Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! I have a good idea for you Boomer fishers! It is time to renew your annual fishing license with the Freshwater Fisheries Society; it must be done by April 1, tomorrow, if you want to fish this weekend. But the idea is this: if you are officially a senior(age 65 or older), you get a choice on purchase. Spend only $5 if a senior or 37$ as a non-senior adult and get your license. Big senior discount, right? No...think about it. All the license money goes into birthing and raising fish at six BC hatcheries, stocking 800 lakes per year, conservation programs, and learn-to-fish initiatives for kids! In fact, since 2006, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has taught more than 350,000 participants the basics of how, when and where to catch fish. What species do they stock? In hatcheries, like the one in Summerland, teams work to raise and release rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, eastern brook trout, kokanee and steelhead for recreational fisheries and white

Today is your day Boomer! I read a CBC opinion article with interest today as the month of March winds down and we enter Spring. Many people are on Spring Break, many Boomers are returning from numerous months down south and the airline industry is booming. I have friends and family right now on vacation in Cuba, Vietnam, Mexico, and Arizona. The focus of the article was "give up flying, stay put, save the earth!" I had heard about this before, so I wanted some numbers. Here are two big ones: "Air travel is responsible for about two per cent of global CO2 emissions. If aviation were a country, it would be among the top 10 emitters in the world. To make matters worse, aviation emissions are growing fast, with passenger numbers expected to double to 8.2 billion by 2037, according to the International Air Transport Association." Simply put, the airline industry stinks. It is a terrible contributor to global warming at a time when all of us really need to cut back.

Today is your day Boomer! Any time a government releases its annual budget, people get angry. Critics jump up and down and scream, and there are gloomy faces galore. Afterall, it is "the taxpayers' money" the government is spending. However, I like to look at the positives....so here are some notable good things for Boomers in Trudeau's federal budget released yesterday:(1)The increase in excise duties on alcohol has been capped at 2 per cent for one year, as of April 1. The increase was expected to be more than 6 per cent, and was widely criticized by microbrewers, distillers, and the opposition parties. (2)The government is proposing a new one-time “grocery rebate.” According to the budget, about 11 million low-and modest-income Canadians would be eligible. For many Boomers, that is a $225 GST rebate cheque.(3)If you like to travel, the budget proposes $1.8 billion over five years for air security to “maintain and increase its level of service, improve screenin

Today is your day Boomer! And today we salute another Boomer who has done something extraordinary! 71-year-old Mary Lollar has gone running every day for over three years.....that is, exactly 1,095 straight days! She hit the open sidewalks during the pandemic and began running five or six kilometres a day, working her way up to 13 or 14 kilometres. “I’ve gone through four or five pairs of shoes; and I no longer have the nicest looking feet.” Good sense of humour too. Lollar is from the Toronto area. She jogs to support emergency health care patients and workers, people she used to work with before retirement. A doctor, who knows Mary, "laughs as he reflects on a prediction he’s made about Mary and the real life similarities she shares with the fictional character Forrest Gump: “She's going to start taking up ping pong. I don't know what it's going to be next, but it's going to be some marathon of some sort.” Run Forrest...er, Mary run! You are a big inspirat

Today is your day Boomer! April 1 may be April Fools Day, but this is no joke...the price of booze in Canada goes up over 6% on that day! It is an inflationary "escalator tax" and many Boomers, on fixed incomes, are likely worried. Every thing keeps going up and up...groceries, heat, water, taxes...the cost of living is getting too costly for many people. So, what do we do with this big booze hike? I think, Boomers, we have 3 choices: (1)drink less alcohol and start saving it for just weekends and special occasions (2)completely stop drinking; switch to non-alcoholic drinks like flavoured sparkling water (3)put up with the extra cost and cut your budget in other areas; for example, have one less take-out meal per month. Meanwhile, industry experts say we shouldn't worry too much about this increase. "Beer Canada told Global News that the tax increase will bring up the price of a 12-pack by 10 cents. For a 750 ml bottle of wine, the price could increase close

Today is your day Boomer! If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I rip into Mr. Trump and praise Joe Biden. I guess it is my political leaning....but this time, I say Biden has bombed! On the heels of another climate change crisis warning from the UN, the US President has approved another big oil project in Alaska. The so-called Willow Project will access about 600 million barrels of oil in the future and according to CNN, "the Biden administration’s own estimates state the project would generate enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon pollution a year – equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to the roads." Biden has promised to cut carbon emissions by half by 2030, so this project is a slap in the face! Tiernan Sittenfeld, the senior vice president of government affairs for the League of Conservation Voters, says the league is “extremely disappointed” in the decision, calling the project “dangerous” and “dirty.” Say it is

