Do Not Call List

In Canada. the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) will launch today, September 30, 2008. It is designed to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls and faxes Canadians receive.


As of September 30, 2008, you can register your home phone, cellular or fax number(s) on the National DNCL.


Signing up is simple, quick and free. You can sign up online at http://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/ or by calling the toll-free numbers 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625) or 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889).


Once you have signed up, many telemarketers can no longer call you starting 31 days after your registration.


You must renew your registration every three years if you want your number(s) to stay on the National DNCL.


Registering on the National DNCL will reduce but not eliminate all telemarketing calls and faxes.


There are certain kinds of telemarketing calls and faxes that are exempt from the National DNCL, including those made by or on behalf of:

registered charities seeking donations
newspapers looking for subscriptions
political parties and their candidates, and
companies with whom you have an existing commercial relationship in the previous 18 months


Telemarketers making exempt calls must maintain their own do not call lists. If you do not want to be called by these telemarketers, you can ask to be put on their do not call lists. They are obliged to do so within 31 days.


You will continue to receive calls from organizations conducting market research, polls or surveys even though you are registered on the National DNCL. These are not considered telemarketing calls because they are not selling a product or service, or requesting donations.


It is not a perfect solution to eliminate unwanted telephone calls but at least, we here in Canada, can now stop SOME of those annoying interruptions to our days and/or nights.
I am signing up, are you?



Bear((( )))

We Interrupt This Blog

Bear((( )))

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish Year 5769: sunset September 29, 2008 - nightfall October 1, 2008
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At Sunset this evening, people of the Jewish faith will begin to celebrate the two day holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
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In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year."
Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year.
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The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet.
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A popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of the wish for a sweet new year.





L'shanah tovah
(For a good year)
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Bear((( )))

Saturday Funnies

Bear((( )))

A House is Not a Home

WITHOUT A ROOF

As some of my readers of this blog know, we want to sell the house we are currently living in right now.

There are so many reasons why we want to move:

Our present LOCATION i.e. backing on to a busy and noisy highway
Thieving Eco-friendly and nosey inquisitive NEIGHBOURS
Moving CLOSER to our children and grandsons
The cracked and leaking BASEMENT that we have had repaired four times
And now the ROOF we have to have replaced ASAP!

This is BearNaked's own version of The Money Pit movie.
Insert sobbing, sound effects here.
Exit stage right:
The sight of the roofing contactor we just hired yesterday, gleefully skipping back to his truck.

We had this house built specifically for us, moved in on NEW YEARS EVE 1996 and had the unpleasant surprise, three days later, of ***4 inches of muddy water*** fill the basement.
That is yet another horror story that I still have not been able to write about; without breaking into uncontrollable laughter (which hides the sound of our screams and gnashing of the teeth.)

In the first 12 months after moving in we had to have all this done:

Repair the hole in the basement wall where the builder FORGOT to place a plug, when the foundation walls were poured.
Move the sump pump location to the lowest level of the basement floor from the highest level where it originally was located. ***Remember-- 4 inches of muddy water***
Replace throughout the house, all the wall to wall carpet that was installed incorrectly with half inch gaps at every seam.
Sand and repaint the baseboards because the incorrectly installed carpet was laid 2 hours after the house had been painted. We are talking serious FUZZY baseboards here people.
Repair the 4 outside corners of the house, cracking at the foundation.
(The New Home Warranty paid for all of this.)

Since then we have not had a 6 month run of something not breaking down, cracking and/or leaking.
And now we need a new ROOF!
Which is no longer covered by the Home Warranty.
Is it any wonder why we can't wait to sell this sow’s ear silk purse of a house.


Does anyone remember?
Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.



This is the big one!
You hear that, Elizabeth?
I'm coming to join ya, honey!
Redd Foxx

AND


Bear((( )))

Can Dilemma-Update

Thank you everyone for all your helpful and/or humourous ideas on how to throw away our broken trash can.
Gary Plan B won the prize for the funniest idea.
Gary said, " Call the police and report it as an abandoned stripped vehicle and have it towed."

Well I am happy to announce that the can is gone.


The only thing that my husband did was put it at the bottom of the driveway early this morning.
No note--nothing just one poor old empty can.


I had totally forgot about my thieving good neighbours who grab anything that is not physically nailed down here in the 'hood.

This just proves the old saying:
One man's trash is another man's treasure.

So thank you everyone for giving me a great big smile today.
And Chesapeake Bay Woman I'll be calling you if I need to do any late night shopping.



Bear((( )))

Gargantuan Garbage Dilemma

We have a gigantic problem this week with our garbage.
Well not with the garbage itself but with the trash can that we use.
Or should I say USED to use.

