The rant from Don Cherry at last nights hockey game between Toronto and Montreal was right on .He shared the view of many hockey fans in Canada and Ontario in particular when he showed the makeup of the Toronto team. Of 23 players this game not one was from Ontario. Ontario produces the major number of hockey players for all teams in the NHL. Every team in the NHL has players from Ontario and not one is playing for Toronto.
Mr Burke is an American general manager and seems to pick players from American universities. This may be OK but for Ontario's Team the Maple Leafs to be shut out in this department seems a little strange. Not one boy from Ontario made the grade. There was a time not long ago when the team was made up of Canadian boys and the majority were from Ontario.
I personally feel the league is better because of the infusion of players from the whole world but I would like to see some balance. In the NHL some teams have 8 and even more players from the GTA and Northern Ontario but the only players who made the Leafs in training camp are playing in the American League. This in spite of the fact that the team is fighting for a spot in the post season.
Maybe , just maybe the NHL is being taken over by the businessmen from America who see the rich potential for profits . The commissioner is an American and militates against Canadian teams and in actual fact the Canadian Teams help support the teams in America who are unable to support themselves. We no longer have a hockey league which is Canadian and we may as well get used to the fact that the NHL is big business and less a sport representing the hopes and wishes of cities who wanted the Cup for bragging rights.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Keeping In Touch
While we are living here in Florida we miss the family. Years ago there was little ways in keeping in touch except through the telephone and it was very expensive. Today we have a telephone plan good for everywhere in North America at a small cost. There are no time limits and we use this service extensively.
The computer offers email and face book and our hand held phones are a virtual whole communication system. I like to use Skpe because of the visual factor and it is almost like being there. Facebook tells us what our extended family are up to and sometimes we get more information then we want.
Our daughter just returned home from China after two weeks and all during her stay over there, thousands of miles away she wrote a daily blog, emailed us and rewarded us with beautiful pictures documenting her travels.What a difference than when I was a young fellow when you wrote letters or sent a telegram. It is the information age and if you don't keep in touch with family and friends you are missing the boat.
The computer offers email and face book and our hand held phones are a virtual whole communication system. I like to use Skpe because of the visual factor and it is almost like being there. Facebook tells us what our extended family are up to and sometimes we get more information then we want.
Our daughter just returned home from China after two weeks and all during her stay over there, thousands of miles away she wrote a daily blog, emailed us and rewarded us with beautiful pictures documenting her travels.What a difference than when I was a young fellow when you wrote letters or sent a telegram. It is the information age and if you don't keep in touch with family and friends you are missing the boat.
Waiting In Line
Last evening Theresa and I decided to go out for supper at a new Fish market and restaurant. We thought that 5.30 pm would be early enough to be served without a lineup at the door. When we arrived there was a huge crowd but we checked in and found that a waiting time of 40 mins. would be required. No way so we went to the Olive Gardens and the same thing happened. On Pine Island there are thirty plus eating establishments and every one had a waiting list of about the same time.
I hate to line up and standing in line is not for me with my recent surgery so be did the next best thing and went to this place that makes the best pizzas which you can take home and cook yourself. We bought a large one and took it with us home where we started. I added some peppers and grated cheese and Theresa fired up the oven to 400 degrees. We settled in beside the pool and had some wine and watched the changing sky turn in to a brilliant sunset.
Twelve minutes later we took out our masterpiece and had our own restaurant right here at home. It was delicious and there was no crowd, no waiting and excellent food and company. People often ask us why we don't eat out more often. Well there is the answer...we love to eat at home.
I hate to line up and standing in line is not for me with my recent surgery so be did the next best thing and went to this place that makes the best pizzas which you can take home and cook yourself. We bought a large one and took it with us home where we started. I added some peppers and grated cheese and Theresa fired up the oven to 400 degrees. We settled in beside the pool and had some wine and watched the changing sky turn in to a brilliant sunset.
Twelve minutes later we took out our masterpiece and had our own restaurant right here at home. It was delicious and there was no crowd, no waiting and excellent food and company. People often ask us why we don't eat out more often. Well there is the answer...we love to eat at home.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friends We Met On Our Bike Ride Today
On our bike ride today we had many good things to see. Firstly there is this elderly couple who live on a corner and we always call in when we bike in that direction. They are in there nineties and live independently. He loves softball and five years ago they cut him from the team because they thought he was too old. He offered me his glove and told me to take his place on the field. They are surrounded by challenges because their families have economic difficulties and some of their grandchildren have medical problems.They tell us all their troubles in about three minutes and then they are OK.
Our eagles came through again with two young ones and they are about to leave the nest. This will be # 17 &; 18 for this couple.The mother is one of few who ever broke a wing and was returned to freedom. She is a big star as there has been a camera on her and her partner for nine years.We will visit them every day.
This little turtle was hit by a car but will live. She was catching her breath when we came along. For a turtle she is shiny and quite beautiful. Theresa and I have purchased new camera with an optical zoom of 36. We hope to improve our picture taking in the future.
This little turtle was hit by a car but will live. She was catching her breath when we came along. For a turtle she is shiny and quite beautiful. Theresa and I have purchased new camera with an optical zoom of 36. We hope to improve our picture taking in the future.
Something Wrong About This Apology
I must be living in another world when I see the actions of the USA regarding the burning of some Islamic literature. Since this is a mistake in the first place with no insult meant and the men who were carrying out their work orders were Innocent of any evil doing I am appalled that every level of military and political leadership bent over back words to appease the Islamic radicals.
