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 

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.