Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Repost: John Daley, My Great-Great Uncle, R.I.P.
Private John Daley, Kings County, Prince Edward Island
Born March 23, 1891 Died in combat Nov. 6, 1918, age 27 years.
Born March 23, 1891 Died in combat Nov. 6, 1918, age 27 years.
John Daley was my maternal grandmother's uncle. He was killed five days before the end of the Great War. The army he fought as part of was ending the period known as "Canada's Hundred Days," a period during which it was at the forefront of some of the most decisive, important victories of the war. He's buried along with 881 other Commonwealth soldiers in the Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery in Northern France, close to the Belgian frontier.
He was killed 2-3 days after the Canadian Corps took the area from the German Army, who had held the area from the war's early days. Uncle John' s unit is listed is listed as the Nova Scotia Highlanders (or the 85th Battalion) although they may have been attached to the Manitoba Regiment at the time of his death. Many young men from Eastern Prince Edward Island had gone to Nova Scotia to enlist.
The tragedy in his death itself, in his death at 27, and in his death in the war's last days are obvious. Other suffering caused by his death is not so obvious. In 1917, his brother Abram drowned after falling from a vessel in the Northumberland Strait, leaving his widow and two daughters. They were my grandmother and her older sister (who had been blind from birth). The family's understanding has always been (in my life time) that John would have supported them after the war and they would have been spared the poverty that they had faced. In the end, my grandmother and her sister had full, happy lives. This was despite the poverty they faced as children- poverty they overcame but with some price. Specifically, the costs of school for the blind for my great aunt, meant less money for education and medical (dental) care for my grandmother. The math was that simple. These were not life-threatening deficits, but certainly life-shaping.
Save for the effect of a single shell or bullet in the cold November of 1918, I believe John Daley would have helped as he could.
B.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link for John Daley:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=577383
Canadian Department of Veteran's Affairs Link for John Daley: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=577383
He was killed 2-3 days after the Canadian Corps took the area from the German Army, who had held the area from the war's early days. Uncle John' s unit is listed is listed as the Nova Scotia Highlanders (or the 85th Battalion) although they may have been attached to the Manitoba Regiment at the time of his death. Many young men from Eastern Prince Edward Island had gone to Nova Scotia to enlist.
The tragedy in his death itself, in his death at 27, and in his death in the war's last days are obvious. Other suffering caused by his death is not so obvious. In 1917, his brother Abram drowned after falling from a vessel in the Northumberland Strait, leaving his widow and two daughters. They were my grandmother and her older sister (who had been blind from birth). The family's understanding has always been (in my life time) that John would have supported them after the war and they would have been spared the poverty that they had faced. In the end, my grandmother and her sister had full, happy lives. This was despite the poverty they faced as children- poverty they overcame but with some price. Specifically, the costs of school for the blind for my great aunt, meant less money for education and medical (dental) care for my grandmother. The math was that simple. These were not life-threatening deficits, but certainly life-shaping.
Save for the effect of a single shell or bullet in the cold November of 1918, I believe John Daley would have helped as he could.
B.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link for John Daley:
Canadian Department of Veteran's Affairs Link for John Daley:
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Psychology and Social Work: the venn diagram
This is a venn diagram I wrote for a recent presentation I made to a group of undergraduate psychology students. The focus of my presentation was on social work as a career option. Any and all feedback is appreciated.B.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
CBC News - Canada - Battle over future of Fokker D.VII divides Knowlton, Que.
As some of you know, World War I & II aircraft are a real passion for me. The Fokker D. VII mentioned below was the best German fighter of the First World War and a whole generation of allied fighters were needed to counter it. It was the only aircraft mentioned by name in the Versailles Treaty.
Anyway, here's a very interesting story from the CBC about the only D. VII in the world in its orginal condition.
CBC News - Canada - Battle over future of Fokker D.VII divides Knowlton, Que.
B.
Anyway, here's a very interesting story from the CBC about the only D. VII in the world in its orginal condition.
CBC News - Canada - Battle over future of Fokker D.VII divides Knowlton, Que.
B.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sucess but no time
The first week of school went well. We are very busy but settling in to a hectic regualr schedule. Work is up for both us and both girls are back at the rink at Can Skate/Figure Skating.
I am at work, and have no time to write now. This is in part because we have a private showing of our house tonight at 5:30 and an open house for our place on Sunday.
B.
I am at work, and have no time to write now. This is in part because we have a private showing of our house tonight at 5:30 and an open house for our place on Sunday.
