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Economic Stimulus

Mutts - Stimulus Package Pictures, Images and Photos

 

Sometime this year, we  taxpayers may again receive an Economic Stimulus payment.  

This is a very exciting new program.  I will  explain it using the Q and A format:

Q.  What  is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A.  It is money  that the federal gov ernment will send to  taxpayers.

Q.  Where will the government get  this money?
A.  From taxpayers.

Q..  So  the government is giving me back my own money?
A.   Only a smidgen.

Q.  What is the purpose of this  payment?
A.  The plan is that you will use the  money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus  stimulating the economy.

Q.  But isn’t that  stimulating the economy of China ?
A.  Shut  up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help  the US economy by spending your stimulus check  wisely:

  *      If you  spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go  to   China
  *      If you  spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the  Arabs.
  *      If you  purchase a computer, it will go to India
   *      If you purchase fruit and vegetables,  it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala .
   *      If you buy a car, it will go to   Japan .
  *      If you  purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan .
   *      If you pay your credit cards  off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and  they will hide it offshore.

Instead, keep the money  in America by:

  1     ;   spending it at yard sales, or
  2       going to ball games, or
  3      spending it on prostitutes,  or
  4      beer or
  5      tattoos.

(These are the  only American businesses still operating in the US .)

***
I’m going to go to a ball game with a  tattooed prostitute that I met at a yard sale, and drink  beer!   Yay!

Posted via web from Epistles From My Nutopia

All in all, life is good

Photobucket

I don’t have a lot of balls in the air at the moment.  Just letting the sun shinny days meld into one another.  There is an important football game starting now and that is why, I am still at my computer after dinner.  I was told there was nothing on BUT football so my presence was not required.  I sure hope Tom Brady doesn’t injure another important body part.

I cut my own hair yesterday.  I use 3 mirrors strategically placed in the bathroom to see what I am doing.  It usually happens in  stages.  I make the main cut one day and live with it a little.  Then based on how I think it is wearing, I make adjustments.  I am good at the layers style but I still tend to chop too much from the sides.  Oh well, guess the back will be getting more attention in a few days.  Jaime wants me to just go to the darn hairdresser.  I am frugal, so putting out $25. + tip is painful for me.

We bought new electric convection base board heaters and Frank installed them yesterday.  First he had to take out the old ones, paint the wall, prime first and make sure all the wiring was in good condition.  During the last several decades, we have heated primarily with the wood stove.  I am so done with that.  The dust, the bugs and the coughing are just parts of the reasons I begged to let the stove take a break and only use it if the power goes off.

Second morning of senior exercise today.  At this point, it is just enough. I feel the stretching and pulling is exactly what I need.  I will, in time, get my mo-jo moving and take my own stuff to a different level.  Not only in aerobics, but in contemplation as well.  Dancing starts Wednesday evening.  The location has been moved to a rec center way over yonder through a lot of narrow twisting roads that are apt to have deer and moose leaping into view at every turn. I hope Frank doesn’t decide it’s not too annoying to drive there.  He likes the twisty roads fine, but not in the pitch dark.

I’m still knitting dishcloths but I am thinking that it would be fun to tackle something a bit more adventurous. I want to make a big cozy baby blanket for the new wee one.  I am going to have to ask around to find someone who can explain the pattern directions in a way that I can understand.  Plus a hands on demonstration would be useful to get me started in the right direction. I think there should be at least one woman at exercise class who would be willing to teach me….if i ask nicely.

No big drama, no outrageous point of view, just the daily hoo-humm from moi. Life is unfolding as it should, for this 60 yr old woman who still feels a LOT younger.

Keep dancing

Posted via web from Epistles From My Nutopia

Healthcare in Canada

Healthcare in Canada


Introduction                                                                                           

Canada is the second largest country in the world, with a population nearing 32 million. The country has a government-funded, national healthcare system based on the Canadian Health Act. The principles of this law are to provide a health service that is universally available to permanent residents, is without income barriers, has comprehensive coverage, is portable within Canada and elsewhere, and is administered publicly.

The Federal Government, through the taxpayer, subsidizes the health system, though each province is responsible for its own healthcare system.


