All About Canada

Canada, the second largest country in the world in area (after Russia), occupying roughly the northern two-fifths of the continent of North America.

Despite Canada’s great size, it is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. This fact, coupled with the grandeur of the landscape, has been central to the sense of Canadian national identity, as expressed by the Dublin-born writer Anna Brownell Jameson, who explored central Ontario in 1837 and remarked exultantly on “the seemingly interminable line of trees before you; the boundless wilderness around you; the mysterious depths amid the multitudinous foliage, where foot of man hath never penetrated…the solitude in which we proceeded mile after mile, no human being, no human dwelling within sight.” 

Although Canadians are comparatively few in number, they have crafted what many observers consider to be a model multicultural society, welcoming immigrant populations from every other continent. In addition, Canada harbours and exports a wealth of natural resources and intellectual capital equaled by few other countries.

Canada

Château Frontenac, Quebec city

Canada is officially bilingual in English and French, reflecting the country’s history as ground once contested by two of Europe’s great powers. The word Canada is derived from the Huron-Iroquois kanata, meaning a village or settlement. In the 16th century, French explorer Jacques Cartier used the name Canada to refer to the area around the settlement that is now Quebec city. Later, Canada was used as a synonym for New France, which, from 1534 to 1763, included all the French possessions along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. After the British conquest of New France, the name Quebec was sometimes used instead of Canada. 

The name Canada was fully restored after 1791, when Britain divided old Quebec into the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada (renamed in 1841 Canada West and Canada East, respectively, and collectively called Canada). In 1867 the British North America Act created a confederation from three colonies (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada) called the Dominion of Canada. The act also divided the old colony of Canada into the separate provinces of Ontario and Quebec. 

Dominion status allowed Canada a large measure of self-rule, but matters pertaining to international diplomacy and military alliances were reserved to the British crown. Canada became entirely self-governing within the British Empire in 1931, though full legislative independence was not achieved until 1982, when Canada obtained the right to amend its own constitution.  SOURCE:  Britannica

Dog In Snow

 

Sunday in the Valley

 East Tennessee is the place to be in December as the temperature is ideal for the most of the month...  especially, if you are a golfer...  but, if you like being outside, this area is perfect for outside activities...

I remember just a few years ago that my wife and I were putting our kayaks in at Cherokee Lake on the weekends in December and spending a couple of hours paddling around...  that was prior to 2015 when we retired...

Age 67 to Age 75 has created changes from which it is going to be difficult to rebound but within those changes, I am still able to walk over a mile each day...

Today, after my walk, I will fire up the riding lawn mower and mulch up the leaves that have blown into the back yard from our neighbor's trees...  If I don't mulch, it will kill the grass, and if I rake, then I will be on my back for several days...  the riding mower can complete the job in 30 minutes as opposed to a couple of hours or more...

Being outside on cool days allows me to maintain my health but it also allows me to defuse my mind from all the bullshit politics I listen to in .the morning news...

Storms from the south and the southwest have blown in and created rain during the early morning hours but by the time I awake at 8:30 am, the sun is out and the skies are what I used to call a Carolina Blue when I lived in NC...  but discovered 32 years ago, that my preference was East TN rather than the Piedmont of NC....

The Valley has less traffic, less polution, less crime, and less standing in lines when you want to go out to dinner.  There is no state income tax and the overall cost of living is about 12% less than most other places...  The temps are just icing on the cake...

Classic Sunday Morning Newspaper Cartoons

 

Rose in the News Again

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 15: Former Major League Baseball player and manager Pete Rose speaks during a news conference at Pete Rose Bar & Grill to respond to his lifetime ban from MLB for gambling being upheld on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday announced that he was rejecting Rose's application for reinstatement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

It's been decades since Major League Baseball banned all-time hits leader Pete Rose from the league for life. Unfortunately, that ban isn't being removed this year - or anytime soon - much to the disgust of fans.


Speaking to the media this week, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that he believes betting on baseball should keep Rose permanently on the league's ineligible list. However, he does not feel that should necessary exclude him from the Hall of Fame.

"I believe that when you bet on baseball from Major League Baseball’s perspective, you belong on the permanently ineligible list," Manfred said.

Baseball fans are furious at Manfred for taking the position, not just because Rose is baseball's all-time leading hitter, but out of a sense of hypocrisy for the league inviting sports books and gambling into the league now.  READ MORE...

Across the Sky

 

First Snow

 

Life Is Good When You Have Money

BUT...

that does not mean you have to be wealthy...

Most people who are able to generate more money than they need, typically buy a larger house or a house in a more expensive neighborhood.

