Infomania

 Infomania (noun)-Excessive enthusiasm for gaining knowledge.

A song from Magic that I like

 Lay You Down Easy -song by Magic.

The two faces of snapdragons

 Snapdragons look soft and beautiful when they bloom.But when the flowers fade,they leave behind tiny skulls.Hollow eyes.Bone-like faces.A quiet little reminder that even nature has a dark side.

         Faded snapdragons can sure look eerie;hence their name.

Proverb about dog

 A dog that has been missed by the stone barks more loudly than the one that has been hit by the stone.-African proverb 

African proverb

 80% of women escape poverty through marriage and 80% of men enter poverty through marriage.-African proverb

A wise African proverb

 He who wears another man's crown must walk with a careful neck.-African proverb

African proverb

 The tree that has survived many storms knows why its roots are deep.-African proverb

Rwandan proverb

 The most extensive land is the human belly.-Rwandan proverb

Persian proverb

 He whose heart is aroused by love will never die-Persian proverb

African proverb

 He who chases two rats catches none.-African proverb

Another African proverb

 The one who climbs the tree of lies will fall when the truth shakes the branches.-African proverb

African proverb

 When you depend on someone to feed you completely,you have given them power to starve you.-African proverb 

Valetudinarian

 Valetudinarian -A person obsessed with their health.

Peregrinator

 Peregrinator -A person who travels from place to place.

Misologist

 Misologist -A person who hates reasoning or arguments.

About moose

 Moose,the largest deer,can reach 2 metres and dive underwater for aquatic plants.

Quote from Stephen King

 A home library is a daily escape.-Stephen King

Russian proverb

 Envy sees the sea but not the rocks.-Russian proverb 

Wonderfully positive quote on collecting antiques

 So,a lot of people have asked me why I buy so many antiques,and the truth is I have a genetic disorder whereby my body does not produce its own antiques---- therefore I have to supplement.-

-Charles Robert Mills of Atlanta,from his Facebook page,March 28,2026.

Rwandan proverb

 Every cackling hen was an egg at first.-Rwandan proverb 

Quote on caffeine

 Caffeine:The gateway drug -Eddie Vedder,lead singer of the music band Pearl Jam.

Growing up does not always take time

 Did you know?

If you think growing up takes time,imagine being born already independent.Baby sea turtles hatch and race toward the ocean without ever meeting their parents.

Closed high school in Montreal

 Baron Byng High School in Montreal closed in June 1980;it was located on 4251 rue St.Urbain.

Word for book lovers

 Book-bosomed(adjective)-carrying a book at all times 

Lethiferous

 Lethiferous -deadly,causing death.

Pulverulent

 Pulverulent (adjective)-powdery,dusty.

Nidicolous

 Nidicolous (adjective)-living in a nest.

Hadean

 Hadean(adjective)-hellish,infernal.

African proverb

 A wise man tills his brain before emptying his mouth.-African proverb

Proverb on envy

 Envy can breed swans from bad duck eggs.-Russian proverb 

Portuguese proverb

 Congealed goodness is a sort of vice.-Portuguese proverb 

Quote from J.K.Rowling

 A home library is a place of endless journeys.-J.K.Rowling

The cleanliness of streets in Japan

 In Japan,it's common to notice how clean the streets are despite the lack of public trash bins.People usually carry their waste with them until they can dispose of it properly whether at home,convenience stores,or designated bins,reflecting a culture rooted in respect,discipline,and shared responsibility.

         People in many countries around the world do not have the same discipline as those in Japan.Litterbugs are not punished in most countries.

Why streets stay clean in Japan

 In Japan, public trash bins are surprisingly scarce,yet the streets stay incredibly clean because people simply hold on to their waste until they find a proper place to throw it away,showing how everyday habits are shaped by a deep sense of respect and responsibility.

Challenged

 Physically challenged -euphemism for disabled.

Tool

 Not the sharpest tool in the shed-Euphemism for unintelligent.

A small town with no road signs in Texas

 Bug Tussle is an unincorporated community in South-eastern Fannin county,Texas,with a population of approximately 15 people.It has gained national attention because of the rampant theft of its quirky road signs.

             As of March 2026,the Texas Department of Transportation has officially stopped replacing road signs for Bug Tussle.Over the decades,more than 70 signs have been stolen by souvenir hunters.Currently,there are no road signs or markers identifying the town.

The only commercial that Elvis Presley ever made

 Q.What was the only commercial that Elvis Presley ever made?

Answer.The only commercial Elvis Presley ever made was a radio jingle for Southern Maid Donuts on November 6,1954

Elvis Presley's twin brother

 Jesse Garon Presley was Elvis Presley's twin brother.He was stillborn.Because of his twin brother's very premature death, Elvis grew up as an only child.

Burglaries

 80% of burglaries are committed by people aged 13 to 21.

Strange habit of ocean sunfish

 Ocean sunfish often float on their sides at the surface, allowing seabirds like gulls and albatrosses to remove and eat parasites from their skin in a symbiotic cleaning interaction.

Another African proverb

 The tree that refuses to let another grow nearby  will stand alone against the storm.-African proverb 

African proverb

 Nobody hates you more than the person who tried to spoil your name but couldn't.-African proverb 

A notable Dutch cultural norm

 It is a notable Dutch cultural norm to have large,uncurtained windows,often keeping interiors visible from the street.This practice is rooted in a combination of Calvinist beliefs that honest citizens have nothing to hide,a desire for natural light during dark,rainy months ,and a cultural tradition that values openness  over strict privacy.

Taking care of the floor

 You can't take care of the floor if water is coming in through the roof.

Homes in Netherlands

 Most homes have no  curtains  in the Netherlands.

Tokyo

 Tokyo was once called "Edo."

