Vietnamese proverb

 A frog living at the bottom of the well thinks that the sky is as small.-Vietnamese proverb

Jamaican proverb

 When the affected lady is doing well she eats her peas with a pin.-Jamaican proverb

Irish proverb

 Great mansions have slippery doors.-Irish proverb

Jamaican proverb

 Empty pots will never boil over.-Jamaican proverb 

About Enya

 Irish singer Enya(born 1961) has never been married and never had kids,and lives in a castle with her cats.

Macrosmatic

 Macrosmatic (adjective)-Having a good sense of smell.

Marmoris

 Marmoris(noun)-The shining surface of the ocean.

Indian in space

 Q.Who was the first Indian in space ?

Answer.Rakesh Sharma 

             Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to fly to space aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984.

In Kenya

 19 is the median age of the population of Kenya in June 2025.

A song from 1979 that I love

 Here Comes The Night(1979)-song by Streetheart.

A song from 2012 that I love

 Hang Loose(2012)-song by Alabama Shakes.

The bizarre red-lipped batfish

 Meet the bizarre red-lipped batfish,a bizarre sea creature that doesn't swim well,so it walks  along the ocean floor using its fins like legs,all while rocking bright red lips.

Tripod fish

 Tripod fish are deep-sea creatures that can stand on the sea floor using three elongated,leg-like fin rays that resemble a tripod.These find can extend up to a meter long and help the fish stay in place while waiting for prey to pass by.

Autotomy

 Autotomy(noun)-Self-amputation, usually by an animal.

Example: Lizards use autotomy to escape predators.

An underrated song from 2010 that I love

 Art Museums and Tourist Traps(2010)-song by The Provincial Archive.

Young pig

 As a word for a young pig,the word PIGLET only dates back to the 1800s.Before then,a young pig might be called a hogling(14th C),a porklet(1550s),a Hog-babe(1600s)or a Grunting(1680s).

Gazanias

 Gazanias are also known as treasure flowers or African daisies.They are popular garden plants  prized for their vibrant,daisylike flowers.Gazanias are native to South Africa.

      These daisy-type flowers love sunshine and if they don't get enough of it,will close up.

        I see gazanias in Montreal often in summer.

Irish proverb

 Don't tell your secret even to a fence.-Irish proverb

Italian proverb

 Where the hedge is low everyone will cross it.-Italian proverb

Japanese proverb

 Gossip about a person and his shadow will appear.-Japanese proverb

Some idioms

 1.Roll with the tide -Adapt to changing conditions.

2.Drown in the shallows -to fail in a simple situation.

3.Clip the thorns-to remove minor annoyances or obstacles.

4.Go down a steep slope-decline rapidly or dangerously.

5.The fog thickens -Confusion or problems increase.

6.Pull a loose stone-Destabilize or uncover something.

7.In a swirling mist-Confused or disoriented.

Long-standing refugee crisis in Algeria

 There is a long-standing refugee crisis in Algeria that has been going on since 1975 and is usually not in the spotlight.

    About 1,73,000 Sahrawi refugees live in 5 refugee camps in western Algeria in May 2025.Since 1975,the Sahrawi people,fleeing from war,started crossing into Algeria from the western Sahara territory.

     Western Sahara has largely been under Moroccan occupation and control since 1975.Morocco considers Western Sahara a part of its own country.

    Residents of western Sahara are primarily known as Sahrawi or Saharawi.They are an ethnic group with Arab and Berber ancestry,native to the western Sahara region.The region Sahrawi literally means " inhabitant of the desert" in Arabic.

       The Polisario Front runs a civil campaign to promote separation for Western Sahara.

To pick someone's brain

 Demander conseil-To pick someone's brain in French.

Give it a shot

 Tenter le coup-French phrase meaning 'to give it a shot.'

Toilets in Hong Kong

 80% of toilets in Hong Kong use seawater instead of fresh water,saving millions of gallons of freshwater annually.

Crocodiles

 Crocodiles can climb trees and sit on branches like creepy scaly jungle ninjas waiting in silence.

Moonshine yarrow

 Moonshine yarrow (Achillea) is known for its bright lemon-yellow flowers;moonshine yarrow looks quite a bit like tansy from a distance.

     Tansy also has yellow flowers.

  

About lantanas

 Lantanas love heat and drought.Plant them in the full sun and well-draining soil for best performance.

Mudita

 Mudita-Joy felt in someone else's joy.

Example sentence:"She experienced mudita when he received the award."

Foxglove flowers are dangerous

 Digitalis flowers are also known as foxglove flowers or "dead men's bells'' because this flower will lead you to the Pearly Gates if you should happen to eat it.Digitalis is a pretty poison.Just handling this plant can increase your heartbeat.Also known to attract gnomes.

Zone out

 Zone out-to stop paying attention.

To drown in the shallows

 To drown in the shallows -to fail in a simple situation.

Diplomacy

 Diplomacy hobbles forward sometimes.

An Italian proverb

 Where the devil cannot put his head he puts his tail.-Italian proverb

German proverb

 A bolt does not always fall when it thunders.-German proverb

Greek proverb

 An old enemy never becomes a friend.-Greek proverb

Mexican proverb

 God is bigger than your problems.-Mexican proverb

Some praying mantises prey on them

 Large, praying mantises can catch and eat hummingbirds.As ambush predators,they use their spiny forelegs to snatch hummingbirds out of the air, particularly near feeders and flowers,and quickly subdue them.

The number one driver of the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest

 Cattle farming is the number one driver of the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in 2024.

                           If the demand for meat were to go down less cattle farming would be needed.

Another mass brainwashing

 The American lawn is one of the greatest mass brainwashings of all time.How so many signed up to spend hours growing and cutting a nonnative monoculture that they lace with poisons never ceases to amaze some.

This famous black hockey player is an outspoken vegan

 Georges Laraque is a former Canadian ice hockey player born on December 7,1976.

