The Atlantic ocean

 The Atlantic ocean is saltier than the Pacific.

Poop

 Poop is about 75% water-even when it looks solid.

Xenogenesis

 Xenogenesis -The generation of offspring entirely different from the parents.

Fanta

 Fanta was named after the German word "Fantasie."

The Kingston Penitentiary

 The Kingston Penitentiary has been dubbed 'The Alcatraz of The North's;it is Canada's most notorious prison.It has held some of the worst offenders in Canada.

        Over 178 years the Kingdom Penitentiary has held serial killer Paul Bernardo and child murderer Clifford Olson along with many other rotten specimens of humanity.

           Kingston Penitentiary closed on September 30,2013,ending 178 years of operation .The federal government announced the closure in April 2012 due to the high cost of maintaining the aging infrastructure.

Repair Cafe

 The first Repair Cafe started in Amsterdam,where people bring broken lamps,toasters,clothes and other household things,so volunteers can fix them instead of letting them go straight to the bin.

A song from 1995 that I like

 Earth Song(1995)-song by Michael Jackson.

              This song contains the lines'What about sunrise?What about  rain' ?

A song from Billy Idol that I like

 Hot In The City-song by Billy Idol.

A song from Fergie that I love

 Big Girls Don't Cry-song by Fergie.

A song from Doja Cat that I like

 Jealous Type-song by Doja Cat.

He apologized for annoying ads

 Ethan Zuckerberg,the man who invented popup ads, apologized to the world for unintentionally creating one of the Internet 's most hated forms of advertising.

Question on the Boston Marathon

 Q.Who was the first indigenous person to win the Boston Marathon?

Answer.Tom Longboat.
                He was an Onondaga runner from the Six Nations of the Grand River in Canada.

Rue des Futailles in Montreal

 Rue des Futailles in east end Montreal  near the Longue Pointe region is named in reference to the presence of distillery warehouses and wine/spirits storage in that area.Futailles refers to barrels ,casks,or wine kegs,reflecting the industrial,wine and liquor storage facilities that historically occupied this sector,often associated with the Maison des Futailles.

      Rue des Futailles is near metro Honore Beaugrand.Rue Tellier intersects rue des Futailles.

A song from Lewis Capaldi that I like

 Someone You Loved-song from Lewis Capaldi.

African proverb

 Don't feed every dog that you see suffering,some of them just need the strength to bite you.-African proverb

African proverb

 A crocodile may shed tears but don't offer it a handkerchief.-African proverb

Another African proverb

 The wind that carried the mortar will not fail to carry the pestle.-African proverb

African proverb

 The monkey that laughs at the crocodile has never crossed the river.-African proverb

A song from Drake that I like

 In My Feelings -song from Drake.

New music

 A lot of new music is released on Friday.

The beauty of the Boundary waters

 The Boundary Waters are a pristine network of lakes and rivers in Minnesota,just south of the Ontario border.A mere 160 kilometres from Thunder Bay.

         The Boundary Waters is kind of a watery wilderness of interconnected waterways,separated by short streams and rivers that flow out into these large,island studded lakes.Sometimes you'll hear loons calling there.If you're lucky,you'll see a moose feeding in shallow waters.These waters  are great for fishing,just lakes full of bass and walleye and pike and lake trout.

             It's a pretty magical place where you would feel a lack of the sense of time.Once you get into the wilderness for a couple of days,all of a sudden the time on your wristwatch doesn't matter.

           The beauty of the Boundary Waters must be protected and safeguarded for the generations to come 

Inflation

 Inflation reduces the value of money over time.

An African proverb

 He who announced that he was going to hunt elephants and came back home with a rat mole cannot announce the results of his catch.-African proverb

African proverb

 If you appoint a toothless man to look after a pot of soup with much meat,he won't steal the meat but will drink the soup.-African proverb

Interesting small streets in Saint Leonard

 Rue Montjoie,rue d'Abancourt,rue Dollier,rue Verdier and rue Lisieux are small streets in the borough of Saint Leonard,Montreal that run parallel to rue Michelet.

Rue Michelet in Montreal

 Rue Michelet in Montreal is named after Jules Michelet(1798-1874),a prominent French historian,writer and professor.

     Rue Michelet is in the borough of St.Leonard and runs parallel to rue Viau,just east of Viau .

     Rue Michelet is a short street that runs between rue Jean Talon and rue Belanger.

Rue Arthur-Buies in Montreal

 Rue Arthur-Buies in Tetreaultville, Montreal is named after Arthur-Buies(1840-1901),a notable French-Canadian writer, journalist and pamphleter born in Montreal.

       He founded La Lanterne in 1868,a newspaper noted for its radical opposition to politician George-Etienne Cartier.

           As a young man in 1860,he fought for Italy's unification in Garibaldi's troops.

Rue Massicotte in Montreal

 Rue Massicotte in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named in honor of Edouard-Zotique Massicotte(1867-1947),a prominent Montreal lawyer, journalist,activist,folklorist and historian.

      He served as an archivist and historian for the city of Montreal.

Equivalent of junk food

 The digital equivalent of junk food comes at us from our cellphones.

A song from David Bowie that I like

 Starman(1972)-song by David Bowie.

          This song contains the line 'There's a starman waiting in the sky.'

Gromek

 The surname Gromek originates from Poland and has Slavic roots.

Reading

 Reading is the cognitive equivalent of jogging.

Burrito

 The word "burrito" means "little donkey" in Spanish.

Montreal Memory Museum

 There is a Montreal Memory Museum ,Centre des Memories Montrealaises.It is located in downtown at 1210 Boulevard Saint Laurent.

