Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! I can't take a fitness room with me on holidays this summer, but I can go to an exercise centre if one is close by. Or....I can bring my own workout equipment. Yup....not heavy weights or treadmills, but at least a few things to keep me healthly. According to trainer Andrea Tam, "you can’t forget your running shoes, whether you’re going to the cottage for the weekend or going into a hotel, running shoes are great for running, hiking, walking, or just getting outdoors." Other gear to bring? Bring a skipping rope for cardio, resistance bands for muscle workouts, and ankle weights. Tam says, "All these types of equipment are very easy to travel with, especially if you’re going local. Throw them in the back of the car, put them in [your] luggage and you can ... get a full body workout." Okay, that also means making a committment to exercise when you go camping, to the summer cabin, and touring around. Can you do it? Travel light Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! We know walking is good for you Boomers, but how about walking soccer? Yup, we take the most popular game in the world and bring it down to a level where many seniors can now participate! One person involved is James Stitchman(the guy in the picture) who jokingly says "I'm the only player on the field today I think who ended up with about 11 yellow cards or warnings for running." I get that....you get excited and that ball is so close and you want to score, so you run a bit. Not allowed. Okay, so this game--only offered so far in North Vancouver, BC--is not for everyone.....especially, very fit, youngish Boomers. But think of the growing popularity of pickleball; it is a slowed-down version of tennis on a smaller court. And the medical benefits of walking soccer? According to CBC News, "playing walking soccer can bring numerous benefits — from reducing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, to improving people's mental health th

Today is your day Boomer! This picture popped-up on my social media today and I just had to share it with you. I just bought a 20-foot travel trailer with some nice cabinets, lights, and a queen-size bed, but that is nothing compared to this monstrosity! Look at it!! It won't even fit under a highway overpass. So....this is a classic example of "glamping" which is described this way:"Some call it luxury camping. Some call it glamorous camping. Either way, Glamping.com is dedicated to inspiring and guiding those who are seeking a different kind of trip, the kind that encourages cultural immersion, a broadening of horizons, and a deeper engagement with one’s surroundings with enjoying this upscale approach to sleeping under the stars." Oh, my goodness. That glossy description comes directly from the website Glamping.com which is one of many on the web that offers high-end opportunities for the upper class. Yikes....is this what camping has come to? Not f

Today is your day Boomer! Better get out on the water Boomers before the smoke hits. I went out yesterday with my son on his birthday and we did a little chillin', cruising, swimming, and had a cool drink. Nice day....nice way to spend part of a summer day in June. That got me thinking and researching how active are Boomers in the boating industry? 40 million people live in Canada, we have more boats(234) per 1000 people than any other country in the world. The U.S. sports the most boats at about 16 million of the world total of 33 million. Canada had 12.4 million adult boat riders last year and power boating is now more popular than sailing. How many Boomers engage in boating? The only number I could find was American at about 28%, so I am assuming that about one in every four Boomers like the boating scene; this does not account for the high number of Boomers who engage in paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing. Simply put Boomers, we love the water. So, get out there.

Today is your day Boomer! It is not a surprise that nature walks are good for you. We, Boomers, do it all the time! In fact, there are numerous recent studies that confirm the positive impact of walking or hiking in a natural environment versus city outings. According to Castanet News, "A 2005 study showed that walking 35 minutes per day, five times per week, or 60 minutes three times per week, significantly improved symptoms of depression. Walking 15 minutes per day did not have such an effect on mood. Other reported symptoms included lower blood pressure, protection against heart disease and boosting self-esteem." Okay, let's do it Boomers. If we are lucky, nature is right out our back door. Otherwise, we need to drive to get to it. And why not go with friends or family to make it more safe and socially enjoyable? And why not head to a variety of "nature" landscapes to help escape the ordinary? Nature calls Boomers.....cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! Do you have a nap in the afternoon? I rarely do, but many Boomers do....and, it may be good for you! Yes! Apparently, good for the brain says a new study. The study involved about 35,000 sleepers from ages 40-69, so some of those were Boomers, over a 5 year span. CTV News has the results: "On average, the difference in brain volume between nappers and non-nappers was equivalent to 2.5 to 6.5 years of aging." That's a lot of extra life, isn't it? And.....the results show “a small but significant increase in brain volume in people who have a genetic signature associated with taking daytime naps." Okay, but this means short naps Boomers. Apparently, another study indicates long nappers(over an hour) have increased risk for dementia, Alzheimer's, high blood pressure, and strokes. So...Boomer nappers, everything in moderation, right? Nighty, night.