Overview of healthcare in Canada                                                       

Canadian provinces and territories are responsible for administering their own healthcare plans. Each must provide their residents with prepaid cover for all necessary medical services. These include financing, planning, providing medical care, hospital care, public healthcare, and dispensing prescriptions. Cover for dental treatment, optometric services, prescription drugs, hearing aids, and home care vary per province and territory.
Health policies, under the Canadian Health Act, are portable primarily within Canada, while a partial reimbursement is available for treatment outside the country. This system is made possible by funds from the federal government as well as the provincial and territorial governments. Personal and corporate income taxes are the main source of revenue, while some provinces charge residents an annual healthcare premium based on their yearly income.


Access to the healthcare system

Canada, as a whole, provides a free, basic, healthcare system for its citizens and all legal residents. This usually includes access to a family doctor and emergency care or basic hospital treatment. Some provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario charge their residents healthcare tax for this very purpose. The Canadian Health Act of 1984 states that prescription drugs and supplies are provided free in hospitals, most of the time. This is dependant on you staying in the hospital as an in-patient.  
Costs begin to accumulate when you are no longer staying in the hospital and begin purchasing your own prescription drugs and medical supplies. Specialist drugs can be very expensive for one course of treatment, while other medical services such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatments and dental treatment are not covered.

  If you work in the country, your employer may offer you a package that includes cover for prescription drugs, up to 80% of the cost, and services like physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment. Again, qualifications for free services vary in each province. If you are not satisfied with your benefits package, or would like to improve it, you can purchase your own insurance policy.


Challenges with Canadian healthcare

The quality of healthcare varies from province to province. In the rural communities and those further up north, healthcare is a step behind its southern counterparts. As such, there are concerns about discrepancies in the level of government funding and the overall quality of the healthcare being offered.

The Canadian Healthcare Association has pointed out several areas in the healthcare system that need to be improved. These include overall healthcare funding, patient waiting times, the improvement of medical technology, shortages in personnel, home and long-term care. The major issue in all of these is the level of waiting times among patients to see specialists, undergo elective surgery, or get diagnostic tests. According to the Fraser Institute, waiting times have increased from 13.1 weeks in 1999 to 17.9 weeks in 2004. Crowded emergency rooms are an indication of the severity of this problem.

  There has also been the occurrence of a “brain drain” in the healthcare profession. This is where nurses leave the country to seek greener pastures in the United States, which can result in a shortage of personnel. Incidents of negligence, or errors in treatment, have also raised concerns about Canada’s healthcare system.


The brighter side of Canadian healthcare                                     

In 2004, the federal government and the provinces came up with a C$41-billion (US$34.2-billion), 10-year agreement aimed at improving Canada’s healthcare system. A major part of this agreement is an attempt to reduce waiting times; a “Wait Times Reduction Fund” has been drafted in order to allow provinces to hire more healthcare professionals, increase their capacity, clear backlogs, and increase ambulatory and community care programs. The provinces are ready to set targets for acceptable wait times and will establish a common set of criteria to gauge wait times across Canada.


The bottom line with Canadian healthcare                                              

Overall, Canadians are generally satisfied with the standards of living in the country; this includes the state of their healthcare. A Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health, carried out in 2002-2003 by Statistics Canada and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that 87% of Canadians are “somewhat” to “very satisfied” with their healthcare services. The evaluation criterion on health was based on personal safety, quality and availability of hospitals, medical care and medical supplies. Despite the difficulties, the healthcare system bodes well for Canadian residents and expatriates.

Posted via web from Epistles From My Nutopia

Me at 19


Taking a few to have my tomato samich.  A lot of talk about Woodstock this weekend.  People are waxing nostalgic about the best rock concert evah.

I did not attend, although I know at least one person, Dave Galfand, who did. I was 20 and had not even smoked a joint.  There was plenty of press about the concert saying that it may well be a big riot due to all the drugs that were expected. The thought did not impress me at all. Huge crowds of hopped up hippies all bent on having a mind blowing time just scared the crap outta me. I was happy to go down to the local watering hole and dance the night away after sipping a few beers or maybe a Harvey-Wall-Banger.  I was kinda prissy in my attitude to those who smoked up. Concerts I had attended up to that point were Harry Belafonte and Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot.