Black pepper fraud

 Black pepper fraud involves adulterating pure pepper with cheaper fillers to increase profits,often using papaya seeds,spent pepper(previously extracted for oil),or coffee husks.These adulterant can be detected at home by placing pepper in water;pure pepper sinks,while fillers like papaya seeds float.

In Anjou

 Boulevard Chateauneuf and Boulevard Joseph Renaud are in Anjou,Montreal.

Lilikoi pie

 Similar to Key Lime pie,this  Hawaii delicacy is made with Hawaiian grown passionfruit.Lilikoi pie is delicious.Passionfruit is known as lilikoi in Hawaii.

Campus radio stations threatened

 Campus radio stations are the voice of students across the country,but many of them are in danger of going silent in 2025.

          The media landscape has changed.Campus radio stations are getting lost in the noise of social media.Radio feels outdated to many in 2026.

         But there is a renewed push to see an on-campus radio resurgence.Many people are starting to look for alternatives to big tech filled with AI content.

        Radio is live,radio is local,radio is immediate.Campus radio stations strengthen student democracy and must stay strong.

Fraud in cayenne pepper

 Cayenne pepper is frequently subject to food fraud, often involving adulteration with fillers like sawdust or stone dust to increase weight,and artificial dyes to enhance color.Serious health risks can arise from  the use of banned substances,such as red lead oxide or carcinogenic Sudan dyes,to mimic a rich red color.

Quote from J.P.Morgan

 Gold is money.Everything else is credit.-J.P.Morgan

Campus radio stations fading

 Many campus radio stations are fading away in 2025,drowned out by the chorus of social media.

Very early spring flowers in Montreal

 Scilla Chionodoxa flowers sprout very early in spring in Montreal.They are also called Glory of the Snow because they sometimes start sprouting even before the snow has fully melted.

        They can resemble forget-me-nots from a distance due to their color or size.However,they are easily distinguished by their white centers,whereas true forget-me-nots typically have yellow centers.

Aspartame

 Aspartame is the chief sweetener used in diet coke.

How to check turmeric purity at home

 To check turmeric purity at home,add a teaspoon of powder to a glass of water without stirring;pure turmeric will slowly settle at the bottom,leaving the water mostly clear with a light yellow tint.Adulterated turmeric often floats,causes the water to turn a strong,bright yellow instantly,or reveals streaks of orange.

Food fraud in turmeric

 Turmeric food fraud,estimated at a 20% adulteration rate globally,involves replacing or bulking genuine turmeric with cheaper materials like starches or toxic industrial dyes to enhance color.The most dangerous adulterant is lead chromate,a neurotoxic pigment added to boost yellow vibrancy ,which can cause severe lead poisoning.

Horse meat

 China is the world's largest consumer of horse meat in 2025.

The most watched sport in the world

 Soccer is the most watched sport in the world in 2025.

       Strangely cricket is the second most watched sport in the world in 2025.

Some dark truths

 Some dark truths

1.People respect outcomes,not results.

2.Being feared often takes you further than being liked.

3.Stay around five lazy people,and you'll become the sixth.

Italian proverb

 Vices are learned without a master.-Italian proverb

Ketchup

 Ketchup comes from the Chinese word ke-tsiap.

A song from The Magnetic Fields that I love

 You Must Be Out Of Your Mind-song by The Magnetic Fields.

Chocolate

 Chocolate comes from Chocolate,meaning "bitter water."

Rue Claudel in Montreal

 Rue Claudel in the Saint Leonard borough of Montreal is named in honor of Paul Claudel(1868-1955).He was a renowned French diplomat,poet and playwright,as well as a member of the Academie Francaise.

Streets I walked on Saturday,April 18,2026

 On Saturday,April 18,2026 I walked along Fletcher Avenue in Tetreaultville,Montreal from Sherbrooke Street to rue Souligny for the first time in my life,passing rue de Marseille,rue Ste.Claire,rue Pierre de Coubertin and rue Hochelaga along the way.Fletcher Avenue is lined with small houses and a couple of duplexes or triplexes.

               Then I walked on Bilaudeau Avenue from Souligny to Pierre de Coubertin.Then I walked along the entire length of rue Joseph -Nolin.After that I walked along rue Paul Pau from rue de Marseille up to Sherbrooke Street.There on Sherbrooke Street I took the 186 metro to Honore Beaugrand metro.

The rare snow lotus

 High in the Tianshan Mountains of Central Asia,the snow lotus(Saussurea involucrata)grows in harsh,cold conditions at high altitudes.It develops slowly over several years and is valued in traditional medicine.Due to overharvesting and climate change,this rare plant is now under threat.

He walked around the entire earth on foot

 From 1970 to 1974,a man named David Kunst(born 1939) walked around the entire Earth on foot-14,450 miles across four continents -it took him four years and he wore out 21 pairs of shoes.

A song from Dean Martin that I like

 Where the Blue And Lonely Go -song by Dean Martin.

A song from The New Pornographers that I like

 The Fake Headlines -song by The New Pornographers.

An old song from Dean Martin that I like

 Confused -song by Dean Martin.

An old song from Dean Martin that I like

 Bye Bye Blackbird-song by Dean Martin.

A wonderful song from Magnetic Fields that I love

 I Don't Want To Get Over You-song by Magnetic Fields.

        The wonderful bass voice of Stephin Merritt needs to be more appreciated.Radio stations in Montreal never seem to play this song,and they must be urged to .

