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I grow old… I grow old…

I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled

~ T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Hmmm, will those historical events have a lasting and positive legacy or prove to be only flash fires?

When I grow older (I am already old) and wear the bottom of my trousers rolled, I will look back at the landmark events that occurred during my lifetime to see if they inspired change or got lost in the dust of time. I will ask questions like:

How did Donald Trump get elected President of the United States not once but twice? One time could be considered a momentary lapse of judgment by American voters. The second time speaks to a deeper level of discontent and a clash of values virus (if I may use that term) that is eating away at a once great nation.

Will I look back and identify a date in time when the U.S.A. course corrected or was it a turning point that could not be reversed?

Was the #MeToo Movement a line in the sand that brought real change? The #MeToo Movement exploded in 2017 as sexual harassment and assault charges against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein hit the news. Widespread coverage of the movement led to the resignation or firing of numerous prominent figures accused of misconduct.

Will I look back and see that the movement made a lasting impact or regretfully died on the vine?

Did the Occupy Wall Street march bring an overhaul of the failing financial system? 1,000 people marched through the streets of New York City’s Financial District in September 2011 protesting income inequality and the influence of money in politics. Similar protests were launched in dozens of cities across the country.

Will I look back and find that the protest shifted the meter on income inequality or that the voices ultimately fell on deaf and insensitive ears?

Did the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting prove to be paradigm shifting? The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newton, Connecticut, in which 26 died, was the deadliest mass shooting in Connecticut history and the deadliest at an elementary school in U.S. history.

Will I look back and see that the shock waves from the shooting propelled real action on gun control in the years that followed or fizzled out as the shock wore off?

When I grow older and wear the bottom of my trousers rolled and reflect on such historical landmark, will I find that their legacies reshaped the future for the better? I certainly hope so. What a shame if they turn out to be fires that burned themselves out from the weight of indifference and apathy.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   gowing old · legacy · Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · T.S. EliotNo Comments.

Hmmm, am I the only one with an overwhelming urge to hit White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in the face with a cream pie?

Every time I see her perky face on the news or hear her go on another rant attacking Trump’s many enemies, the urge gets stronger. Defending Trump is her job but the zealous manner in which she goes about it is exasperating.

Leavitt holds the distinction of being the youngest person (27 years of age) to hold the position of Press Secretary in U.S. history. In theory, she has the credentials. Studying politics and communication at Saint Anselm College. Interning in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence and becoming its associate director. Becoming Assistant White House Press Secretary during Trump’s first term in office.

But her credentials are beside the point. Trump selected her for the job, as he did for all his lackies, because she has hitched her wagon to him and is willing to be his shameless mouthpiece. You can practically see Trump behind her whispering in her ear every time she gets in the front of the camera.

In researching her background, I learned that in 2022 Leavitt ran in the United States House of Representatives election for New Hampshire’s first congressional district as a Republican. Her campaign leveraged her experience within the Trump administration and she sought to be viewed as the most pro-Trump candidate in the Republican primary.

Leavitt won the Republican Primary but lost to Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas. She subsequently served as a spokesperson from MAGA Inc and became press secretary for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She is quite literally tied at the hip to Trump.

Just how far is she willing to go in being Trump’s mouthpiece?

In her first press conference, she announced that Trump’s pause on foreign aid had prevented a preposterous waste of taxpayer money: There was about to be $50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza. Yes, you read that correctly: condoms.

Recently, she went on a two-minute ramp about CNN Journalist Natasha Bertrand for claiming that the U.S. did not obliterate Iran’s nuclear facilities – saying she should be ashamed of herself for reporting a false narrative. She also railed about a rogue judge who ruled against Trump in an ICE-related incident.

And of course, she gleefully accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of caving in to Trump on the controversial Digital Services Tax.

Does Leavitt realizes that aligning herself with Trump and riding his coattails is essentially committing career suicide? Once the Trump era is mercifully over, she will not be able to get another job in the field if her life depends on it. Even hardcore Republicans will shun her and refuse her calls.

Karoline Leavitt has given herself over entirely to being Trump’s parrot managing to be perky, petty and petulant in the process. She is supremely talented in doing so. But it is a talent that will ultimately prove to be a dead-end road.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   Donald Trump · Karoline Leavitt · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · White House Press SecretaryNo Comments.

