Follow Up

I notice from time to time, I will publish a post, then I find something I wish I had included in that post. I started this blog as a spot to put random bits and pieces, gave it a name and here it is, a "Follow Up".    

Shortly after I published, "Road Rage", I witnessed a situation that I believe I was meant to see. I was stopped at an intersection because it was an amber light. I could hear in the lane next to me the acceleration of a big truck so the driver could get through on a red light, the amber option was long gone. Little did he know a ghost car was following him. In a split second the lights and sirens were going, just like a crime scene. The cop was right behind that truck in no time, and I knew they would be having a chat. As I spontaneously did a fist pump, I asked myself if that was perhaps the wrong reaction? Is it wrong to enjoy seeing someone get caught by the police for intentionally running a red light? That driver had the option of slowing down and stopping on an amber light or speeding up and going through on a red light.  I will just leave you in your thoughts about that. 

As you know I have hail damage to my vehicle. I decided to go to a couple of autobody shops, to see how long their waiting lists were. I was surprised to hear that hail damage repair is done by contractors. You can book at the shops and they will put you on a list for when the contractor works. It is apparent that the autobody shops only rent space for hail repair. 

Twenty people every day die of an overdose in Canada. To be honest I thought it would be higher. Cocaine is the largest contributor to those deaths. I am once again wrong because I would have thought it was Meth, or anything laced with fentanyl. Cocaine has been known as a rich man's drug, and it makes you wonder why it leads as the drug that causes the most overdoses.  

Manitoba has the highest homicide rate per capita in all of Canada. Manitoba's homicide rate rose 40% in one year and is triple the national average. In 2022, 88 people were killed, 26 more than 2021. The numbers are looking better this year as there have been only 38 homicides as we head into the last month. Suicide is climbing in Manitoba and is the number one cause of death between 10-17 years. Statistically, suicide is declining in Canada. 

Life expectancy has dropped in Canada from 81 years to 80 years. Cancer and heart disease are the biggest contributors and of course Covid has played a part in the numbers. Saskatchewan has the lowest life expectancy. In total 334,081 Canadians died last year.

On Remembrance Day, I heard someone in a government position say that today's veterans need more recognition. They need to be recognized as Veterans that continue to carry on the traditions and values of wartime Veterans with their own accomplishments and sacrifices. It is common for most people to think of Veterans as someone who served in the First World War, Second World War or the Korean War. Traditional veterans are honored on Nov 11th when Canadians reflect on who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and peace. Veterans Affairs are concerned that the recognition is not the same for those who served Canada since the Korean War. Four out of every ten Veteran are seniors, over 65 years. One third of the today's veterans are 25-54 years old, and one in six veterans are women. 

Women have always played a huge role in the military. During WW I, there were more than 3,100 women serving in the Canadian medical corps. They were not permitted to serve in combat during either world wars. In 1941 and 1942, there was a woman's division and 50,000 women enlisted. By 1990, combat roles opened to women and the recruitment pool doubled.  

I have had regular mammogram checkups since I was 40, going every 2 years or so. The Breast Cancer Screening has a great system, and they will send you a letter to book an appointment. My last mammogram was in December of 2021. When I called to book another one, I was told that in Brandon they are booking into June. Yep, 7 months. Regular screening is now 2 years and 7 months.

I had one of the best birthday month. My friends and family came through in a big way. The celebrations started in October at the Dean Brody concert. I had a cute little tea party hosted by a 3-and 5-year-old. I went with friends to a chili bowl fundraiser at the Art Gallery. You got your chili served in a beautiful pottery bowl, and you took the bowl home. It was a really neat fundraising and birthday celebration all in one. I went to an incredible breakfast smorg with the Once-a-Month Club. I thought because I had enjoyed so many birthday events throughout the month the actual day would be quiet. Was I wrong about that. The steady stream of gifts and food drop offs was amazing. The phone calls, texts and Facebook messages kept me busy all day. Not only do I make a big deal out of my birthday, but so does everyone else. I was overflowing with the feeling of being blessed. 

I like to think that everyone is curious about how the gym is going for me. Well, it is going amazing. I do know two days a week is adequate for me. I have a new appreciation for those that attend every day. They have way more discipline than I do, and they look it. I will continue to call it CrossFit although I am aware it is the MOVE Class for Seniors (Masters of Vitality and Empowerment). I have attended fitness classes before and there is not one thing that is remotely the same from those classes as what we do at my new gym. Every session we lift weights, we do endurance, and we push ourselves past what any one of us ever thought we could do. For people over 55 that is pretty good. There is a piece of equipment that is called, "The assault bike". I have another name for it! I refuse to let it or any other piece of equipment beat me out. The trainers are what make the sessions, they have endless patience, and are so encouraging.   

Reality hit one morning when it had rained and snowed all night. The roads appeared treacherous to say the least. I can very quickly talk myself out of doing things when I think the roads are bad. It was gym day, and I decided that this was winter and that meant bad roads at times. I created a new rule, if the roads look bad, I will try them, before thinking I should stay home. Try it I did, I got to first street and was rocking and slipping my way down the street at 40kms. The big truck that was on my bumper wanting me to go faster, was the deciding factor. I did not need to be out there. At that point I circled round and put my vehicle in the garage where it probably should have stayed. 

I just love it when people take the time to comment on my posts. For some reason, unless you sign your name or initial, I have no idea who has written the comment. I try to guess, some comments are clear to me, other times I have no idea. If I could get you to either put an initial, sign or use the drop-down box, it would make me so happy to connect the words with a face. I am forever grateful for my blogging peeps, saying "Thanks" never seems enough!