Man decapitates passenger aboard Greyhound bus in Manitoba

(photo: CBC)

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/31/greyhound-transcanada.html

I seriously had to read that headline twice! It's true. CBC.ca has an interview with a witness who was on the bus, one of 37 passengers including small children.

Apparently, the alleged killer was calm and expressionless during the entire event.

Windsor Ontario - Canal proposal

Stupendous! Exciting and completely doable! Welcome to Windsor. The lands expropriated years ago for the arena that is now being built waaaaaaay out East will finally be something besides an empty parking lot. I love it!

I actually have faith in this one happening. Our City Council and to be fair, not just the current one but the ones preceding this one, have a sad history of talking something to death. This one is different, one big reason for the difference? Mr. Schmuel Farhi. If Mr. Farhi wants it done, it happens. Period.

Welcome visitor # 10,000 !

Shame on Maariv

Some things are sacrosanct ! The Wailing Wall is one of them. My beliefs, or lack of them, aside they should be held accountable. If you are in Israel, you should cancel your subscription. Send them a message that hundreds of years of tradition, of acceptable behaviour and Rabbinical teachings cannot be ignored simply to boost sales!

Caroline Henderson, "Letters From the Dust bowl"

Being a stamp collector, I look at old postcards, not for the cards but for the stamps affixed to them. A year or so ago, I found a bunch of cards in a Harrow antique store to/from Mrs. W. Henderson of Eva Oklahoma. Her first name was Caroline. For some reason this sounded familiar to me and I googled her. She is Caroline Henderson, teacher, mother, farmer and writer. She lived from 1877 to 1966. She wrote articles in different publications. She wrote about farm life. During the drought, dust storms and privation she was also published in The Atlantic Monthly.

Yesterday I went antiquing along Wyandotte St. E. here in Windsor. I walked into a backroom of one store and found about 8 issues of the Atlantic. Now this journal has been publishing since 1857, one hundred and fifty one years! Of the 8 issues in stock of the over 1800 they've published, I actually found the May 1936 that carried Caroline's "Letters from the Dust Bowl!" This kind of thing always happens to me. I'm very lucky in many ways! (Not the lottery kind of way but lucky none the less!) A wonderful addition to my postcard collection.

Her letters have been recently published in a new book, (the one pictured,)and I plan to order it also. The one postcard I have scanned mentions that they have been "putting everything in order... but it is no purpose though there has been plenty of wind. I am still hoarding about a gallon of water for wetting out throats. Fortunately it is warmer and the cattle for the present can drink from the snow water pools."

Another exciting day!

I suppose I should start by explaining the picture. Mich and I were at Pier 1 Imports when we heard a fire truck. It stopped across the parking lot at Best Buy. There was a car on fire. My pic does not do it justice. At one point you couldn't see the lot for the smoke. The firefighters pried the hood open, giving the fire oxygen, huge flames came spewing out. (Of course I didn't think of taking a pic at that point!) They ended up having to use foam to put it out. Then they had to wash down the parking lot to get rid of the foam. The black car parked in front of the car on fire was a couple of spaces over so should be ok. The owner of the car was out pacing around his car when Mich and I were finished shopping, he looked quite dejected. The car was toast.

For Sandra and the rest of the world.

I mentioned in an email to my sister Sandra that Michelle was feeling much better, other than the lower left side where that wisdom tooth must have given some resistance and the extraction left a green bruise on her face. Sandra replied that she was glad to hear it and perhaps I should update my blog so "the rest of the world can stop worrying too!" So here it is world... hehe

Matthew left to go back to Alberta this morning. Last night we all went to the casino buffet dinner. (Thanks Robin!) Michelle found a plethora of soft foods that appealed to her, especially in the desert section! Then we played some slots. I hate slots. They are boring and mindless. No time for poker games though so I went around dropping twenty dollar bills into machines. Then I went into the "High roller" room... I put 3 20's in it in a matter of 2 minutes! Luckily I won $121.00 and cashed out immediately. I still have no bloody idea how I won it or why but I'll take it. I came out about even. I did offer to drop my $121.00 into a $50.00 machine for two pulls but the family put the kybosh on that!

So that's my update for the worriers. :)

Wisdom teeth extraction - the aftermath!

The day of the surgery, not too bad. Of course the anesthesia and drugs helped. That night... not so good. Mich learned that Tylenol #3 does not work on her and went to the ibuprofen. The next morning... really, really not so good but with ice and drugs was brought under control. I was a fanatic about the icing and her swelling is minimal, just more of a "puffiness." She calls me the "pill nazi" as I dole them out according to the labels and not a minute sooner.

