My tribute to Anne McCaffrey

Anne of Dragonhold Author's note: The following is my humble, respectful, effort to pay tribute to Anne McCaffrey. I have imagined her as a citizen of Pern, and have created a scenario of her death on her most beloved planet. Master Harper Pallina awoke from a fitful sleep when Treasure, her elegant gold fire lizard, restlessly nudged her arm. She stroked the little queen's eye ridge, and mumbled a few soothing words. But, something was amiss. Easing Treasure aside, Pallina arose from her narrow bed and padded over to the window. She stood looking out into the Harper Hall courtyard, and tried make sense of the jumbled feelings and images that were popping into her mind. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the one sound she had never wanted to hear again. Every dragon and fire lizard in the vicinity was loudly keening the death of a loved one. Treasure - usually calm and regal in her bearing - was flitting about the chamber, rattling her pinions, and voicing her grief and confusion. Abruptly, she went Between ... only to reappear seconds later on the Master Harper's shoulder. She chirped apologetically, and began to quiver. Pallina understood what the small gold being was trying to tell her. "It's alright, my darling, go and be with them. I know you'll come back to me soon." Treasure nuzzled her friend's cheek, warbled a grateful farewell, and once again vanished; anxious to join the fairs of fire lizards that were circling the courtyard. Pallina stripped off her nightwear and quickly slipped into daytime clothing. She still didn't know what exactly had happened, but she knew she would be needed, and very soon. She was pulling on her boots when the drums started to beat in the distance. Sitting very still to listen to the incoming message, she was shocked. The news was devastating. The death mourned by the dragons hadn't happened in any of the Weyrs. As awful as that would have been, this was much worse. Anne of Dragonhold, the greatest Harper to have ever lived, was dead. Pallina allowed herself a brief moment to grieve the loss of her grandmother - then she brushed away her tears and left her room. She had duties to perform. The next few days passed in a blur as the Master Harper made arrangements for Anne's funeral. Pallina now stood at the podium, with Treasure in her usual position on her shoulder, ready to deliver the eulogy. Steeling her resolve not to give into the tears that threatened to engulf her, she began. Between the podium and the crowd - which numbered in the thousands - was a raised platform holding the shrouded form of the beloved Anne. The Fort Hold Gather Square was full to overflowing with people and fire lizards - and the surrounding cliffs were adorned with hundreds of dragons. Every Hold, Weyr, and Craft Hall from both continents was represented. Not since the passing of the legendary Robinton over 100 Turns ago had the people of Pern come together like this. Pallina was acutely aware that her every word, her every gesture was being noted. She half expected that by nightfall several of her journeymen would have completed their songs, poems and paintings of this historic event - just as they had already finished their memorials to Anne of Dragonhold. By this time tomorrow, all of Pern would have access to the record of this solemn day. Still, in keeping with Harper Hall philosophy - and Anne's own wishes - Pallina was determined to limit this speech to under an hour. It was not an easy task. Even overlooking her own personal memories of Grandmother Anne and sticking to a summary of her tenure as Master Harper, Pallina found such an abundance of information, anecdotes and testimonies that she could have crafted a eulogy that would have taken a seven-day to deliver in full. As she concluded the speech, she signaled to the senior queen of Bendan Weyr to come down from her perch on the ridge above. Orieth obliged, and dropped down low enough to firmly grasp in her forepaws the knotted ropes that held the shroud in place. She lifted her burden, and with a powerful down-sweep of her wings, rose aloft. She circled the Gather Square three times, gaining altitude, before bugling and disappearing Between. The mourners held their breaths for several seconds before Orieth reappeared with empty paws. At that moment, every dragon, every fire lizard, and every human raised their voices in a final tribute to Anne of Dragonhold. Pam Nymann November 26, 2011

What’s the big deal about celiac?

Is having celiac disease a big deal, really? In a word – YES!!

I won’t go into detail on the most common symptoms of celiac; I’ll just say that it can be a lot like having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Being free of that is a big deal, believe me.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. My body has decided that gluten is an invader, and works to get rid of it. I have antibodies that specifically attack gluten. The problem is, the ‘attack’ takes place in my small intestine – causing damage to the delicate tissues there. This damage leads to nutrition problems. In fact, I have had a doctor* tell me that I am probably profoundly malnourished. People with celiac frequently have other health issues; such as thyroid problems, diabetes, a specific skin problem called dermatitis herpetiformis, osteoporosis, anemia, and certain types of cancer. The list goes on and on.

