Valentina Vassilyeva

 

I checked this out and it is true.  

The woman who had the most children in history Valentina Vassilyeva, born in 1707 and died in 1782, is recognized as the “woman who had the most children in history” according to the Guinness Book of Records.

She was the first wife of Feodor Vassilyev, a peasant from Shuya, Russia. At this time, there were no methods of contraception, and having children was considered a religious and social obligation for women. Valentina gave birth 27 times, giving birth to 16 sets of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets, for a total of an incredible 69 children. Although it may seem unbelievable, this incredible feat has been officially documented and recognized by Guinness World Records.

Goodbye Stephen

 

We've watched or recorded and watched later all the late shows for years.  I loved David Letterman and Jay Leno.  I miss them.  They left on their own choice and are both enjoying retirement.  However, what happened to Stephen Colbert was disgusting.  I am copying this so I don't get it wrong:

CBS officially cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as an economic decision, as the network cited the show was operating at a reported loss of up to \(\$50\) million a year in the changing late-night landscape. 

However, the decision sparked widespread controversy and debate, as it occurred only three days after Colbert openly criticized the network's parent company, Paramount, for agreeing to a \(\$16\) million legal settlement with Donald Trump. While CBS maintained that ending the show was strictly financial, the timing led to accusations from critics and former colleagues that the cancellation was influenced by the political dynamics of the Trump administration and a lucrative Paramount-Skydance merger. 

I hope this backfires on CBS and Stephen Colbert ends up more famous and financially better off than he already is.  

Here are the guests on his show last night:

What a lineup and what a touching show!  

Stephen Colbert is, in every sense, a true gentleman. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his show, and I will sincerely miss him.

Marty Life is Short

 

I just finished watching Marty, Life is Short on Netflix. Some performers make you laugh. A rare few make you feel. And then there’s Martin Short — a Canadian treasure who somehow manages to do both at once, with a twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit that has shaped decades of comedy.

His new Netflix documentary is more than a look back at a remarkable career. It’s a love letter to resilience, creativity, and the unmistakable warmth of a Canadian kid who grew up to become one of the most beloved entertainers in the world.

Martin Short’s story begins in Hamilton, Ontario — a place known for steel, grit, and hardworking families. It’s also where a young Marty learned the power of humour as a way to connect, comfort, and cope.

He didn’t set out to become a global star. In fact, he originally planned to work in social work. But talent has a way of insisting on being seen, and soon he found himself on the stages of SCTV, surrounded by a constellation of Canadian comedic brilliance: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, John Candy, and Rick Moranis.

Those early years weren’t just a training ground — they were a creative explosion. Characters like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick weren’t just funny; they were unforgettable. And they carried Marty straight into the heart of American comedy, including Saturday Night Live and a long list of iconic film roles.

What sets Martin Short apart isn’t just his talent — it’s his kindness.

Colleagues describe him as generous, collaborative, and endlessly encouraging. He lifts others up. He shares the spotlight. He treats every project, big or small, with the same enthusiasm and professionalism.

And through it all, he has remained unmistakably Canadian: humble, self‑deprecating, and grounded.

His Order of Canada — one of our country’s highest honours — isn’t just a recognition of his career. It’s a recognition of his character.

The new documentary captures Marty’s life with the same blend of humour and heart that defines his work.

And for us here in British Columbia, there’s a special delight: parts of the film were shot at the Vancouver Aquarium — a beautiful nod to the West Coast and a reminder of how deeply Canadian Marty remains, even after decades in Hollywood.

This is a wonderful documentary that will show the tragedy in his life and his love for friends and family.

The quiet work that keeps people fed

Yesterday around 4 PM, I headed out for a short walk to Fresh Street Market, my local grocery store. It was one of those ordinary errands — the kind you don’t expect to turn into anything memorable.

On my way there, I noticed a small group of people standing and talking on the sidewalk. Nothing unusual, just neighbours chatting, though there was quite a bit of “stuff” scattered around them. Rather than weave through, I took the staircase beside the sidewalk and carried on.

I didn’t think much of it.

