Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spends a day on troubled reserve, hauls water for residents



SHOAL LAKE, Ont. - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hauled large jugs of drinking water and spoke with school children Thursday as he was immersed in the daily struggles of an isolated reserve that has been under a boil advisory for 19 years.

Trudeau spent seven hours on Shoal Lake 40 First Nation — a man-made island near the Manitoba-Ontario boundary, cut off from the mainland a century ago during construction of an aqueduct that carries fresh water to Winnipeg.

The water was deemed unsafe for human consumption 19 years ago

"It was an extraordinary day. It was a day for him to see and feel it, our daily struggles here," Chief Erwin Redsky said afterward.

Trudeau hopped onboard a truck used to haul 20-litre jugs of water and delivered them to three homes, Redsky said. He visited every classroom in the local school, talked to elders and later watched a hockey game at the local arena, Redsky added.

The visit was deemed a private one, closed to all media outlets except Vice Canada, which is shooting a documentary on the tour. Two TV crews got onto the reserve, but were ordered out by Treaty 3 police, which serves First Nations communities across much of northwestern Ontario.

The community, not the Prime Minister's Office, made the decision to restrict media access, said Cuyler Cotton, the band's media relations officer. The aim was to have Trudeau speak privately with many residents and not have a "media circus," Cotton added.

The federal government, along with Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, recently committed to building an all-weather road that will connect the community to the Trans-Canada Highway. The reserve is not remote — it's less than an hour away from Kenora, Ont. — but it has been isolated economically and in terms of basic services by the lack of a dependable roadway.

Hauling groceries by hand from Kenora

Shoal Lake residents unload safe drinking water from a motorboat after their ferry was deemed unsafe. Their reserve remains under 19-year boil water advisory.

The few hundred residents use an aging ferry (recently deemed unsafe) to access health care, shopping and other necessities in the summer and a treacherous ice road in the winter. People have died falling through the ice. A road will also make construction of a water treatment plant affordable.

The old ferry is the only way into or out of the shoal Lake community

Redsky said he was not looking for any new specific promises from Trudeau, just a commitment to an improved relationship with First Nations. He said Trudeau gave him a firm promise "to be a full partner in our treaty relationship."

A permanent road was originally estimated to cost $30 million but that has been revised to $46 million after a detailed design study.

— By Steve Lambert in Winnipeg

Come on Justin, show us what you're made of.

Man finds unique message in a bottle containing ashes, cash and an invitation to have a drink

[Norman MacDonald says plans are underway to fulfil the wishes of the late Gary Robert Dupuis after the mystery man’s ashes washed up on the shores of Cape Breton inside a tequila bottle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Norman MacDonald]

Norman MacDonald was on one of his routine trips across Cape Breton’s West Mabou Beach when he came across a message in a bottle; however, this one was quite different than most. 

Inside of a Sauza tequila bottle, MacDonald found a man’s ashes, $25 and a request to have a drink in memory of the deceased. 

“I thought it was sand from another beach, and I was going to toss it,” MacDonald told CTV News. 

But he read the note, and it told the story of Gary Robert Dupuis, a man who enjoyed tequila and had an unfulfilled dream of travelling the world. The bottle appears to have been sent out in hopes of achieving the man’s aspiration, albeit posthumously. 

“If you find him please take this money, buy yourself and Gary a drink and release him back in the ocean,” the note read. “My wish is that he gets his dream of seeing the world and finally finds some peace. We love you dad, have a great trip.” 

Not much is known about Dupuis outside of what was included in the letter. It says he was born on July 1, 1954, and the letter describes a man who had an interesting life.
“Gary lived a very fast and reckless life in his younger years but slowed down and dreamed of travelling the world in his golden years,” the note said. 

MacDonald, however, plans to follow through with the letter’s request. He told CTV News that he plans to take Dupuis’ ashes to a dance on Saturday night and put him on the table. Following that, he hopes to give the bottle to a lobster fisherman who will drop it back into the ocean. Bon Voyage Gary.