Hmmm, do you need to scatter some stones today?

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

This scripture passage from Ecclesiastes has always been a favourite of mine. If It sounds familiar, it might be because it inspired the Simon & Garfunkel song Turn, Turn, Turn – a popular song that has been covered by other bands and artists along the way.

The Book of Ecclesiastes is believed to have been written by Solomon. In it, The Teacher  talks about his search for the key that unlocks the door to life’s meaning. Wherever he looks, it all seems utterly meaningless – like chasing the wind. Ultimately, The Teacher concludes that life is not a puzzle to be solved but rather a gift to be enjoyed even though there are some things we will never understand.

Whether you are a believer or not, this passage can give you a valuable perspective. It speaks to the continuous ups and downs of life and reassures us that bad times will be balanced by good times. It can be taken to heart to counsel us to have patience, to trust in the goodness of life and to guide us through those times when nothing seems to be going right.

This piece of wisdom is especially valuable in the uncertain times in which we find ourselves. Wars between countries that have been going on for years. New wars starting up. A narcissistic, megalomaniac in the White House. Extreme weather events. Growing numbers of homeless people living in encampments. Economic conditions that are ever in flux. The list goes on.

The most intriguing and hard to decipher line in the passage is: a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them. Scholars present a number of possible sources for the phrase.

• The Old Testament practice of a conquering army to throw stones on the enemy’s field to render it unproductive.
• Soldiers used slingshots to launch stones as weapons of war.
• The clearing of fields to cultivate them or the preparation of highways for the advance of victorious soldiers.

I prefer to interpret these stones as a metaphor for the things in our lives that have meaning at a given point in time but lose their purpose as life goes on. Precious things that we gather with reverence and hold dear but then outlive their usefulness and need to be released. It is difficult to release them but moving on with our life demands that we do.

So scatter some stones today. Your heart will be lighter for the effort.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   Ecclesiastes · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · scatter stones · Solomon · The TeacherNo Comments.

Hmmm, is one commemorative day enough for the injustices that were inflicted?

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. A day to recognize and celebrate the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Mètis peoples. It takes place annually on the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and the first day of summer.

Summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples marking a time of renewal, connection and celebration.

The theme for National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025, “Keeping the Circle Strong through the Sacred Relationship with Mother Earth”, reflects the pride that First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities take in their rich heritage, traditions and cultures by being the caretakers of Mother Earth and of water the giver of life.

The commemorative day was originally called National Aboriginal Day, when it was declared by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc back in 1996, and renamed in 2017.

It has been a long and painful journey for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to gain recognition and some measure of reparation for the many injustices they were subjected to over the years. A brief history lesson in this area is necessary.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with the opportunity to share their stories and experiences.

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and as late as 1996. More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Mètis children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend schools far from home.

The explicit intent of these residential schools was to separate these children from their families and cultures – a move that the TRC characterized as cultural genocide.

The residential schools were underfunded and overcrowded. The quality of education was substandard. Children forced to attend the schools were harshly punished for speaking their own language. Staff were not held accountable for the way they treated the children.

Thousands of children suffered physical and sexual abuse at residential schools. All children attending the schools suffered from loneliness and were deprived of love and respect. Many died and/or never returned to their families.

The schools hurt the children but also hurt their families and communities. Their cultures, traditions, languages and knowledge systems were eroded by forced assimilation. The damages inflicted by residential schools continues to this day.

One memorial day hardly seems sufficient for the harm inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples. So let us consider it not a one and done acknowledgement, but rather a day to keep alive in our minds every day the injustices inflicted upon them and the debt of reparation we owe to them.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   metaphor · Michae Robert Dyet · National Indigenous Peoples Day · residential schools · Truth and Reconciliation CommissionNo Comments.

Hmmm, can we find solace in the comforting rhythm of the full moon?

If you gazed out the window trying to beckon sleep on Tuesday or Wednesday night of this week, you might have been transfixed by the full moon suffused with a strawberry hue. Full moons occur roughly once a month or technically every 29.5 days. The full moon cycles are known the synodic month – the time it takes the moon to complete one full cycle of phases.

Did you know that each full moon has a name in The Old Farmer’s Almanac? The names originate in Native American traditions. Full moons were a method of tracking the seasons for native cultures.