Things changed for me a lot the next two years. I don’t remember seeing the movie about Woodstock, but I must have at some point. I started to identify with the generation I was part of instead of some bogus generation my parents had invented. I wore my skirts very short, much to the chagrin of my knee hating mother. Pot and a few other substances were experimented with.  Nothing I ever got hooked on.  It was entertainment similar to having a few drinks.   I embroidered all over my jeans.  Wearing a bra was optional. After leaving home, a one room apartment became my new refuge.  There was a boy who stayed with me more often than not. When my mother found out, I was disowned.  My banishment lasted till the boy and I broke up.  It was about that time I experienced a form of sexual harassment, although I had no clue what it was.  My supervisor, who was a married man with a child, wanted to take me out.  I knew what he had in mind.  No way I was going to be another notch on his slimy belt.  Shortly after that, he fired me.   

Had to move and so shared another very small apartment with a good girl friend.  We were both living on unemployment insurance but had enough to buy beer and have a good time. It was about that time in 70 that I met Frank.  He was lead guitar in a 5 man band called Euphoria.  I moved in with him and the band. By this time he had proposed and given me a ring.  He talked to my dad and all was on the up and up although my mother was pissed at me for living with a man without the benefit of clergy. Oh well!

In August of ‘69, Frank and his other band mates were playing a gig in southern Quebec.  It was just a small jaunt over to Woodstock.  He told me, the guys suggested they smuggle him across the border to see the concert.  Being a draft dodger, he would have none of it.

He would stay in Canada till he was a Canadian citizen and Jimmy Carter pardoned all the dodgers.

Do I feel like I missed out on a special moment in time by not attending Woodstock? Nah, not really. I have been to many great concerts in the years since.  One regret was not ever seeing Hendrix. Oh well!

Keep Dancing!

 

Posted via web from Epistles From My Nutopia


(my recent adventures in knitting – 3 dishcloths and 1 bib)

Here I am using my gmail to post to all my blog places.  I think I got the hang of it.  After all, it is so very important that all the places I frequent have an updated and current input from moi.  It is fairly quiet today.  The recycling truck has been bye and left our large container in the middle of the driveway as per usual.  I have not one but 2 annoying house-flies walking around on the window in front of me.  Where did I leave that swatter?   How the hell did they get in? 

I can tell by the way the wind is blowing the leaves that it will rain later as they predicted. Oh joy!  I am going to make a pasta sauce later today. Yes, this is looking more like a mind dump of sorts than anything that actually resembles some sort of  opinion or complaint about politicians or about some God awful personal catastrophe that has occurred.  No, nothing like that in any way.  Just the daily junk that seems to fill the moments in between the moments.

I want to go here: Eco-museum.   I have convinced Jaime that it would be a fun place for all of us to visit with Hannah.  Plus I could take a bunch of neeto photos of animals that have not become roadkill.   It is not that expensive.  A great first step, sort of zoo, of local animals.  The next step would be: Parc Safari , although I think Hannah needs to be a bit older to fully appreciate the scope that big game have to offer.

I am watching: Torchwood: Children Of Earth 5 night series about an impending alien invasion.  The occasional man kissing man is an added bonus that makes Frank gag  – I just giggle. 

Oh and last night, the 2nd season rerun of CBC's 9:00 pm The Tudors.   "As he seeks the annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII appoints himself the head of the Church of England. Anne Boleyn insists that Henry remove Queen Katherine from the Court".  We don't watch it during the reg season so we have something to watch now.  Plus I knit while it is on.

Wonder what will happen next?  Oh, it is history and well documented   – but the acting is good and Henry VIII is cute, if you like that type. I think we have watched a few movies about all this in the past little while.  I was sure I had seen this season already, but no, apparently not.

The cats are all doing well.  Max has lost more weight but is still eating and even acting sorta kittenish.  The tumor in his snout seems to have shrunk and the inside of his mouth looks less inflamed.  I hope it doesn't hurt him too much.  We are feeding him wet food which we whirl in the food processor with more water to make it even easier to lap up.