Today is your day Boomer! I guess if you like the game of bridge, you should be in Penticton BC this week. It is the big annual Penticton Regional Bridge Tournament and it has attracted about 900 players, many of them Boomers. But when I read about it, I discovered two dusturbing trends about the event: (1) attendance has dropped from 3200 (pre-COVID) to less than a thousand now (2) some players are not there to have fun! In fact, here is a quote from Marv Norden...one of the tournament organizers: "For me — and I’m only speaking for myself, not for anyone else — a lot of people talk about having fun. But bridge isn’t fun... I play to win. It’s a challenge with all the deduction and logic.” Of course it is Marv, that's why I play too! But remember, first and foremost it is a card "game" and it should not be tense, or nasty, or awkward. There should be lots of smiles, laughter and socializing. So Boomers, beware of those soooooooooooo serious bridge players who

Today is your day Boomer! I think we should consider ourselves as pretty lucky Boomers. Most of us are retired and likely retired with a fair bit of money....some good investments and pensions to draw from. Since the onset of COVID and high inflationary times, this is not the case for many aging Canadians. A new survey found that 44 per cent of non-retired Canadians aged 55 to 64 have less than $5,000 in savings....that's less than five grand!.....with one in five from that group saying they have not set anything aside for retirement. Yikes! That is startling, and then add this: "More than half of those surveyed aged 55 to 64 said if inflation keeps rising, they will have to push back their intended retirement date." One more thing as we seem to be heading toward what some analysts call a "retirement crisis": "Despite rising costs, almost 70 per cent of people surveyed said they would take lower pay in exchange for a better pension. Meanwhile, 78 per

Today is your day Boomer! This new "AI" world is pretty scary, isn't it? The pros and cons of artificial intelligence are numerous....just ask any teacher whose students are using it more and more frequently....but here is one big POSITIVE! AI is being used to recreate the long-dead voice of The Beatles' John Lennon and the result will be a NEW and LAST Beatles' song! Yup, to be released later this year according to Lennon sidekick Paul McCartney: "It's a very interesting thing, it's something we're all sort of tackling at the moment and trying to deal with; it is kind of scary, but exciting because it's the future." What the AI technical experts did was to isolate John's voice from an old cassette recording dating back to 1969....releasing his voice from other background noises like a piano. Yes! No word on the name of the new song coming out, but some predictions are a song called "Then and Now" which was a demo son

Today is your day Boomer! A different idea, but a good idea for Boomers aged 55 or older. I had never heard of this before, but Kelowna, B.C. is hosting a unique three-day festival starting June 21 which has a focus on two things: movement and the arts. The Rotary Centre for the Arts is launching its "Creative Aging Festival" which is for people looking to embark on an inspiring adventure, exploring a variety of workshops that celebrate movement, self-expression and the possibilities of artistic exploration. Okay, give me some examples of work....er, play shops please! According to Castanet News, "Scheduled events for the festival include beginner's ballet, nia dance, community movement, energy fitness, salsa dancing, circus arts, mandela movements, tea and coffee socials, and more." To me, it sounds like creativity, active involvement and social interaction with other Boomers and seniors all rolled into one. You can get more info at the Rotary Centre for th

