Some New Thoughts

All kinds of interesting things have happened over the last little while. I have to admit that I never expected these kinds of matters to take place. But what the heck, that is what is happening now and so I decided to comment on them so that you could know a bit more about them.  

Let me start off by giving you this mere example. 

I just received an interesting email from one of my best friends obviously, although frankly we've never met or ever spoken to each other. I have never written to her either. I had no reason to ever suspect that I was this well-known to one of the most powerful women in this country: the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. 

Yes, that is right. Obviously I must have been that well-known to the PM's Wife after sending a letter to the Party asking merely to be added to their mailing list.  My name somehow found my way to her and she must have an idea about how important I am! Now because of that, I feel great. 

Here is part of a letter that she just sent to me by email.  Just double-click it to see it much better:

Make sure that you read what I just posted once again slowly so that you understand my importance to the PM and his wife. The last part states as clearly as possible the following:

 

"And Ed, you are the heart of our movement. [Note the slant that follows:]  "I can't thank you enough." 

Well, that should demonstrate my importance, correct! I am a most powerful person in this entire country based on what the PM's wife has stated.  There is no doubt in my mind, dear reader, that you now feel privileged to be someone who has access to my mailing system and can read all of the important articles that I write. 

There's just one small thing that she wrote that I found a bit surprising and was not certainly something that I ever felt like doing:

 

I just assume that she won't be upset when I only like the first part of her letter to me.

Here is another example of how wonderful this City is as a prizewinner.  As I said at the start, I hardly ever expected something so marvelous for the City of Windsor. Actually, winning this prize is hardly a good example for any City: 

"Quest to find worst road in Ontario comes to Windsor 

If you’ve ever thought to yourself that Tecumseh Road East has got to be one of the worst damn roads in the city — you’re not alone. 

The arterial road currently has the most local votes in the Canadian Automobile Association’s annual Worst Roads in Ontario campaign. 

“It hasn’t been a specific section. It’s just Tecumseh Road East,” said Caroline Grech, a spokeswoman for CAA South Central Ontario, in Windsor on Thursday." (Dalson Chen, Windsor Star, April 9, 2015)    

Just so that you know, dear reader, here is what happened just over a month later: 

"Tecumseh Road East named one of the worst streets in Southwestern Ontario

(Trevor Wilhelm, WindsorStar, May 26, 2016)  

Tecumseh Road East has earned the distinction of being one of the worst roads in Southwestern Ontario. 

Frustrated Windsor drivers voted the street into the regional category of the Canadian Automobile Association’s annual Worst Roads list."  

To be quite direct about it, we need to try as hard as possible to make sure that everything is fixed up properly right away so that we are not considered for these "Worst" prizes! 

Here though is something to be very pleased about because it may deal with diseases that some of the residents in the Area may pick up: 

"New prostate cancer treatment looks like 'a winning opportunity for all'

 (Brian Cross, WindsorStar May 25, 2016 )  

A clinical trial testing a new radiation treatment for prostate cancer has the potential to improve this area’s lower-than-average survival rate. 

“I would hope so,” says Dr. Junaid Yousuf, a radiation oncologist at Windsor Regional Hospital’s cancer program who is leading the research into stereotactic ablative body radiation in Windsor, one of 14 cancer centres across the country involved in the clinical trial... 

“On the surface (based on the Sunnybrook research) it appears it’s a winning opportunity for all,” Yousuf said...  

Their current cure rate is between 80 and 85 per cent, but the Sunnybrook research shows cure rates between 93 and 99 per cent for SABR, according to Yousuf. The Erie St. Clair health region (Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton) has the highest incidence of prostate cancer in Ontario, 10 per cent higher than the provincial average, and the survival rate is lower." 

Here is what is truly amazing with what is being worked on at this time. One can hope that it can be used in other ways as well: 

"Dr. Yousuf said SABR could be the “way of the future” for treating favourable (low-risk and intermediate-risk) prostate cancer. He said once this treatment becomes more established, it could be expanded to higher-risk prostate cancers. It is already being used to treat lung cancer in Windsor, and there’s potential for it to be used in the future for other cancers including brain, liver, kidney and spine cancers."

My Councillor, Mike Rohrer, Has Died

 

Mike Rohrer who was the Ward 2 Councillor in Tecumseh suddenly passed away on Saturday morning.  He was 44 years old, with a lovely wife and children. I am very shocked by this news and you will read below why. 

What is a very surprising to me is that only until recently did I know that he was my Councillor. I didn't realize this since I am still getting accustomed to life in Tecumseh, not in Windsor anymore. 