Quote from a song by Cameron Whitcomb

 You're never quite alive as when you're shaking hands with the devil.-Line from the Cameron Whitcomb song 'Options.'

Wildflower innovation in Denmark

 Denmark installs floating wildflower islands in harbors ,creating urban safe sanctuaries for birds and bees where habitats have disappeared.

Smellfungus

 Smellfungus (noun)-a habitual complainer who constantly finds faults and criticizes everything.

Example:The smellfungus ruined the mood.

Another example of lookalike flowers

 Lunaria(commonly called Money plant) and Dame's Rocket are not the same plant,though they are often confused.Both are in the mustard family;both look similar from a distance.

The beautiful flowers of lunaria

 The lunaria plant is one of the most beautiful spring flowers that you would find.Lunaria is also called 'Honesty' or 'Money plant.'

              Lunaria annual is also frequently called moneywort.

Mother rabbits

 A mother rabbit carefully prepares a nest using grass,leaves and materials,lining it with fur from her own body to keep her newborn babies warm,protected,and safe during their first days.

First baby born in Antarctica

 Q.Who was the first baby born in Antarctica in 1978?

Answer.Emilio Marcos Palma.He was from Argentina.

Eating heavy meals at night

 Eating heavy meals at night forces the liver and pancreas to work when they should be resting.

Constant snacking

 Constant snacking keeps blood sugar high and stresses the pancreas.

Too much sugar

 Eating too much sugar makes the liver store extra fat.

Sitting most of the day

 Sitting most of the day reduces blood flow to major organs.

Drinking too little water

 Drinking too little water thickens blood and slows the body's cleaning process.

Using painkillers

 Using painkillers often puts extra strain on the k liver and the kidneys.

Reliance on desalination for drinking water

 Several Middle Eastern countries rely heavily on desalinated seawater, with Qatar getting about 99% and Kuwait around 90% of its drinking water from the sea.

A song from Mariah Carey that I love

 One Sweet Day -song by Mariah Carey,Boyz II Men.

Lapidify

 Lapidify (verb)-to turn into stone.

Mustard powder and its health benefits

 Mustard powder acts as a laxative.

         When I eat food with mustard powder I often notice I get a good bowel movement the day after.Mustard powder is known to help alleviate constipation.

         Mustard powder is also a rich source of selenium and magnesium.

A song from 2010 that I love

 Meet Me In The Basement (2010)-song by Broken Social Scene.

Timmins

 A resident of  Timmins, Ontario is known as a Timminsite.

       Timmins was founded in 1911 by Noah Timmins in Northeastern Ontario,and serves as a major regional hub for mining and forestry.

Sudbury

 A resident of Sudbury, Ontario is called a Sudburian.

       Sudbury is a major mining hub located in northeastern Ontario.

Timmins

 Q.On what river is the city of Timmins, Ontario?

Answer.Mattagami river

African proverb

 An elephant that kills a rat cannot be considered a hero.-African proverb 

Russian proverb

 There are no bad ships at all,there are bad captains.-Russian proverb 

The only country

 Did you know?

The Netherlands is the only country in the world where the average male is over 6 feet tall.

Black beans that I consumed in March 2026

 In March 2026 I bought and finished consuming a 398ml tin can of ILIOS -Organic Black beans

-BPA Free

-GMO Free 

-No Added Salt.

-Product of Italy 

-www.iliosfoods.ca

-Ingredients: Organic black beans,water.

-Www.ILIOSFOODS.CA

-Nutrition Facts:

Per 1/2 cup(125ml)-% Daily value 

:Calories-90

: Protein -5g

: Potassium -10%

:Calcium-4%

:Iron-11%

A song from 1986 that I love

 Concrete And Clay(1986)-song by Martin Plaza.

A somewhat ignored song from the eighties that I absolutely love

 Slice Of Heaven-song by Dave Dobbyn.

Journalist Susan Bonner is retiring from the CBC

  Long-time stellar journalist Susan Bonner is sadly retiring from the CBC at the end of March 2025.

            Susan Bonner has worked for the CBC for over 40 years;she is the host of CBC radio newscast The World At Six at the time of her retirement.Susan Bonner has worked as a reporter and guest host for the Popular CBC show As It Happens.  She has hosted The World At Six newscast for well over a decade.

  Susan Bonner was born in 1963 in Montreal and grew up in Montreal;she studied journalism at Ryerson University.

                I have listened to Susan Bonner's evening newscasts religiously for many years;I will miss her warm voice.

             

Chick peas that I consumed in March 2026

 In March 2026 I bought and finished consuming a 398ml tin can of AURORA -Ready to Eat-Chick peas.

-High source of fibre.

-Product of PORTUGAL.

-Ingredients: Chickpeas,water,salt .

-Www.auroraimporting.com

Nutrition Facts:Per 1/2 cup (125ml)-% daily value

:Calories-160

: Protein -8g

: Calcium -1%

:Iron-14%

: Potassium -7%

Romano beans that I consumed in March 2026

 In March 2026 I bought and finished consuming a 398 ml tin can of AURORA -Ready to Eat ROMANO Beans(High source of Fibre)

-Product of PORTUGAL.

-Ingredients: Romano beans,water,salt.

May contain:Traces of lupine.

-Www.auroraimporting.com

-Nutrition Facts:

Per 1/2 cup(125 ml)-% Daily Value 

*Calories-100

:Protein-7g

:Calcium-3%

:Iron-6%

: Potassium -10%

Zoilist

 Zoilist(noun)-A fault-finding critic.

Lumbago

 Lumbago-Lower back pain.

A song from Little River Band that I liked

 The Night Owls -song by The Little River Band.

A song from 1993 that I like

 The Power Of Love(1993)-song by Celine Dion.

