Happy Leap Day

 

For a day that is celebrated only once every 4 years it sure seems to have a lot going on around it.  My cousin, Dale who was born in 1948, is 19 today!  Happy Birthday Dale!

Leap year has devious explorers, beloved saints, partying boarder towns and proposal popping Irish ladies. And let's not forget all the birthdays babies. They do have some making up to do on the celebrating, you know!

Since the beginning of time, man has been improving the way we keep it. That applies to calendars as well. Early Egyptians had a leap year in their calendar. The early Roman calendar had entire leap month from time to time to keep the days in line with the astronomical year.

It was Julius Casaer and astronomer Sosigenes who revamped the Roman calendar giving it 12 months with equally (almost) distributed days and adding a leap day every 4 years.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII adjusted the calendar once again. Because the Earth revolves around the sun once every 365.2421 days, one leap day every 4 years is just slightly too much. Instead of shortening the leap day, the Gregorian calendar is designed such that leap days only happen every 4 years except years evenly divisible by 100 but not 400.

There was not a leap day in 1900 and there will not be one in 2100. So a baby born on February 29, 2096 will be in the 3rd grade on his 1st birthday!

And even this adjustment doesn't keep the days perfectly aligned with the seasons. Those humans who are still around in 10,000 years will have to address those issues. It's truly not a leap day concern.

LEAP DAY TRADITIONS

A tradition that has its origins in 5th century Ireland allows women to propose marriage to a man on leap day. According to lore, Saint Brigid complained on behalf of young maids that their men were too shy to propose. To appease her, Saint Patrick declared that on February 29th would be a day when women could propose.

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day is an annual event against bullying, held in Canada on the last Wednesday in February.  Participants wear pink shirts and attend or host informative events to raise awareness about bullying, particularly in schools.  Pink Shirt Day was started in 2007 in Canada by two grade 12 students named David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia.  They bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a ninth-grade student Chuck McNeill was bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt during the first day of school at Central Kings Rural High School in Cambridge Nova Scotia.

That year, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald proclaimed the second Thursday of September as "Stand Up Against Bullying Day" in recognition of these events.

In 2008 the Gordon Campbell, the Premier of British Columbia proclaimed February 27th to be the provincial Anti-Bullying Day.  It has continued every year across Canada on the last Wednesday in February.

This year, the artwork for the t-shirts was created by Corey Bulpitt.  He's an internationally recognized artist from the Haida Na7ikun-Raven Clan.  I thought it was exceptional and it's been put on pink t-shirts that many will wear today.

Let's hope the message is heard and bullying stops!

Disinformation

I've been on X/Twitter since it's beginning.  I follow other social platforms and I take everything with a grain of salt and try to find out what's actually the truth. There is so much disinformation online and I am fed up.  They don't really care if it damages someone and continue to let it happen.  Whether it be politics, healthcare or information on people, when it's wrong, it should be taken down.  Time to disconnect from these toxic places!

I saw this yesterday and why isn't it remove it if it's false?  People believe this stuff!

"Is there a law against lying?" Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik acknowledges that her post accusing an innocent trans woman of committing the tragic mass shooting in Uvalde Texas was false, but she refuses to remove it.

IVF

I was married in 1967.  I never got pregnant until 1974.  I wanted to get pregnant right away, but it didn't happen.  It also didn't help for all those people who would ask "when are you going to start a family".  Some people don't want children, others have trouble conceiving.  I've had many conversations with people basically telling them not to ask women about having a family.  

IVF was not introduced until 1978 so I never had the option.  I know many couples who have tried IVF.  It's worked for some right away and others need a few treatments.  It's very expensive and not guaranteed.  This week the Province of British Columbia announced the first IVF treatment will be covered under the Provincial Health Plan!  That is fantastic news for every woman who has difficulty getting pregnant.

I'm no fan of this government, but I must say this was excellent news to hear!

While IVF is in jeopardy in the US, in Canada you can get your first round paid for by the government!  Oral contraception and birth control devices are also free to residents of British Columbia at any pharmacy.  

Allegiance

CBC released a new series on February 7th that is filmed in Surrey.  It's already broadcasted three episodes and I caught up on CBC Gem.  It's a character-driven police procedural about identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding truth within the heart of a flawed justice system.  

If you want to watch, see the pilot and then you will understand the back story of her father, a Canadian politician who is arrested for treason.  It's great to see all the areas in Surrey, they film in.  Well written and well acted.  Way to go CBC!

Libby App

I was on Facebook and a Saskatchewan Facebook friend asked if the Libby App worked for audio books at their local library.  Another friend said, yes on my Samsung pad it works great.  I downloaded the app, put in my Surrey library card information and was able to download a book I've wanted from my home!  It works great on my Samsung phone.

It works with Apple products too so if you don't know about it, download the app, get out your library card and no more trips to the library!  