Today is your day Boomer! Some of our best days are going to concerts! Yup, many Boomers like to attend live music events featuring some of our favourite performers from the 1960's-1980's....musicians like Elton John, Bono, and Neil Young. The problem though is the price...the price of concert tickets! They are astronomical! Here is a sample, according to a Dallas newspaper: "Elton John, Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour 2022-Elton John’s celebratory farewell tour was temporarily postponed due to COVID-19 and John's own health issues. However, the legendary icon decided to thrust himself into the spotlight once more for a world tour where you’d have to drop at least $150 to get into a broom closet at the back of the stadium. Those interested in a resale seat near the stage could find some seats listed at more than $2,000." And now some musicians are speaking out on these huge ticket prices. Neil Young says "I get letters blaming me for $3,000 tickets for a

Today is your day Boomer! I entered my local community fitness centre yesterday and was NOT surprised to see many Boomers there. A nice mix of aging men and women working out, having fun, and recovering from surgery. I was there....still doing my post-heart surgery three-times-a-week workout when I encountered a Boomer woman fresh off knee surgery. She had started her workout with 30 minutes in the pool and then came limping into the fitness room with her personal trainer. Yes, she had hired a young man to help her recover as quickly as possible. That's determination! And the look on her face confirmed it....the pain, the dedication, and the will to follow a physiotherapy routine. And that is the biggest issue for people recovering from surgery like this; they wait so long for the procedure, but they sometimes get lazy and unmotivated to do the follow-up work to build strength, agility, and flexibility. It does take persistence...a lot of it! I say this as I head off to the

Today is your day Boomer! Needless to say, Boomers love E-bikes. In fact, our generation is the biggest purchaser of E-bikes and they get a lot of use.....so, many studies are now coming out on their impact. The follwing statistics come from many different surveys in many different nations like Switzerland. "Researchers found the severity of injuries was significantly worse in the e-bike group, and particularly worrisome was the increased likelihood of trauma to the thorax/chest. Body regions most affected were the extremities(78 per cent) and external/skin(46 per cent)." Hey, Boomers, looks like we are going too fast when we fall! And this is what we crash into; "most incidents were either single-bicycle crashes(66 per cent) or automobile collisions(26 per cent)." So, 2/3 of the time, we crash because of our own actions! What else? "The average age of e-bikers was 65 years; conventional cyclists, 39 years. E-bikers were admitted to the hospital more often, a

Today is your day Boomer! Did you miss him? No seriously, did you really miss him?! You know who is back this week after a lengthy ban on big Meta social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. This is the same former US president that seemed to run his office by Twitter....often with 4am tweets when the whole world was sleeping, and he should have been too? So, why is he allowed back? "The public should be able to hear what their politicians are saying — the good, the bad and the ugly — so that they can make informed choices at the ballot box,” so says Nick Clegg, Meta’s vice president of global affairs. The company also says it would be adding “new guardrails” to ensure there are no “repeat offenders” who violate its rules, even if they are political candidates or world leaders. These guardrails, will they help stop mass, violent protestors storming capital buildings? Already, Trump has called in his supporters to do a big street protest if he is arrested this w

Today is your day Boomer! Ever do something just for the "experience"? For example, go for a walk to just enjoy nature, not for the fitness aspect? Take a Sunday drive to spend time with a loved one, and not for work? Play golf to spend time with your buddies, and not care about your score? I did this a few days ago as I wandered down to big blue Okanagan Lake(see picture!) My experience was not really about "catching" fish, it was more about getting out in the spring sunshine, enjoying the water and scenery, and walking along the lake. I also tested out my new spinning rod, but that was not my main purpose. If you don't understand "fishing", it is a mentally-healthy experience; it includes time well-spent by clear, blue water, watching birds, interacting with other interested people, breathing fresh air, and taking a little time for yourself. Just a little "me" time in this often-stressful world. No COVID concerns, no work thoughts,

Today is your day Boomer! Finland was on my mind in yesterday's blog, and here it is again today! I was hoping it is Canada, but no....Finland has been ranked number one as the "happiest" place in the world to live! So says the United Nations and its report "which is a publication of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; it draws on global survey data from people in more than 150 countries. Countries are ranked on happiness based on their average life evaluations over the past 3 years." Indicators that are measured include "healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption, generosity in a community where people look after each other and freedom to make key life decisions." I do know that Finland, like Canada, is a social democracy where citizens have alot of freedom, government help, and care about environmental sustainability. And the Northern European nation has been rated first for six straight years! By the

