its creepy."
Children and others can learn more about the bugs on the website: whatsthatbug.com which offers information on which insects are harmless. Important information! Once we understand something we are more tolerant.
Maybe, I will find some of my friends who hide in the basement on the site. I won't take them outside until the snow is gone and with more snow arriving tomorrow, my household bugs are warm and toasty for awhile longer.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hope
This morning, I could write about another winter storm and we are setting records this winter but at this point, the weather in Toronto is no longer news worthy. We have to get used to it and be careful. Michael, my husband just pointed out that there is an accident happening every three minutes this morning. I made the decision to cancel a performance by a flute quartet that I coach at my school. The quartet was going to perform at a Toronto District School Board conference on character development. I made the decision that I did not want to risk their lives trying to get them to the event. (It is my day off, so I will stay home and shovel the snow later today.)
My topic today is hope and I want to reflect on my experience last night. Last night I performed bassoon and flute duets, at Princess Margaret Lodge, a residence for cancer patients who are from out of town. This is a place they can live while receiving treatment. We had been warned not to stare and act naturally around them. This was not a problem, they were wonderful people ready to be engaged in the evening's events. The evening turned out to be a wonderful evening for us. We were extremely well received and the audience members were very interested in our instruments, especially my bassoon which many of them had never seen. Even people who visit the symphony regularly are often surprised at what the bassoon looks like because they have only seen the top and do not realize that there are couple more feet of instrument below chest level. One of the patients had warned us that she might leave during our presentation because she was not feeling well; we were honoured because she stayed for the whole concert. One of the highlights that I would have enjoyed taping and posting was the end when the audience members had long streamers that they moved in time to our last selection. My friend, Krista might even remember the music which we played at a friend's garden wedding over 30 years ago. This piece of music is still challenging and moving.
After, seeing these patients and a friend of mine who is bedridden with MS, I hope that I could demonstrate as much hope and grace as these people if I had to deal with a medical challenge. People continue to impress me. I am pleased that I am able to be part of their day and bring a new and hopefully enjoyable experience to their lives.
My topic today is hope and I want to reflect on my experience last night. Last night I performed bassoon and flute duets, at Princess Margaret Lodge, a residence for cancer patients who are from out of town. This is a place they can live while receiving treatment. We had been warned not to stare and act naturally around them. This was not a problem, they were wonderful people ready to be engaged in the evening's events. The evening turned out to be a wonderful evening for us. We were extremely well received and the audience members were very interested in our instruments, especially my bassoon which many of them had never seen. Even people who visit the symphony regularly are often surprised at what the bassoon looks like because they have only seen the top and do not realize that there are couple more feet of instrument below chest level. One of the patients had warned us that she might leave during our presentation because she was not feeling well; we were honoured because she stayed for the whole concert. One of the highlights that I would have enjoyed taping and posting was the end when the audience members had long streamers that they moved in time to our last selection. My friend, Krista might even remember the music which we played at a friend's garden wedding over 30 years ago. This piece of music is still challenging and moving.
After, seeing these patients and a friend of mine who is bedridden with MS, I hope that I could demonstrate as much hope and grace as these people if I had to deal with a medical challenge. People continue to impress me. I am pleased that I am able to be part of their day and bring a new and hopefully enjoyable experience to their lives.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Mindless
"One day, at a nursing home in Connecticut, elderly residents were each given a choice of houseplants to care for and were asked to make a number of small decisions about their daily routines. A year and a half later, not only were these people more cheerful, active and alert than a similar group in the same institution who were not given these choices and responsibilities but many more of them were still alive. In fact, less than half as many of the decision-making, plant-minding residents had died as had those in the other group. This experiment, with its startling results, began over ten years of research into the powerful effects of what my colleagues and I came to call mindfulness and of its counterpart, the equally powerful but destructive state of mindlessness"
This is the opening paragraph in the book Mindfulness by Ellen J. Langer. I am hoping to get insight into the how we think and how to go about activities with fuller engagement. So far the research seems to support the eastern concept of being in the moment and not going about our day without being fully engaged. The side benefit seems to be a longer life and if this is not possible a life with richer experiences.
Tonight, I am performing at Princess Margaret Lodge, a residence for cancer patients undergoing long term treatment in Toronto. It will be my goal to be fully engaged in the music in order to give as musical a performance as possible. I hope that my contribution will add to the quality of life for these residents. It is a privilege to be able to give in this way.
This is the opening paragraph in the book Mindfulness by Ellen J. Langer. I am hoping to get insight into the how we think and how to go about activities with fuller engagement. So far the research seems to support the eastern concept of being in the moment and not going about our day without being fully engaged. The side benefit seems to be a longer life and if this is not possible a life with richer experiences.
Tonight, I am performing at Princess Margaret Lodge, a residence for cancer patients undergoing long term treatment in Toronto. It will be my goal to be fully engaged in the music in order to give as musical a performance as possible. I hope that my contribution will add to the quality of life for these residents. It is a privilege to be able to give in this way.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Catalogues of the unnecssary
It arrived that Saturday's newspaper and I spent time checking what extravagant items have been created for us to enjoy. Hedonics- catering to the hedonists- came with all the other ads encouraging us to shop. Now, I am not a smoker but I can see this appealing to the Bob Hope types- the ultimate cigar tee holder. I am sure that there some characters in movies like Caddyshack who needed this aid. My life would be better with this next item: a counter top wine cellar which stores up to 8 bottles. We are practising parts of the Mediterranean diet- the part that advocates drinking a glass of wine each day. For only $99, I can ensure that the wine is on chill and that there are back-up bottles ready for guests and future consumption. I drink wine with less guilt since it is healthy and I can take the bottle to the beer store to be redeemed for 20 cents a bottle.
