Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! It is easy to criticize 2021 on this last day of the year. The negative list is long: neverending COVID, floods, heat domes, forest fires, aggressive Russia, tornadoes, increasing racism/intolerance, discovery of mass graves at Canadian residential schools, anti-maskers/vaxxers...and the list goes on. Even yesterday, Colorado was hit with a massive fire that destroyed over 500 homes! But some of us are not like that; we are true optimists even in a time of despair. Try thinking of these POSITIVE 2021 happenings instead: Biden IN and Trump OUT as U.S. President(whew!), Dr. Bonnie Henry(the "stay calm" Provincial Health Officer in B.C.) who continues to display great pandemic leadership, the construction workers who worked 24/7 to reopen the flood-ravaged Coquihalla Highway before Christmas, the tremendous fortitude and compassion of health care COVID frontline workers, the awesome volunteerism on display when neighbours suffered loss of homes, t

Today is your day Boomer! I know many Boomers appreciate the lure of nature....the scenery, the feel, sounds, and flora and fauna of wilderness and the natural environment. A lot of us hike and mountain bike on beautiful trails and often drive through incredible parks like the Banff-Jasper Corridor in the Rockies. And we all take pictures....mostly with cellphones that do a pretty good job, but what about a step up? I have a long-time friend who does professional-grade work with high-quality cameras, and the result is incredible photos.....see picture! Want more? Access "George Sasaki Photography" on FaceBook and see what I mean. This is a great non-Omicron activity for all of us.....as we seek some isolation away from the virus; Boomers, we can easily access great pics and take some ourselves as we head outside on beautiful, snowy, sunny days. And it could become a serious hobby like my Boomer friend George.....thanks buddy! Go Mother Nature! Cheers everyone.

Today is your day Boomer! We grew up with radio....with DJs, hit music, our favourite stations, and lots of commercials. For many Boomers, it was the only way we could get good, new music fast. Simply, it was part of our lives. And I have personal experience in this world because in my 20's, I briefly became a disc jockey....then switched to radio news and sports reporting for 8 years. But what about today? To quote The Buggles and their 1980 song, has "video killed the radio star"? No doubt about it. With the advent of older media like MTV and newer ones like YouTube....and the internet and social media in general, radio is somewhat of a lost art. It is still there, but how many of you know names of famous DJs and how many listen to radio on a regular basis? Some Boomers may still do....out of habit, but younger generations listen to speciality music sources like Spotify and Apple Music. They have choice of songs and no commercials. So, Boomers, is it time f

Today is your day Boomer! This week is filled with discount shopping, cold outdoor activities and lots of family time with games. One great game I just discovered is "OK Boomer".....just over 20$ and available at most game stores and Amazon. It is a generational trivia test game with lots of questions that challenge so-called "old school" groups(like us Boomers!) versus "new school" generations like everyone else: for example, Generation Z and Millennials. There are a variety of questions on these topics: TV shows, movies, dress, technology, history, trends, slang, and music. A good question, which my twenty-something kids, could not answer was "Who was the Fab Four?" Another wrong answer was "Which popular TV sitcom featured The Fonz?" Easy questions for Boomers, but hard for youngsters who didn't grow up with The Beatles.....on the radio constantly, and Happy Days, every Tuesday Night at 8 o'clock! A great game....lots

Today is your day Boomer! Are you missing hockey like me? The NHL is on COVID-hold and my urge to see puck action is starved! So, Boomers, how about the World Junior Championships beginning today in Edmonton? It is fannnnnnnntastic hockey with our young guys going for gold against the likes of Sweden, Russia, Finland, and the USA. Canada's team features the first 16-year-old, Connor Bedard, in many years....in fact, since Connor McDavid, and you know how good he turned out! This team is good, well-balanced, playing at home, and filled with stars. And the hockey is outstanding....as these kids play with incredible emotion! If you have never watched it, tune in at 4:00 Pacific time on TSN and not only get a hockey fix.....but a big taste of Canadian nationalism when we all probably need some good news. And different news....something other than Omicron, travel restrictions, freezing weather, and skyrocketing inflation. Boomers, Czech it out....how Swede it will be....Canad

