Author: szpinner
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You have to Live Your Life, just my opinion
Just my opinion… With some hesitation, some scientific knowledge and a lot of weather-related motivation, we set out for a two-month stay in Florida. Our last such winter get-away happened two years ago, so we very much anticipated this vacation. … Continue reading
LESLYN LEWIS
Leslyn Lewis MP, Canadian lawyer, politician and leadership candidate for the federal Conservative Party. Leslyn Lewis who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Haldimand—Norfolk since 2021. A member of the Conservative Party, Lewis contested the party leadership in the 2020 leadership election, placing third. She … Continue reading
Are “Robotphones” driving you crazy?
Do robotphones drive you crazy? You wait and wait and wait. Then get told to press a number to get to a particular connection, to no avail. Well, it ends now…no more. Here is your path to connecting with a live person… … Continue reading
Maria Telkes
Mária Telkes (1900-1995) Inventor of Hungarian origin. She worked in the field of solar energy research, and her many inventions earned her the nickname “sun queen”. She was born in Budapest into a well-off family. She graduated from Pázmány Péter … Continue reading
The SZPINNER MAR 2022 NEWSLETTER
Website visitors vary as to how they access the newsletter. To accommodate these variations, we offer the newsletter in two formats, MS WORD and PDF: MAR 2022 NEWSLETTER [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MAR-2022-NEWSLETTER.pdf” title=”MAR 2022 NEWSLETTER”]
Feb 28 – Sunday #2 Re-write….OK?….Bob A Quick Apology….
Rotzy’s might be slippin’ up a bit…the winter finally gettin’ to him but here’s his revision to last week’s column….He’s claimin’ a lack of oxygen. ….for last week’s “F/N” column/dog’s breakfast…..Sun and Mon portions in particular. As Miz.Jo pointed out … Continue reading
PRODUCTIVITY: SCREENPRESSO – an excellent screen capture app
Screenpresso, a screen capture application that beats others, hands down. Capture web page or sections of them and send the captured image to other applications and/or your email messages. This extension captures the displayed web page and permits the user … Continue reading
SLEEP and AGING: you may need less than you think
You find yourself wide awake after 5 hours of sleep and feel ready to get up and meet the challenges of the day. However, the rest of the neighbourhood is still sleeping. You wonder why it is that others need … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Become happier, pay it forward.
PAY IT FORWARD These are tough times, for everyone. The pandemic, the truck convoy, the threat of war in Ukraine, inflation, weather inconsistency, global warming(?), hit and run traffic incidents, rising gun crime…the list just goes on and on. Stop … Continue reading
PHONE FRAUD:
Kudos to VISA for picking up fraud attempt on my account. Just got a call from the Visa credit card company notifying of two charges made on my card this morning: $400 and $1400. I never made any such purchases, … Continue reading
SENIORS MEAL BOX: A service providing healthy meals to seniors in need
The organization Seniors Meal Box started in memory of a senior philanthropist and community leader, who, when he was suffering from multiple health issues at a later age, recalled the good food his wife used to prepare. Because of diet … Continue reading
SCAMS ON SENIORS
SCAMS ON SENIORS It is becoming an inscreasingly difficult challenge to keep up with the innovations, changes and advancements scammers are using in trying to grab money away from seniors. Take a moment to review some of the notable points … Continue reading
UKRAINE: an attractive morsel for the Russian Bear !
