Category Archives: Book Review

We are still a generation of readers, most of us in paper, here for you is my take on some of today’s literature and hot reads.

For The Birds – Recollections And Rambles by Fred Helleiner

Book Review, Northumberland Hills, Personal, , , , , , ,

Melissa Mayntz wrote:  In its most basic sense, birding, or bird watching, is the recreational hobby of observing species of wild birds, including their physical characteristics and behavior. In reality, birding is much more than a simple hobby and there are many benefits of birding that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birders.  Melissa states that today there are more than 50 million birders in the United States and millions more throughout the world, making it one of the most popular and most rapidly growing hobbies in the world.

for the birds051.jpg 2It’s because of this growth this wonderful easy to read, large print well written book “For The Birds” is such an important piece of work for the birders of today.  Fred’s recollections and rambles bring history dating back to the 1940’’s to life.  As he states in the Preface “I trace the evolution of birder from a curious six-year old to someone who has recently attained octogenarian status and who has not yet lost his passion for the pastime of birding.”  I loved his response to the question asked of him about how long has he been birding and his stock answer has been “About a hundred years”.   This book goes into a detailed account of the places and people of the early formative years of birding in Ontario, Canada giving credit (or blame) to individuals, who played significant roles in that transformation.  As Fred states in his book birding in the 1940’s was not the beginning of birding in Ontario that he credits to people like Thomas Mcllwraith, J.H. Fleming, and W.E. Saunders as prominent individuals in the Ontario history of birding  as far back as the 1903 and still others even further.

Fred starts his journey after arriving from war torn Austria and receiving two little bird books from welcoming Canadian’s.  Then having shown such a keen interest later is enrolled at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto children’s program in the early 1940’s.  The book tours the many adventures of Fred’s birding growth with each page filled with memories of sightings of amazing birds some of which would be difficult to find today.  As well as, people and places that have played a part in developing and fueling Fred’s quest to find that rare bird throughout the many years to come.

You will also read in this little bird book about Fred’s support for young birders who I know today he still loves to take out on sightings and just chat with.   He loves to encourage any youth who turns up at Presqu’ile Park with an inquisitive mind about birds.   This book will assist their inquiring minds in looking at the past and how it differs from today.

I loved how Fred acknowledged that after 53 years of marriage to Lois, mentioning their love, patience and companionship during their birding together.  I can honestly say through personal relationship with this couple that Lois is quite the birder in her own right.  As we all know behind every great man [birder] there is a great woman.

Fred retired to Presqu’ile Provincial Park, in 1999 and sends a weekly summary of bird sightings in that park to “The Friends of Presqu’ile Park.  He has a bird sighting board posted on his garage wall where birders can check out his sightings in the park daily and update what they themselves have spotted.  On any given day you will find him out on his bike with his equipment riding through the park seeking that next rare sighting.  This book is a wonderful legacy to an extremely amazing birder, husband, father and grandfather.

Fred says in his book “It is my hope that it will serve as a record of what it was like to be among the pioneers of a sport that is now widely enjoyed and that has become a mainstream  pursuit of thousands.”

Fred have no fear my friend your “For The Birds” is going viral as we speak… You will be keeping that post office busy for months to come.  Well done!

Book purchase:  $20.00 plus $2.50 shipping in Canada.    Shipping rates for United States and International to be determined at time of purchase.  All proceeds are being donated to the “Friends of Presqu’ile’s Environmental Fund”

For information on the book contact the publisher at:

FRED HELLIENER , 186 Bayshore Road, Brighton, Ontario  K0K 1H0     Canada    Email:  fhelleiner@trentu.ca
Telephone:  613 475-5309

Proof of Heaven

Book Review, Health, Life and Times, , , , , , , , , , ,

Proof of HeavenAs part of my current journey, I felt an unwanted need to reflect and take a look at death and question where I am at regarding my spiritually? As a baby boomer we may argue that we don’t go there but I’m betting that as we lose more and more loved one’s, friends and family, it’s inevitable at our age, you begin to question this very real and somewhat difficult life stage.  We are a hands on species, what we see, feel, touch and control guides us through our everyday existence.  I truly believe and accept that there are many different levels or realms of existence which define us and not limit our tie to our natural world.  This belief is based on a number of unexplained events that have happened over the years, for which I can only say allowed me to continue, and survive the many life threatening events throughout my 60 odd years.  That I am here to write about it today is somewhat of a miracle for which I feel truly blessed.

As we boomers begin to the battle the golden years the question of what’s after death becomes a subconscious voice in the depth of our minds. This voice sometimes buried deep in thought has been coming to the surface of my consciousness over these past few months, most certainly due to my current health fight and the fight of some very special people in my inner circle.

So when a very close friend  Lorrie and I started into a  discussion about NDE near-death experience during our drive back from dropping off my daughter at university, it was inevitable that the voice in my subconscious would start to remember things and my journey of rediscover was about to begin anew.

Lorrie passed on a wonderful little book “Proof of Heaven”.  This book was written by Dr. Eben Alexander, M.D a highly trained neurosurgeon, who develops a rare illness which shut down his brain and left him in a coma for seven days.  This is an academic, researcher and prominent neurosurgeon doctor in his field who clearly goes through an extraordinary NDE Near death experience which sent him on amazing journey of discovery and enlightenment that clearly defines his current work and changed his life course.  As he states in his book “I’m still a scientist, I’m still a doctor and as such I have two essential duties:  to honor truth and to help heal.  That means telling my story.”  He also states “Not only was my journey about love, but it was also about who we are and how connected we all are – the very meaning of all existence.”

I know for me, this little book “Proof of Heaven” has given me a peace and love glow that will carry me through and has reconfirmed my belief that I will always have an angel on my shoulder.  It’s a quick and wonderful read and just might help you live, love and smile at the possibilities to this last stage of life.  Dr. Alexander has created a website to  further your awakening, share your story and provide valuable research go to: Eternea.org