She'd been complaining about her left arm since the day of the surgery. I told her it was just the IV and not to worry about it. Yesterday afternoon she comes running into the room telling me "OMG, I'm going to faint" and holds out her left arm. There's a big lump between her wrist and elbow. Mich isn't good with anything to do with blood/veins oh and eyes since we're on the topic. I called the surgeon, he said to put compresses on the hand and it's just inflammation from the IV drugs. I told him it wasn't the hand but well up her arm. He then "recommended" we go to the ER and have them look at it "just in case." yea... ok... Good thing she's too old for someone to call the Children's Aid eh?

Off we went. Mich has thrombophlebitis as a reaction to the IV drugs but unusually, it's up her arm instead of the IV site. I did not know this could happen. So, it's ice on the face, warm compresses on the arm. Oh and now something for her stomach as the drugs are eating away at her!

She's always rather high maintenance so really, it's no big deal!

Wisdom teeth: T minus 40 minutes

In about 40 minutes, Michelle will be less wise, less toothy and a whole lot stoned! (Oh and her mouth will be worth about $10,000.00 if you add the braces, regular dental visits and this surgery!

UPDATE! All went well, we were in and out in an hour even with anesthetic! Those suckers must have popped out with little trouble. Hopefully that means little swelling or bruising.

The many misadventures of Pat!

There are certain things that have been deemed out of bounds for me. The "eversharp knives" at my house, the paper cutter at work and "Krazy glue" at both locations. Well... this weekend I broke my hairbrush. Dropped it on a cement floor and the handle snapped clean. I got out the krazy glue. Bob shook his head, I ignored him. I opened it with a flourish, proceeded to put a dollop on the brush handle and put the pieces together. I then held it upright with my left hand, and pushed down with my right hand to ensure proper bonding. It bonded alright, to my left hand! Bob shook his head. I quickly disengaged my hand and moved to a clean part of the handle. Then I needed something to put it in to keep it upright and dry. I took a Tim Hortons cup, put the brush in it and put the cup down. Well, I tried to put the cup down, it was glued to my hand. Bob shook his head some more. I ignored him with a vengeance. One day his head is going to fall off from all that shaking and then I'll have the last laugh!

Monday morning, I shattered a glass bowl. I carefully picked it up and swept. I didn't vacuum as Bob was sleeping and I didn't want him to jump up and start shaking his head again and get all dizzy or something. I figured he was still recuperating from the Krazy Glue incident. (Thoughtful eh?) I, of course, ended up with a shard of glass in my left foot.

Fortuitously, I was going to the Doctor today. I mentioned the glass shard, he found it, got it out and then jabbed me with a tetanus shot! Sneaky bugger. I assumed he would just shake his head in a Bob like fashion and move on. Men, you can't trust them!

Happy me!

Matthew's home from Alberta for a visit and Michelle is back from a 2 day trip to Toronto, (at 4:30am today!) It's nice to have a full house again.

To blog, or not to blog... that is the question.

My neighbourhood was awash with bloggable happenings this weekend! Seriously, it's staggering the number of people pushing me to post. I don't know where to start so... I'll think about it for a bit and see if anything happens in the next while to influence my final decision.

The invisible M.P. speaks! There really is a Jeff Watson!

For years, I've heard rumours of there being a Conservative M.P. in Essex County. I've not seen nor heard much of him aside from the purported death threats.

Now he's in the news! Taking a stand... making a stink... about, Dr. Henry Morgentaler receiving the Order of Canada. Whether or not I think Mogentaler should or shouldn't get the honour is moot. Do I think the humble Doctor should have said, to the cameras "I deserve this award?" No.

Now, back to Mr. Watson, aka The Invisible M.P., this is what he chooses as his... hey look at me, I'm an M.P. and have an opinion moment?

Speaks volumes about the man. The Essex County issues... nah. National issues... nah. But by golly lets pick abortion as a way to get attention. I'm thinking he's confused and should be representing a population in the American mid-west.

R.I.D.E. stop!

For years I have been commenting that I have never been stopped by a RIDE program. Michell and Bob were stopped once, she was maybe 9 years old. The officer asked Bob if he'd had anything to drink, he replied with "no, but I'm not too sure about her," pointing to Michelle. Everyone had a good chuckle and they carried on. I've been on the wrong side of the road, missed it by one street and well, just never been stopped!

Well now, I can cross it off my list. On the way home from work, at 9:45pm with Michelle, Robbie and Matt in my little Grand Am we came upon a RIDE stop that you couldn't miss if you wanted to. It's a big curve in the road on Crawford Ave. No where else to go. There were 8 Police, 4 on each side of the road. Apparently this is a rather extravagant set up for a RIDE stop. I was duly impressed.

BUT... well, it was a bit of a let down. All these years and in about 5 seconds, I was on my way. Not terribly exciting. I guess I should have just stuck with the mystery of wondering.

It's a wonderful life!

I was thinking today about my life. It's a busy one right now with July 1st just around the corner. Virtually all waking moments are spent at the office but I'm lucky. Even those moments are spent surrounded by friends and family.