A slightly obscure song from Joan Baez that I like

 Danger Waters -song by Joan Baez.

A song from Doja Cat that I love

 Paint The Town Red-song by Doja Cat.

       This song samples the 1964 hit song 'Walk On By' from Dionne Warwick throughout the track.

         This song is very artfully done. Dionne Warwick was actually thrilled her song sample was used for this track.

A song from Bon Jovi that I like

 One Step Closer -song by Bon Jovi.

Croissant

 Croissant means "crescent" in French.

Clementines

 Clementines are generally considered to have a moderate to high oxalate content.

Airline passengers

 Airline passengers often fight over armrests.

A song from 2021 that I like

 Mile High(2021)-song by Astrocolor.

           Astrocolor is a band from Victoria, British Columbia.

Quote from Kelly Rimmer

 I know once I open the floodgates of feeling sorry for myself,I'll get a taste for it and it will destroy me.-Kelly Rimmer

Quote from Peter Bofinger

 I don't expect to get a standing ovation from businessmen  when I call for higher wages.-Peter Bofinger

African proverb

 Cutting off the head is not the cure for a headache.-African proverb 

The appeal of Dubai

 Dubai has a dazzling skyline;with its dazzling skyscrapers Dubai is a huge draw for tourists and the ultra-rich.
          Dubai is a metropolis on steroids;there are lots and lots of shopping malls in Dubai.Since Dubai is brutally hot for half of the year,people often hang out in shopping malls there.Shopping malls are kind of the town square in Dubai.

           Dubai is an aviation hub.90% of the population of Dubai consists of foreign nationals; most of the people who live in Dubai are on short-term work visas, typically two-year work visas that can be renewed.

      There is no pathway to permanent citizenship in Dubai for foreigners.People can live as foreigners in Dubai,but they will never become citizens.

In Dubai

 In Dubai people can be arrested for criticising the government.

A very old song from Dean Martin that I like

 Sleepy Time Gal -song by Dean Martin.

An obscure song from Dean Martin that I like

 The Object Of My Affection -song from Dean Martin.

An old song from Dean Martin that I love

 Maybe -song by Dean Martin.

An obscure song from Dean Martin that I like

 Only Forever -song by Dean Martin.

A song from Sebastian Gaskin that I like

 Cherie Amour-song by Sebastian Gaskin.

Seafood fraud

 Seafood fraud is very common;consumers need to keep their eyes open to it.

Fish fraud involves species substitution or mislabeling.Lower-value species such as tilapia are sometimes marketed as expensive ones like red snapper.

       Fish is labeled as cod sometimes when it's really Pollock.

       "White tuna" sold in sushi restaurants is often actually escolar,a fish that can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea.

Strange beauty custom among Japanese women

 Until the late 19th century,many Japanese women practised ''ohaguro"-dyeing their teeth black as a beauty custom.The glossy black finish was considered elegant and refined, especially among married women band aristocrats.

Amazing leafcutter ants

 Leafcutter ants look like they are stealing leaves for dinner,but they are really farming.They carry leaf pieces underground,use them to grow fungus,and then eat the fungus instead.

Deadline

 "Deadline"originally meant a prison boundary.

Sniper

 The word"sniper" comes from hunting birds called snipes.

An amazing way to make money in Tokyo

 In Tokyo,Shoji Morimoto rents himself out to "do nothing"-offering silent company for meals,events or just sitting together.After being fired for lacking initiative,he turned it into a full business earning around $80,000 a year.

         Congratulations are in order for him.

A song from Olivia Rodrigo that I like

 Drop Dead-song by Olivia Rodrigo.

It is illegal in Thailand

 In Thailand it's illegal to step on money because it has the king's image.

Hunter-gatherer

 Chasseur-cueilleur-Hunter-gatherer in French.

Cows

 One third of all the cows in the world live in India.

A unique country

 Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres.

A song from 1989 that I like

 Say You-You Must Be The One(1989)-song by Carolyn Hughes.

A song from Luther Vandross that I like

 Give Me The Reason-song by Luther Vandross.

A new techno song from 2026 that I love

 Relax Baby(Ecstasy& Fire Anthem)(2026)-song by LustDeep.

        This song contains the lyrics"Relax Baby,let the night take control."

               

A song from Jessie Ware that I like

 Sauna -song by Jessie Ware.

Another song from Luther Vandross that I like

 Your Secret Love-song by Luther Vandross.

A song from Luther Vandross that I like

 Never Too Much-song by Luther Vandross.

A song from Luther Vandross that I love

 Here And Now -song by Luther Vandross.

A song from 2017 that I like

 Shark Smile(2017)-song by Big Thief.

Driverless vehicles may be safer

 According to several studies,driverless vehicles get into fewer accidents than humans.Driverless vehicles don't drink and drive;they don't road rage;they don't read their smartphones while scrolling through their feeds 

         Nevertheless driverless vehicles are a culture shock for many people.The road to mainstream adoption of mainstream vehicles may be a long one.

Rue Josephine-Marchand in Montreal

 Rue Josephine-Marchand in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after Josephine Marchand-Dandurand(1861-1925).She was a prominent feminist, author and journalist who championed the role of women in Quebec society.

Rue Sicard in Montreal

 Rue Sicard in the Hochelaga borough of Montreal is named after Arthur Sicard(1876-1946),a mechanic who invented the first mechanical snow blower in 1895  by adapting combine harvester technology.He was later elected as an alderman for the city of Maisonneuve.

About teas

 Q.What tea is often called the Champagne of Teas?

Answer.Darjeeling Tea.

