Thumbs Up: Link to Maple Leaf Up

While searching for information about Gilbert A. Milne, RCN photographer and author of H.M.C.S. (connected to research for Bury Me At Sea), I came across a unique, interesting website related to the First Canadian Army, WW2. (War stories, photographs, useful links to Library and Archives in Ottawa, and much more)

Home address of Maple Leaf Up

Maple Leaf Up provides excellent descriptions for Milne’s photos. 

Example from their website:

LAC caption: View from LCI(L) 306 of the 2nd Canadian (262nd RN) Flotilla showing ships of Force 'J' en route to France on D-Day, 6 June 1944, English Channel.

MLU note: RCN photographer Gib Milne takes this photo from the bridge of LCI 306, looking over the bow at the other LCI headed towards Normandy. Each LCI carries an anti-aircraft dirigible overhead. Note the cable heading skyward from the bow of this LCI. Also note the bow gun is still covered. LCI 306 looks like it's coming into the strict line of the LCI convoy in front.

The men of the HLI in the photo above are still dressed casually so this must be very early in the morning. Sunrise at the latitude of Portsmouth at this time of year was about 4:50 a.m. since the southern coast of Britain is at the same latitude as northern Newfoundland. Note the white censor marks on the shoulders. Other men would be sleeping in the bunks below deck which is through the white door.

(Photographer: Gilbert Milne; Library and Archives Canada a137014)

If you have an interest in WW2, visit Maple Leaf Up.

Link to more of Gilbert A. Milne’s photographs

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Please click here to visit Dad’s Navy Days

Link and Learn: How to stop squirrels. WTheck?

It can actually be done?

For readers following my series about “a squirrel-proof feeder” and who are not buying a word of it, please be aware that there are others among us who study the problems related to squirrels in far more detail than I ever will.

I mean, I just want to beat them (badly), keep them from my seed mix and design a feeder that will one day, maybe soon, grant me entrance to the hall of mighty minds.

Reader G. Howell recently left the following comment:

“I admire you for trying; and I know that somewhere, someday someone will come up with the perfect squirrel proof bird feeder that is actually squirrel proof yet not bird proof. When that happens, that individual will become very wealthy. Keep trying, I look forward to perhaps purchasing one from you.”

I add it here in its entirety for three reasons:

First. I look forward to becoming very wealthy.


["One more squirrel walks away - empty - from my feeder"]

Second. Because of Mr. Howell’s positive support I want to go on record and say he’ll get the deep discount.

Third. Mr. Howell provides a wealth of very good information about squirrels at the following website, Howtostopsquirrels.com, and anyone interested in defeating the cleverest of squirrels (even some of the not-so-clever ones) would do well to link to the site.

Keep up the battle!

***

Please click here to read A Squirrel-proof Feeder PT6

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The Union of Concerned Scientists are ‘really’ concerned

I recently read the following:

“The Union of Concerned Scientists ranks housing third among destructive human enterprises, just after transportation and agriculture.” (Foreword, Little House on a Small Planet)

If you’ve read a few of my recent posts you’ll know the statement sparked my interest in the book and some of its major themes.

One marginal note I made beside the statement hasn’t been answered yet; perhaps I’ll visit the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) website and ask the question - what are the top five (or 10) “most destructive human enterprises?”

If it was left to us to guess, what would be your guesses?


["Link to photo re deforestation"]

Would your top five be “transportation, agriculture, housing, fashion industry, bottled water?”

Would your top ten include “fast food industry” or “air conditioning?”

The UCS website has a contact link so I will ask my question and hope for a reply. (Will my “recreational pursuits” be on the list?)

While visiting the site I discovered the UCS issued a warning to humanity in 1992. The 20th anniversary of the statement isn’t far off and I wonder if they would consider that much, or little, progress has been made over the years?

The introduction to their warning follows:

“Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often irreversible damage on the environment and on critical resources. If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know. Fundamental changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision our present course will bring about.”

The UCS then mentions several aspects of the environment that are suffering critical stress, including the atmosphere (e.g., “Air pollution near ground level, and acid precipitation, are already causing widespread injury to humans, forests, and crops”), water resources (e.g., “Heedless exploitation of depletable ground water supplies endangers food production and other essential human systems”), oceans, soil, forests, and living species.

UCS concludes the section related to the environment by saying, “our massive tampering with the world's interdependent web of life -- coupled with the environmental damage inflicted by deforestation, species loss, and climate change -- could trigger widespread adverse effects, including unpredictable collapses of critical biological systems whose interactions and dynamics we only imperfectly understand.”

