Mother's Day

Mother’s Day has always been a celebration of love, gratitude, and the quiet strength that mothers carry through every season of life. But like many traditions, it didn’t start as the commercial holiday we know today.

The modern version began in 1908, when Anna Jarvis of West Virginia held a memorial for her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis — a woman who spent her life caring for families and promoting public health. Anna campaigned for a national day to honour all mothers, and by 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. From there, the tradition spread across the world, including here in Canada, where it quickly became a cherished spring ritual.

But beyond the history, Mother’s Day is really about moments — the small, thoughtful gestures that remind us we’re loved.

This year, my Mother’s Day began quietly. My daughter sent me flowers on Friday — a beautiful surprise on its own. I didn’t expect anything more. Flowers are already a gift of love, and I was content with that.

Then came an email yesterday: an invitation for dinner.

Now, we’re not a “restaurant family.” Crowds, noise, and rushed service aren’t our idea of a relaxing celebration. And my daughter, being a mother herself, shouldn’t have to spend the day cooking. She deserves to be honoured too.

So she came up with the perfect solution: a take‑out Mother’s Day dinner at her home — relaxed, warm, and shared together.

We enjoyed delicious Greek food from Poseidon Restaurant in Langley, one of the best spots around for authentic flavours. Alongside it, we opened a bottle of prosecco and a lovely rosé wine — simple, celebratory touches that made the evening feel special without any fuss.

And then came dessert: a homemade strawberry pie, beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. The kind of dessert that tastes like spring and love in equal measure.

It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t elaborate.

It was perfect.

Thank you Cheryl, Dave and Lexie for a wonderful evening!

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Marilyn Vos Savant - one intelligent woman!

 

This woman holds the highest recorded IQ ever: an astonishing 228. Far surpassing Einstein (160-190), Hawking (160), and Musk (155). Yet, despite her brilliance, she faced ridicule for her response to a seemingly simple problem.

But she saw what no one else could.

Here’s her story:

Marilyn Vos Savant was far from an ordinary child.

By the age of 10, she had:

• Memorized entire books

• Read all 24 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica

• Achieved the highest recorded IQ of 228

She seemed destined for a life of genius.

But reality took a different turn.

“No one paid much attention to me—mostly because I was a girl. And I accepted that,” Marilyn Vos Savant once said.

She attended a regular public school, left Washington University after two years to help run her parents' business, and seemed destined for an ordinary life.

But in 1985, everything changed.

The Guinness Book of World Records listed her as having the "Highest IQ" ever recorded: 228.

Suddenly, Marilyn was thrust into the spotlight:

• Featured on the covers of New York Magazine and Parade Magazine

• Guest on Late Night with David Letterman

But she couldn’t have anticipated what lay ahead.

The Rise and the Question

Marilyn joined Parade Magazine to write the iconic "Ask Marilyn" column—a dream for someone with a passion for writing.

Yet, this dream turned into a nightmare with a single question in September 1990.

The Monty Hall Problem

Named after Monty Hall, the host of Let’s Make a Deal, the question went like this:

You’re on a game show.

There are 3 doors.

• 1 door hides a car.

• The other 2 hide goats.

You choose a door. The host opens another door, revealing a goat.

Should you switch doors?

Marilyn’s answer: “Yes, you should switch.”

The backlash was overwhelming. She received over 10,000 letters, including nearly 1,000 from PhDs, insisting she was wrong:

• “You are the goat!”

• “You blew it, and you blew it big!”

• “Maybe women look at math problems differently than men.”

But was she wrong?

The Math Behind the Answer

Consider the two possible scenarios:

You pick the car (1/3 chance):

• If you switch, you lose.

You pick a goat (2/3 chance):

• Monty reveals the other goat.

• If you switch, you win.

Switching gives you a 2/3 chance of winning.

Eventually, her answer was proven correct.

Vindication

MIT ran computer simulations confirming her logic.

MythBusters tested it and reached the same conclusion.

