Life - Musings, Reflections and Stories

Substance Use and Homelessness -Discussion with my daughter, Chanelle.

The Opioid Epidemic is staggering - drug overdoses kill more people than ever before.  Addictions can lead to Homelessness which in itself can cause more trauma.  Stats: 64,000 people die every year in America from drug related deaths. The nation's life expectancy has fallen for two years in a row.  In Canada, 87 percent of all accidental apparent opioid toxicity (contaminated illegal drug supply) deaths occurred in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta with an average of 20 deaths per day.  Some Northern Ontario towns have the highest rate of addictions.   In Canada, there are 4,000-8,000 chronically homeless people - in America, there are approximately 500,000 homeless people living on the streets.  What can we do to help?  What is the solution? Homelessness:  Other countries, such as Finland have successfully managed to virtually end homelessness by producing affordable social housing and providing support services.  Substance Use:  The country of Portugal is successfully solving its opioid problem by focusing on public health instead of incarceration and its use of psychologists who are playing a key role in this dramatic turnaround.  We can do better as a society by following other countries who are and who have helped their own people.  Let your politicians know, we need to treat other human beings in our own country as loved human beings.  

Road Trip

Vacations are important, Road Trips are fun, Getaway's are necessary - to clear your head, to spend time with loved ones, to celebrate successes and to learn and explore new places.  I've been on many road trips since I was a young girl and continue to do so in my 60's with my husband, Mike.  We've brought our family to many places and encouraged them to learn, read about history, see and experience different cultures and explore new locations. And we also go to have fun, at the same time.  Mike and I recently spent some time in the Muskoka area (Central Ontario, Canada) and on our way from Sudbury, Ontario to the Muskoka area, we talked about the importance of just getting away and taking impromptu trips at times can be so healthy for a person.  

Chanelle Larocque’s experience in Performing Arts, Movies/TV, Theatre

This is an Interview with our daughter, Chanelle Larocque from starting as a singer on a Cd at age 7 with her twin sister, Jessica and then as an actress since the age of 9 years old.  Chanelle shares her interesting experience in Performing Arts: from Musical Theatre to Plays, Movies, Tv. Series, Commercials (IMDb) and then to become a lead singer with a Rock/Pop band for a few years.  She's a new Mom now and is still songwriting and singing with her original songs streaming on Spotify.   

4th of 4-Feb.24,1998-Joanne interviews her Dad, Richard Beaudry

4th of 4th - On February 24, 1998, I interviewed my Dad, Richard Beaudry, he was 65.  He and his siblings were placed in the North Bay orphanage when he was five years old.  A four part series of interviews of his survival of those early years in foster homes where he achieved perfect secondary school marks, was a cadet with excellent sharp shooting skills and he met the young Queen Elizabeth.  He worked for Ontario Hydro as a first class Electrical System Operator and he married my Mom, Suzanne Mallette-Beaudry and they had six children.  The family that he always wanted.  Sadly, he died in 2008 of Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Best Dad ever! I miss him. (the ending had to be cut early as the tape became unusable... but it was meant to be, as my Dad started to cry thinking and missing his best friend, Paul Kallio. 

3rd of 4-Feb.24,1998-Joanne interviews her Dad, Richard Beaudry

3rd of 4 - On February 24, 1998, I interviewed my Dad, Richard Beaudry, he was 65.  He and his siblings were placed in the North Bay orphanage when he was five years old.  A four part series of interviews of his survival of those early years in foster homes where he achieved perfect secondary school marks, was a cadet with excellent sharp shooting skills and he met the young Queen Elizabeth.  He worked for Ontario Hydro as a first class Electrical System Operator and he married my Mom, Suzanne Mallette-Beaudry and they had six children.  The family that he always wanted.  Sadly, he died in 2008 of Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Best Dad ever! I miss him. 

2nd of 4-Feb.24,1998-Joanne interviews her Dad, Richard Beaudry

2nd  of 4 -On February 24, 1998, I interviewed my Dad, Richard Beaudry, he was 65.  He and his siblings were placed in the North Bay orphanage when he was five years old.  A four part series of interviews of his survival of those early years in foster homes where he achieved perfect secondary school marks, was a cadet with excellent sharp shooting skills and he met the young Queen Elizabeth.  He worked for Ontario Hydro as a first class Electrical System Operator and he married my Mom, Suzanne Mallette-Beaudry and they had six children.  The family that he always wanted.  Sadly, he died in 2008 of Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Best Dad ever! I miss him. 

1st of 4 -Feb.24,1998-Joanne interviews her Dad, Richard Beaudry

1st of 4 -On February 24, 1998, I interviewed my Dad, Richard Beaudry, he was 65.  He and his siblings were placed in the North Bay orphanage when he was five years old.  A four part series of interviews of his survival of those early years in foster homes where he achieved perfect secondary school marks, was a cadet with excellent sharp shooting skills and he met the young Queen Elizabeth.  He worked for Ontario Hydro as a first class Electrical System Operator and he married my Mom, Suzanne Mallette-Beaudry and they had six children.  The family that he always wanted.  Sadly, he died in 2008 of Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Best Dad ever! I miss him.  

March 9, 1997-Interview with my grandmother-Lena (Lynn)Dupuis-Mallette

Interview with my grandmother-"Nanny" - Lena (Lynn) Dupuis-Mallette on March 9, 1997.  She was born in 1908, died in her 90th years - two years after this interview.  I used my kids fisher price cassette recorder.  We laughed alot.  I just loved her so much. And miss her.  

Jess’s experience with Mental Health-CPTSD-Bipolar Disorder

Our daughter, Jessica shares her experience with Mental Health.  

My Skin Care Routine and Scar Care Routine

Having gone through several surgeries, I use various skin creams and oils which seem to help.