          Georges Laraque retired from hockey in 2010.Georges Laraque is black and his parents were both born in Haiti;but he was born in Montreal.

           Georges Laraque has become an outspoken vegan and animal rights activist.He has twins and as a speaker he is passionate in his fight against racism.

        Georges Laraque who has asthma contracted COVID -19 in the spring of 2020 but luckily recovered.

Avulsion

 Avulsion-Tearing away of a body part.

A song from Little Coyote that I love

 Teeth Rot(2018)-song by Little Coyote.

Skin cancer in black people

 Black people do develop skin cancer; however it's true that black people are less likely to develop skin cancer overall compared to people with lighter skin .

What reggae singer Bob Marley died of

 Reggae singer Bob Marley tragically died of melanoma or skin cancer in 1981 at 36 years old.When Marley found a dark spot under his toenail,he initially thought it was from a soccer injury.He was later diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma(ALM),a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer.

A song by Dragonette that I love

 T-shirt-song by Dragonette.

Tv chef died at only 55 years of age

 Tv chef Anne Burrell ,who coached culinary fumbles through hundreds of episodes of worst cooks in America,died in June 2025 at her New York home.She was only 55 years old.Burrell began her two-decade television career on Iron Chef America and went on to other shows 

A song by Simple Plan that I love

 Summer Paradise -song by Simple Plan.

Lawn not a status symbol

 A lawn isn't a status symbol.It's a sterile,pesticide-soaked desert where biodiversity goes to die Plant something that feeds life.

A maverick

 Texas rancher Samuel Maverick refused to brand his cattle ,and over time the word'Maverick' became a term for someone who's independent,unconventional,and refuses to follow a herd.

Caliginous

 Caliginous (adjective)-Dark,dim or misty; obscure.

Example:The forest became caliginous as twilight set in.

A song from The Tragically Hip that I love

 Courage -song by The Tragically Hip.

Foudroyant

 Foudroyant (adjective)-Dazzling or stunning.

Example:'The view from the summit was foudroyant.'

Another form of harmful brainwashing

 The minimalist movement in North America has become another example of harmful brainwashing that causes significant damage to the environment.

                 Minimalists brag about how much they have thrown out,oblivious to the environmental damage that massive decluttering causes and the pernicious effects on climate change it has.

               Even donating items to charities is not always the answer.Two thirds of the clothes donated to charities in North America are thrown out and many charities throw out 50 per cent of the book donations they receive.

           The minimalist movement oversells a very simplistic message and that simplistic message is not appealing or realistic for many people in a modern,complex world.

            The more people discard perfectly good items the more they buy new stuff and the cycle of overconsumption continues to the detriment of the environment.

Clishmaclaver

 Clishmaclaver (noun)-Gossip or idle talk.

Example:'The cafe was abuzz with clishmaclaver.'

To tuck in your wings

 To tuck in your wings -to restrain your ambitions.

A song from 1993 that I love

 Insane In The Brain(1993)-song by Cypress Hill.

A dance song from the seventies that I love

 I Believe in Miracles -song by Jackson Sisters.

          This song is a dance classic from the seventies.

A fly on the wall

 Une petite souris-French expression for a fly on the wall.

Red hot pokers

 Red hot pokers are also commonly known as Torch Lilies or Tritomea.They are also sometimes referred to as Poker Plants or Rocket Flowers.

About fuchsia

 Fuchsia flowers and berries are edible.The berries are described as having a slightly tart,lemony flavor,and can be used to make jams,jellies or eaten fresh.The flowers can be added to salads or used as garnish.

     All fuchsia fruit are edible.

Variolous

 Variolous -Adjective used to describe something related to smallpox.

Smallpox

 Varioloid-adjective of smallpox, resembling smallpox,of or relating to a mild case of smallpox.

Yokefellow

 Yokefellow -companion or partner.

Typhoid

 Typhoidal-adjective form of typhoid.

Scurvy

 The adjective of scurvy is scorbutic.

Farrago

 The adjective form of "farrago" is farraginous.

Absence of a nose

 The congenital absence of a nose is called arhinia.

A song from Patsy Gallant that I love

 From New York to L.A.-song by Patsy Gallant.

Trichomegaly

 Trichomegaly -is a rare condition that causes abnormal eyelash growth,affecting their length,thickness,color or curl.

About thunbergia flowers

 Thunbergia flowers,also known as black -eyed Susan vine,are not edible and can be toxic if ingested.Ingestion can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting,and abdominal pain.

Werewolf Syndrome

 Werewolf Syndrome is also called hypertrichosis;it is a condition which produces excessive hair growth all over the body.

Excessive hair growth

 The condition characterized by excessive hair growth on the head is called hypertrichosis.

More about amsonia

 Amsonia ,also known as blue star,is not considered edible and should not be consumed.While Amsonia is not highly toxic,it contains a milky sap that can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues if ingested.

Loss of eyelashes

 The medical term for the loss of eyelashes is also called milphosis or ciliary madarosis.

About eyebrows

 The absence of eyebrows is called madarosis.

Madarosis is the medical term for your eyebrows or eyelashes falling out.

About black-eyed Susan flowers

 Black-eyed Susan flowers are not edible.Black-eyed Susan is toxic, leading to gastrointestinal distress if consumed.

More about bleeding hearts

 No, bleeding heart flowers are not edible.They contain toxic compounds, especially isoquinoline alkaloids,that can cause nausea,vomiting,and other gastrointestinal issues if ingested.

More about false indigo

 False indigo is not considered edible and can be toxic if ingested.All parts of the plant including the leaves,seeds and stems,can cause gastrointestinal distress such as nausea,vomiting and diarrhea.

Interesting word for a morning grouch

 Morgenmuffel (noun)-A German word for someone who does not like to wake up early  and is grumpy in the mornings,'a morning grouch.'

Absence of ear

 The absence of external ear is called anotia.

Anotia is total absence of the ear.

Aglossia

 The absence of tongue is called aglossia.

