jyaroslawd

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Jisei

A Swedish publisher, Marguerite Beauleau, at aeSilverstar press.com came across my poems on Facebook.  She asked if they could publish them. It is now out in softcover.  It is available at aesilverstarpress.com for 139 Krona ( 18.45 Cdn) but postage to Canada is $55. But in few days the publisher says it will be available as e-book  These are 2 pages from their website . ( I DID NOT write text. )…

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Standing at the Edge of History

Really?   Never again ?  As a ten year old in 1946  I stared at the newpaper. A photo.   A truck filled with hundreds  Of emaciated naked bodies,  Bones on bone  That image is forever etched on my brain          Could this ever happen again?         Yes, it has, it is, NOW Jews are no more deserving now than then.         Is it still happening? Antisemitic incidents on the rise     …

[jyaroslawd]

Standing at the Edge of History

Really?   Never again ?  As a ten year old in 1946  I stared at the newpaper. A photo.   A truck filled with hundreds  Of emaciated naked bodies,  Bones on bone  That image is forever etched on my brain          Could this ever happen again?         Yes, it has, it is, NOW Jews are no more deserving now than then.         Is it still happening? Antisemitic incidents on the rise     …

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1800 and Now

1800 and now. Dear SunThe sun cracks open at first lightIt spills its luminance halfway around worldMinute by minute, hour by hour, – a new day,new hope. Its burning flames harbours our history of progress. Day after day, year often year, for billions of yearsThat sun brings hope every day. What a precious jewel of burning light. At sunset the murmurs of nightmares chill the night But at…

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Sahara

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/first-person/article-in-the-sahara-the-sky-enveloped-me-and-the-stars-felt-within-reach/ Dr P F Braithwaite writes : Good Morning Jerry, Your stories always amaze me and present a beautiful scene of an interesting part of the world. The magnificent stars, the market place and the proposal for marriage all combine to thoroughly engage me. You have such a…

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Swan Lake Markham.

A Personal Viewpoint Jerry Diakiw (jdiakiw@gmail.com) As lucky as we are to be living here at Swan Lake with the lake a constant source of pleasure, I am sad at the thought that all land north of 16th Ave was deemed to be part of a green belt encircling the city of Toronto. The green belt was classified as rural, recreational, park and farmland in perpetuity. This green belt replicated the most…

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Extreme taxes for Extreme wealthy

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Past My Expiry Day

A Birthday Organ recital. Thanks everyone! Best wishes from every continent, from every school I ever taught in, and students from nearly every class I ever taught . How life affirming! I reflect on my luck: 87 today! Now that is ridiculous. Never expected that! Especially when the cardiac team at Sunnybrook said I would not live out 2020 without open heart surgery, which I would not survive…

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Quads

Quads maintain quality of life and save lives A case study in seniors participation in a quads experiment . It’s rather amazing how one muscle in the human body, the quadriceps (quads) have such an effect on quality of life for seniors. As muscle mass decreases with age, quad strength weakens. Weakness of the quads is associated with difficulties in getting up from a chair, getting out of bed…

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Revealing our gifts

Julia Marich is my cousin in Ukraine and a Toronto Star oped columnist: Letter from Ukraine. I respond to her email today below . She is referring to a beautiful moving paragraph she sent me in an email. I sent it to the Toronto Star and she has now written over 20 Letters from Ukraine, about the war. She wrote:“You know, Jerry, I often tell my friends and family about you. About a random letter…

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RIP Peter Dalglish

Someone forwarded my anecdote of Peter Dalglish to Camilla Dalglish nee Weston, his wife. She is sister of Galen Weston Sr. See my original post below her reply. “Jerry From: Camilla Dalglish <pcdalglish@me.com>  Sent: August 8, 2023 6:41 AM To: icarts@shaw.ca Subject: Re: Peter Dalgilsh Dear Jerry, Thank you for a lovely story. You were right. Miss B. was Peter’s Mentor at UCC. Kim,…

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Up in the Air. Still Flying high! Aloft in a Glider over lake Simcoe and adjacent farmland I have slipped the surly bonds of earth. . . . The silence was sublime . I took controls for half of it.

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A Special Edition: Happiness, Health and Mental Well-Being

Swan Lake Digest No 3. August 2023. Jerry Diakiw Happiness, is defined as having, “frequent positive emotions and high life satisfaction”. (google “Oxford Happiness Questionnaire for the measurement of psychological well‐being” to assess how your level of happiness compares.) If you are a happy healthy person you are unlikely to be depressed. Depression and happiness are antonyms. A positive…

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Whistler BC (a digital painting )

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Swan Lake Profiles. Margaret May 93

Occasional Profiles of Amica ResidentsIve been writing occasional biographical profiles of residents in Amica for our monthly events/news calendar. Joyce’s grandfather worked on building the CNR railway through the Rockies, then settled in Toronto opening a “Chinese Laundry” . His son graduated in medicine from U oT . He spawned a legacy of Chinese-Canadian doctors . Another profile was of Ruth,…

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Swan lake Digest

A Mental Health and Wellness Newsletter No. 2 July, 2023 Dr. Jerry Diakiw. Jdiakiw@gmail.com 647-291-8261 Forest Therapy: Shinrin-Yoku Sometimes the best therapy for what ails you is right outside the front door. A walk around Swan Lake or a walk in the forest has been shown to have both physical and psychological benefits. Wil Brunnerm a Certified Forest Therapy Guide states: “If you…

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Bibliotherapy

I have initiated a number of new programs on mental healith and wellness here at Amica, inspired by and in honour of one daughter who is superintendent of student services/mental health and wellness with the local school board. The latter portfolio was added to her title in recognition of the exploding cases of mental illness around the world. The school board has made it a priority in our…