What happened was that last week; one of the trash collectors who emptied our plastic garbage can broke the darn thing.
Wheels on the bottom of the can-----gone, handles--—knocked off and the rim-----broken in several spots.
The poor fellow must have had an argument that morning; either with his wife and/or his boss.
Or perhaps he just needs to take a Stress Management course.

So, we purchased a new garbage can this week made from heavyweight galvanized steel with heavy-duty handles and no attached wheels.
The question to all my readers out there:

Just how do you throw away an old broken trash can?
I’m worried that they won’t take it away.
Now I am getting stressed out.



Bear((( )))

ABC Wednesday-J

When JACK FROST comes
Oh the fun!
He plays pranks on everyone.
He'll pinch your nose,
He'll bite your toes.
But where he lives
Why nobody knows.
He paints upon the windowpanes,
Tin soldiers, Bears
And choo-choo trains.
He nips the leaves
From off the trees,
This little man whom no one sees.
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by: Anonymous
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Frost is a weather condition that occurs when the prevailing temperature falls below 0°C (32°F). It is recognized by the icy deposit that forms; but if the air is very dry this will not occur.
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As a young child, I could sit for hours mesmorized by the frost patterns that
JACK FROST painted on my bedroom window.
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Unfortunately, now with the newer and more energy efficient windows in the houses,
JACK FROST no longer visits me.
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ABC Wednesday is brought to you by Mrs. Nesbitt.
Mr.Linky can be found here.
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Bear((( )))

Autumn Season

The best time of the year, the Autumn Season, arrived yesterday.
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My favourite colours are all the shades of Autumn; the oranges, golds, tans and rust.
They are a feast to my eyes.
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The scent of Autumn in the air always brings a smile to my face.
There is nothing better than to smell burning leaves on a brisk fall day.
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But the best part of the season is the taste of autumn; pumpkin pie, caramel apples and of course CANDY CORN.
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Bear((( )))

Why Teddy Bears are SEW Lovable

They don't complain when you would rather sew than cook.

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They don't cut paper with your sewing scissors.

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They don't tell you Monday that they need an outfit on Tuesday

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They don't outgrow the clothes you make for them before they're finished.

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They don't complain if they step on a pin.

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They wait patiently while you finish just *one more* project.

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They never call you a fabricholic

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***Even when you are.***

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Bear((( )))

Saturday Funnies

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Bear((( )))

Happy Birthday

Everyone, please join with me in wishing

a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sandy of

I Beati- a meeting place to share our blessings and laugh a little !!

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This is a MILE-MARKER birthday for her, so today I wanted to feature her blog here on BearNaked.

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Sandy is a wonderful fellow blogger who truly does share many blessings with us and she makes me laugh--a lot.

I also appreciate her warm get well wishes she has given me and her many comments she has written on my posts here.

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I also wanted to publicly thank her for giving me the "Brainy Blog" award last Wednesday, September 10th.

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Sandy, here is the *Bouquet of Bears* from me to you.

Thank you so much.

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Bear((( )))

Power of Prayer

Today, I realized how very fortunate I am.
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Today, I found that there are many people in my small blogosphere that need the "Power of Prayer" from me and you.
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Today, I am going to ask you all to join me and say a prayer for:
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Janet, David's wife who is valiantly battling Leukemia again for the second time.
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Wendy, who is caring for her husband who suffers from COPD.
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JeanMac, a brave woman who I have "met" here in the blogosphere.
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These three couples need the "Power of Prayer" from us.
Please do not forget them today, tomorrow and in the future.
Say a prayer for them and for all the other people out there, who need the "Power of Prayer."
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Bear((( )))

ABC Wednesday-I

For many centuries, outsiders called INUIT “Eskimos.”

INUIT no longer find this term acceptable. They prefer the name by which they have always known themselves – INUIT, which means “the people” in their own language, INUKTITUT.

INUIT inhabit vast areas of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, the coast of northern Labrador and about 25 percent of Northern Québec. Traditionally, they have lived above the treeline in the area bordered by Alaska in the west, the Labrador coast in the east, the southern tip of Hudson Bay in the south and the High Arctic Islands in the north.

About 55,700 INUIT live in 53 communities across the North. The INUIT population has grown rapidly over the past few decades. According to Statistics Canada, if present trends continue, there will be about 84,600 INUIT in the North by 2016.

INUIT are one of the three Aboriginal peoples in Canada, as defined by the Canadian Constitution. The other two Aboriginal peoples are First Nations and Métis people.