He was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario

 Alex Trebek,Tv game show host(1940-2020) of the famous show JEOPARDY was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario.He died on November 8,2020 at his home from pancreatic cancer,surrounded by family and friends.

The surname Pataki

 The surname 'Pataki' is of Hungarian origin and means someone who lived by a brook or stream.

Another song from Celine Dion that I like

 I'm Alive -song by Celine Dion.

A song by Celine Dion that I like

 It's All Coming Back to Me One-song by Celine Dion.

A song from Celine Dion that I love

 Beautiful Boy -song by Celine Dion.

A great Portuguese proverb

 Brackish water is sweet in a drought.-Portuguese proverb

African proverb

 Don't take every elder's advice.Even fools grow older.-African proverb 

A song from Mariah Carey that I like

 We Belong Together -song by Mariah Carey.

A song from Erasure that I like

 A Little Respect-song by Erasure.

What some poor people in Haiti eat

 In Haiti's poorest areas,some people eat sun-dried clay " mud cookies" mixed with salt and fat to ease hunger.

       People living in affluence in North America should not take food for granted.

Portuguese proverb

 Truth and oil come to the surface .-Portuguese proverb

The mixed background of American forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni

 Nalini Nadkarni, American forest ecologist and forest canopy researcher was born in Bethesda, Maryland on October 13,1954,where she grew up.Her father was Hindu,and her mother was Orthodox Jewish from Brooklyn,New York.

Polish proverb

 Running away makes you guilty.-Polish proverb

Irish proverb

 Cleaning the house will not pay the rent.-Irish proverb

African proverb

 An ant on its feet can do more than an elephant lying down.-African proverb

Quote from Margaret Atwood

 You can think clearly only with your clothes on.-Margaret Atwood

Missing Facebook page of Robert Kaplan's quotes

 I have been following Robert Kaplan's Facebook page of literary quotes and inspirational quotes for years and love it.His Facebook account had more than1,00,000 followers .But since the last 10 days or more,his Facebook account and Instagram account have either been deleted, disappeared or suspended.

              I really miss the account Robert Kaplan@robslitquotes.

          I really hope his Facebook and Instagram accounts with those awesome quotes will be restored soon and the whole archive from many years back will be once again accessible and viewable.

A song from Fleet Foxes that I like

 Ragged Wood-song by Fleet Foxes.

A song from Serena Ryder that I love

 What I Wouldn't Do-song by Serena Ryder.

This major artery in Montreal used to be a two-way street

 Did you know?

St.Catherine street in Montreal used to be a two-way street.

 On September 23,1966 it was converted from a two-way street to a one-way street.

An attention-getting female conspiracy theorist theorist in Canada

 Romana Didulo(born 1974)is a Canadian conspiracy theorist and the self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" and "Queen of the World."Originally from the Philippines,she moved to Canada in 1990.She emerged as a prominent figure within the Q Anon movement and leads a group known as the'' Kingdom of Canada."

               She is anti-establishment.She rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic,protesting public health measures and calling for the "arrest " of police officers and health care workers.

                  She issues pseudolegal '' decrees" to her tens of thousands of online followers,often instructing them to stop paying taxes,utility bills,and debts,claiming they are illegal under " natural law."

                 For nearly two years,Didulo and her followers occupied a decommissioned school in the small village of Richmond,Saskatchewan,causing significant tension and leading to a police raid in September 2025.

         Romana Didulo is a colorful personality on the fringes and has gotten quite a bit of national media coverage in Canada.

Word about kissing

 Basorexia (noun)-Strong urge to kiss someone.

      It is a great word.

Portuguese proverb

 To make an error is human; pushing the same error is dumb.-Portuguese proverb

African proverb

 If your brother teaches you how to fish, don't  fish in his pond.-African proverb

African proverb

 An egg shouldn't be deceived by the hardness of its shell;it cannot challenge a stone in a fight.-African proverb

Quote from Dave Ramsey

 You can't get out of debt while keeping the same lifestyle that got you there.-Dave Ramsey

Blue jeans

 Blue jeans were originally made for miners and laborers.

Quote from Kofi Annan

 Books build bridges between cultures.-Kofi Annan

Saturnism

 Saturnism is the old medical term for lead poisoning.

A song from 1988 that I love

 Wild,Wild West(1988)-song by The Escape Club.

Intriguing shift

 Inventor Nikola Tesla (1857-1943) became a vegetarian in his later years,living on only milk, bread,honey and vegetable juices.

             With time Nikola Tesla gradually shifted toward a pescatarian diet and eventually went fully vegetarian.

A song from 1984 that I love

 No More Lonely Nights(1984)-song by Paul McCartney.

The vegetarianism of Nikola Tesla in later life

 Inventor and scientist Nikola Tesla (1857-1943)became a vegetarian in his later life,adopting a plant-based diet for both health reasons -specifically to manage prostate issues and combat uric acid-and ethical concerns regarding animal slaughter.His diet evolved from consuming meat rarely to relying on vegetables,milk and warm milk,and he frequently advocated for vegetarianism.

Mining

 Mining is one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

Sleep habits of Nikola Tesla

 Did you know?

Nikola Tesla apparently never slept more than 2 hours per day.He slept 15 minutes every 4 hours.His lack of sleep may have contributed to his hallucinations,fueling his creativity.

White kidney beans that I consumed in March 2026

 In March 2026 I bought and finished consuming a 398 ml tin can of AURORA -White Kidney beans.

-High source of fibre.

-Product of PORTUGAL.

-www.auroraimporting.com

-Ingredients:White beans,water,salt,sodium metabisulphite.

-Nutrition Facts:

Per 1/2 cup(125ml)-% Daily Value

:Calories-100.