Today is your day Boomer! Actually, today is your day pre-teen! Yup, 12-year-old Anthaea-Grace Patricia Dennis will receive her degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa today and become the youngest ever Canadian to earn a university degree! She says her mother knew at age two that Anthaea would be someone special....and she is! But what about the oldest Canadian to earn a university degree? That person was 96, so that brings up my main topic today. Boomers, did you know that many universities, like UBC and UofM, offer free tuition to seniors? Yes, and apparently the number of seniors taking free courses is on the rise. Here are some reasons why you should consider this. According to livingmaples.com, going back to school will boost your memory and critical thinking. It will also help you follow your wishes and interests, increase your social interaction and gain more information. The website states "there is no doubt that there is a direct relationship

Today is your day Boomer! You may have learned in school about the often-told Elephant/Mouse relationship between the US and Canada....every little twitch the big Elephant(US) makes affects the little mouse(Canada) in so many ways. It could be interest rates, trade, military moves, or almost anything. Well, they are finally getting a big taste of Canada. Yesterday was officially Clean Air Day in Canada but.....our forest fire smoke drifted south into New York State and, specifically, New York, making it the most smoke-filled city in the world. The picture shows a very eerie scene and is not unlike a typical day in BC's Okanagan Valley during fire season. So, we now send smoke to the Big Apple to go with other famous Canadian items like maple syrup, electricity, and hockey players. It was so bad that President Biden called Prime Minister Trudeau and asked for more fire fighters and equipment on the job. What do we have now? According to Castanet News, "more than 500 so

Today is your day Boomer! Patience pays off Boomers. My wife and I were in the market for a newish travel trailer and we waited over six months to finally get one! Here it is....in the picture, a light, quality-made Winnibego with only 6 years of life on it. In almost perfect shape at a very reasonable price and another friendly Boomer to deal with. We looked and looked, then looked again, and almost settled a few times for something that was good, but not great, for us! We checked all the online sites: Autotrader, Kijiji, Castanet, Craigslist, and Marketplace numerous times and did a few in-person visits. The moral of the story is this: don't give up, keep looking, and don't get frustrated because there was always a few new trailers listed the very next day! We had lots of choice, and I think, I hope.....we got it right! Now we rejoin the camping rat race: the high cost of gas, the competition for camp spaces, the campfire bans, the pricey campsites, and noisy neighb

Today is your day Boomer! Old man Stathers, he just keeps rollin', he just keeps rolling along. Yup, that's me Boomers. Age 65 today, my birthday, and officialy a "senior"! Wow, I never thought it would happen....did you? I am one of one million seniors in my province B.C., and 7 million Canadians 65 and older make up 19 per cent of our national population, up from 16.9 per cent at the time of the last census. So, that means one in every five Canadians are officially "old". But there is some good news here: I get access to two pensions (CPP and OAS), I get senior rates at important places like movie theatres, fitness centres, and some stores, a seniors-only discount on my house taxes, and I can get a specially-priced seniors menu at some restaurants! Not to mention my free breakfast this morning as my son takes me to Dennys which has free meals for anyone on their birthday. On the negative side, more teasing will occur from friends and siblings and

Today is your day Boomer! Camping season is here....but it will soon change. Yup, campfire bans will likely come into effect as the hot summer weather enters our lives. Many of us Boomers enjoy camping and glamping, but we also like fires for ambience, reading, conversation, cooking, and marshmellow roasting! Here is an alternative to those wood-hot-sparking campfires that are banned in many provincial regions right now in Alberta, BC, and Nova Scotia. Campers are opting for alternatives that don't get the classic smoky-wood campfire but still provide a warm glow. A spokesperson for MEC, the outdoor store, says "for propane fires, all you need is a propane firepit, a propane tank and some gas in it; you can have it; they're fully compliant with fire bans." Yes, it is different. A different smell, no sparks billowing into the sky, but great for NOT starting forest fires! Did you know 40% of forest fires in BC are caused by human activity, like neglected campfires?