Marilyn's Photos - May 15 2026 - 6 Billion Watching

I feel left out.  Six billion people will watch the upcoming World Cup.  That's almost 3/4 of the world's population.  I don't imagine that 3/4 of the world is really interested in the World Cup. And how many people will have access to viewing the Games on TVs, screens, etc?  Even in-person numbers are impressive. There are 104 matches in 16 cities and 5 million people are expected to attend in person.  That's a lot of people.   The counting of the six billion is a massive undertaking.  It will combine traditional TV ratings, digital streaming analytics, social media data and consumer surveys.  They have people meters - homes equipped with devices that log what channel is on and who is watching.  There is data from cable and satellite providers used to track viewership.  There are methods to track viewers on apps and websites, on YouTube and Facebook.  There is direct tracking for the networks that broadcast the games.  And there are public screens and public spaces that are tracked.  There are gaps to fill in where surveys are used to ask people which matches they watched. Somehow it all comes together. What qualifies for having viewed the games - total viewers who watched at least one minute of coverage. That seems like an overly generous definition of "watching a game".   On the other hand, that might mean I won't be left out and will have qualified to be one of the six billion.     Here's a model of Toronto that was at City Hall.  You can see the CN Tower front and centre. I wonder how many people will fit into those streets during the FIFA Games?

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Marilyn's Photos - May 14 2026 - Biblical Eating

 

Follow the Gourd!  Follow the Sandal!  Follow the Bible for what you eat.  That's the latest trend in the Make America Healthy Again movement.  Eat what is in the Bible.  I shouldn't be surprised, we are transfixed with food and why not source it from the Bible? What is referenced in the Bible? Here's a start at the very beginning: Gen. 14:18 - Bread Gen. 25:34 - Lentils Deuteronomy 8:8 - Wheat Ruth 1:22 - Barley 2 Samuel 17:28 - Beans That's just for staples and grains.  The list goes on to fruits and nuts, vegetables and herbs, proteins and dairy, and other things like honey, olive oil, vinegar and salt.   And when were these things eaten in the Bible?  For the Passover meal, the Last Supper and the Miracle of the loaves and fishes.  Someone has put together the list HERE.  There is the inclusion of unusual and supernatural foods referenced in the Bible - bread baked over human excrement, angel cakes, and of course, manna from heaven.   Further referencing the bible, here are recommendations for biblical meals: 1. Jacob's Lentil Pottage (stew) from Genesis 25:34 is listed as one of the most famous meals in the Bible - lentils, onion, garlic, olive oil, cumin, coriander and thyme.   2. Roasted fish with herbs and lemon as prepared by Jesus for his disciples by the Sea of Galilee - John 21:9 - whole fish, olive oil, lemon, parsley and garlic. 3. Ezekiel's 6-Grain bread - Ezekiel 4:9 - wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt.  And there's much more in The Bible Cookbook...Not just recipes HERE.  Angels heralding the meal...

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Marilyn's Photos - May 13 2026 - Tales of Chaucer

 

First year English in University included Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.  I know why.  He is considered the "father of English literature" even though it is written in pre-English which is quaintly referred to Middle English (1150-1500AD). That means it is not as old as Old English (450-110AD).   One should start university with the start of English Literature...I guess.  If we started with something in Old English it is unrecognizable to modern speakers.  Middle English evolved through French influence so is closer to modern English. At the time, I was confused that we would study something that needed deciphering with much effort to even get the words translated.   I hadn't realized that Chaucer 's "words" have posed problems for a long time. A headline says a tiny typo may explain a mystery about Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and "Troilus and Criseyde."   The article in Smithsonian Magazine about the "Typo" says this: “Lots of very smart people have torn their hair out over the spelling, punctuation, literal translation, meaning and context of a few lines of text,” James Wade, a literary scholar at the University of Cambridge..." His breakthrough is that he thinks there are typos when a sermon referring to Chaucer's The Song of Wade was scribed. In a study published in the journal The Review of English Studies, the researchers argue that the modern English translation of the poem from the sermon contains a typo.  This is described in the article HERE.   Much discussion continues... It brings back memories of "way back when" in University.   This picture was taken at Brock University's most recent addition - the Performing Arts Centre.  A Flaming Pear Filter to get the black and white effects. I added the saying.

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Marilyn's Photos - May 12 2926 - Stacey vs Becky

 

All these headlines each day - particularly the many wars - with events and up-to-the-minute updates.  Yet it seems to me that the most stories are about the  "incursion" of AI in our social lives. Today's story is how AI enhancements by Grok are transforming women's faces to appeal to the manosphere communities.  A "Stacey" denotes the most attractive tier of women with attributes that include big eyes, high cheekbones, low BMI, upturned nose and full lips.  Without those, a woman is an average "Becky".  Can you imagine the rest of us?   The story continues that there are two methods of modifying appearances - hardmaxxing is the term for medical procedures.  Softmaxxing is the term for makeup and grooming.   It seems to me that the one that is gaining most momentum is  a "tuned" appearance using an AI filter.  This means that the person never actually goes outside into the real world.  It is possible so I guess it is probable.    The Florida Dogwoods are starting to bloom in the garden.

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Marilyn's Photos - May 11 2026 - What's in a Font?

 

Sugar has come in the same paper bag with the Redpath name/logo since I can remember.  The Redpath logo is derived from originator John Redpath's own script.  It is Canada's oldest continuously used food product trademark.  Is there a font that is similar?  Calgary Script, Galanthia, Modern Symphony, Freehand and Vegan are identified as close alternatives. While I looked at them, I don't see the similarities and don't have the expertise to figure things out.  Another site says it is similar to Cooper Black.  A similar story is the Campbell's Soup script.  It isn't a font either, but it is hand engraved and is very similar to Joseph Campbell's own signature.  To get a "Campbell's Soup" effect, the Quincho Script is considered similar.  Spencerian is the Coca-Cola script.   It was custom-designed in 1885 based on the Spencerian script, a popular form of American handwriting in the late 19th century.   Want to know the scripts of all the major brands?  Here's the story HERE.  And the most famous font inventor?  Max Miedinger created Helvetica in 1957, achieving fame for what is considered the world's most-seen typeface.    This is Sugar Beach in Toronto.

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