My other brother would put this in rhyme but my brain, what little
is left of it, does not work that way when I reach for a word that
matches old or ache or garden cart, I just find nothing and have a
brain fart! So I will just narrate yesterdays emergence from winter
in words!
The hardest work I do all day is putting my socks on, how is it
that my feet get further from the ends of my arms each time I get
dressed. Used to be I looked at them “old farts” who shuffled
down the halls of various nursing homes where I updated their
electrical and 'call systems' with a little amusement, no longer is
that funny. I now see why they wear no socks and slip on footwear and
shuffle their feet rather than step out with confidence, you just
cant trust those creaky knees and distant feet!
With spring now bringing a little light at the end of the winter
tunnel here in the Klondike Hills of SW Ontario I find my self with
the desire to get out and do something, anything other than sit on me
arse and watch snow falling. Putting seeds to soil in the green house
and sliding them into the hot bed certainly helps but sitting back in
the following days watching them grow is no less frustrating than the
previous occupation of doing nothing and resting after..
Given the above I decided that it was time to get out and rake the
dead grass off the flower beds.....I know, I know, grass is not the
preferred crop in a flower bed but in an effort to minimize the
upkeep we decided upon mostly “perennial bed”, what we seem to
have achieved is perennial grass and weed beds rather than flower
beds. Our new regime is now potted plants set in holes that we can
remove or replace as the need arises, So now at least all out
'failures' are in pots”
Anyway given the above sudden surge of ambition I foolishly
decided that spring gardening clean up should not be done in slippers
and that perhaps the tall 'slip on' insulated boots dedicated to
traipsing through the snow out to the mail box in the winter months
were, perhaps, not realty suitable for these tasks and thus dug out
real 'work boots', you know with solid tread, ankle support and
.....laces! All I am going to say that putting you socks on in the
morning pales besides this task, particularly the first time in
several months and on only two cups of tea!
Never the less after resting for some time after those exertions,
and another cupa, I did spend some time with that lawn rake.....some
of which I actually used it for raking rather than leaning on and
contemplating how the crap on the top of the “flower” beds
provide insulation for those thing that we planted that probably wont
reemerge anyway! Thankfully after a couple of hours of this my wife
arrived from picking up our granddaughter and dragged me fighting and
screaming away from my gardening efforts, Then I was informed that
our visitor has requested hot dogs for supper and it being probably
the nicest day since sometime in September decided to fire up the
BBQ.
Now we do not subscribe to those fancy thing that come on wheels
with a tank full of heating juice but prefer our stone. wood fired.
monolith. This takes a little time to get going and thus I was
forced to leave the lawn rake rest and clear off all the accumulated
junk, grills, and 'stuff' from around on and in the BBQ structure and
actual put fire to wood. After a hard days raking dead crap from on
top of half dead crap this understandably a tough job and required
'refreshments.' in order that one did not become dehydrated in the
steaming +12c temperatures.
I am going to end my narration here with the notation that our
first BBQ of the season was a small tease of better days to come even
if shortly after the hot dogs went on the sun went AWOL. My old bones
are aching and there is LOTS more to do out there but I just cannot
wait to get at it.....in small doses. Now will someone design 'slip
on work-boots and a way to put my feet closer to my hands!
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Small Town Democracy
This week a number of observers have been focusing on the place
and influence that the MSM, in particular print media, have upon our
democracy. More particularly our 'need to know' what is happening in
our various governmental institutions so that we the public can hold
them to account and ensure that they are respecting our democracy and
following the rules and keeping us informed regarding the decisions
they are making on our behalf.
Much has been said of late on this subject and concern that the loss and/ or amalgamation of various print media is seriously impacting our ability to have accurate, in depth, knowledge of government policy’s, decisions and proposals. This week I first watched a discussion on this on “the West Block” with Samara's Jane Hilderman, I then read Lornes take on things at Politics and its Discontents and Kirbys follow up at kirbycairo . What more could one say?
Perhaps the best place to start is at the Municipal level, not my usual fodder here but how much closer to the electors can you get when looking at democratic issues? One of the problems I have with addressing this at the local level is that since the loss of local small town newspapers (or their assimilation by major corporate chains) there is almost no regular information available to the average citizen. Even IF one goes digging about a specific local issue the information is spotty at best. Sure most councils post their agendas (in some cases AFTER the meeting has taken place!), minutes (very basic, we discussed this and decided this) and if one digs deep enough perhaps some supporting documentation. Of public discussion (if indeed there was any), rebuttal and suggestions put forward by citizens (again if any) you will find NOTHING in the official minutes. There is nothing wrong with that, they are after all just minutes meant to reflect the decisions of council, however unless citizens were firstly aware of the issue and then took the time to actually attend said meeting these 'details' are lost and unavailable to interested parties.