Rue Jacques-Porlier in Montreal

 Rue Jacques-Porlier in Montreal is named after Jacques Porlier (1765-1839),a highly educated Montrealer who became a prominent fur trader, justice of the peace ,and militia captain in Green Bay,Wisconsin.

          Rue Jacques-Porlier is in Tetreaultville,just north of rue Sherbrooke.

Rue Aird in Montreal

 Rue Aird in the Hochelaga borough of Montreal is named after Elizabeth Aird.The street was established in 1899 by William Bennett,who named it in honor of his wife,whom he had married in 1852.

Rue Sabatier in Montreal

 Rue Sabatier in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after Charles Waugh dit Sabatier (1802-1862).He was a German -born musician and composer who immigrated to Canada in 1848 and later composed the music for the "Drapeau de Carillon."

Veggie chips deceptive

 Veggie chips are often nothing more than colored potato starch.

Face like thunder

 Face like thunder -A very unhappy or angry facial expression.

       Example:He walked into the room with a face like thunder.

Azilda Avenue in Montreal

 Azilda Avenue in Anjou,Montreal is named in honor of Azilda Brassard(1858-1915).She was the first wife of Pierre Tetreault ,a major landowner and benefactor in the former village of Tetreaultville.

An old song from Dean Martin that I like

 My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You -song by Dean Martin.

Meese Avenue in Tetreaultville

 Meese Avenue is in the Tetreaultville neighborhood of Montreal.The street is named after Charles Meese,a pioneer of the Longue Pointe Area.

Chickpeas that I consumed in March 2026

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

-BPA Free.GMO Free.No Added Salt.

-Product of Italy.

-Ingredients: Organic Chick peas,water.

-Www.ILIOSFOODS.CA

-Nutrition Facts:

Per 1/2 cup(125ml)-% Daily Value 

:Calories-110

: Protein -6g

: Potassium -3%

:Calcium-3%

:Iron-11%

Picasso street

 Picasso street is located in the Montreal borough of Saint-Leonard.

Boulevard Ray Lawson in Anjou

 Boulevard Ray Lawson in Anjou,Montreal is named after Ray Lawson (1886-1980),the first industrialist to establish a business in the Anjou Industrial park.

Greek proverb

 A drop of wisdom is better than a sea of gold.-Greek proverb 

Hindi proverb

 Saints fly only in the eyes of their disciples.-Hindi proverb 

Russian proverb

 Without the shepherd,sheep are not a flock.-Russian proverb

Roasted potatoes that I consumed in April 2026

 In April 2026 I bought and consumed a ready-made dish of delicious oven-roasted potatoes for 99 cents from L'Intermarche Universel precisely at 88 Mont Royal Avenue East,at the intersection of Coloniale Avenue.

-Ingredients: Potatoes,Salad seasoning-Dehydrated vegetables,Garlic,Onion,Leeks,Red Peppers,Salt,Sesame seeds,Vegetable oil,Spice,Poppy seeds,Silicon Dioxide.

The longevity of Greenland sharks

 Greenland sharks are the longest -lived vertebrates on earth, with an estimated lifespan between 272 and 512 years.These Arctic sharks grow very slowly-about 1cm  per year-and do not reach sexual maturity until roughly 150 years of age,with some individuals potentially living for nearly six centuries.It is amazing these sharks can hit puberty so late.

         I am envious of Greenland sharks.

Punishment in Arizona

 Did you know?

If you cut down a cactus without permission in Arizona,you could go to jail for up to 25 years.

Mountain in Tanzania

 Q.What is the second highest mountain in Tanzania?

Answer.Mount Meru

Mountain in Africa

 Q.What is the second highest mountain in Africa?

Answer.Mount Kenya .

The demographics of Sudan

 Sudan is a very young country;in 2025 50% of its population is under the age of 15.

African proverb

 The branch that bends away from the tree has found a new wind.-African proverb 

An African proverb

 When food spoils,the orphan is given a generous portion.-African proverb

            Meaning:Be aware of that you may be given things others don't want.Don't accept things that are of lower quality.

Insightful African proverb

 The pot that boils slowly cooks the sweetest meal.-African proverb

      This means that patience produces the best results.

Quote from Marie Bostwick

 When your dreams turn into dust, vacuum.-Marie Bostwick 

Aura

 Auric-adjectival form of aura.

African proverb

 When poverty knocks at the door love escapes through the window.-African proverb

The longest career in the same company

 Walter Orthmann set the Guinness World Record for the longest career in the same company when,at age 100,he had worked there for 84 years and 9 days.

In a sugar slump

 In a sugar slump-Feeling tired or low on energy.

Rue Louis-Sicard in Montreal

 Rue Louis-Sicard in Montreal is named after Louis Sicard,who served as the first mayor of the municipality of Saint-Leonard-de-Port-Maurice from 1886 to 1901.

Rue Rina-Lasnier in Montreal

 Rue Rina-Lasnier in Rosemont,Montreal is named in honor of Rina Lasnier(1915-1997).She is a renowned Quebec poet, journalist, librarian and playwright.

Verbify

 Verbify(verb)-To convert a word(esp,a noun) into a verb.

Rue Robitaille in Tetreaultville

 Rue Robitaille in the Tetreaultville neighborhood of Montreal is named in honor of medical doctor Theodore Robitaille (1834-1897).

Adding sumac powder

 I add sumac powder to black beans and spinach.It imparts a pleasant lemony,tart flavor to spinach and makes eating it more enjoyable.

Sumac powder that I finished consuming

 In April 2026 you finished consuming a 50 g plastic pack of CEDAR PHOENICIA -Sumac.