I had a problem develop recently with the water that was coming to my condo unit for drinking that came through my bathroom faucet. It just tasted horrible with a very bad flavour in it that seemed to last a very long time even after I let the water run trying to get rid of it. I had spoken with an Administration person who arranged for someone from the Water Department to come over to my place in about a week to test the water. The time period was fine for me because my issue did not seem to be such a really big urgency. 

I also contacted the person whom I was told I should speak with and who was my actual Councillor, Mike Rohrer. When we spoke, he was quite concerned about the situation and said that he would arrange for someone to come over immediately to test the water. To be quite honest about it, I was shocked that someone whom I had never spoken with before was prepared to ensure that the Town acted so quickly to see what my problem was.  Someone actually came out when he was supposed to do so and did not find any problems. Surprisingly, a few days later, the water tasted completely different and had no bad taste in it at all. 

There was more to my conversation with Mike too. During our conversation, we started talking with each other about more personal matters unrelated to the City but related to our own lives.  He knew a fair bit about my background it seemed which was a surprise to me. Oh, I thought I recognized his last name "Rohrer" as someone whom I had spoken with years before, but whom I had never actually met, as far as I could recall.  Moreover, I did not clearly remember that person's first name as "Michael" or even "Mike." The "Rohrer" I recalled was someone who worked for ex-Mayor Michael D. Hurst. 

I found out subsequently in doing a check on my columns in the past the following that I wrote in September, 2006: 

"It's good to see that DRTP is contributing to the economy of Windsor by hiring Michael Rohrer as Community and Business Relations advisor." 

That is correct. Mike worked for DRTP the Company that the group that I was part of opposed for many years with respect to the new crossing across the Detroit River. I was now sure, at the time I thought, that we would have a lot of fun in our meeting talking about our past. He was so friendly and I was very impressed about how he was acting now and would have been pleased to meet up with him. 

Sadly, that is never going to happen now. Our new relationship just ended as quickly as it started up again merely a few days ago. I lost the guy that I was thrilled to talk to over the telephone and was so excited about getting together with.

 

My deepest condolences to his wife and children.  I am certain that he provided many fond memories for them that they can cherish for years to come.

Just Some More Short Stories

 

Lots of interesting subjects that I have looked at over the past few days that I thought that I should mention to you. 

Gee, some of the stories should make us all feel a bit happier as well. It's about time isn't it! 

LOTS MORE JOBS COMING HERE SOON

 

I sure hope  so!

 

The reality for our area has to be that the automobile industry is still of prime importance. 

According to what I have seen recently, some good news is going to happen. It must be that unemployment will drop considerably in our area. Of course, this will happen because of private business and has nothing to do with Government action it would seem at any level, especially because of any significant action by the City of Windsor Government for which the Members of Council can accept any credit: 

"But believe it or not, there’s an even better story bubbling just below the surface of the local economy in the machine, tool and die and mould industry. 

As reported in this space a few times in recent years, the MTDM [machine, tool and die and mould] sector is Windsor’s other big automotive employer with some 100-odd local companies. These expert metal-cutters produce billions of dollars worth of high-tech devices every year used to stamp out all the little pieces that make up a modern vehicle... 

The next peak in 2019, 2020 and 2021 is likely to produce work worth $19 billion, $18.5 billion and $19 billion, Wiggins says. “A lot of it will be built here.” How much? “I don’t know. A third?” 

Add up the billions: A third of that is gigantic. And it explains the help wanted signs on the front lawns of local tool, die and mould shops and the ads in the Star’s classified pages. 

“It means that good toolers are going to be in very high demand for the next few years,” Wiggins says. “I can’t even imagine what the labour shortage is going to look by next year.”  (Chris Vander Doelen, Windsor Star, May 18, 2016)   

By the way, the title of this article is: "Windsor's biggest auto story."  That certainly should make people happy, if it really happens, that our regional future is starting to look a lot better! 

WATER DAMAGE 

I remember when I moved down to the Windsor area almost 30 years ago that I decided NOT to buy a house that was right on the river. I was afraid of being washed out because of flooding that was supposed to take place here all the time. Or so I was warned by some people that I had talked with at the time. 

We haven't seen very much of that happening have we.  Steps have been taken to prevent that from happening. That means that so far the planning has been pretty good. 

However, I read this story which gives me some concern especially given how hard it has rained in this area over the past few months: 

"High lake levels wiping out Holiday Beach, natural shorelines 

Natural shorelines throughout Essex County have been hit with the “most significant negative impact” in 30 years due to high water levels and strong winds, according to the Essex Region Conservation Authority. 