Heart attack

 The day you're most likely to have a heart attack is Monday -known in medicine as the Blue Monday effect.

Crinkly paper

 The crinkly paper around some cupcakes is a petal paper liner.

Paper cut

 The scientific term for a paper cut is a mechanical abrasion.

Toes

 The space between your toes is known as the interdigital cleft.

A talented singer and songwriter

 Chris Velan (born 1974)is a Montreal-based singer and songwriter.

              Visit his website www.chrisvelan.com

Italian proverb

 Who buys land buys war.-Italian proverb

Motormouth

 Motormouth-word for someone who talks too much.

Beer not a good garden fertilizer

 Beer usually does not make a good garden fertilizer.While the idea of using beer as a fertilizer might sound appealing due to its ingredients like yeast ,and carbohydrates,it's generally not recommended and can be detrimental to plants .The alcohol and similar sugars in beer can harm soil microbes and attract pests like snails and slugs.Plain water is a best and more cost-effective option for watering plants.

       Alcohol can be toxic to soil microbes and stunt plant growth.

Fencesitter

 Attentiste,un indecis,personnel qui ne prend pas parti-French words for fencesitter.

A song from Michael Buble that I like

 Hollywood -song by Michael Buble.

Giraffe pregnancies

 Giraffe pregnancies last about 15 months,and calves are born standing up,measuring up to 6 feet tall.They drop 5 to 6 feet to the ground at birth,yet are able to stand and walk within 1 to 3 hours.

A song from 1970 that I love

 Move on Up(1970)-song by Curtis Mayfield.

Mandevilla

 Mandevilla is also known as rock trumpet.Mandevilla plants are a stunning addition to any garden,patio or landscape.This tropical vine is prized for its large,showy blooms that appear from late spring to fall.

            I see mandevilla flowers in Montreal quite often in summer.

Opsomania

 Opsomania -An obsessive craving for a particular food,esp a delicacy.

To stick out like a sore thumb

 Faire mal comme un pouce endolori-French expression for the phrase'to stick out like a sore thumb.'

Cybrarian

 Cybrarian -A person who is practised at finding information on the internet on behalf of others,or who compiles or administers a library reference material online.

A song from Chris Velan that I like

 Amateur Hour-song by Chris Velan.

Winsomely

 Winsomely -In a charming or appealing way.

Streets that I walked on Tuesday,June 17,2025

 On Tuesday,June 17,2025 I walked on rue de Courville in Plateau Mont Royal from rue de Lanaudiere to Papineau,going across rue Garnier,Fabre and Marquette along the way.Rue de Courville is a lane just south of rue Marie-Anne.  

      Then I walked on rue Marie-Anne from Papineau Avenue to Clark Street.

            This is the first time ever I had walked on rue de Courville and across this stretch of rue Marie-Anne.

Indonesian proverb

 People seek out big shots as flies seek out the elephant's tail.-Indonesian proverb

Bulgarian proverb

 Hunger is a bigger master than the king.-Bulgarian proverb

Japanese proverb

 Every meeting is the beginning of a goodbye.-Japanese proverb

A Canadian song from 1972 commemorating a tragedy that I love

 The Bridge Came Tumbling Down(1972)-song by Stompin' Tom Connors.

Trillium flowers

 Trillium flowers have three petals.

      Trillium flowers can take 7 to 10 years to bloom and it will take 4-7 years again ,if picked.

           Please don't pick trilliums.

Cybrarian

 Cybrarian-A person who is practised at finding information on the internet on behalf of others,or who compiles or administers a library or reference material online.

Phronistery

 Phronistery-A place for thinking of studying.

Streets I walked on Friday,June 13,2025

 On Friday,June 13,2025,I walked on rue Marquette from Boulevard Saint Joseph to rue St.Gregoire.It was the first time ever that I had walked on this stretch of rue Marquette.

            Then I walked on rue Masson from Papineau Avenue to rue Bordeaux,passing rue Cartier and rue Chabot along the way.

Turkish proverb

 Today 's egg is better than tomorrow 's hen.-Turkish proverb

Quote from Sinead O'Connor

 God is something that needs rescuing from religion.-Sinead O'Connor 

Indonesian proverb

 Don't stay on the dew until the sun reaches its highest.-Indonesian proverb

Arctic and Antarctic

 Did you know that the names Arctic and Antarctica means "bears" and "no bears"?-Facebook, THE LANGUAGE NERDS.

A song from Miko Mission that I love

 How Old Are You-song by Miko Mission.

Mensa

 Mensa only starts testing people for IQ at the age of 14.

Fan flower

 Scaveola is also known as Australian fan flower.They are often used for hanging baskets with three colors-pink,purple and white.They do well in both sun and shade.

           I see scaveola aemula flowers,also called'Scala purple bird' fan flowers in Montreal quite often.

Tittle-tattle

 Tittle-tattle-Gossip or idle talk.

Ticky-tacky

 Ticky-tacky-cheap,shoddy material.

Amaritude

 Amaritude (noun)-Bitter feelings or sentiments;acrimony,resentment.

The pomato plant

 The pomato plant is a space-saving marvel-it grows tomatoes aboveground and potatoes below!This grafted  hybrid thrives in small gardens,combining two crops in one plant.

Wifi engineers

 Two wifi engineers got married.                             The wedding was okay but the reception was amazing.-Facebook, THE LANGUAGE NERDS.

Inaniloquent

 Inaniloquent (adjective)-pertaining to idle talk.

Example:"Their inaniloquent chatter filled the room."

Sharks do this by mistake sometimes

 Sharks sometimes bite undersea cables,mistaking electric signals for food.To stop the damage, companies now add strong protective layers to keep the cables safe.

Carnivorous plant

 Q.Which is the largest carnivorous plant?

Answer .The largest carnivorous plant is Nepenthes Rajah,also known as the giant montane pitcher plant,or "Monkeycups."

               Found in Borneo,this plant can grow up to 6 metres in length and its pitchers can hold up to 3.5 litres of water or 2.5 litres of digestive fluid.It is known to capture and digest not only insects but also small animals like frogs,lizards,birds and even small mammals.

Too much consultation

 Too much consultation kills a project.

The role of cities in wildfires

 Warmer,dryer seasons and city growth means wildfires are creeping closer to suburbs and towns in North America.

           Cities are in a way concrete buffers against wildfires.But cities also increase the risk of wildfires.Cities are heat traps:glass,metal,concrete and pavement bake in the sun,raise temperatures and dry out nearby forests and vegetation,thus raising the risk of wildfire.

        Cities should not become wildfire magnets.We must design our cities in a firesmart way.Rebuilding after a wildfire costs way more than preventing it.We must make our cities more firesmart and more resilient to wildfires just as we earthquakeproof our buildings and try to floodproof neighborhoods.

Buffer

 In theory cities are concrete buffers against wildfires.

The changing nature of wildfires

 Across North America wildfires are getting closer to towns and cities;when these happen they are called interface fires.

               Interface fires are also known as wildland -urban interface(WUI) fires,occur where human development meets or intermingles with wildland vegetation.These fires are a significant concern bey they can rapidly spread from wildland areas to structures and vice-versa,causing extensive property damage and posing a threat to human life.

Jock jams

 Jock jam refers to upbeat,often electronic or hip hop-influenced music that is commonly played at sporting events to energize athletes and crowds.These songs are characterized by their high energy and driving beats,designed to create excitement and motivation.

Finnimbrun

 Finnimbrun -A trinket or knick-knack.

Example:"Her shelf was adorned with various finnimbruns."

A song from Madonna that I love

 Celebration -song by Madonna.

A predictor of Alzheimer's disease

 The loss of the sense of smell can be a predictor of Alzheimer's disease.

ROI

 ROI-Return on Investment.

Selcouth

 Selcouth (adjective)-strange yet beautiful.

Example sentence:"They ventured into selcouth landscapes."

Opsimath

 Opsimath (rare)-A person who begins to learn or study only late in life.

The special thing about mangoes

 Mangoes are one of the few fruits that can be eaten at every stage of ripeness:green,ripe or overripe,each offering a unique flavor and culinary use.

Sugar daddy

 The gender neutral term for sugar daddy is glucose guardian.-Facebook,THE LANGUAGE NERDS.

Dutch proverb

 Better to be squinting than blind.-Dutch proverb

Italian proverb

 Tis a silly ship that confesses to the wolf.-Italian proverb

Proverb on cats

 Cats don't catch the old birds.-Dutch proverb

A song from Remy Shand that I like

 Take A Message -song by Remy Shand.

A song from Eighth Wonder that I like

 Cross My Heart -song by Eighth Wonder.

A song by Johnny Hates Jazz that I like

 I Don't Want To Be A Hero-song by Johnny Hates Jazz.

A song by The Payolas that I love

 Never Said I Love You-song by Payolas.

A song from Johnny Hates Jazz that I love

 Turn Back the Clock-song from Johnny Hates Jazz.

Cambodian proverb

 Don't let an angry man wash dishes; don't let a hungry man guard rice.-Cambodian proverb

The remarkable singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester died

 Singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester sadly died at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia on the morning of April 11,2014 from bladder cancer.He was only 69.

          Jesse Winchester spent a large part of his life in Montreal.He moved to Montreal from Memphis, Tennessee in 1967 to avoid the Vietnam war draft and became a Canadian citizen in 1973.He resided in Montreal for 35 years,and some of his family members still live in Montreal.

             He became an anti-war icon as a draft dodger or draft evader.Many of his songs reflect the anti-war sentiment.

          Eventually Jesse Winchester moved back to the United States in 2002.

         In Montreal,Jesse Winchester lived in the McGill ghetto after returning from touring with Les Astronauts.He also lived in an apartment above Lafayette Pizza,at the corner of Villeneuve and Jeanne Mance streets.Additionally,he spent many years living in a log house in Magog,CTV News reported 

An effective defense mechanism deployed by vultures

 Vultures can projectile vomit their food as a defense mechanism sometimes up to 6 feet!Their vomit is so acidic it can irritate predators and also lighten their body for a quick escape.Now that's a survival tactic you definitely don't want to stand in front of!

Eburnean

 Eburnean (adjective)-Made of or resembling ivory;smooth,white and pure.

Example:The statue's eburnean surface gleamed in the gallery's spotlights.

A submerged church tower in a lake

 Lake Resia in Italy is famous for its submerged 14th-century church tower,which still rises above the water-a haunting reminder of a flooded village beneath the lake's surface.

Depone

 Depone-to testify under oath.

Ceramic walls of a mug

 Did you know?

The thick ceramic walls of a mug help trap heat,keeping your drink warmer longer.

How the cereal leaf beetle defends itself

 The cereal leaf beetle cleverly defends itself by piling it's own feces on its back,creating a repulsive barrier that deters predators.

A song from 1985 that I love

 Let's Go All the Way(1985)-song by Sly Fox.

A song from 1988 that I love

 I Want to Mean Something to You (1988)-song by Jesse Winchester.

Quote from Robert Frost

 Social and political study is concerned with the grievances,poetry with the griefs.-Robert Frost,poet.

Great quote from Studs Terkel

 More and .more we are into communications,and less and less into communication.-Studs Terkel

Quote from Romeo Dallaire

 Are all humans human?Or are some more human than others?-Romeo Dallaire

A good quote from Jesse Winchester

 If you're skating on thin ice,you might as well dance.-Jesse Winchester 

In Italy

 A quarter of Italy's population is over the age of 65 in 2025.

A store selling vinyl records in Montreal

 https://www.larama.ca is the website of the store Disqus La Rama.Disques La Rama is a vinyl record store in Montreal located at 77 Bernard Street West in the Mile End neighborhood.

Telephone number:(514)769-2966.

Yellow loosestrife not edible

 Yellow loosestrife is not considered edible and can be toxic.Consuming it can cause nausea,gastrointestinal distress,and other adverse health effects.

Delphiniums not good to eat

 Delphiniums,also known as larkspurs,are not meant to be eaten and are considered toxic to humans and animals.They have a bitter taste and  can cause severe discomfort if ingested.

A song by Nat King Cole that I like

 Calypso Blues-song by Nat King Cole.

The sleep of crocodiles

 Crocodiles can sleep with one half of their brain resting while the other stays awake.This allows them to keep one eye open  to watch for danger or prey.

A song by Joni Mitchell that I like

 This Flight Tonight-song by Joni Mitchell.

Armenian proverb

 The tongue of a fool is always long.-Armenian proverb 

English proverb

 Big thunder,little rain -English proverb

A song by Big Sugar that I like

 Diggin'  A Hole-song by Big Sugar.

Unusual name of town in the USA

 The USA has a town named "No Name"  in Colorado,named after a nearby creek-making it one of the most unusual place names in the country.

A song by Charlie Bennett that I love

 Bedbugs-song by Charlie Bennett.

A song by Mighty Panther that I love

 The Bedbug Song-song by Mighty Panther.

            This song has wonderfully funny lyrics.Worth a listen or two.

Lamprophony

 Lamprophony (noun)-Loudness and clarity of enunciation.

Lead foot

 To have a lead foot -to drive very fast.

Was that good news?

 Did you know?

On April 18,1930,the BBC Radio announced that there was no news to report during its scheduled evening bulletin and instead played piano music for the remainder of the program.

Big-boned

 Big-boned-Fat.

Meraki

 Meraki(noun)-To do something with soul,creativity or love.

The uses of helium

 Helium is of course used for balloons bought from party stores.Besides that,helium is also used for MRI machines,for the manufacturing of semiconductors, fiber-optic cables and to launch satellites into space.

Culinary voyeur

 I  must admit I am a bit of a culinary voyeur.When I am in a restaurant I love to watch what customers at the surrounding tables are ordering and eating.

      Call me food-curious.When I am grocery shopping I like to observe what other shoppers are putting in their grocery carts.

Culinary voyeurism

 Culinary voyeurism,also known as "gastronomic voyeurism",or "food voyeurism",refers to the practice of watching others eat often with an element of fascination,or in some cases arousal.This trend has gained popularity online, particularly in South Korea where "mukang'(eating shows)are a common form of entertainment.

        Western media and bloggers often dub it food porn.

The taste of daffodils

 Daffodil flowers taste extremely bitter and are generally considered unappetizing.

          Daffodil flowers are inedible and toxic to human beings.

The taste of foxglove flowers

 Foxglove flowers and all other parts of the plant have a very bitter taste.This bitter taste is a key factor in why accidental ingestion of foxgloves is uncommon.While all parts of the plant are poisonous,the bitterness usually prevents animals from consuming it.

Foxglove flowers not edible

 No,foxglove flowers are not edible and are,in fact,toxic.All parts of the foxglove plant, including the flowers,leaves,stems,and seeds,contain cardiac glycosides that can be harmful to the human body.These glycosides can affect the heart, potentially causing irregular heartbeats,low blood pressure, and even collapse.

     Eating any part of the foxglove plant can result in poisoning.Symptoms include nausea, headache,skin irritation and diarrhea.

Another song from April Wine that I love

 I Wouldn't Want to Lose Your Love-song by April Wine.

A song by April Wine that I love

 Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love-song by April Wine.

She is accused of killing family members with poisonous mushrooms

 In July 2023,Erin Patterson of Australia made Beef Wellington for the family of her estranged husband.In that beef Wellington was a pretty unsavoury ingredient:poisonous deathcap mushrooms.A few days later,three of her in-laws were dead.One survived.

       In June 2025 Ms Patterson is on trial for murder and attempted murder.She says it was an accident and  has pleaded not guilty.

           A bizarre case.In any case people who forage and eat wild mushrooms should be forewarned about the potential toxicity of many wild mushrooms.

           Better safe than sorry.

Adding dry rice grains often helps

 Did you know?

People often add dry rice grains to salt containers to absorb moisture and keep the salt free-flowing.

A song by The Box that I like

 Ordinary People -song by The Box.

A song by Prince that I like

 I Would Die 4 I-song by Prince.

A song by The Box that I love

 Carry On-song by The Box.

A hit song by The Box that I love

 Closer Together -song by The Box.

Sunflowers

 Sunflowers track the sun's movement throughout the day,a behavior known as heliotropism.

Burying banana peels here can be beneficial

 Did you know?

Burying banana peels near plants enriches the soil with potassium and phosphorus,boosting growth and vitality.

A song from Heart that I love

 Dreamboat Annie-song by Heart.

The thinnest skin

 The thinnest skin on the human body is found on the eyelids.

Peru

 Q.What is the national fruit of Peru?

Answer.Lucuma.

         Lucuma is also known as egg fruit.

Quote from June Jordan

 To begin is no more agony than opening your hand.-June Jordan

A song by Radiohead that I love

 Creep -song by Radiohead.

Mesonoxian

 Mesonoxian (adjective)-relating to midnight 

Example:"He took a mesonoxian stroll under the stars."

Quote from Joe Clark

 Discipline is not the enemy of enthusiasm.-Joe Clark,former Canadian prime minister.

A song from Sabrina Carpenter that I like

 Manchild-song by Sabrina Carpenter.

A song from Kim Stockwood that I love

 She's not In Love-song from Kim Stockwood.

Quote from Michael Moore

 You can't debate satire.Either you get it or you don't.-Michael Moore

A song by Crystal Shawanda that I like

 Fish Out of Water -song by Crystal Shawanda.

Tenebrous

 Tenebrous -dark,shadowy, obscure.

How to ripen avocados faster

 Avocados ripen faster if you put them next to bananas.