                  It was wonderful.

Joe Pye Weed

 Joe Pye Weed is also called Trumpetweed or gravel root.

A song from Dean Martin that I like

 Drowning In My Tears -song by Dean Martin.

An old song from Dean Martin that I love

 That Old Time Feelin'-song by Dean Martin.

A song from Teddy Swims that I like

 Mr.Know It All-song by Teddy Swims.

A song from Mika that I love

 Relax, Take It Easy-song by Mika.

Quote from E.M.Forster

 A room with books is never empty .-E.M.Forster

A song from Jason Mraz that I like

 The Remedy(I Don't Worry)-song by Jason Mraz.

African proverb

 The traveller with the empty stomach does not notice the beauty of the road.-African proverb

Hellebores also known as

 Hellebores are commonly known as Lenten rose and Christmas rose.

What inspired Velcro

 Velcro was inspired by plant burrs sticking to clothes.

Sneakers

 Sneakers are quiet because of rubber soles.

Toothpaste tubes

 Toothpaste tubes were inspired by paint tubes.

In Portugal

 In Portugal,people harvest cork by carefully peeling bark off cork oak trees without cutting the trees down,and the bark grows back so the same tree can be harvested again years later.

Persian proverb

 Little by little the cotton thread becomes a turban.-Persian proverb 

African proverb

 Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand.-African proverb 

An African proverb

 A tiger that rushes to free a rabbit from a hyena has a hidden agenda.-African proverb

A song from Jason Mraz that I absolutely love

 Have It All-song by Jason Mraz.

African proverb

 The bird that flies low avoids many storms.-African proverb

        This means that humility can protect you from trouble.

Turkish proverb

 A man drowning in honey still drowns .-Turkish proverb

African proverb

 If money were to be found up in the trees,most people would be married to monkeys -African proverb 

Persian proverb

 Little by little the wool becomes a carpet.-Persian proverb 

Belgian proverb

 He who arrives too late finds the plate turned over -Belgian proverb

A song from Puff Daddy that I like

 I'll Be Missing You-song by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans.

A song from Taylor Swift that I like

 Elizabeth Taylor -song by Taylor Swift.

A song from 2013 that I like

 Dangers of The Mouth(2013)-song by Footprintz.

Emperors in China

 In China, Emperors sometimes drank liquid mercury because they believed it granted immortality -ironically ,it poisoned and killed them early.

Innovative schools in Bangladesh

 In Bangladesh,some schools are actually boats.During flood season,solar-powered floating classrooms travel to children,so school can keep going even when roads disappear underwater.

A song from Lady Gaga that I love

 Runway -song from Lady Gaga.

Quote from Joshua Becker

 You can tell a lot about a person by how they spend their money.-Joshua Becker

A song from late in the career of Dean Martin that I love

Rainbows Are Back In Style -song from Dean Martin.

A song from Dean Martin that I love

 April Again -song by Dean Martin.

A lesser known song from Simon and Garfunkel that I love

 April Come She Will-song by Simon & Garfunkel.

Sophomaniac

 Sophomaniac -A person who thinks they are wise but isn't.

Cacographer

 Cacographer -A bad speller.

The world's oldest serving president

 In Cameroon in 2026,93 year-old and the world's oldest serving president, Paul Biya,reintroduced a vice president role so his chosen deputy can automatically take power if he cannot continue leading.

Quote from Zadie Smith

 Books make every corner meaningful.-Zadie Smith

Lebanese proverb

 A polite devil is more agreeable than a rude saint.-Lebanese proverb 

Subaltern

 Subaltern(adjective)-of lower status.

  Example:The subaltern stuff followed orders.

A song from Miley Cyrus that I like

 Younger You-song by Miley Cyrus.

Clothing donations

 Many clothing donations are cheap fast-fashion pieces that create more waste than profit.

Tweet from Dr.Caroline Leaf

 One of the most underrated skills you can learn is the ability to ignore your mood and stick to the plan.-Dr.Caroline Leaf@drcarolineleaf

Jewish proverb

 When two divorced people marry,four people get into bed.-Jewish proverb

Bonfire

 Did you know?

Bonfire once meant bonefire.

      The word originally referred to fire made with bones ,over time bonefire became bonfire.

Quote from Toni Morrison

 A home library is a haven for thought.-Toni Morrison 

Rue Dorion in Montreal

 Rue Dorion in Montreal runs in the downtown Ville Marie borough and Plateau Mont Royal borough.

     Rue Dorion was named Shaw Street until 1902.

Ruff-peck

 Ruff-peck-obsolete word for bacon.

Why. bread should not be kept in the fridge

 Bread gets stale faster in the fridge . Because starch retrogradation speeds up in cold temperatures -discovered in food labels,not kitchens.

A song from Chaka Khan that I love

 I Feel For You-song by Chaka Khan.

  This song was written by Prince.

Political party

 A political party puts too much water in its wine sometimes.

The Trimates

 The Trimates were Jane Goodall,Dian Fossey,and Birute Galdikas,three pioneering primatologists appointed by paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey in the 1960-70s to study great apes in their natural habitats.They revolutionized understanding of  primates,and by extension human evolution,through long-term field research.

Persian proverb

 When the snake is old,the frog will tease him.-Persian proverb

A song from Shawn Mendes that I love

 Monster -song by Shawn Mendes,Justin Bieber.

Going to the moon

 Going to the moon is child's play compared with going to Mars.

Boil the ocean

 Boil the ocean -Attempt something too big or unrealistic.