INUIT origins in Canada date back at least 4,000 years. Their culture is deeply rooted in the vast land they inhabit. For thousands of years, INUIT closely observed the climate, landscapes, seascapes and ecological systems of their vast homeland. Through this intimate knowledge of the land and its life forms, INUIT developed skills and technology uniquely adapted to one of the harshest and most demanding environments on earth.

INUIT treat human beings, the land, animals and plants with equal respect. Today, they continue to try to maintain this harmonious relationship. They try to use the resources of land and sea wisely to preserve them for future generations.

Traditional knowledge about INUIT history, and the land, plants and wildlife, has been passed down through the generations. The family is the centre of INUIT culture, and co-operation and sharing are basic principles in INUIT society.

I am proud to say that the INUIT are part of my country, Canada.

ABC Wednesday is brought to you by Mrs. Nesbitt.

Mr.Linky can be found here.

Bear((( )))

Toblerone

About ten days ago Bob T Bear (esq.) posted about his trip to Canterbeary (sic) and his encounters with Bishop bears who hide Toblerone chocolate bars in their mitered hats.
I promised Bob that I would write a post about Toblerone chocolate and its hidden significance to bears.
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So now I will present a brief history of chocolate, Toblerone and possibly bears.
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The Maya first began farming the first cocoa plantations in the Yucatan peninsula.
The Mayan god of the cacao plant was Chak el Chuah.
On his fourth journey to America, Christopher Columbus landed in Nicaragua and became the first European acquainted with cocoa.
Lucky Chris!!
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In 1528, Hernado Cortéz brought to Europe the first cocoa and the equipment needed to prepare it.
In 1657, a Frenchman opened the first chocolate store in London, England.
In 1692, Louis XIV issued an edict levying taxes on chocolate.
All together now, "Boo Louis!"
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In 1875, a Swiss man, Daniel Peter, introduces the first milk chocolate to the market.
Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray!
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In 1908, Toblerone is born. Theodor Tobler and Emil Baumann develop a unique chocolate, TOBLERONE. Thereafter, Toblerone with its special recipe, triangular shape and unmistakable Toblerone logo, becomes the Swiss chocolate par excellence.
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In 2000, a smooth redesign of the packaging takes place and the Matterhorn is shown on the package design.
On the Matterhorn, there is something hidden.
Can you see it?
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Bear((( )))

Serious topic--it all Depends?

Urinary Incontinence---If this subject embarrasses you or doesn’t apply or you don’t really care, stop reading now and come back tomorrow and I will try my best to have an amusing post then. But I really want to tell my story to any woman who has urinary incontinence and is not doing anything about it.

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I originally posted this on April 29, 2008 but I wanted to bring this forward in case there are any women who have not read it.

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For almost seven years I suffered with Urinary Incontinence. I began wearing Poise pads starting with the Panti-liner gradually going to the Ultra Thin then the Regular, Extra, Extra Plus and finally graduating to the Ultra Plus pad. The next step up would be the Depends diaper.

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I hated it, was embarrassed and ashamed but never once mentioned this to anyone including my doctor. Of course, my husband knew about all this but we never once talked about my "problem” together. I guess we both thought it was just part of the natural aging process and we would just have to deal with it.

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I kept postponing a Pap smear and pelvic exam until three years ago when my doctor insisted that I was way overdue and insisted that I have these procedures.

During the pelvic exam the doctor discovered I had a cystocele.

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After the examination was finished, he sat down with me and explained and discussed what my options were. In his opinion, we should set up an appointment with a local Urologist who was highly recommended.

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After the initial examination by the Urologist he set up an appointment in one of the local hospitals for a cystoscopy. On that day, the prep staff at the urology department had my husband and I watch a film about a new procedure for women with urinary incontinence.

This was called a trans-vaginal taping; TVT.

The cystoscopy was not too uncomfortable and the staff in the operating room were very kind and gentle and very professional. A follow-up appointment was set up to see the Urologist in his office to discuss his recommendation of the TVT.

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After many days of on-line research at home, I decided that I would have this procedure and an appointment was made for the operation.

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I arrived at the out-patient area of the hospital a little apprehensive but also excited that maybe I would be “normal” again.

The operation didn’t take too long and I was soon back in the urology recovery area where they monitored my catheter.

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They then did a test to check my urine output by filling my bladder with a sterile solution that I would void. If I could not void a certain amount, I would be sent home with the catheter still inserted. Let me tell you I was determined that I was going home catheter free. I passed the test with flying colours and went home that afternoon.

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I spent the next four weeks at home doing nothing and did not lift anything heavier than a paper back book. I was still leaking a bit of urine but not anything like the volume that I was used to.