January – Full Wolf Moon. Origin: The howling of wolves is often heard at this time of year as they establish territories, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds and gather for hunting.

February – Snow Moon. Origin: Snow commonly falls during this month more than any other in the winter.

March – Worm Moon. Origin: Earthworms begin to appear as the soil warms for spring. In addition, worm larvae of some species emerge from barks of trees and other winter hideouts.

April – Pink Moon. Origin: This moon heralds the appearance of one of the first spring wildflowers known as moss pink or wild ground phlox.

May – Flower Moon. Origin: The appearance of flowers in abundance inspires this name used by Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples.

June – Strawberry Moon: Origin: Ripe strawberries are ready to be gathered at this time.

July – Buck Moon. Origin: The antlers of bucks are in full growth mode in July.

August – Sturgeon Moon. Origin: Lake Sturgeon, a very large migratory fish, are an important food staple for native cultures at this time of year.

September – Corn Moon or Harvest Moon. Origin: Corn, another staple for native cultures, is ready to harvest in September.

October – Hunter’s Moon. Origin: October is a month for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter months ahead.

November – Beaver Moon. Origin: Beavers finish their preparations for winter and retreat into their lodges.

December – Cold Moon. Origin: A name used by the Mohawks, it refers to the fact that winter cold fastens its grip.

Think of the full moon as an ever-faithful and enduring celestial clock. It marks the passage of time with slow grace, marches in step with the seasons and greets us with comforting regularity twelve times a year. But there is one exception. The 29.5 day cycle means that every few years there are thirteen full moons – hence the expression once in a blue moon.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   celestial clock · full moon · metaphor · Michae Robert Dyet · once in a blue moon · strawberry moonComments Off on Full Moon Rhythms: Our Celestial Clock

Hmmm, the shit has hit the fan but is the worst yet to come?

It was bound to happen. When two narcissistic, megalomaniacs join forces – one of them the richest person in the world and the other the most powerful politician – the inevitable result is a spectacular crash and burn.

Elon Musk bought his way into Trump’s inner circle by donating nearly $300 million making him the single biggest known donor last year. His huge contribution was a major factor in Trump’s victory. Trump rewarded Musk by making him a Special Government Employee who would head up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In the early days of Trump’s administration it was all sunshine and roses between them. They appeared together in the White House for media events singing each other’s praises. Musk rode the DOGE stallion on a reign of terror that delighted Trump.

But they were never really allies. Trump viewed Musk as his righthand man who would worship him and do his bidding. Musk was a bored billionaire looking for a new playground to dominate and to exercise his lust for power. They carried on a sham dance until cracks inevitably began to form in their relationship starting with Tesla sales and stock values plummeting.

Now the two are sworn enemies attacking each other relentlessly. No surprise: Trump’s press secretary is attempting damage control. The official word is that Musk is unhappy with Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include policies he wanted. The reality is that the two could not co-exist for very long without butting heads. The war of words has begun.

Musk: Trump has 3.5 years left as President but I will around for 40 years.

Trump: Elon was wearing thin, I asked him to leave… He just went crazy!

Musk has threatened to challenge Republicans who support Trump’s mega bill and to decommission his Dragon spacecraft which the U.S. relies on to carry astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.

Trump in turn has threatened to cancel federal contracts and tax subsidies for Musk’s companies. Musk retaliated by calling for Trump’s impeachment and mocking his connections with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In the meantime, Tesla shares dropped by over 14% last Thursday wiping out $152 billion of the value of the company.

The Trump Musk alliance was always a shit show waiting to happen. Now that the shit has hit the fan – their massive egos clashing like giant cymbals – Musk has launched a war against the GOP threatening the party’s hopes of holding onto power.

I cannot help but experience a certain amount of pleasure at seeing their alliance blow up so publicly. But while it makes for great news and provides fodder for a media feeding frenzy, it creates even more economic instability with ripple effects world-wide. There are no winners in a situation like this one.

The vultures are circling. Batten down the hatches again. The worst may be yet to come.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   DOGE · Donald Trump · Elon Musk · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · TeslaComments Off on Trump Musk Crash & Burn: Vultures Circling

Hmmm, is that just a dried leaf or is it something much more interesting?