A song from Harry Styles that I like

 American Girls -song by Harry Styles.

The innovative idea of agrihoods

 Some suburban neighborhoods,called agrihoods,let people buy modern homes built around a real working farm.Residents get access to fresh produce and shared spaces like community gardens,orchards ,and farm paths,so farm-to-table living becomes part of everyday neighborhood life 

Things guests notice first at home

 Things guests notice first at home:

1.Smell in the entryway.

2.Cleanliness of floors.

3.Lighting and brightness

4.Clutter on surfaces

5.Arrangement of furniture 

6.Wall decor or Artwork.

7.Freshness of Air

8.Cleanliness of kitchen.

Iran

 Iran is the heart of Shia Islam.

Groups or pages on Facebook that promote decluttering and minimalism

 There are too many groups and individuals on Facebook that promote and push decluttering or minimalism.Here is a short list that is by no means complete.

1.Happy Organized Life 

2.Method Seattle Professional Organizing.

3.Declutter Your Life.

4.Nourishing Minimalism.

5.Alison's Notebook.

6.The Simplicity Habit.

7.Becoming Minimalist 

8.Gabe Built.

9.The Minimalists

10.Be More With Less

11.Taylor Godinez

          Most or many of these groups are pushing variations of the same message Does nobody get tired of a plethora of decluttering groups?

The moon

 The moon looks like a basketball sometimes.

Turkish proverb

 Even the rich man's rooster lays eggs.-Turkish proverb 

Turkish proverb

 Even the rich man's rooster lays eggs.-Turkish proverb 

A song from Fun Factory that I like

 I Wanna B With U-song by Fun Factory.

Abuse of elephants

 An elephant 's skeletal design is not suitable to carry weight on its back.Many elephants end up with deformed and broken backs due to years  of  carrying tourists over long hours.

Helium

 Qatar produces about one third of the world's helium in 2025.

     Helium is used in party balloons.Computer chip manufacturers and MRI scanners are the biggest users of helium.MRI scanners use helium to keep magnets cool.

A song from Morgan J.that I like

 French Fries -song by Morgan J.

A special rock

 La Pierre ponce-French word for pumice.

Earlobes of chickens

 Chickens have earlobes that are covered by feathers.

           Chickens that have white earlobes lay white eggs;chickens that have brown earlobes lay brown eggs 

The only rock

 Pumice is the only rock(stone) that floats in water.Pumice is very light.

                    Pumice is volcanic rock and is formed from cooling volcanic lava .

            People use pumice stone to sand away calluses on their feet.

Green Olives that I consumed in April 2026

 In April 2026 I bought and consumed a 212ml tin can of CRESPO-Green Olives with jalapeno stuffing.

-Product of Spain.

-Ingredients:Olives,Water,stuffed jalapeno (jalapeno,sodium alginate, jalapeno pepper extract),salt,citric acid, jalapeno pepper extract,Ascorbic acid.May contain:Tree nuts,Milk,Fishes 

-Nutrition Facts:

Per 3 olives(14g)-% Daily value

:Calories-25

:Protein-0.1g

: Potassium -1%

:Calcium-1%

:Iron-1%

Eidetic memory

 Eidetic memory is the ability to vividly recall images,sounds or objects with high precision after only a short exposure,often described as a "photographic memory."

Pretending to work in an office job

 In China,some "pretend work"offices let job hunters pay about $4 to $7 a day to sit at a desk and look employed.For that fee,they get Wi-Fi,meeting rooms and sometimes even staged office check-ins,all while keeping a daily routine and avoiding family pressure as they search for real jobs .

         Kind of sad that many people feel the need to hold office jobs for status.

Quote from Edmund Wilson

 No two persons ever read the same book.-Edmund Wilson

Prison on Alcatraz Island that was shut down

 The prison on Alcatraz Island was shut down in 1963,not because of escapes,but because it was too expensive to operate,costing nearly three times more than other prisons due to its isolated location!

         Its isolated location meant supplies,water and fuel had to be shipped in,making it much more expensive than prisons on the mainland!

Quiddler

 Quiddler -Someone who wastes time on trivial matters.

A song from Minute Taker that I love

 Losing Self-control -song by Minute Taker.

A song from Chumbawamba that I love

 Tub Thumping -song by Chumbawamba.

A song from 2000 that I love

 Who Let The Dogs Out(2000)-song by Baha Men.

A late-blooming fashion designer

 Vera Wang,an American fashion designer,started designing wedding dresses at age 40 and is now in her 70s,becoming one of the world's most famous bridal designers.

Spice you bought and consumed in 2026

 In 2026 I bought and consumed a 71g plastic bottle of PRIMA Gourmet Spices-Freshly Ground Gourmet Black Pepper.

            This pepper was very good.

Abecedarian

 Abecedarian -A person who is just learning(a beginner).

He won the French world Scrabble Championship despite not speaking French at all

 In 2015,Nigel Richards won the French World Scrabble Championships,despite not speaking French at all,after reportedly spending nine weeks studying the French dictionary .He memorized the French dictionary.He won it again in 2018.

                       In 2024,Nigel Richards accomplished a similar feat by winning the Spanish-language World  Scrabble Championship.

                  Nigel Richards (born 1967) is a New Zealand player of Scrabble.He became the World Scrabble champion in 2007,and repeated the feat in 2011,2013,2018 and 2019.

                   Renowned for his eidetic and mathematical abilities,Richard has been described as a reclusive personality and has rarely been interviewed.Nigel Richards is truly a genius,an enigma.

Vafrous

 Vafrous(adjective)-sly,shrewd and crafty.

