Sippingchai

@jcraddock

Former teacher (all grades, library, SpecEd, Korea, England, multiple school boards in Ontario). Living the extreme parenting lifestyle with 2 2e teens, trying to keep my head above the water. Gardener, reader, keeper of memories, neurodivergent.

289 Following254 Followers682 Posts

Bluesky

Is this your profile?Claim it and jcraddock.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Sippingchai@jcraddock· 4d

We are on Summer #2 to update underground infrastructure along a few blocks of Richmond (impacting Woodroffe). Based on this experience, we need investment in education/training and much better contracts with construction companies!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· 13d

Woodroffe and Richmond - still waiting for even a coffee shop! The pharmacy moved in … just in time to be trapped for several years of massive construction. LRT construction and infrastructure renewal for years is crushing the remaining small businesses.

Collage of 3 photos. Top left black and white photo shows a corner grocery store with the name “Joe’s Meat & Grocery”. A man is standing to the left of the store, in front of a phone booth. Bottom left photo shows the same building, in colour. The sign on the store is “Pronto Food Marts.” Right-hand photo - Streetview of condo tower with signs “Brigil” and the phone number “613 704 0581”. There is a grey circle over the window with a large poster advertising a coffee shop coming soon. There is another sign indicating that there is retail space for lease. There is a large sidewalk with trees in tiny drainage squares in front of the building.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jul 17

My son (fall 2020- age 11) - mocking Trump’s raking comments in old growth forest at Backus Woods (near Long Point) by pretending to rake up the “messy” leaves in the forest. Apparently it was a science … and international politics trip!

Kid in burgundy pants and dark blue hoodie “raking” fall leaves on a path through the woods.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jul 2

It was the Snowbirds. Within half an hour of their flight along the Ottawa River, the first beast of a storm blew in… from the same direction! Contrails!!!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jul 2

@bencanham.bsky.social A while ago you posted a photo of a plane that you had tracked … and updates on the heat in the UK. Sharing photos of a plane in our sunset after a Canada Day of wild storms (forecast was “feels like 47 and the Snowbirds. You make a difference to people!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jul 1

Round 1 came in (Woodroffe at KZM) around 2 PM. Hail (about the size of softener salt) mixed in with the heavy rain). We are now into Round 2 … and the dog is quaking!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jul 1

Beaumont-Hamel May 2026 - Commonwealth grave markers, the Danger Tree, trenches. A peaceful, sunny day … alive with birds, grazing sheep, the sunshine, and thoughts of people - real people - who left home and were in such a terrible place. Definitely a place to reflect and honour and be thankful.

Close-up of two Commonwealth gravestones with caribou engravings. Inscribed with the words “A Soldier of the Great War, Royal Newfoundland Regt. A cross is engraved below the words. Under the cross are the words “Known Unto God”. Green leaves are at the base of each headstone and rows of headstones are in the background. The blue sky shows through trees in the upper portion of the photo.

The Danger Tree stands starkly in the green grass. A grass-covered trench is in the background.

A grass-covered trench runs from the bottom left of the photo, bisected by a dirt path. The trench system continues toward a distant clump of trees. The sky is bright blue with peaceful white clouds.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jun 14

The article calls to mind this book. The lack of government social services leads to the feeling of government failure. However, instead of supporting more government intervention the answer seems to be to turn their backs and turn to churches. Small towns in Ontario may be similar? Sigh.

Book cover - Title in black text in middle of image: Strangers in their Own Land
Author’s name at the top of the image: Arlie Russel Hochschild

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jun 7

“HE SLEEPS IN A FOREIGN LAND IN A GRAVE WE NEVER SEE MAY GOD GUIDE SOME KIND HAND TO LAY A FLOWER FOR ME”

L.36940 TROOPER
M. SK WARCHUK
THE FORT GARRY HORSE
6TH JUNE 1944 AGE 24
BORN AUGUST 15. 1919

Rifleman Thomas Joseph Pierce
Rifeman Thomas Joseph Pierce, B/134577, was born on November 21, 1921, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Thomas never got to know who his biological parents were, or where they were from. He was adopted at birth by Thomas Pierce and Jessie (Stewart) Pierce, a couple who had no children. He grew up in the city and attended public schools, but did not continue on to high school. On August 16, 1927, Thomas mother passed away when he was only 6 years old. This left just him and his father together until a year later, on November 12, 1928, when his father married widow Mary (Langan) Middleton at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Leslie Avenue in Toronto.
Thomas lived a pretty average lifestyle, eventually moving to the farm business where he worked for Noyce Moffat in Dufferin County, Ontario, for 8 years. During this time of life he lived in Adjala, Ontario, which is located in the south-west portion of Simcoe County. There was a growing demand for soldiers in Canada, and on October 26, 1942, at the age of 20, Thomas enlisted in the Canadian Army, joining the Scottish Regiment of Toronto, Ontario. He became a rifleman, which is a role that put him right on the front lines during the event that ended his life.
Rifleman Pierce was part of the 14,000 Canadians that landed at Juno beach on June 6, 1944, better known as P-Day. He was part of the Queens Own Rifles A-Company, whose objective was to secure the village of Bernières-sur-Mer. By 7:30 that morning, all of the Queen's Own Rifles had mounted the beach and were pushing forward to complete the objective. Eventually, A-Company had advanced off the beach and moved to the village, and by 8:45 in the morning, B-Company had joined them and the village of Bernières-sur-Mer was secured. Their mission in capturing the village was a success.
* 143 soldiers were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner from the Queen's Own Rifles on D-Day. Which is almost half of the approximately 381 Canadians lost that day…

C1487 PRIVATE
T. L. LATON ROYAL CANADIAN
ARMY SERVICE CORPS
9TH AUGUST 1944 AGE 24

HE SLEEPS IN A FOREIGN LAND
IN A GRAVE WE NEVER SEE
MAY GOD GUIDE SOME KIND HAND
TO LAY A FLOWER FOR ME

MOTHER

Sippingchai@jcraddock· May 31

You might be able to borrow this Batman scooter patroller if there are problems. He was in full regalia in the Quartier des Spectacles during the F1 weekend. Super hero supervisors!

Man on electric scooter with Batman helmet. Large red planter is obscuring the man from the knees down.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· May 24

The day that baby squirrels rained down on us during an April COVID walk. They literally fell from the tree onto us! I’ve left the sound on because you can hear the babies! It was a magical moment! Baby (red) squirrels in my car engine was NOT magical!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· May 6

As I have only a general background in political interest and only know Louise Arbour’s name from a local school, I spent a bit of time skimming through news sources and other websites. Scott Reid’s description seems accurate. Is the problem that she is too global/ experienced/ not from Alberta?

Louise Arbour is 'a living resume of astonishing distinction': Reid

CTV News' Political Commentator Scott Reid on why he believes the appointment of Louise Arbour as governor general is a 'very, very sound choice.'

May 05, 2026 at 12:15PM EDT

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Apr 20

Water on the MUP west Woodroffe - watch out for beavers on the path while dog-walking at night!! The temperature of the air and water won’t stop an interested dog from wanting to visit!

Flood water cover the path under a bridge. Green, blue, and red lights are construction cranes and their reflections. The sign on the right is labelled “New Orchard”

Photo taken at night. Sky is bright and dark - varying with the cloud cover. Trees, with no leaves, are silhouetted. Flood water covers the multi-use pathway.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Apr 18

When I glanced at the word “kakistocracy” I misread it. Was expecting a punchline … because I read it as “kaka-stocracy”! Obviously I need more coffee…. And I’ve read too many comments about US govt!

A sticker with “KAKA” in white letters outline with teal above a smiley, stylized pile of poo!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Apr 8

Our pooch, niece pooch, classic Canadian photo of our double-coated dog trying to stay cool on a last patch of snow during syrup season (he’s so happy we moved for Ottawa winters!), and our elderly cat curled up in a blanket posing for a photo from my daughter who away at university.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Apr 4

The newest book in the series??? … “If You Give a Horse a Cake”! Oh, the things that could happen!

5 children’s picture books arrayed in an arc.
The first two titles are “If you take a Mouse to school” and “If you take a mouse to the movies.”
2 titles start with “If you give a (animal) a (sweet food) … such as “If You Give a Moose a Muffin”.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Apr 3

I’m wondering if there was a translation error from the original biblical text. “Chocolate” bunny? I always thought it was a cute, fluffy white rabbit that might nibble your bum!!

The Rabbit of Caerbannog beside a bleached skull

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Mar 28

Last summer drivers would go past multiple signs like this … and then ask if Woodroffe was REALLY closed. YES - it is closed!! Do NOT exit the KZM at Woodroffe unless you are going to one of the business or live there!!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Mar 14

No reputable news sources reporting this with last 24 hrs. It would be big news.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Feb 4

Have you travelled outside of the US/ Canada?! Road signs are road signs!! Okay, reading town names in Thai is beyond my scope… but generally it is possible to understand most signs!! These are still some of my favourite signs!! (North-western China, summer of 2000)

A white and red minibus under 5 road signs … three are indicating NO open-back trucks, no tractors, no donkey carts. Two dark blue signs indicate where other vehicles may go and the lane for bikes.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 27

The cover of the book “Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right” by Jane Mayer

The cover of the book “Blowout” by Rachel Maddow.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 27

So eye-opening and shocking.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 25

… and flowers. It is a tough time … but thank you for posting. Stay strong - or give yourself permission to stop being strong for a while and snuggle with a good book!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 25

Deschênes Rapids thermometer shows that il fait frigide ce matin! Short walk this morning even for my double-coated chien! Your photo of the morning sun reminds me of my dad - so many sayings! … red sky in the morning, sailors take warning! Very apt with the forecast today! #ottawa #weather

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 25

Paige Turner (!! Great name!!) and @azdesertarch.bsky.social - your brief exchange of misunderstanding and calm apology and agreement was what I needed to read today! A positive example of humanity and respect - thank you!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 24

My version!! To coordinate with a painting with shades of blues and purples!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 24

Through stories and images of resistance and local support for citizens, I have been re-evaluating my strong anti-US feeling of a lifetime (guns, consumerism, racism, public religion, lack of social supports). Lots of analytical history reading as well.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Jan 21

#FlippersUp #ElbowsUp

On left - Canada Goose fighting back against bald eagle on right. On ice.

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Dec 15

6-7!!

A Few Good Men
Image: message icon with the trending 6-7 number!

Sippingchai@jcraddock· Dec 9

Since I don’t know many movies, I have to use clues and then check which titles comes close to my ideas. Building a list of movies to track down!