How the nation of Ukraine ranks in the world: 1st in Europe in ammonia production; 1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores; 1st in Europe in terms of arable land area; 1st place in the world in … Continue reading
Feb 21 – Rotzy’s goes truckin each mornin’….but not to Ottawa
Rotzy does his own truckin’ thing each morning on the parking lot of Harris Place….the man is entitled to his morning coffee and smoke, in the manner that pleases him! 9:00AM-ish to Noon-ish….and Rotzy’s admittedly … Continue reading
HTTP:// & HTTPS://….IMPORTANT differentiation
INTERNET SECURITY HTTP:// & HTTPS:// IMPORTANT INFORMATION Keep this in mind!! Especially those of you who order online. This is how hackers get your information. Do you know the difference between http:// and https://? I don’t know how … Continue reading
The SZPINNER JAN 2022 NEWSLETTER
Computer glitches: Internet Links in this issue do not function. [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/JAN-2022-NEWSLETTER.pdf” title=”JAN 2022 NEWSLETTER”]
Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Eat (Plus Eight to Avoid)
Inflammation is at the root of many chronic diseases, but you can fight it with food. Arm yourself with knowledge, and then use these delicious, disease-fighting recipes from my cookbook, Meals that Heal. By Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD For the full … Continue reading
Feb 14 – To be truckin’ on or not to be….
Rotzy knows which side of the road he’s truckin’ down… I Put It Down As Nonsense…. ….at first, after a conversation with another olde guy last mid-week over at The In And Out Store. Methinks we’ve ‘known each other’ for … Continue reading
The FIFTH WITNESS, Michael Connelly
The FIFTH WITNESS, Michael Connelly Michael Connelly is one of contemporary crime fiction’s most celebrated authors, best known for creating iconic detective Harry Bosch and defense attorney, Mickey Haller, The Lincoln Lawyer. Synopsis Mickey Haller has fallen on tough times. … Continue reading
PRODUCTIVITY: TEXT BLAZE – does the typing for you!
Stop typing the same text over and over. Have it typed for you using just 2-3 keyboard clicks. For example, instead of typing my email address in full each time it is required, I simply type “/z” and it is … Continue reading
Feb 7 –
Rotzy keeps on truckin’…ya expected otherwise?? Readers Write…. and if you’re thinking this selection arrived from some ‘crusty, olde, SOB’….other than me….you might be right. Check ’em out: *Sorry I’m late….I didn’t want to come. **The best thing about … Continue reading
FINAL JUSTICE, W.E.B. GRIFFIN
FINAL JUSTICE By W.E.B. GRIFFIN A piece of junk if it were not that this author has published more than a dozen acclaimed books. He can write, but he is pedantic and more verbose than a hyper-active monkey with a … Continue reading
The corporate GIANTS of the world
A great video clip revealing the GIANTS are in the corporative world:
The SZPINNER FEB 2022 NEWSLETTER (PDF format )
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JAN 31 – It’s Saturday 5:12AM….
Rotzy rants about the truckers’ convoy and the related repercussions…justifiable commentary with which we fully agree….way to go Rotz’…and you do have the right to express your opinion! It’s Saturday 5:12AM…. ….as I get started on this week’s column, but … Continue reading
Celebrate WOMEN
March is Women’s Month. You are invited to help us honour and celebrate all women this month. Write about a woman you admire Write a short snippet, 50-150 words, about a woman you admire and believe is deserving of recognition … Continue reading
Q6 ANSWERED by Stephen K. – What advice can you give to newbie screenwriters?
I am a newbie screenwriter. What advice would you give me?
EMMA GIRARDI
Emma Girardi Wife, mother, Renaissance woman… Emma came to Canada from Italy in the 1950s where she and her husband, Aldo, raised two children. Though not a well-educated woman, Emma was a woman with boundless intellectual curiosity. She dedicated herself … Continue reading
Jan 21 – COVID and cranky curmudgeons, all of us
COVID is making many us cranky codgers..but lovable ones still. Hold The Fones Folks…. we have a weiner….ooops….I meant WINNER….of the semi-prestigious “F/N” D.O.T.W. (Dink Of The Week) Award. I mean, it was a ‘no contest’….’landslide win’….’blew the competition … Continue reading
Toronto Star short story CONTEST
Hi WAGGERS, This could be a worthwhile opportunity and there is no entry fee. You should be aware of this opportunity: Toronto Star Short Story Contest The deadline is March 1st. There are a number of prizes. Good luck. … Continue reading
Q5a ANSWERED – Here is one answer to Q5. More answers may be forthcoming soon.