It’s rather mind-boggling: there are between 250 and 300 different symptoms and issues that can afflict a person with celiac. Fortunately, I have relatively few of them.

So, yes, celiac is a big deal.

The good news is that celiac can be well-controlled by adopting a gluten-free lifestyle. I’m working on it. Even better news: the numbers of my anti-gluten antibodies are declining, and should soon be at ‘normal’ levels. When that happens, I should begin to feel healthier. Bring it on!

*this doctor is a specialist in nutrition and weight issues

My new favourite TV show - Sea Patrol

My new favorite is an Australian production called Sea Patrol. It chronicles the adventures of the HMAS Hammersley and her crew. (That’s Her Majesty’s Australian ship – and, by the way, Canadian ship names start with HMCS) The Hammersley is a Royal Australian Navy patrol boat, based out of Cairns. She patrols the waters on the north side of Australia, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Mike Flynn. Mike has a crew of 21, only 3 of whom are women. His XO is Kate McGregor, who happens to also be an old flame (she was a student in a navy training course he taught, and they ended up ‘involved’.) But, they have put that in the past (sort of) and work together quite well – most of the time.

Hubbie also likes Sea Patrol. His only complaint is that we can only get the first 2 seasons on TV here – but he has found a site where we can watch more online. Season 5 is now being broadcast in Australia, and that will be it. Production is shutting down for several reasons, not least of which is that the Australian government discontinued a subsidy the producers have been counting on. Hubbie wants to get the DVD’s – if we can get a region 1 or all regions set.

A New Constitution for the People of Canada

An Open Letter To All Loyal Canadians          

Dear Loyal Canadians,

I LOVE CANADA!  I love Canada and all its people.  I want to make that crystal clear in your minds before we go any further.  It is with this love for my country and its people that I have felt it necessary to take action. This is, by far, the most difficult letter I have ever had to compose. There are a few things and a bit of history that need to be understood by all: 

First, in order to form a federation (a unified country), a condition of sovereignty and independence must exist in the Provinces before they can federate, or form a unified whole (i.e.: a nation called Canada). It was, therefore, necessary that the British government relinquish its authority over them. On December 11, 1931, the Statute of Westminster did just that.  Section 7, paragraph 2, set the Provinces of Canada sovereign, free and independent so that they could legally form the federal union which they had desired since 1867.  (At that time, the Imperial Parliament (British Government) would not permit them to do so.)

To date, the Provinces of Canada have not acted on the status granted them by the Statute of Westminster; they have not signed any legal agreements, they have not adopted a constitution, and the People of Canada have not ratified a constitution. This should have been done immediately upon the enactment of the Statute of Westminster. The Provinces have failed to take action and therefore all the problems with our present position exist. Since 1931, futile efforts have been made to govern the people of Canada federally, using legal and illegal trickery, tactics, deception, and outright lies, which have amounted to nothing more than an illegal Government controlling its unlawful possession.  Therefore, the "federal" government does not exist legally (we have a legal state of anarchy), and the Parliament of Canada has no legitimate right to exist, since its purpose is to form the national government (i.e.: no nation legally exists, therefore there is nothing to govern).
Other than the Charlottetown Accord, which was defeated October 26, 1992, no consultation whatsoever has been made with the People of Canada. We have not been consulted on anything pertaining to constitutional matters.

Canada has had only three federal referendums:

Ø  Referendum on Prohibition In 1898

Are you in favour of the passing of an Act prohibiting the importation, manufacture, or sale of spirits, wine, ale, beer, cider, and all other alcoholic liquors for use as beverages?

(Approved by 278,380 votes out of 543,073 votes cast or 51.3%).

(The Government did NOT bring in prohibition, against the wishes of the People of Canada).

Ø  Referendum on Conscription In 1942

Are you in favour of releasing the Government from any obligations arising out of any past commitments restricting the methods of raising men for military service?

(Approved by 2,921,206 votes out of 4,529,815 votes cast or 64.5%). (The Government only brought in conscription out of desperation in November, 1944, having resisted the will of the People of Canada as long as possible).

Ø  Referendum on the Charlottetown Accord In 1992

Do you agree that the Constitution of Canada should be renewed on the basis of the agreement reached on August 28, 1992?

 (Defeated by 7,550,732 votes out of 13,731,634 votes cast, or 55%).