Holiday Beach Conservation on Lake Erie is among the most affected with much of the sandy beach areas washed away and the lake’s water reaching the inland clay soil and tree areas, Tim Byrne, ERCA’s director of watershed management, said Wednesday. 

Waterfront residents across the county, despite seeing high lake levels, have so far remained unaffected because of manmade barriers on the shore which have protected them from the changed conditions and erosion, he said. 

But natural areas have lost “significant volumes of sand” with the lake tides in many areas sweeping it away, reaching trees and exposing roots. 

“Anywhere that is not protected by rock, steel or concrete, you are losing soil and trees in those areas,” Byrne said." (Dave Battagello, Windsor Star, May 18, 2016)

Let's just hope that we don't see any extensive damage. Notwithstanding what people may think, who knows what the real weather conditions in this area will be over the next few months. 

CANCER 

There have been some very interesting stories about cancer that I have read over the past few days. One, which is local, is quite scary and, frankly, horrific. The other, in the US, is totally different and may be a very positive one if it turns out to be true. 

Here's the first one: 

"Windsor and Essex County region has higher rates for 3 of 4 most prominent cancers  

(Brian Cross, Windsor Star, May 18, 2016) 

 

"Higher-than-average cancer rates coupled with lower-than-average survival rates in this region are concerning statistics that should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to do a better job preventing cancer, a leading family doctor said Wednesday. 

The just-released Cancer System Quality Index had some sobering statistics for the Erie St. Clair Region:

•Higher-than-average incidences of lung, breast and prostate cancers. Our prostate cancer rate is highest in the province.

•Lower survival rates for all four of the major cancers — breast, lung, colorectal and prostate.

•And poorer-than-average participation in most cancer screening programs. For example, just 31.5 per cent of screen-eligible women, ages 50 to 69, are up to date with all their tests, which is down from 32.4 per cent the year before and below the Ontario rate of 34.3. 

Dr. Ken Schneider, the chief oncologist for the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program, said the report shows some “dramatic” local results compared to the Ontario averages..." 

We know that up to 50 per cent of cancers can be prevented, Day said, by doing things like exercising, eating well and not smoking." 

Here is the other story that I just read in the New York Times the other day. The problem is that it may be good news except it is relatively new and can it be as accurate as it seems: 

"More Men With Early Prostate Cancer Are Choosing to Avoid Treatment

(Gine Kolata New York Times, May 24, 2016)

 Seemingly overnight, treatment of men with early-stage prostate cancer has undergone a sea change. Five years ago, nearly all opted for surgery or radiation; now, nearly half are choosing no treatment at all. 

The approach is called active surveillance. It means their cancers are left alone but regularly monitored to be sure they are not growing. Just 10 percent to 15 percent of early-stage prostate cancer patients were being treated by active surveillance several years ago. Now, national data from three independent sources consistently finds that 40 percent to 50 percent of them are making that choice. 

In recent years, major research organizations have begun to recommend active surveillance, which for years had been promoted mostly by academic urologists in major medical centers, but not by urologists in private practice, who treat most men. In 2011, the National Institutes of Health held a consensus conference that concluded that it should be the preferred course for men with small and innocuous-looking tumors. Last year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued guidelines with the same advice... 

Half of all men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer have low-risk tumors, which pathologists, using a scoring system that looks at the appearance of cells under a microscope, rate as Gleason 6 or less on a commonly used scale. Their risk of dying from prostate cancer in the next 10 years is less than 1 percent, whether they have aggressive treatment or whether they choose active surveillance, research shows. 

Nothing, though, is straightforward in the cancer world. Is everyone with a cancer scored as Gleason 6 or lower a candidate for active surveillance? It is not clear."

Low/Martin Mansion: One Of Windsor's Most Fabulous Homes

What else can I say? The home is fantastic. I have had the opportunity to tour it a couple of times recently and take some amazing photographs for the stories I want to write about, so that you will appreciate how significant it is.  

It is all about the Low/Martin Mansion purchased by Vern Myslichuk several years ago.  Yes, it is the home that was owned previously by Harry Low who was involved in the rum industry during the Prohibition era and then by the family of the famous Liberal politician, Paul Martin. After he passed away, it was purchased by a number of other people. Eventually, Vern bought it in 2012 and although it's been a lot of work to fix up, it has been Vern's mission to completely renovate the historical space. If you go and take a tour, you will see the outstanding work that has been accomplished over the years.   

