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USER: cabbage

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USER: boiled cabbage

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USER: 1 boiled cabbage

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USER: 50bloodyboiledcabbages

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USER: 50BLOODYboiledcabbages

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USER: 50BloodyBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourAssIfYouDon’tGiveMeAccessNow!

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USER: ReallyPissedOff50BloodyBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourAssIfYouDontGiveMeAccessNow

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Brain Health

With age everyone hopes for a brain that remains healthy. And challenging it with new tasks as often as possible is certainly the way to go. Things such as learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, reading, taking lessons to play a musical instrument, etc. will benefit the brain in myriad ways. However, the computerized world in which we now live may not be best for the brain.

            When I gather my income tax papers and add my receipts, I do it the long way by hand (perhaps the last one in the world who still does that!) because I believe it’s a good way of keeping my brain sharp. I worry that the younger generations who now rely solely on calculators may not be doing their brains any favor.

            The same certainly applies to phones today. No one seems to remember numbers anymore because they are entered in our hand-held devices where the name is the identification rather than the number.  When we need to call someone, we only need to tap on the name. A far cry from not so long ago when we did need to write numbers down on an actual piece of paper. I think it made the brain work as we tried to remember numbers. Another brain activity lost.

            I think brain activity is also diminished when our computer programs go into action as we write letters or messages. They either auto-correct or underline words they do not recognize. I am sure all of you remember when we actually had to check words in a dictionary when unsure of the spelling before having to carefully review texts to catch typos. Of course, that is easier and faster today.

            And then there is GPS, that marvel which helps people find their way. The global positioning system is a great help when we travel a tricky route or are guiding a ship through the Panama Canal, but it has drawbacks. A new study from the University of Kent in the U.K. concluded that when we follow the instructions from a GPS rather than planning our own route, the brain switches off. The end result is that humans will get worse and worse at using their brain for planning and decision making.

            And then, today, instead of having to consult an encyclopaedia, we only need to ask Siri or Alexa or any other robot living in devices for the information we need. Easy and quick.

            It is speculated that our brains are changing because of all these new realities. Of course we have yet to see to what extent we will be affected or if mankind will simply slowly adapt. Let’s hope for the latter, especially where the children are concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

 Fourth Wave

When I took a little break from my blog to see my family, I was certain that when I returned covid would be gone once and for all. That’s certainly far from the reality we face, is it not? Now a serious fourth wave is under way in many areas and is expected to get much worse as children return to class. 

            The corona virus has been around before, but covid has proven to be a very nasty form. Unfortunately, not everyone takes it seriously as some people still refuse to be inoculated. A friend of mine was telling me recently that if these people had been alive during the polio crisis of the 50s when so many children were crippled, they would run to get vaccinated. As soon as the anti-polio vaccine appeared, polio was defeated once and for all, never to return.

            Some experts are now talking about the possibility of vaccinated people needing a booster shot so covid does not have a chance to return. If that’s what it takes, let’s do it, I say. Anything so that life can at last return to normal, or at least as close to the normal we knew before the pandemic. We all need a break from the bad news.

Time for a Break

I’m taking a few weeks off from my blog to recharge and renew as I see my family in person for the first time in a year and a half. I’ll be back in August.

            In the meantime I leave you with some thoughts. Have a great summer and don't forget the newly released novel McPine for your summer reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern World

No one can deny that we’ve become used to the many benefits of our electronic age.

            I check my email while having my porridge in the morning, then I answer some or write others. A few days ago I had to write to someone in Australia. I penned my message and clicked send. In a matter of moments it was read halfway around the world and amazingly I got a reply in less than an hour. I come from a world where when you wanted to communicate with someone you had to write an actual letter, put it in an envelope and go mail it. So much more efficient today.

When writing something by hand, did you ever come to a word you were not 100% sure how to spell, then somehow expected that, by some magic, any error would be corrected? We’ve become used to the “magic” of the electronic age. I first experienced that magic when I began using a word processor all those many years ago; I was amazed that I could amend or delete text without having to use an eraser! 

But our new communication ease does have its problems. Take phones, for example. I remember a time when most families had a black phone that served everyone’s communication need. Then someone thought that there should be colour, and there was. People harmonized their phone with their decor with phones that were red, blue, pink, etc. But the arrival of the cell phone changed everything. I remember being in Hong Kong in 1987 and seeing a man talking into a rather large hand-held phone. That was the beginning of the revolution. Today, of course, a cell phone that connects you to the rest of the world fits neatly into a small pocket.

I’m sure my grandparents had no idea what humans were capable of imagining.

Another problem with modern communication is that every phone is now a camera something some people forget when they go about doing things they should not be doing. And there’s also the cameras put up in and outside buildings as well as cameras cities put up to allow them to keep an eye on things and people. Unless you live in the country and don’t go into cities, you are bound to be seen on a camera somewhere and your actions analyzed. I find that a bit scary, but then it’s a great tool for law enforcement to find those who are up to no good.
            And so it goes. I think this is just the beginning of modern communication possibilities, but it reminds us to be vigilant to ensure that our rights are not violated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Goodbye

There’s an old Elvis song that talks of “my last goodbye.” That’s where we are now, closing in for our last goodbye to a virus that has and is still upsetting the world. But, with the vaccinations going on relentlessly, it can’t be too long before we can finally wave the enemy a last goodbye.

             Like most people, I can’t wait to be able to hug my children and grandchildren after more than a year of having had to be satisfied with video contacts. However, not everyone is seeing the future in the same way.

            Some people can’t wait to get out from under the restrictions of the virus to dance in the street, while others want to make certain everything is back to normal before they venture out. One thing is sure everyone will make their way into the future at their own pace. Some, still somewhat scared because the past year has been one of severe pain and struggle, will be reticent about joining the crowd for some time. Those in health care who have helped all the suffering souls affected by the virus can’t wait to finally be able to take a deep breath of relief and rest.

            I think everyone has been marked by the pandemic in one way or another. Some will rebound quickly, while others will have tears in their souls for some time to come. Those of us who are ready to dance in the street should remember to invite those who are still crying to join us when the last goodbye is finally a reality.

            We’ve all seen pictures of the roaring ‘20s when people let loose after the pandemic caused by the Spanish Flu. We will still be in the ‘20s when covid is gone. Let’s make them roaring again as we relegate a sad chapter of history to the past with a last goodbye.

           

 

 

Some Musings

As you age everything slows down,

except the time it takes for cake and 

ice cream to reach your hips!    

 

Work like you don't need the money
Love like you've never been hurt
Dance like nobody is watching
Sing like nobody is listening
Live like it's Heaven on Earth
Dream like you’re living your dream

And

Do you part to save the earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate!