Poor man's opium

 Latuca virosa is a weed related to lettuce known as poor man's opium.Though it is related to lettuce the taste is very bitter.Latuca virosa is widespread across much of central and southern Europe and also Punjab region of Pakistan and India.It was introduced in North America through colonialism and today is a common weed flourishing in urban abandoned lots and along highways.The milky sap of a severed stem was often used in the 19th century by physicians to ease pain when morphine or opium could not be obtained.

        Latuca virosa is also called bitter lettuce.

City in Nebraska

 Q.What city in Nebraska is nicknamed the "Sandhill Crane Capital of the World"?

Answer.Kearney

Chimpanzees

 Did you know?

Chimpanzees can recognize photos of friends they haven't seen for over 20 years.

She was born on Canada Day

 Quebec author Louise Penny was born on July 1,1958 in Toronto.She celebrates her birthday on Canada Day.

The husband of Quebec author Louise Penny

 Quebec author Louise Penny's husband was Dr.Michael Whitehead,a prominent pediatric hematologist who directed the hematology department at the Montreal Children's Hospital.Dr.Whitehead passed away at the age of 82 in 2016 after a courageous battle with dementia.

Caring for baby snakes

 Imagine being born with noone to protect you.For most baby snakes,that's reality.From the moment they are born,they must hunt,avoid predators,and survive entirely on instinct.Unlike mammals and birds,most snake species provide no parental care after birth.

        Note:Not all snakes abandon their young.Some species, including king cobra and pythons,protect their eggs until they hatch.However,the hatchlings are typically independent soon after.

Birthplace of Adolf Hitler

 Austria transformed Adolf Hitler's birthplace into a police station in 2026, deliberately repurposing the historic building to discourage neo-nazi gatherings and prevent it from becoming a site of extremist glorification.

Cars in Quebec

 Cars in Quebec are getting bigger and heavier,and that causes wear and tear on the infrastructure.

            There are too many potholes on the roads of Montreal.Driving through the roads in Montreal is like driving through a minefield.

About octopuses

 Octopuses are one of the few animals not known to fart regularly.Their short ,meat-based digestive system appears to produce little or no intestinal gas under normal conditions,unlike many mammals.

About depression

 A diet high in processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of depression while a sedentary lifestyle also contributes to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Where Saint John 's wort flowers are used

 Saint John's Wort flowers have been used since ancient times to treat mild or moderate depression.This flower can be found in tablet form in every health food store or pharmacy around the world.

    St.John's Wort flowers are bright yellow.They feature five petals that often have tiny black dots or glands along the edges, alongside a prominent center cluster of yellow stamens.

Quote from Sonia Momin

 You cannot impress those who are truly content with their simple & quiet lives with 'bigger and better.'They value peace,not glamor.-Sonia Momin

Pulling rabbits

 Some people keep pulling tattered,flea-bitten rabbits out of their hat in order to forestall the inevitable.

Japan is very sleep-deprived

 Japan is one of the world's most sleep-deprived countries, with adults averaging around six to seven hours of sleep per night.Long work hours,lengthy commutes,and busy lifestyles are major factors contributing to this pattern.

Whiskers of a mouse

 A mouse's whiskers are highly sensitive sensory hairs that detect nearby objects,textures,and subtle air movements.They help mice navigate safely,judge narrow spaces,and avoid obstacles,even in complete darkness.

Vitamin B12 in eggs

 In order to get Vitamin B12 from an egg,you need to eat the whole egg,as most of it-and the most easily absorbed part-is stored in the yolk.

A very quirky sport

 Toe wrestling is a quirky niche sport.

   Toe wrestling is like arm wrestling for the lower extremities.However toe wrestling is a lesser known sport.

 The World Toe Wrestling Championship takes place annually in July at the Ashbourne Marketplace in Derbyshire, England.

A song from 2007 that I like

 Jimmy(2007)-song by M.I.A

A song from David Bowie that I love

 Golden Years (1976)-song from David Bowie.

Transformation of male sand lizards

 Male sand lizards transform during the breeding season,developing emerald-green colors to attract mates and compete with rivals.This temporary display makes them one of Europe's most colorful native reptiles.

Testing military members for testosterone

 The U.S. military will annually test every service member,aged 30 and older for testosterone deficiency,making hormone screening part of routine health assessments.Eligible troops can voluntarily receive testosterone replacement therapy.

A song from Bryan Adams that I love

 This Side of Paradise -song by Bryan Adams.

A song from Neil Young that I like

 Walk On -song by Neil Young.

A song from High Inergy that I like

 You Can't Turn Me off -song by High Inergy.

A lesser known song from Tommy Roe that I love

 Evergreen -song from Tommy Roe.