Today is your day Boomer! When I watched Tiger Woods make his amazing comeback in the world of golf last weekend, it really hit home. Tiger and his 12-year-old son Charlie competed in the PNC Championship in Florida only 10 months after the car accident that crippled the father and nearly cost him a leg. They scored 11 straight birdies on the final day and finished 2nd behind another duo that featured a college-level golf son, not a boy who isn't even a teen yet! What an accomplishment! It reminded me again of the importance of family. Imagine the support in the Woods Family as Tiger healed his broken legs....imagine the emotion of a doing a comeback with your son when the sports world was expecting so much from the game's greatest player. Tiger could have played like crap and his family would still be high-fiving him! Similarly, I have a strong family unit. We play golf, I just went through 4 broken ribs and a punctured lung in a sports accident, and my wife and kids

Today is your day Boomer! The Winter Olympics in China will not be the same.....it will likely be a watered-down version of the Games as at least one main feature will be absent. The NHL has announced that none of its players will attend, meaning the top players in the world will not be there! That means Connor McDavid of Canada(see picture) and Leon Draisaitl of Germmany, the top two in NHL scoring, cannot represent their nations. For other aging greats, like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Patrice Bergeron, this would likely have been the last kick-at-the-cat in their Olympic lives. Too bad....so many great players will not entertain us; instead, expect lower-level professionals, college, and junior players. I will not watch, I just can't...and I am an avid hockey fan! What other sports are next: curling, figure skating, or maybe any event that is indoors?! We have COVID and fast-spreading Omicron to think about, and China and the International Olympic Committee.....pl

Today is your day Boomer! Some times I feel guilty cutting down a Christmas tree every year....afterall, as a planet we sacrifice 120 million trees to the holidays every season! I know, I know, it means a ton of business for growers and it is a well-established industry. This is our tree, all decorated and ready for the big day....but how about after that? What do you do with that now-unwanted hunk of green that is starting to drop needles all over your nice carpet? Here is some social media advice I found on-line: Use living Christmas trees that come with their roots intact. The roots and the earth around them can be planted into a bucket with potting soil, sawdust or other type of mulch. The tree should be replanted outdoors as soon as possible. There are even some companies that rent living trees which they replant after the holidays. If you have a garden, the trunk can be used as a decorative piece and it can also serve as a resting spot for birds and other types of small ani

Today is your day Boomer! It is a good news/bad news day as the clock strikes December 21....just four days before Christmas. A pessimist will state the following: oh no, it is the Winter Solstice, the shortest, darkest, dreariest day of the year. Oh darn, winter is now officially here, so it means three months of cold, snow, and ice. And oh rats, just 4 days before Xmas and my shopping isn't done! Meanwhile, the optimist(like me!) will say: December 21 is the shortest day of the year, so each day will be a couple of minutes longer from now on! Oh yes, winter means lots of skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and morning views from my hot tub like the one pictured here. And oh yeah, my daughter is coming home for Christmas today and she has done most of my Christmas shopping for my wife; she is my little elf! Wow, Boomers, this blog shows us life is all about "attitude". And we need to live life for happiness every day, even if it is dark, snowy, and gloomy. Happy So

Today is your day Boomer! I know, I know.....just a few days ago I was applauding the federal government for planting two billion trees for over the next decade, and now I am out cutting one down for Christmas. A little hypocritical, you say? I guess so, but my Christmas tree will be taken down eventually anyway. You see, when you download a tree-cutting permit from the BC Forests Ministry, it says you must take a tree from the edge of a forestry road or underneath a hydro powerline. These trees always get trimmed or cut on a regular basis; that is why we can use them for Christmas(see picture). They are not always the perfect tree you get at a store, but they are free and, more than anything, you get the "experience"! Yes, pack your 4x4 with your saw, your signed permit, your dog, your mittens, a hot drink, and your family and head out into the wilderness! Hopefully, pick a sunny day and really enjoy the journey. Not alot of people do this anymore, especially city

Today is your day Boomer! This picture comes from the Rainforest Trail in Tofino, B.C. and the massive red cedar is referred to as "Tree of Life". This is certainly appropriate as early First Nations people used these trees for housing, canoes, and clothing. They were treasured and cared for.....something lacking in our world today. I mention this because Justin Trudeau and the Canadian Government have finally delivered on an election promise and announced a 2 billion tree planting program for our nation, known for its trees. This will cost about $350 million/year for 10 years and employ 4500 people.....but more importantly, help us with COVID economic recovery and reduce the effects of climate change! We know that trees are carbon dioxide scrubbers and help produce oxygen; they also stabilize the land and reduce flooding, boost our struggling forest industry and with mixed use.....encourage tourism! Do you like to hike through forests of big trees, hundreds of years