Food for Thought : Administrative Professionals Day

My son's administrative  assistant      we thank you Anita for  keeping him in line .
Today is Administrative Professionals Day .The observance is a day to recognize the work of secretaries , administrative  assistants , receptionists  and other administrative assistants  support  support professionals . Anyone who has ever had  an administrative assistant knows the values of their  contribution  to any organization . Typically , the job requires long periods of sitting at a desk , high stress  and sometime eating  in front of a computer , all which do not promote  optimal health . While  flowers  and candy are a frequently given , showing someone  you care about their health can mean much more . Here are a few tips  to help you celebrate  celebrate the day in a healthy way .

Help make it easier for employees to take physical activity breaks . Schedule  activity breaks  within the work day that employees can get away  from their  desk for a short walk  or stretch break . Physical activity is great for overall health  , and makes us all more productive .

Going to lunch ? Forgo the buffets  and fried foods . There are plenty  of places that offer healthier options . Fruit baskets  and similar items  are great gifts for the day .

Create a healthy work place . Have  fresh fruits or vegetables  available  and promote healthy lifestyles .
                                                   Three Bean Salad with Wild Rice

Three bean salad with wild rice that can be made ahead and tastes great at room temperature. Perfect for picnics, potlucks and leftovers!
 Serves 8-10 TOTAL Time: 30 minutes

3    cups cooked wild rice blend, cooled
1    (14-ounce) can kidney beans (dark or light), rinsed and drained
1    (14-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1    (14-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1    (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
1    red bell pepper, diced
2     jalapenos, diced (if sensistive to spice, remove seeds and membrane and just add 1)
1/2   red onion, diced
1/2   cup freshly chopped cilantro
2      tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1      tablespoon honey (sub agave to make vegan)
2      limes, zest and juice
1/2   teaspoon kosher salt

1 ..  In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, peas, bell pepper, jalapeno, red onion, and cilantro.
2 .  In a small bowl, large measuring cup, or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, honey, lime zest, lime juice, and salt. Pour over the salad, then toss gently to combine. If time allows, refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
3 .  Salad will taste best eaten within two days but can last three or four tightly covered in the refrigerator. Freeze, tightly covered, for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

I like to think my son for the  swell job he did  in my absent .  Now my dear son , it is not  what you do with  the ladies if you catch them ,   it is  the thrill of the hunt , never steered you wrong  , love you dearly  my son .
A proud grand-poppa              G .

Beware !! All Hamilton Residents .. Ticks carrying Lyme Disease in area

 They are so tiny you may not notice them attaching themselves to your exposed skin in summer

Ticks that spread Lyme disease are definitely in  the Hamilton - Dundas area, warns a study accusing the public health department of "under-reporting" the danger and giving "the false impression" that acquiring the illness here is unlikely.                        

"Lyme disease-carrying black-legged ticks pose a public health risk in the Dundas area and the surrounding Hamilton-Wentworth region," concludes the research by Lyme Ontario published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences.

A Lyme Ontario researcher found 41 per cent of black-legged ticks collected in Dundas over two years were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi — the bacteria that causes the disease.

The results are in stark contrast to a report by Hamilton Public Health Services finding no infected ticks during a five-year period in an area 20 times the size, states the study.

"We point out the difference between what the health unit is saying and what we found out in the field," said lead researcher John Scott. "There is a notable difference … of over 600 times. I would say their surveillance program isn't working."

The study calls for tick and Lyme disease warning signs, deer management strategies and advisories to health-care providers.

"Public Health Services appreciates the work of local researchers with respect to black-legged ticks in Dundas," said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, an associate medical officer of health, in a statement. "We have just become aware of the recent publication and are in the process of understanding the study and its implications."

Hamilton is not listed as a Lyme disease risk area by Public Health Ontario. Wrong! by about 600%. 

Local doctors and hospitals were told "Hamilton is not an endemic area and acquiring Lyme disease in the Hamilton area is unlikely" in a medical advisory from the city's public health department in August 2013 — the same time the Lyme Ontario researchers were finding infected ticks.

"They are downplaying the health risks in this area," said Stoney Creek Lyme patient Nancy Diklic. "I believe I was bitten locally going on 11 years ago. To this day, the local public health unit says Hamilton is not an endemic area."

She wants proper warnings so residents can take precautions such as covering exposed skin, using insect repellents, doing full bodychecks for ticks, showering within two hours of being outdoors and removing ticks within 24 to 36 hours.

"If we are aware that it is possible to get it in our area, we can take preventive measures," Diklic said. "Then you won't have to suffer the ill effects I've been dealing with the past decade."

The study in 2013 and 2014 in a 56-square-kilometre area bordered by Highway 99, Highway 52, Highway 5 and Rock Chapel Road asked local veterinarians and pet groomers to collect black-legged ticks from dogs and cats with no history of travel. Specimens were also submitted by local residents and collected by flagging. In total, 12 of the 29 ticks collected were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi.                         

"The migratory song birds are bringing them in this time of year," Scott said.

High deer counts in the Dundas area of up to four times the number considered ecologically desirable exacerbates the abundance of ticks. A wide variety of acorn-bearing oaks also contributes.

But mainly it was requests from area patients that prompted Lyme Ontario to fund the study to find out once and for all if there are infected ticks in Hamilton.

"People were contracting Lyme disease but they couldn't get any recognition," Scott said.

The research scientist has Lyme disease himself. He describes it as like having dementia and arthritis at the same time.

"You don't want to live like I'm living," he says, giving his age as "70 going on 170."

The study found the prevalence of infected ticks in Hamilton to be consistent with parts of the United States that have rates of 27 per cent to 47 per cent.

"Advocacy and surveillance programs conducted by the local public health unit fail to reflect and authenticate" the presence of Lyme disease-carrying ticks, concludes the study. "And give the false impression that there is no Lyme disease in the Hamilton-Wentworth area."
Don't believe everything you read published by government funded agencies.  And be careful out there.

What?? Cutting up your mini blinds?? .... Stunning results

Redecorating and renovating your home can be a lot of fun but it can also be incredibly expensive. So that’s why I really appreciate creative tricks that transform the look of my home with minimal dollars spent. What do I mean? This video on DIY roman shades is a brilliant example of making such a dramatic change on a budget. If you have plain old mini blinds, you can follow the step-by-step instructions to convert them into stunning custom roman shades! Here’s what you’ll need:

• White faux wood blinds
• Thick upholstery fabric
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Decoupage and bowl
• Foam brush
• Clothespins
• Tape measure
• Iron

And if you’re worried about the unfinished side of the shades, just decoupage the same length of fabric to the other side. Beautiful!



Crazy Moose, EH?

Canadian moose seem a little dazed and confused these days. Is it all the controversy over gay marriage ?....Whatever the reason, this guy committed a  'MOOSEDEMEANOR.'

Existential Depression in Gifted Children

My granddaughter had problems with depression and antisocial behavior from a young age and although she was analyzed to death by child psychologists and a lot of psycho babble was tossed around, I felt they were missing something. I attended many of these sessions and discovered that she was a very gifted child, in fact, near genius. Since K had no life experience, good or bad, to explain the depression, I often felt it was somehow tied to her high IQ. When I read the article on 'existential depression' in gifted children all these years later, I wondered if we could have helped her more, had we known and understood it back then.

  

Gifted and talented persons are more likely to experience a type of depression referred to as existential depression. Although an episode of existential depression may be precipitated in anyone by a major loss or the threat of a loss which highlights the transient nature of life, persons of higher intellectual ability are more prone to experience existential depression spontaneously. Sometimes this existential depression is tied into the positive disintegration experience referred to by Dabrowski (1996).

