Canada's National Anthem

 

This week we are looking at the national anthem of Canada, the song is called “O Canada", it was originally commissioned by Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Théodore Robitaille for the 1880 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony; Calixa Lavallée composed the music, after which French-language words were written by the poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

While “O Canada” is the national anthem of Canada, “God Save The King” is their Royal Anthem. Both songs have multiple verses, though typically only the first verse is sung. The English lyrics of the Royal Anthem are traditional.

The French lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a poet and judge. 

The English lyrics were written by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer and recorder of Montreal. 

"O Canada" became Canada's official national anthem on July 1, 1980. 

When it comes to the song being sung in schools, it is provincially mandated, but students do not need to sing if a parent or guardian requests that they be exempt.

Many Indigenous peoples view 'O Canada' as a harmful reminder of the historical oppression that Indigenous peoples face. 0

It is often sung at sporting events involving Canadian teams, and on Canada Day. English lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

(Refrain)
O Canada! O Canada!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee,
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow,
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow,
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western sea!
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

(Refrain)

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea,
Our own beloved native land,
Our True North, strong and free!

(Refrain)

Ruler Supreme, Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care.
Help us to find, O God, in Thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

(Refrain)

French lyrics by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier

O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!


Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,


Protégera nos foyers et nos droits,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.


Sous l’oeil de Dieu, près du fleuve géant,
Le Canadien grandit en espérant.
Il est né d’une race fière,
Béni fut son berceau:
Le ciel a marqué sa carrière
Dans ce monde nouveau.
Toujours guidé par sa lumière,
Il gardera l’honneur de son drapeau,
Il gardera l’honneur de son drapeau.


De son patron, précurseur du vrai Dieu,
Il porte au front l’auréole de feu.
Ennemi de la tyrannie
Mais plein de loyauté.
Il veut garder dans l’harmonie,
Sa fière liberté;
Et par l’effort de son génie,
Sur notre sol asseoir la vérité,
Sur notre sol asseoir la vérité.


Amour sacré du trône et de l’autel,
Remplis nos coeurs de ton souffle immortel!
Parmi les races étrangères,
Notre guide est la loi;
Sachons être un peuple de frères,
Sous le joug de la foi.
Et répétons, comme nos pères,
Le cri vainqueur: “Pour le Christ et le roi,”
Le cri vainqueur: “Pour le Christ et le roi.”

Official lyrics of “O Canada”

English lyrics

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.*

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

She would be 85 today

 

My mum would be 85 today and words cannot really express how sad I am feeling that she isn’t here for us to celebrate, if she was here, we would all be at her place, and we would either order pizza for lunch or ger KFC.

I would have sent a reminder about her birthday to all her grandchildren and asked them to pop over and see her during the day and most of them would have done just that.  My parents had 18 grandchildren including Landon and Skylar and 19 great-grandchildren.

Family was very important to both mum and dad and the importance of family they passed on to their children.

Even though she has been gone 4yrs in April I still have times when I pick up the phone to call her, I spoke to mum every day for something like 20yrs sometimes two or three times a day.

Today it is raining so I can’t go to the cemetery as it would be a soaking mess but when it fines up, I will get someone most likely Sue to take me over.

Mum wasn’t just my mum she was my best friend and the loss of her and dad has ripped a large hole in me and I often feel lost without them around. I do believe they are watching over me and the rest of their family.

Newcastle's Role in World War 2

 

Well, here we are at another Wednesday and this week we will step back to World War 2 for a little more about Newcastle, New South Wales role in Australia’s war effort.

The Japanese knew damn well how important Newcastle’s steel industry and coalmines would be for this small nation to be able to fight and defend itself, as without steel for ships, planes, tanks and weapons any country would struggle to survive a major conflict.  

When the BHP opened its steelworks in 1915 the city became a cornerstone of the country’s defence as well as a target for attack by an enemy.

It seems that in the 1920’s Japan studied Newcastle and its surrounds with intense interest. They believed it was important to seize the Hunter’s coalfields and cutting them off from Australia’s defence force.

They also conducted a sustained and intensive investigation of the topography and economic installations of the Newcastle area.  Most of this information was gathered by officers on Japanese merchant ships that visited Newcastle for coal. On almost every visit to Newcastle the Japanese officers would spend most of their time ashore, driving around the area in chauffeur-driven hired cars. They made maps and took an innumerable amount of photos, it was the shipping companies who paid for these trips and presumably were reimbursed by their government.