Today is your day Boomer! We live in a snowy part of the BC Interior and I can't shovel snow. Why, you ask? Because I broke 4 ribs a month ago and my doctor and physiotherapist say shovelling is a NO-NO. So, what do I do to help out my wife who is now tasked with a big driveway? Well, first of all I went to talk with a neighbour who just happens to have a big tractor with a snow blade. She was happy to help out, so I nominated her for a "snow angel" award given by the local municipal government for people who volunteer to help others with snow removal. Secondly, I asked some of my golf friends to assist when needed.....but so far, we haven't required their help. Then yesterday, I began to chip-in.....yes, not with a shovel, but a high-powered leaf blower(see picture) that runs on a big 20 volt battery! It is great for light, fluffy thin snow and is perfect for small jobs on the back porch, steps, around the hot tub and garden boxes, and our two vehicles. He

Today is your day Boomer! I am feeling like a bit of a "wino" today for two reasons: I went to the liquor store yesterday and stocked up with Christmas cheer for $115! It is a little embarrassing to walk out the door with that much booze. Secondly, those kindly research people at the University of Victoria released a study that shows liquor consumption in Canada is way up during the time of COVID! They blame things like stress and boredom at home for a 5.5% rise country-wide, which translates to increased consumption of about 1.9 billion dollars. Great for business across the country, but not so good for our health! By the way, for the average Boomer it means we are consuming about two bottles of wine each per week. And that rate is slightly higher in the BC Interior and Okanagan Valley where I live and where the grape/wine industry flourishes. However, there is a silver lining in the black cloud. Wine lifts our spirits during difficult times of flood, fire, and pan

Today is your day Boomer! Today I could talk about the the next wave of COVID.....the next freight train variant, Omicron, out of control and spreading rapidly across Canada. I could mention that cases could reach 2000 daily in B.C. by late December and I might add that our holiday season could be greatly effected....but I won't. Instead, how about some Baby Boomer comedy? Here is an excerpt from a book I read on Boomer Humour: Sam, Joe and Ben, three boomers, go out for a walk. Sam says, ''Windy, isn’t it?'' Joe says, ''No, it's Thursday.'' Ben says, ''So am I, let’s go for a drink.'' * New pick up line: Do I come here often? * Betty and her husband Bob have been married for 30 years. On their 55th birthdays, a fairy appears before them and grants them each one wish. Betty says, ''I'd like to spend a month in Hawaii.'' POOF! Two tickets to Maui appear in her hands. Bob says, ''I'd like to have

Today is your day Boomer! I would like to thank our family and friends for sending us holiday greetings this year. We get a variety of good wishes: a frozen pack of fresh fish, small canned food items, e-mail cards, social media greetings, and even paper cards. I do like the pictures integrated on the e-mail cards.....but I have to admit, I am still kind of partial to the old-fashioned snail mail variety(see picture). This card, from friends in Kelowna, featured a beautiful painting of a waterfall and numerous, seasonal-comical quips on our friendship and family lives. It was wonderful, and I appreciate the thought, time, and personal touch put into the card. Paper cards are mostly a thing of the past for many people; they are too costly(think postage), not really environmentally friendly, and a lot of work.....but I still like the concept. Boomers, perhaps another reminder of our "age" and attachment to many things "traditional". And, you know what, that

Today is your day Boomer! You still have 12 days before Christmas Boomers to sharpen-up your ukelele skills. And I don't mean your regular songs....your favs, the ones you play throughout the year. I mean Christmas songs! That's right, with family and friends coming over in the holidays, you can lead some of the festivities with a few festive songs. I downloaded 10 easy-to-play tunes yesterday with only 3-5 chords and started practicing....Christmas classics like Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, Here Comes Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman! Now, if I can do it....so can you! And you know who would really appreciate it? Your grandkids, that's right...the ones who don't focus on the mistakes you make, but the effort you take. Good rhyme; maybe I could make a song out of that?! Cheers and have a happy musical Christmas with your family. P.S. Don't forget to practice.