But on my way back, the scene came into focus.

The van was still there, its back hatch wide open. Two women were sitting on the edge, chatting and smiling as people came and went. As I walked past, one of them called out kindly, “Do you need any food?”

I had just picked up what I needed from Fresh Street, so I said, “No, thank you.” But then I glanced inside the van — and that’s when everything clicked.

It was full of food. Good food. Marked‑down items that grocery stores can’t sell once they pass their “best before” date. Perfectly edible, perfectly useful, and too often destined for the dump.

So I asked the question that immediately came to mind: “Did this come from Brad?”

They smiled. “Yes!”

My nephew Brad, along with the Queen Elizabeth Lions Club, spends countless hours collecting food that would otherwise be thrown away. The food bank won’t take it because of the dates — even though “best before” doesn’t mean “bad after.” So these volunteers step in.

They drive to local grocery stores, load up their trucks, and take the food directly into the community.

Churches. Parking lots. Food cupboards around the lower mainland. Wherever people need it.

They have a huge message network: when a load comes in, volunteers are called, and within hours the food is out where it belongs — in people’s kitchens, not in landfills.

I recognized one of the women in the blue top; I’d met her before. She and her partner were planning to stay another 30 minutes in the Fresh Street parking lot before moving on to another location. Everything was free. No questions. No judgment. Just take what you need.

When I first passed by earlier, people were already going through the van, choosing groceries for their families. Working people. Seniors. Anyone who needed a little help.

Brad always says, “Working people are poor.” And he’s right. Seniors on fixed incomes can’t always afford fresh, healthy food. Families with two jobs still struggle to keep up with rising costs. And here are volunteers — unpaid, unseen, uncelebrated — making sure people can eat a proper meal.

Later, I sent a picture to Brad and his wife Maria. Maria replied almost immediately: “I got rid of an entire truck load today in Ladner!”

One truckload. One community. One day.

It’s easy to forget how many people are quietly doing good in the world. No headlines. No speeches. Just compassion in action.

Yesterday’s walk reminded me that kindness doesn’t always look grand. Sometimes it’s a van in a parking lot, a few volunteers in folding chairs, and a simple question offered with dignity:

“Do you need any food?”

Because I said so!

I read a few blogs.  Wayne Cox has a wonderful blog.  He only posts on Sunday's but this weeks blog was excellent.  We never had the same parents, but they sure thought alike:

It seems that for a certain generation, “things parents said” seems universal. I thought it was just my parents, but it turns out everyone my age was hearing the same things. Whether they were threats or warnings, they were well-meaning, I’m sure.

Let me start with one of the classics. “Because I said so.” I’m chuckling just reading it. “Because I said so” is an obvious admission that your parents couldn’t think of a good reason for whatever they had just told you to do, or the command that had been given didn’t need a reason. Either way, just do it. It has stuck in my head all these years. I’m hoping I never said that to my kids!

Or how about this one: “Close the door, were you born in a barn?” For a kid from the city, like me, I could only assume that barn doors were never closed. But the message was clear: close the door!

How about this threat: “Wait till your father gets home!” My thoughts go back to Larry Mondello on the Leave It to Beaver television show. His mother was always threatening him with that phrase. How unfair to poor old Dad. He’d worked all day, and the moment he walked in the door, he was hit with every household problem and the task of disciplining some kid who had been acting up.  

In the violence department, some of my favourites are “Don’t be swinging that around, you could take an eye out!” And “Someone is going to end up getting hurt” (or crying.) Someone was always about to break their neck! “Pick that up before somebody trips on it and breaks their neck!” And “If you don't stop crying, I'll give you something to cry about!”

In this classic, the name is interchangeable: “If Billy jumped off a bridge, would you?” The bridge could be a building, a cliff, or any other place that would result in a horrible ending. It was a rhetorical question that always gave pause for thought.