The pic on this post is the surprise 50th birthday party my beautiful daughter Michelle threw for me. I had no clue. When I came in, after only being gone 3 hours, and found my house filled with friends and family I was stunned. Family from as far away as Sturgeon Falls, Montreal and London. Friends from Toronto, (and of course Windsor,) I realized how blessed I am. They went so far out of their way to be here, for me.

During this busy and stressful time at work and the anniversary of losing my Dad I hold in my mind that I have a wonderful, loving and supportive bunch of people in my life. Husband, children, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, In-laws and friends. (Sadly one less family as I just lost my Uncle Heiner in Germany.)

I'm not sure why I'm so sentimental tonight, maybe because of my Dad, my Uncle, maybe because it was such a long day at work and I'm a tad worn out but to my huge and loving extended family... Thanks for being a part of my life after all, a life lived alone is no life but merely an existence that leaves no mark when it's over.

Denis P. Toal

One year.

My shocking day!

There were a bunch of us at the warehouse today, busily working away. A storm was rolling in, nothing new for Windsor in the past few days. Then the phone rang. It was my friend at the Fire Department telling me a funnel cloud had been spotted and heading toward our direction! (thank you Nancy.) As she's telling me this... boom... huge thunder and the power goes out, cutting off the phone. The power came back on and she called back, we finished the conversation and I thanked her. I called Michelle at home to warn her and just as I told her about the funnel cloud, boom... power goes out and phone dies again. I quickly turned my cell phone on and called her back. Power comes back on.

I gathered everyone up and we all went into the front office area. I should mention at this point, for those of you who don't know, I work for a fireworks company, in an explosives magazine! So, we're all in the front when I decide to open the door, look toward the airport and see if I can see anything. It's a glass door, rimmed in metal with a long metal bar across the glass to hold on to when opening the door. I should also mention that the carpet in front of the door was soaking wet as the pummeling rain was coming in under the door.

Just as I grabbed the key with my left hand and the metal bar with my right hand... zap! There was a loud crack of thunder and at the exact same time, lighting hit the ground about 3 feet from the door! I felt a weird tingly sensation through my whole body. My hair stood up and I yelped. The power went off. I was shaking, like I was freezing cold and kept saying "OMG OMG, I got hit by lightning!" There is some debate whether I was hit by the residual lightning running through the metal or from transformer outside that blew sending a surge through the building... regardless, I'm claiming a lightning strike! I saw the lightning hit the ground, it got really skinny at the end, something I did not know before. See, even being electrocuted, you can learn something. (Though thinking about it, the bar should be aluminium shouldn't it?)

It cured the headache I'd had all day! Really, it did. However, as the day wore on I felt not so cured anymore. Actually I started to feel just dreadful. I left at 5, went to see Mich at Shoppers, took my blood pressure and it was NOT pretty. Keeping in mind I take 3 blood pressure pills a day, I can only imagine what it would have been sans medication.

From the Detroit Free Press: "Indoors, outdoors or in a car, don't touch metal objects. They're excellent conductors of electricity." Well no kidding, it's not rocket science but well... I was worried that we wouldn't know if the tornado was about to hit us no power, no radio, no warnings! So I peeked. (Won't do that again!) Even with all this going on, Dave & Ian went to inspect the electrical room to see if anything was smoking, I grabbed a fire extinguisher,(though someone else would have had to use it as I was still unable to control the shaking,) and everyone went around to see if there was anything obvious we should worry about.

We still have no power at work. Well, not true, we have lights in two rooms. One phase of the three phase is working. No computers, phones, fax, cash registers, adding machines... t'was tough doing business today. There was a lot of arithmetic being done on paper with pencils.

So, that's my shocking day. I'm buying a lottery ticket on my way to work tomorrow! My odds have suddenly improved.

Who are you?

Ok, I know who many of you are that visit my little blog on a regular basis. BUT... I have some constant visitors that I would love to identify! Sudbury,Ontario, Erin, Ontario, Chatham, Ontario, Burnaby, BC, to name a few. Please, drop me a comment, let me know who you are and how you know me! Thanks!

Happy Father's Day...

To those with us and those we miss every day, especially today.

United Nations, International Year of the Potato

Who knew? I heard it this morning on CBC Radio. I love potatoes! In all forms. I have long said they are the perfect food. The fact that my name, in it's original form would be Patty O'Toole has nothing to do with it. Actually, I'm genetically predisposed on both sides. Irish and German. Huge potato fans there.

Seriously, you can do anything with a potato. Also, as is shown in the UN website, potatoes are a good staple that can help the world's food shortage problem. (As long as they are genetically diverse and therefore not all susceptible to the same diseases as what happened during the potato famine.)

Check out the website. http://www.potato2008.org/en/index.html I'm going to try the Chinese stir fried potatoes. I'm very excited about it! Oh and the website leads to links to other potato sites that are strangely fascinating!

Oh, I'm more than just a bit ashamed that the Canadian Government does not show up anywhere in the sponsor or supporters list!