B.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Monday, September 06, 2010
The White Stripes - We're Going To Be Friends
This is the last night that we have a pre-schooler sleeping in our house. Brave, sweet Super Girl makes her way into Grade One tomorrow.
Here is my all-time favourite "back to school" song. A simple song for a more innocent time.
The Simpsons - Union Strike Song and Classical Gas
Happy Labour Day 2010
One of my favourite Simpsons moments.
B.
One of my favourite Simpsons moments.
B.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Moment of Truth?
Today we have an open house from one to three. A family who liked our house from our last open house have told our agent that they are coming today and that they have been talking to their bank (which hopefully means they are approved for a mortgage).
There have been times when we've both been kind of discouraged lately, so we're putting a lot of hope into this basket.
B.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Humans must move to space in 100 years or face extinction: Hawking | Posted | National Post
Okay, great-grandchildren to be: start training as soon as you can!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Eddy Grant - Gimme Hope Joanna (1988)
I just spent a couple of minutes trying to convince the girls that the tune to a Yop commercial on TV was actually a song about South Africa- a plea for the centre of white power, the city of Johannesburg. It is, I think, a far better song than I remember. Good enough, for me to have mixed feelings about it being used to sell delicious dairy-based drinks. But, I didn't write it.
Set your Way-Back Machines to 1988 and try to remember how outraged so many of us were in 1988 at Apartheid. If only we could summon the same outrage at poverty rooted in racist pasts.
Enjoy!
B.
Friday, August 20, 2010
How to Start a Fire Without Matches | The Art of Manliness
You never know when something like this will come in handy:
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Gun
If they had toys like this when I was a child, I'm not sure how differently I migh t have grown to be as an adult. Regardless, it is pretty awesome.
Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Gun
B.
Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Gun
B.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
How to Make a Corn Cob Pipe | The Art of Manliness
For my father-in-law, because he and ONLY he is cool enough to pull this off.
B.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Article: "15 Manly Smells"
B.
Link below:
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Kids' Movie Magic
Week two of our vacation is going well. We've repainted the family room downstairs and have had lots of time to relax as well.
Tonight we watched Jurassic Park with the girls. It was the first time they'd watched it and was a very big hit.
Ah, childhood!
B.
Tonight we watched Jurassic Park with the girls. It was the first time they'd watched it and was a very big hit.
Ah, childhood!
B.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
'It's Kind of a Funny Story' - Trailer |HD|
This could be pretty funny:
Its to be released on September 24th 2010.
B.
The New Ride
As mentioned previously, we have been in need of a new vehicle. A week before our trip I received our insurance cheque (the old Santa Fe was a write-off) and bought a 2005 Santa Fe with 53,000 km on it. Its a FWD with a 2.7 litre V-6. The colour is different and unblike the 2004, it has anti-lock brakes and stability assist.
Our new Santa Fe had a very comfortable ride on our trip and decent mileage.
B.
“Best Road Trip Ever”
Last night we arrived home after a road trip to Maine. We visited Bar Harbor, Freeport, and Bangor. It was a great trip and went smoothly. Super Girl (age 6) proclaimed it the “best road trip ever.” That can’t be a bad sign.
Bar Harbor:
We had a great time seeing the mountain, Acadia National Park, and the town itself. Unfortunately, our whale watching tour was cancelled due to high seas.
Freeport:
The Land of L.L. Bean. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Plus a few quirky sights:
Back to school clothes and backpacks were the popular choice.
B.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Cat News!
I can't believe the cat came back after a week and a half! Apparently she spent the last few days in the neighbours camper trailer.
B.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Open House Today!
Open house today! Cross your fingers!
Living room has been painted (by me). Surely that's all it could possibly take to tip the balance in our favour.
B.
Living room has been painted (by me). Surely that's all it could possibly take to tip the balance in our favour.
B.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Stuff that reminds me of Mom: Philips Turntable
Happily, I have a number of memories of Mom that involve records and music. Neither of us were hardcore fans of any particular music (although I came close in my devotion to U2). But, we both liked a number of different types of music and she was always willing to listen to whatever I suggested and played for her.
Last week, I collected a number of cassettes to which I knew Dad would never lsiten. He recntly bought a turntable with a recordable CD drive on it. We tried copying a one record so far and results have been mixed. I'll write more about the cassettes in a future post.
My dad's biggest objective of the last few months has been to get the basement cleared out of stuff that he will not need and which are not pricless family heirlooms. I help when I'm able and last week I decided to tackle our 1970-ish vintage Philips "portable" turntable. Its an item with which I associate a lot of good memories, including at least one birthday party. Here it is.
