Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! I see in the media that more and more people are moving to smaller towns and rural areas during this never-ending pandemic. Here's an idea if you are considering such a move. Pick an area near wineries. There is only one drawback I can think of and that is the number of tipsy tourists driving by any one time, but......there are a number of positives. Look at the picture and think "walks". Boomers love to walk and gawk, and let's face it, the scenery in these areas is fabulous! Also, I get quick access to wineries for an afternoon drink/snack on a scenic patio, I get to hear live music playing close by, I can get part-time work fairly easily(like picking season), and if I run out of wine.....a bottle is just around the corner! Combined with orchards and hobby farms that frequent my region, I live in just a very beautiful spot. One example is blossoms in the spring! Think about it Boomers as you plan for the future. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! My wife will be happy with my blog topic today. It is......plants, lots of plants, being grown indoors during this winter of COVID. I would like to take some credit, but it is really just my wife's dedication to gardening year-round that supplies us with fresh herbs and vegetables. Not to brag, but we are eating cherry tomatoes, green onions, chives, kale, a little bit of lettuce and various-other herbs from our kitchen garden. We have a good southern exposure which provides lots of sunshine, a light lamp, and one of those water-fed "AeroGarden" growers. The yellow flags you see, in the picture, are sticky bug catchers and we are the watering team. Apparently, light daily watering is the key to happy plants. It is also another key to Boomer sanity over this long winter. Try it. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! We need to walk, we need to hike, we need to bike.....to get heart healthy exercise Boomers. I think we all know that, but watch out for hazards along the way! This picture may not be the best example of that, but think about these things: sheets of black ice under snow can lead to a broken hip, flying rocks from passing vehicles can puncture an eye, aggressive coyotes can attack people walking with dogs, and slippery mud with frozen ground underneath can precipitate a fall. Also, there are lots of prowling cougar stories in the media right now. Wearing proper footwear, carrying a cellphone, bear spray, and a loud whistle are some good preventative ideas. Enjoy the outdoors Boomers....be active, but be careful. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Try new things....again! That is my advice today as I reflect on my first snowshoe experience of the winter. I went out on the weekend with my wife and friends(physically distanced with no social gatherings before or after) and had a fabulous time! There was no snow at my house, but just a 20 minute drive away was fluffy powder about a foot deep. We did a mountain route through trees, along a craggy ravine, in full sunshine, with our dogs bounding happily in the snow. We had a small snack lunch break halfway along and just revelled in our wonderful outdoor experience! Hiking on snowshoes is great because you can be a leader or follower. Leading means you exert more energy by breaking trail; following means you get to walk in more-packed snow in others' footsteps. Both are fun and you should try both for the complete experience! And hats off to my one friend who broke a snowshoe, but still hiked with us the rest of the way with a great attitude!

Today is your day Boomer! For me, optimism is the spice of life! I look out my window today and I see all the snow in my backyard has disappeared from yesterday; the temperature forecast is 9 degrees, and February is gone in less than a week. Even the local weatherman, an expert meteorologist, stated recently that we are "pretty much done with winter in the valley bottoms". You know what this means? Spring has sprung.....I hope. Except in the mountain highway passes. Don't expect anything different up there, at least for awhile yet. So, we shouldn't travel outside of our local health region....according to COVID health recommendations and the mountain snow. We'll continue to stick it out and get ready for the green, green grass of spring. Yes! Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Because of COVID and all of its " bad news", sometimes Boomers need a little comic relief! You'll remember that the working world every Friday often has a more laid- back approach.....a drink after work, the wearing of jeans, a restaurant lunch, snacks in the staff meetings: all kinds of things happen. It's great. We, Boomers, sometimes miss all that since many of us are retired. So...since today is Friday, I have something for you. You can still do all those things mentioned above, virtually or in take-out mode, I think. But we all could use a little of this.....look at the picture and imagine yourself at an old folks home during COVID. No, on second thought, avoid those places please! Instead, seek out an "old volks home"!!! TGIF......cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Well, I did it.....I mean, we did it. My wife and I finally bit the bullet and applied for my Canada Pension Plan yesterday! It's a tough decision because there are a million internet articles telling us to take it at various times from ages 60-75. I am almost 63 and will receive about a thousand dollars a month minus taxes, but it was something I wrote on this blog this week that really got me thinking. The average age of death in Canada is about 82; that means I may have only 20 more years to live! It never really hit me before. Also, my family has a history of both cancer and heart disease. And, I've already had one heart surgery with another one (valve replacement) scheduled for possibly next year. So, why not take my CPP early and live a little? Once COVID is over, we can maybe take two trips a year instead of one and enjoy our last few decades. My wife can also take over my CPP with survivor benefits. Makes sense. A Boomer wakeup c

