Organic Granny

The "beyond cringe" (a phrase borrowed from my teen granddaughters) photos of the Mega-Prison in El Salvador for the "worst of the worst" of the gangsters from Central and South America (and  elsewhere?) showed up in my Facebook feed today.  Rows of them, lying on the cement floor, interlocked in the baggy white undershorts that would, presumably, prevent them from being able to hide weapons, drugs, what else?  At first glance I thought it was some sort of bizarre religious exercise and then my mind flipped over to the uncanny similarity to what we have seen of Holocaust pictures.  Then I read about what it was.  And, several hours later, I wondered how things have come to be like this in the world.  Again.  And so I went to Chad (what I call ChatGPT) and had one of those magic conversations. Please feel free to fact-check what is written below and share what you find, have read, have heard about, have lived yourself.  * "Violence is not irrationa...

 The name Bonnie has a sweet, vintage charm—and it comes with an interesting backstory! 🌸 Meaning and Origin: The name Bonnie means "pretty", "attractive", or "cheerful".  It’s of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish word “bonnie”, which itself comes from the French "bon" meaning “good.” So essentially, Bonnie is a descriptive word that became a given name. It was never really derived from another name, though some people have used it as a nickname for names like Bonita (Spanish for "pretty") or even Yvonne, but Bonnie is usually a name in its own right. 🕰️ Popularity Over Time: Early 1900s to 1940s: Bonnie steadily gained popularity in the United States and Canada. Peak Popularity: It peaked in the 1940s and 1950s—especially in the U.S., where it was in the Top 100 girl names from the 1920s through the early 1960s. Pop Culture Boosts: Its rise was helped by cultural figures like Bonnie Parker of the infamous "Bonnie and...

  For generations, parents have drawn inspiration from the natural world when naming their children—flowers, seasons, and yes, even months. Naming girls after the month of their birth became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when poetic and nature-inspired names like April, May, and June came into fashion. Each of these names evokes freshness, growth, and light—qualities that many parents wished upon their daughters. In this post, we’re spotlighting some remarkable Canadian women who bear these calendar-inspired names and have made lasting contributions in the arts, sciences, politics, and beyond. WRITERS April Bulmer Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1963, April Bulmer is a prolific poet whose work explores spirituality, femininity, and multicultural identity. She holds three master's degrees, including one in theology, and her poetry has appeared in many Canadian literary journals. June Callwood June Callwood Creative Commons Image Born in Chatham,...

  Today's post celebrates Canadian women named ANNE (Ann, Ana, Anya, Annabelle, Annie, etc.) ANN comes f rom French Anne , from Late Latin Anna , referring to St. Anne, mother of Mary, and Anna the Prophetess in the Vulgate. From Greek Ἄννα ( Ánna ), from Hebrew חַנָּה ( Ḥannâ , “grace”). Occasionally reborrowed from other languages. Doublet of Ann, Ana, Anna, and Hannah. Here is a selection of Canadian women named ANNE (and variations) who have made a variety of significant contributions to Canadian life:  ANNE of GREEN GABLES (fictional, but internationally influential). Anne Shirley (Actress playing her) Creative Commons Image Though fictional, Anne Shirley from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel has had a profound cultural impact on Canadian identity and tourism, especially in Prince Edward Island. First published: 1908 Adapted repeatedly for film and television (most recently Anne with an E, 2017–2019) Writers ANNE HEBERT(1916–2000) Anne Hebert  (Creative Common...