Quote on war

 International financiers are behind all war.-Henry Ford

African proverb

 Do not laugh at the fallen;you may find slippery roads ahead.-African proverb 

A new monkey species discovered in 2026

 Scientists have discovered Likweli in 2026,a new monkey species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's rainforests.It's among the few new African monkey species identified in over 75 years,making it an exceptionally rare primate discovery.

On the African savanna

 Did you know?

African savanna animals fear human voices more than the sound of lions.

Carton of salt that I finished consuming in June 2026

 In June 2026 I finished consuming a 1kg carton of HEAVENLY SPICES -Sea salt(iodized).

Ingredients:sea salt, potassium iodide.

-Imported by Dollarama.

A song from Stella Lefty that I like

 Boston -song by Stella Lefty.

A song from Classics IV that I like

 Nothing to Lose -song by The Classics IV.

A wonderful obscure song from 1970 that I absolutely love

 We Miss You(1970)-song by Dennis Yost and the Classics IV.

Jentaculum

 Jentaculum -breakfast or the first meal of the day.

Streets I walked on Friday, July 17,2026

 On Friday,July 17,2025,it was mildly hot and I walked on Des Pins Avenue from rue St.Urbain to rue St.Denis.

                  Then I walked on rue de Bullion from Des Pins Avenue to Napoleon Street.After that I walked down on Hotel de Ville Avenue from Napoleon Street to Des Pins Avenue.Finally I walked up on Henri Julien Avenue from Des Pins Avenue to Duluth Avenue and walked west to Boulevard St.Laurent to buy groceries at Segal's store.Following that I took the 55 bus north on Boulevard Saint Laurent to head home.

Black cohosh wildflowers

 Black cohosh is a woodland wildflower that is also called fairy candles,black bugbane and black snake root.It gets these names because its tall white flower spikes look like glowing candles.

A song from 1958 that I like

 A House,A Car And a Wedding Ring(1958)-song by Mike Preston.

A song from 1962 that I love

 A Taste Of Honey(1962)-song from Lenny Welch.

An obscure song from 1960 that I like

 Moonlight Cocktail (1960)-song by Rivieras.

A song from Arthur Alexander that I love

 Dream Girl-song from Arthur Alexander.

A song from Arthur Alexander that I like

 Soldier of Love-song from Arthur Alexander.

A song from 1985 that I simply love

 Just Another Night (1985)-song by Mick Jagger.

Another African proverb

 A cow becomes a goat when it starts feeding on yam instead of grass.-African proverb

African proverb

 A bald man should not engage in a contest of stone throwing.-African proverb

Hindi proverb

 Truth has no branches.-Hindi proverb 

Bengali proverb

 Pity without help does little good.-Bengali proverb

Christopher Abdelhay died prematurely

 Mr.Christopher Joseph Abdelhay(born June 20,1972) died on July 27,2014 at Vancouver General at the age of only 42.I just read his obituary this week at  www.hamiltonharronfunerals.com

           Christopher Abdelhay had been a roommate of mine at 2485 rue Coursol in Montreal for one month between December 2009 and January 2010.(I had lived at 2485 rue Coursol from November 19,2009 to December 2015).

          Chris Abdelhay had told me he had made a lot of money in British Columbia in real estate,in the security business and as an environmental consultant.He was already living with multiple sclerosis back in 2009 and was on disability then.

             I had been curious about him all these years.He had grown up in Montreal,then moved to British Columbia as an adult and built a life there.After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis he came back to Montreal for a while apparently.Then he must have moved back to British Columbia where he died at only 42.Very sad.

A song from 2010 that I like

U Smile(2010)-song by Justin Bieber.

Condom manufacturer

 Q.What is the largest condom manufacturer in the world in 2026?

Answer.Karex is the largest condom manufacturer in the world in 2026.Based in Malaysia,this company makes over 5 billion condoms every year.

African proverb

 The tongue has no bones,but it is strong enough to break a heart.-African proverb

Quote from Niki Taylor

 Stick to the basics,hold on to your family and friends -they will never go out of fashion.-Niki Taylor

Quote from Cammie McGovern

 This feeling will pass.The fear is real but the danger is not.-Cammie McGovern.

The reason why minimalism does not work for many people

 Minimalism sounds like a seductive concept at first glance and there are tons of influencers promoting minimalism on social media.

         However minimalism does not work for many people because human beings evolved as hunters and gatherers.Having reserves gives people a sense of security and a cushion to fall back on.

      Besides,the concept of  minimalism as in empty,uncluttered spaces comes across as barren and unappealing to many.Minimalism is plain boring for many people.Many people want to surround themselves with stuff they love.

      

A song from 1988 that I like

 Dressed For Success(1988)-song by Roxette.