I wanted to write to you today about something that has been on my mind for a while - the importance of patience with ourselves and others. I believe this is something that we all struggle with at some point.

When we're dealing with our own shortcomings or the imperfections of others, it can be all too easy to become frustrated or even angry. But in those moments, it's important to take a step back and remind ourselves that nobody is perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we're all doing the best we can with what we've been given.

I think this is especially true when it comes to family. Our loved ones are the people who know us best, and who we often expect the most from. But they're also the people who are most likely to push our buttons and challenge us in ways that nobody else can.

In those moments, it's important to remember that we're all on the same team. We may not always see eye to eye, but we all want what's best for each other. And sometimes, that means picking our battles and letting things go.

Of course, this is easier said than done. It takes practice and patience to be able to let go of our frustrations and focus on the bigger picture. When we can learn to be patient with ourselves and others, we create a more peaceful and harmonious environment for everyone.

So, as we move forward, it’s important to remember that we're all doing the best we can, and that sometimes, the most important battles are the ones we choose not to fight.

Sincerely,

Gino Pezzani

RE/MAX Heights Realty

July 1, Canada Day (CAN): Canadian's everywhere celebrate Canada Day, for becoming one country through the Constitution Act on July 1, 1867.

July 4, Independence Day (US): A federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in the United States.

July 9, Nunavut Day: A day is annually celebrated commemorates passing of two Nunavut acts. 

July 14, Bastille Day: A national holiday in France that commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution.

July 17, World Emoji Day: A day dedicated to the use of emojis, celebrating their role in digital communication, and their impact on pop culture.

July 20, Moon Landing Anniversary: Anniversary of the first human landing on the moon by the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969.

This dish is perfect for summer and is great for a quick and easy dinner or as an appetizer for a summer barbecue. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

1  pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2  tbsp  fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Instructions:

In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper to make a marinade.

Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the shrimp to marinate.

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.

Thread the marinated shrimp onto the wooden skewers.

Grill the shrimp skewers for two to three minutes per side or until they are pink and opaque.

Serve the grilled shrimp skewers hot. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and lemon wedges, if desired. This summer dish will impress your guests. Enjoy!

Eventually, it happens to almost everyone: standing on the sidelines at a party with a beverage or appetizer in your hand, with no idea of what to say or do.

But party anxiety isn't a life sentence. Try these tips and you might find that you like parties after all.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You are not obligated to be the life of the party or earn the undying affection of every party guest. It's only a party!

Start with people you know. A conversation with some familiar faces can loosen you up and make it easier to chat with new people later.

Pick the perfect arrival time for you. Are you more comfortable with a smaller crowd, or do you prefer sliding into an existing conversation while the party is in full swing? If arriving a couple of minutes early or late (within reason) lets you have a better time, then don't agonize about it—just do it!

Create strategies to meet and talk with new people. You might ask your host to introduce you, or just stick out your hand and do it yourself. Have a funny story or interesting facts in your back pocket as conversation starters.

Don't be afraid to join groups of new people. It's a party, after all. You can listen to the conversation, participate with easy questions and statements, and let it build from there. You could also put it all out there with a simple, "I don't think we've met before. What are your names?" It's easy to do and instantly initiates a conversation that includes everyone.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body's cells from damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals.

It also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and immune system function and preventing  chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

Vitamin E-rich foods include almonds and hazelnuts; seeds, such as sunflower and pumpkin; spinach; avocado; and vegetable oils, such as wheat germ, sunflower and safflower.

You've probably heard of rare earth elements because they pop up often in news headlines and political discussions. And when you hear that the elements are rare, you expect them to be, well, rare. But it turns out that rare earth elements aren't rare at all.

In fact, you could take a shovel to your yard and probably dig up many of the elements used in electronic devices as catalysts, meaning they are useful in various chemical reactions. Without rare earth elements, there are no smartphones and computers.

Although rare earth elements are more abundant in some places, they're easy to find. However, they typically make up only a small amount of the local soil composition.

Generally, to get a significant amount of rare earth elements, you must excavate huge quantities of Earth from vast open pits and process the soil to the rare metals. Refining rare earth elements can inflict serious damage on the environment and generate a lot of waste.

China has created enormous processing centers and is willing to bear the risks associated with digging up and refining rare earth elements. In 2022, China produced the most of any country, with 210,000 metric tons (MT); the United States and Australia produced 43,000 MT and 18,000 MT, respectively.

Michael loved to play football. For many years, he was smaller than the other kids his age, so he spent a lot of time on the bench, but his dad still cheered as if he was the star of the team.

Although a few people thought it was strange that Michael signed up every year to play, the coach saw his diligence and dedication, and always found a slot for him on the roster.

While in college, Michael received the tragic news that his father had passed away. At practice that afternoon, Michael told the coach about his father’s death and asked him, “Would it be all right if I miss practice today?”

The coach gently put his arm around his shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, son, and don’t even plan to come to the game on Saturday.”

That Saturday, the team was losing in the first quarter when the coach and players saw Michael coming toward them. The coach decided instantly to put him in the game.

As soon as Michael took the field, his team caught up, and by halftime, the game was tied. However, the real cheer came when he intercepted a pass for the winning touchdown. His entire team congratulated him on the win.

After the game, the coach approached Michael, who was seated alone in the corner of the locker room, and asked him, “Where did that come from?”

Michael looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Well, you knew my dad passed away, but did you know that he was blind?” The young man swallowed hard, forced a smile and said, “Dad always came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play and I wanted to show him I could do it!”

As we celebrate Father's Day, I've been reflecting on the important role that dads and father figures play in our lives. I wanted to start a fun and meaningful conversation to help us appreciate and cherish the incredible fathers in our world.

Today, I pose the question: What are your favorite Dad Superpowers?

Here is a list of twelve "superpowers" that many dads possess. Take a moment to read through these examples, and feel free to share your thoughts, personal experiences, or even stories of your own father or father figures who've had a significant impact on your life.

Dad reflexes: The incredible ability to catch a falling child, toy, or object with lightning-fast reflexes, often saving the day.

Super strength: The power to lift heavy objects, carry kids on their shoulders, and open tightly sealed jars with ease.

Grill master: The uncanny ability to cook the perfect barbecue, ensuring every burger and hot dog is cooked to perfection.

Home repair hero: The talent for fixing almost anything around the house, from leaky faucets to assembling furniture.

Infinite patience: The capacity to remain calm and composed while dealing with temper tantrums, sibling rivalries, and other challenging situations.

Endless energy: The power to keep up with their children's boundless energy, whether it's playing sports, chasing them around the yard, or taking them on adventures.

Storyteller extraordinaire: The gift of spinning captivating tales and bedtime stories, sparking their children's imaginations.

Wisdom dispenser: The ability to provide sage advice and guidance, helping their children navigate life's challenges.

Dad jokes: The unique humor that may induce eye-rolls but brings laughter and joy to their family.
Protector: The innate sense to keep their family safe and secure from harm, both emotionally and physically.

Master negotiator: The skill to peacefully resolve disputes between siblings and enforce fair compromises.

Unconditional love: The most important superpower of all - the capacity to love their children deeply and unconditionally, providing support, encouragement, and understanding throughout their lives.
We all have unique perspectives, and our individual experiences with fatherhood or father figures may vary.

I invite you to respond to this email with your thoughts on the best kind of dad, any anecdotes that you feel comfortable sharing or even your favorite dad jokes.

Let's celebrate the amazing dads and father figures in our lives, learn from each other's stories, and appreciate the qualities that make them so special.

Wishing you a Happy Father's Day and I look forward to hearing your heartwarming perspectives on this special occasion.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, more research is needed to determine whether collagen supplements can help humans grow new collagen, which diminishes as we age. And as The New York Times reports, while some studies have indicated that taking collagen for several months might improve skin elasticity, those studies were small and received their funding from collagen supplement manufacturers.

Greens powders—which usually contain some combination of dried and ground leafy greens and seaweeds, grasses, probiotics, and herbs—fare somewhat better under scrutiny, but experts still encourage skepticism. According to WebMD, greens powders can be useful to supplement a healthy diet with additional vitamins and antioxidants. One study linked greens powders with improvements in blood pressure. But greens powders are not equivalent to whole foods—some nutritional content, such as fiber, is lost during processing, and overconsumption of some vitamins can be harmful.

Another thing for consumers to consider: The supplement market is largely unregulated, and poor-quality products with inaccurate labels are common. In an interview with The Cut, Evan Reister, a Doctor of Nutrition Science at American University, advises consumers to look for brands that are USP or NSF certified. These certifications require manufacturers to label their products accurately and submit them to third-party lab testing for certain contaminants.

In a small village, a wise man was renowned for his wisdom and advice. People would seek his guidance on various issues, but he noticed a pattern among them. Many villagers would repeatedly complain about the same problems, despite his advice. He realized that his words were not being taken seriously and people were making no effort to change their situations.

One day, he used humor to make a point. He told a joke that made everyone laugh aloud. He repeated it, but the laughter dwindled. On the third telling, no one laughed. The wise man smiled and said, "You can't laugh at the same joke over and over, so why are you always crying about the same problems?"

The people, surprised by his words, realized they needed to be responsible for their lives and make changes to improve their situations. They began to heed the wise man's advice and work toward solutions.

His joke had a profound impact, teaching them the importance of taking action instead of just complaining about their problems.