OVERLOADED WITH INFORMATION Writers, like others, are bombarded with information: emails, blog messages, greeting messages, notifications, news bits, news articles, updates, computer notifications. The bombarding never stops. It’s “information overload,” and it feels like it is killing us. The overload … Continue reading
Q5 ASKED – What are some of the challenges you faced as a writer, and how did you overcome them?
Q4 ANSWERED – How can I do self-marketing and self-promotion as a new writer?
How can I do self-marketing and self-promotion as a new writer? This is a challenging question because as a writer, you devote time, energy and focus to your craft. Unfortunately, to sell your work, you must somehow market and promote … Continue reading
Drivin’ in the USA…gas up even if you have no ZIP CODE
Vacationing in the USA by car? Don’t be stumped when refueling requres a ZIP CODE. You live in Canada and POSTAL CODES do not work with these gas pumps. But there is an easy “work around” for the credit card ZIP … Continue reading
FIVE LITTLE INDIANS, Michelle Good
Another review of an excellent book written by Canadian author, Michelle Good. Five Little Indians has won numerous prizes, all of them well-earned. This book is very much an “Add to your reading list”addition. Here is a list of the … Continue reading
4 SUGGESTIONS TO REDUCE RISK OF SLIPS AND FALLS THIS WINTER
Winter is here, which means the snow is falling and the ground is icy as temperatures fluctuate. This can pose a challenge for older adults as surfaces such as walkways, steps, driveways, and sidewalks become extra slippery which can increase … Continue reading
Seniors’ Centre Without Walls PHONE IN Programs
Jan 10 – Old people prefer the old ways, even the not so old
Old people prefer the old routines, the old procedures, the old methods of doing things. Throw new ones at them and they get confused and lost. So Rotzy claims and he’s not that old. “What The Heck…. is goin’ … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Pickering councillors to decide on replacement councillor
Editorial On January 13, the Mayor and councillors of the City of Pickering meet to decide on the appointment of a new councillor to replace Ian Cumming who passed away last year. This will be a tough decision not only … Continue reading
Mary Simon
Mary Simon Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon was sworn in on July 26, 2021, as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general. She is the 30th governor general since Confederation. For her more detailed biography, click: BIOGRAPHY
Duotrope: help with finding publishers for your work
Fee based service Duotrope is an established, award-winning resource for writers and artists. We help you save time finding publishers or literary agents, so you can focus on creating. Our publication and agent listings are up to date and full … Continue reading
Submission Grinder: help with finding publishers for your work
Welcome to The Submission Grinder! The Submission Grinder is a submission tracker and market database for writers of fiction and poetry. Use their extensive and powerful search engine to find a home for your work. The site is … Continue reading
STATE OF TERROR, a collaboration that works outstandingly, Hillary Clinton & Louise Penny
STATE OF TERROR, Hillary Clinton & Louise Penny Synopsis State of Terror follows a novice Secretary of State who has joined the administration of her rival, a president inaugurated after four years of American leadership that shrank from the world stage. … Continue reading
Text Blaze: insert text at a click of keyboard
Ever find you are wishing for a way to insert text that you have typed over and over again, without typing it in AGAIN? TEXT BLAZE is your answer! This app does the ‘repetitive text’ entry for you, saving you … Continue reading
WINTER
Winter, just my opinion. I read this headline recently as the theme for a January landscape project, and it made me reflect on my thoughts on Winter. While artists were asked to illustrate and submit their thoughts in visual arts, … Continue reading
Jan 3, 2022 –
Rotzy’s working hard at finding the humour in this whole pandemic thing. He admits it’s his only failure of 2021. Readers Write This compilation is what you might call ‘la creme de la creme’ of what has landed on … Continue reading
FOUL PLAY, Stuart Woods
FOUL PLAY, Stuart Woods Synopsis In the latest thriller from perennial fan favorite Stuart Woods, Stone Barrington faces down a persistent rival. Stone Barrington is nearing his New York City abode when he stumbles into trouble. As it turns out, … Continue reading
SCAMS: BEWARE…This likely is a big scam
Some notable celebrities and well-known news broadcasters seem to be associated with this scam. Give the links serious consideration. Ask yourself would Celine Dionne or Lisa Laflamme really need this huckstering work ? Steer clear !
