Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! Are you one of those Boomers that use cannabis edibles....the candies or maybe cookies for recreational or medical use? Afterall, Boomers did grow up in the so-called drug era and many continue to use. Are you also grandparents and have little kids in your house on a regular basis? According to a new study, this is a problem....especially in provinces like BC, Alberta, and Ontario. Children in these provinces are somehow getting access to these edibles and eating them! According to The New England Journal of Medicine, "unlike adults where they would mostly get high, maybe a little bit drowsy, when young children ingest edibles, they may become very, very sick. We've seen kids with seizures, kids who stopped breathing." The study shows after legalization of cannabis in 2018 to now, cases of kids eating edibles has risen from 2 to 15 per month. That's a huge increase and very concerning! The edibles cannot be sold in fancy, colourful

Today is your day Boomer! It is not really what we want to hear....but, here it is Boomers. A new study says we have to cut down our alcohol consumption. Yup....down to less than SIX drinks per week. That means one glass of wine for dinner on only five nights in a seven-day week, or some other combination. If you drink more, your chances of getting diseases like cancer, heart and liver issues rise dramatically! Yikes! Here are the "old" guidelines from a CBC website: "those suggested no more than 10 standard drinks a week for women and 15 standard drinks a week for men. One of the reasons the 2011 recommendations were higher was because of a belief that alcohol had some good health benefits for cardiovascular disease. But now, new research shows that is probably not the case anymore." So, my daily glass of red wine is now not good for the heart. By the way, the new recommendations are especially directed at women who suffer disease like breast cancer. 700

Today is your day Boomer! I guess we all learn a big lesson once in awhile. For me, it was a few nights ago on the famed Coquihalla HIghway in BC's interior. Pulling my boat back from our summer cabin resulted in a trailer tire blowout at 100km and a scary experience. My son and I had to change the tire on the side of a very busy highway with semi-trucks thundering past extremely close! It was a "challenge" as my son said, but was not fun. Sure enough my lesson was assuming trailer tires that still looked relatively new after 10 years were actually okay. According to Sport Fishing Magazine, I made a mistake: "treads on tires for boat ­trailers don’t really wear out. More often, the sidewalls deteriorate over time, showing signs of cracking in the rubber exterior. Yet even tires that look OK can fool you. After a few years, the laminates rot from within, and that can lead to blowouts. So you can’t really judge an old trailer tire by its looks. That’s why it is

Today is your day Boomer! Another day and another story of a Boomer doing amazing things. He is Bert terHart, a 63-year-old adventurer, who is in the midst of a 4000 mile canoe/walk marathon across Canada. It reminds me of the early days of Canada as fur traders like Alexander MacKenzie and Simon Fraser endured many months of difficult travel over raging rivers, high mountains, and mosquito-infested prairie, but terHart says he is following indigenous trail routes and is learning alot about their historical way of life. And it is grueling as Bert grinds out 12 hours and 40km per day, is about five months done, and has made it across Canada from BC through Ontario! He says "the pace is relentless; the hardest part is not the physicality. (It’s) the mental discipline you need to get up and paddle every single day.” He has a blog if you want to follow his progress. So, we salute you Bert....keep on chugging. Hope to see you in November on the edge of the Atlantic! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! He may not be a Baby Boomer, but-at age 54-he is pretty close......so, we can pay tribute to him. He is Brent Hobbs and he swims 1.8km, about a half hour, to work every day! Yes, and he does it both ways and.....he drags a laptop and a change of clothes in a waterproof bag as well. This guy is inspiring! He says "I do marathon swims. I train for triathlon. If there's an epic snowfall, I'll cross-country ski to work. I look for innovative, non-carbon-polluting ways to get to work, and it's healthy." He is from Kelowna, BC so he swims in Okanagan Lake which is usually calm in the morning and very wavy and windy in the afternoon, so it is challenging. But it is also very cool on hot days and he swims under the crowded lake-crossing bridge which is normally slow and packed with cars. What a great role model! Watch out for boats Brent. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! You know you are having a bad day when.......? Yeh, for me, it might be when I stub my toe, get a sunburn, or run out of gas. For the man in this picture, it was the first global case of a person with COVID, Monkeypox, and HIV at the same time. A 36 year-old Italian man who went on holiday in a crowded city in Spain and had unprotected sex. Whew. This world is pretty tough right now, and this makes me think of a comment from a friend I heard recently. He said pretty soon all of us will have had COVID.....and I say NO because many Boomers, like me, are still taking lots of precautions: hand washing, masking up indoors, avoiding crowds etc. The world is still experiencing over one million new COVID cases every day! Don't fool yourself, it is not over. Medical expects are predicting another possible wave this fall and we have to be ready....