I would predicate that UCS would tell me that “our massive tampering” is still massive, that our top ten is still going strong.

Warnings concerning the Earth’s population - and what we must do - are next issued by the UCS on their website and I say they are ‘recommended reading’ for all.

Please click here to link and learn more.

***

Also, please click here for more about housing and a time-lapsed account of deforestation.

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Ollie and Me: “Papa, why are they called strawberries?”

["The most plausible origin for strawberry in its earliest reference to the Woodland Strawberry is as a name for plants growing at ground level (like straw spread as litter) irregularly distributed as the result of the spread of achenes (strawberry seeds) by birds and animals--two interrelated senses of being strewn." Dr. Sayers, www.strawberriesforstrawberrylovers.com]


Yesterday, while happily searching for, picking, and popping a few strawberries into his mouth at Millar's farm, west of Lambeth, Ollie asked, “Papa, why are they called strawberries?”

I didn’t have a clue, so I didn’t answer. Also, it’s impolite to talk with your mouth full.


I know strawberries have been linked with straw for a long time. My father grew strawberries for many years in his very healthy gardens and scattered straw around his rows of plants - for some reason. To inhibit the affects of frost? To inhibit the progress of slugs? I don’t know. But strawberries don’t derive their name from this old agricultural practice, say the experts.

Next, Ollie’s excited voice and spontaneous exclamation made me smile.

“I actually found a strawberry! I actually found a pink strawberry!”


[“I actually found a strawberry!”]

After several minutes his plastic basket - actually - held only a few strawberries so Nana and I - actually - helped him out. But, as we bent double to search under the thick patches of leaves, we - actually - found it impossible to muster the same kind of enthusiasm.


[“Lisa Kooistra weighs our baskets. Good fun for the price”: photos GH]

***

Please click here for more Ollie and Me.

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George Ellias: A Bob Dylan fan and more

A musician from California connected with me recently. Maybe he’d discovered by second website (...Hit Singles by G.Harrison) and thought my work was brilliant. Maybe not.

George Ellias wrote:

I am a musician from Los Angeles, California. I found your blog while searching through blogspot.com. I was very impressed and delighted by the content.

(How could he not be?)

I also noticed that you a Bob Dylan fan, so am I.

(You know, I know, Bob - even at 70 - is tops in so many unique ways.)

I am looking for a select few bloggers to give a few honest words about my latest EP album. I will send you a code to download it for free, or I can send it in a zip file. I hope you accept the opportunity. A short paragraph would be enough.

You can do a search for my name on google to find out more about me and my music. Feel free to.

-George Ellias

I found George’s approach interesting. He provided no links to websites, no “in your face” advertising, just his email address. If I was willing to put some effort into a search then he’d send me a code for a download.

I searched his name and found a few details about the young fellow, e.g., George Ellias is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California. His interest in folk music started at a very young age. In 2004 George Ellias left High School, his old bands and traveled...


I also found a spot where I could sample a few of his tunes. (bandcamp.com)

I sampled and wrote back.

Hi George.

Email received. Bob Dylan fan, eh! I'll get back to you re short review asap. GHarrison at IT STRIKES

George emailed a code; I downloaded his songs; I filed them randomly in File 17 - Gord’s Collection (Files 1 - 16 each contain 250 - 300 songs, various artists).

Inside File 17 (I’m listening to it again now), George joined a few heavy hitters, e.g., Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Gord Lightfoot; a few up-and-comers, e.g., Madison Violet, Sarah Jarosz; a few others, e.g., Wilco, Daryl Braithwaite, Vince Guaraldi.

Would I notice George when one of his songs came up? What would I notice?

Review: George certainly knows how to play the guitar. I occasionally catch a whiff of Dylan in chord selection. Harmonica accompaniment is very good too. Any Dylan fan will notice George is definitely influenced by him. In my mind, that’s a good thing, eh.

George’s voice is reedy, and will strengthen and deepen with age, with more years on the road where life ain’t easy.

George’s lyrical style suits his age and one can feel Bob’s touch there too, though I don’t think George is trying to be someone he’s not. He’s the kind of guy who comes off as being comfortable in his own skin.

One day, when I’m not too busy, I’ll take both Bob and George aside and say, “Sometimes you try to squeeze too many syllables into a line. Why is that? Fewer words is often better, in my humble opinion. Call me. I’ll edit your work for free.” (It must be the school-teacher in me).

Recommended: Ghost Town

***

re George: Please click here for Artist Biography @ folk alley.


re Gord's possible Hit Single.