EDITORIAL: News ‘confewsed’
News ‘Confewsed’?? News, televised, printed, broadcast, all news is becoming more and more confusing. We are being bombarded by news from every direction, TV, radio, newsprint and each little bit causes greater confusion and greater anxiety. News should be … Continue reading
FRESH DISASTER, Stuart Woods
Stone Barrington embarks on his most perilous adventure yet when he becomes the lawyer for a sleazy and clueless con man, and ends up getting embroiled in the underworld of the New York mafia. Synopsis It starts out as just … Continue reading
Dec 27 – Rotzy writes about winter pains
Snow, cold, old man winter…all add up to a grumpier Rotzy! HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas (belated) from unit #303 here at Harris Place in Brant’s Ford….a gray, almost drizzly, but mild for Dec 25th (+9C called for) day … Continue reading
What should I consider when submitting my writing somewhere?
Q3 – ANSWERED: What should I consider when submitting my writing somewhere? I have some finished writing ready for publication. What do you advise I consider in regard to submitting my work. Rules for Submitting Frank Beghin I refuse to … Continue reading
Councillor candidates to fill the WARD 2 vacancy
Arbaji Ramee Shashi Bhatia Rawl Chan Diana Chin Fook Linda Cook Bert Cortez David Currie Pina D’Intino Christine Doody-Hamilton Jake Farr David Fellin Michelle Leong Shahrez Hayder Zeynab Kazi Bruce Kinsman Frank McGillan Michelle Mendonca Wendy Mohammed Mary-Elena Nagy Shamin … Continue reading
The two nuns sipped some grappa and….
I met two nuns in Florence many years ago. They accepted my invitation to have a coffee. These nuns must have been much more liberal minded than nuns I had known when I was in a Catholic elementary school. These … Continue reading
All you want to know about INFLATION
Here’s an interesting site about INFLATION. Many of the graphics and gif animations put INFLATION into a clearer of more informative perspective. Especially creative, informativ and interesting is the ‘slider graphic’ at the bottom of their front page. There is … Continue reading
Two senior nuns in Italy taught me the brutal truth about life….
I have never revealed this before but in reminiscing about my long stay in Florence, Italy many years ago, I found some notes about a couple of nuns I had met there. They spoke English with a delightful Italian accent … Continue reading
SEARCH ASSISTANTS: Ever struggle to find something on your computer?
When it comes to information on a computer, many people are better organized, more logical and manage their information better than I do. However, what I lack in those particular personal characteristics, I compensate with an amazing toolbox of search … Continue reading
Tools to help writers: NOT FREE and NOT ENDORSED by RICHARD
Tips for lowering your PSA levels naturally
If you’ve had your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tested and your numbers were high, you and your doctor may have discussed ways to lower it. There are also some things you can do on your own that may help. PSA is … Continue reading
Teachers: the Olympic champions of all professions
A school principal’s speech graduation message. Teachers are special. Their strength is the product they mould, people, all the professionals of the world. Those who choose the profession are special people. Considerate, patient, tolerant, encouraging, motivated and they affect the … Continue reading
So I was responding to an email today….
So I was responding to an email today….and I realized I was in the early stages of going crazy. I may be suffering from a variety of maladies: Memory lacks adhesiveness Things just don’t stick for long as I do … Continue reading
Notes about the Markham Concert Band Seasonal Celebration performance.