Existential depression is a depression that arises when an individual confronts certain basic issues of existence. Yalom (1980) describes four such issues (or “ultimate concerns”)–death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. Death is an inevitable occurrence. Freedom, in an existential sense, refers to the absence of external structure. That is, humans do not enter a world which is inherently structured. We must give the world a structure which we ourselves create. Isolation recognizes that no matter how close we become to another person, a gap always remains, and we are nonetheless alone. Meaninglessness stems from the first three. If we must die, if we construct our own world, and if each of us is ultimately alone, then what meaning does life have?

Why should such existential concerns occur disproportionately among gifted persons? Partially, it is because substantial thought and reflection must occur to even consider such notions, rather than simply focusing on superficial day-to-day aspects of life. Other more specific characteristics of gifted children are important predisposers as well.

Because gifted children are able to consider the possibilities of how things might be, they tend to be idealists. However, they are simultaneously able to see that the world is falling short of how it might be. Because they are intense, gifted children feel keenly the disappointment and frustration which occurs when ideals are not reached. Similarly, these youngsters quickly spot the inconsistencies, arbitrariness and absurdities in society and in the behaviors of those around them. Traditions are questioned or challenged. For example, why do we put such tight sex-role or age-role restrictions on people? Why do people engage in hypocritical behaviors in which they say one thing and then do another? Why do people say things they really do not mean at all? Why are so many people so unthinking and uncaring in their dealings with others? How much difference in the world can one person’s life make?

When gifted children try to share these concerns with others, they are usually met with reactions ranging from puzzlement to hostility. They discover that others, particularly of their age, clearly do not share these concerns, but instead are focused on more concrete issues and on fitting in with others’ expectations. Often by even first grade, these youngsters, particularly the more highly gifted ones, feel isolated from their peers and perhaps from their families as they find that others are not prepared to discuss such weighty concerns.

When their intensity is combined with multi-potentiality, these youngsters become particularly frustrated with the existential limitations of space and time. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to develop all of the talents that many of these children have. Making choices among the possibilities is indeed arbitrary; there is no “ultimately right” choice. Even choosing a vocation can be difficult if one is trying to make a career decision between essentially equal passion, talents and potential in violin, neurology, theoretical mathematics and international relations.

The reaction of gifted youngsters (again with intensity) to these frustrations is often one of anger. But they quickly discover that their anger is futile, for it is really directed at “fate” or at other matters which they are not able to control. Anger that is powerless evolves quickly into depression.

In such depression, gifted children typically try to find some sense of meaning, some anchor point which they can grasp to pull themselves out of the mire of “unfairness.” Often, though, the more they try to pull themselves out, the more they become acutely aware that their life is finite and brief, that they are alone and are only one very small organism in a quite large world, and that there is a frightening freedom regarding how one chooses to live one’s life. It is at this point that they question life’s meaning and ask, “Is this all there is to life? Is there not ultimate meaning? Does life only have meaning if I give it meaning? I am a small, insignificant organism who is alone in an absurd, arbitrary and capricious world where my life can have little impact, and then I die. Is this all there is?”

Such concerns are not too surprising in thoughtful adults who are going through mid-life crises. However, it is a matter of great concern when these existential questions are foremost in the mind of a twelve or fifteen year old. Such existential depressions deserve careful attention, since they can be precursors to suicide.

How can we help our bright youngsters cope with these questions? We cannot do much about the finiteness of our existence. However, we can help youngsters learn to feel that they are understood and not so alone and that there are ways to manage their freedom and their sense of isolation.

The isolation is helped to a degree by simply communicating to the youngster that someone else understands the issues that he/she is grappling with. Even though your experience is not exactly the same as mine, I feel far less alone if I know that you have had experiences that are reasonably similar. This is why relationships are so extremely important in the long-term adjustment of gifted children (Webb, Meckstroth and Tolan, 1982).