Last week, I collected a number of cassettes to which I knew Dad would never lsiten. He recntly bought a turntable with a recordable CD drive on it. We tried copying a one record so far and results have been mixed. I'll write more about the cassettes in a future post.
My dad's biggest objective of the last few months has been to get the basement cleared out of stuff that he will not need and which are not pricless family heirlooms. I help when I'm able and last week I decided to tackle our 1970-ish vintage Philips "portable" turntable. Its an item with which I associate a lot of good memories, including at least one birthday party. Here it is.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
And, then there's the other stuff (House & Cat)
So, these two things in no way compare to yesterday's events, but-
1) The two families that were interested in buying our house are no longer interested (or possibly couldn't get mortgage approval). We're having another open house on Sunday, July 18th.
2) Peggy is missing. She's been "out" since Thursday. The longer she's gone, the less likely it is that she'll be returning to us.
B.
1) The two families that were interested in buying our house are no longer interested (or possibly couldn't get mortgage approval). We're having another open house on Sunday, July 18th.
2) Peggy is missing. She's been "out" since Thursday. The longer she's gone, the less likely it is that she'll be returning to us.
B.
A Trying (but really GREAT) Friday
Yesterday was eventful. Action Girl (age 9) was finishing at the summer camp she had been at since last Sunday. In a unrelated happening, I took Super Mom's car top have some brake work done. Our plan had been for her to leave home and pick me up and to drive to pick up A-G at her camp.
At about 2:35PM, about a kilometre from our home a car crossed the centre line and struck them close to the driver's side front wheel. They are fine, at least by today.
The local fire department, police, and two ambulances were called. The other driver and Super Girl (age 6) were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Happily, Super Girl was there and gone in about two hours and she and Super Mom are bruised and stiff but otherwise okay.
Our car, the 2004 Santa Fe is pretty heavily damaged. It now has three wheels, which I suspect may turn out to be a problem. All that really matters is that they are fine. That makes it a really successful day.
B.
At about 2:35PM, about a kilometre from our home a car crossed the centre line and struck them close to the driver's side front wheel. They are fine, at least by today.
The local fire department, police, and two ambulances were called. The other driver and Super Girl (age 6) were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Happily, Super Girl was there and gone in about two hours and she and Super Mom are bruised and stiff but otherwise okay.
Our car, the 2004 Santa Fe is pretty heavily damaged. It now has three wheels, which I suspect may turn out to be a problem. All that really matters is that they are fine. That makes it a really successful day.
B.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Terrifying police raid wakens couple at 4 a.m. - thestar.com
I'm generally pretty supportive of the police. One of the great pluses of the last 14 years as a social worker has been getting to know a number of police officers and working quite closely with them , at times.
Stories like the one below trouble me, though.
Mistakes happen. Mistakes that almost get people killed are harder to excuse.
B.
Maybe we're actually pretty good at this...
So, it sounds like there are actually two families who are very interested in our house! Neither has yet made an actual offer, but things are progressing. We had an agent showing one of them our house on Saturday and they told their agent that of the four houses they had seen, our house was their first choice.
Admittedly, all of this could mean nothing, but its hard not to be optimistic. :-)
B.
Admittedly, all of this could mean nothing, but its hard not to be optimistic. :-)
B.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Last Day of Grade Three
From our "things that have me feeling OLD" department: in seven minutes time, I'm leaving to pick up our eldest daughter from her last day of Grade Three! Where has the time gone?
B.
B.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
It may soon be time to get excited....
I'm at home today with an under-the-weather Super Girl (age 6). She's recovering nicely.
Our real estate agent just called and she expects an offer within a couple of days! Its important not to assume this is 100%, but I'm beginning to get really optimistic. The house that's our number 1 choice is still available, so things could start to happen soon. The family that's interested in our house is waiting to hear back on mortgage approval.
Fingers crossed,
B.
Our real estate agent just called and she expects an offer within a couple of days! Its important not to assume this is 100%, but I'm beginning to get really optimistic. The house that's our number 1 choice is still available, so things could start to happen soon. The family that's interested in our house is waiting to hear back on mortgage approval.
Fingers crossed,
B.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. rebuffs children's watchdog
If I'm ever published, it will (probably) be for writing an article on kinship foster care. The theme of relatives caring for kids in state care holds far greater promise than other forms of care, with a host of expected and unexpected risks and challenges.
B.
Click on the link below:
CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. rebuffs children's watchdog
B.
Click on the link below:
CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. rebuffs children's watchdog
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Open House Outcome
This post's title may be a little premature. Our agent said that there were about 10 people through the house and that one family in particular seemed serious ( the dad left and he and the mom returned and spent about 45 minutes). We're optimistic but not getting our hopes up too much.