If you spot a Katydid (which is a challenge in itself), you might immediately think it is a grasshopper. They are in the same family as grasshoppers but are distinct and sometimes known as Bush Crickets. Most species of Katydids live in tropical regions. But there are about 255 species in North America of which 44 species are found in Canada.

What is so special about Katydids?

Katydids are masters of disguise. They mimic the colour, texture and even damage patterns of leaves often appearing to be dried, chewed or diseased leaves. This protects them from predators and helps them ambush prey. I have trained my brain to watch for them and am always impressed by how they hide in plain sight.

What do Katydids look like?

As leaf-mimics, Katydids range from all green in colouration to mixtures of green, brown and black. Katydids found in Canda range from a half inch to 2-1/2 inches in size. They have long antennae, which may exceed their body length, and very large hind legs. Some Katydid species can fly but they are generally are not very adept at it.

How long do they live and where?

Katydids are mostly tree-living insects although they can also be found on large plants. They live upwards to a year through their full life cycle of egg, nymph and adult. Their eggs can survive cold temperatures which allows Katydids to overwinter in egg form.

Where do they fit in the quilt of nature?

Katydids contribute to ecosystem balance by helping to regulate plant growth and insect populations and assisting in pollination. They provide food for predators such as birds, bats, rodents, tree frogs, spiders and praying mantids. Katydids themselves are primarily leaf-eaters although they sometimes eat dead or slow moving insects like aphids.

Camo Katydids – one more, fascinating patch in the quilt of nature stitched together by threads of interdependence and natural balance.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   ecosystem · Katydids · leaf-mimics · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · NatureComments Off on Nature as a Quilt: Camo Katydids

Hmmm, can I hold HP accountable for the tangled knot of glitchy technology?

Dear HP:

I own an HP laptop and an HP printer. Both are manufactured to be wireless devices. Unfortunately, both are prone to losing their internet connection on a recurring basis. In addition, earlier this year I had to send the laptop back to you for a warranty repair.

I have found it necessary to subscribe to Geek Squad Technical Support to troubleshoot the issues and reestablish the connection when it drops. It is my contention that I would not need to incur this expense if your devices were properly checked and debugged.

Accordingly, I am submitting an invoice in the amount of $270 for the cost of the subscription.

In the last two weeks, the printer’s internet connection has failed twice and the scanner has also malfunctioned. I spent three hours with Geek Squad Technical Support while they addressed these issues. My time is valuable and should not be chewed up by this problem.

Accordingly, I request compensation for my lost time. An invoice is attached in the amount of $150 – 3 hours @ $50 per hour.

The frequency of the lost internet connection problem has been such that I found it necessary to purchase cables to connect the laptop directly to the modem and to connect the printer directly to the laptop. Once again, I contend that this expense would not be necessary if your devices were properly vetted and debugged before going to market.

Accordingly, I have an attached an invoice for $35 covering the cost of the two cables I found it necessary to purchase.

And finally, we come to the matter of punitive damages. The recurring problems documented above have been extremely frustrating and caused me considerable stress. Accordingly, I am claiming damages for mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.

An invoice for punitive damages in the amount of $2,500 is attached.

The sum total of these invoices is $3,000. Standard 30-day terms apply for payment. A late charge of 5% per week will be applied in the event payment is not made within the specified 30 day period. In addition, my claim for punitive damages may increase if you are delinquent in processing these invoices and issuing payment.

I feel compelled to state that your devices are a tangled knot of difficult-to-untangle issues. This is a deficiency on your end resulting from the development of glitchy technology – the complexities of which I firmly believe your R&D staff only partially comprehend.

In summary, your problem – not mine. Accordingly, pay up!

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   HP · internet connection · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · tangled knot · technologyComments Off on HP You Owe Me $3K

Hmmm, how long will it be before the weaker ship sinks and the sad ending is reached?

The Russian – Ukraine war passed the three year mark earlier this year. Despite numerous attempts to bring an end to the conflict, the war rages on. Not surprisingly there has been a mountain of misinformation about the conflict. So a few questions and proper answers are in order.

Question 1: When did the conflict begin?

Russia invaded the Ukraine on February 24, 2022. But that is a landmark rather than an official starting point. The current war is an escalation of the conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. Simple math reveals that the conflict is over a decade old.

