I want to take a moment to explain something to all of You who have both received @groupcard's from Me in the past, and those of You who have participated in All of the Cards I have done:

First...THANK YOU! Goodwill is Free to share, and brings us all together in a loving and sharing environment! You were the true Heroes, propelling the Cards to Great Heights!

But, I NO LONGER Subscribe to @groupcard. I have closed My account completely. Tho I will miss it, they have not been willing to fix the problems they have with their app, and in fact, when I recently contacted them about doing just that, so I could return to doing the cards everyone Loves so much; they took away my last 3 months of membership, without even notifying Me. They obviously don't need My business, which is fine; but I cannot support their business either, under these Circumstances.

So Please people, Understand that I cannot participate in any further @groupcard's. Until I replace this app, I will continue to share Goodwill, by sending cards from American Greetings, Smilebox and Jackie Lawson Cards, to each of You, on Your Special Days!

Hopefully I will be able to, either have an app developed, or find a suitable substitute for @groupcard! I Love to share Goodwill with people, and sorely miss doing the Cards. So, Please do not be offended when I do not participate in the Group Card experience.

(((HUGS))) to all of You!

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!

~L.H. Bailey

Photo Courtesy of:  "Photo Stock"

(¯`♥'¯) `*. ¸.•´*¨)¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) Ƭɧąղӄ Ýօմ Ꭿƪƪ ƒօ® Եɧҽ ϴմԵքօմ®ἶղģ օƒ Լօѵҽ ąղժ βἶ®Եɧժąվ ωἶʂɧҽʂ!!! Ýօմ ą®ҽ Ꭿƪƪ ʂօ Ꭿωҽʂօӎҽ!! ℳվ ƈմⓅ ®մղղҽԵɧ ϴѵҽ®!!!!! ℒℴѵℯ & ℋմℊ≾ XXXXX

   of brighter days filled with New Life.

Tulips and daffodils peeking up from long winter sleeps.

The sound of the birds song, on the Morning breeze.....

And, the World becomes filled with color again.....

    Because, Spring has Sprung! 

~EJJ

Pictures courtesy of:  Image Gallery

Andrea Horwath cited her Sons poor treatment at a Hamilton Hospital, in the Debate today; to Demonstrate how the Healthcare System has suffered under the Liberal Govt! 
I know exactly how she feels! I started a Group on FB, called "the Horrors of Healthcare at Hamilton Health Sciences", because of the abuses of patients that I witnessed both as a volunteer and as a patient at the Juravinski. I put a video on YouTube too! And I left that position as a Volunteer at Juravinski, as a result of the abuses I witnessed! 
I went to the ER, there, for treatment;  and I myself was treated abusively. And I had the horror of listening, as an elderly Woman had a Catheter inserted for no other reason than, they didn't want to take her to the washroom!  I reported these abuses; and in return had to sit by as they tried to shift blame off of their staff! I still have all the email correspondence about it! 
And, right now at this very moment...my Brother-in-law is at that very hospital. He's been there for 3 hours. And even 'tho there are only 4 people in the waiting room, they were told 6-8 hours to be seen. And they gave them all the rest of the rhetoric...in order of severity, ambulances first...even if they're not more sick, etc, etc. My BIL has not been able to keep food or liquid down for 5 days. But he's not a priority! That's what they were told!
And they just texted Me and told Me that the nurses are all in back chatting and having coffee! She also said that they came out a bit ago and called the names of people who had left, and when they weren't there, they never came back out to call new people! 
Canada boasts to the World that we have Free Healthcare.  But, what good is Free Healthcare; if You CANNOT get proper Treatment!?  When will somebody put an end to this! They make really big money, and they play God with other people's lives!!!!  #HamiltonHealthSciences  #PoorHealthcare

Below is Andrea Howarth's Story....

Horwath’s son hits unfunny bone in health care

I am honored to Welcome as a Guest to My Blog: Sarah Lenssen
Sarah has an important Message to share with You! Please take a
moment to read her post, and perhaps save the life of a Child! Thank
You!!

Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5

Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography

Thank you Eleanor
Jodway and nearly 150 other bloggers from around the world for
allowing me to share a story with you today, during Social Media
Week.

A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide
if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are
stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with
empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the
third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything.
Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee
camps. 

At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for
food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the
food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought
in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this?
Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is
the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need
of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last
three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated
that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a
moment and let that settle in.

The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw
the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media
outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest
celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled
that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together
today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to
share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers.
Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering,
but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp
and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do
will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.