:Protein-8g

: Potassium -10%

:Calcium-1%

:Iron-6%.

German proverb

 A bad penny always comes back.-German proverb

Romanian proverb

 A great ship asks for deep waters.-Romanian proverb

Philogynist

 Philogynist -A person who admires women.

Ripsnorter

 Ripsnorter -A person or thing that is extraordinary.

Logomachist

 Logomachist -A person who argued about words.

Querist

 Querist-One who asks many questions.

A song from Calvin Harris that I love

 Summer -song by Calvin Harris.

A song from 2026 that I like

 The Killing Moon(2026)-song by Lana Del Rey,Hozier.

A song from 2022 that I like

 Walk All Over You(2022)-song by Jillian Lake.

A song from 2024 that I like

 We Both Know(2024)-song by Alison Daniels.

African proverb

 The rich man digs for gold,while the poor man is concerned with the price of the shovel.-African proverb 

Globetrotter

 Globe-trotteur,globe-trotteuse-French word for globetrotter.

Bragging rights

 Le droit de se vanter-Bragging rights in French.

Toilet paper

 Did you know?

70% of people in the world do not use toilet paper.

Hidden landfill

 The ocean floor is becoming earth's largest hidden landfill.

African proverb

 The basket that carries stones cannot complain of weight.-African proverb

          This means that choices determine burdens.

Polish proverb

 The best asset is a clean conscience.-Polish proverb

Jewish proverb

 To envy someone is to consider yourself inferior to them.-Jewish proverb

Religion of Nikola Tesla

 Inventor and scientist Nikola Tesla (1857-1943)did not become Muslim.He was born into a Serbian Christian Orthodox family,and his father was a priest.

A song from Taylor Swift that I like

 You're Still The One-song by Taylor Swift.

African proverb

 No matter how many times a snake sheds its skin,it will always be a snake.Remember that before allowing people back into your life.-African proverb 

Persian proverb

 If you enter the city of the blind,cover your eyes.-Persian proverb

Chuck Norris dies

 Tough guy actor Chuck Norris sadly died in March 2026 in Hawaii at the age of 86.

Joe Rogan

 Joe Rogan(born August 11,1967) is an American podcaster,UFC color commentator,comedian,actor and former television host.His spouse is Jessica Ditzel.

A song from Real McCoy that I like

 Come And Get Your Love-song by Real McCoy.

African proverb

 The rat that wants to grow old does not enter every hole it sees open.-African proverb 

Quote from Ocean Vuong

 A home library is a long breath.-Ocean Vuong

African proverb

 The rat that wants to grow old does not enter every hole it sees open.-African proverb

African proverb

 If God wasn't forgiving,heaven would be empty.-African proverb 

Romanian proverb

 Do not cut the bough you are sitting on.-Romanian proverb

Backpacker

 Routard/routarde-Backpacker or traveler in French.

Another song from Taylor Swift that I like

 American Girls -song by Taylor Swift.

An obscure song from 1961that I like

 Brenda(1961)-song by Glen Campbell.

A song from Taylor Swift that I like

 I Knew You Were Trouble -song by Taylor Swift.

Popular podcast

 Q.What is the most listened to podcast in the U.S. in 2025 and early 2026?

Answer.The Joe Rogan Experience.

African proverb

 He who stretches his hand into darkness must accept whatever it touches.-African proverb

A song from 1993 that I love

 Cigarette Dangles(1993)-song by The Pursuit of Happiness.

A song from Mika that I love

 Love Today-song by Mika.

African proverb

 He who ties a knot tightly using his hands,at the end of the day,will be required to apply his teeth to untie it.-African proverb

Romanian proverb

 God gives the milk,but not the pail.-Romanian proverb 

African proverb

 Titanic was a sad story until I found out blacks were not allowed in the ship.-African proverb

A song from Justin Timberlake that I like

 Say Something -song by Justin Timberlake.

A song from Olivia Dean that I like

 So Easy(To Fall In Love)-song by Olivia Dean.

A song from Men I Trust that I love

 I Come With Mud-song by Men I Trust.

Florilegium

 Florilegium -A volume of writings;an anthology.

Love-blink

 Love-blink(noun)-A look indicative of love;an amorous glance.

African proverb

 He who throws away the ladder because he has reached the roof will soon learn how hard the ground is.-African proverb

Persian proverb

 He makes the water muddy to fish.-Persian proverb

African proverb

 When the river turns against the fish,even the shallow water becomes a trap.-African proverb

Portuguese proverb

 An open box tempts an honest man.-Portuguese proverb

Romanian proverb

 One who sits between two chairs may easily fall down.-Romanian proverb

French proverb

 Where the hostess is beautiful the wine is tasty.-French proverb

Polish proverb

 The bell is loud because it is empty.-Polish proverb 

A Portuguese proverb

 An open countenance often conceals close thoughts.-Portuguese proverb

Polish proverb

 That which everyone guards will soon disappear.-Polish proverb

Why French waiters went on strike

 In 1907, French waiters went on strike for the right to have moustaches.Moustaches were seen as symbols of class and stature in France at the time.Waiters were seen as lower class and thus not moustache-worthy.

A song from Charlotte Cardin that I like

 The Way We Touch-song by Charlotte Cardin.

A song by Hozier that I like

 Take Me To Church-song by Hozier.

A song from U2 that I love

 One -song by U2.

