This is a different post for me. It's a little out of my comfort zone.
Some of the blogs I follow participate in the fence meme. Fences make for great photography opportunities.
However, my favorite fences are old with weathered posts. They are also barbed wire and if possible rusty barbed wire.
Where I was brought up the fencing on farms was barbed wire. They required a lot of maintenance. Oh how I hated "fixing fence". We'd replace rotted posts, re staple wire, join broken wires. It was hard work.
Yesterday afternoon I was out looking for fall scenes,birds and anything else I could see. While waiting I noticed the old fence posts. I had spent much time in this location before and was aware of the old posts. Most of the wire had been picked up.
All of a sudden I said, "Yes. Old weathered posts to photograph!"
So here are some photos of old weathered fence posts. There are lichens of many colors in some places. One post contains a face in the wood.
I can predict what I will find in the comments for this post. My followers will know their neighbors well.
In urban areas there are places where neighbors do not know one another. People don't know the neighbor's names and some couldn't recognize a neighbor.
So why know your neighbors? Neighbors are support. When we visit with people we discuss things that we share and validate what we think and who we are. We just feel more secure with a little support.
We need some quality social time. We are social beings and need contact with others. Networks develop and we are able to socialize with more people.
When neighbors know one another there is more physical security. We recognize who should be in the neighborhood and who does not belong. We cover each other's back. We know when neighbors are away and to keep an eye on their place.
Across the street from me I know 10 out of 12 neighbors by name. One two of them are 30 plus years. The 87 year old is a feisty character and we always stop to visit.Two of them are former students. Two of them are dog walkers. So some of these people I know very well and some just to say hello to.
On my side of the street I know 7 out of twelve neighbors.
There's a close behind me and I know 20 of 21 of the people. I delivered papers in the close for 2 1/2 years and really got to know people well. I had many very good visits.
Now I don't know these people well enough that I go in their houses. I don't coffee with them. We visit on the street.
I think it's important to know neighbors and to know more than just names. We have to share part of our lives and be willing to help those around us. This makes for a healthy neighborhood.
A few weeks ago a young woman in her 20's told me that she had got married in September. I was very happy for her as she's just a super person.
I was reminded by email that I had a medical appointment with her. I looked at the name on the email and it wasn't who I expected. A second look told me that it was her husband's name and she was Mrs--- I was surprised as I think most young women keep their maiden name when they marry of a hyphenated name.
I told her of my surprise at a different name and said I thought I had been changed from being her patient. Then she told me the reason. It had to do with continuation of the male family name. The guy she married was the last male in that line of the family.
This really got me thinking. Continuing the family name? The male family name or female family name. Now I know lineage is important for genealogy research. But does it have to be the male lineage or female lineage that's followed.
Now those who spend time in genealogy know that there are many challenges. In my family my Dad changed the spelling of our family name. At the time his family just about disowned him. However, in years to come, what difficulties will people face in trying to trace family lineage? Other families have legally changed their family name. Then there are the crooks who invent aliases for themselves.
In my case I have a son and a daughter. I have 2 grand daughters. Some people might freak about that situation.
Now lineages can be done whether there is a patriarchal or matriarchal system. The society must agree to a system. The Iroquois and Navajo had matriarchal systems.
Now I had a good laugh at my daughter when she got married. She had said for years that she would keep her name when she got married. We finally got the old girl married off when she was 39. What did she do but take her husband's name. What was her excuse? She was applying for American citizenship and thought someone may take issue with her keeping her name. She thought someone may doubt her sincerity to becoming an American citizen.
So I'm wondering about people's preoccupation with the continuation of the name. I know that in my grandparents and parents day keeping the family name "going ." was important.
Yes, I got my flu shot today. For the last 15 years I have been getting a flu shot annually. Before that I did not get a flu shot as I considered myself to be healthy and (a) had enough resistance to ward off the flu and (b) I didn't think the shot did much good and maybe it did harm.
Well, the micro manager's strong influence finally persuaded me to get a flu shot and I've been getting one every since. Now I haven't had a flu. But I never had a flu before.
However , I couldn't help but make some observations today. The kind of observation about red tape, bloated bureaucracy!
First there was a table inside the door where we were given forms and told what to do. They also took a look at my health card. Alright I filled out the form and went to the next table. They also checked my health card and found that I put my birth date down as 2016. Embarrassing.