Vern is the owner of the BetterMade Cabinets Inc. It is a company that remodels homes for people and buildings for major companies. Their service is quite phenomenal, especially with their innovative computer design programs that allow you to customize your ideal space however your heart desires. If you go through the extensive gallery, you can surely appreciate their quality of work in every project.  

BetterMade Cabinets Inc. just seems to know how to deal with its customers to make them understand the advantages of working with them to produce the kind of home that they need. Read this from their website about some kitchen operations: 

"The BetterMade Experience” 

You’ll feel instantly at home while making choices about your kitchen - a room you’ll spend many memorable hours in. With our enthusiastic and sincere approach to getting you exactly what you want, the process is always exciting.  

Sit back in a comfy chair to view a video of how your cabinets are designed and manufactured from beginning to end. –then meet the stars of the show during your plant tour.  

High tech computer design programs used by the designer ensures you are able to visualize and easily modify your cabinets before they are manufactured." 

While talking with Vern, you can't help but feel at-home. He has a real warmth to his personality and positive energy that makes people excited about cabinetry.  It seems that his company continues its success because of not only hard-work and commitment, but due to offering genuine recommendations and making sure the customer is happy, every step of the way.

Just so you know, there is a special opportunity for you to go and take a look at the Low/Martin Mansion very soon so that you can understand what I mean. Here is the advertisement that you might want to take a look at so that you can go and see the Low/Martin Mansion a few weeks from now. It is open during the same weekend of the Art in the Park House outdoor art gallery run by the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) on June 4th and 5th. Vern's Low/Martin Mansion and the Art in the Park site are located nearby each other so that you may want to see them both on the same weekend.

In the next few articles, I will be talking more about the Low/Martin Mansion and will have some wonderful photos to share with you.   

A big thank you to Vern for graciously allowing me to come to his place on several occasions to learn more about this incredible piece of history here in Windsor, Ontario and to know more about his company: BetterMade Cabinets.

More News Stories For You To Read

 

A number of very interesting new stories that I thought you might like to read.

Once again, as in many of the cases, I'll suggest some thoughts of mine that you might want to consider when reading the article. 

WHOSE FRIEND IS BILL MARRA 

I really wonder if Councillor Marra is going once again to be a member of Council.   

I must admit I don't have a final answer that he will give us before the next election. However, he certainly seems prepared to make tough decisions that some people in Windsor would not be very happy about, including some politicians.   

Just take a look at this and wonder whether what Marra is saying now will impact the decision to be made by his fellow Councillors. And then impact him when he runs again for Council, for better or worse: 

"Matty Moroun 'not relevant' in Abars debate, councillor says

'Whether you like Mr. Moroun or not is not relevant. He is a corporate citizen. We need to treat him fairly' 

 

Ownership of Abars shouldn't play a role in whether council votes to designate one of the last Windsor roadhouses a heritage site, Coun. Bill Marra warns. 

Billionaire Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun also owns Abars through one of his subsidiaries. His Canadian Transit Company is embroiled in a number of lawsuits with the City of Windsor. The legal fights surround his attempt to demolish several properties on Windsor's west end in order for Moroun to build a second bridge span there... 

"We need to separate the issues," Marra said of Moroun's bridge battle and the Abars proposal. "You really start blurring the lines when you start talking about Matty Moroun." 

Marra called it "very bad politics" to link the Ambassador Bridge fight to Abars' future. 

"I'll be very troubled if that's the approach by anyone. Whether you like Mr. Matty Moroun or not is not relevant. He is a corporate citizen. We need to treat him fairly and equally," Marra said."  (Greg Layson, CBC News May 11, 2016 ) 
 

One does have to admit that Marra has guts to say what he did. 

AN EXTRA $5 MILLION TO BE SPENT 

Why would a Mayor and City Council want to spend extra money, the highest cost for a  project? Can one argue that this seems silly and Tecumseh citizens will take action against their local leaders to  get them  out  of  office? 

Take a look at what was said about why extra money is to be spent and decide whether the politicians are going to be attacked by their opposition: 

"Old Tecumseh Core Getting Pricey Facelift

"Tecumseh councillors are going with the most expensive option in revitalizing the old core of the town on Tecumseh Rd. near Lesperance Rd. 

Council unanimously approved a nearly $19-million design that will guide planners in mapping out the project. The main difference in the design compared to the $14-million baseline option is the removal of hydro poles and burying that wiring in the ground to open up more usable space. 