Quote from Morgan Freeman

 Maybe if we underpaid politicians and overpaid teachers there would be smarter people and less stupid laws.-Morgan Freeman 

African proverb

 The heart that refuses to speak the truth is like a basket holding water.-African proverb

African proverb

 The orange fruit that wishes to remain on the orange tree must hide itself among the leaves.-African proverb

Portuguese proverb

 When bulls fight,woe to the frogs.-Portuguese proverb

Russian proverb

 Choose a matchmaker,not a bride.-Russian proverb 

African proverb

 When helping the poor,leave the camera at home-African proverb 

African proverb

 The tortoise survives not by speed,but by knowing when to withdraw itself from trouble.-African proverb

African proverb

 Not all claps made at night are done by hands.-African proverb 

Quote from Harper Lee

 Books help us understand ourselves.-Harper Lee

Quote from David McCullough

 Libraries are our shared inheritance.-David McCullough 

A distinctive American photographer

 Spencer Tunick(born January 1,1967) is an American photographer best known for organizing large-scale nude shoots.

         His website is spencertunick.com

Whovian

 Whovian(noun)-A fan of the BBC television series  Doctor Who and its associated memorabilia.

Example sentence:The Whovian collected memorabilia.

A song from 2024 that I love

Don't Stress(1964)-song by Jaguar Sun.

The Kiwano

 The Kiwano is also called the African horned Cucumber.

A lesser known fruit

 The horned melon is a fruit that is also called kiwano;it is a spiky orange fruit native to Africa,with a green jelly-like interior that tastes like a mix of cucumber,banana,and citrus,and is rich in nutrients.

Wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly

 The Mexican state of Michoacan is the wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly and has butterfly sanctuaries.

A song from The Pussycat Dolls that I love

 When I Grow Up -song by The Pussycat Dolls.

Mediterranean

 Q.What is the largest island in the Mediterranean sea?

Answer.Sicily

Professional organisers

There is a great increase in the number of professional organisers and decluttering experts in North America.These professional organisers are minimalist control freaks in many cases.They guilt,shame or nag others into discarding or selling their possessions.,even if they value them.

                      Many minimalists are self-righteous and want to convert others to their way of life.If minimalism is a religion,several of its adherents are intolerant control freaks and fanatics.

A wise African proverb

 The rat that survives many seasons knows which holes not to enter.-African proverb

Calabria

 Q.What is the capital of the Italian region of Calabria?

Answer.Catanzaro

A song from BTS that I love

 Butter -song by BTS.

Another street I walked on Friday,March 13,2026

 On Friday,March 13,2026,I also walked along the entire length of tiny rue Guy Fregault near Champ de Mars metro in old Montreal.Rue Guy Fregault runs parallel to rue St.Denis and is noted for the imposing Chenier statue on it.

Storage area

 Cloak-room:A storage area for luggage at railway stations

About coconut milk

 Coconut milk is not high in oxalates;it is considered very low in oxalates and a safe choice for those on a low-oxalate diet or with kidney stone concerns.

Cloves

 Cloves are considered high in oxalates.

Street I walked on Friday,March 13,2026

 On Friday,March 13,2026 I walked along the entire length of rue Saint Louis in old Montreal from Gosford street to rue Berri,passing rue Bonsecours on the way.Rue Saint Louis runs parallel to rue Champ de Mars and is north of rue Champ de Mars.Rue Saint Louis is lined with vintage buildings and a couple of beautiful antique houses.

                 This is the first time I had walked on rue St.Louis in old Montreal.Rue Saint Louis is right next to metro Champ de Mars.

Fringe friends

 Fringe friends -Nonessential pals.Basically, you're close enough to keep in touch here and there,but you aren't quite as much of a priority as other people.

         A fringe friend is someone in your social circle who  is known but not part of your inner core,often described as being "always welcome but never the first to be invited."They are considered nonessential pals or acquaintances with whom you have intermittent,polite or casual contact.A fringe friend is a person you kind of know and who kind of knows you too.

Persian proverb

 As the wise man looks for the bridge the fool crosses the river.-Persian proverb

African proverb

 When livestock negotiate with wolves,it does not lead to the salvation of the herd.It only postpones the next hunt.-African proverb

Between 2000 and 2006

 Q.Who was the president of Mexico between 2000 and 2006?

Answer.Vicente Fox

Mexico

 Q.Who was the president of Mexico between 1994 and 2000?

Answer.Ernesto Zedillo

Tundra tongue

 Tundra tongue is a phenomenon where the tongue freezes to cold metal,typically occurring in temperatures between -5 and -15 degree Celsius.

         It is not a good idea to lick that cold metal pole in winter.

Subnivean

 Subnivean (adjective)-The area situated or occurring under the snow.

                Mice sometimes live in the subnivean zone.

Chile

 Q.Who was the first female president of Chile?

Answer.Michelle Bachelet ,who served two non-consecutive terms from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018.

               She was a pediatrician.

African proverb

 Your circle doesn't need to be big.It just needs to be solid.-African proverb

African proverb

 The Stone that sits in the river still feels the current.-African proverb 

       This means that Even those who appear stable are affected by change.

A song from 2023 that I like

 Greedy(2023)-song by Tate McRae.

Blingy

 Blingy(adjective)-extravagantly showy;shiny.

Polyhistor

 Polyhistor(noun)-A person of great learning.

-Example sentence:The scholar was a true polyhistor.

Patient I shared a room with at Villa Medica rehab hospital in 2023

 I spent two months at Villa Medica readaptation  hospital following an ischemic stroke due to a ruptured carotid artery in the neck ,at 225 rue Sherbrooke East between October 5,2023 and December 3,2023 .I had a room on the 10th floor,specifically room number 1007.

           It was a big room.The room had two beds.The patient in the other bed near the window was 83 year-old Denis Menard who had survived a stroke.Denis Menard was a peculiar case;though he had survived a couple of strokes,he could move both of his arms freely,and he was also able to walk on his own;he did not need a wheelchair.Nonetheless,he used a walker sometimes to go out of the room .Denis Menard strangely had big holes in his memory.When the doctor would ask him to announce his home address he would draw a blank.He apparently did not remember his home address.When the doctor asked him on several occasions on different days what hospital he was in,he was unable to recall the name of Villa Medica hospital.He apparently could not remember names or addresses.He also had holes in his vision apparently as a result of the stroke.