The list continues. “Don’t sit so close to the TV, you’ll go blind.”  Really? That apparently was the main cause of blindness back then. And while we’re in the optical department, how about “Eating carrots will improve your eyesight.” I never asked for medical proof on this one; I just went along with it. A number of sources point out that there is a connection between carrots and eyesight because carrots contain beta-carotene, and the body uses beta-carotene to make vitamin A, which helps the eyes connect to the brain. So there was some truth to it.

“Don’t make that face, or your face will stay like that!” Now that’s a pretty serious affliction. Was there any medical or scientific evidence to back this up? It was a pretty scary thought.

This one may have only been peculiar to my family. Whenever any of us wanted something and asked Dad for it, the answer inevitably would be, “Someday.” “Some day” was a kinder, gentler way of saying it’s never going to happen. I think it stemmed from not having much disposable income. The request was usually for a new bike or a trip somewhere, so “some day” always kept hope alive that one day, some day, it just might happen. “Some day” would come at the same time as “I guess I’ll just go pick some money off the money tree in the backyard!”

I was always told, “If you're too sick to go to school, you're too sick to play outside.” Which is in the same department as “No dessert until you finish your dinner.” I think I must have missed many desserts when I was a kid; there always seemed to be too much tuna casserole on my plate! I tried a version of that on the boys when they were young. My version was, “You can’t get down from the table and play till you’ve finished your dinner.” That backfired a little as I recall. I found out how stubborn Tyler really was. He wouldn’t finish eating his dinner, so he sat and sat and sat so long that he fell asleep! Now what? I couldn’t leave him there all night. Unknowingly, he won that round.

“Say ‘pardon me,’ not what!” That one would always elicit a smart- aleck response: “What?” I know it was just an attempt at making you more polite, but was the origin from someone who found the word “what” annoying?

Speaking of words, how about this one: “There’s no such word as can’t.” That must have been very puzzling to a young person learning the English language.

Over the years, I’ve learned many valuable lessons in life, like how I would forget my head if it wasn’t attached to my shoulders, and how would I know I didn’t like something if I hadn’t tried it. And never touch anything on the ground, because I don’t know where it’s been!

And if I can leave you with just one piece of advice this Sunday morning, it would be this: “Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident.”

Zara Phillips Tindall

On May 10, 2011. HM Queen Elizabeth II gave her consent to the marriage of her eldest granddaughter, Miss Zara Phillips, currently known as Mrs. Zara Tindall, to Mr. Mike Tindall.

Zara Anne Elizabeth was born in mid-May 1981 at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London as the second child and only daughter of HRH Anne, The Princess Royal and her then husband Mark Phillips.  She was christened July 1981 at Windsor Castle. Her name was suggested to her mother by her uncle, HM King Charles III thus, it is often said she is his favorite niece.

Zara attended Beaudesert Park School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and Port Regis School in Shaftesbury, Dorset, before following other members of the royal family in attending Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland.  She later studied at the University of Exeter and qualified as a physiotherapist.  A renowned equestrian Zara qualified for the 2012 London Olympics and won a silver medal in the team event.  Her mother, Princess Anne, presented her medal.

Mike was born October 1978 at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley, West Yorkshire as the son of Philip "Phil" Tindall, a banker for Barclays, and his wife Linda (née Shepherd), a social worker.  He was educated at the private school Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield.  Mike began his career as an English rugby union player in February 2000 in the 2000 Six Nations Championship.  As well as winning the 2003 World Cup, he was a member of the England team which won the 2003 Six Nations Championship.  Tindall played in eleven Six Nations Championship competitions from 2000 to 2011.  He retired in 2014.

Zara and Mike met during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and on this day in 2010 their engagement was announced by Buckingham Palace.  As then-required by the Royal Marriages Act 1772, HM Queen Elizabeth II gave her consent to their marriage in a meeting of the Privy Council on this day in 2011.

The couple married in late July 2011 at the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, with 400 guests in attendance.  The ceremony was followed by a reception hosted by HM Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Palace.

The marriage has produced 3 children, Mia Grace in January 2014, Lena Elizabeth in June 2018 and Lucas Philip in March 2021.  Zara frequently supports and attends events for various charitable causes, mainly revolving around spinal injuries, equestrianism, and children's charities.  Mike, in his role as Patron for the Cure Parkinson's charity, regularly takes part in fundraising events and challenges to raise money for the cause which his father lives with.  