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Live Small: Tips related to clutter... or lack thereof

My last two news columns touched on decluttering my house.

Box Number Two - ready to say good-bye!


["The beat goes on. Ready for recycling": photo GH]

Right. I’m still not done. Another 40 years... maybe.

Sharon M., a reader, sent a link to a site called ‘unclutterer.’

I went. I learned something.

You might too.

***

Live Small and Prosper!

Please click here for more ‘Live Small’.

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News from Australia: It will get worse

Veen, a talented blogger from Australia (music, movies, mutterings), sent the following news within an email yesterday:

“Today's forecast is even worse for the poor souls in Northern Queensland.

“Quite a few towns are 100% isolated and the army has to resort to aerial food drops.

“To think that only 3 or 4 months ago those communities were receiving drought relief funds!”


["Recent photo from AllVoices (link below) out of Bundaberg"]

I searched for recent photos of the area and was rewarded with current ones (and news) by Medeshi at AllVoices.

News: QUEENSLAND'S flooding crisis could last for a month, with water continuing to rise in parts of the state and Rockhampton almost cut off... The crisis has been triggered by Australia's wettest spring on record.

More news here.

More news here.

The news seems to say... it will get worse before it gets better, and it will be years before some sense of ‘normalcy’ returns to the affected areas.

***

I ask again, instead of attempting or applauding tax freezes, should Londoners be putting funds away for tough times ahead?

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song for the blue ocean PT 1

song for the blue ocean, an outstanding book by Carl Safina, is 440 pages long and I'm nearing the half-way point.

Already I highly recommend it to you.

[For a few details, use the link under 'Read This' in side margin.]

This morning I read a paragraph that relates to an earlier post of mine re job creation. (We need jobs all across Canada. Unemployment rates are high. I made a brilliant suggestion, do you recall?

(And it's not like me to throw the word 'brilliant' around lightly.)

This may help:

"Throughout the 1980s, timber companies cut lands owned by the American people at record rates, while selling more and more raw logs overseas. Oregon and Washington lost about twenty thousand lumber jobs to exports and automation. A 16 per cent increase in wood taken off public lands accompanied a 15 per cent drop in logging and milling jobs. While wood prices - and company profits - rose to record highs, management exacted pay cuts up to 25 per cent." (pg. 173, song for the blue ocean)

An observer said the following:

"They should be giving the processing jobs to people in mills here. Allowing them to export raw logs makes no sense to me at all."

I have to agree.

Whether we are talking about the USA or Canada, processing jobs related to raw materials should stay in our own country.

Fat chance? Likely. Some economists will say that we have to let globalization and certain efficiencies take their course. I say, horse feathers.

Also, automation means that machines are doing the jobs that men and women can do.

I say, as I did in an earlier post, fire the machines. Put a tarp over them. Let real people have jobs and communities have a better chance to survive.

***

Q: Why do trees figure prominently in book about the ocean?

Good question.

More to follow.

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Recommended Reading: Elephants of Sudan 1 - Bluefin Tuna 0

While riding my exercise bike I read from a stack of books on a nearby shelf.

Presently I’m reading ‘The Collapse of Globalism: And the reinvention of the world’ and ‘song for the blue ocean.’

About the first book, things don’t look good for the global economy, so far.


About the second, things don’t look good for fish stocks, especially bluefin tuna, so far.

(Tonight I plan to ride for 40 miles. It will be a weary but enlightening trek).

On a more positive note, I read a friend’s blog this morning and discovered that animal populations in some parts of Sudan are improving, including certain antelopes and elephants.

Connect to The Parallel Parliament by local MP Glen Pearson here.

Elephants 1 - Bluefin tuna no score.

***

More details about ‘song for the blue ocean’ here.

More details about other recommended books can be found in the right margin under Read This.

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Link and Learn: Bicycles in Denmark have fancy seats

In earlier posts I mentioned progress made (and lack thereof) with particular goals in 2009 and went on to share my aims for 2010.

For example: In 2009 I planned to buy a bike suitable for city streets but decided to hang onto and use my classy Miele road bike instead.


["The Miele should last another 30 years": photo GAH]

Not really a failure, just a change of mind.

(Guys can change their mind right?)

While tooling around the web I came across an interesting link re bikes in Copenhagen.

Click here to see several excellent posts and chic photos.

I guess in Denmark riding a bicycle is almost an art form.

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Link and Learn: Snow cover is very important, right?

Sure, most readers believe what I say without batting an eye (I speak in such an authoritative, sensible tone - brilliant, eh?).

However, in case you want more information than my recent post about why we need a thick snow cover in winter, allow me to point you toward a recent article in the local paper that says the same thing.

It begins:

“For as long as I have been gardening, I can't recall a November or December with so little snow.


["Yup, I'm happy under here": photo GAH]

“Whether we like it or not, snow is important to our gardens. It provides both insulation and moisture that plants need.” (Dec. 26, London Free Press, HOME section)

Click here for the full article.

Snow cover makes me very happy.

You?

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Climate Change: Canada’s Conservatives didn’t entirely undo Kyoto

(But they sure keep on trying).

I've said a few things about climate change and global warming lately, and will say more, but it's time to direct you toward two recent articles that leave me in the dust.

Gwynne Dyer concluded a recent article entitled ‘Dithering Canada Faces Chaos’ (Dec. 19, London Free Press) by saying:

“Canadians, including the federal government, assume they will be OK no matter what happens on the climate front, so they can afford to put their other interests (like protecting the income from the tar sands) first. It is not true.”

His summary explains to some degree why Canada’s federal Conservative government is not following the right course as it continues to trumpet the economy at the expense of the environment.

However, in a recent post by Glen Pearson, federal Liberal Member of Parliament for London North-Centre, we see that the positive course set by many countries via the 1990 Kyoto Accord has not been entirely killed by Canada’s government.

In a post entitled ‘Kyoto Lives’ (Dec. 22) Mr. Pearson says the following:

“Despite Conservative claims that the Kyoto Accord was a meaningless document, it was fortunate that most other nations at the Copenhagen summit didn’t buy it. In fact, they haven’t bought into the Conservative agenda for years, as many of the world’s leading nations will reach, or come close to, the Kyoto 1990 targets.

“This country’s stark lack of leadership on the climate change file at Copenhagen has lowered our prestige even more in international opinion.

“In the words of a recent Globe and Mail editorial:

To be sure, Canada is not the only country failing to meet its targets, and was not the only obstacle to a more meaningful deal in Copenhagen. But among developed countries, it stood alone in its apparent apathy.”

It seems the Conservatives can’t quite seem to kill Kyoto, but they sure know how to kill our country’s prestige in the world and keep their apathy alive.

***

If you visit Mr. Pearson’s website, please read The Copenhagen Cave as well. Very well written.

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Link and Learn: PM Harper undermines key Canadians

Federal Liberal MP Glen Pearson (London North - Center) may be best known for his work with the London and Area Food Bank but I think his excellent writing ability needs to be made known as well.

He shares his opinions on a regular basis at a site called The Parallel Parliament.

His most recent post is entitled Why It’s A Minority Government

In it he writes:

Whether it’s shooting the bureaucrats from CIDA, or diplomats like Richard Colvin re: Afghanistan detainees, or recently ignoring the request from Canada’s top 500 climate change scientists to take Copenhagen seriously, the Harper government has undermined the very people who could pull us out of the muck. 


["If you don't like Harper's environmental plan, I'll poke your eyes out!": photo copied from Blair Gable, Reuters]


In my opinion, Harper will never do enough for the the majority of Canadians or our environment.

Instead of helping or repairing, Harper is all about shooting, ignoring and undermining.

He’s more of a BM than PM.

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Canada: Not a poor nation, but poorly run?

Canada is not expected to cooperate with many world leaders in Copenhagen during the climate change talks.

Our Prime Minister is only content to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020, a target that is seen as a baby step.

Why do we move so slowly toward alternative forms of power? Are we too poor to pay our way to a sustainable, healthier future?

No.

George Monbiot writes the following:

“This is not a poor nation. It does not depend for its economic survival on exploiting this resource (i.e., the Alberta tar sands).

“But the tar barons of Alberta have been able to hold the whole country to ransom. They have captured Canada’s politics and are turning this lovely country into a cruel and thuggish place.


["Canada's image on the world stage is fading"]

“Canada is a cultured, peaceful nation, which every so often allows a band of rampaging Neanderthals to trample all over it.

“Timber companies were licensed to log the old-growth forest in Clayaquot Sound; fishing companies were permitted to destroy the Grand Banks: in both cases these get-rich-quick schemes impoverished Canada and its reputation.

“But this is much worse, as it affects the whole world. The government’s scheming at the climate talks is doing for its national image what whaling has done for Japan.”

Poorly run, indeed.

***

PM Harper initially said he would not attend the current climate talks.

Why not?

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Link and Learn: Gwynne Dyer says ‘better no climate deal than wrong deal’

Gwynne Dyer, a thoughtful writer based in the other London, believes that world leaders now assembled in Copenhagen should ring out a declaration of shared principles and rather than hammer out a bad deal agree to “get back round the table and do the hard negotiations (re reductions to carbon emissions) over the next 12 - 18 months.”

