This morning when she was driving back to town, Bambi listened to Mr. Aznavour’s song “Hier encore” [Yesterday when I was 20]. It was performed by Mr. Mario Pelchat. While singing with him, of course with her frog’s voice, she made a mental effort to remember where she was in her personal development and attitude toward life at 20. Back then, she was living in Montreal (Québec) where she has many wonderful memories.
The above car ride trip made Bambi envision this post in which she invites you to take a few moments to think about your own life, like she enjoyed doing herself. Regardless of your chronological age or heart’s condition, to what extent do you feel “young” in your heart? What about your youth: to what extent did you enjoy your twenties? What was the most rewarding moment of your life then? Finally, in your opinion and regardless of acquired wisdom, to what extent does your personality now resemble what it was like at 20? If you wish, please share a comment. Alternatively, you may wish to communicate more privately. Bambi would love to hear from you, regardless of the platform.
This being said, she will share with you Hier encore, as performed by the late and eternal Charles Aznavour (subtitled in English). Following this song, you can find Mr. Pelchat’s beautiful version. The latter will be followed by a superb performance of this same song by a singer Bambi just discovered while preparing this post. She happens to be from Lebanon and her name is Ms. Amanda el Hachem.
Bearing the above in mind, Bambi was intrigued by Ms. Hachem’s voice. She searched her biography online and found the latter: “Amanda El Hachem was a six-year-old girl when she first revealed a singing talent and learned to play piano and to practice solfeggio. With her masters degree in Musicology, got the chance to visit Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Italy singing religious airs and reviving old oriental melodies. Since 2007, she paved her way to TV shows as singer in “Ghanili Shwey” screened on Dubai and then to talent shows (2015, 2017) as vocal coach in “Celebrity Duets” (https://shorturl.at/mwDSZ). Of note, Ms. El Hachem seems to have a music school called “‘École des talents Amanda El Hachem” and on its website, we can read the following beautiful words: “Inside every person is an artist that is yet to be discovered” (https://shorturl.at/mwDSZ).
Long live music, talent, and our continuous development throughout life!
The Eastern or Orthodox Christian Church follows the Julian calendar, which is the solar calendar introduced by Mr. Julius Caesar. As well explained by l’Orient Today, this year “there is a five-week difference” between the Catholic/Protestant and the Orthodox Easter. For the former, “Jesus Christ rose on March 31; for Orthodox, He will on May 5. This five-week gap between the two Easters had yet to happen since 2016” (https://shorturl.at/sHUY6).
Bearing the above in mind, although Bambi already celebrated Easter with the majority of her fellow citizens in Atlantic Canada, she will pause now before going to sleep to highlight the “Holy Thursday” to honour her dad et al. (along with her mom in heaven). Of course, on Sunday, her father can expect a post, with joyful Easter wishes, not only meant for him but also to her blog readers who happen to be Christian Orthodox as well.
If you are interested in Byzantine music in the Arabic language (mixed with Greek in the last one), below you can find a few prayers. The latter have been moving Bambi’s heart for over five decades. It is only natural since they remind her of her childhood (in addition to being the essence of her faith). The first musical piece is directed by her own first cousin once removed, Ms. Zeina Farah. The second short prayer is performed by Zeina herself, thanks to her divine voice. The third song-prayer, by Fairuz, is meant for today. As for the last one featuring the lamentations, it is supposed to be reserved for tomorrow. However, Bambi will cheat by making the Holy Thursday extend to the Good Friday :).
To conclude this spiritually musical post, much love to Bambi’s dad. May he have a rewarding and blessed holy week!
Bambi read the following two articles in French in the Journal de Montréal (https://shorturl.at/ouzOS ; https://shorturl.at/tBFM1). She will translate them for you, thanks to the assistance of her faithful friend, Mr. Google Translate. Food for thought, whether we agree or not, at least for those of us who still want to use our critical thinking.
“North American university campuses are the scene of major pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Encampments are springing up all over North America. McGill University, which cannot be described as a university of extremists or leftists, is no exception. Students, accompanied by certain disruptors, decided to take up residence there for an indefinite period in order to denounce the massacre in Gaza.
The cause they defend is obviously legitimate. Gaza is destroyed, its inhabitants are massacred by tens of thousands and its children, those who are not yet dead, are starving. All this is certainly true, but cannot justify the unjustifiable.
Unjustifiable
And when we talk about unjustifiable, we are talking about the hateful, anti-Semitic message, calling for violence. Just as we cannot justify the massacre in Gaza with the massacre of October 7, we cannot use the distress of Gazans to justify hateful speech here, in Québec and throughout the country.
What is the point of disturbing Montreal Jewish students, intimidating them and creating a climate of hatred if it is really against this same hatred that we are demonstrating? Students and other committed protesters who want to denounce the war should start by setting an example. Yes, they can demonstrate and even disturb, since it is a question of exercising freedom of expression, but this comes with responsibilities, in particular that of maintaining the peace, of excluding the disruptors and those who ultimately harm the cause by their insults, threats and attacks.
Collective awakening
There is currently a collective awakening taking place, an awakening regarding the abandonment of humanity towards a people who suffer in indifference. The most powerful in this world seek to look the other way and move on. Those who use this crisis to unleash their anti-Semitism and violence are greatly contributing to burying the voices of those calling for peace. They only have to analyze the context: while we talk about violence on campus, we barely address the violence currently raging in Gaza and which are causing real victims”.
Anti-Western far left occupies universities (by Dr. Mathieu Bock-Côté)
“It would be wrong to take lightly the campus occupation movement which is currently taking shape in the United States, France and Canada, and which is brandishing the flag of the Palestinian cause.
The good bourgeois, who never understand anything, even go so far as to believe that this is just being youths [the latter can also be translated as: boys will be boys OR youth will have its flings], and that a decade would be incomplete without a campus occupation movement.
Error!
Rather, we are witnessing an assault that testifies to the growth of Islamo-leftism in the Western world.
Ideology
Because let’s make no mistake: the Palestinian cause here is just a pretext. Likewise, the denunciation, very legitimate, of the excesses of Benyamin Netanyahu, has a screening function.
Should we remind that Hamas, which confiscated the Palestinian cause, does not advocate for the two-state solution, which remains the political-historical solution to resolve this conflict. Instead, it wants to throw the Jews into the sea, killing the most possible of them by then, and annihilate Israel?
Should we really remember that the distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, behind which several demonstrators hide, is a nonsense?
Who, seriously, can consider that the call to destroy the Jewish state is just one opinion among others?
Let us then ask the question: how can we explain the popularity of this cause?
We will first see it as a symptom of the intellectual and mental collapse of Western universities, where the dominant discourse, in many matters, comes from the most radical left, fiercely anti-Western.
The new generation is being fed this discourse which mixes the rejection of the West and nations, the demonization of the white man, the desire to destroy the sexes, the hatred of Israel, the delusional celebration of mass immigration, and complacency for Islamism, considered the new political vehicle for the wretched of the earth.
This strange cocktail, media newspeak, by the inversion which characterizes it, calls it “openness to others” and “celebration of diversity”.
And it is this Islamo-leftist discourse which clouds the judgment of the elites and destroys the immune system of the West.
Furthermore, a conquering Islamism is progressing, making its law in an ever-increasing number of neighborhoods in the West and imposing its morals in the name of “human rights”, which it diverts to its advantage, especially as the changes demographics which prevail everywhere are favorable to it.
Islamism
We cannot underestimate the underground role of the antifa movement in its ability to seize all crises. It practices uninhibited violence, with the enigmatic complacency of the authorities – as if they were afraid of these everyday militias, or as if they silently approved of them. The far left exerts real terror on a significant part of our societies, but the media prefer to warn us against a phantom far right – in addition to calling any form of resistance to this madness extreme right.“
Her real name is Isabelle, but for her worldwide fans she is Zaz. She is a highly talented, and successful, international French singer/songwriter who performs mostly in French, but also in Spanish. Her unique music mixes French songs with Jazz, soul, and acoustic (https://shorturl.at/dktxM). Her melodious voice is a pure joy to Bambi’s ears. Hopefully to yours too. Happy Birthday to her. May she keep singing to make the world a better place!
Before going to bed, Bambi toured the news from the Middle East. Between worrisome and absurd news of exchange of missiles and drones across borders, she found a refreshing article about Mr. Nicolas Farah who turned 90. Of note, Bambi dedicated a 3-year-old post to his story, which is shared below. She wishes him to remain healthy, passionate, and grounded, whether in the air or Lebanon’s soil. Happy Birthday to him with a few songs and with his impressive picture taken from An Nahar!
A picture of Mr. Nicolas Farah taken from An Nahar in Lebanon
Following her post on the beauty of Canada, a dear friend and reader of this blog sent Bambi a song by the late Mr. Hank Snow, which she would like to share with you now.
What a beautiful discovery of a “distinctive voice” to use the precise words of this reader. Indeed, Bambi fell in love with the song in question, which is entitled “I’ve been everywhere“. Of note, she was fascinated also by Mr. Snow’s great memory and fast performance without any grammatical error.
For those of you who do not know Mr. Snow, despite his fame, he was a Nova Scotian (i.e., South Shore) . From what Bambi understood is that, as a young man, he travelled to Tennessee where he established himself as a country and western singer. He succeeded in becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry (https://shorturl.at/bcoPT) in Nashville. Bravo to him for his great success as a recording and performing artist in the United States of America during the 1950’s. What a pride for the Maritimes!
Of note, Bambi is grateful for her new musical discovery. If she may, she will now offer this song to another friend who has travelled to many places and who happens to celebrate his birthday [hello to Charbel and his family :)]!
This being said, this musical post will end with two other songs related to travels, one in Algerian-Arabic and the other in French (translated into English). Safe travels to all the travellers, regardless of their destination. Who knows? If not a geographical place, the latter may be an internal journey of self-discovery and, hopefully, of increased lucidity and inner peace.
May your memory be eternal, dear Mr. Jean-Pierre Ferland.
How can Bambi go to sleep without honouring Mr. Jean-Pierre Ferland (1934-2024)?
She saw Mr. Ferland’s picture, with the title of one of his famous songs, in the headlines from La Presse (breaking news). The picture included his year of birth, along with “2024” next to it. Yet it took her brain a long time to understand the why… and to dare reading the article in question.
Many thanks to the GREAT Mr. Ferland for having existed. Bravo for his inspiring career (https://shorturl.at/dfwCO)!
To conclude this brief tribute, Bambi sends her heart to Mr. Jean-Pierre Ferland’s spouse and their family. May God know how to comfort them. Same for this singer’s numerous fans, mentees, colleagues, fellow citizens, and lovers of French songs worldwide.
Bambi took all the pictures shared with you below today in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Chignecto National Wildlife Area (https://shorturl.at/MQSY6). This beautiful park is located in the Cumberland region, just a few minutes away from downtown Amherst in Nova Scotia (NS), Atlantic Canada. She hopes you will enjoy this beauty, along with a few songs in English, French, and Arabic, which celebrate nature, the charm of this Maritime province, and Fairuz’ love for “her cozy little house in Canada” :). Happy weekend to all!
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary, NS, Canada.
Bambi had an older post about Dr. Patrick Provost. Up until today, he was a Full Professor of Microbiology, Infectious diseases and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université Laval. He is an established researcher at the CHU de Québec Research Centre/CHUL Pavilion.
Because he publicly opposed the vaccination of children against COVID in December 2021, he was fired from his academic position, according to the Journal of Québec (https://shorturl.at/gCNO6). Related to the latter, Bambi will repeat her own comments: “Can you imagine the level of censorship in our collectively insane times? A scientist, expert in the field, cannot express a scientific opinion or share any research findings that may challenge an apparently merely politically-driven health narrative… She does not know about you, but she stands with Professor Provost and with his right to academic freedom and freedom of expression! Isn’t Québec’s latest bill precisely meant to protect this right (as previously posted by Bambi)”?
Of note, in cases of censorship, the titles of the Canadian mainstream media articles (such as the one cited above) seem to have the same writing style, which tells us what we should think, as readers. Indeed, whenever a title includes the word “controversial“, Bambi immediately understands the underlying following message: the censored person does not have the right to freedom of expression because he or she is contentious. In other terms, this person deserves the unfair treatment. In addition, readers should not dare to think that there could be some truth in the opinion or statements of the censored person, whether scientific or political, etc.
To conclude this post, it is Bambi’s hope that Dr. Provost’s union who filed a grievance of the administration’s decision will represent him with integrity. She wishes him all the best in his legal fight!
There is nothing more charming than the tulip fields of the Netherlands, isn’t it?
This post is made possible, thanks to the lens and generosity of Bente. Her pictures were taken in t Zand, Schagen, North Holland (https://shorturl.at/guNY3). Below you can appreciate Bente’s pictures, which will be followed by a few songs celebrating the love of flowers in several languages. Long live the most charming tulips of the Netherlands!
