How to Change Minds and Find Common Ground

I was awake at 4:45, as we are wont to do, and heard the tail end of a CBC Ideas podcast on pluralism. It was interesting to me, enough so that I couldn't fall asleep to it! 

Global Centre for Pluralism

I had a discussion with a stranger about kids and the LGBTQ community. I heard that old trope, "I have nothing against them, but why do they need a Pride Parade? I want a parade for me."

I pointed out that gay and trans people are much more likely to commit suicide. They face way more stress in the world, in all parts of the world, as well as bullying and abuse. There are countries that have laws that prohibit gender choice and put people in jail for simply living their lives. 

How to Change Minds and Find Common Ground - an issue some families have during family dinners, with politics and viewpoints.

Dec. 17, 2025 In 2024, 'polarization' was Merriam-Webster's word of the year. That division still grows, making it increasingly difficult to connect to one another. But there are people having important conversations and they have advice for us all. From fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in Colombia, championing human rights in Southern Africa and working for a two-state solution post Oct. 7, the winners of the The Global Centre for Pluralism awards tell host Nahlah Ayed about how minds can and do change, and why we need to not only talk, but listen.

The final credits featured music by Kizito Mihigo (1981 - 2020), and his bio on Wiki is an interesting read about those fighting for right. He died in prison at age 38.

1,771,905 views 24 Jul 2021

"Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear."

Critter action

Here we go, Tuesday. It's not bad outside. Now. There might be another storm coming in today. Where was this precipitation when we needed it in August?! Thursday they predict we'll go down to -13℃. At least we've snow cover to protect flora and fauna. We had some snow last night. Perhaps you'll notice I put up my Valentine's Day wreath (far right). We need some colour.

It was a lovely fall. Despite the drought. I forgot to publish this at the time. Doing a panoramic photo for my header I caught myself on the dashcam! I miss the colours.

 

 Jan. 6th, I noticed the coyotes following my snow shoe path.

   

 This is the present.

   

 It is tricky walking. I do love watching them.

 

In the morning, Joe goes out to feed deer. They hear the garage door and come running.

 

Finally, at 5 a.m. the fisher came for a visit. The feeders attract rodents in the night. You can't choose your visitors! I never see it in the day.

 

Crumbly Acres walk

 The driveway snowcover melted, I went out. It's cracking where the ground has absorbed water, expanded, and frozen. It is discouraging. We had it totally redone in July, 2021.

I think the woodpecker has been at this tree. Each chip, whittled off the tree, has an insect hole. I think the tree is an elm that is dead or dying. Sigh. We'll have to get people in to take it down and split the wood.

  

I am so happy to virtually visit people like tzgarden who remind me of the promise of summer! We all need some hope.

I had to do the driveway again on Sunday.  It was the 4 cm of snow. With the ice that formed on top. 

It just slid out of the auger feed! 

The bane of our rural existence, the mounds the snowplows leave! I think I got it this time.

I usually wave to the snow plow drivers, despite this. I barely caught a photo of the bright red truck. It looked more like snow removal. That's a problem for towns and cities. 

In the way back to the house, the deer were ignoring me and the loud snowblower! I kept away, not getting too close. Until I did! There is some ice under it. It's not great for walking. We shall see what this week brings. More snow today, methinks. 

Snowy Crumbly Acres

It's been a mess out there. Rain, snow, sleet, graupel, etc. More snow last night, about 3 cm. After our melt, the driveway was good, almost. Just give me winter, and let it rest there. 

Joe carefully avoided the camera whilst sweeping. This was before the fall he had Thursday on the one little bit of ice I missed.

He hurt his hip and scraped his hand. He'll live. Nurse Jilks bandaged it. 

I have avoided the frog pond trailcam. Then, when I visit it, and bring back the SD Card, I realize it had gone to a default setting. Photos, not videos. I keep forgetting! People who camera trap can empathize. It can be cold and miserable, and one declines to reset the time or date.

I put the three photos into a video.

 

 As long as we are giggling, I don't know what I was thinking, but I turned it the wrong way, instead of having it face the sidewalk... 

   

 

This is what I was trying to capture: Labbit!

   

 The deer in snow.

   

 The fisher went on by, as well.

   

Chad Coyote is a handsome one! He is a frequent visitor. 

 

Crumbly Acres Saturday's Critters

 We spotted a familiar bright orb in the sky. It's been appearing infrequently. Thursday was quiet, and I suggested a drive to Narrows Locks. Sadly, the sun disappeared.

Ducks and swans!

This is an archive photo, but I spotted a female merganser.

July, 2009

Mallard, March, 2009

March 30, 2009

Jan., 2022

Nov., 2012

 

I heard an expert talking about what these birds eat. He said algae on the underwater rocks. Who knew?!

 

I was impressed with his equipment! 

I was mystified with this cage on the guard house.

It was cool, dark, and Mr. Sun disappeared.

They have bubblers that keep the water open around the docks.

For more Canadian critters...

Saturday's Critters # 630 

Crumbly Acres Melt

Our morning visitors.

You can see my reflection. I've put out my Valentine's Day wreath. I am looking forward.

Can you see the three, under the tree?

January, 2024

January 2024

The sweet female cardinal!

Knowing a melt was on the way, perhaps rain, I switched out the feeders. It's important to wash them regularly. I've one in the bathtub, ready for cleaning. 

It's been a food fest at the feeders. I counted 23 mourning doves!

The Gray Squirrel appeared! We've had 3 black morphs, but this one seemed a bully. 

In the past, it just seems to be a master leaper!

We've a major melt on the way. It makes such a mess! Next, it'll freeze and make walking treacherous. It's no good for any living creatures. 

These are the local snow machine trails. It is an extensive system. We drove past them on our way home from the dentist. It's been an early season. Looks like we're getting rain, too.

This was the last ice rain storm we had. It's a peculiar sound, tapping ice on branches.