Mayor Gary McNamara feels it’s crucial to see those hydro poles removed in order to meet the vision of the main street corridor...

 

However, the move to bury the wires isn’t purely aesthetic. 

“It improves the reliability of the systems as well,” says McNamara. “They’re not subject to lightning, vehicle accidents and so forth, so reliability actually improves.”  (Ricardo Veneza Blackburnnews.com May 11, 2016 )

Hmm.  Wait a minute. Maybe this means that citizens will re-elect him because his comments make a lot of sense. 

WHO CARES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR 

That seriously has to be one's conclusion about what other educators think about our University here.  Take a look at this story:   

http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/jarvis-u-of-w-may-join-manufacturing-consortium

Jarvis: U of W may join manufacturing consortium 

Already, 3 Universities are involved in the project but not the one in this City: 

"The goal is to develop new technology, create new products and production methods and generate new, highly skilled jobs. The consortium will collaborate with industry on long-term projects."    

It must be that others think that this City's University cannot do very much to help out. Therefore, ignore it in a major project.  After all, here is what the article stated: 

"Excluding Windsor and the University of Windsor from the announcements was seen here as not only a snub but damaging, sending the message that there is little innovation here and making it more difficult to draw investment and talent and promote local companies." 

Here is what is scary for the automotive industry in Canada and suggests this area must let others know how important we are in the industry: 

"Canada is ranked 10th in the world in automotive production, producing 2.4 million units in 2014. That production is expected to plunge 18 per cent, to 1.9 million units in 2021, the biggest loss of any automotive producing country. Mexico is projected to increase by 45 per cent and the U.S. by 7.8 per cent. 

“That’s what’s scary,” said Dino Chiodo, president of Unifor Local 444, which represents minivan workers, and a key player in the negotiations to get the University of Windsor in the consortium. 

“If we don’t start standing up, talking about what’s important, what we need to do, we’re just allowing this to happen. We’re trying to keep Windsor in the mix. Windsor is not a lost cause.” 

MY NEW AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE 

I have to admit in all seriousness that I would like to buy a Mercedes vehicle. Unfortunately, notwithstanding that its cost is much too high for a person like me, I do like to consider whether I can purchase one. 

Regretfully, one of the negatives about the vehicle is that it is not one of the "shapely" ones. Its design seems to be somewhat old and relatively boring. Why spend that much money on a vehicle like that when its competition is making their vehicles look pretty good. 

Thankfully though, it appears that Mercedes is doing something quite different. It certainly mean that I may have to consider spending the money on it when I have to get a new vehicle. After all, this vehicle will be coming from one of the major automobile manufacturers in the world. Here is what is going to happen: 

"With 2016 GLC 300, Mercedes finally banishes boxy build  http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2016/05/11/glc-mercedes-banishes-boxy-build/84251884/  

Thankfully, its replacement, the ★★★ 2016 GLC 300, banishes the box. 

Where the GLK seemed austere and upright, the GLC’s design is sumptuously soft, with a relaxed, refined elegance that rests upon a strong underlying visual structure. Its large wheels and aggressive stance make it appealing to women, as well as those of us with Y chromosomes. Its styling possesses the essence essential for a premium crossover — and it’s even sized like one. And this time, it’s no illusion." 

More importantly, here is what it looks like ie not like the typical Mercedes vehicle. Here's what I saw on the Autoweek website: 

 

Perhaps I might start writing more articles about this Mercedes vehicle and suggest that others should be changed as well to make them more attractive to rich purchasers. Who knows, if Mercedes agrees with what I say, I might get to actually drive some of their vehicles as well so that I can do auto reports on them. Now that would be fun!

How Our World Is Changing

 

I was born in the mid-1940s around the time when WW II was ending. Quite a lot has changed throughout the decades especially on how reliant we are with technology, from creating mastery culinary treats, all the way to advanced medical treatments that save people's lives. I have lived through a good amount of the changes and continue to try to adapt but I will say that as fascinating as it is, navigating through all the changes can be frustrating and at times overwhelming, not to mention expensive. 

 

As an example, the telephone system changed as I grew up. The old-style telephone system with all of the operators who handled the personal calls changed so that, for example, long-distance calls did not require an operator to make it but rather had it done by the individual keying in the number he/she wished to reach.  We also had corded phones, followed by cordless phones where you could walk anywhere in your home to talk to someone, without having to be constrained by the long twisty cord attached to your telephone. Now, cellphones, or rather "smart" phones offer capabilities that replace many of the items you purchased before. One can talk to almost anyone around the world with their phone (which acts as a webcam). Long-distance charges...why they cost mere pennies now per minute compared with the charges previously. If there is a charge at all.  What the heck is a telephone these days--- how do they look and how do they operate! 

