Saturday 28 September 2013

By the Numbers

I'm not sure how this ' by the # s ' fits in to the good news / bad news labels. You judge.
In the local rag up on the 'bee , the ' Ptrbro Examiner ' , the " 5 minutes News and events - visual ' is a longevity survey.
There is a world map in 2 colours - red , shortest life expectancy and green , longest life expectancy. Plus a whole whack of percentages.

Best Country               Men                    Women

1                                Qatar                   Japan
2                                San Marino          Switzerland
3                                Iceland                 Spain
4                                Singapore             Andorra
5                                Australia              Monaco

Canada is in green and # 8 at 82 years , slightly longer than the U.S.  at 79.

The shortest life span - around the equator in Africa. 47 years in Sierra Leone. The average for 14 African nations there is barely 50 yrs.

All of northern Europe clocks in at 82 yrs.

Continent or area                              Avg life Span

Africa                                                     56
Americas                                                 76
S E Asia                                                  67
Europe                                                    76
E Medit                                                   68
W  Pac                                                    76
Global                                                     70      

The best news that I could find ; Ontario apples are going to be plentiful. I 've had trouble finding decent apples this past few weeks.
I'm trying Paula Red variety , as they were on sale.

Monarch butterflies travel south at this time of year , headed for Mexico etc. At Point Pelee , an extension into L . Erie , the annual Monarch census and tour was cancelled. The rate of passage was so poor there was no point in starting a survey.
Experts are citing loss of milkweed habitat and cooler conditions as main factors.
The trend to using hybrid corn bred for Round Up resistance is a big factor. The corn is able to withstand Round Up , the blanket herbicide ( kills all plants ). The milkweed is often found in conjunction w/ corn fields. As well , marginal land can now be used for corn , to meet bio-fuel demands. The marginal land is also milkweed habitat.

Crikey ,so much for the good news. sorry , it just creeps in , all the bad stuff.

Weather is mild and sunny w/ a slight chance of rain Sun Eve. Gentle breezes and bright skies.

Have a good one

P.S. - this was a muffin morning - very good - moist and not too sweet









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