A particular way of breaking through the sense of isolation is through touch. In the same way that infants need to be held and touched, so do persons who are experiencing existential aloneness. Touch seems to be a fundamental and instinctual aspect of existence, as evidenced by mother-infant bonding or “failure to thrive” syndrome. Often, I have “prescribed” daily hugs for a youngster suffering existential depression and have advised parents of reluctant teenagers to say, “I know that you may not want a hug, but I need a hug.” A hug, a touch on the arm, playful jostling, or even a “high five” can be very important to such a youngster, because it establishes at least some physical connection.

The issues and choices involved in managing one’s freedom are more intellectual, as opposed to the reassuring aspects of touch as a sensory solution to an emotional crisis. Gifted children who feel overwhelmed by the myriad choices of an unstructured world can find a great deal of comfort in studying and exploring alternate ways in which other people have structured their lives. Through reading about people who have chosen specific paths to greatness and fulfillment, these youngsters can begin to use bibliotherapy as a method of understanding that choices are merely forks in the road of life, each of which can lead them to their own sense of fulfillment and accomplishment We all need to build our own personal philosophy of beliefs and values which will form meaningful frameworks for our lives.

It is such existential issues that lead many of our gifted individuals to bury themselves so intensively in “causes” (whether these causes are academics, political or social causes, or cults). Unfortunately, these existential issues can also prompt periods of depression, often mixed with desperate, thrashing attempts to “belong.” Helping these individuals to recognize the basic existential issues may help, but only if done in a kind and accepting way. In addition, these youngsters will need to understand that existential issues are not ones that can be dealt with only once, but rather ones that will need frequent revisiting and reconsideration.

In essence, then, we can help many persons with existential depressions if we can get them to realize that they are not so alone .

Sadly, my granddaughter K became lost in her own turmoil, and with no one to understand her plight, she resorted to drugs for the peace of mind and relief from depression that she sought.

Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams.
For if dreams go,
Life is a barren field
Covered with snow.

~Langston Hughes



Maxy sez : Diabetes by the Numbers

By Jennifer Acosta Scott Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

Staying healthy with type 2 diabetes is a numbers game. Get the scoop on the health indicators you should be measuring and why.
When you have type 2 diabetes, you’ve got to know your numbers. It’s not just about blood sugar. To successfully manage diabetes, there are several measurements that you should take, or have taken, on a regular basis. Keeping track of the following numbers can help you live well with type 2 diabetes and lower your risk of complications.

Blood sugar levels. This is probably the type 2 diabetes measure you’re most familiar with. Testing your blood sugar regularly allows you to see how certain foods, exercise, and other activities affect your blood sugar levels on a day-to-day basis. Many people with type 2 diabetes need to test once or twice a day to make sure blood sugar levels are in target range. If your blood sugar is very well controlled, you may only need to check a few times a week, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for a blood sugar level between 70 to 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180 mg/dl one to two hours after a meal. To keep your blood sugar within this range, follow a healthy, well-rounded diet and eat meals and snacks on a consistent schedule. If your blood sugar is not well controlled, talk to your doctor about adjusting your diabetes management plan.

A1C level. This is a blood test, typically given at doctor's appointments, that measures your average blood sugar levels over a longer period. “It gives you a picture of what’s been going on over the past two to three months,” says Dawn Sherr, RD, a certified diabetes educator and spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Essentially, your A1C result shows how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.

Depending on your results, you may need to have the test from two to four times a year. For most people, an A1C level of 7 percent or less is ideal. If your A1C level is higher, you and your doctor may discuss making changes to your diabetes treatment plan. Healthy lifestyle practices, like consistent blood sugar control and regular physical activity, can help keep your A1C levels low.

Blood pressure. Monitoring your blood pressure is another important way to maintain your health. “People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease, and blood pressure is a big factor in that,” Sherr says.