The medical system is making amazing changes too. There are new devices that medical professionals use that can speed up the healing process or use technology so invasive surgery is not always the only resort. In  fact, I can remember one situation where I had a gall bladder attack and needed it removed right away. Unfortunately, back then, the large incision was done, which I still have a scar from and there was significant recovery time.  My daughter was fortunate when her attack came, the doctor suggested a new technique called laparoscopic surgery, which was far less invasive.   

When it comes to vehicles, the technology coming out is quite impressive. People can now talk to their cars to do different functions that once was only something that we could physically do ourselves. Want to change your radio station? Just press a button and it will be done for you. Call your loved one to say you're stuck in traffic, hook up your bluetooth system, without having to even pick up a phone. Are you lost? Don't get out the bulky map, just ask your GPS to guide you. I am really interested in seeing even more advancements in the next 5 years, as there is discussion of self-operating vehicles! Would there be even a need for drivers licenses? I am sure that would pose some problems for the government, as that is a source of revenue.  

Physical stores are trying to adapt to the demanding needs of consumers by changing their style of operations, including using trendy apps so consumers can purchase items with ease. Sadly, many cannot keep up and are going broke or closing down a significant number of locations. E-commerce is a huge business and continues to grow, while that "personal touch" you get in a store from a sales associate seems to be disappearing.

 

Instead of hiring many employees to do specific tasks, companies feel that one or two people can efficiently run a whole store. This is not always the case. Under-paid, over-worked staff and poor working conditions do not help a business to thrive, even though it may seem like it. If by chance, you, as a customer, encounter a negative experience while shopping, you'll go and spread the word. It's a domino effect.  Similarly, when you have a positive experience and share your joy with others, this can save a business that is struggling.

 

Clearly, money is made by businesses that continue to evolve and make positive changes in their operations. Listen to your customers! Invest in good marketing practices and do not think that just because you are number one today that you'll stay that way forever. There is always competition right around the corner in every single industry. Be ethical, no one likes a liar or a cheat! Exceed expectations in every transaction that you do.  

It's 2016, and my life has surely changed and continues to. I cannot do everything that I could do before I became ill. However, with the aid of technology (especially blogging which helps me be creative in my thought processes!) there are always opportunities for people, so go reach out and find them! 

 

Happy Birthday To Me

 

 

Today is my 71st birthday! Yes, even though I am much older, nevertheless it is such a pleasant time for me with all of the greetings that come from family and friends. I cannot ask for anything better. 

However, that really is not the main reason why today is such a great day for me. In reality, the truth is that my life is coming back to "normal" now after experiencing such a major illness that completely wiped me out for a long time. Much of the harshness of overcoming from the horrible pressures I had after I left the hospital last year is disappearing now from me. 

I really was worried for such a long period of time that I might not recover well. Not many really knew how well I could do or how long it would take. Everyone was hopeful, but there were no guarantees. However, what my medical team have done for me has been spectacular. They really made excellent decisions and made sure I was being cared for in the best possible way and I am so appreciative of their efforts to date. 

I expect, in reality, that I probably wrote too many articles about my "medical matters" since I started writing again on here. Personal issues are not something that I normally write about. Most knew me as the political lawyer blogger and activist for our city, but as you know now, there is more to me than just those labels. By writing so much about myself, it helped me feel better. This was very therapeutic and I recommend for others to be open and share their feelings.  

I have already made significant steps to change my life, so I am just continuing to eat well, exercise, and enjoy life as much as I can.  I'm just so pleased that I have been able to tell you so much about what I have accomplished to date. I really don't think I need to tell you very much more about it other than when I achieve some other major accomplishments.  

Thank you, dear reader, for reading my articles and giving me encouragement. It truly means the world to me!

 

More Web Stories For Your Review

I have thought about a whole bunch of new and interesting stories over the last few days.

I thought I should refer them to you to read in case you have missed them.  I trust that you will find them worthwhile to read as well and be happy that you were able to receive them from me. 

HOORAY, CAR FIXED UP 

As you may recall, on Sunday, I wrote the article "Car Troubles" about a potentially, serious situation that Marsha and I discovered on our vehicle on Saturday afternoon. 

If you will remember, I wrote this: 

"I started examining the tire so that I could remove the stone finally. My wife moved the car several times and I did not see anything stuck in the tire. This was not until the last possible movement when the tire would have been completely revolved.  