In my view there was a problem of taking care of these books. There was a better way but the reaction by the radical Islamic people was way of of order. Rioting causing death to soldiers, world wide reaction and hatred towards the American people who are there to help keep the peace and ridiculous statements made in the press would cause me to tell them to go to hell. They are the ones who should apologize for the deaths and destruction by their people and the USA should look at the image they portray when the world watches this nonsense. In America there is such a high regard for their flag and country but when something goes wrong abroad they have to suffer the indignity of seeing their flag burned and all sorts of anger shown to their country.
There is something wrong here when the world stands in fear of causing the least insult to this radical group and caters to their whole way of life. We even provide special food to those we keep in jail for acts of terrorism, we give them their holy book and treat them with dignity. We should expect no less.
In my view there was a problem of taking care of these books. There was a better way but the reaction by the radical Islamic people was way of of order. Rioting causing death to soldiers, world wide reaction and hatred towards the American people who are there to help keep the peace and ridiculous statements made in the press would cause me to tell them to go to hell. They are the ones who should apologize for the deaths and destruction by their people and the USA should look at the image they portray when the world watches this nonsense. In America there is such a high regard for their flag and country but when something goes wrong abroad they have to suffer the indignity of seeing their flag burned and all sorts of anger shown to their country.
There is something wrong here when the world stands in fear of causing the least insult to this radical group and caters to their whole way of life. We even provide special food to those we keep in jail for acts of terrorism, we give them their holy book and treat them with dignity. We should expect no less.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Take Your Time
When I was cleared to continue with my life after surgery I was told that it would take up to five times more to complete simple tasks. I smiled and nodded my head just happy to be released from the bondage of in activity. I am finding out that the Dr was correct in many ways and indeed it does take much longer to perform the simple tasks like dressing and working in the garden.
Today I was cleaning up a part of the garden where I covered the soil so weeds would not take over. Trying to bend and perform this task was difficult and took so long. In fact I only completed part of the job. I tire easily and have to rest every hour or so. It was a little frustrating at first but since I have all the time in the world I am adjusting.. Thinking that I have another three months was a shock at first but as time goes on and I see some improvement every week I am just thankful to have this opportunity.
Just as the price of housing had to make an adjustment I suppose this is my adjustment. Tomorrow will be the first time I will play golf with my pals. My adjustment will be to play without a driver or any heavy iron clubs. I must use the old senior wooden clubs and play my ball off the ground as I cannot reach to use a golf tee. My score will be higher and my effort made without much extra energy but I will be playing . I will not share the rewards from the money pot but it will be fun. I will be embarrassed if I hold up the foursome so I will have to pick up some time if I fall behind.
So take your time and enjoy and be thankful you can play at all.
Today I was cleaning up a part of the garden where I covered the soil so weeds would not take over. Trying to bend and perform this task was difficult and took so long. In fact I only completed part of the job. I tire easily and have to rest every hour or so. It was a little frustrating at first but since I have all the time in the world I am adjusting.. Thinking that I have another three months was a shock at first but as time goes on and I see some improvement every week I am just thankful to have this opportunity.
So take your time and enjoy and be thankful you can play at all.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Race To Be President
We are in the middle of the weirdest nomination process I ever saw. What started out as a group of about a dozen men and women has ended up with four. A group which does not look very presidential and as for their skills at debating, well just terrible. These men seem to be without a team of advisers. Every person has made crucial mistakes and the leader changes with the next mistake.
It would appear that the two front runners will eventually spar for the prize. The old lad who has not got a chance of winning will stay till the end and then transfer his votes to the leader. This person, Mr. Paul, is intelligent and humorous and a crowd pleaser but very few people take him seriously. He is also tied to Mitt Romney as his son was set up in business by Romney. Paul never criticizes Romney and I am sure they will be a team.
Santorum came right out of nowhere and is the person to watch. He had little money at first and few followers but his work on the debates changed all that. He would be a dangerous person to be president with his values. He is extreme right wing conservative and his religion is worn on his sleeve. He is anti union which undermines women's rights but appeals to the tea party.
Religion and moral issues are up front. Two of the four are RC, one is Mormon and the other is Baptist. All the issues are on points unrelated to what people have on their minds; jobs and the economy. As the race goes on there is almost a sense that the Republicans will field a weak possible President. I sense that many of the people are just so turned off by the negative advertisement that they just don't care. Personally I love to watch the race but this one is like no other and we could possibility be in for a new candidate entering the race. Whatever happens America is in need of sound leadership and I hope the election solves that problem.
It would appear that the two front runners will eventually spar for the prize. The old lad who has not got a chance of winning will stay till the end and then transfer his votes to the leader. This person, Mr. Paul, is intelligent and humorous and a crowd pleaser but very few people take him seriously. He is also tied to Mitt Romney as his son was set up in business by Romney. Paul never criticizes Romney and I am sure they will be a team.
Santorum came right out of nowhere and is the person to watch. He had little money at first and few followers but his work on the debates changed all that. He would be a dangerous person to be president with his values. He is extreme right wing conservative and his religion is worn on his sleeve. He is anti union which undermines women's rights but appeals to the tea party.
Religion and moral issues are up front. Two of the four are RC, one is Mormon and the other is Baptist. All the issues are on points unrelated to what people have on their minds; jobs and the economy. As the race goes on there is almost a sense that the Republicans will field a weak possible President. I sense that many of the people are just so turned off by the negative advertisement that they just don't care. Personally I love to watch the race but this one is like no other and we could possibility be in for a new candidate entering the race. Whatever happens America is in need of sound leadership and I hope the election solves that problem.
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