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cathy


We need a watershed

Thursday, May 31, 2007

I spent yesterday doing water quality testing with two seniors who are concerned about their watershed and want to do something about it.
"I'm trying to say to you, be a part of the change...no one else is going to do it. The politicians are paralyzed. The people have to do it for themselves! Our democracy hasn't been working very well-that's my opinion. We've made a bunch of serious policy mistakes. But it's way too simple and way too partisan to blame the Bush-Cheney Administration. We've got checks and balances, an independent judiciary, a free press, a Congress-have they all failed us? Have we failed ourselves?"
-Al Gore, as quoted in Time (Canadian Edition), May 28, 2007, p.18
We must be a part of the change, for if not, we fail our children....

Written by Cathy

Hanging in the balance

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Taken from my side patio this morning in the fog and dew.

I oscillate back and forth between hope and despair when it comes to the urgent action required to tackle climate change. Yesterday was verging on despair as I listened to Canad's Environment Minister engage in his typical double-speak with the media. The G-8 summit is coming up and climate change is on the agenda. I might go so far as to say that coordinated decisions regarding the actions of the nations that are contributing to the greatest share of the problem rest in the hands of 13 people. But we speak for those people, and that's where my hope returns. Canada's "New" Conservative government is very much aware that the general public wants action on the environment and this issue rates as one of our main priorities as a nation. So today, as I read that Canada's government will side with EU nations in endorsing a call for greenhouse gas reductions, I was thrilled. It is a baby step, but at least the place I call home is coming on side. Let's face it; for political reasons, but I'll take it. For now.

But what remains to cause despair is the fact that the United States government will shun the targets. As the nation that emits more greenhouse gases per capita than any other, it's time to step up. Overdue, really....so let's do something about this!


Written by Cathy

From Russia, with Love

Monday, May 28, 2007

From my Inbox today...

Greetings from Russia,
I hope this mail doesn't come to you as an embarrassment as I receive unsolicited mails sometimes.

I am KSENIA FOTIANOVA : My husband DMITRIY FOTIANOV was shoot dead
October,19 2006 by his enemies in Dalnegorsk-city , Russia. Both of us were attached and I am now getting better after spending about four (4) months in the hospital.


He has tree-extraction business in Far East of Russia. After his dead, the police and govenment authorities has restricted my movement and watching me, thinking I have a hand in his death.
Before he died, he left $usd 10.5 million with a bank which he indicated me as the beneficiary and next of kin and I am looking for an honest person who will help me secure this money in his account.


This fund being the basis of my future .Your friendship, assistance and advise will be immensely appreciated while your effort will be rewarded. We can talk about that later.
If you can be of help to me, please let me know and we discuss. I will then give you the documents.
KSENIA FOTIANOVA


My response:

Dearest Ksenia Fotianova;
I am so glad to hear that you are now out of hospital after being there for four long, dreadful months. I was wondering what it was that you were "attached" to that could cause such grievous harm?

I was also wondering how I might get involved in the tree extraction business in Russia, as it seems like it is most lucrative.

Most Sincerely,
Cathy in Canada

Written by Cathy

So late and all I have is a mememe!!

Friday, May 25, 2007

I have been busy with work, and family and friends this past week. I had a good friend from Calgary come and stay with me this week and spent loads of time talking about everything deep and shallow. The spectrum was covered. And now I am behind in the writing again, but that is ok. I feel like I needed this week. I have no idea what you all have been up to, but I will be around again soon! In the meantime, I am answering Chloe's tag...

1. The phone rings; whom do you want it to be? Anyone inviting me to dinner.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? 90% of the tine. If the babe is in my arms and he’s having a tantrum, forget about it!

3. If you had to kiss again the last person you kissed, would you? Of course!

4. Do you take compliments well? Someone told me that I was one of two people in all of Canada that was an expert on something, and I completely diverted the conversation away from the statement. Compliments of any kind make me uncomfortable. Somwhere deep down, they make me feel great, though!

5. Do you play Sudoku? Never. Yawn.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? I would. I would hope for no large insects, though.

7. Do you like nipple rings? Disgusting.

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Once, and it was terrible.

9. If a sexy person were pursuing you, but you knew he/she were married what would you do? Think there was something wrong with them.

10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? This is irrelevant to me. I do not and will never understand the conflicts between religions. We are all just people, after all…

11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? Neither.

12. Use three words to describe yourself at the moment: Tired, ambitious, dedicated

13. Do any songs make you cry? Not really. (What’s wrong with me!?)

14. Are you continuing your education? I learn something every day. This is my life’s journey. What is life if we aren’t constantly expanding our knowledge base?

15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? No.

16. If your house were on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? Children, Mr. C and photos.

17. Who was the last person you shared a bed with? Mr. C.

18. Whom do you text the most? I don’t text.

19. Favorite children’s books? The Lorax, Goodnight Moon, Uno’s Garden

20. What do you buy at the movies? Popcorn and diet coke. Sometimes red licorice.

21. Do you know how to play poker? No.

22. Do you wear your seat belt? Always. My car would scream at me if I didn’t.

Written by Cathy

Making Sense from Nonsense...