Some academics even apologized.

So why did so many fail to see the truth?

The Reasons People Got It Wrong

• They "reset" the scenario instead of recognizing the shifting probabilities.

• The simplicity of 3 doors obscured the underlying math.

• Many assumed each remaining door had a 50% chance.

Marilyn’s View

Marilyn blamed the compulsory schooling system for discouraging independent thinking. She argued that it:

• Creates passive learners

• Stifles exploration

• Hinders critical thinking

A Blessing and a Burden

Marilyn admits that her intellect often feels isolating—there’s no one to turn to when she needs answers.

Still, she sees her intelligence as a gift, not a curse .

I looked this up to make sure it was correct and this is what I found:

Savant sees IQ tests as measurements of a variety of mental abilities and thinks intelligence entails so many factors that "attempts to measure it are useless".   She has held memberships with the high IQ societies Mensa International and the Mega Society.

Stop signs

 This is a stop sign in most provinces of Canada.  We are a bilingual country with two official languages. 

This is a stop sign in Quebec:

This is a stop sign in France:

This is a stop sign in Nunavit

This is a stop sign in Delta, BC close to Tsawwassen Mills Shopping Center:

This isn't AI, the picture was taken by a friend!

When a Beloved Book Meets the Pacific: Remarkably Bright Creatures Comes to Life at the Vancouver Aquarium

Some stories feel like they’re meant for the screen, and Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of them — a tender, surprising novel about grief, connection, and an octopus with more wisdom than most humans. Now, with Sally Field leading the cast and Vancouver standing in for the fictional Sowell Bay, this heartwarming tale is swimming into a new life on film.

A Story That Already Felt Cinematic

Van Pelt’s bestselling 2022 novel captured readers with its unusual narrator: Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus with a sharp mind and a sharper wit. His unlikely friendship with Tova Sullivan, a widowed night cleaner at the local aquarium, becomes the emotional anchor of the story — one that blends mystery, healing, and humour in a way that feels both gentle and profound.

It turns out the author had a very specific actor in mind. According to Lewis Pullman, Van Pelt imagined Sally Field as Tova while writing the book — a full‑circle moment now realized on screen.

Sally Field at the Vancouver Aquarium

For Vancouverites, the excitement is doubled: the film didn’t just choose British Columbia for its scenery — it filmed right at the Vancouver Aquarium, giving the beloved local landmark a starring role.

While the fictional Sowell Bay is set in Washington State, the production found its perfect match in Vancouver and North Vancouver, where the coastal atmosphere, working waterfronts, and marine life exhibits brought the story’s world to life. Filming took place across the region, including Deep Cove, Cates Park, and Maple Ridge, but the aquarium scenes are the emotional heart of the film.

Seeing Sally Field wandering the aquarium’s quiet nighttime corridors — the same ones many of us have walked — adds a layer of intimacy and familiarity to the adaptation. Locals even spotted her filming in North Vancouver, warmly greeting fans between takes.

A Film That Stays True to the Book’s Spirit

Early previews suggest the movie remains faithful to the novel’s tone, capturing its cozy coastal setting, its gentle humour, and its themes of loss, resilience, and unexpected friendship. The trailer highlights the bond between Tova and Marcellus, with Alfred Molina voicing the octopus — a perfect match for his dry, observant personality.

Van Pelt herself has praised the adaptation, noting that while some scenes differ from the book, the characters feel exactly right — and she even filmed a cameo during her time on set in Vancouver.

Why This Adaptation Matters

At its core, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story about finding connection in unexpected places — something that resonates deeply in a world that often feels disconnected. Bringing this story to screen, especially with an actor as grounded and empathetic as Sally Field, feels like an invitation to slow down, breathe, and rediscover wonder.

And for those of us in British Columbia, there’s something special about seeing our coastline, our forests, and our aquarium woven into a story that has already touched so many hearts.