Your blood pressure should be checked several times a year — ideally, every time you see the doctor who is treating your diabetes, Sherr says. Most people with diabetes should aim for a blood pressure of less than 140/80. To prevent high blood pressure, cut back on salt in your diet, exercise regularly, and quit smoking. Some people with type 2 diabetes may need to take medications to lower their blood pressure.

Cholesterol. This is a substance in your body with two components. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol; it can build up in your arteries and contribute to heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the good cholesterol and has a protective effect on your arteries. Your doctor will perform a blood test once a year to check your cholesterol levels, though you may have it checked more often if your numbers are high, Sherr says.

A test result of less than 100 mg/dl of LDL cholesterol is ideal, while HDL cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women. Triglycerides, a type of blood fat that can increase your risk of heart disease, should be less than 150 mg/dl for both men and women. If your cholesterol levels are outside these ranges, you can improve them by losing excess weight, exercising, and eating a healthy diet that’s rich in fresh produce and low in fat.

BMI. Short for body mass index, this is a measure that uses your height and weight to estimate how much body fat you have. Since managing weight plays a role in controlling type 2 diabetes, a healthy BMI is important.

Your doctor will probably review your BMI annually, but you can also calculate it yourself by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, and then multiplying that number by 703. Online calculators are also available to do the math for you. A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9 — anything over that is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obese.

However, the measurement may not be accurate for some people, such as those with a large amount of muscle. “The BMI score can sometimes be deceiving and not the best way to look at the health effects of someone’s weight,” says Fernando Ovalle, MD, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Medicine. In these cases, other measurements may be used, such as waist-to-hip ratio and abdominal circumference.

Microalbumin. This test measures the amount of protein, or albumin, in your urine, which helps your doctor know how well your kidneys are working. Your doctor should administer this test at least once a year.

The test compares the level of albumin with the level of creatinine, a waste product. Your albumin-to-creatinine ratio should be less than 30, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. To keep your microalbumin results within a healthy range, it’s important to keep your kidneys healthy. High blood pressure and high blood sugar can both damage your kidneys, so controlling those factors will go a long way toward preventing kidney problems — and many other health problems — in the future.

10 things you may not know about PRINCE

Prince performing at Madison Square Garden in 2011. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

While Prince had been famous for nearly four decades, there was more than a little of an air of mystery around him. 

Sure, the 5-foot-2 “Purple Rain” singer was known for his big hair, heels, style, and talent, but there was a reason why he lived behind the gates of Paisley Park, the sprawling estate featuring a 65,000-square-foot studio complex in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen. And why events held there carried a strict no-cellphone policy. Even reporters who interviewed him there were instructed not to bring a camera, mobile phone, or tape recorder. 

Despite his stringent rules, tidbits about the supersecret star’s life have trickled out — and they’re as incredible as his musical talent was. Here we rounded up some of the most interesting little-known facts about the Artist Once Again Known as Prince, and we hope you enjoy reading them as you try to digest his sudden and sad passing…

1. His name really was Prince. Prince Rogers Nelson to be exact. Prince’s dad was a jazz pianist and songwriter who went by the stage name Prince Rogers. He gave the name to his son “because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do,” he said, according to the 2003 book Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince.

Paisley Park Studios circa 1990 — as you can probably tell by the cars. (Photo: Getty Images)

2. He went door-to-door for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Prince was introduced to the religion by the musician Larry Graham. In 2008, the “1999” singer told the New Yorker he attended meetings at a local Kingdom Hall and, like his fellow witnesses, he went door-to-door now and then to proselytize. “Sometimes people act surprised, but mostly they’re really cool about it,” he said.  

3. He was a Ping-Pong ace. In 2014, the Associated Press reported that a Ping-Pong table was a centerpiece outside the recording studios. He’s described as a “pretty deft player.” His footwear for the game? “White shoes with acrylic heels lighting up blue with every move.” Of course. 

