We live in a suburb of Toronto on a 1/4 acre. This is our first year observing the birds so I can't identify all of them yet, but so far the ones we can identify are cardinals, mourning doves, robins, chickadees, sparrows, woodpeckers, finches, grackles, starlings, plus one tiny owl last Halloween. More exciting for me has been the family of raccoons who nest in our silver maple. The tree is right beside the patio where I sit on warm nights. Last summer, Mama raccoon was so used to me sitting there that she didn't mind my observing her leading her four babies down the tree, one at a time, about five feet away from me! One of her daughters stayed with her this year and they spent some time wintering in my garage (I made a bed for them). Here's a pic of last year's baby... There seems to be a wildlife freeway through our yard. In addition to the raccoons, we get visits from opossum and skunk who walk by the patio on a regular basis. Can't wait to see them again this year!

I bought a newly built home in a small mountain town, surrounded by beautiful pine trees...it was supposed to be my retirement home. A month after moving in the neighbor began his repairing small engines. He brought everything and anything that was junk to his house and the "reving" drove me nuts. I couldn't enjoy gardening outside, not to mention the smell of burning gas/oil. He wasn't worth talking to, the type of person that doesn't get it regardless of the conversation. I silently went to the city and filled out a report on noise, use of air tool equipment, etc ....acted stupid, "are we allowed to have businesses in garages?". Already knew the answer was no. They shut him down in a day. Although the noise went away he was still doing something in his garage and had a stove that was being used to burn rubber, plastic, anything else including his trash and it would engulf my "new" home. Calling the fire department didn't work, he had a scanner and knew when they were on their way, by the time anyone showed up the smoke was shut down. Plus police/fire cannot go into a building without a warrant. The problem with this neighbor really never went away, he started another business cutting down trees which were brought back and laying all over. Used a huge power log cutter which went on for hours on end. I did decide to move, there were other reasons for doing so which I reasoned with to make the move something I should do. Persuing problems is a big issue if you want to sell. I could have continued documenting, calling, monitoring by the EPA, etc. But selling the house would have been a major problem if something showed up or illegal going on. Moving was the best thing I did, am in a quiet, wonderfully kept neighborhood. I hated letting the guy win, but life hands us plans which we don't understand at the time. I'm glad I made the final decision. "

First, the 'long' history' thing. In Junior schools (up to 11 years) history used to be a bit hit-and-miss. One term kids might have studied the Egyptians, the next the Tudors, then the Vikings! All giving little sense of a time line. I think it is 'better connected ' these days, with much emphasis on 'social' stuff, what people wore/ate/jobs they did and so on. By secondary education the subject might start with the outline of the Greeks and Romans, followed by English history . . . Anglo Saxons, Normans, Middle Ages . . . Leading up to exams, usually two years work. Whatever period is taught will be in much greater detail, with more emphasis on politics rather than Kings and Queens. With the odd date thrown in. 'A level' (top two years at school) is similar in approach but much more 'thoughtful'. Modern history has become much more popular partly because the syllabus requires some study of 'evidence based' stuff ie using maps, copies of old documents etc. The part that various religions/beliefs/denominations played throughout history is taught (hopefully) evenly. So for eg the Crusades will not be shown as a thoroughly good thing and the Reformation lessons will give an all-round view of what led to the growth of the Protestant movements in Europe, clash of Crown and Pope . .. and so on. As students have to write several long essays on various topics which are then sent away to be marked any obvious bias in the teaching would quickly become apparent and presumably they would fail the exam . . . which doesn't look good for the school who have to publish their results. I do remember one girl at College who studied history and claimed the only thing of importance was the Trade Union Movement. I don't know if she went on to become a teacher but if she did her pupils were soon have been bored rigid. OT. My Uncle was sent to the US to complete his education in the early '30's as his parents packed up in the UK and moved to the Philippines. He marvelled at the detail with which US history was taught and claimed it was because there was so little of it, it had to be stretched to fill the time available. 'Religious Education' was (and I suppose still is) on every English school curriculum and can be studied up to exam level. Must see if I can find a copy of a syllabus somewhere.

Faron - I start my Stihl on the floor by sliding my foot through the handle to help keep it steady. However I'm unable to start our generator - the pull cord is too high up and I can't get enough torque - I'd need a stepladder. My profession was dominated by women and I can readily say that I never faced discrimination at work. Of course like most women I've encountered my share of men making crude comments and insinuations and as a young woman was never taken seriously when I took my car in for repair. And there were a few alarming situations where I seriously worried about my safety. When DD was growing up I tried to set an example for her, I felt it was important for her to see me as a capable woman. I wanted her to be strong and independent . When she graduated from college we went to buy her first car. I had already locked in the price online and brought a copy of the sales agreement. However the salesman kept saying that certain items were omitted and he wanted to re-write the agreement and came back with a higher price. I walked out of the dealership. DD was crushed because she thought she wasn't going to get her car. The salesman came running after us and we did get the car - at the original price. It's a story she vividly remembers. However she is now working in a male dominated job and is facing discrimination, ridicule and even career sabotage. There is no HR department, she has to take these issues to her boss - who frequently says that she's whining and then later approaches her when she's alone and rubs her back and says he's sorry. The only other females at her work place are doing clerical or administrative work and are off premises. She's the only woman working on the job with 6 to 8 men. It has become a toxic work environment and she has consulted with an attorney as to how to proceed. I'm proud of her for taking the initiative to get legal advice but she's so disillusioned and stressed that she's also looking for another job.