Lynx Air Services

Lynx Air Services, a low cost Canadian airline based in Calgary, announced yesterday they are ceasing operations.  It's nice to see the competitor is stepping up to help all the passengers effected by their shutdown.  If you have a ticket on Lynx check this out!

We recognize the immediate impact this information has on passengers and employees of Lynx, and we are committed to assisting where we can through a number of actions:

All travel: 25% discount, by using discount code WESTJET, on all economy cabin fares on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx, for travel between February 22, 2024, and October 26, 2024, booking to be made up until February 29, 2024.

Canadian repatriation for transborder and sun: Fares are capped at $250 plus taxes and fees on all northbound economy cabin fares, on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx, for travel up until February 29, 2024, booking to be made before February 29, 2024*.

All domestic fares on non-stop WestJet routes previously served by Lynx, for travel up until February 29, 2024, will not exceed $500 plus taxes and fees*.

All bookings should be made online through westjet.com. WestJet has managed pricing to ensure fares reflect a reduction from what would typically be charged. 

We are communicating closely with government officials and supporting agencies that are also working to address the needs of those impacted.

*All capped fares will be reflective on westjet.com on Friday, February 23, 2024

If you check the Westjet website, they show all the flights they are offering.

 

Royal Events in the UK

In 2017, I was chosen to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.  Every year it's opened up to Canadians!  However, now you must be Canadian and reside in the UK to attend a Garden Party.  If you are Canadian and travelling to the UK, you can attend the Trooping of the Colour or Royal Ascot!  They have not released tickets for the Trooping of the Colour or Royal Ascot, but they will shortly.  I would suggest you subscribe to their informative newsletter:  

Canada Plus Newsletter

UK Royal Events

Creative Ponderisms

Why do peanuts float in a regular coke and sink in a diet coke? Go ahead and try it!

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes. 

  
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? 
  
Why do you have to "put your two cents in" ... but it’s only a "penny for your thoughts"?  Where's that extra penny going? 
  
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity? 
  
What disease did cured ham actually have? 
  
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? 
  
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours? 
  
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing? 
  
Why are you IN a movie, but you’re ON TV? 
  
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? 

  

Why is “bra" singular and "panties" plural? 
  
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat? 
  
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane? 
  
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat? 

  

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons? 
  
Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? 
  
Why did you just try singing the two songs above? 

  

HOW DID THE MAN WHO MADE THE FIRST CLOCK, KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS?

 

Two minutes to make you smile

Today is a rainy day where I live.  I always like to start the day with something that will make me happy.  I love animal videos.  This one is short and will make you smile and hopefully you will have a better day too.  

What is Globalization?

 

Globalization?

A definition of globalization that I can understand and to which I now can relate: Question: What is the truest definition of Globalization? Answer : Princess Diana's death. Question: How come? Answer : An English Princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, riding in a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, (check the bottle before you Challenge the spelling), followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles, treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines. This is sent to you by a Canadian, using American Bill Gates' technology, and you're probably reading this on your computer, or phone that uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian truck drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexicans Who are in the US Illegally. That, my friends, is    Globalization

Family Day

Monday, Feb 19th is Family Day a provincial holiday.  It didn't start in BC until 2013, after I retired.  I worked for Pacific Western Airlines and Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick always celebrated it. I'm glad it was accepted in 2013 in British Columbia.  There is a long time between New Years and Easter and this breaks up the winter.  I love the way they make activities in our community either free or low cost for families.  They've put a lot of extra ferry sailings between the lower mainland and Vancouver Island.  The border lineup yesterday was back to 8th Avenue!  That's a long wait to go to the United States.  It appears a lot of families are travelling.

Cheryl works for the Canadian Government and it's not a day off for them.  It is for almost everyone else so if you have a family, spend time with them!

Family Day in Surrey Activities

More great signs from Vince

 

Herman

 

More deadly shootings in the US

 

On December 14, 2013, when 26 elementary school children were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, I thought they would address the gun problem.  

Six years ago on Valentines Day at Marjorie Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, 17 teenagers were shot and killed.  

Yesterday at a Super Bowl celebration parade in Kansas City, another shooting at innocent children at a family event.  I can't watch the news, it's just too disturbing.

WHEN WILL THIS HORROR STOP?

Happy Valentines Day

 

Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. February 14th first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending Valentine cards.

Typically, we go out for lunch or dinner and have a nice meal.  Pizza Hut is offering a "Breakup pizza".  I hope these don't sell.  What a terrible marketing promo!

On the lighter side:   Three men from Langley, BC went to Super Bowl LVIII and bought the winning US$250,000 50-50 raffle ticket!   That should pay for the tickets and flights!  Good for them!

