Author: szpinner
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The GREATEST SENTENCE EVERY WRITTEN, Walter Isaacson
The GREATEST SENTENCE EVER WRITTEN Walter Isaacson Synopsis To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Walter Isaacson takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the creation of one of history’s most powerful “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all … 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
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
The GREY WOLF, Louise Penny
The GREY WOLF Louise Penny Synopsis Relentless phone calls interrupt the peace of a warm August morning in Three Pines. Though the tiny Québec village is impossible to find on any map, someone has managed to track down Armand Gamache, … 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
HENNA ARTIST, Alka Joshi
The Henna Artist is your ticket to ride a literary train through India and experience the richness of its culture, its past glory and its wonders as part of modern society. All these things from just one book. So come … Continue reading
HIDDEN NATURE, Nora Roberts
Hidden Nature, Nora Roberts Synopsis: Nora Roberts’ Hidden Nature follows Sloan Cooper, a Natural Resources police officer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she’s critically injured interrupting a convenience store robbery. During her recovery, back at her childhood home, … 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
Tributes to Councillor Ian Cumming
Ian Cumming 2021 It is with great sadness and deep sorrow we convey the news of the passing of Councillor Ian Cumming. A beloved husband, … Continue reading
HELL’S CORNER, David Baldacci
Hell’s Corner The Camel Club series David Baldacci Synopsis Oliver Stone and the Camel Club star in #1 bestselling author David Baldacci’s most stunning adventure of the series. An attack on the heart of power . . . In sight … Continue reading
Canada Book Awards
Canada Book Awards considers PDF file submissions of books. They seem to carry out the process fairly quickly, with a week or so of submission. Submissions can be made digitally with the submission including a PDF copy of the book, … Continue reading
Halloween fun for the old and young kids !!!
Gather the very young ones around your screen and enjoy this Halloween video. Even Fermo loved it. Halloween pour les chiens et chats
Oct 11 – We’re surrounded by turkeys, everywhere!
Turkeys are renowned for being with low IQ’s. But Rotzy thinks they might be outdone by a lot of turkeys in Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and other turkey growing regions. Infringing On Rights? This next piece came from a reader, … Continue reading
Oct 4 – Gardening, harvesting, and political weeding/whining
Rotzy laments the end of gardening season as well as lamenting about our less-than-prime minister, Junior. Garden Update Well, my patch down front here in the commune garden isn’t a whole lot different than Nakina at this tyme of … Continue reading
A NEW WAY TO CARJACK
This may be an urban myth, but it sounds so plausible, drivers, both female and male, should be warned about it. You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into … Continue reading
The older I get….
Listen to the song, think about the lyrics and celebrate the memories, cherish today’s moments and enjoy the good aspects of living every day to the fullest.
HITLER’S STOLEN CHILDREN, Oelhafen, Tate
Hitler’s Stolen Children Ingrid von Oelhafen, Tim Tate Synopsis Hitler’s Stolen Children is a powerful, first-person account of being at the heart of one of the Nazi’s cruelest and most obscene experiments—the Lebensborn program to create a new Aryan master race. … Continue reading
HOPE RISES, David Baldacci
David Baldacci is one of my favourite authors but this book was a bit disappointing. Rambling, messy plot development. But hand in there and you will find Baldacci entertains even when he is not his best. Synopsis Walter Nash began … Continue reading
Truth and Reconciliation
We wrote a summary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report in July, 2021. Our summary: TRUTH & RECONCILIATION Govt of Canada information: THE SHIRT
The SZPINNER OCT 2021 NEWSLETTER
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Try A Little Kindness
Try A Little Kindness by Sheila E. Tucker Those who have read my memoir Rag Dolls and Rage will recall that I was bullied at school. It was one of several negative aspects of my childhood which I now believe made me … Continue reading
Sept 20-27 – Heart problems slow us all down…particularly medical ones
It was a louse week last week, if you count a heart attack as being a lousy week. Rotzy’s back thanks to great hospital care in Hamilton and every efficient EMT service in Brantford. Way to go Rotzy…now take greater … Continue reading