Question 2: Why did Russia invade?

Vladimir Putin challenged Ukraine’s legitimacy as a state and baselessly claimed that the Ukrainian government were neo-Nazis committing genocide against the Russian minority in the Donbas region of Ukraine. But economic interests were the real motive. Control of lithium deposits in the Donbas and Ukraine’s grain wealth could give Russia a monopoly on the world market.

Question 3: What has the human toll been?

It is still often referred to as a conflict. But the reality is it is now the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II. It is impossible to put an accurate figure on the human toll.

But safe to say there have been hundreds of thousands of military casualties and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties. In addition, over 8 million people have fled the Ukraine creating the largest refugee crisis since World War II.

Question 4: What has the economic cost been?

Mostly western governments have pledged more than $380 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine. The United States has committed over $182 billion in emergency funding. Canada has committed over $19 billion including $4.5 billion in military assistance. All of this funding seems unfortunately to be disappearing down a dry hole.

Question 5: Can Donald Trump wave a magic wand and bring about an end to the war?

One of Trump’s campaign promises was that he would end the war within 24 hours of taking office which had everyone rolling their eyes. Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump in the Oval Office in the hopes of signing a mineral deal with the U.S. and solidifying their support. We all know what a fiasco that turned into.

Trump now says nothing will happen until he can meet Putin in person. Imagine what a charade of political posturing that will be!

In the final analysis, any war is a politically driven, sinking ship. It ends only when one side is weakened to the point that it can no longer mount a resistance and slips below the water line. How long that will be is anybody’s guess. The unfortunate and unequivocal fact is that Russia is much better equipped to play the long game.

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   Donald Trump · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · Russia Ukraine war · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr ZelenskyComments Off on Russia Ukraine War: A Sinking Ship

Hmmm, perhaps we should observe a moment of silence as HBC winds down its operations.

If you are not schooled in Canadian history, you may not realize the full significance of the demise of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) which is the oldest corporation in North America. When the company filed for creditor protection in March of this year, it was truly the death throes of a Canadian legend. A short history lesson is in order.

HBC has its origins in the fur trade in the 1600’s. Incorporated by English royal charter in 1670, it was granted a sole right of trade and commerce over what was then known as Rupert’s Land which comprised much of the Hudson Bay drainage basin. This gave the company a commercial monopoly over the area.

HBC functioned as the de facto government of Rupert’s Land for nearly 200 years. HBC relinquished control of the land to Canada in 1869 as part of the Deed of Surrender authorized by the Rupert’s Land Act 1868.

HBC evolved from trading posts at the start of the 19^th century as they saw demand for general merchandise growing rapidly. It expanded into the interior and set-up posts along river settlements that later developed into the modern cities of Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton. The first sales shop was established in Fort Langley.

HBC sale shops sold a variety of products from furs to homeware. The first of the “original six” department stores was built in Calgary in 1913 followed by stores in Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. This was the first step towards the department store chain the company owns today and has continuously operated for 144 years including international expansions and acquisitions.

At its peak, HBC owned and managed approximately 40 million square feet of gross leasable real estate through its HBC properties and investment business unit. In addition to its 80 locations of The Bay, HBC owns Zellers, Lord & Taylor and Saks Inc (operator of Saks Fifth Avenue and Sakes OFF 5^th online).

The demise of the HBC was partially brought on the economic impact of the COVID pandemic. But it was also a victim of the arrival of the giant, discount retail store era. HBC merchandise was always premium priced and it simply could no longer compete in the new marketplace.

The legendary status of the HBC is illustrated by its highly sought after intellectual property rights including its famed Stripes brand. Reported suitors for these rights include Toronto investment manager Urbana Corp and Canadian Tire.

HBC may be shutting off the lights and locking the doors. But even as curtain falls, the 350 year legacy of the company will live on forever. HBC is as much as part of the Canadian identity as hockey and maple syrup.

~  Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .

~ Subscribe to Michael’s Metaphors of Life Journal aka That Make Me Go Hmmm at its’ internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the Subscribe to this Blog: How To instructions page in the right sidebar. If you’re reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Tags:   HBC · Hudson's Bay Company · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · Rupert's LandComments Off on Hudon’s Bay Company: The Curtain Falls