August is looming and with it brings a hope that summer will appear.  Usually, August says, "It's over, a few last vestiges of heat with hardly any bugs". Most around here are thinking that since last summer was a wash out, what is up with this summer doing the same thing.  Oh!  Brilliant idea – that would be the climate rearranging itself, so get ready for a bumpy ride. Jet stream is no behaving.  Why? Because there is more melting at the North Pole.

Not been swimming in the lake or a pool yet. So there you have it. Do not forget to:

KEEP DANCING!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Epistles From My Nutopia

Yesterday was beautiful. Sunny and hot.  The way the weather has been lately, getting one good day in five is a bonus.  Luckily for the Flea Market, it was also the beginning of the  construction holiday.  This means all construction, province wide, is halted for two weeks.  It is also a time when other folks take their two weeks vacation.  The flea market was buzzing with activity. Lots and lots of people on a Staycation.

I had to pay $2 to park.  Bonus was, it was a shady spot.  I had no money to spend but my daughter came with a pocket full of cash.  She was looking for little glass knobs for the dresser she bought for Hannah’s big girl room.  She looks at all the quilts and collects little jugs.  Old wood boxes are another fascination.

I just wanted to take a bunch of photos.   As I went through the shots I took, I noticed a few interesting rear ends and a pair of very cellulited legs.  A table filled with very primitive folk art sculpture got 2 views.  Hope you enjoy the day’s results.


See and download the full gallery on posterous

Life Lessons



This is something we should all read at least once a week
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone…

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
      Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words. In five years,
      will this matter?

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
      else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

And I would personally like to add one more:

46. Never jump into relationships. Learn to live with yourself first, know who you are and love yourself. Only     then can you have a relationship with someone else.

Arts Morin Heights 2009 - show flyer

 

 

This is for anyone who lives within a 50 mile radius of Morin Heights, QC Canada -  Lots of local artists displaying a wide range of creations.

Wine and cheese will be part of the yummy goodies to be served.

This is the site: http://artsmorinheights-ivil.tripod.com/id3.html

Browse through the various artist’s works and web sites to get a flavor for the upcoming show.

Owl for Phyllis


Tuesday, I met Jaime at the flea market.  She and I had a few things in mind as we wondered the lanes that contained many old and new articles.  I didn’t take any photos of my day there for some unknown reason.  I guess I was more intent on the looking.

Anyway, we did find 2 Owls carved a-la-primitive by someone named Lacasse.  He also does fish that are painted fun colors.  I was looking for a substantial Owl to put as a marker for my mother’s ashes. 

I picked the one above and it is now in place.  He is very primitive.  I think my mom would approve. He looks great there, sitting quietly observing the passerby’s. She collected Owls of all sorts. She was interested in all the things that the symbolism of Owls represented.

Since I nestled him in his spot, Frank has not noticed he is even there. I won’t be saying “boo” till he actually mentions Mr. Tuto. The other little occupant of my little garden is Coug:



———————————————————-


Owls symbolize wisdom, the ability to see things that are hidden, stealth, swiftness, darkness, freedom, dreams, shape-shifting, secrets, omens, clairvoyance, astral projection, magick, deception, observation, total truth, night, death and misfortune. They are connected to the Underworld and the Moon. They are connected to The Goddess in general, as well as Athena, Mari, Lilith, Anath, Gwynn ap Nudd, Blodeuwedd, Yama and Cailleach.

Barn Owl: Barn owls are the ones who see without seeing and hear without hearing; the ones who can hear what is not spoken and ones that see things without physical sight.


Source: http://www.askyewolfe.com/symbolism-owl.html

Owls can symbolize silence.


More:

Global Reverence for the Owl

The owl is deeply connected with magic, shamanism and heightened senses throughout the ages. Some have thought of the owl as a “cat with wings” as they share similar characteristics of personality.

Middle and Far East

In some middle and far eastern cultures, the owl is a sacred guardian of the afterlife, ruler of the night, a seer and keeper of souls transitioning from one plane of existence to another.

Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks attributed the owl to Athena, goddess of wisdom and foresight. This symbol was used on Greek coins and therefore also became associated with wealth.

