Happy Halloween!

 

Here is the best video I've seen for Halloween.  

Canada Vaccine Passport

A week ago the Canadian Government announced the approved Canadian Government Vaccine Passport was available for most provinces.  It is the only acceptable form for International travel.  The vaccine passports the provinces have issued are not acceptable by foreign governments.

Today British Columbia released the passport for all BC residents who have received their vaccines.  It's an easy download from the B C Health Gateway.  It's in PDF format.  

Here is a good website for information on travel:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current

Friday funnies

 

Our sad medical situation

I always try to keep my blog light, but I'm not in a good place right now.  Our Provincial Health Office gave all our health care workers plenty of time to get vaccinated.  Our Federal Government, British Columbia Provincial Government and many cities told their employees they all must have both shots.  A lot of private companies, police and fire departments have the same edict.  

The deadline for health care workers in British Columbia to be vaccinated was Tuesday.  If they didn't have one jab they would be put on unpaid leave.  The local news broadcasts talk about the many employees in long term care who aren't vaxxed.  The federal government says they will not be eligible for employment insurance.  This article from CBC says 4,000 health care workers in BC are not vaccinated!

B C Health Care Workers

My neighbour had an appointment yesterday at Life Labs for a routine blood test.  She waited outside, standing, for over an hour!  They told her the delay was because of a staff shortage.

A close relative is waiting for triple bypass surgery at Vancouver General.  It was scheduled for October 6, then October 19, then October 26th at 5:30 AM.  They called the day before and changed the time to 11:30 AM, same day.  He went to the hospital ready for surgery and when he got to admitting he was told "the cardiac ward is in chaos, your surgery has been cancelled".  His bypass was rescheduled for yesterday at 5:45 AM.  He went to the hospital at 5:45, was admitted and sent to the surgery waiting room.  They came and told him it didn't look good and at 9:06, the nurse said, "it's really bad, your surgery is cancelled again".   

Our entire medical system is in chaos.  I'm sure in the next few days many people will share their experience at a hospital, emergency room, lab, and long term care.  Most of these facilities are already under staffed.  Don't get sick!

What's going to happen when police and fire fighters have their deadline?

Japanese Doctor Advice

 Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste time on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it’s like saying you extend life of a car by driving faster. Want to live longer? - Take nap.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: Oh no. Wine made from fruit. Fruit very good. Brandy distilled wine, that means they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Grain good too. - Bottoms up!

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain...very good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How can getting more vegetable be bad?

 Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around.

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is also a shape!

Well.. I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

Finally, the Japanese Doctor summed up: Look mister, Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride my life was"!!!!!

Eat whatever you like because you will still DIE, don't allow motivational speakers deceive you.

1. The inventor of the treadmill died at the age of 54.

2. The inventor of gymnastics died at the age of 57.

3. The world bodybuilding champion died at the age of 41.

4. The best footballer in the world Maradona died at the age of 60.

BUT ...

5. The KFC inventor died at 94.

6. Inventor of Nutella brand died at the age of 88.

7. Imagine, cigarette maker Winston died at the age of 102.

8. The inventor of opium died at the age of 116 in an earthquake.

9. Hennessey Cognac inventor died at 98.

How did these doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life?

The rabbit is always jumping up and down but it lives for only 2 years and the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all, lives 400 years.

So, take some rest, chill, stay cool, eat, drink and enjoy your life.

Some great advice!

If you are ever lost while hiking, get stranded with a broken down car, etc... and you notice your cell phone is either low on juice or has no signal, here is a tip that very well may save your life.  

Change the voicemail on your phone to a message that gives your approximate location, the time, the date, your situation (lost, out of gas, car broken down, injured, etc...) and any special instructions such as you are staying with the car, you are walking toward a town, etc....  The best part of this is that even if your cell phone dies or stops working, voicemail still works, so anyone calling your phone looking for you will hear the message and know where to find you or where to send help. 

Sunday Funday

 

Annie Sullivan

One of the better stories I have read in a long time.

Dr. Frank Mayfield was touring Tewksbury Institute when, on his way out, he accidentally collided with an elderly floor maid. To cover the awkward moment Dr. May field started asking questions.

"How long have you worked here?"

"I've worked here almost since the place opened," the maid replied.

"What can you tell me about the history of this place?" he asked.

"I don't think I can tell you anything, but I could show you something."

With that, she took his hand and led him down to the basement under the oldest section of the building. She pointed to one of what looked like small prison cells, their iron bars rusted with age, and said, "That's the cage where they used to keep Annie Sullivan."

"Who's Annie?" the doctor asked.

Annie was a young girl who was brought in here because she was incorrigible—nobody could do anything with her. She'd bite and scream and throw her food at people. The doctors and nurses couldn't even examine her or anything. I'd see them trying with her spitting and scratching at them.

