I lost your address. Give it to me again.I have a book for you
counter
Saturday, 30 October 2021
Thursday, 28 October 2021
How goes the battle?
Take it from me:
There are two signs of PD that arise (in most cases), well before your physical problems, that should be mentioned to your doctor as possible precursors to a diagnosis of PD:
1. Loss of sense of smell. It gets to the point that you could be knee-deep in manure and you cannot smell anything. Diddly squat, nothing, rien! Advantageous - yes but not when you stand near or, if you've a mind to, in a pile of shit. Not so good if there is a gas leak.
2. Disappearing handwriting. I was helping my son study for an exam by making study notes on recipe cards. My writing hand would tighten up and the letters would get smaller and more illegible, like old man's handwriting. Cashing a cheque and having it honoured, becomes hit and miss with the unavoidable change in your written signature as time goes by. I can no longer write.
THE MAN IN THE ATTIC
The man in the attic
with the run-away shoes
will be running to win but
is likely to lose
trying to decipher
which lane he should choose
to escape a really harsh encounter
There are only two roads
which one should he take
one stops at the airport
the other's a fake
he could last forever
if given a break
he might even live 'til tomorrow
so he shaves off his beard
and whitens his cheeks
he has to be careful
which language he speaks
he looks in mirror
he thinks he's complete
but the mirror is broken and shattered
He tightens his runners
and pulls down his hat
his former employer
knows where he's at
but just in case
he carries a bat
But the bat's not a Louisville slugger
He recites the Koran
as moves through the streets
taking some comfort
from the words he repeats
but Taliban's waiting
there are no retreats
and the plane is now on the runway
Taliban curses
he shows no surprise
the fool thinks he's fooled him
with his western disguise
but Taliban smells him
and sees fear in his eyes
and he brandishes a whip made from leather
run-away shoes
no time to react
but he feels the bite
of the whip on his back
he turns to confront him
he means to attack
but he is no fighter this runaway runner
he swings his cheap bat
but it misses the man
so he starts running faster
than ever he ran
he hides in a corner
to fool Taliban
and at first he seems like the winner
while hidden, he pictures
a land made of snow
and freedoms that promise
to let your mind flow
no need for translation
in knowledge we'll grow
if we avoid the backwash of our burden
Taliban raises his pistol
no weary word said
he's a war-weary veteran
no fear of the dead
a twitch of his finger
and as A leads to Zed
he can smile at the body before him
On the plane there is high jubilation
as it leaves Afghani airspace
just one lonely seat being empty
a symbol of a nation's disgrace
You asked for it Margaret and here it is. Thanks again for your comments last night and in your review. They mean a lot coming from you.
Tuesday, 19 October 2021
The state of the battle in the year 2021
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disease on the planet outpacing Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS and Stroke. Canada has the highest incidence of PD in the world and Manitoba has the highest incidence in Canada.
Help U-Turn Parkinson's | 204-510-4869 | www.uturnparkinsons.org fight the good fight.
DONATE AT THE WEBSITE
Join us in fighting back against PD. Your donation will empower those living with Parkinson's and help make a difference in their lives today.
We rely on the support of individuals, foundations and corporations to fund the classes we offer: Rock Steady Boxing Winnipeg, Yoga Parkinson's and U-Tunes.
Monday, 18 October 2021
A Conspiracy of Doubt
There are three new pretenders in Manitoba education, Mr Clifton, Mr Long and Mr Narth (Winnipeg Free Press October 12th 2021). In an article, they argue that with the death of bill 64, we must revisit Manness/Mackinnon report or as I call it call it 64 Lite.
The pretenders seem to assume there is something wrong wth Manitoba schools and there is, the curriculum does need updating, there is a lot of useless information. In some case, there is subject matter only useful to a child in the 1960's.
Rigidity in the curriculum and a reduction of the tyranny in the system are both required, but we'll take that up another time.
Let's start with mathematics. The pretenders panic when they see that the gods have not seen fit to make Canada rank higher in the world rankings. One institute that puts out such a list ranks Canada as 10th out of 72 countries (may have slipped to 11th) while the USA is ranked 35th (may have arisen to 28) Canada is doing well but we are not number 1 ( Singapore is #1).
We Canadians would like to be higher in the rankings, but not by Asian methods. (look them up) The pretenders think the answer somehow is found in standardized testing. The don't say how tests will help but they recommend using those developed in the USA.
Hmmmm.....Canada 10th........USA........28th.
Want to explain how those tests are going to help?????
Wednesday, 13 October 2021
...........and now we breakaway for a commercial
Saturday, 9 October 2021
The gentle lady has PD
I decided to take a late dinner and I was sitting at a table by myself when a couple, around my age, asked to join me. We spoke of their farm, now being run by their son; how long we each had lived in the manor; where I was from. You know, small talk and it was during this talk that I confessed to having Parkinson's.
A soft "Me too". The lady had PD but the only noticeable symptom was her barely discernible voice.
EUREKA!!!!!
I now know how people hear me and I intend to get my voice up to, or near 50 decibels
I hope get to know the couple and to share their table frequently. I will offer help to my sister in PD.
When I arose, she looked into my eyes and said, "Somebody (God?) sent me to this table today".
I am enough of a believer to believe. Someone is looking over us.
Amen
Friday, 8 October 2021
Land of ice and snow - A Canadian failure
Here is draft one of a poem concerning Canada's lack of assistance to Afghani comrades. I call it" land of ice and snow"Please comment
The man in the attic
with the run-away shoes
running to win but
is likely to lose
trying to decipher
which lane he should choose
to escape a really harsh encounter
There are only two roads
which one should he take
one stops at the airport
the other's a fake
he could last forever
if given a break
he might even live 'til tomorrow
so he shaves off his beard
and whitens his cheeks
he has to be careful
which language he speaks
he looks in mirror
he thinks he's complete
but the mirror is broken and shattered
He tightens his runners
and pulls down his hat
his former employer
knows where he's at
but just in case
he carries a bat
But the bat's not a Louis Ville slugger
He recites the Koran
as he moves through the streets
taking some comfort
from the words he repeats
but the Taliban's waiting
there are no retreats
and the plane is now on the runway
He throws his cheap bat
but it misses the man
so he starts running faster
than ever he ran
he hides in a corner
to fool Taliban
and at first he seems like the winner
while hidden, he pictures
a land made of snow
and freedoms that promise
to let your mind grow
no need for translation
just let knowledge flow
and it all flows in a certain direction
Taliban raises his pistol
no warrior's word being said
without any fear of the here-after
without any fear of the dead
Taliban twitches his finger
and sends a bullet through running man's head
he has notched another before breakfast
On the plane there is vast jubilation
as it leaves Afghani airspace
just one lonely seat being empty
a symbol of a nation's disgrace
BTW I published a book of some of my poems. It is called "the Gate" andI believe it is available on Amazon - Sid detail in comments