4. He also had game: While he was barely over 5 feet tall, he was a baller. In an episode of Chappelle’s Show, Charlie Murphy talked about partying with Prince in the ’80s. The superstar challenged him to a pickup game of basketball. “This cat could ball,” said Murphy, who noted that he played in a “Zorro-type outfit.”

 

Prince, at a basketball game in 2004, had some strong shooting skills of his own. (Photo: Getty Images)

5. He would wear platform flip-flops with socks and yoga pants: “It’s perhaps worth noting that [his feet] are wearing a pair of flip-flops with huge platform soles teamed with socks,” a writer from The Guardian noted in 2015. “The socks and flip-flops are white, as is the rest of his outfit.” It’s a style that he long appreciated. In his 2008 New Yorker profile, it said, “Prince padded into the kitchen, a small 50-year-old man in yoga pants and a big sweater, wearing platform flip-flops over white socks, like a geisha.”

6. He didn’t use profanity. While his 1992 Love Symbol Album came with a parental advisory label, he gave up swearing in his music — and in his personal life. He explained it in a 2014 interview with Essence, “Did you ever hear Muhammad Ali curse? Would you curse in front of your kids? To your mother?”

7. He didn’t eat meat — we don’t think. He has been described as both a vegetarian and a vegan in the press, and the former is more likely to be true. In 2011, PETA’s one-time Sexiest Vegetarian Alive consented to HeavyTable.com’s “What’s in My Fridge?” feature (again, with lots of conditions, including that his fridge couldn’t be photographed), and that alone was a fascinating read. DunkAroos, the kangaroo-shaped cookies, 18 varieties of mustard, and a gallon of maple syrup were among the things he stocked up on. However, he offered no explanation as to why there was braunschweiger, a smoked liverwurst, in the fridge.

8. He had his own private hair salon. In an interview with the U.K.’s Daily Mail, his ex-wife Mayte Garcia said that their home had its own hair salon, which she was never allowed to use. “The salon wasn’t for me, it was for my husband. Prince needed his space,” she said. He was once sued for giving a makeover to a Los Angeles mansion he rented from NBA player Carlos Boozer for $70,000 a month. He installed “beauty-salon chairs” in one of the bedrooms.

Prince, with ex-wife Mayte Garcia, cared about his locks — a lot. (Photo: Getty Images)

9. He lost a son. In 1996, a son he had with Garcia passed away shortly after birth and was a bit of a mystery. “Boy Gregory” was the name on the baby’s birth certificate. Officials later determined the infant died of a skeletal abnormality known as Pfeiffer’s syndrome seven days after he was born. 

10. He hadn’t cried since he was a teenager. He had a troubled relationship with his father and was thrown out of his house at least once. A 1991 profile in Interview reported that he pleaded to be allowed to come back home — while standing in a phone booth crying for two hours. He later noted it was the last time he had cried.


Thanx Yahoo

Food for Thought : April is National Pecan Month

The pecan is a concentrated source of energy . Pecans  are a natural , high quality source of protein and contain very few carbohydrates . Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins  and minerals , as well  as fiber . Pecans  have some  other health benefits  too . Pecans contain antioxidants  which means they may help reduce  your risk of heart disease , diabetes  and some forms of cancer . They can help lower  cholesterol  levels . Think outside  the pecan pie  when looking  for ways to enjoy pecans . Here are a few tips  to help you get more  pecans in your diet ;

Add Pecans to cooked hot cereals . Pecans are great in pancakes , waffles  and muffins  mixes .

Stir some pecans into your stir-fry . Roasted pecans are delicious  in tuna  and chicken salad . Sprinkle  pecans on casseroles  and vegetable dishes . 

Remember  that pecans can pack a powerful calorie punch . Make sure  you are practicing  good portion control .
                                                                       Creole Pecan Pie :

Makes 8 servings        Prep :35 minutes     Total :  4 hours  (includes making pastry and cooling pie)

Make pastry dough or buy ready made  pie crusts  at the supermarket .