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After the month was finished I saw my Urologist who rescheduled another follow up appointment twelve weeks later. The three months flew by and I was semi-happy because I only had to wear Ultra-Thin pads instead of the bulky Ultra-Plus.

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The Urologist rescheduled another cystoscopy and found that the taping was too loose so rescheduled another Trans Vaginal Taping for me.

I had this operation done ten months after the original one and spent another four weeks doing nothing and lifting nothing again.

No leakage, but I was in a lot of pain and after some urine tests my Urologist diagnosed a bladder and kidney infection.

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The next week I had another cystoscopy where it was discovered that the taping was too tight.

So back I went for my third time to have the taping loosened a little.

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By this time the staff in the Urology department and operating room at the hospital were on a first name basis with me and thought that I should be eligible for frequent flier miles or something like that.

After the loosening of the tape I can now say that I am 100 percent dry at all times for the past year.

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You are all probably wondering if I had to do it all over again, would I?

YES YES YES!

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I no longer have the embarrassment of wearing incontinence pads and the worry that other people would detect an odour from me.

I had my life given back to me.

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I guess I feel like Goldilocks and the three bears; the first time was too loose, the second time was too tight but the third time was just right.

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Bear((( )))

Saturday Funnies

Bear((( )))

I Will Follow You

I know quite a few bloggers have begun to FOLLOW and I thought I would bring the newest Blogger feature to the attention of those who don't.

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Here are the simple instructions from Blogger:

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What is Following?

"Do you have a favorite blog and want to let the author and readers know that you are a fan? Well now you can do that and more with the Blogger Following feature! You can even keep track of the blogs you follow via your Reading List on the Blogger dashboard."

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How do I become a Follower of a blog?

"There are several ways to become a follower of a blog. One of the easiest ways is to visit a blog that has added the Following widget and click on the "Follow this Blog" link under the "Followers" widget. You'll then see a popup window with the options to either follow publicly or anonymously."

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"Select how you'd like to follow the blog, then click the orange "Follow" button. It is that simple, you are now a follower of the blog! If you elected to follow the blog publicly, your profile picture will be displayed on the blog with a link to your Blogger profile."

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"When you become a follower of a blog, the blog will also be added to your Reading List on your Blogger dashboard. Additionally, you can become a follower of any blog or URL (even if the blog doesn't have the Followers widget) by adding the blog to your Reading List on the dashboard."

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So I have become a Follower, why don't you?

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I will follow you
Follow you wherever you may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high
It can keep

Keep me away
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Lyrics by: Ricky Nelson

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Edited to add:

Phew I'm finished adding everyone that I follow.

48 blogs!!!!

No wonder the doctor told me I need more vitamin D.

Time to buy a laptop so I can sit outside in the sunshine to follow everyone.

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Bear((( )))

Give Peace a Chance

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I want to thank everyone who left such heartfelt and thoughtful comments on yesterday’s ABC Wednesday post.
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How very ironic that yesterday afternoon, the body of our 97th fallen soldier, Sgt. Prescott (Scott) Shipway arrived at CFB Trenton to take that solemn journey down the Highway of Heroes to Toronto, Ontario.
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My opinion on this war will be kept personal; but I wanted everyone to see and know that we Canadians honour and respect our armed forces and we will never forget their bravery.
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On this day, the anniversary of 9/11/01, I thought maybe I would show you why we must HAVE PEACE NOW.
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What better way to say GIVE PEACE A CHANCE than to learn the names and see the pictures of our Canadian HEROES.
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If you have a few minutes, all the names and photos of our brave Canadian HEROES can be seen here.
These 98 photographs are of the 97 Canadian soldiers and the one Canadian diplomat who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the deployment in 2002.
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Bear((( )))

ABC Wednesday-H

The 172 kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between Trenton, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario in Canada has been designated as the
"HIGHWAY OF HEROES."
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It is along this route that many Canadians pay tribute to the solemn journey our fallen soldiers take once their bodies return to Canada and are formally transported from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to Toronto.
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On over-passes, along roadsides and sometimes even on the medians; firefighters, police officers, paramedics, veterans and ordinary Canadians waving flags; stand proudly as the military vehicles carrying Canada's casualties from Afghanistan roll by.
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They are providing a civilian version of what in military jargon is called over-watch, solemnly presiding over the safe return of their soldiers.
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The following pictures from various news sites will tell the story better than any words I could post here in this blog.

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Ninety-seven Canadian soldiers have died since Canada's military deployed to Afghanistan in 2002.

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Rest in Peace----- our HEROES.

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ABC Wednesday is brought to you by Mrs. Nesbitt.

Mr. Linky can be found here.

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Bear((( )))