The Markham Concert Band, an outstanding group of amateur musicians, should be relabelled as professionals. Their recent Christmas concert performance confirms these musicians are as dedicated as any group of professionals. The Markham Concert Band has been affected by the COVID pandemic … Continue reading
Q2 ASKED – what is the best way to publish an ebook
Dec 13 – Sufferin’ the “before Christmas blues “
Is “Christmas is adding another layer of anxiety to people” a bit of Rotzy thinking at this time of the year? Rotzy’s Got ‘The Blues’…. No, no, no, no…..not the oft ‘seasonal’ Christmas Blues that seems to run rampant at … Continue reading
WAG PRESENTATION: SOCIAL MEDIA for writers
significantly better results. Word of mouth will spread well enough, so concentrate on writing interesting material rather than focusing on how many people you get. Alka emphasizes that writers need to be aware of their image, the self vs the … Continue reading
Q1 ANSWERED – Should I SELF-PUBLISH or PUBLISH COMMERCIALLY?
There are a number of replies to the question about SELF-PUBLISHING vs. COMMERCIAL PUBLISHING Kyle McCord replies [ Acquisitions Director for Atmosphere Press ] What if you didn’t have to choose? I work as the Acquisitions Director for Atmosphere Press, … Continue reading
Writing Contest, $12 entry fee, direct link to information site
Learning the language of FERMO, (dog language)
Dogs talk to us but you need to study their language to understand them. Fermo tells me it isn’t as difficult as you may expect. A recent study has finally looked at whether we’re listening to everything that dogs are … Continue reading
RAG DOLLS and RAGS, SHEILA E. TUCKER
Children’s books, KATHLEEN GAUER
Anti VAXXERS CHRISTMAS TREE
Click the post to view their special tree…
Dec 6 –
Rotzy’s got no problems with the upper body….the lower body….mehhh ! Readers Write…. ….and this one had a field day taking shots at the anti-vaccers….you know, the ones that have RIGHTS! Right? Yes….THEM!! Check ’em out: *If you can fart … Continue reading
The Gods of Guilt, Michael Connelly
The Gods of Guilt, Michael Connelly Another in Connelly’s Lincoln Laywer series. The Lincoln Lawyer series stars Mickey Haller, a defense Los Angelas attorney whose office is his chauffeured Lincolns. He may be driving around LA as he works, but … Continue reading
A Covid Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, but Covid was here, So, we all had to stay extra cautious this year. Our masks were all hung by the chimney with care In case Santa forgot his and needed a spare. With Covid, … Continue reading
The SZPINNER DEC 2021 NEWSLETTER ( PDF format )
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DEC-2021-NEWSLETTER-final.pdf” title=”DEC 2021 NEWSLETTER final”] The LINK CONNECTIONS in PDF do not seem to work at all. I suggest use of the WORD format newsletter found by going back to the NEWSLETTERS and find the WORD formatted one or … Continue reading
Nov 29 – Rotzy opens offensive on many fronts
Rotzy has a gnat problem, so it’s off to war ! World War III…. ….is officially underway, with Miz. Jo having launched a ‘major offensive’ here in Unit #303 early last week against The Gnats From Hell…..which yours truly pronounces … Continue reading
Seniors’ Centre Without Walls – Phone in Programs
Nov 22 – Welcome to Scrooge 2021
Watch out folks….Scrooge may have taken on another form this year but he’s as ornery as ever, if not more so. ”Some Assembly Required”(*see below) It’s been awhile since Miz. Jo and Rotzy joined forces to ‘build’ anything, but last … Continue reading
GONE BEFORE GOODBYE, Harlan Coben
Gone Before Goodbye is a suspense thriller co-authored by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben, published in October 2025, which became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Synopsis The novel follows Maggie McCabe, a highly skilled and renowned Army combat … Continue reading
Nov 15 – Don the dink and other remembrances
Health report, Remembrance Day report and reporting on Don the Dink! An addendum re Don the Dink: Richard…BYAM…..’Don’ is really ‘Ron’….not an ‘old codger’….I’ve got 15 or 20 years on him…..but still qualifies as a Dink. AND….if he was wanting … Continue reading
MALLS, going once, going twice, gone !