3/4 stick unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
2 cups pecan halves (1/2 pound)
Accompaniment: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

1 . Preheat oven to 350°F with a baking sheet on middle rack.
2 . Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 12-inch round and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang under and lightly press against rim of pie plate, then crimp decoratively. Lightly prick bottom all over with a fork. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes (or freeze 10 minutes).
3 . Meanwhile, melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in corn syrup, vanilla, zest, and salt. Lightly beat eggs in a medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup mixture.
4 . Put pecans in pie shell and pour corn syrup mixture evenly over them. Bake on hot baking sheet until filling is set, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool completely.
COOK'S ’TIP:
Pie can be baked 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving .

Mr. Humble  sitting in for Grand-poppa .
The Reno Rascals are having a great time  , expect them home  tomorrow .  I were informed  they  love chasing the ladies .  My first thought  were  , what was they going to  do with the ladies  if they were luckily enough to catch them . Friends  and readers  they are  over 80 years old . 
My kids want to go to Seguin , Texas  to see the giant pecan .  Readers , it sure looks real .  

 See you next time . 

The Queen Loves to Prank People

She might be the most recognizable woman in the world, but even the Queen can go incognito from time to time. The monarch's former protection officer Richard Griffin has recalled a fun anecdote this week ahead of her 90th birthday. It happened when the Queen was out for a stroll near her Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire and a group of American tourists approached her.

Speaking to The Times, Richard said that the Queen – dressed in a head scarf and a tweed coat – was asked if she lived in the area, to which she responded by simply saying she had a house "close by".

The monarch had the perfect response when asked if she had met the Queen

"Have you even met the Queen?" the group then asked. "No," she replied, before pointing to companion and adding: "But he has."

Richard, who worked closely with the monarch for more than 30 years, said the group then moved on, none the wiser to who they had just met.

Balmoral Castle, the Queen's private residence in Scotland

Warrant officer John Ross revealed that the Queen was in the habit of checking the quality of her soldiers' packed lunches to make sure they were "being looked after properly".

Balmoral Castle, the Queen's private residence in Scotland

"The royal family were so much fun to work for, they made all the soldiers feel at ease," said 61-year-old Mr Ross, who served for 25 years in the King's Own Scottish Borders regiment, helping to protect the royals on their visits to Balmoral.

"One of Her Majesty's priorities was looking after the welfare of the soldiers who were responsible for providing support for all events," he told the Telegraph.

"She often tasted our packed lunches to check we were being properly looked after before we went out on hunting or fishing trips. She would come to the kitchen and inspect the sandwiches. Most were up to scratch, but if they weren't, they'd be sent back."

Maxy sez : How to Manage the Emotional Toll of Type 2 Diabetes

Many people living with diabetes — including those who are managing it with great success — report that one of the toughest parts is that diabetes never takes a day off. And that means you can’t either. Living with type 2 diabetes every day can make you feel discouraged, angry, sad, stressed, or even depressed.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), studies show that people with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes. Depression is a serious and painful condition that can affect those you love as well as yourself. In addition, depression can interfere with effective diabetes self-care. 

Common Emotional Side Effects

Don’t want to talk about your diagnosis
Sleep disturbances
No longer taking care of yourself
Feel like diabetes is running your life
Losing interest in activities and hobbies
Withdrawal from family and friends
Sudden weight loss or gain
Trouble concentrating
Tired all the time
Thinking about dying or ways to hurt yourself
If you have three or more of these symptoms, or if you have just one or two but have been feeling bad for two weeks or more, it's time to get help. Check in with your care team or ask your local office of the ADA about counselors who have worked with people with diabetes.

Don’t give up on yourself — and don’t give up on your diabetes-care team. When the going gets rough, turn to trusted people in your life, such as your spouse, loved ones, and friends. Find a diabetes support group — (your certified diabetes educator (CDE) can help with this) — and find out how other people are handling these feelings.