Afghanistan sucesses

Riley posted on this article today about some of the good things happening in Afghanistan.

Royal weddings

The Queen's wedding dress will be on display in London in celebration of her and Prince Philip's 60th wedding anniversary on November 20th.I would love to see it some time it is very beautiful with all the crystals and pearls embroidered on it.

In other royal news Princes Anne's son Peter Philips is getting married to a Canadian.

Clothes lines

I didn't realize there were places where it is illegal to hang out your laundry.We have always done that here and it seems like such a waste to run a dryer when the weather is nice out.This just seems really foolish to me,what harm do they think someones clean laundry will do them. With concern about global warming on the rise it just makes sense for the provincial governments to override some of these local laws.

Plover's nests damaged

I don't know what people can be thinking when they cause damage to a birds nests,it not as if there was any benefit to them or the plovers were doing them any harm.

Non native species

The fact that zebra mussels have invaded the great lakes is worrisome.People see that the water looks nice and clear and think the lakes are healthy and they aren't.

Non native species are of particular concern to me as a fish keeper with irresponsible people sometimes releasing a fish they no longer want or that got to big for their tank into the wild.These released pets can then take over and out compete native species if they are able to survive the outdoor conditions in the area they are released in or if they can't survive will just endure a horrible suffering death which no one in their right mind would want their pet to endure.

Some people just don't seem to see this and I have actually witnessed some people on fish forums I visit recommending that a person release an unwanted fish into the local lake which besides the fact it probably illegal is horrible advice to give for the previous mentioned reasons.

Convict cichlids of which I have one are now found in Banff which is far outside there native range and tilapia which I see in the grocery stores also appears to be a problem in many areas as they are widely farmed and can escape.

Honour killings

Honour killing are a big problem in some parts of the world.I think there needs to be a whole changing of attitudes towards women before these types of incidents are stopped but if officials don't take this seriously and send a strong message this isn't acceptable women will continue to be killed in this manner.

There have even been honour killings in countries such as England where you don't expect to hear about such things.I am not aware of any taking place in Canada and hopefully there won't be any in the future but it would be even better if there were none anywhere in the world.

Irish festival opening review

I had a good time last night.Loyola Hearn was a reasonably good speaker,I found he started off a little slow but then he improved.He talked mostly about the Irish,where he grew up in Newfoundland and he had quite a few funny stories which is always good.My mother really enjoy him as he didn't talk much about politics which the speakers the last few years focused on.I am very interested in politics so I always enjoy political stories but where my mother is only moderately interested she would prefer to here about Irish things at the Irish festival which makes sense.

Another guest was Nobel Peace Prize Laureate John Hume.He was very interesting although he didn't speak for long,at the end of his speech he announced he was going to sing Danny boy and I though what is this going to be like but he is very good singer with a pleasant voice.

The Nelson Doyle dancers also preformed and they are always good.Iknow many of the girls as they are present or former Girl Guides.

It was very enjoyable evening and I hope to attend a few more events before the festival is over.

Irish festival

I am getting ready to go to the Irish festival opening.Loyola Hearn Minister of fisheries and oceans is the guest speaker so I hope he will be interesting,I haven't paid much attention to him before.

Cat update

Thankfully our cat isn't showing any signs of sickness this morning although we will keep an eye on her for a few days.I have just finished setting up a new cat proof garbage can with a secure lid so her days of rummaging are over.

Cat trouble

I am worried sick right about now.I had a piece of Bologna for supper and didn't even think that our new cat likes to get in the garbage because our old cat never did this.I threw the piece of wax off the bologna right in the kitchen garbage and after a while the mother cat came in to get something to eat and I fed her and then went in to check my Email .

My mother noticed all of a sudden that the cat was over by the garbage chewing very hard on something but by the time she got to her it was already swallowed.We determined it must have been the wax,so we called up our vet and she said to watch her and if she vomits,has a sore belly or won't eat by the morning bring her in.I really hope she will be alright so if anyone reads this blog tonight say a prayer for her if you pray.

Women in top Vatican jobs?

This is a great thing if it's true and something that should have happened long ago.

Bat colony

I am glad I don't live in this building,I have enough trouble with the ants those numbers seem to be exploding this summer for some reason.Maybe it is all the wet weather.I feel quite guilty about harming them,they seem like such productive little guys but they have been coming in my window so I finally decide I had to put some poison down not that it has helped much.They have also been taking over some of my plants in the garden but usually I just tolerate them outside or dig up the hill if its really bad.

Surgery on a soldier

This article on the damage some of these bombs in Afghanistan can do to a person is quite revealing for me,I had no idea how some of these thing injured people before reading this.It's hard to understand why people have so much hate they want to inflict this on other humans.

Abstinence education

I wish people could see that when it comes to sex education it doesn't have to be just one type or the other.You can discuss abstinence and it's benefits while still tell young people the facts and informing them about other options should they chose to have sex.

Beaubasin dig

This looks really fun,I wish I lived closer.

Ancient fish

This is pretty neat.It must have been very exiting for the people that caught it and the researcher that identified it.I actually think he(the fish) is kind of cute although lots of people wouldn't agree with me. Hopefully they will be around for millions of years to come

Mummies get identity checked

This is interesting,I am always fascinated by ancient Egyptian history.

Kittens

Mother looking on

Funny face sleeping,blacky and blondie eating,little gray pondering


Funny face (My favorite)
Yum Yum

Blondie and funny face



Funny face and blacky

Funny face and little gray

Lennie Gallant to play for visit of tall ships

Lennie Gallant is my favorite artist, there is a nice article in today's Chronicle herald about his performance at casino Nova Scotia during the visit of the tall ships to Halifax .I have seen him in concert on the Miramichi once and it was a great night out .I wish I lived closer to Halifax because I would definitely go,it's free to so if you live near Halifax go check it out.

Vatican say other churches wounded

I find this offensive and I am a Catholic so I can imagine how people from other churches must feel.I have attended ecumenical events in the past, most recently the noon Lenten services held in our area each year and supported by most of the christian denominations and know this is simply not true.It is a great blow to inter religious dialogue and relationships with other churches.

Dramatic increase in arrest for possesion

I believe that possession of small amounts of marijuana should be decriminalized in Canada for adults.I have some concerns about large grow ops and the danger that may surround them but at the same time I don't think the current policy is working and sending people to jail for a small amount doesn't make sense.Maybe in the future it should totally be legalized and the government should tax it the same way alcohol and tobacco are taxed,that might remove some of the criminal element from its sale and production.

Turtles crossing

Make sure you watch out for turtles if your driving on the highways in New Brunswick anytime soon.

Latin mass

I think this is bad for the church.My main concern isn't specifically the tridentine mass but some of the other things the people that want it also stand for.The church needs to move forward not backward.

Sophie is pregnant

This is nice news for Sophie and Edward,hopefully things will go well this time.

Intermarriage

I thought this was a very interesting article about immigrants children and the challenges they can face.