"I was only a few years younger than her myself and I used to think, 'I sure would hate to be locked up in a cage like that.' I wanted to help her, but I didn't have any idea what I could do. I mean, if the doctors and nurses couldn't help her, what could someone like me do?

"I didn't know what else to do, so I just baked her some brownies one night after work. The next day I brought them in. I walked carefully to her cage and said, 'Annie, I baked these brownies just for you. I'll put them right here on the floor and you can come and get them if you want.'

"Then I got out of there just as fast as I could because I was afraid she might throw them at me. But she didn't. She actually took the brownies and ate them. After that, she was just a little bit nicer to me when I was around. And sometimes I'd talk to her. Once, I even got her laughing.

One of the nurses noticed this and she told the doctor. They asked me if I'd help them with Annie. I said I would if I could. So that's how it came about that. Every time they wanted to see Annie or examine her, I went into the cage first and explained and calmed her down and held her hand.

This is how they discovered that Annie was almost blind."

After they'd been working with her for about a year—and it was tough sledding with Annie—the Perkins institute for the Blind opened its doors. They were able to help her and she went on to study and she became a teacher herself.

Annie came back to the Tewksbury Institute to visit, and to see what she could do to help out. At first, the Director didn't say anything and then he thought about a letter he'd just received. A man had written to him about his daughter. She was absolutely unruly—almost like an animal. She was blind and deaf as well as 'deranged.'

He was at his wit's end, but he didn't want to put her in an asylum. So he wrote the Institute to ask if they knew of anyone who would come to his house and work with his daughter.

And that is how Annie Sullivan became the lifelong companion of Helen Keller.

When Helen Keller received the Nobel Prize, she was asked who had the greatest impact on her life and she said, "Annie Sullivan."

But Annie said, "No Helen. The woman who had the greatest influence on both our lives was a floor maid at the Tewksbury Institute."

Social Media

Now Donald Trump is back on social media, I'll have some good reading.  I really enjoy social media.  I find it informative and sometimes really funny.  Of course I don't believe everything I read but there is good and bad and a lot of interesting news on Twitter.  

Last night while reading Twitter, I found out Darlene Bennett (wife of slain nurse from Peace Arch Hospital who was killed mistakenly by a gang member in Surrey) will be on "Mornings with Simi" talking about the Surrey Police Vote.  Kristy Gordon Meteorologist at Global BC tweeted she is tracking a major storm heading to the south coast that has the possibility of bringing damaging winds!  Surrey School retweeted pictures of "what's inside a white pumpkin" and BBC Breaking News reported Queen Elizabeth was back at Windsor Castle after spending Wednesday night in hospital!  I didn't know the Queen spent a night in hospital and I hope she's okay!  There is some interesting good reading.

Here are some funny pictures posted on Twitter and Facebook:

This picture was posted on social media and was photoshopped.   Obviously it wasn't spell checked before it was posted.  The original picture was taken at Save On Foods on that infamous day when our mayor claimed his foot was run over by a car.  The "accident" took place before this picture was taken.  Funny, if my foot was run over by a car I wouldn't be putting all my weight on it while talking to Ivan.

This picture was on Twitter.  It was sent to Surrey Bylaws to report an illegal political sign and asked it be removed immediately as it contravened the new bylaw passed on Monday night.  I don't know where it is but it's funny!

This picture is self explanatory and I've emailed to friends who live in Surrey.

I don't tweet often.  I will retweet something I like but again, rarely.  Tonight I read a tweet from Richard Zussman a reporter in Victoria that covers the BC Provincial political scene and I couldn't resist.  

Mike Farnworth, MLA (I misspelled his name on my tweet on purpose) is Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General for British Columbia.  I lost track of the emails many of us sent him asking for transparency and a referendum on the police transition in Surrey.  He ignored all our requests and approved the transition.

Now back to reading Twitter.  

Clever puns

 - Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.

- Writing my name in cursive is my signature move.

- If you're bad at haggling, you'll end up paying the price.

- Just so everyone's clear, I'm going to put my glasses on.

- A generous army general walked into a bar and ordered everyone around.

- I lost my job as a stage designer. I left without making a scene.

- How much did Long John Silver pay to get his ears pierced? A buccaneer.

- Ron once worked at a Chicago pizza shop to get by. He kneaded the dough.

- Fran and her friends named their band ‘Duvet'. It's a cover band.

- Dave lost his wife's audiobook, and now he'll never hear the end of it.

- Why is ‘dark' spelled with a k and not c? Because you can't see in the dark.

- Why is it unwise to share your secrets with a clock? I guess, time will tell.

- When Bill told his contractors he didn't want carpeted steps, they gave him a blank stare.