A Final Thought

Whether you fell in love with the book or are discovering the story for the first time, the film adaptation promises to be life‑affirming, beautifully acted, and visually rich — a celebration of the quiet magic that happens when humans and the natural world truly see each other.

And yes… Marcellus steals the show. Again.

It starts streaming on Netflix tomorrow. I can't wait to watch it.

Louise Arbour Canada's new Governor General

When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Louise Arbour would become Canada’s next Governor General, many Canadians recognized the moment as historic — not only because she will be the oldest person ever appointed to the role, but because her life’s work has shaped justice and human rights around the world.

Born in Montreal in 1947, Arbour’s journey from a determined young law student to one of the world’s most respected jurists is a story of courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Early Brilliance and Academic Leadership

Arbour earned her law degree with distinction from the Université de Montréal in 1970, quickly establishing herself as a rising legal mind. She clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada, taught at Osgoode Hall Law School, and served as associate dean — all while championing civil liberties and challenging laws that restricted the rights of vulnerable groups.

Her early work included advocating for prisoners’ voting rights and scrutinizing Canada’s rape‑shield law, arguing that justice must protect both victims and the wrongly accused.

A Global Force for Justice

Arbour’s international impact is extraordinary. In 1996, the United Nations appointed her Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

In this role, she:

• Indicted Slobodan Milošević, marking the first time a sitting head of state was charged with war crimes.

• Oversaw the first prosecution of sexual assault as a crime against humanity, a landmark in international law.

Her work helped redefine global accountability for genocide and mass atrocities.

Supreme Court Justice and UN High Commissioner

In 1999, Arbour became the third woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, where she served until 2004.

She then accepted one of the world’s most demanding diplomatic roles: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. From 2004 to 2008, she spoke out against abuses in Darfur, Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Chechnya, often at significant political cost.

Her leadership earned her the UN Human Rights Prize and more than 30 honorary degrees.

Championing Reform at Home

Even after returning to Canada in 2008, Arbour remained a powerful voice for justice. In 2021, she led the Independent Review of the Canadian Armed Forces’ handling of sexual misconduct, issuing 48 recommendations — including shifting investigations to civilian authorities.

Her report continues to shape national policy and expectations for accountability.

A Governor General for a New Era

When she is sworn in this June, Arbour will become Commander‑in‑Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, bringing her decades of experience in justice, human rights, and institutional reform to Rideau Hall.

Her appointment signals a renewed commitment to integrity, global engagement, and the rule of law — values she has embodied throughout her remarkable career.

MV Hondius Virus Update

 

This is the ship that currently has the hantavirus.  

Current Situation

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is being held off the port of Praia, Cape Verde, after three confirmed deaths and multiple suspected cases of hantavirus among passengers and crew. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed two laboratory‑verified cases and five suspected cases, bringing the total to seven affected individuals.

Cape Verdean authorities have refused to allow the ship to dock, citing protection of the local population. Passengers remain confined to their cabins under strict isolation and hygiene protocols.

Who Has Been Affected

• A Dutch couple were the first two fatalities; the husband died onboard, and his wife died after evacuation to South Africa.

• A German passenger later died onboard.

• A British passenger is in intensive care in Johannesburg.

• Two crew members — one British, one Dutch — require urgent medical care.

In total, 149 people from 23 nationalities are aboard, including passengers from the UK, US, Spain, Ireland, and four Canadians.

What Authorities Are Doing

• WHO is coordinating a multi‑country response, including lab testing, sequencing, and evacuation logistics.

• Dutch authorities are preparing potential medical repatriations, pending Cape Verde’s approval.

• South African health officials have treated evacuated passengers and confirmed hantavirus in at least one case.

Risk to the Public

WHO Europe states the risk to the wider public remains low, as hantavirus typically spreads through rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, not easily from person to person.

Conditions Onboard

Passengers are:

• Confined to cabins

• Under continuous medical monitoring

• Awaiting decisions on evacuation and next port clearance

Some passengers have posted emotional updates describing fear, uncertainty, and the desire to return home.