The days when reporters attended EVERY council meeting and reported, even briefly, on such goings on are long gone (at least here in rural Ontario), sure when a highly contentious issue comes to the public’s (and thus the MSMs) attention it will be briefly reported, but beyond that our councils may as well be operating in a vacuum. This to me is just a forerunner of what may well happen in upper levels of governance if our MSM continues to struggle with how to fund their operations and pay their staff, particularly those 'investigative' reporters, The sad part for me is that I would fully support a small independent newspaper (on or off line) but in my area there is no such thing, there are a couple of small town weekly newspapers that belong to a major chain that print non local 'articles' gleaned from various contract writers and a few local 'headlines' but real LOCAL news is sparse. The corporate owned daily paper in the nearest (small) city on the few time I have read it was not worth the paper it was printed on, the total local content would perhaps fill a weekly!
Then there is the TV news that according to this report is where over 80% of the 60% who do in fact follow the news get their information. (Lorne has more to say on that here) If you live in Toronto or another city where a TV station is located you may well see a little local news but outside of those areas your community may as well not exist.....until a major disaster or some other 'newsworthy' thing happens to get their attention! Sure you will learn all about the latest bombing in Timbuktu but in depth news of small town Canada, not a chance. Our local radio stations are now rapidly becoming the only source of local news and generally speaking they do a fairly good job of that but even they rarely cover Municipal Council deliberations, in short if you want to know what your Councillors are doing you must either go digging on line (with in some cases very limited success) or attend every meeting to personally listen to the proceedings. Not an option for most folks.
Bottom line here whilst 'modern communications' have made it possible to have almost instantaneous news of events world wide, fewer and fewer folks are keeping an eye on and using those tools to report on what is happening at various levels of governance (and it would seem from the above report fewer even care) resulting in less accountability to those they serve. Will it become news by press release? Is this a taste of things to come in upper levels of government? In short I wonder if democracy will survive because of the internet or in spite of it!
Originality posted at Democracy Under Fire and reposted here to highlight the lost of independent rural community newspapers.
Much has been said of late on this subject and concern that the loss and/ or amalgamation of various print media is seriously impacting our ability to have accurate, in depth, knowledge of government policy’s, decisions and proposals. This week I first watched a discussion on this on “the West Block” with Samara's Jane Hilderman, I then read Lornes take on things at Politics and its Discontents and Kirbys follow up at kirbycairo . What more could one say?
Perhaps the best place to start is at the Municipal level, not my usual fodder here but how much closer to the electors can you get when looking at democratic issues? One of the problems I have with addressing this at the local level is that since the loss of local small town newspapers (or their assimilation by major corporate chains) there is almost no regular information available to the average citizen. Even IF one goes digging about a specific local issue the information is spotty at best. Sure most councils post their agendas (in some cases AFTER the meeting has taken place!), minutes (very basic, we discussed this and decided this) and if one digs deep enough perhaps some supporting documentation. Of public discussion (if indeed there was any), rebuttal and suggestions put forward by citizens (again if any) you will find NOTHING in the official minutes. There is nothing wrong with that, they are after all just minutes meant to reflect the decisions of council, however unless citizens were firstly aware of the issue and then took the time to actually attend said meeting these 'details' are lost and unavailable to interested parties.
The days when reporters attended EVERY council meeting and reported, even briefly, on such goings on are long gone (at least here in rural Ontario), sure when a highly contentious issue comes to the public’s (and thus the MSMs) attention it will be briefly reported, but beyond that our councils may as well be operating in a vacuum. This to me is just a forerunner of what may well happen in upper levels of governance if our MSM continues to struggle with how to fund their operations and pay their staff, particularly those 'investigative' reporters, The sad part for me is that I would fully support a small independent newspaper (on or off line) but in my area there is no such thing, there are a couple of small town weekly newspapers that belong to a major chain that print non local 'articles' gleaned from various contract writers and a few local 'headlines' but real LOCAL news is sparse. The corporate owned daily paper in the nearest (small) city on the few time I have read it was not worth the paper it was printed on, the total local content would perhaps fill a weekly!
Then there is the TV news that according to this report is where over 80% of the 60% who do in fact follow the news get their information. (Lorne has more to say on that here) If you live in Toronto or another city where a TV station is located you may well see a little local news but outside of those areas your community may as well not exist.....until a major disaster or some other 'newsworthy' thing happens to get their attention! Sure you will learn all about the latest bombing in Timbuktu but in depth news of small town Canada, not a chance. Our local radio stations are now rapidly becoming the only source of local news and generally speaking they do a fairly good job of that but even they rarely cover Municipal Council deliberations, in short if you want to know what your Councillors are doing you must either go digging on line (with in some cases very limited success) or attend every meeting to personally listen to the proceedings. Not an option for most folks.
Bottom line here whilst 'modern communications' have made it possible to have almost instantaneous news of events world wide, fewer and fewer folks are keeping an eye on and using those tools to report on what is happening at various levels of governance (and it would seem from the above report fewer even care) resulting in less accountability to those they serve. Will it become news by press release? Is this a taste of things to come in upper levels of government? In short I wonder if democracy will survive because of the internet or in spite of it!
Originality posted at Democracy Under Fire and reposted here to highlight the lost of independent rural community newspapers.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Things that piss me off....!
Computers that go tilt just as you need
them (which is just about all the time)
Multiple (unnecessary) trips into town
to get it repaired.
New computers only available in local
stores with Windows 10.
“We cannot install or step back to Windows 7 for you
because it is no longer sold”
Microsoft Corporation.
“No you cannot pay cash at the store
and have us ship you one from our online inventory”
The inability to transfer the OS (win
7), all additional software & personal files directly to a new
computer. (Yes I have my personal stuff backed up)
Microsoft Corporation.
Computers that go tilt!
I should not get so wound up over the
loss of a “tool” but it is not until you loose the use of said
tool that you realize how much you depend on it. I see many hours of
work ahead loading LINUX UBUNTU on my new computer (after yet another trip into town to buy one with friggin Win 10 on it) and
installing all kinds of other software on it, restoring my personal
files and learning my way around the new OS. (The wife has a little
notebook with Linux on it but I have not used it much and its not the
full fledged Ubuntu version)
Who knew that a little problem with
video output on my laptop would give me days of tearing my hair out,
high blood pressure and such an insight into how much Microsoft has
everything tied up so far as computer sales.
This from a win 2000 desktop
resurrected from the “we better keep that just in case” pile!
PS Have you noticed that MS no longer
includes word processing software etc with their distributions but
want you to pay extra for that. Open source software like Ubunto,
firefox, thunderbird, foxit etc are much better anyway, may Microsoft
Corp stick their OS & software where the sun don’t shine.
There......now I feel better!
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Health Card Renewal – are you covered?
Recently my son, upon renewing his drivers license was told that
his Ontario Health card had been revoked in that he did not respond
to a renewal request sent to the address where we originally lived
when the card was issued some thirty plus years ago. It seems that if
you do not use your card for a period of 7 years and have moved in
the meanwhile that , despite having updated numerous other documents
including you Ontario Drivers license, that the heath services which
you are entitled to and pay for in your taxes will be automatically
revoked. If you have not used any heath services in 5 or more years you
had best check and make sure your card is still valid, and if you have moved get the card updated, there are
a number of cases documented online where such citizens have had
payment demanded before receiving necessary treatment.
The only good thing here is that apparently a recent change to the 'system' brings up a red flag when you renew your drivers license (or at least it did in my sons case) and thus you will eventually be aware of the revocation. The strange thing is if the government is aware of the card being invalid when licence renewal taking place why cannot they send a renewal notice to whatever current address is in their database for your drivers license. I am quite certain that 99% of folks are not aware of the necessity to notify the Ministry of Heath of a change of address since most such cards do not contain that information (I cannot speak for the new photo ID cards since we here all have the old red and white lifetime cards and very rarely use doctor or hospital services. I am further convinced that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Ontario citizens who are in the same position with no heath coverage but are unaware of it. It now seems to me that those who do not abuse the system are being penalized for NOT adding the the cost of such services.
It must be noted here that you can get a new heath card at Service Ontario whilst renewing you licence however despite having your license to hand and even details of your revoked card still on the 'system' you will need to provide further proof of your identity, citizenship and marital status, this is also true if simply renewing you existing valid photo card!
