It's a good thing God has such a great sense of humour.

 It's a good thing God has such a great sense of humour. 

 

As I sit here with a Tylenol bottle and a Neo citron placed to my side, I often think that God must have a good sense of humour.  

As March comes to a close on the Canadian Prairies, a big snowstorm has replaced the melted snow once again. Just as I was ready to start my garden and enjoy spring, the weather turned, bringing flu and dampening my enthusiasm. The creator enjoys practical jokes and satire. 

I think the one thing there is no humour in is this incredible racist underbelly arising from the ashes in the new MAGA world. One would think that in a world that has been brought so closer together by the internet, there is no way these archaic, hateful and mean-spirited philosophies can still merit any basis in our day-to-day reality. 

The Election of Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans have sent shock waves around the world. This mirrors the Nazi election in Germany and Elon Musk certainly makes no issue of showing his favour of Nazi tactics and propaganda. 

I fear for those trapped in a vicious circle of ICE Detentions or even worse, the El Salvadoran concentration camps, and fear the worst that executions will be coming if they have not started already.  

Being at war with a country we have been partners with for so many years is hard to imagine, yet here we are, the common enemy of the new MAGA America. It is still just a war of economics; my fear is when the real one begins. 

election day two

 Well, after the first day of campaigning, one can only wonder when the rhetoric, cheap shots, and basic gutter ball politics will end and an effective show of policy and choice for Canadians will begin.  

Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, recently made a statement in an interview with Steve Bannon's Breitbart News. She mentioned that she has requested the White House to postpone the April 2 tariffs due to their potential impact on the Conservative Party's election prospects. Questions have arisen regarding the appropriateness of her statements or attempts to influence policy in favour of Poilievre. Such actions could be perceived as a violation of proper conduct and influence peddling with a foreign state during the election campaign to gain or retain votes. 

I cannot help but wonder, after a series of denial, non-denial remarks coming from the premier's office trying to protect and step back from her actions, that she can possibly mask the smell of the apparent hoof and mouth disease she apparently has had from birth. 

Marc Carney demonstrated today that he faces challenges with media interactions, expressly withdrawing from the TVA French-language debate and selectively choosing which press to engage with. The TVA debates primarily address matters impacting Quebec and highlight notable weaknesses of both Poilievre and Carney in handling issues related to the province. 

Jagmeet Singh, still shooting from the cheap seats, is desperately trying to find that one issue to latch onto to save himself from extinction in the Canadian political wilderness. Unfortunately, Singh lost the press because of poor relations and abusing press time on useless stories that became his undoing. No one cares that you're proposing to your fiancé or that there are babies on the way; it is a natural part of the human condition. Singh has left himself with no room to manoeuvre and no one willing to follow. 

The upcoming six weeks promise to be quite challenging, and I sincerely hope that my supplies of Tylenol, Geritol, and Gaviscon will suffice until the conclusion. 

TGIF And the Outlaws Searching the vastness of the mind!

 Thank God it's Friday! It's time for me to grab my camera bag, head to parts unknown, and record vlog segments for TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. Hopefully, I'll avoid the ever-present battle raging between Canada and the USA.  

My initial gut feeling is to head to Calgary's Farmers Market to vlog a stroll through both locations. Calgary has one of the best Farmers Markets in Western Canada, and even if you don't buy anything, it is always a great experience.  

Something else deeper inside is calling me, though. Alberta has been my home since I was born, with a few brief stops along the way, which is beginning to wear down my ability to function relatively journalistically. 

Don't get me wrong. I could sit and write stories of retirement and the wonderful art of being a senior, from bowling to lawn darts, for years to come and probably be very successful in doing so. The problem is that is not how my brain is programmed. 

Having experienced years of mental illness and PTSD, I have found that my brain now benefits from continuous intellectual and visual stimulation. Living in a rural environment provides a serene atmosphere that rejuvenates the senses and supports effective writing on various topics. However, it lacks the ongoing dynamic interactions with people, ideas, and surroundings that are essential for me to excel as the writer I aspire to be. 

During my time in Toronto, I discovered the powerful influence of stimulation on my creative process. Whether factual or fictional, written stories flowed effortlessly from my mind to paper or typewriter. It was as if the words manifested from nowhere into remarkable works transcending time and space, reality and delusion. 

The reality is that I require both resources. Seeking ways to satisfy an active mind can be compared to searching for a specific flavour in a store with numerous options. I watch channels like Johnny Strides, The Ken Continuum, and TSHODS to gather insights from their continuous exploration of the Metro area; however, this alone is insufficient. My writing stems from a more profound meaning and carries a greater purpose than merely reminiscing. 

My country home provides a unique opportunity to relax and recharge. It evokes an idealised vision of a simpler life that many aspire to but often find difficult to attain. With no noise, crowds, or towering buildings, one is presented with a vast open skyline symbolising boundless potential and infinity of purpose. 

Living in a world that often does not acknowledge the strength of individuals with mental illness can be challenging, as it is unfamiliar with what broader society typically considers typical or normative behaviour. My healing occurred because I permitted my mind to achieve whatever it aimed for within reason and followed where my imagination directed me to innovate. 

The decision is now clear: I must balance the serene tranquillity of Castor, Alberta, with the dynamic flow of people, ideas, and activities in Toronto. Though many have commented that this is a crazy endeavour, I embrace it, as my aspirations aim high. 

 

Don't forget to stop by the Calgary Farmers Market when you get a chance and support your local businesses. Home - Calgary Farmers' Market