Most people who are able to generate more money than they need, typically buy a more expensive car, multiple cars, multiple homes, take more vacations, take more expensive vacations, fly first class, eat out more in restaurants, and stay in more expensive hotels rooms.

Most people who are able to generate more money than they need, typically throw away their money...  that is not to say that they should save money...  just that they should not spend money foolishly.

Foolish is not the same as being FRUGAL...

My wife and I are living good without a lot of money and on a fixed income of social security and a savings account.

• We have been debt free for over 15 years
• We saved money every month
• We purchased what we needed not what we wanted
• We spent our money frugally
• We are living retired just like we lived when we both worked

For example:

1. We buy cars that are a year old, that have been leased, with low mileage and save about $10-$12,000 each time we need to purchase
2. We go on vacation at Myrtle Beach, SC from Sunday to Saturday when the rates are cheaper
3. We eat Salmon at Cheddars rather than Red Lobster where the meals are just as good and $6/$7 cheaper
4. We buy in bulk whenever we can which is always cheaper
5. We save frequent flyer points by using a Delta/American Express credit card for all our purchases
6. We pay credit cards off at the end of the month to avoid paying interest

While my wife and I were both working, we spent money (after saving) on handicapping our home when we eventually retired.  We took down walls and created one great room joining our kitchen, living room and dining room.  Put hardwood floors down in our house to improve internal warmth.  

Outside, we installed an above ground 24 foot round pool and had a deck built around it that includes enough space to have a rather large gazebo built.  We also purchased a hot tub.  The pool, hot tub, and deck were installed over 12 years ago.  We maintained them properly and will last until we are both over 80 years of age.

We no longer pay for cable or telelphones outside of cell phones.  Our entertainment is provided by a ROKU device and a HULU subscription saving over $100 each month.

I cook meals that I put in containers and eat over the next 3-4 days which saves money.  This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving, we buy an 8 pound Turkey breast and then eat turkey for the next 5 days...  again, saving money.

Our money is not invested in the stock market or other investment accounts other than CDs...  we have money because we saved money, paid off our debt, and spent money frugally during our 30 years of marriage.  My salary never exceeded $50,000 and my wife's salary never exceeded $35,000....   so, neither one of us made a lot of money during our careers.

• We have been to Hawaii 3 times
• We have been on 12 week long cruises (Caribbean, Med, Alaska, Hawaii)
• We have vacationed in Europe 3 times
• We have vacationed in Mexico 6 times
• We have vacationed in Florida 6 times
• We have vacationed in Myrtle Beach twice each summer for the last 20 years
• We have vacationed at The Outer Banks 10 times
• We have vacationed in Los Vegas 3 timess
• We have vacationed in Texas, Louisana, Georgia, Gulf Coast, Colorado, New York City, and Canada.

We have not sacrificed on clothes or shoes or jackets or coats...  as we have more than we ever needed and are in the process of giving away what we don't need.

The last 10 years of my career, I worked as an overpaid consultant in the areas of:  quality management, team problem solving, process re-engineering, strategic planning, and ISO 9000/2000.  I saved or wisely spent that money.

Strictly Political

 

Released & Good to Go

This week, I met with my Orthopedic Surgeon to evaluate my progress after having 5 disks fused together 6 months ago...  L2 - L3 - L4 - L5 - S1...  which is considered major surgery and since I am 75 years old...  returning to normal takes longer.

My surgeon told me I was good to go...  I can do any damn thing I want to do as long as I do so with a little bit of common sense.

While this is obviously good to hear, it is still not dealing with the reality of my life right now.

1. My disks have not totally fused together so that is still going on.
2. My walking is still awkward in that it is being forced and not natural.
3. I cannot walk up steps without using the rail to pull me up.
4. I cannot bend over completely without holding onto to a table.
5. When I walk, I still have a slight limp.

My surgeon had previously informed me that it could be 12-18 months before I get back to normal, so if that is accurate for me, then I have another 6-12 months to go.

When I first started walking with a walking stick, it took me 58 minutes to walk a mile.  Today, I no longer use a walking stick and when I walk a mile, it takes me about 22/23 minutes...  so, there is an incredible amount of movement.

The surgeon told me that my core strength had to be rebuilt and it was the core strength not the surgery that was preventing me from doing what I thought I was doing before the surgery...  that memory before surgery may or may not be accurate as it was not being measured.

That may be true because you don't think about what you have until it is lost or gone or taken away.

I have no choice but to continue walking a mile a day for as long as I can to reduce the physical aging process as long as possible.  It is not to keep me feeling young...  it is to keep me doing what I want to do a few years longer.