The power of jaguars

 Jaguars have a powerful bite that can crush bones and even pierce turtle shells,making them well adapted to their prey in  South and Central America.

Design of cutting boards

 The grooves around the edge of many cutting boards are designed as a " juice groove" to catch liquids from meats or fruits and prevent spills on countertops.

Calcium phosphate in the body

 Calcium phosphate occurs naturally in the body;it is found in the bones and kidney stones.

The term 'metrosexual'

 Mark Simpson is credited with coining the term 'metrosexual' in a 1994 article for the Independent.He also introduced the word to the US in 'Meet the Metrosexual ',a much-quoted essay on salon.com in 2002,leading to the global popularity of the term.

The changing nature of job interviews

 In 2025 job applicants have become used to virtual job interviews.But increasingly artificial intelligence is ending up interviewing many job applicants -and  many job seekers are not even aware of this.

The benefits of growing Fritillaria Imperialis

 Fritillaria Imperialis:A member of the lily family,this flower stinks.The foul smell of this flower is wonderful news for some because it prevents cats,dogs and squirrels from digging in their garden beds.One whiff of this huge flower guarantees mammals will avoid the area for a long time.The smell is a combination of skunk,cat poo,and dead fish.The awful smell of this flower is a defense mechanism to deter animals and insects from eating it.

Uses of Russian comfrey

 The flowers and leaves of Russian comfrey serve as a high-quality organic fertilizer.The roots are made into an ointment which relieves muscle and joint pain and quickly heals wounds and broken bones.

A song by Hootie and the Blowfish that I like

 Only Wanna Be With You-song by Hootie & the Blowfish.

False indigo

 Baptisia Australis is also known as false indigo.It is a flowering plant that produces pea-like flowers that vary in colour from light blue to deep violet.

           I see false indigo growing in gardens in Montreal every now and then.

Campanula

 Campanula is also known as bellflower.The word 'campanula' means little bell in Latin.

Indonesian proverb

 Once the rice is pudding,it's too late to reclaim the rice.-Indonesian proverb

Minimalism is overrated

 Modern-day minimalists are nothing more than a glorified version of the hippies that existed in the sixties and seventies.They are often very self-righteous and tend to be very judgmental of people who don't agree with their lifestyle.

                       Minimalists constantly talk about giving away things,throwing away stuff and decluttering.But many things given to charities or individuals in North America tend to be thrown away too ,even if they are in good condition or reusable.Instead of constantly decluttering one must use old items for as long as possible or repurpose them.

            By constantly decluttering,minimalists often aggravate climate change and contribute to pollution and environmental degradation.

       Minimalism can feel liberating to some,but it is a boring and bland lifestyle for others.

         Stop making a fetish of minimalism.It is better to manufacture and buy less stuff in the first place.

The okapi

 The okapi's relative is the giraffe,even though it looks more like a zebra.

The benefits of cow dung

 Cow dung is used in biogas plants to produce clean cooking gas and electricity, reducing dependence on wood and fossil fuels.

Accismus

 Accismus(noun)-Pretending to be uninterested in something while actually wanting it.

       Example:"He showed accismus when he refused the last piece of cake he truly desired."

A song from 1969 that I like

 Life and Love(1969)-song by Anthony Green and Barry Stagg.

Cornwall,Ontario

 Cornwall,Ontario is located on Boulevard Saint Laurent.

Spill the dirt

 Spill the dirt-Share gossip or secrets.

Pioneering city in Argentina

 Rosario, Argentina is one of the cities that stands out with the Urban Agriculture Program,which utilizes 825 hectares of agroecological land to feed thousands of families.Paris is also making significant strides with its "Les Parisculteurs" project,aiming to expand urban farming to 100 hectares 

A song by The Five Man Electrical Band that I like

 Moonshine(Friend of Mine)-song by The Five Man Electrical Band.

A song by Great Big Sea that I like

 Feel It Turn-song by Great Big Sea.

Richsplaining

 Richsplaining (verb)-When a person who hasn't experienced poverty gives you patronizing advice on how to get out of poverty.

A semi-forgotten song by Skeeter Davis that I love

 The Face of A Clown -song by Skeeter Davis.

A song sung from Nat King Cole that I love

 Acercate Mas(Come Closer to Me)-song by Nat King Cole.

A song from 1957 that I like

 Love Me as Though There Were No Tomorrow (1957)-song by Nat King Cole.

Another song from Nat King Cole that I like

 I Keep Going Back to Joe's-song by Nat King Cole.

A song from Nat King Cole that I like

 No,I Don't Want Her-song by Nat King Cole.

An obscure song from 1963 that I like

 I'm Not Jimmy(1963)-song by Ray Peterson.

Another obscure song from 1969 that I like

 Black Sheep of the Family(1969)-song by Five Man Electrical Band.

An obscure song from 1969 that I like

 Maple Lane(1969)-song by Five Man Electrical Band.

A song from 1973 that I like

 Money back Guarantee (1973)-song by Five Man Electrical Band.

A song from BTS that I like

 Permission to Dance -song by BTS.

A song from 1970 that I love

 Signs(1970)-song by Five Man Electrical Band.

The advantage with cotton

 Cotton is plant-based,decomposes easily,and is better for the planet than synthetic fabrics.

A song from Barenaked Ladies that I like

 One Week-song by Barenaked Ladies.

Why crocodiles often leave the water

 Crocodiles often leave the water to bask in the sun, because,as cold-blooded reptiles,they need sunlight to warm up their bodies and help them digest their food properly.

Another song from Barenaked Ladies that I love

 Falling For The First Time -song by Barenaked Ladies.

A store selling vinyl records in Montreal

 Sonorama is a store selling vinyl records in Montreal.It is located at 206 Bernard Street West.

The store has a website -https://sonoramadisques.com

Phone number  of the store is (514)273-5553.

Another song from Barenaked Ladies that I love

 It's All Been Done-song by Barenaked Ladies.

