DOES HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? WELL IT SEEMS IT DOES!

 What is so scary about history repeating itself is the show coming to us from the world today.

Book banning was like the old book burning.

A racist poster is replaced by racist social media.

Being very right wing to go back to what. 

Being woke is a bad thing or is it. 

So what to do.

Firstly I am not broke. Canada is not broke. Vaccinations save lives.

If 20 people need to get a vaccine and 19 get it and 1 doesn't the 19 people protect the one. But those who are opposed will claim see nothing happened to me. Herd protection.

So reading many points of view makes me so confused. The extreme thinkers are so stuck in their ways and what they think. Borders on Mental Health issues that come from stuck thinking.

My concern is how America is playing the tape of Hitler Germany loud and louder.

Cancel culture.

The good thing is the Internet lets us keep information alive and well. Books are digital. In paper, Available in people's private libraries.

You can ban one copy but not them all.

Also so much media information and recorded.

That media is part of history.

You can claim anytime you did not say something but there it is in living colour. But we do have to be careful to make sure it is not AI generated. So be aware and double check.

Fact check. Get more than one view or opinion.

Be a critical thinker. Read and learn. Keep looking for flaws in the arguments. 

And stand your ground. 

I just find I am putting are you a bot to many dysfunctional comments on social media. Short and sweet and to the point. No long winded arguments and rebuttals. It is not a debate.

When I see stupid, I am brief.

So as a history buff I am concerned about the current situation. Uneducated people can be so duped by those who use their intelligence to dupe others. 

Like the whole issue of tariffs. The American public in some quarters are buying the concept they are good for America. Instead of looking up the dictionary definition of the word. Yes dictionaries are still good for fact checking.

So muddling along in this new world that is evolving takes perseverance and dedication to keep informed and be available to family and friends.

Back to reading and fact checking for now.

#historyrepeatingitself#factchecking#readingforintelligence#stayinginformedaboutlifeandhistory#supportingtheliterarycommunity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SPRING COMES IN ALL FORMS-THOSE FIRST SPRING BULBS POPPING THROUGH THE GROUND

 Looking for those first signs of Spring.

I saw Snowdrops between the brown dirt.

So I should grab my camera and try to take some photos.

#springflowers#enjoyingthespringweather#timeforspringphotos#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MARCH GOING OUT LIKE A LION IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

 Weather fluctuates like the political climate right now.

It seems similar to the Pandemic days. How long will it last?

At least 4 years but most of us are really hoping for less. We are preparing for the worst but yes hoping for the best.

Relying on close allies further from home. Supporting Canadian made and all things Canadian.

Supporting Greenland, Mexico, Ukraine, European Union-which I wish we could join.

Hoping NATA will be better off without America. 

Lion roars. So always ready for the next roar.

But looking for all that is good as well.

The Ice Storm that hit our area is not as bad as the one in 2013. The branches have some ice that is slowly melting.

Maybe the bad political climate will slowly melt as well.

But Canada is bracing to be a neighbour of a fascist state. I just wish we could build a very high wall.

#outlikealion#weatherplayslikethepoliticalclimate#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MY EXPERIENCE WORKING ON ELECTION DAY

 I worked the Ontario Election in February as the Vote Tabulator. I had to train on the machine.

My main concern would be that I might jam the machine. I didn't.

Processed 938 people in my Polling Station 5.

I wrote down some thoughts about the day.

Mostly positive- some people complained about the parking at McConaghy Centre. Had been a snowy  morning and there were snowbanks from the previous snowfall. So it was tight.

Comments- why not online, all those ballots and you are killing trees, many people in a hurry, lots of people seem a little nervous. some asked if the box where the votes were going was a shredder, some worried about how they had their ballot in the folder for the tabulator- I would say voting is the most important thing, one lady did not know who to vote for- I have seen her previously and she may have early stages of dementia.

Three very angry negative people stand out- one young woman claimed Trump showed Canada everything that was wrong with our country as Trudeau had ruined Canada, one man brought his wife to vote but she stated it is not a democracy as her husband made her come- I said you can't complain about the government if you do not vote but the worst guy was a man in his late 40s, 50s, Eastern European complaining that Trudeau ruined the country with Trans, LGBT, and Canada should become the 51st state as his parents live in America and they are fine there- he was just very vile and so negative and anti everything. 

There were three young first time voters which I congratulated them for it. 2 husbands forced their wives to come but in a positive way. Elderly couples. The lady that was the first to be tabulated liked the idea she was the first. 