Ah there it was!  There was something that was plugged into the tire exactly as I expected. However, it was not a stone or a rock.  Rather, it was a NAIL!" 

It was that much of a surprise for me. Accordingly, we arranged for that vehicle to be towed to Performance Ford on late Saturday afternoon to be properly examined and fixed up if it could be done.  We had been told before shipping that there could well be a situation where the tire would have to be completely replaced depending on its damage and not just repaired. Naturally, that increased my worries. 

I contacted the Dealership early Monday morning to make sure that the car had actually been delivered there and to tell whoever was responsible for the vehicle there about my problem and concerns. That was done and they promised to send the vehicle back to me quickly. 

Believe it or not, within a couple of hours everything was fixed properly! It was a relatively minor change that the Dealership was able to do. My vehicle was fine now. 

I am relatively certain that I probably paid more at the Dealership for the repair than I would at a small repair shop. However, I don't care. I knew that the people at Performance Ford were going to do a proper job and very quickly as well. It was well worth the extra few dollars I had to pay to achieve proper care I am certain. 

Thanks to everyone there! 

GOOGLE 

If you want to know who is able to know about you and how extensive that knowledge might be, then take a look at this article and be shocked about it. I found it quite amazing:

"How to find out everything Google knows about you                 

When you use Google, you are making a deal. You get to use services like Gmail, Drive, search, YouTube, and Google Maps for free. 

In exchange, you agree to share information about yourself that Google can share with advertisers so their ads are more effective... 

Google uses a lot of methods to learn about you. There's the stuff you tell Google outright when you sign up for its Gmail or to use your Android phone. This includes your name, phone number, location, and so on. 

But Google also watches you as you scamper around the internet, deducing your interests from your internet searches — what do you search for? click on? — from your use of Google's other services and from other websites you visit." (Julie Bort Tech Insider May 6, 2016)

That story is totally astounding to find out how much information might be stored about you to which others can gain access.  It is also very scary about how much privacy you may now be lacking! The author of the article wrote the following which would give you an idea of what I mean: 

"Google sent me two ENORMOUS 2G files on what it is tracking on me. [That included] Every photo I ever uploaded since 2013, full size." 

Welcome to the world of the Internet my dear friend where quite a lot of information can be learned about you and you probably never knew about it or even what it was! Until now. 

AUTO JOBS 

Let us be serious. Can any member of Windsor's Council be re-elected because they played  a fabulous role to increase jobs in this City? What kind of praise will they demand from voters when the election takes place? If you want to be an opponent of someone on Council, what should you know and then do about it? 

Take a look at what a union person has to say. Unifor 444's President does not seem to be very happy with the City's Mayor and his colleagues on Council: 

"Union President Slams Windsor Mayor Over Auto Jobs 

President Dino Chiodo used the launching of the new Chrysler Pacifica at the Windsor Assembly Plant on Friday, to publicly slam the municipal government for not helping facilitate the retooling of the facility. 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) invested $2.6-billion into the assembly plant, allowing the company to hire 1,200 new employees for the roll out of the new Pacifica. 

Chiodo says it’s “frustrating” that FCA hasn’t received formal recognition from Mayor Drew Dilkens for bringing over 1,000 jobs to Windsor. He says there would be a “big gaping hole in the City of Windsor” without the assembly plant."  (Kirk Dickinson, BlackburnNews, May 7, 2016) 

At the least, Anne Jarvis in her Star column wrote the following amongst a lot of information which she provided: 

"A significant chunk of our good fortune is thanks to Fiat Chrysler, which spent more than $3.7 billion to design and launch the new Pacifica and retool the Windsor Assembly Plant that builds it. The plant added more than 1,200 new jobs." (Anne Jarvis, Windsor Star, May 8, 2016)

A FOREIGN VIEW OF THE HORRIFIC STORM IN ALBERTA 

It is truly amazing what is happening in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The storm effect is so quick and so powerful. The whole area is at risk of being completely destroyed costing the owners of property there billions of dollars in losses. 

I am truly astounded about what is going on there and how quickly it is happening. Who knows what will really happen once the storm ends whenever that happens. I have always thought about it especially how much homeowners would lose because they had to flee their homes so quickly. The losses just have to be astounding even with whatever insurance people have. 