Today is your day Boomer! Hi Boomers....headed out golfing today? It is a tough game, which gets even tougher if you try playing with a medical issue. Yes, as we get older we get injured more often and suffer from age-related issues like heart disease, cancer, and strokes. But this 65 year-old man is inspiring for all of us! Nananimo's Sandy Harper was hit by a stroke two years ago and recently his comeback featured a win at the BC Senior Mens Golf Championship! Harper told B.C. Golf that it’s affected his vision and hand-eye co-ordination and it’s been frustrating not to be able to hit certain shots with the ease that he could before. “If I didn’t play golf I don’t think I would have been as frustrated after having the stroke as I have been. Golf showed me that I am not the same person that I was in that regard,” Harper said. "But the flip side is the support you get from the golfing fraternity. That has been amazing.” Way to go Sandy! Your optimism, hard work, and su

Today is your day Boomer! Heading to the lake or ocean again today? Expect to see lots of standup paddleboarders. It is called SUP, it came to us from Hawaii in the past century, and it is the newest trend for Boomers. You standup, sitdown, or kneel on these hard or blowup boards and paddle to your heart's content. Most boards are relative inexpensive, they come in cool colours and different sizes, and they are easy to carry and launch. And according to the Airhead website, here are 8 more benefits of SUP: (1) Gets you on your feet (2) Reduces stress levels (3) Helps with balance (4) Exercises your whole body; "believe it or not, it takes your entire body to use your SUP inflatable paddle board well. This means that while you’re paddle boarding, you’ll be working your back muscles, core, arms, legs, shoulders, and torso, offering you a whole body workout". (5) Low impact workout (6) Helps you lose weight (7) Boosts your cardio health (8) Great spot for meditation.

Today is your day Boomer! When you think Armstrong, you may think cheese.....but now, you may think SUNFLOWERS. The small agricultural community north of Vernon in BC's Okanagan is opening its 2nd sunflower festival this week, and it is bigger and better this year! Eight acres, 250,000 sunflowers, and 25 varieties....and according to one organizer: there are lots of the traditional yellow, but "we have red ones, white ones, cream ones, we even have a green and a purple variety. They are not in bloom yet but they will be hopefully by this weekend if not halfway through next week." Rows and rows of beauty, and certainly a great agritourist attraction for Boomers. Tickets are about 20 bucks and you can get them cheaper on-line. Don't live in the area? Drive....or check out similar festivals in Chilliwack or Richmond, BC. Remember, today is your day Boomer.....get out there and be active!

Today is your day Boomer! I took a few days this past weekend and went fishing. Yup, all by myself to a back-country lake in BC Interior. Thanks to my older brother for letting me hang my sleeping bag and fishin' rod at his cabin! It was perfect for Boomers. Eagles, ospreys, loons, and herons divebombing fish, calm warm weather, great late afternoon/early evening trout fishing, and very few people. I slept, fished, kayaked, read a book, went for walks, and sat on the porch with a cold brew for hours on end. It was marvellous....great for the heart and soul. Lots of reflection time and something I think we all need....from time-to-time, time spent just by ourself. By the way, all the fish I caught were BIG (11-14 inches), and that is not just a "fish story". Besides, I was the only one there who could verify my tale. Thanks again bro! Boomers, get out and fish this summer/fall all by your lonesome. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! As the summer nears its end, we start thinking about things like school, work, and travel......but what about politics? This is a municipal election year in BC and Boomers, like me, are heavily involved. Afterall, we often have the time, money, and inspiration to run for mayor, city counsellor, and school board trustee. I am just finishing my first term as trustee and I can tell you it is very rewarding! It is often not great pay, but it is more about contributing to your community.....and Boomers have alot to give. We did work for 40 years and raise kids, and our skillset is often pretty impressive. So, you have to make up your mind soon. Go on the Elections BC website and check out their candidate guide. It includes a timeline, which includes the nomination period: the period for candidates to submit their nominations to local election officials, Tuesday, August 30, 2022 – Friday, September 9, 2022. That date is coming up quickly, then you campaign