Today is your day Boomer! Want to watch something uplifting during these dreary times of COVID, floods, highway restrictions, and climate change? How about a musical? I hear the new version of West Side Story is getting good reviews and is out in theatres now. Seriously, you can't go wrong with a Stephen Spielberg production, can you? What about some golden oldies like Grease or Mama Mia?....both on Netflix. I watched the ABBA song-filled Mama Mia with my wife last week and found myself smiling away and singing along. The movie has some big stars(see picture) like Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnon, who do an OK job singing, but the overall production is excellent and it includes some awesome scenery of the Greek Islands....the cliffs, the turquoise water, sunsets, and some culture. By the way, the Mama Mia sequel, Here We Go Again, has more ABBA music and features Cher....who many Boomers like! Give it a whirl Boomers; it's always good the 2nd or 3rd time around and is

Today is your day Boomer! It was a glorious, sunny winter day for a hike! Check out the picture as my wife, my dog, and I headed out into the wilderness in the South Okanagan. But in the parking lot, we got a wakeup call. There were two hunters, in their full camo gear, getting ready to hunt deer on the same trail! We headed out with trepidation and hoped and wondered what might happen. It kind of puts a damper on a wonderful day as you may imagine us thinking about the possibility of bullets flying around our heads! Then it got reinforced later in the hike when we met another Boomer couple with their dog.....only, they were wearing bright jackets. In fact, the man was sporting one of those bright, reflective vests you see flag people wearing on highways. I looked down and noticed we were in basic black....not a good colour if you want high visibility in a hunting zone! So, Boomers beware. Cold weather hiking can be fun, but also dangerous. Like a good boy scout, be proper

Today is your day Boomer! Are you planning ahead? Are you considering how your finances will look as we get closer to the New Year? Most Boomers are well aware because many are on fixed incomes, pensions, and savings/investments that are subject to tiny interest rates. But....as the cost of living continues to rise, are you budgetting for it? We hear in the news today that groceries will go up 7% in 2022; that is about $1000, and it will be the biggest increase in over a decade! I know my teachers' pension has an annual inflationary increase....I am lucky....but it is usually only around 1.5-2%. That means I am falling behind and I have to look to make cuts in my spending habits. Maybe, it is fewer restaurant dinners, golf games, less options on my cell phone, or one less camping vacation per year. However, here's another way to save money; grow more of your own food, freeze or can it, and swap extra veggies and fruit you have with a friend who has eggs or meat. This

Today is your day Boomer! Quite often people complain that we pay too much in taxes. In fact, we all pay our fair share of federal, provincial, and municipal taxes....and they seem to go up every year! But.....what a great idea, bringing in the military to help out in disasters. About 500 men and women came to BC recently to help with flooding and dike work in the Fraser Valley, and around 350 arrived last summer to fight forest fires in the Interior. This is GREAT use of taxpayers' money.....considering, as a nation, we spend about 22 billion dollars a year on our military and we employ 42,000 service people in the army, navy, and airforce. These people do a fantastic job; did you watch news coverage of them sandbagging for multiple hours on end in Abbotsford? Did you see them spraying, shovelling, and raking in unbearable sun and smoke in the summer heat dome? Our tax dollars at work, and I favour doing more and more of this across our country. We are basically a peace-

Today is your day Boomer! My focus the past few days has been protest blogs.....so, how about something different? Let's do lifestyle Boomers, and getting out there and enjoying life again! I see Alice Cooper is coming to Penticton this spring and this reminds me that many of these old rockers are, or will be, touring North America again very soon. My wife and I have seen three great concerts in the past few years: McCartney, Elton John, and The Doobie Brothers. Another Boomer couple we know saw The Eagles, and then check out this concert list from my sibling and his wife: John Pine, John Sebastion, Gordon Lightfoot, Judy Collins, Don McLean, Tony Bennett, Stephen Stills, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Sergio Mendes.....and more, like James Taylor in this picture who sung incredible hits from the 1970s like "Fire and Rain" and "How Sweet It Is". This Boomer couple, in their 60's, usually travel to these shows with another couple and make a holid

Today is your day Boomer! It seems we are finally into "winter" in British Columbia. After a few weeks of heavy rain and flooding, even the BC coast is getting the white stuff! But what about the highway situation and the concept of "essential travel"? I think the government has one point of view and it is very restrictive....while individuals may believe something else. For example, ski hills like Big White in Kelowna and Sun Peaks near Kamloops are already complaining about numerous cancelled bookings due to the provincial order. But to them, open highways are very important and after two pandemic winters, a good "business" winter is "essential" for them. Plus, many people will think that a ski holiday is good for their mental well-being and is also essential. Is a student coming home for Christmas essential? Apparently, it is. But driving him/her back is not! What? And why is a work conference in Vancouver considered okay?.....that

Today is your day Boomer! Okay usually I take a day off from my blog on Sundays, but this sickened me so much I just had to share my thoughts?! This awful picture is a US Congressman from Kentucky posting on Twitter his family Chistmas picture. The caption underneath reads "Merry Christmas. PS Santa, please send ammo!" That is the politician, Thomas Massie, in the bottom left corner. Okay.....deep breath Dave. Is this guy the biggest idiot in the world?! This picture comes just a few days after America was shocked by the high school shootings in Michigan where a young teen killed 4 classmates and injured many others. Add to this, his parents have been arrested for somehow aiding their son in the killing spree! How insensitive, how stupid, how....how....?! And look at how Canada is so different from the United States. Would something like this happen in our country? I don't think so. Well, have a happy Sunday Boomers! Today, in my part of the world it is sunny

Today is your day Boomer! After watching the second part of The Beatles' documentary "Get Back", I began to wonder about the prevalance of smoking in Canada. John, Paul, George, and Ringo were all chainsmokers back in 1969 when their album was being produced....and it sure is pretty disgusting to watch! Then I began to think about my two athletic parents who became heavy smokers in the 1960s and then my mother dying of cancer at a young age.....likely related to tobacco. It seemed almost everyone smoked back then, even during tennis matches(check out the picture!) I remember my high school in the 1970s had separate smoking rooms for the tecahers and the students! Thankfully today, society has drastically changed! The latest research shows only about 12% of Canadians smoke, either regularly or on occassion, and that number continues to drop. Seniors, many of whom are Boomers, are at 8% and I don't have any friends who smoke! Now, maybe a doobie once in awhile

Today is your day Boomer! Okay Beatles lovers....another show for you to watch! I am only 1/3 of the way through the three part documentary "Get Back" but I am already strongly recommending it. It is based on video taken from 2 weeks in early 1969 when John, Paul, George, and Ringo gathered in a small studio and recorded 14 songs for their last album. This record would feature tremendous hits like "Let It Be", "The Long and Winding Road", and of course, "Get Back". But talk about pressure; four talented musicians in one room, all day, every day, working together, bickering, eating, drinking, smoking, and trying to create hit songs out of nothing. Without giving too much away, you will notice things like Paul's creativity, John's sense of humour, George's tremendous skill, and Ringo's silence. Other things to watch for are the role of two wives, Yoko and Linda, the constant irritating smoking, the live performance(hint: roo

Today is your day Boomer! Get rid of the Queen? You've got to be kidding! The call came again this week after Barbados separated itself from the British crown after 400 years of rule. Canada has talked about the same thing numerous times over the past 20 years, but I hear it would be a difficult constitutional process. You would need unanimous approval from the House of Commons, the Senate, and all 10 provincial legislatures, plus First Nations consultation. Some provinces, like Newfoundland, are very loyal to the Crown and would likely say no. But how about Boomers? Cross-country surveys now indicate only about 1/4 of Canadians want to keep the Queen....but I bet alot of those are Boomers! Am I wrong or are we rather traditional and old fashioned? Many of us like the "good ol' days" and are resistant to change. I don't know, I kind of like the pomp and circumstance of royalty, plus they have no real power in Canada, and I like to follow all the family

Today is your day Boomer! All this "bad news" is starting to get to me.....even news broadcasters are admitting that there is very little of the "good" news variety out there. Well, wrong in the weather front! These so-called "atmospheric rivers" are causing havoc on the west coast in B.C., but in the Okanagan Valley.....all is good. As I peer out my window this morning, it is already 12 degrees and the "river" has petered out in the interior rainshadow leaving us a glorious day ahead! Check out the picture which is the forecast for Summerland on December 1st. We are set to shatter the temperature record for warmth and many of us are going golfing, hiking, biking, and walking in the sunshine! Thank you climate gods. I guess it all depends on where you live. And this is not to take away from the flooding hardships people are dealing with in places like Abbotsford and Hope. But last summer, we suffered through heat domes and horrific for