To wear sackcloth and ashes

 To wear sackcloth and ashes-to show deep remorse or guilt.

Quote from Brooke Hampton

 Children still need a childhood with dirt,mud,puddles,trees,sticks and tadpoles.-Brooke Hampton 

Irish proverb

 There is no use in carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking.-Irish proverb

Persian proverb

 When a stone hits glass,the glass breaks.When glass hits a stone,the glass breaks.-Persian proverb

When a healthy person donates a kidney

 When a healthy person donates a kidney,their other normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney.

A song from 1998 that I like

 If You Could Read My Mind (1998)-song by Gordon Lightfoot.

A song from Lady Gaga that I like

 Shallow -song by Lady Gaga,Bradley Cooper.

A song from Lady Gaga that I love

 LoveGame-song by Lady Gaga.

An obscure old country song that I like

 Draggin' The River -song by Feeling Husky.

Ab initio

 Ab initio (meaning)-from the beginning.

Example:The contract was void ab initio.

A song from The Tragically Hip that I like

 It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken -song by The Tragically Hip.

Another African proverb

 No matter the quantity of pepper you put in the soup,the fish will not close its eyes.-African proverb

African proverb

 No matter the quantity of pepper you put in the soup,the fish will not close its eyes.-African proverb

A song from Lady Gaga that I like

 Bloody Mary -song by Lady Gaga.

Negaholism

 Negaholism -The condition of being habitually negative or optimistic.

Mustard powder is a diuretic

 Mustard powder is traditionally considered a diuretic ,meaning it is believed to help urine flow and relieve water retention.

Too many decluttering blogs

 Too many decluttering blogs are cluttering up cyberspace.The proliferation of decluttering blogs and influencers can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed,turning a pursuit of simplicity into another source of stress.Many people report that the sheer volume of "minimalism gurus" and conflicting advice makes them feel guilty ,or that they are doing it wrong.

         Decluttering blogs in many cases are going too far in pushing people relentlessly to discard good stuff,regardless of its effect on the environment.

         For several people the minimalist aesthetic takes precedence over everything else.In a world of so much pollution and climate change why is aesthetics more important than the environment?

Zoilist

 Zoilist -A fault-finding critic.

What elite athletes often suffer

 Elite athletes often suffer mistreatment: psychological abuse, sexual harm,physical harm,neglect,racism, discrimination,bullying and hazing.

            Not always enviable to be an elite athlete.

Avenue Emile LeGrand in Longue Pointe,Montreal

  Hayes Avenue in Longue Pointe,Montreal in the Mercier-Hochelaga Maisonneuve district is named after Dr.Emile LeGrand(1898-1949),a prominent neurologist and pioneer in modern psychiatry.He worked at the Hospital Saint-Jean -de-Dieu (now Hopital Louis-H. LaFontaine from  1926 to 1947.

          Dr.Emile LeGrand died prematurely at the age of only 51;he operated under the shadow of poor health for most of his adult life.

A song from Lady Gaga that I like

 Million Reasons -song by Lady Gaga.

A song from Lady Gaga that I like

 Applause -song by Lady Gaga.

Fletcher Avenue

 Avenue Fletcher in the Tetreaultville neighborhood of Montreal is named after James Fletcher(1839-1910).He was a local farmer and served as a councillor for the municipality of the parish of Longue Pointe between 1888 and 1890.

                   It is refreshing for me to see an anglophone street name in a traditionally very French-speaking neighborhood like Tetreaultville.

Retinoblastoma

 Retinoblastoma -A rare, malignant eye cancer developing in the retina, primarily affecting children under age five.It has a 99% survival rate in developed countries with early treatment.

Actor Johnny Depp

 Actor Johnny Depp is blind in his left eye and nearsighted in his right,a condition he has had since childhood.

He lost his eye in a car accident

 Singer Sammy Davis Jr lost his left eye in a car accident in 1954.

Sarah Palin has a son with special needs

 Former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has a son with special needs.Her youngest son,Trig Paxson Van Palin,was born in 2008 with Down Syndrome.

Weeds

 A weed is just a flower out of place.

Gonthier Avenue in Tetreaultville

 Avenue Gonthier in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after George's Gonthier.He was one of the developers involved in land subdivision in the area in the early 20th century.

Quote from Sangeeta Rana

 Fill your cup with beautiful memories of yesterday.Peaceful experiences of today.And exciting plans for tomorrow.-Sangeeta Rana

Quote from Laura Bush

 Books are the heartbeat of a home.-Laura Bush

Liisianthus

 The Lisianthus flower is also known as Prairie Gentian,Texas Bluebells,Eustoma or Poor Man's Rose.

Joe Pye Weed

 Joe Pye Weed(Eutrochium) is commonly known as Queen of the Meadow or Trumpeters.These tall,late- summer blooming perennials are native to North America and are frequently found in meadows,marshes and roadside ditches.

Rue Liebert in Tetreaultville

 Rue Liebert in Tetreaultville is named after Philippe Liebert(1732-1804),a prominent French-born Montreal sculptor,painter and cabinetmaker.

Rue Taillon in Tetreaultville

 Rue Taillon in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after Sir Louis-Olivier Taillon(1840-1923).He was a lawyer and served as the premier of Quebec twice-briefly in 1887, and then from 1892 to 1896.

Hector Avenue in Tetreaultville

 Avenue Hector in the Tetreaultville neighborhood of Montreal is named after Hector Viney(1877-1953),a local farmer ,builder and landowner.

A song from Bryan Adams that I like

 Tough Town -song by Bryan Adams.