Today is your day Boomer! It is called a "Boomer Belly" but really it could apply to any man reaching middle age. Check out the picture and then look down at your stomach. Is it happening to you? Guys, we used to eat like a horse in our 20's and 30's and never gain an ounce. Now....we have a slower metabolism rate and if we still eat the same, we will gain belly fat! So, here are some tips to flatten that stomach again. According to Nutritionist Amelia Freer, less alcohol and sugar is very important: "Sugar has emerged as the real dietary villain in the last few years. And it's not just in biscuits or sweets. Many of us are having huge amounts without realising in ready meals, pasta, salad sauces, yoghurts and refined carbs such as bagels, pasta, bread and rice. All this sugar stimulates the production of insulin, which leads to weight gain, especially around the stomach and waist." Fewer beers boys! Most of the other tips focus around fitness;

Today is your day Boomer! As I sit here this morning enjoying my daily ritual of java.....I began to wonder which coffee is best? A little research showed it was difficult to determine and it varied from place to place and even country to country. So, I thought of those Boomers that like to have coffee regularly with their buddies. And they often choose fast-food restaurants because of lower prices and the associated snacks. So.....according to the website "Dished", here are the top six fast-food coffees in North America. Burger King is dead last, with Subway 5th, and AandW coming 4th with a hint of cocoa flavour. Tim Hortons in 3rd was described as "decent, inoffensive, and a bit nutty".....but here are the top two in much more detail. Yes, McDonald's McCafe is 2nd, partially because of low price, but also because it is "certainly more flavourful than Tim Hortons, with a robust body that lingered. It’s a pretty 'middle of the road' coffee t

Today is your day Boomer! I heard this sing on the radio yesterday and thought I would share the lyrics with you. Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, Those days of soda and pretzels and beer, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer, Just fill your basket full of sandwiches and weenies, Then lock the house up, now you're set, And on the beach you'll see the girls in their bikinis, As cute as ever but they never get 'em wet, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, Those days of soda and pretzels and beer, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, You'll wish that summer could always be here, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, Those days of soda and pretzels and beer, Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer, Don't hafta tell a girl and fella about a drive-in, Or some romantic moon it seems, Right from the

Today is your day Boomer! It is a very good reminder for all of us Boomers....another small toddler fell through a window screen this week, dropped two stories, and ended-up in the gravel below. Thankfully, this little girl only cracked her jaw, broke her leg, and lost two teeth. Usually, a higher fall means life-long spinal injuries or death. And many of us are grandparents of these young kids. For example, I know a Boomer couple that does child care for their grandson 4 days a week. I sure hope all of us go to the hardware store TODAY and buy those DIY window guards that only take a few minutes to install and can save lives! According to Dr. Robert Baird, "window guards are easy to find and made for all types of windows. He warned screens are not enough to protect a child — especially "top-heavy" toddlers exploring their surroundings. Screens are great at keeping bugs out. They are not great at keeping children in." Childrens Hospital in Vancouver has alrea

Today is your day Boomer! But today is NOT a good day for a suntan. As the hot days of August continue, we Boomers must remain steadfast in our fight against sunshine-inducing skin cancer. Afterall, we grew up in the time of baby oil, CopperTone, halter tops, muscle shirts, and sunny days without any protection at all. Check your skin....do you see wrinkles, brown and red spots, and leathery texture? Over one million Americans and Canadians die every year from skin cancer and I bet many are Boomers. What to do? 1) Check out a certified health list of the top sunscreens on the market. Use at least SPF 30 and don't be afraid to spend some money. It is worth it. 2) Select cream products with zinc, titanium oxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX. You want “broad spectrum protection,” water resistant for beach, pool or exercise—SPF 30 for beach and pool. 3) As part of your health regimen, perform a monthly self-examination in search of any suspicious spots. Keep track of moles: size, s

Today is your day Boomer! As Boomers, we often suffer hearing loss and mild dementia in our 50s, 60s, and 70s. It is a reality for most of us says Dr. Sandra Black, a research scientist from Toronto. But....she says there are three main things we can do to slow down this medical problem: (1) Get moving. 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise is enough, plus two sessions of mild weightlifting. (2) Eat better. Dr. Black suggests "eating a Mediterranean diet rich in green, leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage, as well as berries, whole grains, walnuts and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna rich in omega-3 fatty acids." (3) Word and Math games. Counting games like Sudoku and Crib are great for sharpening the mind and word games like Wordle do the same. Minimum half hour per day is a good plan. So, Boomers.....we can stay razor sharp in our older years, but we have to work at it. Cheers and good health!