For more information see http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/renew.aspx
For renewing an old red & white card see
https://www.ontario.ca/health-and-wellness/health-card-services
For a list of documents required see this pdf document
UPDATE
To add insult to injury it seems that whilst you can replace a damaged, lost or stolen card at any License Office "Heath Card Services" are NOT available at most small rural and small town license offices so it seems you must travel to a major center to replace your "revoked" Heath Card!
The only good thing here is that apparently a recent change to the 'system' brings up a red flag when you renew your drivers license (or at least it did in my sons case) and thus you will eventually be aware of the revocation. The strange thing is if the government is aware of the card being invalid when licence renewal taking place why cannot they send a renewal notice to whatever current address is in their database for your drivers license. I am quite certain that 99% of folks are not aware of the necessity to notify the Ministry of Heath of a change of address since most such cards do not contain that information (I cannot speak for the new photo ID cards since we here all have the old red and white lifetime cards and very rarely use doctor or hospital services. I am further convinced that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Ontario citizens who are in the same position with no heath coverage but are unaware of it. It now seems to me that those who do not abuse the system are being penalized for NOT adding the the cost of such services.
It must be noted here that you can get a new heath card at Service Ontario whilst renewing you licence however despite having your license to hand and even details of your revoked card still on the 'system' you will need to provide further proof of your identity, citizenship and marital status, this is also true if simply renewing you existing valid photo card!
For more information see http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/renew.aspx
For renewing an old red & white card see
https://www.ontario.ca/health-and-wellness/health-card-services
For a list of documents required see this pdf document
UPDATE
To add insult to injury it seems that whilst you can replace a damaged, lost or stolen card at any License Office "Heath Card Services" are NOT available at most small rural and small town license offices so it seems you must travel to a major center to replace your "revoked" Heath Card!
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Problems with Math?
Many kids and adults struggle with math to a greater or lesser
degree and most of us by the time we are out in the working world
find strategy’s to work around such difficulties. Some kids who
struggle in junior school seem to suddenly 'get it' once in High
School but some continue to not be able to perform even simple math
functions, like making change, through to adulthood. In many cases
the use of a calculator or computerized till hides this problem until
the power goes out or the batteries go flat, others may even struggle
even with that 'accommodation'.
I have recently become aware that the inability to understand or perform math functions is not necessarily due to failure to learn the basics, poor memory function, laziness or other general leaning or intelligence ability’s. There is in fact a recognized 'disability' that specifically reduces an individuals ability to understand and perform math functions even though they may otherwise be highly intelligent, fully functioning individuals. As with a similar and related 'disability' dyslexia, it varies in one individual from another and often goes undiagnosed with the individual being classed as unintelligent or unable to learn or worse mentally deficient. Unfortunately here in SW Ontario this now well documented problem is largely unknown and unrecognized, particularly in the school system, to the point where that despite there being formal processes to recognize and test such kids in both the U.S. and the U.K. No such accommodations appear to exist in Ontario. In point of fact a researcher of brain functions at the UWO in London, Ontario, a Professor Ansari says that “I do not know of any place in Ontario where you can get a formal diagnosis of Dyscalculia”, this being the scientific name for this affliction.
Once a parent realizes that this may be the problem there is much information available on line as regards the symptoms and ramifications and even resources for “on line” testing to confirm your suspicions. Some such sites as with all such things online may need be approached with care however the most reliable sources appears to be via various university studies in the U.K, a search of such sites will guide you to such 'tests' one being http://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/testing.html where you will also find links to more information about this 'affliction'.
I will not try and explain the reason for this difficulty except to say that is is a glitch in the right hemisphere of the brain which makes numbers and math seem like a foreign language to those afflicted and there seems to be no 'cure' although there may be some ways to reduce the impact and increase the understanding of this math impediment.
If you or your child has exceptional difficulty in understanding or performing simple math look up the word “Dyscalculia” it may well be an “ahhh” moment, just dont expect any assistance or recognition of the problem by your local school board. (at least in the Avon Maitland board and as far as I can see most other Ontario boards!)