Today is your day Boomer! We, Boomers, get blamed for alot of things. Overpopulation, global warming, liberalization of society...just name a few. We even get blamed for Donald Trump....who barely qualifies as a Baby Boomer at age 74. Then there is this. A website-sciencea2z.com-is now blaming us for what it calls "poor food habits". Their list is long and includes things like ketchup, tv dinners, meatloaf, cornflakes, canned soup, meat and potatoes, processed cheese, boiled vegetables, pop, paper napkins, and white toast. They say many of these food products are bad for you and make eating bland and unappealing. What? These are some of my favourite foods! Imagine french fries without ketchup or a grilled cheese sandwich without a nice hot cup of Campbells Tomato Soup? I can't believe this. What a pile of baloney......oops, maybe we'll get blamed for that sandwich meat too! Oh well, we can take the heat. Cheers and good eating!

Today is your day Boomer! And according to a website entitled "thesilverlining.com", the Baby Boomer Generation is one of "optimism, achievement, and exploration". I like it. What can say about a generation that had to rebuild this world after the horrors of World War Two? A generation that had to be filled with "optimists" as they worked hard to make a better world. Is this you too? Do you see this winter of COVID as gloomy, long, and depressing or do you see it as one of change and opportunity? Are you not exercising more? Have you picked up the ukelele or piano for the first time in forty years? Are you learning to communicate better with virtual programs like Zoom? Are you going back to school on-line? Are you spending more quality time with your immediate household family? Boomers, it's all about attitude. As a generation, let's make the best of our remaining time on earth....even during a pandemic. Need I remind you that the a

Today is your day Boomer! And of course today is Family Day! This is really important for Boomers because many of us came from large families. The fertility rate for women in Canada in 1960 was about four; this is reflected in this picture of me and my siblings (six of us!).....all born in the 1950s and early 1960s. Same with my wife's family, with four children in the home. I know another Boomer family that, I think, had 10 kids! This meant lots of BIG family gatherings on special days; I remember hosting 22 people on a Christmas one year when I was young. Today, the birth rate is now 1.5 as more and more couples choose career over multiple children. This means we cannot replace dying seniors with Canadian-born children; we have to look to immigration to fulfill that need. But there is one thing I know; my wife and I still value family. We had three kids.....which is something to celebrate.....especially on a day like this. Enjoy your family time. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! And today may be the day for you to try something new. It is International Winter GoByBike Day and if you look at the picture......this could be something kool, no pun intended! Fat-knobby tires, layers and layers of clothing, goggles, and a touque under a helmet may be the way to go. But I do have some misgivings. It is darn cold today...colder than minus 10 and biking adds a wind chill factor which makes it even more frozen! Also, there is the issue of ice. A retired friend of mine, a few years ago, decided to take a corner too fast on his bike.....hit a sheet of ice and broke his hip. Yikes. Try their website and get lots of tips to avoid this and hopefully enjoy your day. The main thing is to get outside and stay active. Sorry, but my bike will stay in the shed.....for now. Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! Some of my blog entries in the past two months have insisted that you go "up" in elevation to escape the dreary days of COVID and winter. I have included fantastic pictures of clear, sunny days on mountains filled with snow. Nice, but.....I was wrong. Take a look at this picture. It comes from my daughter who lives close to the Fraser River and Pacific Ocean near Delta, B.C.. It too is beautiful.....low elevation, marsh land, an incredible sky, and walking trails galore! This reminds me that there is beauty no matter where we live in this province! It is "Beautiful British Columbia" and Boomers are very lucky to live here.....and walk, and jog, and bike where ever we want. It must be so. Just ask all the former Alberta/Saskatchewan retirees who now make their home here. I'll stop there. Time for a walk. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! And today is a day or night for a temporary job if you want it. That's right, this recent Arctic cold spell means some wineries in the Okanagan are picking their ice wine grapes and they need pickers! Hardy pickers, that is......people, like you, that can work in the cold for long hours and do some manual labour. I think the temperature has to be at least -8 Celcius, so they often pick into the night hours. Why would Boomers do this? For the money, obviously, to supplement their pensions but also for the "experience"! You might only do it once in your life just to get the feeling.....the atmosphere. That's great. And it is just like other Boomers who pick up odd jobs at various times; working with Census Canada is an employment opportunity right now, as is a job with Elections Canada if Justin Trudeau calls a federal election this year. These are great, short-term opportunities for Boomers. They keep us fresh, active and alive in

