What a wonderful viewing we received when we watched the best young players in the world compete to be crowned World Champions. It is not that Canada must win gold every time they compete but to see our great Canadian game becoming a great World game. The game of hockey has swelled way above the years when Canada dominated the world tournaments.
Today there are many countries even smaller than Canada that field wonderful teams. Many countries use our junior leagues to help advance the skill level of their young, budding stars. How different to see the juniors play and several hours later the NHL. Most of us would watch the juniors instead of the pro leagues because of the excitement generated when young, dedicated players play for their country.
Our Canadian boys did well but on the day they were defeated by a better team. Because we came sixth in this tournament it just makes the challenge so much better for the next tournament to be held right here, next year in Toronto and Montreal.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
2016
Every year we look ahead and with enthusiasm forecast possible events and changing conditions. This year I will keep to a few of my favourite concerns. For years I have been concerned about living conditions in the high Arctic with both climate change and global warming. Most of the high Arctic is rock with a layer of tundra on top of perma frost. Perma frost freezes the area of the tundra to a depth of hundreds of feet in some cases. The very thin surface allows a variety of vegetation to survive and this sustains life in the form of animals and birds as well as a variety of bugs and insects.
With rising temperatures and warmer and longer summers the perma frost melts to a greater depth each year and the result is catastrophic . The tundra no longer is able to accept travel in many areas and as time passes there will be huge areas of the North uninhibited. The thousands of ponds will disappear and the birds who depend on these will disappear as well. This is only a small peak at the results of global warming and climate change in one area of this planet.
My hope for this year is that every country, every industry, every person who has a concern for life on this planet for their children and grand children support the plans for a greener and healthier environment . This wish was stated by the Paris Convention and signed on by over two hundred countries to keep our carbon emissions below a level acceptable to the health of our planet. We must do our part if we are to survive.
With rising temperatures and warmer and longer summers the perma frost melts to a greater depth each year and the result is catastrophic . The tundra no longer is able to accept travel in many areas and as time passes there will be huge areas of the North uninhibited. The thousands of ponds will disappear and the birds who depend on these will disappear as well. This is only a small peak at the results of global warming and climate change in one area of this planet.
My hope for this year is that every country, every industry, every person who has a concern for life on this planet for their children and grand children support the plans for a greener and healthier environment . This wish was stated by the Paris Convention and signed on by over two hundred countries to keep our carbon emissions below a level acceptable to the health of our planet. We must do our part if we are to survive.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Christmas Day With Family
The greatest gift I receive at Christmas is being with my family. Theresa and I often say that we are fortunate in having the most beautiful Family. Every time we get together our feelings are proven to be accurate as we observe the deep bond and love each member has for each other.This get together was no different as we converged n Lynda's and Peters country home and shared great food, conversation and bonding. The noise level rises when some of the younger ones try to join the circle and tell of their latest exploits in the education field.
We have several now either teaching or completing their studies and as teachers are, the subject comes around to their work. The leader of the pack is Glenda who has many years in the special ed field and Harmony and Darcy join in and away we go. They are passionate about their work and it makes me very happy to see the young people involving themselves in the social continuum. The others are just as involved in their field of interest and manage to make their case.
It was a great day with Doris managing to share her time with all present and to astonish them with her great looks and ability at age 98. This Xmas is over but the good will and joy will remain with us until we get together in the near future.
We have several now either teaching or completing their studies and as teachers are, the subject comes around to their work. The leader of the pack is Glenda who has many years in the special ed field and Harmony and Darcy join in and away we go. They are passionate about their work and it makes me very happy to see the young people involving themselves in the social continuum. The others are just as involved in their field of interest and manage to make their case.
It was a great day with Doris managing to share her time with all present and to astonish them with her great looks and ability at age 98. This Xmas is over but the good will and joy will remain with us until we get together in the near future.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Planting Garlic on Xmas Eve
The temperature is hovering near the plus twenty when I decided to plant some more garlic. I had already planted my regular amount and it is growing so I had some more cloves and planted some more. This hot weather is playing havoc with our trees as they are budding and even opening .I fear for the fruit trees as one other year we had a similar situation and the crop was a failour.
This December the Xmas cactus is blooming right on time for the holidays. They like the hot weather.
Tortiere Baking with Theresa and Doris
The baking of tortiere was a custom at our home for years. We used to make many in the past but now we settle for five. This year Doris was home to help with the top crust as no one can roll out crust like Doris. This year was no different as she rolled the top crust thin and smooth and placed it carefully on the top of the pie and made perfect pinches along the edge.
It was good to have her help as it brings her back to her younger days when she baked up a storm at Xmas time. Now I have a partner to make the Xmas buns for the family dinner.
It was good to have her help as it brings her back to her younger days when she baked up a storm at Xmas time. Now I have a partner to make the Xmas buns for the family dinner.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Back Home
Theresa and I have been away for a months holiday in Florida. Of course the weather was perfect but a little too hot during the first week where the temp soared .It was a homecoming of sorts as we joined our old friends in many activities. Eating at get together dinners seemed to be a favourite as we once again socialized with our American { Cuban ] neighbors. I played golf with my old partners every Tuesday and enjoyed the news about their life for the past couple of years.
We played for a pot of money collected over the past fifteen years from the new comers club. We each donated a dollar for a hole in one and over that time we never had one. With a $148 at stake we played for the pot. We were the last members of the club so we had a tournament. We shared the winnings and drank to the wealth we just acquired.
Theresa and friends did a great job of shopping and every day after our adventures we used the pool to cool off and gossip about our day. There was something soothing about being away and not having the usual contact with family as we had restricted communication as our accommodation had no phone or WY-FY It did cause us to miss our family.
Our trip by car was super both ways and the time shared during the drive gave us a great personal time . We had a good time but were happy to
be back home with family and friends.
We played for a pot of money collected over the past fifteen years from the new comers club. We each donated a dollar for a hole in one and over that time we never had one. With a $148 at stake we played for the pot. We were the last members of the club so we had a tournament. We shared the winnings and drank to the wealth we just acquired.
Theresa and friends did a great job of shopping and every day after our adventures we used the pool to cool off and gossip about our day. There was something soothing about being away and not having the usual contact with family as we had restricted communication as our accommodation had no phone or WY-FY It did cause us to miss our family.
Our trip by car was super both ways and the time shared during the drive gave us a great personal time . We had a good time but were happy to
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Tricky Weather
Today on November the 2 rd the temp came up to 28. We are leaving for Florida tomorrow and I feel cheated as it should be snowing or miserable but not beautiful. I should stay and enjoy this gift from our Indian Breathern who in their wisdom and need for some good weather declared that every year we should have Indian Summer. One week of sunny, warm days to give us something to think of when it turns to snow and 30 below.
All of a sudden the place is swarming with hornets, wasps and other flying creatures which make it impossible to enjoy a drink on the balcony. There is a strange change in our weather patterns lately as we just witnessed the windiest week in my memory and now this.We better get used to the unusual because that is the way it will be from now on, tricky.
All of a sudden the place is swarming with hornets, wasps and other flying creatures which make it impossible to enjoy a drink on the balcony. There is a strange change in our weather patterns lately as we just witnessed the windiest week in my memory and now this.We better get used to the unusual because that is the way it will be from now on, tricky.
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