- Bono and The Edge walk into a Dublin bar and the bartender says, "Oh no, not U2 again."

- Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it's a whole sentence.

- Doctors got together to study the effects of alcohol on a person's walk, and the results were staggering.

- I'm trying to organize a hide and seek tournament, but good players are really hard to find.

- I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. I won't lie, it was a rocky road.

- What do you say to comfort a friend who's struggling with grammar? There, their, they're.

- Greg went to the toy store and asked the assistant where the Schwarznegger dolls are and he replied, "Aisle B, back."

- What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up his own incision? Suture self.

- After going to California, Carolyn started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It's all about raisin awareness. (Don't whine about grape puns.)

Living in the City of Surrey

It's not all bad.  Our city had a council meeting in chambers on Monday night.   They passed a motion to help low income citizens afford housing.  They also passed a "no plastic checkout bag" law including compostable and biodegradable bags.  Polystyrene foam cups, take-out containers, plates and bowls are now banned.  

The most controversial motion was an update on the sign bylaw.  They crossed the line when they banned political signs from personal property.  What about "no farm no food in India" signs that are all over the community?  What happened to our Charter of Rights and Freedom?

On September 13 at a land use meeting, there was a motion by proxy to ban seven Surrey citizens from City Hall.  These citizens have never been arrested, been removed from the building or done anything unlawful.  They have been vocal about about city issues and the mayor does not want them at council meetings.  It has never been done before and the other councillors want to know if they sought a legal opinion.  It would appear if you don't agree with the current mayor if it's a zoom meeting he will just disconnect your call or now they are back having public meetings, ban you from the building.  On a Zoom meeting in June I watched, he disconnected 22 people off who called in without letting them finish.  Is this constitutional?  Can you not voice an opinion?

This mayor was given a car allowance of  $14,580.00 a year.  I'm sure other mayors are given a car allowance too.  Our mayor asked Purchasing to buy an new 2019 Buick Envision SUV.  He was caught gassing it up at the works yard (no tax and no charge for him) and the City of Surrey had the vehicle on their fleet insurance.  When caught, he laughed and then repaid the allowance.  Thanks to investigative reporters and Freedom of Information!  

Mc Callum vehicle

In early September this year Mayor McCallum reported a vehicle ran over his foot to the RCMP and filed an insurance claim with the Insurance Corporation of BC.  This incident took place in a super market parking lot with many cameras.  Upon investigating the RCMP turned the file over to a Richard Fowler a special prosecutor for assistance.  They are looking at charges of public mischief and fraud.

Mischief and possible fraud 

Our mayor Doug McCallum (77 and divorced) is living with Surrey Councillor Allison Patton (left her husband and 9 year old daughter for a much older mayor).   They have been living together for at least a year and a half.  He's involved in her business and she votes on his council.  Isn't that a conflict of interest?  You can't make this stuff up!

Conflict of interest?

These are interesting times to live in Surrey.  On October 15, 2022 we have a city election.  I am sure more people will get out and vote this time!

Halloween Decorations

 Time to decorate

The Human Body

This is a little long but I thought it is very interesting.  

The Human Body is a treasure trove of mysteries -- one that still confounds doctors and scientists about the details of its working.  It's not an overstatement to say that every part of your body is a miracle. Here are facts about your body, some of which may leave you stunned.

1. It is possible for your body to survive without a surprisingly large fraction of its internal organs. Even if you lose your stomach, your spleen, 75% of your liver, 80% of your intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from your pelvic and groin area,
you wouldn't be very healthy, but you would live.

2. During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Actually, saliva is more important than you realize. If your saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

3. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. The egg is actually the only cell in the body that is visible by the naked eye.

4. The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue and the hardest bone is the jawbone.

5. Human feet have 52 bones, accounting for one quarter of all the human body's bones.

6. Feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.

7. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.  The reason it doesn't eat away at your stomach is that the cells of your stomach wall renew themselves so frequently that you get a new stomach lining every three to four days.

8. The human lungs contain approximately 2,400 kilometers (1,500 mi) of airways and 300 to 500 million hollow cavities, having a total surface area of about 70 square meters, roughly the same area as one side of a tennis court. Furthermore, if all of the capillaries that
surround the lung cavities were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 kilometers. Also, your left lung is smaller  than your right lung to make room for your heart.

9. Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph.

10. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.

11. Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 inches long.

12. Earwax production is necessary for good ear health. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects.  It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.

13. Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins, who smell the same.

14. Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born. This is why one out of every 2,000 newborn infants has a tooth when they are born.

15. A baby's head is one-quarter of its total length, but by the age of 25 will only be one-eighth of its total length. This is because people's heads grow at a much slower rate than the rest of their bodies.

16. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206. Some of the bones, like skull bones, get fused into each other, bringing down the total number.

17. It is not possible to tickle yourself. This is because when you attempt to tickle yourself you are totally aware of the exact time and manner in which the tickling will occur, unlike when someone else tickles you.

18. Less than one third of the human race has 20-20 vision. This means that two out of three people cannot see perfectly.

19. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents. But if you are a woman, you are a better smeller than men, and will remain a better smeller throughout your life.

20. The human body is estimated to have 60,000 miles of blood vessels.

21. The three things pregnant women dream most of during their first trimester are frogs, worms and potted plants. Scientists have no idea why this is so, but attribute it to the growing imbalance of hormones in the body during pregnancy.

22. The life span of a human hair is 3 to 7 years on average. Every day the average person loses 60-100 strands of hair. But don't worry, you must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone.

23. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as an encyclopedia. Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream, and is itself made up of 80% water. Though it interprets pain signals from the rest of the body, the brain itself cannot feel
pain.

24. The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't repair itself.

25. Your eyes are always the same size from birth but your nose and ears never stop growing.

26. By 60 years of age, 60% of men and 40% of women will snore.

27. We are about 1 cm taller in the morning than in the evening, because during normal activities during the day, the cartilage in our knees and other areas slowly compress.

28. The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10-watt light bulb, even while you are sleeping. In fact, the brain is much more active at night than during the day.

29. Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons.

30. It is a fact that people who dream more often and more vividly, on an average have a higher Intelligence Quotient.

31. The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger.

32. Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body. This is true for women as well as men.

33. There are as many hairs per square inch on your body as a chimpanzee.

34. A human fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months.

35. By the age of 60, most people will have lost about half their taste buds.

36. About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home. But don't worry, a majority of these are harmless or even helpful bacteria.

37. The colder the room you sleep in, the higher the chances are that you'll have a bad dream.

38. Human lips have a reddish color because of the great concentration of tiny capillaries just below the skin.

39. Three hundred million cells die in the human body every minute.

40. Like fingerprints, every individual has an unique tongue print that can be used for identification.

41. A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it has been decapitated.

42. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

43. Humans can make do longer without food than sleep. Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors. Sleep deprived people, however, start experiencing radical personality and psychological changes after only a few sleepless days. The longest recorded time anyone has ever gone without sleep is 11 days, at the end of which the experimenter was awake, but stumbled over words, hallucinated and frequently forgot what he was doing.

44. The most common blood type in the world is Type O. The rarest blood type, A-H or Bombay blood, due to the location of its discovery, has been found in fewer than hundred people since it was discovered.

45. Every human spent about half an hour after being conceived, as a single cell. Shortly afterward, the cells begin rapidly dividing and begin forming the components of a tiny embryo.

46. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.

47. Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren't.

48. Koalas and primates are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

49. Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

50. The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

A healthy breakfast out!

Kathy invited me to breakfast yesterday.  We went to Cora's and she recommended the egg and fruit breakfast.  It also came with multigrain toast.  How nice, no potatoes!  The fruit was so good and you can't see them but there were many fresh blueberries.

Cora's is a Canadian chain restaurant.  There aren't a lot of locations in BC but I'm sure after COVID is over more locations will open up.

Rainy Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday funnies

 

Our wonderful mayor!

We all knew he lied and hoped it was captured on security cameras.  It appears they have enough evidence and if he is guilty I hope they charge him.  Unfortunately our courts move slowly and our election is a year away.  Let's hope justice is done and this incompetent mayor is disgraced out of office.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8265062/rcmp-investigating-charge-claims-doug-mccallum/

Heart healthy cooking

I'm cooking for someone who is waiting for heart bypass surgery.  Four months ago the Dr. made an appointment with a dietician.  Today the dietician called and we both spoke to her.  Because of medications the diet is a little tricky but she was so helpful!  

At the end of the call she said "you don't have to wait for an appointment, dieticians are available to everyone in British Columbia by calling the 811 Health Line!"  They don't have access to your medical records but will answer any questions.  I wish I knew this two months ago.  

I spoke to a good friend, Gail yesterday, who is an incredible cook and lives in Princeton.  She told me at 7:30 the other night her husband Gerry came within four feet of a huge bear on their back deck.  He went inside to get a rifle, not to shoot him but to scare him.  When he returned with the rifle, the bear with his huge paws had pulled over her massive freezer!  She had no knowledge about what was going on as she was watching TV.  When the rifle went off, the house shook and the bear took off!  The bear was so close to Gerry he could smell the bears breath!  He installed electric wire around the porch and so far the bear hasn't come back.  Gail figures he's probably deaf!  

I knew she would help me plan meals.  She emailed some recipes and then told me about this wonderful website.  She says the recipes are incredible:

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Covid reflections