Komodo dragons

 Komodo dragons dig burrows to regulate temperature during the hottest hours.

How Bengal tigers cool themselves

 Bengal tigers cool their bodies by lying in shallow forest pools during heat spikes.

African proverb

 A rich man's crime is called a mistake while a poor man's mistake is called a crime.-African proverb

Another song from Metric that I like

 Breathing Underwater -song by Metric.

What vinegar can do

 Vinegar can dissolve eggshells in 24 hours.

A song from Metric that I like

 Help I'm Alive -song by Metric.

A song from The Tragically Hip that I love

 Twist My Arm-song by The Tragically Hip.

Rue Joseph-Nolin in Montreal

 Rue Joseph-Nolin in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after Joseph Nolin(1863-1948),a prominent dental surgeon and co-founder of the Universite de Montreal's faculty of dental surgery in 1904.

Academic anhedonia a driving factor

 Academic anhedonia may be a driving factor in the elevated high school dropout rate in Quebec and many places.

           Many students find academics boring and are more interested in sports ,cars or entertainment.As artificial intelligence replaces more jobs in the workplace an increasing number of students may also question the value of formal education in this day and age.

Academic anhedonia

 Academic anhedonia refers to a significant loss of interest, motivation or pleasure in educational pursuits,commonly manifesting as apathy,boredom and reduced effort in studies.Often driven by high academic pressure,burnout,or mental health issues,it creates a cycle where previously enjoyable learning feels draining,leading to lower academic performance.

Mansuetude

 Mansuetude (noun)-gentleness,tameness or mildness.

This lawyer died unusually

 Garry Hoy,a 39 year-old Toronto lawyer fell to his death in July 1993 after throwing himself against a 24th-floor window to prove it was unbreakable -a stunt he had done many times before.The glass held,but the window frame popped out.

Iran's national bird

 The common Nightingale,Iran's national bird is famous not for its appearance but for its incredibly rich,melodious song.So powerful that it has inspired centuries of Persian poetry,where it's often portrayed as a devoted lover singing to the rose.

A song from Mariah Carey that I like

 Dreamlover-song by Mariah Carey.

Lawyer fell to his death while doing a safety demonstration

 On July 19,1993, Garry Hoy(January 28,1954-1993),a well-known Toronto lawyer died after falling 24 stories from the Toronto Dominion Centre.The 39 year-old was the strength of the building's glass to law students,a stunt he has performed previously ,but the entire window frame gave way.The glass did not break,but the frame failed,causing him to fall.

African proverb

 If you praise a blind man too much,he may end up throwing away his guiding stick!-African proverb 

A mammoth candy heist

 In March 2026,someone stole an entire truck carrying 413,793 kit kat bars -12 tons of chocolate somewhere between Italy and Poland.The truck,the thieves,and every single bar are completely missing as of April 1,2026.Nestle responded by saying " We appreciate the criminals' exceptional taste." Nobody has been caught.The world's most delicious heist remains unsolved on April 2,2026.

Indian Americans in the motel industry

 Indian Americans own about 40% of all hotels and motels in the US in 2025.Most owners are from Gujarat,India and 70% share the last name Patel.This is why it is called " the Patel Motel Cartel."

When capybaras are relaxed

 Capybaras allow birds and monkeys to sit on them as part of relaxed social tolerance.

Matamata turtles

 Matamata turtles resemble fallen leaves so convincingly fish swim directly toward them.

Streets I walked on Wednesday, April 1,2026

 On Wednesday,April 1,2026,I walked along the entire length of tiny rue Guilbault from rue St.Urbain to rue St.Dominique,passing Clark street and Boulevard St.Laurent.Rue Guilbault is lined with several vintage houses and a couple of beautiful vintage buildings at the intersection of Clark street.Then I walked on rue St.Dominique from rue Guilbault to Duluth Avenue.All in Plateau Mont Royal.

Retired gardener discovered a massive treasure trove

 In 1992,retired gardener Eric Lawes went out with a metal detector to help find a lost hammer.Instead,he uncovered the Hoxne Hoard,a giant Roman treasure trove with about 14,865 coins,later received $1.75  million for the find,shared it with farmer Peter Whatling,and yes,the hammer was found too.

        Sometimes people stumble upon a bonanza when they go looking for something else.Always keep your eyes peeled.

Arable land is scarce in the Middle East

 In many Middle Eastern countries,only about 4% to 7% of the land is arable.So whenever you see green farms, they're surviving in a place where heat,deserts and water shortages make growing food really difficult.

The Middle East is not that crowded

 The Middle East may look crowded,but with just 450-500 million people in 2025, it's far smaller than India alone which has more than 1.4 billion people.Nearly three times more people in a single country.

A song from 1998 that I like

 Never Say Never(1998)-song by Brandy.

In Hong Kong

 In Hong Kong,some residents live in extremely small "coffin-sized" apartments.The cost of living is very high in Hong Kong.

Quote from Ray Bradbury

 Books turn walls into stories.-Ray Bradbury 

Russian proverb

 Every sandpiper praises his own swamp.-Russian proverb

Rwandan proverb

 The rich man never dances badly.-Rwandan proverb 

Portuguese proverb

 The sooty oven mocks the black chimney.-Portuguese proverb 

Filipino proverb

 A clear conscience is more valuable than wealth.-Filipino proverb

Persian proverb

 With a sweet tongue of kindness,you can drag an elephant by a hair.-Persian proverb 

Quote from Jane Austen

 Books are the comfort of quiet evenings.-Jane Austen