When I turn 80 (5 years from now), I want to be able to go outside and walk a mile like I am doing now.  I want to be able to rake the leaves outside, spread mulch, cut the grass, and weedeat.   It would be nice to be able to do that when I am 85 and 90 as well.

The last thing that I want to do is sit on the porch and watch the traffic for several hours and then need help to stand up...   I want to be able to stand up and play checkers rather than having to sit down.  I want to be able to climb the stairs of a cruise ship without having to wait for the elevator.

My walking today will help me do all of that...

A Declining US Population Impacts Higher Education

The population of college-age Americans 

is about to crash and itt will change 

higher education forever.

In 2021, Shippensburg University won the NCAA Division II Field Hockey championship, completing an undefeated season with a 3-0 victory over archrival West Chester. The “Ship” Raiders also won it all in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2013, which I know because I saw it written in big letters on a banner festooning the fieldhouse on Ship’s campus in south-central Pennsylvania when I visited last month.

Ship was in fine form. Young men and women wearing logoed Champion sweatshirts bustled between buildings. There was a line at the coffee shop in the student union. It was the kind of bright-blue autumn day that you would see on a brochure.

There was no way to tell, from the outside, that Ship was a shrinking institution. Or that the problem is about to get a lot worse — not just here, but at colleges and universities nationwide.


In four years, the number of students graduating from high schools across the country will begin a sudden and precipitous decline, due to a rolling demographic aftershock of the Great Recession. Traumatized by uncertainty and unemployment, people decided to stop having kids during that period. 

But even as we climbed out of the recession, the birth rate kept dropping, and we are now starting to see the consequences on campuses everywhere. Classes will shrink, year after year, for most of the next two decades. People in the higher education industry call it “the enrollment cliff.”

Among the small number of elite colleges and research universities — think the Princetons and the Penn States — the cliff will be no big deal. These institutions have their pick of applicants and can easily keep classes full.

For everyone else, the consequences could be dire. In some places, the crisis has already begun. College enrollment began slowly receding after the millennial enrollment wave peaked in 2010, particularly in regions that were already experiencing below-average birth rates while simultaneously losing population to out-migration. 

Starved of students and the tuition revenue they bring, small private colleges in New England have begun to blink off the map. Regional public universities like Ship are enduring painful layoffs and consolidation.

The timing is terrible. Trade policy, de-unionization, corporate consolidation, and substance abuse have already ravaged countless communities, particularly in the post-industrial Northeast and Midwest. 

In many cases, colleges have been one of the only places that provide good jobs in their communities, offer educational opportunities for locals, and have strong enough roots to stay planted. The enrollment cliff means they might soon dry up and blow away.

This trend will accelerate the winner-take-all dynamic of geographic consolidation that is already upending American politics. College-educated Democrats will increasingly congregate in cities and coastal areas, leaving people without degrees in rural areas and towns. 

For students who attend less-selective colleges and universities near where they grew up — that is, most college students — the enrollment cliff means fewer options for going to college in person, or none at all.  READ MORE...

Dog Bath

 

Global People

 

Strictly Political

 

My Visit to Italy 1962/63

 

Sometime around 1962/1963, my family relocated to Cairo, Egypt and on our way there we took a cruise ship from New York to the Italian port of Genoa.

From Genoa we traveled to Pisa, Livorno, Florence, Rome, and Naples before visiting other countries in Europe.

I was 15/16 years old and while I was old enough to understand the importance of where I was, I was not old enough to appreciate the significance of what I saw...  which looking back, is a damn shame.

Rome was probably the most exciting city that we visited with all its ancient structures... but what stuck in my mind more than anything else was the Pieta sculpture by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

The guide told us that the dress of Mary had been cut so thin that light would shine through it from behind if a light source was put there.  The artistic skill to be able to do that was incredible and I doubt has ever been duplicated by another sculpture.

But more impressive than that was the fact that in 1962/63, visitors could walk up to the Pieta and get close to the sculpture that if you wanted to you could reach out and touch it.

However, asshole vandals ruined that and when I returned to St. Peter's Basilica in 2012 with my wife, we could only stand at the end of a hallway, behind bullet proof glass if we wanted to look at the Pieta.

Italy is a place that I would never get tired of visiting.

Italy: The Holy See

Vatican City, in full State of the Vatican City, Italian Stato della Città del Vaticano, ecclesiastical state, seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and an enclave in Rome, situated on the west bank of the Tiber River. Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. Its medieval and Renaissance walls form its boundaries except on the southeast at St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro). 

Of the six entrances, only three—the piazza, the Arco delle Campane (Arch of the Bells) in the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the entrance to the Vatican Museums and Galleries in the north wall—are open to the public. The most imposing building is St. Peter’s Basilica, built during the 4th century and rebuilt during the 16th century. Erected over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, it is the second largest religious building (after Yamoussoukro Basilica) in Christendom.

Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica

The Vatican palace is the residence of the pope within the city walls. The Holy See is the name given to the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the pope as the bishop of Rome. As such, the Holy See’s authority extends over Catholics throughout the world. Since 1929 it has resided in Vatican City, which was established as an independent state to enable the pope to exercise his universal authority.

Vatican City has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy, as well as a contingent of Swiss Guards responsible for the personal safety of the pope since 1506. Almost all supplies—including food, water, electricity, and gas—must be imported. 

There is no income tax and no restriction on the import or export of funds. As the Holy See, it derives its income from the voluntary contributions of more than one billion Roman Catholics worldwide, as well as interest on investments and the sale of stamps, coins, and publications. Banking operations and expenditures have been reported publicly since the early 1980s.  READ MORE...

Italy: Most Famous Artists

Italy has been the epicentre of European art for centuries, with Italian artists contributing a massive amount of work to our cultural history. If you were to ask someone to name a famous artist or a famous painting, it’s highly likely that one of the names on this list would be the first to spring to mind!

From the time of the Roman Empire we are left with sculptures and relics that have great historical significance, through to the cultural explosion of the Renaissance and to the modern day – Italy’s impact on art has been incredibly substantial!

Read on to find out more about the top 10 famous Italian artists, 

many of whom you already know and love!

1. Leonardo da Vinci



Considered one of the greatest painters of all time, Leonardo da Vinci was also a polymath, an engineer, a scientist, a sculptor, and much more – a true Renaissance man! Despite fewer than 25 of his works surviving, his paintings are some of the most famous in the world – with the Mona Lisa being the most famous portrait ever, and The Last Supper is the most reproduced religious painting.

A little known fact about da Vinci is that – despite being known worldwide as a genius – he never received any formal schooling, as he was completely homeschooled!

2. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio



The leading Italian painter of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Caravaggio is best known for the intense, and sometimes uncomfortable, realism of his large religious works. Orphaned at a young age after his entire family contracted the bubonic plague, Caravaggio was taken on as an apprentice in an art studio at the tender age of 12.

His work had a great influence on the development of Baroque painting techniques, especially his dramatic use of lighting.

This has gained Caravaggio the status of a Baroque master, and he is still admired today – not least by Pope Francis!

3. Titian



Known as Tiziano Vecelli in Italian, Titian was an Italian painter during the Renaissance era and is considered the greatest member of the 16th century Venetian school of painting. He was an incredibly versatile painter, adept with portraits, landscapes, and mythological and religious subjects. He was incredibly popular during his lifetime, with his art sought after by Italian princes, the royal house of the Habsburgs, and the papacy.

Around 300 of his works still exist today, housed around the world in art galleries and museums.

4. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino



Better known simply as Raphael, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino was another great Italian painter of the High Renaissance. His work was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, as he incorporated the use of dynamic movement and chiaroscuro (intense contrast between light and dark) in his pieces.

Considered one of the great masters of the Renaissance, Raphael’s work is most admired for its clarity of form and composition, as well as his depiction of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur.

5. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni



Considered the archetypal Renaissance man, Michelangelo’s artistic versatility has resulted in his work being known worldwide and made him one of the most famous Italian artists.

A sculptor, painter, architect and poet, Michelangelo’s greatest works are also considered some of the greatest artistic works to have ever been created – think the David sculpture, housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia, or his depiction of Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

What you might not know, however, is that Pope Julius II actually selected Raphael (the two were rivals at the time) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel originally, but Raphael convinced the Pope to commission Michelangelo instead – hoping to prove that Michelangelo was not as great a painter as he was!

TO READ ABOUT THE OTHER FIVE, CLICK HERE...

Italy: What to See

The Colosseum, in Rome

The 20 Best Things to Do in Italy

You’re planning to visit Italy for your next trip and you’re looking for the best places to visit?

Great choice, there are many beautiful things to see in the country, you will love it!

With many beautiful cities, a rich history, stunning landscapes, some of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands and of course delicious food, I can say without a doubt that Italy is one of my favourite destination in Europe.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this list of the 20 best things to do in Italy, with all the highlights and must-see attractions. It will for sure give you an idea of your next travel destination.