          However he was very articulate in describing the food the hospital would serve for breakfast,lunch and dinner.He would immediately let the staff know that the food was undercooked,overcooked,underspiced or not salted enough.He would also notice if the food served  was too hot or too cold.He had lost none of his vocabulary in French,but his memory about his past life had big holes in it.

          It just goes to show a stroke affects different people in different ways,very unexpectedly.

Persian proverb

 A child is bridge to heaven.-Persian proverb

The white sand beaches of Hawaii

 A large portion of Hawaii 's white sand beaches are made from parrotfish poop.

Street I walked on Tuesday,March 10,2026

 On Tuesday,March 10,2026 I walked along the entire length of rue Champ de Mars from Gosford street in old Montreal to rue Berri,passing rue Bonsecours.Rue Champ de Mars is lined with a lot of classy old buildings.

Coral reefs

 Coral reefs are disappearing faster than rain forests.

The evils of fast fashion

 Fast fashion produces more carbon emissions than flights and shipping combined.

Blinking

 You blink faster when you're lying or stressed.

Quote from Rebecca Solnit

 A home library is a radical kindness.-Rebecca Solnit

Quote from Eudora Welty

 Books make the house larger.-Eudora Welty

Drowning in salt water

 Drowning in salt water is different than drowning in fresh water.It takes longer,and salt water draws blood out of cells into the lungs.You drown in your own fluids.

African proverb

 When the poor pick up guns,they do more harm to the poor than to the rich.-African proverb

Quote from Andrea Gibson

 We have to create It's the only thing louder than destruction.-Andrea Gibson 

The breakfast of Marilyn Monroe

 In a 1952 interview with PAGEANT magazine,Marilyn Monroe revealed that her breakfast consisted of two raw eggs whipped into warm milk.

Social media influencer and Khalistan critic stabbed to death in Ontario

 Social media influencer Nancy Grewal was sadly stabbed to death in LaSalle,Ontario just outside Windsor in Canada in March 2026;she was only 45.She was born in India.

             Grewal,a Sikh social media influencer and health care worker who was a strong critic of Khalistan extremism,said she had been harassed and threatened for speaking about violence in the movement.

             Grewal said she had received 40 death threats,and said she had reported those threats to Windsor police.

              Police believe her stabbing was targeted,not random.Will her murderer ever be arrested?

The Gold Coast

 Q.What country was formerly known as The Gold Coast?

Answer.Ghana

This famous musician drinks raw eggs to combat jetlag.

 Musician Calvin Harris mentioned in a BBC Radio 2 Interview that he drinks raw eggs on flights to combat jet lag.

Background of Oprah Winfrey

 Oprah Winfrey grew up in extreme poverty in rural Mississippi,wearing potato sacks as clothes before becoming media moguls.

Servant

 Un serviteur,une servante-French word for a servant.

Romanian proverb

 Adversity makes a man wise,not rich.-Romanian proverb

Lockiophobia

 Lockiophobia is the fear of child birth or pregnancy.Lockiophobia is also known as tokophobia.

Knavery

 Knavery(noun)-dishonest or deceitful behavior.

A song from Beyonce that I like

 Run The World(Girls)-song by Beyonce.

Potatoes

 Potatoes are considered high in oxalates.

Teak in India

 Teak,a premier tropical hardwood is known in India  by its local Indian name,Sagwan.Known for extreme durability and water resistance,this Southeast Asian  native is called" the king of timber" for high-end furniture and ship-building.

      Teak wood has become one of the rarest and most expensive hardwoods in the world.

Quote from Joel Osteen

 One study says that 90 percent of our everyday behavior is based on our habits-----That means how we treat people,how we spend our money,what we watch,what we listen to-90 percent of the time,we're on autopilot.We do what we've always done.-Joel Osteen

Urination in birds

 Birds don't urinate;their bodies convert waste into uric acid instead of liquid urine.

Charles Osborne

 A man named Charles Osborne had hiccups for 69 years straight.

Quote on habit

 Habit,a particularly insidious thug who chokes passion and smothers love.Habit puts us on autopilot.-Diane Ackerman 

Quote from Suze Orman

 Put  your financial life on autopilot as a form of 'forced saving'.-Suze Orman

A Portuguese proverb

 Wind and fortune are not lasting.-Portuguese proverb 

Romanian proverb

 A foreigner scratches you where you do not itch.-Romanian proverb

Portuguese proverb

 A pig on credit makes a good winter and a bad spring.-Portuguese proverb

An African proverb

 The Stone that blocks the road may become a seat for a tired traveler.-African proverb 

Irish proverb

 Never buy through your ears but through your eyes.-Irish proverb

Persian proverb

 When a lion is old,he becomes the plaything of jackals.-Persian proverb

A Japanese proverb

 A man chasing two rabbits ends up hungry;A wise man grows carrots.-Japanese proverb

Another African proverb

 You can't manipulate someone who isn't desperate to be liked.-African proverb 

An African proverb

 When a man builds a ladder from lies he should not complain when the truth kicks it away.-African proverb

African proverb

 The river that avoids rocks reaches the ocean without noise.-African proverb

Bay leaves

 Bay leaves are not considered high in oxalates and are generally safe for a low-oxalate diet.

Loss of smell

 A zinc deficiency can cause loss of smell.

A song from the sixties that I really love

 The One Who Really Loves You-song by Mary Wells.