Pondering Thoughts

• So now cocaine is legal in Oregon, but straws aren’t.  That must be frustrating.
• Still trying to get my head around the fact that ‘Take Out’ can mean food, dating, or murder.
• Threw out my back sleeping, and tweaked my neck sneezing so I’m probably just one strong fart away from complete paralysis.
• Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers.  If you do find one, what’s your plan?
• The older I get, the more I understand why roosters just scream to start their day.
• Being popular on Facebook is like sitting at the ‘cool table’ in the cafeteria of a mental hospital.
• You know you’re over 50 when you have ‘upstairs ibuprofen’ and ‘downstairs ibuprofen’.
• How did doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life, when….the rabbit is always jumping but only lives for around two year, and…the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all, lives over 200 years.
• So, rest, chill, eat, drink, and enjoy life!
• I too was once a male trapped in a female body…but then my mother gave birth.
• If only vegetables smelled as good as bacon.
• When I lost the fingers on my right hand in a freak accident, I asked the doctor if I would still be able to write with it.  He said, “Probably, but I wouldn’t count on it.
•  I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.  But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.
• Anyone who says their wedding was the best day of their life has clearly never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.
• We live in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended
• The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they aren’t a robot
• When a kid says “Daddy, I want mommy” that’s the kid version of “I’d like to speak to your supervisor”.
• It’s weird being the same age as old people.
• Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say CLOSE ENOUGH
• Last night the internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family. They seem like good people.
• If Adam and Eve were Cajuns they would have eaten the snake instead of the apple and saved us all a lot of trouble.
• We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages …… Metamucil and Ensure.
• You know you are getting old when friends with benefits means having someone who can drive at night.
• Weight loss goal: To be able to clip my toenails and breathe at the same time.
• After watching how some people wore their masks, I understand why contraception fails.
• Some of my friends exercise every day. Meanwhile I am watching a show I don’t like because the remote fell on the floor.
• For those of you that don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version…it doesn’t listen to anything.
• I just got a present labeled, ‘From Mom and Dad’, and I know darn well Dad has no idea what’s inside.
• Now that Covid has everyone washing their hands correctly…next week…Turn Signals.
• Someone said, “Nothing rhymes with orange.”  I said, “No, it doesn’t.”
• The pessimist complains about the wind.  The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts his sails.
• There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator.  Only a fraction of people will find this funny.
• Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.
• I have many hidden talents.  I just wish I could remember where I hid them.
• My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.
• Apparently exercise helps you with decision-making.  It’s true.  I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again.

Wonderful old pictures

 A boy and two big lobsters that have just been caught on the New Jersey Coast, 1916.        

 1945: The Mona Lisa painting can finally be opened again after it had been hidden from German troops in 1939.      

 Longacre Square, New York, 1903, one year before it was named Times Square. That happened because New York Times moved their headquarters there.       

 Imperial Airlines airplane, 1936.       It doesn’t look very safe, right?      

 April  15, 1912, a Titanic survival boat meets with a rescue ship.      

 A priest praying over the victims of the Titanic, 1912.      

 France, 1959. Kids playing with the guillotine.   And they say that today’s video games are violent!      

 Bruce Lee and his master, 1958.      

 Enjoying a meal in the car while getting cooled air piped in the car. This is a drive-in restaurant, in Texas, 1957.      

 MGM opening credits in the making, 928         Yes, that’s how they did it!      

 Hitler and Speer looking at the Schwerer Gustav, the biggest gun ever used in battle.       

 Transporting a 5 MB hard drive seemed like a serious job back in 1956.       

 This is how they tested shoes back in 1937.      

First Wimbledon as an international tournament, 1883.      

 Coca-Cola being introduced to France, 1950.      

Human-sized chess with actual soldiers, Russia, 1924.      

Oil Crisis, 1973. People are having picnics on the deserted highways.       

Old interesting PICTURES 

Her Majesty and Prince Phil – same brooch, same pearls, same love.   

 We see many old photos, but this set is really special…  

Hans Christian Anderson   

Winston Churchill, 1895   

 

Mahatma Gandhi dancing   

Sophia Loren   

 

Albert Einstein   

Paul Gaugin   

 

Vincent van Gogh   

 

John Wayne, 1930 (aged 23)   

 

Elizabeth Taylor... this could have been X rated.  

 

Alfred Hitchcock, 1920’s   

 

Paul Newman, served in the Pacific in WW2  

 

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow  

 

Confederate general Robert E Lee.  Did you know that when Lee joined the confederacy, his farm was taken and later became Arlington National Cemetery?  

 

William, Diana, Harry   

 Edgar Allan Poe poses with Abraham Lincoln in Mathew Brady’s Washington ,D.C. studio, 1849   

 

 Ernest Hemingway as an American Red Cross volunteer during World War I, 1918   

Mark Twain, aged 15, 1850   

 

Mother Teresa,      What a find...!!!