Australia’s intelligence people noted that almost all the Japanese officers visited a Japanese owned milliner’s shop, the shop closed up when questions were asked but soon after a Japanese owned fruit shop opened. It was owned by a well known Japanese agent who had a reputation of wealth and leisure and the dingy understocked fruit shop didn’t seem to go with the man.

Between 1924 and 1926 many Japanese ships went out of their way to pass as close as possible to Newcastle paying special attention to the beaches.

In the 1930’s well before the war many of our leading politicians and industrialist believed a conflict was inevitable. When BHP chief Essington Lewis visited Japan in the 1930’s and saw how the Japanese were putting a lot of energy and resources into arming itself for war, he was alarmed and on returning home set about preparing the BHP for a major munitions manufacturing company.

This man was hugely influential, and the federal government appointed him director of munitions meaning he managed a large part od the country’s industrial war efforts.

Newcastle’s steelworks and associated factories were destined to play a massive part in the nations defence, a huge array of weapons, parts and tools were produced in Newcastle with thousands of people being employed.

The challenges the city’s factories faced as they tried to replaced previously imported items were huge, but they managed to produce and churn out items that required the most demanding accuracy. It was a tribute to the hard work and dedication that a relatively novice workforce was able to turn its hand to this new industry with such success.

BHP learned to make the special steels needed for armour and armour-piercing weapons, other firms made steel helmets and other items. The firm of Lysaght made parts for tanks used by Australian forces, they also mass produced the Wollongong designed Owen sub-machine gun, as well as floating pontoons, portable aircraft hangers, army machetes and the precision-made “spinners” for the propellers of Mosquito aircraft.

Newcastle was one of the few locations to be attacked by  the Japanese.

Tibetan Fox

 

This week we are looking at The Tibetan fox, also known as the Tibetan sand fox, is a species of true fox endemic to the high Tibetan Plateau, Ladakh plateau, Nepal, China, Sikkim, and Bhutan, up to elevations of about 5,300 metres.

These foxes have a soft and dense rufous coloured coat from the crown, neck, back to the lower legs. Its muzzle is narrow, its cheeks, flanks, upper legs and rumps are grey, and its bushy tail has white tips.

They primarily prey on plateau pikas, followed by rodents, marmots, woolly hares, rabbits, small ground birds and lizards. It also scavenges on the carcasses of Tibetan antelopes, musk deer, blue sheep and livestock. Tibetan foxes are mostly solitary, daytime hunters as their main prey, pikas, are diurnal.

Like some foxes they are monogamous, and they won't change their spouse unless one of them passes away.

They can live up to 10 years in ideal conditions. However, most foxes die from natural causes or are hunted by humans before they reach five years old.

There are no major threats to the species at present, although poisoning of pikas (a major prey item) in much of the Tibetan plateau poses a concern. Nonetheless, there is no evidence that the species is currently undergoing a decline that would warrant listing in a threatened category.

After a gestation period of 51 - 53 days, Tibetan Sand Foxes give birth to a litter of 3 - 6 young in a den.

 

 

 

The Middle East

 

Ok I am moving away from Africa and venturing into the Middle East, this is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western European nations in the early 20th century as a replacement of the term Near East.

The Middle East is considered to include countries like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and others, totalling around 17 countries. Although the exact number depends on the definition used. Some sources include the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and parts of North Africa within the Middle East.

Egypt is traditionally considered to be part of the Middle East. It is a regional power in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Muslim world. I included it in the North African Countries.

However, when you consider that the official language of Egypt is Arabic. And the official religion of Egypt is Islam. As well as the fact that some say the majority of Egyptians today identify as Arabs linguistically, while others say that there is a growing minority reject this.

Roughly 60% of the population in the Middle East is under 25 years old. The term “Arab” generally refers to people who speak Arabic as their first language. The majority of Arabs are Muslims, but the majority of Muslims are not Arabs. The words Islam and Muslim are derived from the Arabic word salam, which means peace.

The Middle East is the birthplace of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is, therefore, a region of great diversity. While Arabs compose the majority of the Middle East's population, the region is also home to Berbers, Kurds, Jews, Persians, Turks, and a vast array of other ethnic and religious minorities.

The Middle East is about 3.82 million square miles or 9.9 million square kilometres It makes up about 6.2% of the Earth's land.

The largest country is Saudi Arabia, which is about 800,000 square miles or 2.1 million square kilometres and the smallest country is Bahrain, which is about 295 square miles or 765 square kilometres.

The Middle East is known for its vast deserts, including the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula's "Empty Quarter.

The highest point is Mount Damavand in Iran, which is 18,406 feet or 5,610 meters tall and the lowest point is the Dead Sea, which is 1,388 feet or 423 meters below sea level.

Next week we will start looking at different counties. 

 

Week 4 of 2025

 

After a rough start I managed to get some decent sleep, it is 20 degrees at 6am and my BGL was 4.8

Tim is working, he had left before I got up.

I managed to do a number of things on the computer, like research and write up this week’s blog post, no I didn’t do them all in one day but over two days.

A fine day, Tim home by 3pm

Steps: 8,352

I had a good night but when I got up to pee at 4.50am I was struggling to keep my eyes open, so I took my tablets and went back to bed for 20 minutes. After that I was feeling ok and had a hot shower when I got up.

It is only 15 degrees and my BGL was 4.9

Kathy dropped the girls off around 9am she wasn’t feeling well are rang me at midday to say she was heading home and will come get the girls. She did a four in one test and she has Covid, explains why she feels like death warmed up.

Tim bought a wall heater/fan for the bathroom it is mounted and working. The heater part works better than the fan but that’s ok it is mostly the heater we will use in the colder months.

Steps: 4,469

I had a good night, didn’t wake at all, I am feeling good this morning. It is only 16 degrees and my BGL was 4.9.

It has become a hot day, and I needed the air con on.

I vacuumed, washed the laundry, bathroom and kitchen floors. After that I washed the towels and hung them out, after that I was exhausted.

Steps: 7,952

SYDNEY-MAY’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 15

I had a good night, didn’t wake at all, I am feeling good this morning. It is 18 degrees and my BGL was 5.0.

Sue drove me to my doctor’s appointment to get the results of my Xray and Scan, all is ok, yes, I have arthritis but it’s not too bad.

Had a women Sue knows contact me about the toaster oven that Jess doesn’t want, she came over and picked it up.

I am having a restless night

Steps:8,093

A new day has arrived and after a rough start I ended up sleeping well for five hours.

It 20 degrees and by BGL was 4.9.

Sue took me to have my ears cleaned, as it turned out my right ear was clear, but the left was 70% blocked.

We then went to Coles before coming home. It has been a warm day but no need for the air con just the fan.

Steps:3,479

Another day is here and it’s Friday, Tim has no work today, so I suggested we go out for lunch as it is his birthday on Sunday (Australia Day). I asked Sue if she would like to join us also asked Tasha and Jess, but they said nope, Jess said she will be sleeping as she is working tonight. Tasha has no money.

It is 20 degrees and my BFL was 5.0.

Lunch was good, Sue and I laughed a lot.

It has been a nice warm day needing only the fan at times to cool down.

Steps:5,484

Another good night and another cool start to the day, nothing on today I don’t need to leave the house and that feels good.

It is only 16 degrees, and we are looking at a top temp of only 25 degrees.

When Tim got up, he said we needed to change the sheets, so I stripped the bed and remade it.

It is a warm day, but I haven’t turned the air con on.

I have felt exhausted a few times today but that’s ok it was after doing stuff like changing the sheets, shaving my legs then cleaning the bathroom sink. Vacuuming and sorting through some stuff.

I am having a rough night.

Steps: 8, 101

 

 

 

Eritrea National Anthem

First up there is a new hodgepodge post over here:https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-cold-hodgepodge-in-summer.html

This week we are looking at the national anthem of Eritrea, but I wasn’t able to find much information about it.

The national anthem is called, "Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea", it was written by poet Solomon Tsehaye Beraki and composed by organist Isaac Abraham Meharezghi.  This was back in 1986 and was updated in 1993 after Eritrea gained independence.

The anthem represents the common national consciousness that developed among the people of Eritrea during their nearly three-decade war of independence. 

These are the lyrics.

The English translation is this.

Ertra, Ertra, Ertra,
The barbarian enemy humiliatingly defeated
And martyrdom has paid for freedom

Decades of devotion for purpose
Your name became challenger, miraculous
Ertra, comfort for the oppressed
Proved that truth can win after all

Ertra, Ertra
A sovereign state on earth after all

Dedication that led to liberation
Will build up and make her green
We shall honour her with progress
We have a word to her to embellish

Ertra, Ertra
A sovereign state on earth after all

 

 

 

Process Delay Disorder

Hi everyone, this week we are looking at a condition that my eldest daughter told me about, it is called Process Delay Disorder. Has anyone heard of this?

What is it, well it’s a condition that makes it difficult for people to process information from their senses. This can include visual, auditory, or sensory information. 