Zara is not a working member of the Royal family however she attends family events such as weddings, funerals, Christmas Luncheon and, up until 2019, often seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour. Zara participated in the historic Vigil of the Grandchildren in honor of HM Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 alongside her brother, Mr. Peter Phillips, and her first cousins, HRH William, The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Henry (Harry), The Duke of Sussex, HRH Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Mapelli Mozzi, HRH Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Brooksbank, The Hon. James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn, currently known as The Rt. Hon. Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor.  Most recently she attended the coronation of her uncle, HM King Charles III, in May 2023.

Zara is currently 22nd in the line of succession to the throne.

HM Queen Elizabeth II (Grandmother)

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (Mother)

Dutton Ranch

 

Less than two years after Yellowstone rode into the sunset, the Dutton universe is already galloping ahead with fresh stories, new landscapes, and familiar faces. First came Marshalls, the Kayce‑centric procedural that expanded the franchise in a surprising direction. Now, Dutton Ranch picks up the saga of another sibling—and it wastes no time throwing fans back into the fire.

If you’ve been missing Beth’s razor‑sharp tongue, Rip’s steady grit, and the high‑stakes drama that made Yellowstone a cultural phenomenon, this new series is your next weekly obsession. Here’s everything you need to know to follow along with Season 1.

When we last saw Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) in the Yellowstone finale, they had settled into a smaller ranch in Dillon, Montana—a quieter life, at least by Dutton standards. But peace never lasts long in this universe.

At the start of Dutton Ranch, we learn that the Montana property has burned down. The family has relocated once again, this time to South Texas, where the land is vast, the rules are different, and the threats are just as relentless.

Their new challenge? An ambitious rival ranch that’s determined to push them out before they can put down roots. Beth and Rip may be far from home, but they’re still fighting like Duttons.

Finn Little returns as Carter, now older and more deeply woven into the family’s future. And the cast expands with heavy hitters: Ed Harris, Annette Bening, Juan Pablo Raba, Natalie Alyn Lind, Marc Menchaca, J. R. Villarreal, and Jai Courtney. It’s a lineup that signals big drama ahead.

The first two episodes premiered on May 15, 2026, streaming on Paramount+ and airing on the Paramount Network at 8pm ET/PT.  After that, new episodes drop weekly—one at a time, old‑school style.

Season 1 consists of nine episodes, taking us straight into early July.  We watched the first two episodes yesterday.  Beth and Rip are fantastic actors!

Cruising with your Canadian Cell Phone!

 

I've always warned everyone going on a cruise about the dangers of getting a huge cell phone bill if you use your cell phone at sea.  The US carriers have offered a cruise travel plan and now Rogers is offering one too!  I checked for someone going to Alaska. It's called Roam Like Home + Cruise Option.  

You need to go online and make sure your cruise line is on the eligible Rogers list.  Most major cruise lines are.  

Current Rogers cruise pricing (2025–2026)

Daily Roam Like Home (Cruise version):

• $18/day for International Roam Like Home + Cruise

• Includes 180+ destinations plus cruise ship coverage

• Data capped at 1GB per 24 hours, then slowed to 512 kbps

If you don't want to subscribe to this service, make sure your phone is in airplane mode and use the ship's wifi. You can use What's App or Facetime on the ships wi-fi for no extra charge. It works fine. I've used it on many cruises. If you have Starlink wi-fi you can video call!

I looked up Telus Cellular and found this:

TELUS Easy Roam does not apply while at sea on a cruise ship. When your phone connects to the ship's satellite network ("Cellular at Sea"), you will be charged premium pay-per-use rates: $7.00 per minute for voice calls, $0.75 per sent text message, and data is either blocked or billed at exorbitant per-megabyte rates.

Before you sail, call your carrier to make sure you are being offered the right plan!

Did I read that right?

 Did I read that sign right?  

"TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a London department store: 

BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS..