A song from Barenaked Ladies that I love

 Pinch Me-song by Barenaked Ladies.

The tongue of a giraffe

 A giraffe's dark purple tongue,containing melanin to block harmful UV rays,serves as a natural defense against sunburn,protecting it as the giraffe feeds on leaves under the hot sun with its 20-inch long tongue.

A song from Barenaked Ladies that I love

Lovers in a Dangerous Gone-song by Barenaked Ladies.

Great vinyl record store in Montreal

 Phonopolis is an excellent store in Montreal selling vinyl records.Its address is 206 Bernard Street West.It is located in Mile End.

A song from Amanda Marshall that I like

 Sunday Morning After-song by Amanda Marshall.

A song from Burton Cummings that I love

 Fine State of Affairs -song by  Burton Cummings.

Nudiustertian

 Nudiustertian (adjective)-pertaining to the day before yesterday.

Example:I met her at the cafe nudiustertian.

A lesser known song from April Wine that I like

 Say Hello-song by April Wine.

A song from April Wine that I love

 You Won't Dance With Me-song by April Wine.

A song from April Wine that I like

 You Could Have Been A Lady-song by April Wine.

Skittles and Jellybeans

 Skittles and Jellybeans are made from crushed insect cocoons known as 'shellac',which is used to coat foods and give them that special shine.

A song from 1972 that I love

 Bad Side of The Moon(1972)-song by April Wine.

A song from 1981 that I love

 Just Between You And Me(1981)-song by April Wine.

A song from April Wine that I like

 Fast Train -song by April Wine.

Benefits of sniffing rosemary

 Scientists found sniffing rosemary can increase memory by 75%.Rosemary breaks down a chemical in the brain known as "acetylcholine".This allows nerve cells to communicate with one another more effectively.

Having little energy

 Some people have very little energy;they are vertically bed-ridden.

A mellow song from 1960 that I like

 Passion Flower(1960)-song by Nancy Wilson.

A song by Jocelyn Alice that I like

 Jackpot-song by Jocelyn Alice.

No hurricanes at the equator

 No hurricanes has ever crossed the equator due to the Coriolis effect,which is essential for a cyclone's spin but is absent at the equator.

A great Indonesian proverb

 Rippling water shows lack of depth.-Indonesian proverb

Hindi proverb

 In a tree that you can't climb,there are always a thousand fruits -Hindi proverb

An Indonesian proverb

 The sea becomes the shore,the shore becomes the sea.-Indonesian proverb

Icelandic proverb

 A sitting crow starves.-Icelandic proverb

Indonesian proverb

 A moth will eat the finest linen.-Indonesian proverb

A Turkish proverb

 Free vinegar is sweeter than honey.-Turkish proverb

Hindi proverb

 In a deserted village the jackass is king.-Hindi proverb 

Another song from 1973 that I love

 Make My Life A Little Bit Brighter(1973)-song by Chester.

A slightly obscure song from 1973 that I love

 Make Me Do Anything You Want(1973)-song by A Foot In Cold Water.

A song from The Stampeders that I love

 Carry Me-song by The Stampeders.

Why guano was imported

 Yes, Europeans imported guano in the 19th century, primarily from Peru and Chile,to use as a natural fertilizer for their agricultural lands.This practice was spurred by the demand for food due to population growth and the Industrial Revolution.Guano,the accumulated droppings of seabirds,was highly valued for its rich nitrogen content,which helped to enrich the soil.

              It sounds like a gross idea but it kind of makes sense.

Popular Canadian singer committed suicide

 James Leroy(1947-1979) was a Canadian singer and songwriter.He was born in Ottawa and died in Ottawa.

          He committed suicide in an Ottawa hotel room on May 10,1979 at the age of 32.Very sad!

          James Leroy was very talented and Iove many of his songs.Radio stations should play his songs more often.

         

A song from James Leroy that I love

 You Look Good In Denim-song by James Leroy and Denim.

A Canadian song from 1974 that I love

 Touch of Magic(1974)-song by James Leroy.

A hit song by Edward Bear that I love

 You Me and Mexico-song by Edward Bear.

Another song by Edward Bear that I love

 Fly Across The Sea-song by Edward Bear.

A song from Edward Bear that I love

 Close Your Eyes -song by Edward Bear.

A song from 1973 that I love

 Ministrel Gypsy)1973)-song by Stampeders.

An old song by Edward Bear that I like

Massquerade-song by Edward Bear.

About moringa

 Moringa oleifera is native to India.

       Moringa is also commonly known as the miracle tree, drumstick tree, horseradish tree or ben oil tree.It's also referred to as "tree of life" and "mother's best friend."

A relatively unknown superfood

Did you know ?

Moringa is considered a superfood;it has four times calcium than milk,three times more potassium than bananas and twice the protein of meat.

A song by Gowan that I like

 Moonlight Desires-song by Gowan.

A song by Stampeders that I love

 Oh My Lady-song by Stampeders.

A song by The Stampeders that I love

 Oh My Lady-song by Stampeders.

Philadelphia fleabane flowers

 Philadelphia fleabane is also called daisy fleabane,frost-root,marsh fleabane and poor Robin's plantain.

Erigeron flowers

 Erigeron Karvinskianus,also known as Mexican fleabane,is a popular bloomer,producing masses of small,pink and white flowers with yellow centers.

               I see Mexican fleabane flowers sporadically in Montreal.

Afterism

 Afterism-A clever comeback you don't think of until it's too late.

Nihilarian

 Nihilarian -A person who deals with things of no importance.

Onolatry

 Onolatry-worship of donkeys.

Hocus

 Hocus(verb)-to trick or deceive.

Streets I walked on Saturday,June 7,2025

 On Saturday,June 7,2025 you walked on rue Fabre in Plateau Mont Royal from Boulevard Saint Joseph to rue St.Gregoire.

              Then you walked on rue Garnier from rue St.Gregoire to Boulevard Saint Joseph.And then you walked on rue Chambord from Boulevard Saint Joseph to rue St.Gregoire.

