Mary Soderstrom's Blog, page 105

Saturday Photo: End of Summer Brilliance

Today is the day of the automnal equinox, the end of summer, the beginning of fall.  Here are two pictures taken a couple of days ago which show the billiance tht this season brings.

Rick Mercer on the Next Omnibus Bill: Stephen Harper Knows Right from Wrong, But He Just Doesn't Care

Thought I might do a little something thought provoking today but didn't get very far when I fond this which says far more effectively what I was intending to say: Go Rick! I wonder what kind of heat the CBC is getting from airing his shows.

The Passing of a Fine Man: Mel Charney Dies at 77

CHARNEY, Melvin. On Monday, September 17, 2012. Mourned by his wife Ann, daughter Dara, son-in-law Cameron McKenzie, grandchildren Rachel and Samuel McKenzie, brothers Morris and Israel, and their partners Carrie Gross and Christianne Charette, as well as by numerous friends and colleagues in the world of art and architecture.

Melvin Charney produced an impressive body of work combining art and architecture for more than 40 years. Mr. Charney won a number of competitions including the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights in Ottawa inaugurated in 1991. He was selected to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale both in Art and Architecture. Mr. Charney received the Prix Borduas from the government of Québec, and was appointed Chevalier of the Ordre National du Québec in 2003 for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the growth of Quebec culture. In 2006, he was named Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest honour bestowed by the French government for individual contribution to culture. In 2009, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters, from McGill University's Faculty of Arts.

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. West, on Thursday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m. Burial at the Montreal Workers’ Circle Association Cemetery, de la Savane. A private reception will follow the burial at 457 Mount Stephen Ave. in Westmount. And apropos of the illustrration, the picture part of a body of work that includes archiectural monuments, parks, photographs and marvelous drawings.

Don't Forget: Tomorrow the Oil Sands

Just a reminder that NPD Outremont is sponsoring the first in a series of film forums on hot topics tomorrow, Thursday September 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Côte des Neiges Community Centre, 6767 Côte des Neiges Road in Montreal.

Damon Matthews, climatologist from Concordia University, and economist Isabel Galiana will comment after the film with a general discussion to follow.  Should be a thought-provoking evening. 

Admission is free, but contributions will be happily accepted.

Babies and Birthdays Today...

So no real post, at least until evening. It's Lee's birthday and I get to help out with Thomas today!!!

A Song for All Those Demonstrating against Austerity (and Maybe Those Annoyed by Anti-Islamic Films)

 Stomae is a young Belgian/Rwandan singer whose hypnotic song has been running through my head for days.  It seems perfect for the current economic situation.  And perhaps all those (perhaps orchestrated, but who knows?) protests against that stupid anti-Islamic film are motivated by the same frustration about the troubles of life.



English translation of the French words:


So lets dance
So lets dance
So lets dance

He who talks about studying, talks about working
He who talks about working, talks about money
He who talks about money, talks about spending
He who talks about spending, talks about debt
He who talks about debt, talks about the bailiff
And also about being in shit
He who talks about love, talks about children
Says until death death do us part and says divorce
He who talks about his peers, talks about mourning because problems never come alone
He who talks about a crisis, talks about a lot of people, talks about the 3th world hunger
He who talks about being tired, talks about awakening, tired from yesterday
So we party, to forget the problems

So lets dance
So lets dance
So lets dance

And you say this is the last time, because only death is worse
When you think everyone is ok and fine, nothing has happened
Ectasy spells problems or it sounds like the music
It gives you a trip and you put your head in your hands praying for it to end
But it's your body, not the heavens and you stop listening.
Then you scream harder and it won't stop

So lets sing
Lalalalalala, Lalalalalala,
So lets sing
Lalalalalala, Lalalalalala,

So lets sing
And only when it ends, we dance
So lets dance
But wait, there's more

Saturday Photo; Where the Bee Sucks There Suck I

Sounds a bit crude, but as usual Shakrespeare said it, if not first, then most interstingly:

Where the bee sucks, there suck I:
In a cowslip's bell I lie;
There I couch when owls do cry.
On the bat's back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough


The speaker is the sprite Aiel, and this photo has nothing to do with cockslips.  The bee seemed to be immobilized when I shot it yesterday morning, inspite of balmy temperatures which are supposed to be health for bees.

Whatever, the lovely wild sunflowers were gorgeous as this hot, dry summer finally comes to a close..

Women in Canadian Politics Approaching Parity?

There was a bit of chit-chat about Pauline Marois (left) becoming the first premier of Québec which got lost in the unfortunate shooting on election night.  That's probably why I completely missed the importance of her election in terms of gender balance in politics.

Five of Canada's ten provinces and three territories are now led by women. Eva Aariak (left) was the first, becoming premier of the territory of Nunavit in 2008.

 Kathy Dunderdale (right) was the next, becoming leader of the ruling Progressive Conservative party  in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2010, and leading the party to victory in 2011.

But   Alison Redford (left) in Alberta also won elections early 2012 while Christy Clark (right) became premier in British Columbia after winning a leadership race.

More than 50 per cent of the populatioan is female, and these accomplished women make up only 38 per cent of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders.  Nevertheless they represent a dramatic change. And there are consoeurs in waiting like
 Andrea Howarth, leader of the Ontario NDP. 

And Himself, Himself

Photo taken by Lukas of Thomas, his break-dancing son...

And Here He Is with His Maman

When Jeanne was born I posted a photo of her and her Mom shortly after birth, which Elin made me subsequently change for a more attractive shot.  This time I checked with Sophie and Lukas before hand:  one does learn things as one gets older.

So this is Thomas and Sophie when he was about 36 hours old.  Such a sweetie!