Today is your day Boomer! I know, I know....spring officially begins tomorrow and the last thing you want to hear about is more snow! But, Boomers, this is a fun activity in the snow and a big lesson to be learned from Finland. One of the northern Scandinavian countries, Finland-apparently-is embracing winter cycling. Take, for example, the Finnish city of Oulu; it has more than 900 kilometres of separated bike paths. In the winter, the city plows this huge bike network by 6 a.m. every day and will plow multiple times a day if needed. Oulu is not your compact old European town. It is similar to Saskatoon, a sprawling layout and a mid-size population of roughly 210,000. Imagine its carbon footprint and further imagine the fitness level of the city's residents. In fact, 10% of all trips in the winter are made on bikes....so, that means many people are commuting to work on their bikes! One city engineer says this idea is perfect for Canada: "the suburban sprawl in your cities

Today is your day Boomer! Staying brain sharp Boomers? It could lead to a happier and longer life, and this is one way to do it! Go back to school....I mean, college or university. And not to get a degree or qualify for a job, but simply for interest sake. Yes, expand your mind and continue your journey as a life-long learner! I did some research and found out that many Canadian universities offer free or partial tuition to seniors. Some offer free, but you have to pay for the resources....like books or lab time. It is still a good deal, especially for 100-year-old Miriam Tees who is taking free courses at McGill. She says, "I've taken history courses and literature courses. I took one on the sonnet. Whatever happened to look interesting." And she is not alone and not the oldest student there. About 1000 seniors are enrolled at the Montreal university and the oldest is 101! Meanwhile, Tees wholeheartedly agrees that school is good for her and is living proof that

Today is your day Boomer! Especially if you have a little Irish blood in you....or you just like green beer! It is St. Patrick's Day and "There are only two kinds of people in the world,” an Irish saying goes. “The Irish and those who wish they were.” I don't know about that, but I always wondered why the colour GREEN on this special day? According to The Christian Science Monitor, blue was the first colour associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but that started to change in the 17th century. Green is one of the colours in Ireland’s tri-colour flag, and it has been used in the flags of several Irish revolutionary groups throughout history. Ireland is the “Emerald Isle,” so named for its lush green landscape. Green is also the colour of spring, the shamrock, and the Chicago River, which the Midwestern city has dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day for the past 40-odd years....hence the picture on today's blog! So, this begs the question: how much dye does it take to "g

Today is your day Boomer! There is a new trend happening in "Canada's California" Boomers! Booze on the beach! Yup, you can legally drink on lake beaches in Penticton and Summerland in the Okanagan this summer. Summerland is just starting a pilot project and Penticton is past that stage doing it for three years. One local councillor put it this way: "I believe this is already happening at our beaches – it’s just well hidden." Really?....I can't believe people would bring beer or wine to our beaches in the past....in a disguise. No vodka in a Coke can, no wine in a coffee container? No, Boomers wouldn't do that, would we? Alright, alright....maybe. But this is great for alcohol industry sales like the renowned winery business in the Okanagan. It is also great for tourists who like to indulge a little bit on holidays. But let's keep it low key, people. It is a "pilot" project which means it can be canceled at any time. And safet

Today is your day Boomer! Yesterday's blog had a focus on "class b" camper vans and van life. And one of the big takeaways was the BIG price of vehicles like Roadtreks....well over 60,000$, even for a used 2005 model. How about a cheaper alternative Boomers? There are vans out there, like Dodge Grand Caravans, that sell for under $20,000 with under 100,000km. These vans have stowaway seats which feature 2nd and 3rd row seats that fold into the van floor, creating a big, flat back surface....perfect for camping! Now, some innovative, handy DIYers will create their own multi-use spaces in the vans, but others will just buy pre-made kits(see picture!). I researched a few of these companies, including Vanpackers out of Quebec, and they do special conversions kits for regular vans, cargo vans, SUVs, and special kitchen kits. And they look sharp and are very functional. Here are some of their features: Installation in 5 minutes without drilling....Excellent stability w

Today is your day Boomer! Remember the old VW vans....the converted camping/sleeping vans with no power? Popular back in the 60's and 70's, and still popular now! Yup, Boomers are buying them and fixing them up. In fact, many Boomers are converting to the so-called "van life" which, according to Outdoorsy, is described as this: "van lifers are people who RV around the country in converted vans. Many van life vans are quite elaborate and are often remodeled by the owners themselves. Other vans are more simplistic rigs that provide a place to sleep and a compact vehicle to reach the beaten path." Outdoorsy is in the van rental business, so they know a thing or two. I will talk more about van "conversions" in my blog tomorrow....but I wanted to share the top 5 popular Class "B" vans according to Outdoorsy. 1. Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2. Ram Promaster 3. Ford Transit Van 4. Chevy Express/GMC Savana 5. Volkswagen Westfalia Campervans. Th