Couples. People in their 20s. Workers on their lunch break or after work. 

I saw some people that I knew- a doc from the hospital, community acquaintances, the mayor, a Kerr neighbour, a friend;s dad, OR nurse.

Surprising how many last minute people came between 8 and 9 before the polls closed.

I had to take the tabulator back to the Elections Office. Waited there for about 20 minutes before it was my turn to go. Got home after 1100 pm. 15 hour day but I did it.

A couple of weeks later the pay came to my account. $566.83. So some money to use for some bills.

Would I do it again? Probably. I did apply for the Federal Election for April 28 so  I will see if I get called.

It was an experience and good to get out of my comfort zone.

#electionsontario#workingattheelection#commentsabouttheevent#firsttimevoters#somecomplaintsaboutthelocation#funtoseesomepeoplethatIknew#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FEEL DOWN, PHONE A FRIEND OR CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER

 So I phoned my brother and we talked about the current state of affairs.

It was good to connect with someone who gets me and I get him.

I wish we lived closer and could see each other more often than every few years.

Maybe I will take a trip west to see him.

So feeling down. Phone someone and have a real talk.

#phoneafriend#talktosomeoneyoulove#feelingdownreachout#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

POEMS AND OTHER SHORT IDEAS DURING THE WINTER OF 2025-REFLECTIVETHOUGHTSBYBARBARA

 Sometimes ideas come to me.

Sometimes I try to write some poems.

Without revisions here are some winter ones.

______________________________________________________

Feb 20 2025

So much snow

And no place to go

Shovel shovel make a pile

It will take quite awhile

Cold wear your mitts

Be careful of snowball hits

_______________________________________________________

January 17 2025

I see the Sun

    shining from the East

Making my backyard

    snow glisten

A sign of hope

      or just wishful thinking

Oh Sun shine on

       give the world hope

As you rise each day

       as our nourishment

Our anchor in the universe

      our source of warmth

____________________________________________________________

October 2024

The Red Eyes go over

A pleasant sound

Normality

The flights are arriving

Who is on board

Coming home

Business travel

a tourist

Visiting family

A plane full of many stories

________________________________________________________________

February 13 2025

It has fallen

White, soft and deep

Snow

Seeing the small Plow

Lights on at 5 am

Out working 

to clear that parking lot

Making it safe

For those using that space

Winter and all

The hill close to home by the Library

Will have children with sleds and circle toboggans 

Going down the slope

Gleefully squealing 

Hitting the bottom

Then running up the hill

To go again

The Plow

The Hill

The Snow

______________________________________________________________

My house is on a street close to Yonge Street. There are two businesses beside me so I could see the parking lot being plowed. Up the street is the Central Library with a good hill to sled.

Every morning around 6 am the planes from the West go over. Thus the name the red eyes.

I try to take in t he images from my environment. It is great to travel and see new things but being present in my world is also important. My world can be as small as I want or as big with may landscapes and larger views.

I hope you enjoyed these short poems and reflections of some moments in my life.

#poems#poemsaboutsnow#reflectingonmyimmediateworld#writingdownmythoughts#tryingtostaypositiveintroubledtimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SHOW KINDNESS AND COMPASSION IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES

 Like most of us I am tired already of the Orange Orangutan in America.

Yes I am buying Canadian, supporting all that is Canada strong and free.

But it made me think about the need to be kind and show compassion to all that I encounter.

Remembering the issues that are still very important.

Think of the shadows we create in life

MMIW, Our indigenous communities.

Health Care. Need for more doctors, nurses and other professionals.

Truth and Reconciliation.

Services for elderly, disabled, special needs children.

Education and work opportunities in every community.

Fixing potholes in our roads.

Planting trees as they will save our environment.

For those facing adversity, grief, loss look for the helpers as Mr. Rogers would say.

#kindnessinadversity#rememberingtohelpothers#MMIW#healthcare#everyoneneedsafamilydoctor#truthandreconciliation#servicesforelderly#servicesfordisabled#servicesforspecialneedschildren#educationisthefoundationforakindersociety#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CREATIVE IGNORING IS THE BEST SOLUTION WITH ALL THE TRASH TALK FROM THE ORANGE FACED GUY

 There is too much talk about the threats from the USA towards Canada's sovereignty.

Talking with NATO- "Canada is like a state."

Getting icebreakers. " If a state could get more."