He fears leaders will accept a watered down and inadequate version of a real deal, a description of which is included in a recent newspaper article.


He writes, in part:

“It would require the rich, industrialised countries to take really deep cuts in their emissions: 40 percent by 2020, say, and another 40 percent by 2035. The developing countries would cap the growth in their emissions at a level not much higher than where they are now—but they must be allowed to go on growing their economies, which means that they will need more energy.”

So, on top of recommending the book The Suicidal Planet (click here for brilliant endorsement) I urge you to read Gwynne’s recent column re the real deal.

***

Gwynne Dyer’s recent book, Climate Wars, is on my Christmas wish list.

Yes, I’ll likely be recommending it to you soon! (Aren’t I a helpful fellow?)

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Link and Learn: Justin Sandercoe can play guitar

During Ollie’s 3rd birthday party (before Thomas the Train cake was served) I talked with his other grandfather, a man who plays guitar a bit, like I do.

He recommended I go to Justin Sandercoe’s website to view his guitar lessons and UTube offerings, and this morning I did.

The boy can play guitar.


["Ma, I wanna be a rock star": GAH circa 1965]

And he offers guitar lessons, from beginners to advanced, that are quite easy to follow and advice that is quite worthwhile.

Like, I already know 6 chords so I’m well on my way.

I just thought, if you are like me, i.e., a bit shy about playing in public but still like to sing or write a few songs, you might find it worthwhile to link to Justin’s site and learn more than you already know.


["Like this song?": GAH 2008]

One day you too might be a star and play one of your own songs at a local music club.

And a one and a two...

***

With lessons I might be able to make my latest hit single sound more bluesy.

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Link and Learn: The price of oil brings some confusion

Today I could buy one barrel for $78.53. Tomorrow? Who knows.

Click here - The Price of Oil at Oil Change

(Where would I put one barrel of oil? My workshop is full. The Annex is over-crowded too).

The price is up a bit from last week, and when I read ‘consumers may see a bump upward in pump prices but only a slight one, experts believe, because gas supplies are greater than what they usually are at this time of the year and demand is still low due to the recession’ I get confused.

(Yes, it’s true, I confuse easily. My VCR periodically shows 00:00, sometimes 12:00, other times the correct time plus one hour. I have no idea what time my TV thinks it is. Good thing I own a watch. It’s around here somewhere).

But if the supply is a bit high shouldn’t prices be a bit lower?

And if demand is still low shouldn’t prices not 'bump upward'?

Where am I?

***

If we hit peak oil (mentioned in this week’s column and online tomorrow here), and most things we touch are in some way connected to our dependence upon oil, should our city invest in an airport cargo hub?

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Link and Learn: Happy hour takes place at 4 p.m. in Sudan

Michel, at Facts Are Strictly Optional, wrote a very funny piece that illustrates several things:

Different countries have different customs

4 p.m. may be a bit early for happy Hour

Though that depends on what is being served

I like the tradition she has started (at least I think it's a tradition, and if it's not, it should be).

***

Tune in and drop her a line. Her post's comment thread is amusing too.

Tell her GAH sent you.

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Newspaper Clippings: I would never have guessed the answer

Yesterday I mentioned disturbing news (for many), that not only is the US unemployment rate continuing to rise but many fear that “consumers, worried about job losses and stagnant wages, will restrain spending.” (Link to The Associated Press)

The article’s next line underscores the size of one challenge (re jobs) that North Americans face at the moment.

I’ve altered it by leaving the percentage blank - to let you guess at the figure.

“Consumer spending accounts for about ___ % of the US economy.”

Would you say 30%? 40? 50? 60? 70? 80?

The answer is 70%. I wouldn’t have guessed correctly.

And when I link that number with what I’d read about and commented on several days earlier, about how many Americans are planning to reduce spending, save money and reduce debt on a permanent basis, I realize how big a shift our continent is going through at this time.

If we’re moving away from excessive amounts of material goods (and debt related to easy credit) what will the next generation of jobs look like?

***

Will we see them come online before unemployment numbers (in the US, the highest since 1983) rise even higher?

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Link and Learn: Gnus about Deforest City

Phil McLeod’s web site is an excellent read. I highly recommend it.

His current article is found here.

Scroll through earlier work; he looks at the mess on Cliff Nordal’s desk and makes some sense of it.

He didn’t pay me to do this but I’m not going to turn down a fat roll of twenties.

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