B.
B.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Pretty Balanced and Very Busy
The only reason I have time to write this entry this morning is because Super Girl (age 6) is home with a sore tummy. This weekend we have our second open house and we are (I think) still enjoying the challenge of trying to sell our house that now, yen years on, seems so small.
The girls have been even busier than usual. Here’s a quick run-down:
Super Girl (age 6):
- Graduates from kindergarten next week.
- Had her Grade One Orientation morning (went well).
- Has started her sport for the summer: baseball! She liked it so much she made a baseball diamond diorama as soon as she got home from last week’s practice.
- Is on the verge of riding her bike with no training wheels (I’ll keep you posted).
- Has her first loose tooth.
- Is greatly enjoying our read-aloud of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- Danced last week in the provincial dance competition. Her group clogged to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” as interpreted by Hannah Montana.
Action Girl (age 9):
- Is winding down Grade Three.
- Has started her SIXTH year of soccer. She missed the second night (last night) because of a bad tummy but should have a great year.
- Continues to enjoy a wonderful and complex social life with a number of close friends (including a best friend).
- Has “wrapped” Super Mario Brothers on her Nintendo DSi.
- Is currently reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on her own.
- Is going to camp for six days in early July with her best friend. Every camper gets to pick an area of speciality. Hers? “Rock Climbing” for the second year in a row.
More soon,
B.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Meet Samuel, Lost’s Man In Black
Post-Lost Finale Info:
Jacob's brother's name was... Samuel!!!!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
CBC News - World - Malawi gay couple get 14 years in prison
I am very angry at the government of Malawi. Please add that body to my &*%$^ list...
I hope that years from now, moves like this are seen for the blatant they so clearly are.
CBC News - World - Malawi gay couple get 14 years in prison
I hope that years from now, moves like this are seen for the blatant they so clearly are.
CBC News - World - Malawi gay couple get 14 years in prison
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Open House in Two Weeks?
Our realtor is going to have an open house at our place in two weeks! How exciting- how terrifying!
Actually, I think we should be really ready for it by then.
More later,
B.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Work Mumblings...
Not a great day at work...
Am thinking a change maybe in order, but the same old question arises. Should I be the happy new fish in a new pond or an old, unhappy fish with aquatic seniority?
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Uncharted Territroy of Mother's Day
Last night I wrote in an e-mail that Mother's Day this hadn't been awful. With mom gone, it seemed more strange than anything else. Odd, maybe... Out of place and wrong...
I took a couple of baskets of flowers and put them on mom's grave. It was the first time I've been there since her funeral in November. Had it been any later in the year (or any other winter, we might not have been able to have her internment until now (or a few weeks ago). We also have yet to pick out her grave stone. Dad's decided that my sister (who died right after birth in 1972) Mom, and he will all have their names on one headstone. Right now my sister is buried about an hour away- we had decided right after mom dies to have her moved so she could be with mom and dad in the community they've called home for the past 30 years.
B.
I took a couple of baskets of flowers and put them on mom's grave. It was the first time I've been there since her funeral in November. Had it been any later in the year (or any other winter, we might not have been able to have her internment until now (or a few weeks ago). We also have yet to pick out her grave stone. Dad's decided that my sister (who died right after birth in 1972) Mom, and he will all have their names on one headstone. Right now my sister is buried about an hour away- we had decided right after mom dies to have her moved so she could be with mom and dad in the community they've called home for the past 30 years.
B.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
My New Ride: Its Here!
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On Monday, I was able to sell my 1998 Corolla and buy my 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The last couple of days spent driving it have been a blast. I really, really like it and so do the girls (and my other family and colleagues).
The Great:
- The driving position. Its super comfortable, probably the best I’ve ever driven. Its high and visibility is great.
- The room. It goes on for miles.
- The options, it may not sound like much, but I‘ve wanted to have remote locks and air conditioning for some time. We have both in the other car (a very nice ‘09 Corolla).
- The ride: its more comfortable than I expected. Very smooth!
The Things to Get Used to/Change:
- Gas mileage. Yep. It takes more gas. Stay tuned as I start to assess the actual mileage. Today I filled it up for the first time and just off the top of my head I think it was $63.50 or about 55 Litres.
- It only has winter tires. Mind you they are great (and new) winter tires. I need to get all-season tires on it as soon as possible.
- Parking. Its not that hard but I still need some practice.
B.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
New Car!!!!!!!
Well, its an SUV actually.
Its a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe here's the Kijiji ad:
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