Today is your day Boomer! Yesterday, I told you Carpe Diem was a main theme of my blog. Today, my other focus comes out.....Boomer lifestyle, activities, and connected current events. For example, are you thinking of selling that ol' family home and downsizing? Better get to it. Economists are now predicting a house price "correction" of up to 25% by the end of 2023. That means a million dollar home will drop in value to about 750,000! That will be a huge drop since February of this year when we hit the all-time high, and here is the main reason: "The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by a full percentage point in July, pushing up the borrowing rates linked to mortgages, and further increases are expected this year". I guess there are some positives here: it means your annual taxes will decrease, it may be easier to sell your high-priced home, and it means more discouraged young people may enter the market. Whatever happens, there had to be a

Today is your day Boomer! A reminder to my new readers what this blog is all about. It is Carpe Diem, which basically means seize the day....make the most of every day Boomers! Here's an example. Even though this is National Lazy Day across Canada, I am blogging and golfing in the morning, cider tasting in the afternoon, and have a big family dinner scheduled in the evening. I try to work on fitness in combination with my so-called "big event" of the day, but sometimes it is a separate activity. Good examples are Boomers, I know, that play tennis in the morning and electric bike ride in the afternoon or cooler evening. Sure we can read books and watch TV.....but let's get active and stay healthy! Remember the average Canadian lives to about 82, and most of us are already in our 60s and 70s....so, let's not waste our precious time. Cheers and have a great active day!

Today is your day Boomer! Another influential Baby Boomer has passed away....73-year-old Olivia Newton-John, who as a singer, dancer, and heartthrob in my formative years, died in California this week. You and I likely remember her most from the 1978 musical "Grease" where she starred with John Travolta and entralled us with songs like "Hopelessly Devoted","You're the One That I Want" and "Greased Ligntning"! Critics say it was one of the best musicals of all time and really appealed to the younger generation. ONJ could look so young and innocent in one scene and then all sexy and glittery in the next song. She also had other big hits like "Physical" and won four Grammy Awards. One other thing. She suffered from breast cancer twice in her life and became a spokesperson and fundraiser for the world cancer cause. She will be missed.....but we can always catch her and Johnny on YouTube or Netflix dancing around cars and high sc

Today is your day Boomer! Many of you know I am a school trustee and my board watches over many schools in southern BC. But, I tell you, I wouldn't want to be a similar elected official in one county in North Carolina. Today they have annnounced that their six schools will be equipped with AR-15 automatic weapons this fall......locked in a school safe with ammo, just in case a shooter comes into their buildings! The justification comes from the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas where 19 kids and 2 teachers were killed. According to Sheriff Buddy Harwood: "I hate that we’ve come to a place in our nation where I’ve got to put a safe in our schools, and lock that safe up for my deputies to be able to acquire an AR-15. But, we can shut it off and say it won’t happen in Madison County, but we never know." Oh boy....imagine making that decision?! The American pro-gun lobby will be going crazy with joy today, while most Canadians, like me, just sit, wonder, and sha

Today is your day Boomer! Another hot day in the Okanagan Valley for me......as this beautiful summer continues. Most Boomers in and around BC can afford air conditioning; in fact, the world sports about 3.6 billion air conditioning units; that is about one for every two people. However, we all know that only the middle and upper class have the money to afford them. This becomes crystal clear when BC Hydro estimates that "air" will add about 200$ to your summer electrical bill and of the 619 heat-related deaths in BC's heat dome last summer, about 2/3rds involved people without access to cool air units. In the sunny Okanagan, we do one of two things: go to the big blue lake to cool off or stay inside where nearly everyone has air. Even coastal residents have air conditioners now! If you don't, check this picture, follow the advice from the BC government and TRY to stay hydrated and cool. Cheers Boomers!

Today is your day Boomer! Hello Boomers.....I know, I know, I went off-line about three months ago with nary a word. But if you know me personally, you'll know a terrible tragedy struck my family and I was in no mood to write. But now I am back....and I will try to inform and debate you on many Boomer issues in this crazy world. Today, I briefly look at Old Age Security in Canada and the 10% raise for age 75+ which takes effect this week. Yes....a raise! But, it is the first permanent raise in about 50 years and does not cover the age group 65-74, which-by the way-will be me as of next year. Do the math; add up inflation over the past 50 years and realize this small pension just doesn't meet the needs of your average low/middle income Boomer/senior. It is too "fixed" and should be tied to COLA, the increasing cost of living. Think of high prices like gas and groceries, and realize the possible impact. Government will say "too expensive", taxes wil