So, what are the best points of interest in Italy? 

Discover Rome, 

the Amalfi Coast, 

Capri,

Sicily 

and much more now!

Summary

The 20 Best Things to Do in Italy (Bucket List)Visit Italy: The 20 Best Places to Visit and Must-See Attractions

1. Rome : the capital
2. Florence: the art city
3. Pisa
4. Venice: the romantic city
5. The Cinque Terre
6. Lecce: the baroque city
7. Verona: the Shakespearean city
8. Genoa: port city
9. Naples : historic city
10. Capri: magnificent island
11. Turin: the city of cinematography and chocolate
12. Milan: the capital of fashion
13. Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands
14. Lake Como
15. Garda lake
16. The Dolomites
17. The Amalfi Coast
18. Gargano National Park
19. Sicily
20. Sardinia
Flight prices to Italy
You’re traveling in Italy? These articles will help you!

Italy: Facts & Culture

What is Italy famous for?
Food and Recipes: When eating with guests, Italians do not usually hurry; a meal may last one to four hours. Compliments on the... More
Family: Strong, traditional ties bind the Italian family together. Family association is of great importance. A faster pace of life is... More
Fashion: Italy is a major center of the European fashion industry and Italians believe it is important to dress well at... More
Visiting: Italians enjoy visiting friends, family, and neighbors, especially on holidays and Sundays. Guests invited to dinner often take a bottle... More
Recreation: Italy is a nation of soccer enthusiasts. The game is called calcio in Italy. Sunday afternoon league games are televised... More
Cultural Attributes: Italians living in the warmer south enjoy a leisurely life and take their time to accomplish business. In contrast, those... More
Dating: Dating is much the same as in other Western countries and is done either in groups or as couples. Marriage... More
Diet: An Italian breakfast is very light, consisting of a cup of coffee, and a roll. Lunch, the main meal, is... More

Facts
What is the capital of Italy?   Capital Rome
Government Type Parliamentary republic   

Currency Euros (EUR)
Total Area 116,347 Square Miles
301,340 Square Kilometers
Location Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Language Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
GDP - real growth rate 0.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP) $35,800.00 (USD)


Demographics
What is the population of Italy?
Ethnic Groups Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)
Languages Italian is the official language. There are significant French and German-speaking minorities, and Slovene is spoken by some. Many Italians are bilingual.
Nationality Adjective Italian
Nationality Noun Italian(s)
Population 62,402,659
Population Growth Rate 0.34%
Population in Major Urban Areas ROME (capital) 3.298 million; Milan 2.909 million; Naples 2.373 million; Turin 1.613 million; Palermo 915,000; Bergamo 784,000
Predominant Language Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Urban Population 68.4%

READ MORE...

Just About Italy

Italy, country of south-central Europe, occupying a peninsula that juts deep into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy comprises some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on Earth and is often described as a country shaped like a boot. At its broad top stand the Alps, which are among the world’s most rugged mountains. Italy’s highest points are along Monte Rosa, which peaks in Switzerland, and along Mont Blanc, which peaks in France. 

The western Alps overlook a landscape of Alpine lakes and glacier-carved valleys that stretch down to the Po River and the Piedmont. Tuscany, to the south of the cisalpine region, is perhaps the country’s best-known region. From the central Alps, running down the length of the country, radiates the tall Apennine Range, which widens near Rome to cover nearly the entire width of the Italian peninsula. South of Rome the Apennines narrow and are flanked by two wide coastal plains, one facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and the other the Adriatic Sea. 

Much of the lower Apennine chain is near-wilderness, hosting a wide range of species rarely seen elsewhere in western Europe, such as wild boars, wolves, asps, and bears. The southern Apennines are also tectonically unstable, with several active volcanoes, including Vesuvius, which from time to time belches ash and steam into the air above Naples and its island-strewn bay. At the bottom of the country, in the Mediterranean Sea, lie the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Italy
Italy’s political geography has been conditioned by this rugged landscape. With few direct roads between them, and with passage from one point to another traditionally difficult, Italy’s towns and cities have a history of self-sufficiency, independence, and mutual mistrust. Visitors today remark on how unlike one town is from the next, on the marked differences in cuisine and dialect, and on the many subtle divergences that make Italy seem less a single nation than a collection of culturally related points in an uncommonly pleasing setting.

Across a span of more than 3,000 years, Italian history has been marked by episodes of temporary unification and long separation, of intercommunal strife and failed empires. At peace for more than half a century now, Italy’s inhabitants enjoy a high standard of living and a highly developed culture.  READ MORE...