“Optimism is a Political Act”

Posted on September 4, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Did You Hear the Subtle Meaning?

I wanted to focus on the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. Michael J. Fox’ quote came up. On the surface, every midterm election is a referendum of the ruling government at the time. In fact, if memory serves me, Biden’s people were worried about a rising Red Tide that didn’t materialize. That’s the warning here. Everyone is predicting a Democratic resurgence; after all, Trump’s approval rating (according to the polls) has dipped to the lowest of any president. But what if that just motivates Trump voters to stick with their preferred political party come November? When Michael said that optimism was a political act, it struck me that the ‘war’ against Iran is being spoken of by Trump’s minions as if it’s being won, every day. It’s an ‘act’, folks. Trump is a firm believer in the Power of Positive Thinking. If you say something often enough, truly believing it will happen, your optimistic point-of-view will win.

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The Results: No Smoke Without a Fire

Posted on September 3, 2026 by cdsmiller17

I Saw the Urologist Yesterday

Yes, my prostate has early stages of cancer in three of the 12 samples taken during the biopsy.

This is a slow growing type of cancer. In fact, my doctor in Barrie thought something may be up with my prostate three years ago. She was going to send my file to a specialist, but nothing ever came of that referral. In 10 to 15 years, some symptoms may show themselves, but ‘something’ else could get me before then. I can have radiation but that sometimes causes more problems than it cures.

Nothing is written in stone, so we’ll take it one day at a time. Bless.

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If America Doesn’t NEED Canada, Why Worry?

Posted on September 3, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Is This Just About the Booze?

No. It’s much more than that. Americans are afraid of China getting their foot in their economy through the ‘backdoor’ route. Trying to restrict who Canada trades with is a tactic to ‘protect’ their own industries.

Canada will never become the 51st states, although there are hints that maybe Alberta might. We’ll see.

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She was Unnamed in the Gospel of Matthew:

Posted on September 2, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Claudia Procula

I’ve had this book in my Kindle collection for about 10 years. It’s a fantasy, to be sure, but it does open the door to the idea that she was one of the first Christians. Strange, right? The letter featured in the following YouTube video is also a fantasy:

This is no different than the gospels written decades after the events of 30 AD by scholarly Greek authors, hiding behind disciples’ names. We take it on faith to be a true accounting of the events. But, realistically, none of the stories are ‘real’, but they are legendary.

Sometimes, the Truth seeps through the myth-making.

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Knew the Latin Title, But What was the Jewish One?

Posted on September 1, 2026 by cdsmiller17

INRI = YHVH

Sometimes, you can’t discredit something, especially when it makes better sense than your belief system.

The inscription above Jesus’ head on his cross was written in three languages: Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The Latin title shouldn’t have bothered the Jewish authorities, because their “King” was being removed from the world stage. But if the Hebrew version reflected the unspoken “Divine Name” of God, that would be a step too far.

I can see why that message was encoded in the title: it really is a ‘satire’ written for the Romans.

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“Listen Very Carefully, I Shall Say This Only Once”

Posted on August 30, 2026 by cdsmiller17

‘Allo ‘Allo! (1982 – 1993)

I don’t suppose that anyone on this side of the Pond will know about this comedy show on the BBC. What surprised me was the fact that you can watch all its seasons on Prime Video. Really…

The title of this post comes from one character’s repeated line:

It’s an extended French farce of the French Resistance during WWII trying to repatriate British airmen who have been shot down over German-occupied French territory. The language difficulties take front and centre, and the extreme lengths that Rene will go to fulfill his role as the owner/operator of a French cafe/bistro, while coordinating the rescue missions are hilarious. Plus, he’s having an affair with one of the waitresses under the very nose of his wife. I laugh every time I watch an episode: I watched the first two last night.

The show was created by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. Familiar names, I thought. What else did they do?

Are You Being Served? (1972 – 1985)

Of course! This show was a bit closer to home for me since I worked in men’s wear for three years in the early 1970’s. This one is a bit more representative of the sexist culture that existed in the UK when I oved to England in 1985. Definitely not PC. But for the sake of humour, it follows the music hall/vaudeville style of dialog that entertained people for the first half of the 20th century: innuendo.

Turns out you need a Britbox subscription to be able to watch the episodes on Prime Video. However, there is one special that is available:

Are You Being Served? The Movie (1977)

The film is not very good. The team from Grace Brothers vacations in Spain at “Costa Plonka”. The best part is played by the manager of the resort: Andrew Sachs, who is probably more famous as Manuel in “Fawlty Towers”. If you haven’t anything much to do for 90 minutes, the film is an easy diversion.

There, you’ve been served!

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How to Bring “SHAME” on Our “HOMES”

Posted on August 29, 2026 by cdsmiller17

A New Acronym

People are so clever. Obviously, I’ve been around so long that I’ve never needed an acronym to remember what the Great Lakes are called. It’s the same for most Canadians. Americans have a little different point of view. It’s hard to remember that.

Oh, well.

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We Forget that the Universe Knows What It’s Doing

Posted on August 28, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Sturgeon Lunar Eclipse (August 28, 2026)

I was up when the lunar eclipse was at its most total for those of us in the eastern half of Canada. But I didn’t see it because we were under a cloud at the time (which is accurate at many levels).

My Ascendant is within 3° of the event chart’s Part of Fortune. But beyond that, this lunar eclipse has nothing much to do with me. Then, with the tariff war suddenly coming to my mind, I compared the creation charts for the United States and Canada. It reveals a great deal (forgive the nonsensical pun).

Hmm

Interesting, no?

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Here’s the Proof that Words Matter:

Posted on August 28, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Red: A Biography of Red Smith (1986)

Susan bought me this book. I’m really not sure why, but she phrased it with something about Joe DiMaggio. Hmm. OK. I’d give it a chance for her sake, but I was unsure about how it would land.

American sports writers aren’t in my purview. But reading this book has helped me to understand how getting the mot juste is so important when it comes to entertaining and informing your readers.

I strive to do the same, but not always to best effect. It takes hours and hours to hone one’s craft.

Yup.

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Born the Same Year, Died the Same Day as Dolly Parton

Posted on August 27, 2026 by cdsmiller17

Tim Curry (April 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026)

This post is a lesson on how much charts can change, especially because almost 12 hours passed between Dolly’s death and Tim’s.

Of course, Tim’s birth chart has a dynamic that wouldn’t have appeared in Dolly’s: Mars is in the final degrees of Cancer, but conjunct his Leo Ascendant. Pluto, also in Leo, is conjunct the Ascendant, too. But Mars and Pluto are not conjunct. However, the Sun is inconjunct the Moon, even though there was three months between Dolly’s birth date and Tim’s. Interesting.

The almost twelve hours passage of time has moved the Moon along enough to take it beyond an inconjunct aspect with the Sun. Instead, the Moon (conjunct the Midheaven) is now inconjunct with Mars, while the Sun/Mercury conjunction is now inconjunct with Pluto. That means that Mars and Pluto have taken on a new meaning for Tim, when he died.

Comparing Tim’s birth and death charts didn’t yield the same symmetry that I found with Dolly’s. Please forgive me for pointing out the obvious: one was an angel, the other a devil. Dolly died quickly, Tim was in a wheelchair for years. There is some kind of balance in the cosmic plan, eh?

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