             This is the first time ever you had walked along this stretch of these three streets.

          This stretch of rue Garnier and rue Chambord is lined with several quaint houses.

An app on smartphone that identifies songs

 Shazam is an app on smartphones and the internet that identifies songs.

Weigela flowers

 Weigela flowers are sometimes called 'old wood'.

       I see weigela flowers in Montreal periodically.

Pioneering Canadian astronaut sadly died

 Canadian astronaut and politician Marc Garneau died very sadly in June 2025 at the age of 76 after a short battle with cancer.

          Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to go into outer space,in 1984.

         Marc Garneau was born in Quebec city in 1949.He died in Montreal.

Kit kat bars in Japan

 KitKat bars in Japan are sold in more than two hundred flavor options.These include lemon vinegar,sweet red bean soup and soy sauce flavors 

An oldish Canadian song that I love

 Devil You-song by Stampeders.

A Canadian song from 1972 that I love

 Sun Goes By(1972)-song by Dr . Music

         Dr.Music was a group formed in Toronto in 1969.

    

A song from 2015 that I like

 Love songs For Robots(2015)-song by Patrick Watson.

Rastaquouere

 Rastaquouere (noun)-a social climber.

About spiders

 When a spider's web gets damaged,many spiders will eat the old silk to reuse the protein for building a new web.

Bill Gates

 Bill Gates owns 275,000 acres of farmland,making him the largest private farmland owner in the U.S.The land spans 17 states.

Witchcraft

 Q.Who was the last person to be burned alive for witchcraft in the British Isles?

Answer.Janet Horne.

Burned alive for witchcraft in 1727,Janet Horne became the last person legally executed for this crime in the British Isles.Her daughter escaped; Scotland repealed it's Witchcraft Acts just 9 years ago.

How solar panels can lose efficiency

 Solar panels lose efficiency if they get dirty.Just a thin layer of dust can reduce output by up to 25%.

Pulveratricious

 Pulveratricious (adjective)-covered with dust.

Example:"The old books were pulveratricious from years of neglect."

A song from the eighties that I like

 Send Me An Angel-song by Real Life.

A song from 1995 that I love

 Sitting On Top of The World (1995)-song by Amanda Marshall.

A song from Paul Etch that I like

 Moorish Radio-song by Paul Etch.

A song from Ducks ltd that you like

 When You're Outside -song by Ducks ltd.

A song by Erasure that I like

 Oh L'Amour-song by Erasure.

An obscure song from 1960 that I love

 Wanderlust (1960)-song by Don Rondo with Lew Douglas' Orchestra and Chorus.

         I had wanted to listen to this song for years but could not find it on YouTube until today.Today I heard this song for the first time in any format.

A great folk rock and country song warning us about the dangers of burning fossil fuels

 The Petroleum Age-song by Philip Gibbs .

A song from 1984 that I like

 I Want to Break Free(1984)-song by Queen.

Upskilling

 Upskilling (noun)-Teach an employee additional skills;to learn additional skills.

Torenia

 Torenia is also called wishbone flower.

Oarfish

 Oarfish are also known as king of herrings,ribbon fish,streamer fish or doomsday fish.

Kinesthetic learner

 A kinesthetic learner is someone who learns best through physical activity,hands-on experience and movement.

Freesia flowers

 Freesia flowers are sometimes called "Cape Lily-of the Valley" or "Baboon flower."

Pettifogging

 Pettifogging (adjective)-placing excessive emphasis on trivial or minor details.

Example:His pettifogging attitude annoyed everyone.

Callipygian

 Callipygian -Having well-shaped buttocks.

Example.She admired the callipygian statue in the museum.

Nugatory

 Nugatory -of no real value; worthless or futile.

Street I walked on Tuesday,June 3,2025

 On Tuesday,June 3,2025 I walked on rue de Lanaudiere from Boulevard Saint Joseph to rue St.Gregoire.

A song from Yo La Tengo that I like

 Season of The Shark -song by Yo La Tengo.

Parkinson's disease

 10 million people around the world suffer from Parkinson's disease in May 2025.

Before rubber erasers

 Before rubber erasers,people used bread to erase pencil marks.

Squeaky doors

 A few drops of olive oil can stop door hinges from squeaking,a quick and natural fix.

About pandas

 Pandas are not true herbivores;their digestive system is more suited for meat,yet they eat almost exclusively bamboo.Their iconic black-and white fur helps them camouflage in snowy ,rocky habitats and also aids in regulating body temperature.

Astilbe

 The most common name for astilbe is False Spirea,or sometimes False Goat's Beard.

        Yes,astilbe are known as "water hogs" because they require consistently moist soil.They thrive in well-defined soil with plenty of organic matter and benefit from regular watering, especially during warmer months when the foliage is emerging and the plumes mature.

A song from 2008 that I like

 I Make the Dough,You Get The Glory(2008)-song by  Kathleen Edwards.

Lookalike flowers

 Yes,dame's rocket and phlox can be easily confused because they share similar characteristics like flower color and bloom time.However,they can be distinguished by the number of petals:phlox has five petals,while Dame's Rocket has 4 petals.

What hope stands for

 H.O.P.E can stand for Hold on Pain Ends.

Amsonia

 Amsonia is also known as Eastern Blue Star or Storm Cloud and produces  beautiful blue flowers.

I see Amsonia in Montreal from time to time.

A song from Talking Heads that I love

 Wild Wild Life-song by Talking Heads.

In Bolivia

 In Bolivia, there's a place called"The Train Graveyard"near Uyani-a desert full of abandoned,rusting trains that look like something straight out of a post-apocalyptic movie.

Hippopotamuses

 Milk from hippos is pink due to the presence of two natural acids secreted through their skin.

Gland

 Glandular-adjective of gland.

Mobile phones in Japan

 In Japan,90% of mobile phones are waterproof  because youngsters even use them in the shower.