Today is your day Boomer! We are addicted.....yes, addicted to our cell phones Boomers! But want some words of wisdom from the man who invented this device? He is Martin Cooper from New York who invented the cell phone(originally about the size of a tank!) about 50 years ago. He has major concerns like the invasion of privacy, internet addiction, and making it easy for children to access harmful content. But as expected, the senior is still a visionary. He says "Between the cellphone and medical technology and the Internet, we are going to conquer disease." Like maybe cancer?! He also thinks phones will evolve so that they will be “distributed on your body,” perhaps as sensors “measuring your health at all times.” Batteries could even be replaced by human energy. "The human body is the charging station, right? You ingest food, you create energy. Why not have this receiver for your ear embedded under your skin, powered by your body?” Obviously, Cooper is still a rea

Today is your day Boomer! Another health blog today Boomers, but an important one! This one has a focus on SALT, which is a key cooking ingrediant and a part of food that makes it taste better! Think of chips and ketchup as examples, and here are some more: Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages and ham....Cheeses....Gravy granules, stock cubes, yeast extracts...Olives,pickles and other pickled foods....Salted and dry-roasted nuts and crisps....Salted and smoked meat and fish....Sauces: soy sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce. The list is long and the World Health Organization says we are failing badly. WHO recommends that the average person consume no more than five grams, or one teaspoon, of salt per day. However, the global average salt intake is estimated to be more than double, around 10.8 grams! The implementation of policies to reduce sodium intake could save an estimated seven million lives globally by 2030, and in 2013, more than 190 countries, including Canada,

Today is your day Boomer! Two health studies and one big health recommendation for Boomers today. The first is a survey of Canadians that shows about 1/3 of us are not exercising at all; for me, it is a little surprising because the rate has gone down since COVID started. I would think people holed up in their homes would need something to do, but....then they couldn't get out to their gyms or the gyms were closed. The second study includes an extensive review of scientific evidence that indicates exercise is a strong first solution for combatting depression and anxiety. I guess moving that body often gets you outside, in the sunshine, and feeling better! And lastly, Dr. Bonnie Henry is back! The BC Health Provincial Officer says Boomers over age 60 will qualify for a spring COVID booster shot starting in April. The age is over 50 if you are indigenous. Dr. Henry says "COVID-19 is circulating at a relatively high level and the virus is still changing; we will be in a v

Today is your day Boomer! Let's face it, Boomers love electric bikes and scooters. We are maybe the biggest buyers and users of these electric recreational vehicles.....but we do not like electric battery fires. Just this week, at least seven people were injured in a five-alarm fire in New York which required the attention of 200 firefighters. Officials believe the incident stemmed from a lithium-ion battery of a scooter found on the roof of an apartment building. And there have been several other fire incidents in North America, including deaths, related to these battery fires. So, what to do to protect yourself and your property Boomers? According to CTV News, here are some mostly common-sense tips. First of all, don't buy the cheap ones. It is recommended that "people buy UL-certified electric bikes and scooters from reputable retailers; online marketplaces often make it hard for customers to tell where products are actually coming from. So, lowest price doesn'

Today is your day Boomer! It is the "D" word and it is scary to Baby Boomers. Dementia, and the way it affects our lives is cause for concern as a new study states it is more and more prevalent in our aging generation. Yup...things like memory loss can be embarrassing and depressing. The study says "this latest analysis found that dementia risk was present at all levels of education, income, and wealth. Lifestyle factors such as loneliness, depression, obesity, inactivity and a lower likelihood of being married seemed to be the most critical." According to facty.com, here are the 10 most common symptoms of dementia.....see if they pertain to you. (1)memory loss or distortion (2)loss of vocabulary (3)mood changes (4)faulty reasoning (5)disorientation (6)trouble with comprehension (7)balance problems (8)lack of self care (9)change in appetite and eating habits (10)loss of social skills. Sounds like some things a "senior citizen" might experience. But l

Today is your day Boomer! Is it possible we have finally have a US President that is serious about climate change? And willing to put money where his mouth is? A lot of money, with far-reaching effects. Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a multi-billion-dollar program that pledges government dollars toward developing low-carbon energy. The policy is aimed at boosting the country's manufacturing sector and takes aim at China's dominant position in the clean energy technology supply chain. And according to CBC News, "there are many facets of the IRA, such as tax incentives aimed at increasing the manufacturing of wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries. There are also subsidies to promote the development of hydrogen, biofuels and carbon capture and storage facilities. The financial supports are estimated to total nearly $60 billion US ($82.5 billion Cdn) over the next 10 years." The far-reaching effects focus on America's inf

Today is your day Boomer! Mr. Putin of Russia may be angry with western nations for supporting Ukraine in the year-long war....but more support is coming, this time from a different source....musicians and entertainers! And big names. Remember Live Aid? Well, this similar concert/telethon event will reportedly mirror that of 1985's Live Aid, which raised funds and awareness of famine in Ethiopia and was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Wembley Stadium in London will be the venue and the date is June 24. Here is a list of possible performers: U2, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Pink, and Adele....and many more are lining up to perform for free! According to an event spokesperson, "for bands like U2 and Bono, who are pretty outspoken about their views on war and conflict, it feels like a great opportunity to keep hammering home the severity of the situation out in Ukraine. An event of this size can put real political pressure on the Russians, too." Oh, and t

Today is your day Boomer! Want some secrets from a local doctor who just turned 100 years old? According to Dr. W. Gifford of Penticton, BC, "take this to heart. Rule No. 1 for good health and longevity is to follow a sound lifestyle starting early in life. And Rule No. 2 is, never forget rule No. 1." With that philosophy in mind, he offers some common-sense health tips for readers like us Boomers. "1. Get regular exercise including aerobic and strength training to maintain physical and mental health. 2. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid processed foods, sugar, salt, and excess alcohol. 3. Manage stress using techniques that ease your mind, whether it be meditation and mindfulness, a workout, or a favourite comedy show. 4. Sleep well, enabling the body and mind to rest and recharge. 5. Schedule regular medical check-ups, especially to get access to screening tests that help identify and treat heath issues early on.&

Today is your day Boomer! Actually for Baby Boomer singer Joni Mitchell it was March 2, three days ago. The Library of Congress awarded its Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Mitchell, the singer-songwriter best known for such 1970s classics as “Both Sides Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Help Me.” Her lyrics were deeply personal, her music was technically accomplished and her sound incorporated elements of folk, pop, rock and jazz. Mitchell did a few songs herself and watched as other musicians, like James Taylor, Graham Nash, and Cyni Lauper, performed her songs. Cool.....watching older Boomers perform again. In this picture, there is a list of famous Boomer musicians and their ages. Kind of makes us feel old, eh? Better get to their concerts before "you know what" happens. For example, Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 and hasn't been able to get on stage hardly at all since then. Boomers, we are....sorry to say....getting up there. Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! Or maybe tonight is.....look up Boomers, into that star-filled sky for a little entertainment. Instead of old Netflix movies or binge watching "Emily in Paris" tv shows, your eyes can see something real and fascinating. Last night, it was Jupiter and Venus together in big, bold colour as it looked like the two planets were ready to collide. A few days ago, it was the Northern Lights engulfing BC's Okanagan Valley with tremendous views like this picture taken in Osoyoos! By the way, what is the origin of the green light? According to the Northern Lights Centre, the bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora Borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south. The Northern Lights are actually the result of collisions between

Today is your day Boomer! Need a compelling reason to exercise? News today from the World Obesity Organization indicates just over half of our global population will be obese or overweight by 2035! That is up from the 38% predicted for the last study in 2020. Whoah.....why is it getting worse? Rates of obesity are rising particularly quickly among children and in lower income countries, the report found. And it is very disturbing because childhood obesity could more than double from 2020 levels, to 208 million boys and 175 million girls by 2035. Where? It will be worst in low income countries in Africa and Asia. The study does not mention specific nations by name. For Boomers, this is an eye opener as medical experts continue to tell us that being overweight can lead to many health problems like heart disease. So, don't weight....er, wait Boomers; get on those treadmills and elliptical trainers....or head outside and walk, bike, and run your way to a better life. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Can a little pill make a big difference in our life? We've heard this before, but researchers in Calgary say a new 10-year study indicates Vitamin "D" can really help our aging brain! This is great for Boomers because the average subject age in the study was 71....which is Baby Boomer age. Spokesman Dr. Zahinoor Ismail says "what we found was that persons who were taking vitamin D at baseline compared to those who took no vitamin D over that time developed dementia probably at a 40 per cent lower rate, so it's quite a significant association." The study also indicates the vitamin is more effective in women than men.....it doesn't say why and it doesn't say how much to take. And.....they are going to study more people for another decade! The research will also include an examination of people who care for those with dementia – both family caregivers as well as nurses, occupational therapists and others who work in a ca