It is a time-relating characteristic that determines an amount of time during which a scheduled process or activity is stopped or idle. It is an unplanned extension in the process's duration caused by some circumstances that impedes the process's commencement or continuation.

The symptoms include. 

• Difficulty remembering new information
• Difficulty following multi-step instructions
• Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy places
• Difficulty completing math operations
• Difficulty interacting with others

There are many things that could cause it, including. 

• Physical illness or injury
• Lack of sleep
• Reaction to medications
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning disorders
• Emotional factors
• Fewer neurotransmitters in the brain
• Epilepsy

There's no cure for auditory processing disorder, however, there is treatment.

When it comes to treatment, it seems something called auditory training, this means to undertake activities that will improve someone’s concentration and listening.

Reading regularly, is thought to help as reading exercises your brain muscles like any other muscle, and the more you read, the faster you might be able to process information.

Playing brain games, also help as there are many brain-training games and puzzles that can help improve your processing speed.

Processing disorders can affect a person's ability to learn, work, and socialize. They can also lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. 

 

Newcastle's Trams way back when

 

Hello Wednesday, hello world, hello readers today we are looking at the rise and fall of the electric tramway.

Newcastle’s first tram service started in 1887, it ran between the city and the suburbs Wallsend/Plattsburg, it was a steam service. The tram actual went down Robert St in Wallsend straight pass the house my brother now owns and lives in. I know this because I remember my Great-Aunt Joyce, who owned the house before my brother told me more then once. 

Steam trams were speedy and reliable, but they also caused environmental issues.

The electrification of the network began at the end of 1923 with the Mayfield service and over time extended. The tram first came into service in November 1924.

For a while there was a hybrid network between electric and steam trams, with steam trams running between Wallsend and Speers Point as well as West Wallsend.

The system was exclusively electric by 1930, the tram network was gradually converted to bus and trolleybus operations from the 1930s

In the 1930s poor patronage and competition from bus services led to the realisation that trams were not paying their way. During the Great Depression, there was not the political will to remove a service that provided jobs and cheap transport, however by the late 1930s this had changed, and the Port Waratah and Carrington lines were closed in 1938.

Many believe that it was World War 11 that delayed any further closures. Because of fuel rationing buses were not allowed to run services where trams operated. The end of the war saw the Mayfield line close in 1948, the Wallsend line in 1949 with the remainder in 1950.

As tram services in Newcastle declined, the Hamilton Depot was converted to a bus depot, which it continues as today operated by Newcastle Transport.

Buses gradually took over from trams as time went by with the last tram run ending on the 12 June 1950, it was tram number 147 and ran to Waratah before terminating at 12.10am an account was given by a transport enthusiast named Ken Magor, he wrote the following.

The tram leaving on its last run was covered in streamers and as it passed through the streets of its route there were surprising numbers that awaited its final run. Of course, Hunter Street with its late revellers gave it a resounding cheer as it passed by. A large and happy crowd filled the tram and rode to the terminus where many photos were taken, and a Mr Taylor let off a rather large rocket and comments were made that if trams ever returned to Newcastle they would be “jet propelled”.

Twelve members of the Australian Electric Traction Association, whose members worked hard for the retention of the tramway system but with no luck. This was due to non-co-operation of local bodies, made the trip from Sydney for the last tram ride.

 

 

 

 

Grey Fox

 

The gray fox, or grey fox, is an omnivorous mammal of the family Canidae, widespread throughout North America and Central America.

They live in a wide variety of places. They prefer to live in places they can blend in, like canyons and ridges. Though they will also live in wooded areas, open desert and grasslands. They can be found from Quebec to Northern Columbia and Venezuela.

They are common, but very elusive and rare to spot in the wild. They are primarily nocturnal but may forage during the day.

They are smaller than red foxes. They weigh between 7 and 13 pounds and average 3 to 4 feet in length including the tail. They are stockier and have shorter legs than the red fox. Their color is grizzled gray with a distinctive black streak along the top to the black tip of the tail.

They have a white throat and belly. Their chest and lower sides of the body, undersurface of the tail, backs of the ears, parts of the legs, feet and neck are reddish or yellowish brown. The claws are sharp, and on the forefeet recurved.

Due to their more aggressive behavior, they prefer to hunt thicker cover than the more timid red fox. The gray fox's preference for thicker cover, aggressive behavior, and the ability to climb trees minimizes the effect that eastern coyotes have on their population.