Today is your day Boomer! And I think today is another good day to celebrate being "Canadian" as Donald Trump's second impeachment trial begins in Washington. We could wear red and white or watch a little hockey, but.....wait a minute, how about erecting our maple leaf flag on the front of our houses? My in-laws used to do this on their retirement home on Vancouver Island and I always thought it was a great idea! Why not celebrate living in one of the best countries in the world? A nation of freedom, democracy, diversity, a relatively-clean environment, and human rights. They do it alot in America where pride seems to spill over on numerous occasions. But I do see it here too....and often on the front of Boomer homes. In fact, my next-door neighbour proudly displays his flag, just like schools do. Way to go Canuck Boomers! I say show your loyalty, raise your respect, and appreciate what we've got.....up here in the Great White North! Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! What about a traditional day? I mean, food wise. Yesterday, we snacked on Superbowl goodies like wings and nachos....but is it time for a good ol' meat and potatoes dinner? Look at this picture from a recent meal in my house and tell me if it doesn't look good. I know, I know.....more and more Boomers are transitioning to vegetarian for health reasons, but once in a while how about roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, brocolli, and lots of gravy?! Remind you of Sunday dinner from days gone by? Everything in moderation for us Boomers. That includes red meat, alcohol, chocolate, and gummy bears! We can still "live it up"....once in a while. Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! Actually, Sunday is your big day and the same can be said for about half of all Canadians.......it is Superbowl time! 3:30 game time, Tampa Bay vs Kansas City, Brady against Mahomes, winner take all! What a great game! But what if you are not a football fan and have always avoided this annual ritual? Well, I say give it a try. The game itself may not have meaning to you, but the entertainment value is still there. Two reasons: the incredible new, often-funny commercials and the half-time show. The commercials are worth your while themselves....but the half-way concert always features big stars like Springsteen or Jennifer Lopez! This year is cool because it is a Canadian R&B performer The Weekend. Throw-in some great food and cold beverages and you have four hours of fun during a bummer pandemic time. Want company besides your live-in family? Turn on your computer beside your couch and virtual call your friends.....make it a group call and sha

Today is your day Boomer! Is there anything wrong with this picture? Except for lack of professional quality, I don't think so. Boomers, is it wrong to feel guilty that you may stay inside today with a good book, a comfortable chair, and a warm fire? No. How did you spend the past 40 years? Let me guess.....rushing around, raising kids, making meals, cleaning the house, going to work, and maybe reading a book for a few minutes at night before you collapse into a stressful-life sleep. You deserve this "down time"; you have earned the right to do whatever you want to do when you want to do it. That includes reading a compelling book in two days flat with your feet up and a clear conscience. Don't feel guilty; feel happy! This is retirement on some days. And more advice? Throw in an energetic walk part-way through the day. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! How much of your day is spent on electronics? If you're like me, probably too much. But it is a result of long, gloomy, cold winter days and COVID restrictions....right? It's okay, but we still have to get outside, exercise, and activate our brains, inside. However, it doesn't have to a computer game or Sodoku on-line; it could be an old-fashioned table puzzle like this one in the picture. It was a toughie, but my wife did most of it over a period of about a week. One thousand pieces-many of similar colour-that challenged her intellect and made her strategize and think. That's what us Boomers need. Our working lives, for the most part, are over.......so, we need something daily to exercise our brain cells too! It will keep us stimulated, alert, and more alive. Medical experts also believe it works against Boomers getting dementia. So, go "old school" and try a puzzle.....maybe for the first time in years! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! I miss my Dad. It is hard to visit a 90-year-old senior during this difficult time of COVID. He is sticking very close to home, as am I, and we are about a four-hour drive apart over some very snowy, mountain highways. But......we have discovered "Bridge Base", which is a free, on-line card game that now connects me, my Dad, and my two brothers twice a week. We play with two computers in front of us; one is for the actual bridge game and one is for Facebook Messenger so we can see and talk back and forth to one another! It is like being there in-person and we always leave time for socialization before and after the games. My Dad thanks us all the time. Bridge is his passion; it keeps him active, thinking, and purposeful and he can pass along words of wisdom and strategy to his three sons. For me, it is a great connection and I have extended it to my four Boomer friends, so.....we play bridge virtually too! Boomers, you can do this for alm

Today is your day Boomer! This is Murray; he is a B.C. Boomer and he has a great lesson for all of us! Instead of an-person medical appointment with his doctor, he requested a phone appointment. What happened? He picked a lake with good cell phone coverage and went ice fishing, and during his doctor's call, he caught this huge fish!! I'll say it again.....while talking to his doctor, he hooked this massive trout and the doctor actually helped in the catching process. The doctor is a fisherman too! Wow....so, what is the lesson? As Boomers, many of us have medical appointments and we likely stay home all day waiting them. Not Murray. Living life to the fullest, he remained active.....in the great outdoors and was rewarded with the biggest fish of his life! So, let's get out there too and, despite health roadblocks, we can have great experiences! Way to go Murray. Cheers!