The catalogue offers the instant solar fountain which actually appeals to me despite the fact that I am still looking out at least 2 feet of snow and there is more precipitation on the way. I am not a golfer but I can picture some of my golfing friends enjoying this next item- a Kooler Klub -which is a cooler disguised as a golf club, the cooler component is in the base of the club and the top has spigot which allows hot or cold beverages to come up by means of a pump. What a great idea, maybe someone will invent a tennis cooler. A waistband stretcher- when I finally give up trying to loose the extra weight so that I can wear some pants that are becoming more out of style with each passing day- I will get this.
I love these catalogues. Actually, my favourite is one that has attaches, planners and note books all in wonderful colours and styles. I am a sucker for a nice attache and planner. Have to get a new planner this week.
The catalogue offers the instant solar fountain which actually appeals to me despite the fact that I am still looking out at least 2 feet of snow and there is more precipitation on the way. I am not a golfer but I can picture some of my golfing friends enjoying this next item- a Kooler Klub -which is a cooler disguised as a golf club, the cooler component is in the base of the club and the top has spigot which allows hot or cold beverages to come up by means of a pump. What a great idea, maybe someone will invent a tennis cooler. A waistband stretcher- when I finally give up trying to loose the extra weight so that I can wear some pants that are becoming more out of style with each passing day- I will get this.
I love these catalogues. Actually, my favourite is one that has attaches, planners and note books all in wonderful colours and styles. I am a sucker for a nice attache and planner. Have to get a new planner this week.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Seniors
For those of you who are asking how yesterday's performance was received, the audience reacation was very positive. A number of the residents made an interesting comment that we have heard repeated the past few weeks. We visited several new residences in February. The comment that we hear is how nice it is to hear classical music instead of the sing-a-longs which always seem to include songs like "Good Night Irene" (I am quoting a resident who used to play the violin) and other melodies from that era. I am not suggesting that the songs are not good but we need to start thinking about when these seniors grew up. Many are the WWII generation, their music was the music of Sinatra, Bing Crosby and others. Too early for me and I have not researched it. Might be an idea.
While waiting to perform, Len and I observed that the number of seniors' residences is increasing dramatically and many of them are now operated by corporations some of which are on the stock exchange. There is big money in these facilities run by companies like Chartwell Reit, Sunrise and Amica all of which are on the stock exchange making money for their stock holders. This is a growth industry. These new residences look luxury hotels with very nice dining rooms, spa like facilities and many amenties that we are surprised to see. A positive is that the residents appear happy despite receiving an overdose of Good Night Irene.
While waiting to perform, Len and I observed that the number of seniors' residences is increasing dramatically and many of them are now operated by corporations some of which are on the stock exchange. There is big money in these facilities run by companies like Chartwell Reit, Sunrise and Amica all of which are on the stock exchange making money for their stock holders. This is a growth industry. These new residences look luxury hotels with very nice dining rooms, spa like facilities and many amenties that we are surprised to see. A positive is that the residents appear happy despite receiving an overdose of Good Night Irene.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Music and Sharing
This afternoon, I will be performing at a seniors' residence with one of the members of my trio. Zach, the flute player will attending his brother's 50th birthday party. My ensemble, the Taffanel Wind Ensemble (named after the great flutist and composer, Paul Taffanel) has been playing together for over nine years. During this time, we have had the opportunity to visit and entertain at many residences in the GTA. We often joke that the we a casing out our future homes. This is a way to see how some of seniors live. Residences range from the delux and we must admit that we enjoy visiting these homes. The residents enjoy classical music and area more open to what we do. The recreation directors or wellness and activation as they are now known are also more inclined to book us. Once we have visited a home, we have very little difficulty booking a return visit. Many of the residents are eager for entertainment other than the usual sing-a-long of old songs. About a month, ago, we visited a new residence for us that is financially challenged and does not have the aura of elegance that some of the residences that we visit have. What was a real eye opener about the visit was that a number of the residents knew what a bassoon is and recognized some of the music as we warmed up for the performance. These people were eager to hear our performance and appreciated the opportunity to enjoy our performance. They were one of the most appreciative audience that we have entertained for quite sometime.
It is wonderful to still be playing all these years and able to share what I love to do. I started playing over 40 years ago. In my position as a part-time teacher at a high school, I have been making it a point to take student groups to places like Toronto General Hospital cardiac wing, Sunnybrook K-wing (veterans residence) and seniors' homes to share their music. It is my hope that they will continue in the future and take the time to share their music with others.
It is wonderful to still be playing all these years and able to share what I love to do. I started playing over 40 years ago. In my position as a part-time teacher at a high school, I have been making it a point to take student groups to places like Toronto General Hospital cardiac wing, Sunnybrook K-wing (veterans residence) and seniors' homes to share their music. It is my hope that they will continue in the future and take the time to share their music with others.
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