It often lines the den with shredded bark or leaves and will return to the same one year after year. The gray fox is nocturnal and crepuscular, which means it is most active at dusk and dawn. During the day, it remains in the den.

The gray fox is a solitary hunter and eats a wide variety of foods. A large part of its diet is made up of small mammals like mice, voles and eastern cottontail rabbits. It also eats birds; insects; and plants like corn, apples, nuts, berries and grass.

The gray fox has few natural predators. Bobcats, coyotes, great horned owls, and golden eagles may occasionally prey upon young gray foxes.

Eritrea

 

This week we are still in Africa, and this is a country I only recently heard of while watching something on YouTube about modern day slavery.  

So, we are looking at the country of Eritrea.

Eritrea is a northeast African country on the Red Sea coast. It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The capital city, Asmara, is known for its Italian colonial buildings, like St. Joseph's Cathedral, as well as art deco structures. Italian, Egyptian and Turkish architecture in Massawa reflect the port city's colourful history. Notable buildings here include St. Mariam Cathedral and the Imperial Palace.

It has a population of 3.7 million and has no official language, as it is a multilingual country, and as the Constitution establishes the "equality of all Eritrean languages". Tigrinya, Arabic, and English serve as de facto working languages, with English used in university education and many technical fields.

The flag of Eritrea is made up of a red triangle, a green triangle, and a blue triangle, with a yellow olive branch and wreath in the centre. The first Eritrean flag was adopted in 1952, but was replaced by Ethiopia in 1958, The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) adopted a flag in 1977, the current flag was adopted on December 5, 1995.

The country’s official religions are Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity, Sunni Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Evangelical Protestantism. However, the government restricts the activities of these religions and persecutes members of unregistered religious groups. 

What does this mean? Well, the government's constitution and laws prohibit discrimination based on religion. However, the government restricts the activities of the officially recognized religions. The government intimidates and prosecutes people who practice unregistered religions, it also prevents unregistered religions from building houses of worship or practicing their religion. Also, the government detains people for their religious beliefs, including minors.

The currency is the nakfa and was introduced on 15 November 1997 to replace the Ethiopian birr at par. It takes it name from then place of Nakfa were the first victory in their war of independence took place.

Like many other African countries, it is not a safe place to visit.

The country’s education system includes basic, secondary, and tertiary education. The government has been working to improve the quality of education and increase access to schools. Due to the country’s geography which include remote areas education is difficult.

Other problems are the amount of poverty, and many children living in nomadic areas also children with disabilities have difficulty accessing education.

In fact, many children are unable to read and understand what they are reading, and it is not unusual for as much as 48% of primary school-aged children to not attend school.

Eritrea has been involved in several wars and conflicts, including the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, the Djiboutian–Eritrean conflict, and the Tigray War. 

Eritrean–Ethiopian War lasted from 1998 to 2000 and was between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The war resulted in the Algiers Agreement, tens of thousands lost their lives on both sides. The war resulted in minor changes to the border between the two countries. 

Eritrean–Ethiopian border conflict this was a violent standoff and proxy conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia that lasted from 1998 to 2018. In 2018, Ethiopia agreed to cede Badme to Eritrea.

Eritrean War of Independence as armed conflict that lasted from 1961 to 1991 this war ended in 1991 with the fall of the Derg regime.

Djiboutian–Eritrean conflict occurred in 2008 between Eritrea and Djibouti it lasted only three days of indecisive fighting.

Lastly there was the Tigray War a conflict that occurred from 2020 to 2022 between Ethiopia and Eritrea it ended with the Ethiopia–Tigray peace agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Post at Random Stuff

 There is a new post over here: https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/sams-drawings.html

Week 3 of 2025

 

 

Another good night and nice morning it’s 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.3

Tim and I went over to Lake Fair, he wanted to cash in empty bottles, and I wanted to go to the dollar store to see what cheap Christmas things they had.

I only found a couple of things but that’s ok.

By the time we got home it was stinking hot.

Steps:6,499

I had a decent enough sleep, up at 5, showered and dressed, I have to see the neurologist is Sydney at 12.40pm so we will leave here around 9.30am

It is currently 18 degrees, but it is expected to reach 30 degrees today. My BGL was 5.1

When I saw the neurologist, she was pleased with how I am doing and isn’t making any change to my medication. The only thing that annoyed me was that she was running 70 minutes late.

We arrived home around 5pm, to a stinking hot house, we should have asked one of the girls to come and turn the air con around 4.30, that was the first thing I did after walking into the house.