          This song has a wonderful Motown sound and beautiful backup vocals.

A duet from 1964 that I like

 What's The Matter With You Baby(1964)-song by Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells.

Smell

 Olfactology is the scientific study of sense of smell.

Study of luck

 The study of luck is called tychology.

A song from 1964 that I like

 Your Old Standby(1964)-song by Mary Wells.

A song from the sixties that I like

 Two Lovers-song by Mary Wells.

When Kakapos breed

 New Zealand's critically endangered,flightless and nocturnal parrot,the kakapo only breed every two to five years,specifically when the rimu trees" mast'(produce a massive bumper crop of fruit).

Merritt Island

 Merritt Island is in Florida on the Atlantic Coast near Cocoa Beach.

A vintage song from Johnny Burnette that I like

 Oh Baby Baby-song by Johnny Burnette.

An old song from Johnny Burnette Trio that I like

 Shattered Dreams -song by Johnny Burnette Trio

A lesser known song from Johnny Burnette that I like

 Chains Of Love-song by Johnny Burnette.

Heavy

 Q.What is the world's largest and heaviest parrot?

Answer The Kakapo.It weighs up to 4kg.

Flying parrot

 Q.What is the world's largest flying parrot?

Answer.The Hyacinth Macaw,which reaches lengths up to 1 meter.

                 The Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest parrot by length.

Diet of Kakapos

 Kakapos,the world's only flightless parrots are herbivores (vegetarian) and feed exclusively on plant matter.

             They eat fruit and seeds, especially the fruit of the rimu tree,which is a key food source.The Kakapo also eats vegetation such as leaves,buds,flowers,stems,and fern fronds.

The Kakapo

 The Kakapo is also known as the owl parrot.

         

Parrot species

 Q.What is the only parrot species that cannot fly?

Answer.The Kakapo

An obscure song from 1962 that I like

 I Wanna Thank You Folks(1962)-song by Johnny B Burnette.

An instrumental song from 1949 that I love

 Mambo No.5(1949)-song by Perez Prado.

A song from Mase that I like

 Feel So Good-song by Mase.

A song from 2024 that I love

 Carry Your Home(2024)-song by Alex Warren.

Quote from Matthew Perry

 As an actor,being on autopilot is the worst thing possible.-Matthew Perry 

Quote from Paula Rinehart

 Life is not a journey you want to make on autopilot.-Paula Rinehart

Quote from Ray Bradbury

 A library is a refuge for ideas .-Ray Bradbury 

Another song by Alex Warren that I love

 Fever Dream-song by Alex Warren.

A song from Alex Warren that I love

 Ordinary-song by Alex Warren.

Girlcott

 Girlcott(informal)-A boycott led by women or focused on the actions/rights of women.

Where black pepper comes from

 Black pepper comes from the dried unripe berries( called peppercorns) of the plant Piper nigrum,a flowering vine native to south India, especially the Malabar coast in present-day Kerala.

How to shred butter instantly

 Use a cheese grater to shed butter instantly.

What American singer Johnny Cash died of

 Legendary country singer Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes on September 12,2003 at the age of only 71 at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.The official cause of death was respiratory failure from diabetes.

Ship that sank in the St.Laurent river in Quebec in 1914

 The RMS Empress Of Ireland was a Canadian Pacific ocean liner that sank on May 29,1914,in the St.Lawrence River in Quebec after a collision with a Norwegian coal ship,the SS Storstad,in dense fog.It sank in only 14 minutes,resulting in 1,012 deaths out of 1,477 people on board,making it the worst peaceful maritime disaster in Canadian history.The wreck of this ship presently lies at the bottom of the St.Laurent river near Rimouski,Quebec.

Actor committed suicide in Los Angeles

 Actor James Ransone very sadly  died by suicide at age 46 in Los Angeles in December 2025.

Valerie Butters

 Valerie Butters is a celebrated painter and artist in Knowlton, Quebec.

          Her website is https://Valeriebutters.com

African proverb

 The river that carves rock does so with patience.-African proverb

           This means that persistence over time creates great change.

Quote from Isabel Allende

 My books are my roots.-Isabel Allende

Quote from Philip Roth

 Old age isn't a battle;old age is a massacre.-Philip Roth

A relatively underappreciated funk song from Barry White that I simply love

 Your Sweetness Is My Weakness -song by Barry White.

A song from 1999 that I like

 Staying Power(1999)-song by Barry White.

This famous singer died of kidney failure

 Singer Barry White died on June 4,2003 ,at the age of only 58 from kidney failure caused by chronic hypertension.He passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles while  awaiting a kidney transplant.He had been in poor health for several years leading up to his death.

A song from Louis Armstrong that I love

 I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket -song by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

            This song contains the lines'I've been a roaming Juliet,my Romeo's have been many/But now my roaming days have gone.'

Spices high in oxalates

 Turmeric and cinnamon are high in oxalates.

About Cayenne pepper

 Cayenne pepper is generally considered low in oxalates and is often recommended as a safe,flavorful alternate to high-oxalate spices.

A song from 2026 that I just love

 Ride(2026)-song by Jessie Ware.

          This song features a prominent interpolation of the iconic theme song from Ennio Morricone 's score for the 1966 spaghetti western film THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.A very innovative touch to this song.

A song from Bob Sinclair that I love

 I Can't Wait-song by Bob Sinclair & Kiesza.

A song from Preston Pablo that I like

 Cause I Do-song by Preston Pablo.

A song from Royal Wood that I like

 Wish to Paint -song by Royal Wood.

A song from Sting that I love

 Love Is The Seventh Wave -song by Sting.

Peru

 Q.Who was the first female president of Peru?

Answer.Dina Boluarte,from 2022 to October 10,2025.

Female president

 Q.Who was the female president of Brazil?