Next I went to the person who tells you which nurse to go to. Oh yes , I had an appointment today so I got to go to the front of the line.
Okay , I meet Bonnie the nurse. First thing, she needs my health card! Then I get the long quiz about the status of my health diabetes and on and on. Then I get the info on how the serum is made and why. I get more questions about my reaction to flu shots. I get told what to do after my flu shot and what to look for and what to do if bad stuff happened.
Anticlimax. I get the shot. This took close to thirty minutes. The shot took less than 10 seconds.
I couldn't help but think what these clinics were like when I was a kid. We were immunized for scarlet fever, measles etc. We received boosters and re immunization on a regular basis. How was it done? The old doc lined us up and wham, wham, wham, we were done. A nurse recorded the shot on our immunization card and we were done. Mom and Dad weren't there and off we went.
So what has happened that we need such a complicated procedure. One thing that comes to mind is legal ramifications. They have to go through all the hoops because of possible law suits. Our health system has become very costly as so much has to be done from a legal standpoint. We are also money counters! Every cent has to be accounted for at both ends. Why can't we keep it simple?
Seventy seven years ago this afternoon the lives of a young couple changed forever. I was born seventy seven years ago this afternoon. It was a terrifying time for my mother and stressful for my Dad. You see, I was born in a small farmhouse. The place was about 14' by 24' . Mom had two of her friends , Linda and Margaret, assist with the birth. Their only claim for expertise was that they had had children. The country doctor sat and smoked and read magazines until the great event was about to occur.
It was a very warm pleasant fall day. Dad said the house got warm as they were boiling water to be used for good hygiene.
So for the next 34 years my Mom cared for me and my Dad cared for me for 68 years. Now I don't mean that they physically looked after me but as parents I was on their mind. I appreciate their support even though sometimes I disappointed them greatly. A couple of years before Dad died , he looked at me and said. "Well, you did alright!" Of all the things he said, this is the most meaningful. He approved of what I did.
Today most births occur in a hospital with highly skilled specialists and nurses. The risks in the birth procedure for me were very high. Mothers ,in particular, paid a high price in childbirth at that time.
So on my birthday I like to think of the beginning and the important things that had to happen to bring me into the world. Birthday parties for being one year older? I can pass it up.
Sunday afternoon was nice compared to the last two weeks. I decided it was a good opportunity to get out for a couple of hours. I live less than a kilometer from a 100 acre natural area with a small creek running through it. The area is completely surrounded by an urban area.
I often walk through this area and it's very productive as to what you see. There are many surprises. I came within 2 meters of a northern pygmy-owl. It didn't move. I stood for ten minutes watching it. I didn't have my camera. I went back with the camera but it was gone.
Sunday I was looking for a black backed woodpecker. I wanted to find one so my bird group could see it. I didn't find one but found lots of signs that they are in the area.
So sometimes you get a pleasant surprise. I found a female mule deer. She was very cooperative and posed for me. She allowed me to get closer and in a better position for a photo. Yes , that is snow.
I just finished reading Common Ground I found it a very interesting and informative book. I remember Justin's birth and heard about him many times but your don't really know what his life was like or what he did. This book fills in the details.
Justin's Dad Pierre, was late 40's when he married Justin's mother who was in her early 20's. Justin comments on this factor.
Justin goes on to cover his parent's divorce, upbringing by his father and much more.
Justin claims he had a fairly ordinary childhood with brothers who often rough housed. But on the other hand Justin and his brothers travelled with their Dad and met many dignitaries.
Justin spends a lot of time covering his long post secondary education. He spent time teaching and travelling. He decided to take engineering.
Justin then covers his slow entry into politics. He thought things out before entering the political field. He was ready. He new what he wanted and how to get it.
He covers his mother's mental health and how it affected his growing up. His mother also remarried and had two children which of course, gave him two half brothers. He spent much time with his mother's family. He also has a half sister who is Pierre's daughter.
He covers his romance and how he met and courted Sophie. He wants to work with his wife as a team.
He also had major loses on his life. His brother Michel was lost in a mountaineering accident where he was carried to the bottom of a mountain lake and was never found. And of course, his father's death was devastating.
Along the way other topics are covered and of course the details are there.
I found this an interesting book and would highly recommend that people read it. You may not agree with everything, but you will understand Justin's main goal that he wants to find common ground with Canadians and Canada as a country. Surely unity makes for a stronger country.