LIARNA’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 15 TODAY

I had a good night didn’t wake at all, it is 21 degrees this morning and my BGL was 5.1, we are headed for a top temp of 29 degrees.

Kathy will be dropping Summer off for the day, Summer would rather stay home alone like she did yesterday, but her mum said no.

Ok in the last how the temp has dropped to 19 degrees.

Thankfully I remember this morning that the water will be cut off from 8am to 3pm and made sure the kettle was filled as well as a jug of water.

As it turned out we didn’t have the water cut off.

There was an incident out the front, Tim was walking over to Jess’s place and the woman in unit 14 was driving out and Tim said she made like she was going to run him over. I watched the video caught on the door-bell camera, but I didn’t notice anything. I am not saying she didn’t do something just that I couldn’t see it. Anyway, he rang the cops to report it, and they came out to talk to him at 10.30pm.

Another mostly good night.

The temp is 25 degrees and my GL is 5.1. We are in for another hot day it reached a top of 33 degrees.

So, I went and had my care plan reviewed and then I went and had an Xray of my elbow done as well as the CT scan done of my left knee. Sue drove me.

I was glad that Tim turned the air con on before he went to work, as that meant I came home to a cool house.

Tim is working today; he should be home around 3pm. 

I managed to walk up and check the mail without my cane or my walker, I felt exhausted by the time I got back inside the house.

I am having a very restless night; I just can’t settle.

Steps:8,346

After a restless start to the night, I ended up sleeping good enough, I got up at 5am, showered and dressed for the day.

It is a nice 20 degrees, only looking at a top of 22 degrees today.

Around 11am it started raining and has been raining on and off all day. It has also been very windy and cold.

Steps:6,502

Another good night woke twice to pee.

It is a coldish 18 degrees and have long pants on, so I can have the sliding doors open. My BGL was 5.1

Damn it is a cold day feels more like winter then summer today. In fact, after Tim left for work, I turned the heater on for about an hour to warm the room up.

This afternoon I started to feel off, headache and aching chest and back area and just not feeling right.

Steps:4,510

Another good night woke only once to pee, it is another cool and wet morning raining as I write this. I still don’t feel great but I’m ok. It is only 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.8

It stopped raining around 12.45pm and warmed up some, but around 5pm it started raining.

I went to bed at 8.30pm but woke at 10.22, tossing and turning so I got up for an hour and half.

Tim is working he left before I got up, I think he left around 4.15am.

Steps:10, 509

National Anthem of The Republic of the Congo

 

This week’s national anthem is “La Congolaise” which is the national anthem of the Republic of the Congo.

It was adopted in 1959 after the country’s independence from France, it was replaced in 1969 by "Les Trois Glorieuses” only to be reinstated in 1991. The lyrics were written by Jacques Tondra and Georges Kibanghi, and the music was composed by Jean Royer and Joseph Spadilière.

I En ce jour le soleil se lève Et notre Congo resplendit. Une longue nuit s'achève, Un grand bonheur a surgi. Chantons tous avec ivresse Le chant de la liberté. Refrain : Congolais, debout fièrement partout, Proclamons l'union de notre nation, Oublions ce qui nous divise, Soyons plus unis que jamais, Vivons pour notre devise: Unité, travail, progrès, Vivons pour notre devise: Unité, travail, progrès! II Des forêts jusqu'à la savanne, Des savannes jusqu'à la mer, Un seul peuple, une seule âme, Un seul cœur, ardent et fier, Luttons tous, tant que nous sommes, Pour notre vieux pays noir. Refrain III Et s'il nous faut mourir, en somme Qu'importe puisque nos enfants, Partout, pourront dire comme On triomphe en combattant, Et dans le moindre village Chantent sous nos trois couleurs. Refrain

I On this day the sun rises And our Congo stands resplendent. A long night is ended, A great happiness has come. Let us all, with wild joyfulness, sing The song of freedom. Chorus: Arise, Congolese, proud every man, Proclaim the unity of our nation. Let us forget what divides us And become more united than ever. Let us live our motto: Unity, work, progress. Let us live our motto: Unity, work, progress! II From the forest to the savannah, From the savannah to the sea, One people, one soul, One heart, ardent and proud. Let us all fight, every one of us, For our black  country. Chorus III And if we have to die, What does it really matter? Our children Everywhere will be able to say how Triumph comes through battle, And in the smallest village Sing beneath our three colours Chorus

 

Time for Hodgepodge

Want to check out some hodgepodge then go here to  do so: https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/hodgepodge-and-change.html