Answer.Dilma Rousseff,from 2011 to 2016.

Third biggest

 Q.What is the third biggest state in Mexico by area?

Answer.Coahuila

Second biggest

 Q.What is the second biggest state in Mexico by area?

Answer.Sonora

Mexico state

 Q.What is the biggest state in Mexico by area?

Answer.Chihuahua.

Parana

 Q.What is the capital of the Brazilian state of Parana?

Answer.Curitiba.

A song from Bon Jovi that I like

 Bed of Roses -song by Bon Jovi.

A song by FoxWarren that I like

 Wings -song by FoxWarren.

Amazonas

 Q.What is the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas?

Answer.Manaus

                 Manaus is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest,it is a major industrial and economic hub,and is often referred to as "The Gateway of The Amazon."

Rondonia

 Q.What is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Rondonia?

Answer.Porto Velho

Largest state

 Q.What is the largest state in Brazil by area?

Answer.Amazonas

Santa Catarina

 Q.What is the capital of the Brazilian state of Santa Catalina?

Answer.Florianopolis

The two faces of plantain

 Plantain is classified as a fruit when ripe,but when green it is considered a vegetable because of its low sugar content.When green or ripe it can be boiled or salted and fried.When green it can be sliced into thin pieces, deep-fried and eaten as a snack or grated and cooked as a porridge.

Spinach that I bought and finished consuming in March 2026

 In March 2026 I bought and finished consuming a 300 g plastic pack of FERMA-Chopped Spinach(Frozen).

-Product of Spain.

This spinach was excellent.

Nutrition Facts:Per 1 cup(85g)-%0 Daily Value

:Calories-30.

:Protein-3g

: Potassium -5%

:Calcium-10%

:Iron-10%

He was short

 Q.Who was the shortest American president?

Answer.James Madison,5 foot 4 inches.

Son of American president died by suicide

 Kermit Roosevelt Sr.(1899-1943),son of President Theodore Roosevelt,died by suicide on June 4,1943 at Fort Richardson in Alaska.A soldier,explorer and author,he battled depression and alcoholism throughout his life,which intensified while serving in the U.S. army during World War ll.

Accessible art

 Only a sliver of art is accessible to the public;a lot of art is locked behind museum vaults.

Quote from Voltaire

 All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.-Voltaire

Quote on capitalism

 Capitalism will make some of the most brilliant,creative, insightful human beings question their worth because they don't fit into the confines of what feeds the machine.-Mitchell C.Clark

Russian proverb

 Keep your ears wider and your mouth narrower.-Russian proverb 

Quote from David McCullough

 A home library is a long conversation.-David McCullough 

Quote from Jack Kerouac

 Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and public opinion.-Jack Kerouac 

Quote from Doris Lessing

 In university they don't tell you that the greater part of law is learning to tolerate fools.-Doris Lessing

Turkish proverb

 Gold takes no rust.-Turkish proverb 

English proverb

 All are not thieves that dogs bark at.-English proverb

National bird

 Q.What is the national bird of Mexico?

Answer.The Golden Eagle.

Famous actor and soldier died of ALS

 Soldier and actor David Niven died of ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease on July 29,1983 at the age of only 73.

Fourth largest economy in the world

 In February 2026,India is the fourth largest economy in the world behind the U.S,China and Germany respectively.

Siblings

 Q.What American president had the most siblings?

Answer.James Madison,who had 11 siblings.

Quote from Nadine Gordimer

 Books are the soft power of home.-Nadine Gordimer

Yucatan

 Q.What is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan?

Answer.Merida.

Matamoros

 Q.In what Mexican state is Matamoros?

Answer.Tamaulipas.

Poorest state

 Q What is the poorest state in Mexico in 2025?

Answer.Chiapas.

Legendary singer who died of complications from diabetes

 Singer Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15,1996,at age 79 ,from complications of diabetes.The legendary  jazz singer had suffered from the disease for years,which led to severe complications, including the amputation of both her legs in 1993 and 1994,as well as failing eyesight.She passed away at her home in Beverly Hills, California.

         Due to her failing health,she was mostly confined to her home in her final years.

A song from Kelly Clarkson that I like

 Stronger(What Doesn't Kill You)-song by Kelly Clarkson.

A song from Kelly Clarkson that I like

 Breakaway -song by Kelly Clarkson.

An obscure song from Roger Miller that I like

 Burma Shave-song by Roger Miller.

A song from Taylor Swift that I like

 Ready For It?-song by Taylor Swift.

An underrated song from 1982 that I simply love

 Living On The Ceiling(1982)-song by Blancmange.

A song from Pitbull that I like

 Por Favor -song by Pitbull,Fifth Harmony.

A song from Pitbull that I love

 Hotel Room Service -song by Pitbull .

Radishes a natural diuretic

 Radishes are considered a  natural diuretic,meaning they increase urine production and help flush excess water and toxins from the body.They are highly effective at supporting kidney and liver function.Their high water content and mineral content , especially potassium, contribute to this effect.
                  I notice that I urinated more after I eat radishes.

A song from 1973 that I simply love

 Poor People (1973)-song by Alan Price.

A song from Madonna that I love

 Burning Up -song by Madonna.

            The guitar in this song is wonderful.

A song from Pink that I love

 I'm Not Dead-song by Pink.

An old song from Dean Martin that I like

 The River Seine -song by Dean Martin.

A song from Mariah Carey that I like

 Cruise Control -song by Mariah Carey.

A song from Billy Joel that I love

 Moving Out-song by Billy Joel.

A very old song from Frank Sinatra that I like

 On The Road to Mandalay -song by Frank Sinatra.

A song from Kylie Minogue that I love

 Password -song by Kylie Minogue.