In an office: 

WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office: 

AFTER TEA BREAK, STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a second-hand shop: 

WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:

CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS...

Spotted in a safari park:   
(I sure hope so.) ELEPHANTS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.

Seen during a conference: 

FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.

Notice in a farmer's field: 

THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet:

IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSO

On a repair shop door:

WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK.)

2026 Canadian Census

I received my census in the mail on May 4th.  My neighbour got their Census on the same day and asked if I would do it online for them.  I did and it was the short form.  Easy Peasy!  Then I did mine.  I got the long form once again!  70 questions!  What sex were you at birth?  What sex are you now?  Then the questions got more difficult.  I enjoyed reading the "how many people live in your house" and all the choices!   I wonder if some of the people who have visitors that don't leave when their visa has expired answer honestly.  

When I got to "how much do you spend a year on electricity", my phone rang.  It was my daughter who was commuting home from work.  I told her what I was doing but I needed to do some calculations.  I said "I'll sign off now and finish later".  Then it asked for a password.  My daughter has a fabulous sense of humour.  I can't share a password, not only because it's not the smartest thing to do, but this one was not appropriate to put on my blog.  It was really funny and I don't know why I didn't think of it!  I submitted my census the day it was mailed to me.

We had lunch with friends yesterday who don't own a conputer.  They called the Census Help Line and asked for a paper questionaire to be mailed.  It hasn't arrived yet.  When he watched the news he saw if you didn't file by May 12th, you could face a fine.  He hopes they don't fine him.  

My cousin Gordon and his wife are on a 14 day Alaska cruise.  They left May 3rd and don't get back until this weekend.  I hope he doesn't get a fine.

I love reading Twitter when people complain about giving the government their information.     

Dee Lundy didn't post the inside of the form.  I bet it was interesting.

I asked AI for a reason to fill out your census and got this:

Filling out the Canadian census matters for very concrete, practical reasons — and the benefits come right back to you, your neighbourhood, and your province.

🧭 1. It directly shapes services you rely on

Census data is the backbone for planning health care, education, public transit, housing, and infrastructure. Statistics Canada officials emphasize that everything from hospital capacity to school construction to road planning depends on accurate population data.

Transit planners, for example, use census commuting data — including what time people leave for work — to design routes and reduce congestion.

🗳️ 2. It determines political representation

Population counts from the census decide the boundaries of federal and provincial ridings. Without accurate numbers, representation becomes uneven.

💰 3. It affects how billions in funding are allocated

Federal, provincial, and municipal governments use census data to distribute transfer payments and target funding where it’s actually needed. Under‑counted communities receive less money.

🏡 4. It helps communities plan for growth

Everything from neighbourhood demographics to housing needs comes from census data. Even families looking to buy a home rely on census profiles to understand a community.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 5. It’s the only complete portrait of Canada

Statistics Canada calls the census “the only source of data for the entire country.” If people don’t fill it out, the portrait is incomplete — like missing family members in a photo.

📅 6. It’s mandatory

Participation is required under the Statistics Act, and households that refuse can face fines of up to $500. All residents — citizens, permanent residents, refugee claimants, and even temporary workers or students — must complete it.

🕒 7. It takes very little time

• Short form: ~6 minutes

• Long form: ~30 minutes (randomly assigned) - if that's true why have I received it for the last three census?

Brilliant Lady has it's first trip into Vancouver Harbour

Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady is the adults-only cruise line's fourth ship.  It debuted in late 2025 and today it arrived at the Port of Vancouver.  It's 111,000 gross tons with a capacity of 2,762 passengers.  I had an invitation to have lunch onboard but because it couldn't navigate under the Lions Gate Bridge until 9:30 AM and was scheduled to leave at 5:00 PM, it was cancelled.  That's quite a short turn around.

We arrived at 1:30 and the passengers hadn't even started to board yet.  I know two passengers who boarded today to go to Alaska.  I can't wait to see how they liked Virgin Cruises.

The Disney Wonder was at the west berth.  Lots of children on this ship!

It's much smaller than the Brilliant Lady

 

 Disney characters hanging from the aft!

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.