Time for some humour

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellman's Mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery In Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico.

But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss.

Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5 and is known, of course, as - Sinko De Mayo.

Here is another one:

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own,

grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students...here is something to make

you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"

"Don't what?" Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.

"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we have forbidden

fruit!!!!!"

"No Way!"

"Yes way!"

"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.

"Why"

"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why He

hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked!

"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.

"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why did you?" said the Father.

"I don't know," said Eve.

"She started it!" Adam said "Did not!"

"Did too!"

"DID NOT!"

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus, the pattern was set and it has

never changed. BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and

they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

1.    You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk.

2.    Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

3.    Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.

4.    Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

5.    Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

6.    The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

7.    We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY: Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day.

AND FINALLY: IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE: "TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"

WHAT??? You expected something educational from me?

You need a shot of Tequila

Sounds on a Friday in July

The sound of water vs the sound of beer, something to consider on a Friday in late July. Thanks to George for this clip

Support your Food Bank

There is a wide array of people helped by food banks, including children, seniors, single parents, working adults and people living with disabilities.

Children are over-represented in food bank use compared to the overall population. Single-parent households are also over-represented in food bank use compared to their share of the population. Single person households represent an alarming 45.1% of the households accessing food bank support. 59.0% of those who receive support from food banks indicate that social assistance or disability-related supports as their primary source of income.

This means that in Canada, 1 in 3 people who access food banks are children. This means over 300,000 children in Canada struggle to get enough food each month. This can have long term implications for children’s development, learning and growth.

Food Banks Canada aims to raise awareness of the important issue of child hunger in Canada. After the Bell is a multifaceted program that focuses on addressing the immediate needs of children experiencing hunger while building towards lifelong skills on nutrition literacy. We hope to grow and strengthen the next generation of leaders in food advocacy.  Food Banks Canada aims to respond to child hunger across Canada through:

• Providing children with increased access to child-friendly, nutritious food through working with local food banks.
• Educating kids about healthy eating, kitchen skills and meal preparation
• Involving youth in the issue of hunger and inspiring them to take action

35% of children rely on food banks when they only represent 20% of the population. A lack of nutritious food can have major implications on a child's development.

Although the summer months are often associated with vacations and warm weather, they also create challenges for children who struggle with getting enough food. The summer months leave gaps in reliable food sources, as many food programs are not available. 

After the Bell  helps to address the immediate needs of children experiencing hunger. Food Banks Canada has set a goal to assemble and distribute 100,000 food packs across the country to children in select communities.

What We Need From You:

We are currently looking for forward-thinking corporate volunteers to help with our ambitious goal. If you and your colleagues would like to participate in an unforgettable team-building experience, please contact Karen Alebon at karen@foodbankscanada.ca.

Find a Food bank  in your area.

More on social isolation

While there are many things that can put us at risk to become socially isolated, there are also other things that can help to ensure that we remain socially engaged. Protective factors, traits, situations or circumstances like these can help us to socially integrate and reduce the risks of social isolation:

Ø    being in good physical and mental health;

Ø    having enough income and safe housing;

Ø    feeling safe in our neighbourhood;

Ø    having communication and literacy skills to find and get needed services;

Ø    having satisfying relationships;

Ø    having a supportive social network;

Ø    feeling connected to and valued by others;

Ø    having access to health and community services;

Ø    feeling beneficial to society;

Ø    having access to transportation; and

Ø    having a higher level of education

Social isolation can put seniors at greater risk of death than factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. One study found evidence that shows that lacking social connections can increase one’s chances for early death to a similar degree to smoking cigarettes a day

Along with the personal effects of social isolation come significant costs to society. For example, socially isolated seniors are not able to fully participate in or contribute to their communities by volunteering or supporting local businesses and events. The adverse effects of social isolation can lead to increased costs in health care and social services.

Seniors who are socially isolated, compared to those who are not, make more visits to their doctor and to emergency rooms; they use more medication; fall more often, and enter residential care sooner. Some socially isolated seniors may, however, hold back from using health care services or use them in later stages of illness or disability.

Whether social isolation results in increased or delayed use of health care (i.e. until health worsens), it is harmful to the health care system and to the seniors involved.

Social isolation is also linked to undervaluing seniors in our society—negative images of seniors make them feel not needed, valued or able to contribute. People, organizations and society all suffer when seniors become socially isolated and stop contributing to their communities.

Given the opportunities and challenges accompanying Canada’s changing demographics, now is the time to address this issue. Individuals and organizations can work with each other and with seniors to create resources and solutions to improve seniors’ social inclusion. The risks of social isolation are:

Ø increase the chance of premature death

Ø a lower sense of well-being

Ø more depression

Ø dementia

Ø more disability from chronic diseases

Ø poor mental health

Ø increased use of health and support services

Ø reduced quality of life

Ø caregiver burden

Ø poor general health

Ø increased number of falls

Ø inability to participate in and contribute to the community