Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! And today may be the day you get scammed by someone trying to take your money! A friend of mine recently sent me this fraud info article from the Bank of Montreal, a credible source. So, anything quoted here is directly from BMO. Does this sound familiar? A text, e-mail, social media ad or even a phone call wanting something from you: your personal info and/or money? Here are four common scams: (1)Bank impersonation scams--How to help protect yourself: Hang up or don’t click or reply, then call your bank using the number on the back of your bank card. (2)Tech support scams--How to help protect yourself: Hang up. Legitimate tech support providers will not call, text, or email you unless you reach out to them first. (3)Grandparent scams--How to help protect yourself: Hang up and try to contact that family member through a trusted number, or contact another close relative to check in. (4)Investment scams--How to help protect yourself: Remember, if it seems too ...

Today is your day Boomer! Many Boomers are voracious readers...and it amazes me what you learn when you read both fiction and non-fiction! For example, things I didn't know about the Fab Four...from John Ewing's 1994 biography "The Beatles": *Former names of the band: Quarrymen, Silver Beetles, Rainbows, Johnny and the Moondogs. *"Beetles" was a take-off name on the backup band, The Crickets, for Buddy Holly. *The name that stuck was "Beatles" based on the old term "The Beat" or Rock n’Roll. *Both John and Paul had their Moms die at an early age. *George joined the band very young at age 15 and didn’t get much respect. *Richard Starkey joined as drummer and changed his name to a shortened Starr and Ringo because of all the rings he wore on his fingers. *John and Paul wrote over 50 songs in their first two years, but only “Love Me Do” was a hit, their first big hit. *Paul, in the early days, taught John how to tune a guitar. *John’s firs...

Today is your day Boomer! I woke up today to a full orchestra of bird sounds, as they flitted in and around my backyard. Hundreds of them, all with something seemingly important to say. But what are they saying to the world or each other? So, I did research, research, research.....on some very credible websites like the Audubon Society. The word on bird noise seems to go like this: there are bird songs and bird calls, and they are different. Songs are used to defend territory and attract mates. Therefore, it’s the males that sing the most—usually during breeding season...often a longer melody. Calls, on the other hand, tend to be shorter and simpler—often just one syllable long. Experts say the main messages are about territory, mates, food, and danger. For example, a short shrill sound may be a danger warning about a nearby hungry hawk. But...I listen to them a lot, so I know what birds are really saying: "Your orange friend is pretty, is she dating?" or "That birdfe...

Today is your day Boomer! Many Boomers are golfers, and we are really missing it right now....because it is winter! Some go to warm zones(like Arizona) to practice and play, some play virtual golf on computers, some play courses on big screens indoors, and some just hit into nets in their garage. It is a sport, but it is also recreation and socialization with friends and family. Okay, so this got me thinking: what does golf mean? I think we all know the game came from Scotland and the actual word may mean cuff or strike...as in the ball! But what we can't agree on is the word "golf" as an acronym. There are joke acronyms like the one in the cartoon, and Game of Lying Frequently, historically outdated ones like Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden....or ones made up by people like me: Get Older Lot Faster. This one applies to golfers who use carts instead of walking, drink too much on the course, and curse and swear over every missed shot. You will get older quicker if...

Today is your day Boomer! Relaxing in my hot tub this morning, I had reflections of the 1970 CCR song "Lookin' out my Back Door". Yes, that kind of druggy, but catchy song, about the view of your backyard. Mine is spectacular: colourful sunrises, big ponderosa pines, cheer, apple, fir, and weeping willow trees, two mountains, sheep and chickens next door, two frolicking golden retrievers, beautiful green grass and what seems like a thousand birds...including quail, pheasant, chickadees, woodpeckers, and blue jays. And what else? Well....the quiet, the solitude, and the chance for reflection with no sirens, car noise, yelling people, or neighbours invading your privacy. It was...is...just beautiful, and I am so blessed to live in a rural area in BC's Okanagan Valley. Boomers, what's out your back door? John Fogerty's "tangerines and elephants" or something like my cheeries and coyotes? Check it out and appreciate the little things in life. Cheers...

Today is your day Boomer! "83 per cent of Canadians don't get enough physical activity, 30 per cent have high blood pressure and 31 per cent are obese."(CBC.ca) Do these numbers shock you? They should. They reflect a recent study of over 30,000 Canadians aged 45 or older, and they point to increased risk of dementia. Yikes! But what can we do as a generation of Boomers to reduce this risk? Here are 12 "controllable" strategies according to the medical experts: Physical inactivity Hearing loss, Obesity, Hypertension, Mid-life traumatic brain injury, Depression, Less education early in life, Sleep disturbances, Diabetes, Smoking, Excessive alcohol consumption, and Social isolation. Now, some of these are less-controllable than others....but number one, by far, is exercise! And they mean at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week! Are you doing this? About 700,000 Canadians have dementia and that number is expected to double in th...