(The Government acts as if this had been ratified, which it NEVER has).

I ask you: From whom does the Parliament of Canada derive its authority to govern this country? The British Government cannot create a federal union in Canada or constitute a federal government for the People of Canada by virtue of the British North America Act (now the Constitution Act) or any other act. This can only be done by the people of Canada, and they have not yet done so.

Since December 11, 1931, as individual citizens of this country we have had the right to be consulted on the matter of a constitution. We have had the right to ratify or to refuse to ratify a constitution, but have not been consulted in any way whatsoever.
Until a majority of Canadians ratify a constitution in Canada, there is no constitution.

To be succinct, in Canada we DO NOT have a CONSTITUTION.  What we have is a Constitution Act.  Is there a difference between the two?  Yes!  Some definitions are necessary to clarify exactly what the difference is. 

"What is a Constitution?"  A Constitu­tion is a document written by People, for People, and of People in order to limit and control the actions and jurisdic­tions of governments. 

"What is an Act?"  Very simply, an Act is a document, written by, of, and for government, that empowers government to act.  A Constitu­tion Act, therefore, is a document, written by government, of government, and for government that specifies powers of government and limits the rights and freedoms of citizens.

That does not mean that Canada as a nation or that we as Canadians are destined to be forgotten in the annals of history.  Rather, it means that we, the People of Canada, must simply stand up to the fraudulent system of government that has oppressed the rights and freedoms of our foregoers and us to this date. 

We, the People of Canada, must stand together as one People, united in our belief that all persons are created equal, and must be treated equally and independently under the law.

We, the People of Canada, must stand together and create a Constitution for all of us.  We are all Canadians.  We are the many.  Let us not be divided by the few.  Let us keep Canada as a glorious nation, cherished by all Canad­ians, admired by the world.

With this in mind, I have taken it upon myself to write a Constitution for Canada.  Albeit, I have borrowed some of the ideas from the U.S. Constitut­ion, the Magna Carta, and other documents, make no mistake - this IS a Constitution for all the People of Canada. 

There are no special groups or distinct societies recognized in it. There are only The People of Canada - you and me - all of us - together at last.

Strong and Free,

Kirk Louis Nymann

If you wish to read my new constitution (PDF), please email me at the address shown below.  

CanadianConstitution@yahoo.ca

A thought for today.

I'm on an 80s music nostalgia trip right now.

In the words of Wang Chung:

"True love is the answer to everything. True love is the answer. True love is the thing."

Blogging - why bother?

Blogging - why do it?

The easy answer is why not do it? But, answering a question with another question is really a cop-out.

For me, blogging is simply a way to hone my writing skills while expressing my thoughts and opinions on a variety of topics.

I know people who think that blogs are boring and tedious. They are, of course, entitled to their opinions. And, I have to agree that SOME blogs are indeed boring. Others are interesting. I sincerely hope that mine is in the latter category, but I'll leave it to my readers to decide.

I also know people who are afraid to express themselves online. The horror stories they've heard, about just how dangerous the Internet is, have convinced them that the only way to be safe is to never post anything online. I disagree. (I may get into the urban legend aspects of Internet horror stories in a later post.)

I look at it this way ... people have a long history of reaching out to the far corners of the globe to connect with other human beings. A former brother-in-law of mine has been a ham radio operator since he was a young teenager. What do ham radio operators do? Simple - they talk to people in other places. Also, I grew up with friends who had pen-pals in far-flung locales. Again, they were 'talking' to people who lived far away. So, how is blogging any different? It's just a different way to make friends around the world.

Blogging at its best is just like having many pen-pals at once. I can sit here and write one 'letter', post it, and have it read by anyone, anywhere.

Getting back the dangers of the Internet ...  yes, there are perils. But, with a few basic precautions, the Internet can also be a really fun place to be.

Hello and Welcome

Hello, everyone. I'm LibraryLady61. I work in an academic library in Calgary, a western Canadian prairie city close to the spectacular Rockie Mountains. I love both the wide open prairies and the breathtakingly beautiful mountains - although I must admit that I'm a city girl at heart.

This blog doesn't have any particular theme and may not be updated at regular intervals. My plan is to compose entries as often as my time and energy permit, on whatever topics the Muses happen to suggest.

Welcome to my little corner of the world. I invite you to "walk along with me to the next bend". (from Lovely to see you again, by the Moody Blues.)