Friday, May 18, 2007

Of all the cuddly creatures the babe has in his crib, this is what he held on to dearly as I put him to bed last night. I mean, who wouldn't want to sleep with an ogre that belches, right?

The babe is very quirky, actually. For example, we have two cats and their names are Oopsie and Daisy. The babe has no issues with Oopsie but will NOT use the name Daisy. He insists on calling her Other Oopsie. This is my cat Oopsie and my Other Cat Oopsie. Reminds me of Newhart....

Happy "Freakend" Folks!
(Thanks to Christopher for the wonderful new word in my vocabulary)

Written by Cathy

This was my office yesterday...

Tuesday, May 15, 2007




Unfortunately, I had to share it with these people....

Written by Cathy

Thanks, Guys!

Sunday, May 13, 2007


I had a wonderful Mother's Day. It began by sleeping in and then going to Halifax's version of Windows on the World for brunch. After stuffing ourselves completely, we headed to my favourite magazine shop. Back at home, I spent the afternoon gardening and then we had a bbq and played boardgames (yes, even the babe!) tonight. And after the kids are in bed, the Survivor Finale is on! What a wonderful day!

I hope yours was equally great!
Mother or not...what did you do?

Written by Cathy

Happy Mother's Day!




I wanted to make sure that you had Happy Mother's Day wishes if you happened to wander over here today. I will post more about my day later. You are in the queue...

Written by Cathy

It's sad but true...

Friday, May 11, 2007

So the encounter with the navy is true. And I had better not describe the entire situation here, for fear of being picked up and taken away in handcuffs by the RCMP. The episode makes me really angry and reminds me that our military has become more of an aggressor than a peacekeeper. It also makes me wish that we could follow Costa Rica's example...

Costa Rica is called the Switzerland of Central America. Costa Rica's high education levels - besides the absence of a military - are probably what make it the most politically stable country in Latin America. About 20% of the national budget goes toward education.

I wouldn't mind their climate, either....

What bothers y0u about where you live?...or should I say, your government?

Written by Cathy

True or False?

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

While unintentionally coming into contact with the Commander of the Canadian East Coast Navel Fleet, I found myself uttering the words "J#*s$!, chill out!"
True or False!?
Stay tuned for more...

Written by Cathy

A relative struggle, but a struggle nevertheless

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

We're taking off the training wheels this week.
We received mail from the Democratic Republic of the Congo yesterday, and promptly wrote a return letter last night. Our struggles likely pale in comparison to those they must have. I wonder...
Mr. C and I watched The Last King of Scotland last night and it was fabulous. Now I want to read more about Idi Amin. Everything about Africa intrigues me and always has. I used to read about Diane Fossey and Jane Goodall when I was a very young girl and wanted to be like them. Sometimes I still do. Today just feels like another day of rather irrelevant work.
What's on your mind today?

Written by Cathy

Does effort really count?

Monday, May 07, 2007

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake: I found the recipe here.

I am trying really hard not to be annoyed, because really, what good is there in that? I could go on here, but it would likely sound lame and whiny. So I'll just simply leave it at the fact that it's Monday morning, I have PMS and I am annoyed. But I'm trying hard not to be: does that count for something?

I have to spend the day writing about something that is completely boring and uninteresting. A deadline looms and I fear I won't make it. Because when I am terribly bored by my own words and the research I must do, I tend to wander to the fridge, and then the TV, and then browse the wonderful world of the web. I might start here and then make my way over to here for a bit of real information, check out this to see what I'm missing...if I'm really bored I'll slip over here for awhile and then the real lethargy slips in and I'll end up here, here, here, probably here, and maybe even here!

Well, I've obviously got some important work to attend to.

What distracts you from otherwise meaningful employ?


Written by Cathy

Proof positive: I'm a Canadian!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

I was inspited by Connie and Pea to join this Saturday's Photo Hunt.
I contemplated joining, but am not sure that I will post every single Saturday. Maybe one day...
So yes, that's me: about 1973; northern Quebec. Looks like we're on our way to church: surely my mum wouldn't have sent me out in leotards to play in the snow!

Do you have a childhood photo to share?

Written by Cathy

That wasn't on the menu.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Table set.
Meatless lasagna with bechamel sauce.
Recipe from Apples for Jam.
By the talented Tessa Kiros.
One son gags, the other screams no.
And Mr. C says the word.
And they are happily eating hot dogs.
Why bother?

Song for this post: Beyond the Sea -Bobby Darin

Written by Cathy

Push, Push,...come on you can do it...

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

The trees are trying desperately to give birth to spring.

I know. I shouldn't lament the weather. I, the harbinger of the climate change warnings. The fact is that the warming is not uniform and climate change can actually cause certain places to get cooler. So while we are still freezing here on the edge of eastern Canada, much of Europe is sweating amidst record high temperatures. I know that I write far too much about the weather, but it is a part of what I do. And it has had so much to do with my temperament lately. Does the weather affect your mood?

Thank you for all your posts on the last one. I am happy to be blogging more frequently now.

My song for this post: Mushaboom by Feist. Listen to it. You'll love it.


Written by Cathy


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