I read these comments New York Times newspaper from one of their staff who went there: 

"Inside the Fort McMurray Scorch Zone, Signs of Hasty Retreat and Nature’s Cruelty

Tyler Hicks, May 6, 2016   

FORT McMURRAY, Alberta — The houses had literally melted. Hundreds of them. Two-story, plastic-sided homes were down to concrete slabs with stairs leading nowhere. Some iron railings survived, but even they sagged, a stark reminder of just how hot this fire had burned. 

There were no people for blocks as I cruised through the destroyed Beacon Hill neighborhood on Friday morning. The city’s 88,000 residents had been evacuated three days earlier as the walls of flame closed in. An area the size of several football fields looked like a post-apocalyptic movie set. 

Even the usual signs of interrupted life were scarce: Furniture and appliances had burned up, with the hard metal pieces of barbecue grills, some particularly sturdy lawn furniture and the skeletons of curbside mailboxes remaining. 

I arrived inside the scorch zone late Thursday night with a convoy of trucks ferrying diesel fuel, aviation fuel, mobile kitchens and other essentials to the emergency crews fighting the fire, which has already burned 250,000 acres — 390 square miles, an area bigger than Dallas. After a few hours of rough sleep in our rented S.U.V., a colleague from Getty Images and I set out at around 7:30 a.m. in the thick haze to see what the flames had wrought. 

It was clear that the fire had whipped through very quickly, and somewhat erratically. People did not have time to take valuables, and there were clear signs of what I would classify as panicked retreat. On the road leading into town, at least a dozen cars had been abandoned in the median — I imagined people trying to drive across the divided highway, getting stuck and then just climbing into someone else’s car...

I’ve covered the aftermath of natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Pakistan the following year. Those were acts of nature that ended quickly. This is different, because it’s a continuing threat. The fire is still burning out of control, and no one really knows the direction it will take next. 

No one knows, either, when Fort McMurray residents will be allowed into the city to check on their homes, never mind move back." (Tyler Hicks, New York Times, May 6, 2016) 

My Next Birthday

 

In a few days, I'm going to celebrate my birthday. It will be a very special day for me.  Yet, dear reader, I am living a much different life now. It is one that frankly is still very strange to me and one that I'm getting used to. 

As you know, I am successfully seeing my way through a new existence after a horrific illness that almost cost me my life over a year ago. Luckily for me, last May, I was able to go out to my favourite restaurant and enjoy a fun outing and eat well. It was actually one of the first times physically that I was able to leave my old home at all. My wife, Marsha, and I had not yet moved to Tecumseh even though we had purchased the townhouse. 

I want to go out to celebrate again this year for a special reason. It is another day that I am still here. More importantly, I want to celebrate with my wife once again to honour her for all the wonderful things she has done for me since being home.   

I believe that I am living a very good life now. Both physically and mentally I'm still suffering some shortfalls and trying to recover from them. However, compared with how I lived a year ago, I am doing so much better now even if I cannot recover from every loss. 

Let me talk a little bit about my new life here. To be quite honest about it, it is quite a new one to me. I have never acted before the way I am doing it now after I moved. It has been almost a year since I have moved from our old house in South Windsor to our new home in Tecumseh. Sure, the purchase of our new home took place in early May, 2015 but I did not move until our old house was completely sold. 

It is a very strange way for me. This way of living for me now has never happened to me before notwithstanding the several times that I have moved from one home to another in the past. In each of those occasions, I became used to the new home within a very short period. This time around I just don't know when I will feel the same way. 

We have driven around the area of my old home a few times over the past year just to see what is going on there. While I still think that it is a fantastic place to live, it doesn't bother me whatsoever that I have moved from there to my new place of residence which I love so much.   

This move was necessary for many reasons. First of all, my old home was 2 stories. This made it difficult to walk up and down the stairs. Secondly, if I was not going to be in good shape, it would be a lot of extra responsibility and maintenance.   My old home was just too large for two people to live in.

I've always liked large homes, but at this stage of life, something more cozy was needed. In addition, because of my inability to move around physically, I really was not involved in all in the purchase of the new residence so I did not know very much about it at first. I saw photos and videos, but it's still not the same until you go in and look for yourself. I came to the new home only once before we moved to see where we'd be living, but this was after we had entered into a contract to buy it. There was no turning back and I'm glad that we made the purchase.  

I'm learning so many new things about my new life with Marsha and that it is very exciting. There are days that I like to take it easy and rest, but I am stronger now, so I feel like I try to embrace every moment, whether that is positive or negative.

I am not sure if this is what "retirement" is like for many people who haven't experienced a serious life-altering illness, but I am happy to be given the chance to live a good life.

So cheers to me for another year of being alive.