I have recently become aware that the inability to understand or perform math functions is not necessarily due to failure to learn the basics, poor memory function, laziness or other general leaning or intelligence ability’s. There is in fact a recognized 'disability' that specifically reduces an individuals ability to understand and perform math functions even though they may otherwise be highly intelligent, fully functioning individuals. As with a similar and related 'disability' dyslexia, it varies in one individual from another and often goes undiagnosed with the individual being classed as unintelligent or unable to learn or worse mentally deficient. Unfortunately here in SW Ontario this now well documented problem is largely unknown and unrecognized, particularly in the school system, to the point where that despite there being formal processes to recognize and test such kids in both the U.S. and the U.K. No such accommodations appear to exist in Ontario. In point of fact a researcher of brain functions at the UWO in London, Ontario, a Professor Ansari says that “I do not know of any place in Ontario where you can get a formal diagnosis of Dyscalculia”, this being the scientific name for this affliction.
Once a parent realizes that this may be the problem there is much information available on line as regards the symptoms and ramifications and even resources for “on line” testing to confirm your suspicions. Some such sites as with all such things online may need be approached with care however the most reliable sources appears to be via various university studies in the U.K, a search of such sites will guide you to such 'tests' one being http://www.dyscalculia.me.uk/testing.html where you will also find links to more information about this 'affliction'.
I will not try and explain the reason for this difficulty except to say that is is a glitch in the right hemisphere of the brain which makes numbers and math seem like a foreign language to those afflicted and there seems to be no 'cure' although there may be some ways to reduce the impact and increase the understanding of this math impediment.
If you or your child has exceptional difficulty in understanding or performing simple math look up the word “Dyscalculia” it may well be an “ahhh” moment, just dont expect any assistance or recognition of the problem by your local school board. (at least in the Avon Maitland board and as far as I can see most other Ontario boards!)
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Lost my Poppy
Remembrance Day.....
Lost my new poppy..was pinned on fast
Seems them soldiers have the last laugh
Reminding us, they are still proud
Looking for "My Poppy"...their jokes allowed.
I pinned it firm over my heart
Taped it, bent it, not we to part
Low and behold...Poppies Gone...
Good name, for a Remembrance Song...!!
I feel bad if my Poppy not seen
This special memory, lost boyhood dreams
Gave their lives for us we know
But Poppies are sold...wherever we go.
So I purchase another..smile goes with
No my friend not really a twit
I accept the game, old soldiers play
Re-pin "this one" proudly..."it's Remembrance Day."
Footnote:
I am sure poppies don't just fall from clothing, I feel they are letting us know
the gesture sure is appreciated by they that gave it their all on the fields of freedom battles.
So if you lose your Poppy...a soldier is saying "Thanks" for remembering them.
Purchase another....their price paid was greater than a few coins dropped in a box.
Wallyguy....Wiarton.
Lost my new poppy..was pinned on fast
Seems them soldiers have the last laugh
Reminding us, they are still proud
Looking for "My Poppy"...their jokes allowed.
I pinned it firm over my heart
Taped it, bent it, not we to part
Low and behold...Poppies Gone...
Good name, for a Remembrance Song...!!
I feel bad if my Poppy not seen
This special memory, lost boyhood dreams
Gave their lives for us we know
But Poppies are sold...wherever we go.
So I purchase another..smile goes with
No my friend not really a twit
I accept the game, old soldiers play
Re-pin "this one" proudly..."it's Remembrance Day."
Footnote:
I am sure poppies don't just fall from clothing, I feel they are letting us know
the gesture sure is appreciated by they that gave it their all on the fields of freedom battles.
So if you lose your Poppy...a soldier is saying "Thanks" for remembering them.
Purchase another....their price paid was greater than a few coins dropped in a box.
Wallyguy....Wiarton.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Rural Youth Engagement Showcase
Today
through November 29, 2015, rural communities across Ontario have the
opportunity to nominate young leaders for recognition in the Youth
Engagement Showcase, the most recent initiative of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI).
The
showcase will profile compelling stories of youth taking charge and
tackling important issues, highlight the impact youth can have in their
communities and demonstrate how different types of rural communities can
successfully involve youth in addressing local challenges.
Up
to eight final nominees will be profiled through individual video
documentaries, each being filmed in their respective hometown. These
documentaries will showcase involvements and accomplishments as well as
community programs and organizations that are successfully engaging
youth.
Nomination information is available here. Please support the Youth Engagement Showcase by sharing this information within your networks.
ROI is probably the best and in some cases the only resource for all thing 'rural' in Ontario, I highly recommend their site as an information source and am pleased that they are including our rural youth in their programs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