America

Native Americans attributed owls with wisdom and sacred knowledge. The shaman would call upon Owl medicine for insight into the truth of ill-intent. Plains Indians wore owl feathers to protect against evil spirits.

Africa

West African and Aboriginal Australian cultures also saw the owl as a messenger of secrets, and companions to medicine people.

Europe

In the celtic tradition, the owl (cailleach-oidhche), represents wisdom, clairvoyance, stealth, initiation, change and detachment. Always aware of its surroundings, the owl uses intuition courageously, with insight into hidden truth, and a guide between earth creatures and Underworld deities.

During medieval times in Europe, owls were believed to be witches and wizards, shapeshifters in disguise.

Summary of Owl Attributes

The owl is still considered a witch’s companion, sharing unique spiritual communication between them, and even sharing the same secret powers of the night. Today, the owl is often used as a symbol for education, and used as a graduation mascot.

Many cultures have associated the following attributes to the owl:

intelligence, brilliance, wisdom, power, knowledge
intuition, messages, mysticism, mystery, unconscious, silent observation independence, protection, bravery, transition, longevity, reincarnation

If You Are Drawn to the Owl

The owl’s gift of heightened senses enables it to see through deception, external appearances and illusion and to discover hidden truths.

If you are drawn to owls or owl symbolism, you may have this same ability to uncover secrets. People may feel uneasy around you, as if you are able to see through pretense. The owl also teaches us to acknowledge the dark side of our personality, and in that darkness we may find food for growth.

If people do not speak words that reflect the truth of their actions and motives, owl medicine (as referred to by aboriginal cultures) will guide you with vision and inner knowing to reveal the truth. The owl puts an end to doubt and offers vision and clarity of the truth of events, people or circumstances in your life.

source: http://www.macrameowl.com/html/owl_symbolism.html

———————

 

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
    In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
    Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
    And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
      What a beautiful Pussy you are,
          You are,
          You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!’

 
II

Pussy said to the Owl, ‘You elegant fowl!
    How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
    But what shall we do for a ring?’
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
    To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
    With a ring at the end of his nose,
          His nose,
          His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

 
III

‘Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
    Your ring?’ Said the Piggy, ‘I will.’
So they took it away, and were married next day
    By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
    Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
    They danced by the light of the moon,
          The moon,
          The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.


by: Edward Lear

Inukshuk

littleino

Inukshuka Garden Project

There is something very mystical and alluring about an Inukshuk.  These  incredible pieces of art are not just  piles of stones but figures holding spirit, sacred meaning and direction.

Wonderment brought study of  the figure, increased intrigue, sparking a further interest.  What are they all about?
The word “Inukshuk”(pronounced In-OOK-Shook) literally translates into “stone man that points the way”. The rocks erected in the image of man were erected by the Inuit and stand along Canada’s most northern shores.Inukshuks are stone cairns that were erected by Inuit at important locations throughout the barrens of the Arctic to serve as guideposts or markers. They were also erected to help guide in the herding of caribou during their annual migration towards where they could be more easily hunted by the ancient Inuit.The Inukshuk is given as a gift today, to symbolize our dependence on each other and to remind us of the value of strong relationships. If a single stone is removed from an Inukshuk, the structure becomes weaker and so too is each individual in a team necessary for its strength.

Build your very own Inukshuk

inukshuk


Every Inuksuk is distinctive and unique as no two stones are the same and because crafted by hand. An Inuksuk can be a variety of sizes from small to large; where single stones and rocks are stacked and balanced on top of each other; boulders placed in a pile; or flat stones stacked.

To start out you should collect a bunch of rocks. I enjoy collecting rocks on walks in the wilderness, especially along creeks and rivers.. Most of the rocks or stones should have some flat surfaces. The easiest rocks to work with will have two flat surfaces on opposite sides of the rock (top and bottom).
Start balancing the rocks on top of each other. At this point, your main goal is learning about balancing the rocks and finding combinations that work well together. If two rocks just won’t balance, try turning them over. Often just moving the rock a little bit can make a difference.
Decide where you want your finished inuksuk to stand, and start building.

Ideas:

If you’re making a small one for inside the house, you may want to build it once to see how the rocks balance. Then re-build it using glue. It won’t be a true inuksuk, but it will be much safer!

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