When news of the famine first hit the news in late July, I selfishly
avoided it. I didn't want to read about it or hear about it because I
knew I would feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. I wanted to protect
myself. I knew I would need to do something if I knew what was
really happening. You see, this food crisis is personal. I have a
4-year-old son and a 1 yr-old daughter who were adopted from Ethiopia
and born in regions now affected by the drought. If my children still
lived in their home villages, they would be two of the 12.4 million.
My children: extremely hungry and malnourished? Gulp. I think any one
of us would do anything we could for our hungry child. But
would you do something for another mother's hungry child?

My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab
Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over
400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who
walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby,
Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in
Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter
with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her
dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in
camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible
drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family
lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing
lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished.
I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the
situation continues."

Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a
dream built upon the belief that you will.

That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign
called #Ask5for5
to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The
concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5,
and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in
nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month,
over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an
organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for
decades and will continue long after this famine has ended.
Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government
grants to
help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support,
healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families
suffering in the Horn.

I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple;
here's what you need to do:

1. Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
2. Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
3. Share #Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter!

I'm looking for another 100 bloggers to share this post on their blogs
throughout Social Media Week. Email me at ask5for5@gmail.com if you're
interested in participating this week.

A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the
other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might
have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if
she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as
long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and
help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.

Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving
lives and changing history.

p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and
email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and
if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it
later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of
starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You
have the opportunity to save a life today!

On August. 22, 2011. Canada lost an Amazing Man!  A Man of Integrity, Moral values, Fortitude and Love for his fellow Canadians!  That Man was ; Jack Layton.  Jack was a Man who had a vision.  He saw the cup as half full; with the potential to be filled!  He fought for Each and every citizen of Canada.  Rich, poor, male, female, gay, straight, naturalized Canadian, Immigrant Canadian; it did not matter to Jack, as he believed that ALL Canadians had the right to a Voice!

He battled for gay rights, that they would share the same benefits and government support; as heterosexuals.  He made sure that He was there in Toronto every Year...marching in The Gay Pride Parade with Olivia, his Loving wife!  They knew it was important that people recognized their commitment to supporting Gay Rights.  And NEVER shied away from any of the repercussions that came along with that!

Jack fought tirelessly for Affordable Housing for All Canadians.  He fought for Education and Public Transit equably.  He addressed Environmental issues with Fervor; experiencing and witnessing for himself, just what those issues were.  He believed in Young Canadians.  Jack taught them to have a voice; and to embrace the fact that they would inherit this World!  He believed unflinchingly that They were up to the Challenge!  Jack NEVER lost sight of why He was in Public Life.  He didn't have to fight this battle for The Working Class.  Jack lived a privileged upbringing.  But with grounded principles.  He came from a Political Family, that dated back as Early as Confederation.  He could have sat back and enjoyed the fruits of his privilege.  But...He DID NOT!  Even as a child, Jack had a kind and caring disposition.  A push to give, to help; those less fortunate.  Those looking for a hand up! 

I've watched many state Funerals....and almost None; were as moving as this one,  (Maybe, Kennedy's was close).  The sense of loss...Love; it was Amazing!  Standing ovation, after standing ovation.  And a Country, it's people...polarized with the will to make a difference!  I must admit to being quite moved.  And I cried almost as much as when I heard the News of his passing! 

I'd like to finish this post, by including the letter that Jack wrote, only two days prior to his passing.  In true Jack style, his last thoughts were for his Family, his Friends, Canadians all over the Country, and the NDP's fight to carry on his work. 

Godspeed Jack....We will Miss You every day!  You will Never be forgotten.  And I Thank You for All that You Gave to Canadians.  Jack...You Inspired ME to vote for the first time; at 47 years Old! 

August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,
Jack Layton

~ "A Galvanizing force of Social Justice, Equal Rights, and God Damned Humanity in Canada!" 

Words used to describe Jack Layton...  ~The beccabeast

Images of Funeral: The Globe and Mail

Image of gay Pride Parade:  MacLeans.CA

All other Images: Image Stock

♥ I am so fortunate to have such Wonderful Friends! I've always had a theory about Friends....

"You don't pick Your Friends for the things You don't like about them. You pick them for the things You Love....the things You share in common. You learn to accept the things that You don't like! Nobody's perfect!"!!

Thank You My Friends...for being "YOU"! My Cup Runneth Over! ♥

♥*¨*❁Լօѵҽ*¨*ąղժ¸¸.•ɧu​ģʂ*¨* ☼

My Fav Season  is definitely Fall.  It's an end to the Hot and Humid Summers that we have!  Temps topping 40C with the humidex!  *YIKES* 

Autumn is ushered in with brilliant fiery red maples

Days take on a deeper grey.  And the sun sets bright, in early evening.  A cool Sunday afternoon spent reading a book on the porch, with a throw tossed over my knees.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

YES...Indeed; My Favorite Season is Fall!  :)