Going, going, gone…maybe not all, but more and more are living out the final years, even days. Here’s a great article about malls dying days in the United States. What happens in the USA, unfortunately, doesn’t stay there: “Everything must … Continue reading
10 Ways to Move More Every Day, According to a Physical Therapist
It can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to make time for exercise. Here are some tips I give my physical therapy patients… and how I manage to keep myself moving. I get it. We’ve all said, “Who has time to … Continue reading
GIRL MISSING, Tess Gerritsen
GIRL MISSING Tess Gerritsen Synopsis The first body is a mystery. She’s young. She’s beautiful. And her corpse, laid out in the office of Boston medical examiner Kat Novak, betrays no secrets – except for a notebook clutched … Continue reading
How to maintain a healthy brain
How to maintain a healthy brain The short of this article is that one must pay attention to diet, exercise, socialization…in other words, maintain good balance in one’s life in all areas. Ageing changes the brain, but it’s not all … Continue reading
NOV 8 – Ford, fones, and tying a student to her desk
The year’s winding down but Rotzy’s just winding up with opinions about Doug Ford and school discipline. Tying students to a desk? The new norm in classroom discipline? Pretty sad state of affairs in the field of education and it … Continue reading
Attention writers…are your promoting yourself?
Are you neglecting promotion responsibilities? Are you neglecting marketing your work? Are you failing to showcase yourself as you deserve? There aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the work that creative people like you do? Do you … Continue reading
GRAY MOUNTAIN, John Grisham
GRAY MOUNTAIN, John Grisham Synopsis The year is 2008 and Samantha Kofer’s career at a huge Wall Street law firm is on the fast track—until the recession hits and she gets downsized, furloughed, and escorted out of the building. Samantha, … Continue reading
A Christmas poem for the little ones by Kathleen Gauer
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LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Can lifestyle changes help to reduce high blood pressure? The answer is yes. In part one of this series on high blood pressure, our experts discussed what healthy blood pressure targets are as we age and how to monitor your blood pressure … Continue reading
Canadian Review of Materials
This seems to be an award giver who considers children’s and young adult books. No monetary remuneration is made but the award may be worthwhile as putting on another badge on your work. The link is CM: Canadian Review of … Continue reading
RACISM: Alive and Well in Pickering, Durham and Ontario
There’s a young man who lives in our region of Durham, Pickering to be exact and he’s now in his mid-20’s. He’s challenged, autistic, high functioning. His difficulty is that he finds it very difficult to socialize with anyone. Because … Continue reading
Is It Time to Disrupt the Children’s Book Industry?
How to write your book as if you were running a startup. Read the full story at: Children’s BOOK INDUSTRY
The SZPINNER NOV 2021 NEWSLETTER (PDF format)
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Failed first attempt but spring 2022 will see Indigenous crosswalk success
Update on the commemorative orange crosswalk to honour Indigenous communities affected by the residential school system On Saturday, Oct. 30, a special ceremony was held at the Esplanade in Pickering behind City Hall. The City inaugurated the opening of a … Continue reading
Oct 25 – lookin for a clean bill of health
Rotzy’s gettin’s healthier each day…pretty soon he’s going to be born again ! Healthy, Wealthy And Wise Rotzy is under no delusions that the latter two descriptions are, in any way, shape or form, connected to yours truly, but after … Continue reading
Oct 18 – Rotzy is beginning to sound like a HORNy old toad !
As his hearing is still pretty good, Rotzy’s good at identifying all the “HORNy” people. Long Tyme Coming…. ….and I’m talking about my foot care appointment with Chris (not his real name) at what is called ‘Feet First’, located in … Continue reading
WHACKED, (General Motors), Dennis Gazarek
Dennis Gazarek, a writer who digs into research like his morning oatmeal, deeply and deftly, writing his books with amazing and awesome depth. Dennis Gazarek graduated in 1972 from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Commerce in Honours … Continue reading