Well you have all heard the rhetoric. 

I am buying Canadian and products from our known allies. Like Mexico. Like the EU. Like Brazil. Like India. Like Australia. And so many more.

I have decided emotionally and intellectually to curb any visceral reaction to the Orange guy and his cult.

Even the trolls in comments about Canada are  so mean spirited. So I will not read the comments. Not to get sucked into all that negative thinking. Weed out the negative losers.

So starting to take the high road. Like how a mom reacts to a toddler temper tantrum. Sees it but does not react.

Protecting our emotions while systematically with intelligence continue to support Canada, Canadians and Canadian values is important.

The politicians are handling the big stuff. We will handle the local, daily stuff. One purchase. One talk. One item at a time.

They have our backs and we have their backs by leaving up to our strong and free. In order to be free we also must fight for what we believe. If Canadians collectively continue to fight and be strong there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Remember David and Goliath. We do have the bigger sling shot. And know the vulnerable spot.

Canada strong and free.

So creative ignoring of all the crap and focus on the positive. Focus on what you can do.

#creativeignoring#positivethinkinginthesenegativetimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#don'treadthenegativetrollcomments#

COVID- 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE PANDEMIC

 The Pandemic.

Shaped us for so many years.

Changed the way we looked at life.

Affected our children.

Sad deaths in hospital.

Signs.

Restricted playgrounds.

Churches thanking people.

Stocking up on goods.

Homemade masks before they were so available.

Covid assessment centre at Mackenzie Health-Richmond Hill.

Rainbow of hope on trees by the hospital.

So many thoughts and memories of that time. I wrote a 100 page story with photos and thoughts.

What are your memories?

#covid#thepandemic#toughtimesbehindus#rememberingcovidandallitshardships#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES LET'S BE KIND TO ALL OUR FELLOW CANADIANS

 Like many Canadians I am very angry at all the foolishness coming from America.

The hurt to our workers, families and communities.

For what. Tell me. There is no reason really. 

So America wants to be a fascist state now. Not a democracy.

But to try to bring Canada down. Bring Mexico down. Both nations are stronger than that.

Leave Greenland and Panama alone. They are strong as well.

Ukraine is showing the world the way. We must support them as much as we can.

So with anger comes my need to remember to be kinder. To be kind to everyone I encounter.

Kindness is not weakness. It just brings hope. It brings communities together.

We must carry on. We are strong and free. It may hurt a lot. For four years, maybe. Hopefully not.

We do live in hope that Americans will wake up to the tyranny in their land. And Russia as their ally now.

Kindness to my family. My community. My country.

And to do whatever I can in my corner of the world.

Sending love to everyone.

#ukraine#mexico#greenland#panama#bekindtoeveryone#kindnessisnotweakness#beingangrydoesnotgetusanywhere#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#bestrongandcarryone

MARCH AND ALL THAT IT WILL BRING-CAME IN LIKE A LION, WILL IT GO OUT AS A LAMB

 I think Zelensky is one of the bravest men we will ever know. He stood up to the tyranny in America by confronting the fat guy in the White House.

Canada loves him and want Ukraine to have a fair end to their war.

So with the trade tariffs starting last night at midnight Canada has tighten our seatbelt and we are ready for the rough ride.

March came in like a lion but we are hopeful it will go out like a lamb.

We will be the true north strong and free.

I hope my fellow Canadians and allies around the world, be very strong about the new order that has happened in the world.

America deserting Ukraine and just wanting their minerals is despicable.

I stand for Canada. I stand for Ukraine. I stand for love and freedom.

But if I must fight I will.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. So we are going to make it through all of this hard times.

How about you? How are you feeling about the world and all its calamities right now? If worried be with a loved one?

GASLIGHTING ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE-IMAGINE ACCUSING THE INVADED COUNTRY OF STARTING A WAR

Gas lighting  was seen front and center last Friday in Washington.

Well guys. The world was watching and has called you out.

To gaslight a President for working so hard to protect his country and people.

Wear a suit. You are on a propaganda tour. You didn't say thank you to America.

Well we all saw it and I know I felt so disgusted with the interaction.

Of course the minions in the government thought their guy was great and the one- Velensky was the bad guy.

Disgusting and embarrassing for all that saw it.

Ukraine must be supported at all costs. They are the gateway to Europe.

So call gas lighting out wherever it occurs.

#ukraineneedsourloveandsupport#zelenskyisahero#gaslightingdoesnotwork#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro