A New Toy

Every so often we buy new toys to keep us interested in our daily tasks. This week we purchased a new toy to make my job of keeping our property well tended and beautiful. It arrived right on time and the two men who unloaded it were careful to make sure I knew how to drive the machine. Even thought they saw my old one they insisted that I attend this twenty minute learning session..

I was surprised what I learned and appreciated the help they gave. They told me that many people are injured in the first minutes of operating a new machine. I was not proud and listened attentively although I was wishing to get a tryout on my new toy. When they left I had Doris and Theresa come out for a photo op and they co-operated with me .

After the pics I mowed the entire yard in about 25 minutes. What a difference and what a surprise to have this new toy to help me have fun while working. The picture of the lady is my mother in law who is 93 and wanted to take the machine for a spin.

Early Morning Visitors

Frequently we have the good fortune to be visited by birds. Since we have giant red pine trees close by they become the roosting places for birds. Ibis's large and small pass over our home every day and sometimes they land. We get the opportunity to observe them closeup. This am these birds perched in the highest branches of this magnificent pine.

One morning our neighbor's house was literally covered by Egrets (cattle). These medium sized birds follow the city's large mowers as they cut the grass on vacant lots. This practise stirs up bugs and insects and the Egrets in large numbers have a feast. It is nature's way of controlling the numerous insects which live in Florida. We rarely see a mosquito or house fly due to an aggressive insect control program. This program is mainly followed during the rainy summer months.

This morning also began another interesting item as one of our banana trees sprouted a large flower which will become a bunch of bananas in a few months. It was only last February that all of our banana trees were destroyed by frost. We hope to see these bananas grow to maturity and we are able to eat these small, delicious fruit called Apple Bananas.

Tomorrow will be the last official day for hurricane season. This year there were 14 hurricanes identified in the Atlantic and not one made a landfall on USA soil. We are thankful. Canada, specially Newfoundland bore the brunt of many powerful storms which caused expensive damage to the infrastructure of that province. Two weeks from now we will once again be in our home in Canada and look forward to some snow and cold weather.

Good News

Thanksgiving day and the few days afterwards mark a bench mark for the economy. For the last few years it has been bad news as the economy shrunk and sales were down. This year the people came out in droves ready to buy and all reports show a growth in numbers and value. As snowbirds make up a large part of the economy here in Florida there appears to be more and earlier numbers this year. We notice the licence plates have changed from Florida to every state in the union and Canada.

The roads are busy, lineups at restaurants and super stores are growing and there are smiles on the faces of clerks and owners. The Target Store opened at 4am yesterday and there were almost a 1000 people lined up at 4am, Crowds at JJgregs was blocks long and customers were happy with the discounted prices. For the sports people there were 800 people waiting for the opening at Bass Pro Shop and owners were saying it was the best year in the past 5 years.

I guess what I am saying is that maybe the depression, not recession is slowly coming to an end. It is my deep belief that it will not happen again because this generation will have learned a good lesson. Back in the thirties with the great depression a generation of careful people resulted an the recovery was sure and steady. I believe that the same thing might occur and we will experience a generation of careful stewards of our economy.

If individuals take responsibility for their own life then collectively we will have a better world and maybe even the governments will be able to act in like manner.

Black Friday

The day after USA Thanksgiving has been called Black Friday. This starts the Christmas shopping season. Nearly every place of business has special sales and for the early bird there is a good opportunity to cop a bargain. We were in the mood to buy a new power mower as ours was in need of repairs and buying a new one made sense.

We buy many large items at Sears because they stand behind their products. We shopped around and came to the conclusion they had the best prices. The salesman told us some weeks ago to wait as the mower we desired was coming on sale at great savings.

In the meantime I thought we could make it through another year with hand mowing but Theresa and Doris saw this add and decided to give me an early Xmas gift. The deal was that I would have to get up at 2 am to get in line at Sears to get one of a few on sale. As it turned out Theresa and I went together and as the store opened at 4 am we left our house at 3am.

On entering the parking lot we viewed a huge line of people at the main door. We would probably number over 300. We did get in line but observed men pushing the lawn mowers out for display. At Theresa's urging I went to ask how many mowers were available. I also asked if these doors would be open to the public. Being given a positive answer I motioned for Theresa to join me and she was quickly followed by a rush of people lining up after us. Immediately we were number 1 and by good fortune the secondary door led right to the machine I wished to purchase.

The door opened exactly at 4 am and we had our purchase completed less than ten minutes later. We bought a 20 hp Craftsman mower at a saving of $614.00. This was a good deal for us and maybe next year I will be encouraged to participate in this Black Friday frenzy.

Normally our little city is asleep until 7 am or so but on this day the streets were filled and every store had a waiting line. Officially Black Friday starts at midnight and this year many stores opened their doors at that time or soon after. The merchants are looking for a good shopping season and if this morning is any indicator it will be.

Thanksgiving in Paradise

As Theresa and I sit beside our pool this thanksgiving morning we feel lucky to have two days to give special thanks for all the good things in our family's life. While much of the country is in snow and freezing rain we swelter in 80 plus heat with not a cloud in the sky. We are so thankful for the opportunity to experience this weather because it has so much impact on my health. I am sure Doris and Theresa feel the same way.

Here I view the conditions in the State of Florida where 18 million people live and come from all over the world. During the past weeks service providers scrambled to get resources to feed the hungry on Thanksgiving day. The lineups at the food banks have never been longer and the shelves more bare. Some 11% of the people are out of work and soon out of programs to provide basic needs. What is wrong with this picture ?

In a land that can land a man on the moon, provide policing around the world in dangerous places, offer tremendous help to Haiti and a dozen other countries but practice deficit budgeting which eats up nearly 40% of its taxes just servicing the debt makes it impossible to bring America back to its former self. On this Thanksgiving I am happy to benefit from all the good stuff but have a guilt complex for the poor and needy. Hopefully this next year will be better and when we sit down for our turkey dinner more people will share in the plenty and America will be a better place for all of us .

On a very personal note I wish to express my most sincere desire for all people to share and experience the joy that comes from living in the wonderful countries like Canada and the United States who provide the democratic environment for a better world.

Going Back In Time

Yesterday while resting after golf with a cold glass of ice water and sitting by the pool with my mind wandering under the 80 degree temperature I thought of a friend I grew up with in Cape Breton. Being somewhat impulsive and the phone within easy reach I dialed the number to talk to my friend. There was a quick response and a little hesitation as his wife was somewhat unfamiliar with my voice so I announced myself and engaged her in a short conversation.

As she handed the phone to TV, the initials of my friend, my mind raced back 60 years ago when we used to live close enough to yell across the road to communicate. After a few pleasant remarks we immediately began to reminisce about the past. All matters of that time are crystal clear to both of us and we rushed to the fishing, the biking and the close relationship we had. As young people of that day we had little canned entertainment but we were never without something to do. Besides chores we filled our moments living in a make believe world. We were Indians. We had made bows, arrows, quivers and spears to a high level. We literally lived in the woods down by the big pond and built huts which served as our headquarters.

The making of bows almost did my friend in as one day he and I were getting together and I had a new bow. I also had a tipped arrow and we were pretty good shots but what happened should never have come to pass. My friend was standing at the basement door which was open just a little. In jest I suggested I could shoot an arrow through that door with no trouble. There was a challenge and I placed the arrow in the bow and let fly. Foolish to be sure but the deed was done and for the first time I could remember the arrow flew true and was headed for my friend. At the last minute he turned his head and the arrow caught him behind the ear.

I was shocked and so was he but he was able to recover quickly with a little help. It was one of those moments that bonded us for all time. We both laugh now but realize the foolish act could have ended in tragedy. Over the years from very young until we went our special ways we never had an angry word nor a conflict. We did so much together and all was about nature and the out of doors. Years later when I met TV in Toronto where he was serving as an RCMP Officer we were able to talk but we always expressed feelings the great childhood we had together. We never smoked, drank nor even heard about drugs but we new every bird, how to fish and appreciate the wonders of nature.

We hung up after an hour and are going to connect more often on SKYPE in the future. As much as I love the past I live in the future and as friends we expect our lives to get better as we age but it is fun going back in time.

Fall Cleanup

Having lived in this home for 8 full seasons we collected a lot of junk. We also filled our garage with useful things like mowers, four bikes, golf clubs and every kind of gardening tool. The floor has been painted four times in part but not all at once. It became a patchwork floor so I decided to get to work and clean it up.

It is amazing the things you come across when you empty the entire contents on the driveway. We started with putting our three garbage and recycling bins close at hand. Anything that we have not used in a year or two we examined and either kept or threw in the appropriate bin. The bins were quickly filled and we still had more. Some good things that could be reused I place at the edge of the driveway and they disappear overnight.

To cover up the patchwork floor I went to Home Depot and bought this paint that was supposed to be a one application product. For the price I thought it was worth it but I bought two gallons to give the traffic areas several coats and have some left for touch ups.

I put off doing this chore for a while but when the task was completed I felt so good. The garage looked so pristine and there were some empty spaces for more future treasures. I cannot wait to go home and perform the same task in my other garage which is stuffed with all kinds of things I do not need. I make a vow to never let my garages get cluttered again. I will have to train the ladies to refrain from throwing everything they don't need or use in our garage.

My Arctic Cabin

Sometimes we get a picture in our mind of a special place or a special song that will not go away.For me one of these special things is my Arctic Cabin. While living in the high Arctic I had time on my hands and decided to start a project which would give me pleasure and leave me with a feeling of accomplishment.

There was so much open space on Victoria Island that location for such a project became a problem. I wanted a place to go on the weekends and spare evenings where my dog could run loose and I could fish or hunt to my hearts content. I found such a place about 15 kms north of Ikaluktutiak on a rise on the shores of Grenier Lake. There was water everywhere but this location was a watershed lake/river and carried all the water from the interior to the North West Passage.

Materials were costly in the North so I devised a plan to accumulate wood and plywood from the local dump. For months I attended the dump and recycled timbers and plywood from packing boxes and piled them in my back yard. By winter time I had enough of everything to start my project. Local contractors called me to give me left over roofing materials and insulation in such quantities that I had to build a shed to take care of these valuable resources.

During the first freeze up I began to take these materials to my building site on my kamituk or sled. It did not take long before I had everything in place. I drew up plans for a 24 by 18 foot Arctic cabin. I waited for spring and began to build. Locals told me information vital for a successful build; air tight, well insulated, strong footings with a good small cook stove. I listened and was able to complete the first half by mid summer. I received some help from friends who came to visit me and the rafters for the other half were put in place before they returned home.

My friends had a few laughs over the construction and I wish they had returned to see the complete work. This cabin became my place of solitude. It was here I heard silence, the sound of caribou hoofs from a distance, the rush of muskoxen as they ran over the rocks and the quiet stealth of Arctic wolves tracking their prey.

I had time to sort out my mind and realize who I was and I found all that out on the tundra. There were so many memories stored in my minds eye from the few years up there that I only have to close my eyes to gain a panorama view of the way it was. When I moved from that area and travelled nearly 3000 miles to my next Arctic home I had the intention of repeating history and building a similar retreat there.

It never happened and that was a good thing, because no place I could build would replace my Arctic cabin and what it meant to me. Freedom... from stress and the difficulties I was encountering during those troubled years.

Humorous Event

Here in Cape Coral we have a council which was voted in last year and has divided itself into two camps. One consists of the mayor and four councillors who are known as the fab five and four others. The fab five always vote as a block and control every aspect of the business transacted. The mayor and council are updating the rules of order and are stuck on the type of prayer which should precede the business of the day. Our mayor introduced the idea that instead they should have a large copy of the ten commandments placed at the entrance of the council chambers. This would inspire the council members to a high standard.

You can imagine what an uproar this caused and the news media had a field day with the idea. They have pretty well settled this matter after a public outcry but are still concerned over the matter of a silent or verbal invocation at the beginning of council. Perhaps they should just tend to business and stay out of a field that is completely foreign to them. It makes for good comic relief.

Years ago when I was Mayor of a small city in Ontario I had to make up the agenda for the first meeting of the year. We had five new alderman and I was a new Mayor. It was traditional to have a special meeting to more or less introduce the new council and get them started on the right foot. It was also tradition to invite a member of the clergy to say a few words of wisdom in the form of a prayer. I was covering all the bases when I came up with the idea of inviting several members of the clergy.

I invited my friend the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, The chairman of the Protestant Clergy Association and the Jewish Rabbi. With pomp and ceremony the Bishop blessed the council and asked God's help in bringing wisdom to the council in making good decisions. The Protestant Minister did likewise and asked God's help in giving the individual Aldermen strength and wisdom in carrying out their duty.

The Rabbi, who had a great sense of humour and command of the audience, stood and silently looked every member of the council in the eye, turned to the gathering of citizens and began to pray for the citizens. We all took it in good faith and it was a good reminder of what we were sent to do as elected officials. Later after the meeting the Rabbi said after hearing all the serious invocations a little humour would not hurt. I agreed.

Cabbage Rolls

Late in the fall I had a tradition of making sauerkraut and cooking cabbage rolls. Making the kraut did not bother me but my family really hated the smell which lasted quite a while. I used to make three kinds and each took a different length of time to cure. One year I used my sons third floor bedroom for the process while he was away at school. Unfortunately he came home for the weekend.

With the cabbage not used to make the kraut I used to make a large batch of cabbage rolls. I lived with an elderly lady when I was a young principal just getting started in the education business. Although she was over 80, she and her son - and later me - made kraut every fall. I was not used to the German food but learned to like it so much I acquired a special taste and interest in its preparation.

For the cabbage rolls I used a German recipe and later I modified it somewhat so it was more like Polish. Tonight we are having company as our neighbours are coming for supper. They are from Cuba originally and have special tastes of their own. In our food preparation I decided to make cabbage rolls while I had the urge for cooking. This time I used the slow cooker and hope all would be well.

The joys of cooking can only be matched by the joys of tasting you own homemade specialty foods. Since my family here are not fond of these comfort foods, I shall have to freeze most of them and feast on them when they are out shopping.

The Woodstorks Return

Southwest Florida is home to one of the largest rookeries of wood storks in the world. Every year about this time they come in numbers to set up house for their yearly mating. Several years ago there was not enough rain and the pools which provide the food for the young were dry. The wood storks did not set up house nor mate and there was fear for these endangered birds.

Last year there was plenty of rain and the rookeries were alive with new life and young birds were plentiful. This year I observed many new birds coming back to the area and I wish that the water level was a little higher but there seems to be sufficient water to have a successful breeding season.

Wood storks are by no means a beautiful bird when wading in a pool seeking food. A rather ugly head placed on a body which must have been designed by a committee betrays the real beauty of this large wading bird. From the moment they take to the air we see a marvelous streamlined bird capable of intricate maneuvers. Theresa and I saw several hundred in a flock flying in formation and doing what has been described as their bridal dance in the sky.

It was poetry in motion and we stopped our biking ride and watched in wonder as they dipped and dived in perfect order. Sometimes we see just a pair pass through this ritual and it is truly beautiful. Today as I played golf with my partners I was distracted by the beauty of a pair of wood storks and I knew they were back and meant business. I never cease to be amazed by the shows put on by mother nature.

Mocking Bird

The state bird of Florida is the mocking bird. It is a medium sized bird, grey, black and white in colour and has many different songs. We are fortunate to have two families in our yard. They nest in low bushes at our place, normally in our pygmy date tree and make a neat nest of grass ans small twigs.

They are territorial and defend their area by vigorous and aggressive defence. They are insect eaters and perch on trees and our house until lunch flies by and they attack. Small gecko's also become a meal if they are not careful. They play fight our tinted windows and provide us with hours of enjoyment.

The mocking bird however is most noted for its variety of songs. During the mating season they sing constantly and their songs are varied and sometimes quite complicated. These birds become part of our daily life and we certainly would miss them if they moved away. We have had several hatching's and three or four youngsters emerge from the well protected nest.

Every morning at daybreak you can hear the wake up call of the Mocking Bird welcoming a new day in paradise.

Happy Birthday Grandaughter #1

My oldest grand daughter is having her 28th birthday today and I am far away and will miss the celebration. We phoned her today and had a new lesson on our computer. She walked Theresa and I through on a new fangled program called Skype. Our new computer has a built in camera and phone and after an hour we signed up and had the experience of seeing her live from her home far away.

Since Lyndsay is the oldest of 8 grand children she was the main attraction for a while but later had to share the spotlight with the others. She has remained a caring person and mothers her youngest cousin and has a great relationship with the whole group. As a little one I was able to get my first lessons as a grandfather with her and now she gives me lessons on things new and modern like computers and such.

Hard work is is something you would not expect from such a little person but this year she surprised me by carrying boxes of hardwood up three flights of stairs when we installed her floor. Grandchildren are great and I am lucky to be blessed with eight and each one has special features. Your first is always special and her example has been good for all the rest and no doubt she feels a little responsibility being the oldest. Happy Birthday LRC.

Delicious

We had some old friends over for supper the other evening and Theresa got creative and made this great desert. I do not know the name of it but it was just delicious.

Ant Control

One species which lives in Florida and is not welcome is the ant. They come in all sizes and when you are here for a while you begin to co-exist without much problem. Fire ants are the worst pest and I have suffered their wrath more than once and paid the price. Throughout the south these pesky little red ants live in colonies. These colonies can have as many as several million and claim a territory for hunting. They are easy to spot and control with pesticides but for the unaware they are dangerous.

Theresa and I played golf with a rancher and he told us that red or fire ants were the biggest killer of new born calves and he aggressively strives to keep his ranch free of these killers. Fire ants also are responsible for the death of newly hatched birds and animals. Even young alligators become lunch for these ants.

Every year when I come here I go on ant patrol and try to rid my yard of ants. I worry about them biting my aging mother in law as they can do great harm to the unaware. Termites, carpenter ants and sugar ants are everywhere but are not as dangerous. After a day or so our area is cleared and we forget about the problem.

Golf courses which do not have a good policy on ant control pose a special danger. One day we were playing with two men from the north who were not knowledgeable about fire ants and suffered painful bites. He laid his extra club down on a nest while he putted out his ball. When he picked up his 9 iron it was covered with ants. We noticed this and ran to his rescue. Fortunately he received only a few bites but that was enough. He became a smarter player after that.

All this negative talk about ants could discourage you from coming down here but as long as you are aware of these little devils there is no problem. Theresa and Doris have never been bitten due to our ant control.

Bismark Tree

Back when Hurricane Charlie ripped through the Cape it caused untold destruction. For us there was no real damage to our home except for a few screens on our pool cover and some trees. We had a most beautiful bougainvillea on our front lawn. It covered an area of about 100 square feet and had brilliant red colour. It was ripped from its roots.

Theresa and I decided to plant a tree which would be a signature tree for our front landscaping. We took our time and after much consideration decided on a Bismarker. This is a sturdy palm with a bluish-grey-green colour. It would withstand the hurricane force and grow quite quickly.

Little did we know that this 5 year old tree would reach a height of 20 ft. and have branches or frowns weighing almost a hundred pounds. From a three frown tree in a one gallon pot to this so quickly amazed us. We do love it and it is easy to maintain it but maintain it you must. When we arrived here in October we had to saw off 9 branches. Each branch was 14 feet long and the composition of the branch is like hardwood.

It is a good idea when planting anything here to think what it will be like in five years. This tree will reach a height of 40 feet in 10 years so we shall have some time to enjoy it.

Final Edition

After four years or more of writing and getting material ready for a book I have arrived at what I will call the final edition. With so much material gathered and sorted in a series of musings and memories it is time to organize and edit. My daughter who is a professional writer and produces blogs in a humorous manner has been my editor in chief, critic and helpmate over the years. She has motivated me to put in print some of my memories and thoughts for the family.

Years ago she bought me a mini recorder for me to tell the stories as I was nothing of a typist and my spelling was in need of repair. However with our interest in computers I was able to express myself through writing Blogs and have been happy with the result. Since I have always wanted to tell of my experiences for the younger members of our family and make a record of our parents and their struggle to have and raise 9 children, it has been my mission for years.

It starts out with pure memory and becomes personal when you express how the events in your memories impact you as an individual. When I began to write my thoughts I struggled with the idea that this is not what the rest of my family would remember or wish to remember. Many of my memories are outside of the family as I left home at an early age and travelled and delved into so many fields. There was always this connection with Cape Breton and my family and friends and I became aware of the strength one derives from being a part of a family. I have tried to maintain a connection with home and people who are important to me and make an effort to keep the lines open.

As I age in good health and with a comfortable relationship with my environment I realize how important it is to live a stress free life. I have that kind of life and intend to express these feelings through my memories of a life well lived.

Golfing In the Arctic

Golfing may be the last sport you would expect to be played in the Arctic. I was surprised to find that because of one event, golfing became popular with the Inuit. For years the chief communication with the outside world was through CBC Radio Canada. One man who was the host of a morning radio show was also an advocate for world literacy. He had the idea of having the most northerly golf tournament in the world to support his cause and to raise money by having a golf tournament on the Arctic Ice.

After years of talk and organizing, the first tournament took place in Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay). People came from far and wide to take part. A golf club in Edmonton donated clubs and a barrel of balls and the airlines provided transportation for some of the more notable of the participants. Coloured balls, solid ice fare ways, hula hoops for cups and thirty below temperatures made the game a challenge. Wind chill factor drove the temperature to 60 below.

The course was laid out on Cambridge Bay and nine holes were constructed. The CBC carried the game on radio and everyone up there listened as the game was played. Most Inuit never heard of golf but they were close to their radios to hear the news of the game. Much fun was had and records broken, fingers frozen and hot spiced rum drunk. It was decided on the spot that another game would be played in the future. Of the 25 hamlets in Nunavut and 25 in the NWT nearly every one wanted to host the next game.

This was billed as the most northerly game of golf in the world and attracted many visitors. In our hamlet where it all started a movement was begun to build a summer course. A committee began with plans for a 9 hole course to be built on Inuit land between the village and the airport. There was a DEW line radar base there and with pooled resources a course was laid out. The holes were long over rockey slopes and the greens were made of sand. There was a rake at every hole to leave the green nice and flat after play.

The course was called the "Course of Many Pebbles". On opening day a special gift of over a hundred clubs and many ball was received by the same Edmonton Golf Club. Golf became a factor in the life of many Inuit. Since there is 24 hour sunlight in the summer the game was often played throughout the night. Inuit like to gamble and rarely was there a game played without a little wager. I played a few games there and can claim to have had a 400 yard drive downhill with the golf ball hitting many favourite bounces on the rocks. It was fun.

My friends from Pembroke thought I was joking when I took them to see the golf course but they were believers when they surveyed the rocky slopes for themselves. I don't know if the course is still operating but while I was up there I enjoyed golf above the Arctic Circle.

Golf At Royal Tee

On returning to Florida I was excited to get back playing golf with my friends. At this time of the year the group is small as most people come down after the Thanksgiving Holiday at the end of the month. However a small group who live here all year got together every Tuesday and played through the hot summer months.

The first day I returned to the golf club there was only 7 people in our group. We did however get to start our game at 7.2o when the sun just peeked above the horizon. As I played little golf this summer I apologized before hand for my poor play. The opposite was the reality and I had a great first game and actually won the pot of money. Every putt seemed to find the cup and at the end of the game I had the best game I ever played. Many comments were made saying I had taken lessons and so on. All in good fun but as the money was given to me I detected a little bit of humorous banter as everyone there knew I played over my head.

During the game I observed so many birds and water creatures that my fellow players said I was back. I constantly point out different natural wonders like alligators, eagles and egrets. This annoys many as they are there to play golf. After nearly 8 years they are beginning to appreciate the golf course as a habitat of Florida"s wonderful creatures.

The second week I played I was back to my norm and the money was not going to my pocket . This week the guys made fun of my left handed swing and my poor style. On the second hole of the second nine I drove the ball down the center of the fairway but the club head had another idea and made my friends duck as the head became free and glided past them and ended thirty yards out on the small lake. It floated but could not be retrieved at the time. After a few laughs and so on we played with me having to drive with my 3 wood.

Needless to say I did poorly and ended dead last this week. The errant club head ended up on the shore of the lake and was retrieved by my partner. I brought it back to the golf shop where I bought it and he fixed it up and gave me a new grip without cost. Golf is a good game and most people associated with it are OK as well.

Florida Rainstorm

For over a month there has not been a drop of rain. Everyone was complaining about the dry weather. Last night the weather man said we were going to have rain and some wind. We who live here know that a rain storm here is special and when it came last night we were not surprised to hear about heavy rain, high wind and hail. There is a regular wind coming from the gulf laden with moisture mixing with a cold font and the result is rain, rain and more rain.

We really need the water and before this storm is over my pool will be filled and all the trees and garden will be crying out with thanks to mother nature for the clean rain. You can water and water from the well but nice rain from the sky fills the bill. My garden had lept forward and the tomatoes have grown several inches in one day.

People sometimes complain about the weather but in the end we all love nature doing it's job and making sure the trees and plants are being looked after.

Mid Term Elections.

During the last few months we have been bombarded with roadside signs, radio and television adds, visits from politicians and verbal bantering in the name of democracy. Mid term elections are usually a statement about the party in power and how effective their programs are working for the public.

President Obama was swept into power with a huge mandate and backed by Democrats in both the house and senate had the the opportunity to make a difference. Perhaps he did but the perception by the American people was too little and too late. Personally I was a strong supporter of this young president as his leadership would impact Canada in a positive or negative manner. After two years of failed promises due to the worst recession since the thirties, a weak dollar, devastating wars, and an unresponsive mood in Washington, the president was scolded by the people with huge losses at the polls.

The president has two years left in his term and is able to turn things around if he is willing and able to work both sides of the house. America has the resources to return to its place in the world as its leader is well received and viewed as a good person but it must mobilize its industrial power to create jobs and get on track with its goals in health care and social issues.

This last election was fought with negative positions taken by both sides and there was little discussion on the programs for change and solutions to the nations needs. Perhaps this election has given everyone a shock as to where America stands and a desire to rebuild its greatness by working together and becoming the land where most people in the world would like to live.

It is often said that we have to reach the bottom and accept the truth about our situation before we begin to heal and recover. America is in that position now and I look forward to the new energy coming from all the promises made during the past days to power its collective ability and restore America to its rightful place in the sun.

Halloween

Last year we had only one goblin at our door. Last night we ended up with 10 people and the costumes were excellent. Former neighbours and their children came to visit and our visitors stayed for a while.

One little fellow came to see us last year and he was dressed like Harry Potter. He was the lone visitor but this year he returned as Darth Vader. I always give him a toy as well because he lives with his mother and grand mother after the death of his father. He needs a male presence.

Years ago when we were children Halloween was a big deal and people gave apples for their treats. Rarely did you get candy and if you did it was home made fudge or molasses candy. Today box stores dictate the treats and everyone buys these serve sized goodies. It has become the third biggest $ grab for the commercial enterprises.

When we went trick or treating in those days it was for real. Tricking included events which bordered on vandalism when it was carried to extreme. Soaping windows and turning over the odd back house was considered mild but today there is little of this. Schools and community organizations make safe events for the children as there has been fear because of terrible things taking place.

Halloween has been hijacked by organizations ready to cash in on this fun night to make it a fund night.I must be getting grumpy but I see more and more events turning in to fundraisers and it seems every time there is a special occasion someone has their hand out looking for cash. Yesterday as Theresa and I were shopping we stopped at a red light and a biker was there with his helmet asking for money for the March of Dimes. At the cash register we are regularly asked if we would like to give money to a dozen groups.

Schools, churches, service clubs and a variety of organizations appeal for funds which should be budgeted properly.Maybe this is the way of the future but maybe the priorities of government agencies should reflect basic needs instead of spending our taxes on wars and destructive behaviour.

Halloween is still fun for many and I will put away my pumpkin for another year and look forward to seeing more Harry Potters next Halloween.