Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! There is something about this new world that I have to emphasize. Climate change means wacky weather, every season, whether we like it or not. So....if you're a Boomer winter enthusiast who loves to ski, snowshoe, and skate, you just have to wait. Winter is coming, but not officially until December 21. I know, I know....you want snow and lots of it! But think back to last fall when we got a huge dump in early November and ski hills were jumping for joy. This year, nothing so far, with warmth and days in the valley bottoms filled with "other" Boomer activities to enjoy like hiking, biking, and tennis. I say the same thing about forest fires in BC's Okanagan and floods in the Lower Mainland....both connected to global warming. They'll happen, but not every year to the same intensity. Let's face it, human exploitation of fossil fuels is screwing up our world; we have to roll with the punches, expect the unexpected when it comes t

Today is your day Boomer! I am retired and my wife almost is....but the younger Baby Boomers may not be ready yet. Of course, the primary consideration is money....pensions, savings, interest, inflation, future plans...it is all very difficult to figure out. Maybe this new survey of 4000 Canadians aged 55-64 will help. "Deloitte Canada found that only 14 per cent of near-retirees are expected to be comfortable in retirement, able to absorb unexpected costs without much stress. These individuals largely have $900,000 or more in financial assets and likely own their own home on top of that. 31% are expected to rely mainly on public support such as the Canada Pension Plan. Being on a fixed income means this group will be “particularly vulnerable” to unexpected costs after retirement. In the middle are the 55 per cent of near-retirees who will have to make changes to their lifestyles to avoid outliving their financial savings. This cohort is largely made up of middle-income Canadi

Today is your day Boomer! I rarely fly anywhere anymore. Why? Well, not exactly for the reasons in this picture, but....I made a list for you: (1)the tight, tight claustrophobic spaces between seats (2)the bathrooms that seemingly are the size of a very small closet (3)so-called "free" Air Miles flights are still expensive because you have to pay the tax (4) most long flights include multiple stop-overs (5)carry-on luggage often doesn't fit in compartments, so they end-up restricting your foot room (6)lately, we have witnessed how badly disabled people are treated on planes (7)the high chance of getting COVID in such packed, tight seating areas (8)very little is free anymore, even crackers! (9)more and more unruly stressed-out passengers with physical confrontations common (10)copious amounts of jet fuel polluting our atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Need I say more? I likely have 10 more good reasons too. Boomers, fly away to your heart's content

Today is your day Boomer! You may have heard about this Boomer couple in Brazil who bought an old, land-devastated ranch. They restored it and still raise lots of cattle, right? No, just the opposite. Check out the picture; they restored it alright by planting 2.7 million trees in 20 years and have literally breathed new life into their ecological farm! Speaking of breathing, Sebastião Salgado says this: "The land was as sick as I was – everything was destroyed. Only about 0.5% of the land was covered in trees. Then my wife Lelia had a fabulous idea to replant this forest. And when we began to do that, then all the insects and birds and fish returned and, thanks to this increase of the trees I, too, was reborn." But what is the impact? According to Yahoonews, "The planet has about three trillion trees, part of nature’s system for cleaning dirty air — something humans have been making in abundance during the last couple hundred years. Earth loses about 15 billion tr

Today is your day Boomer! How much time do you spend searching for and trying new recipes? Scanning the net, skimming recipe books....thinking, wondering....what I can I do that is new, unique, and different for dinner? And yet, last night....my wife and I were very pleased to produce and eat a tradional-style Boomer supper of roast chicken, stuffing, two veggies, and mashed potatoes with gravy! Throw in a nice glass of wine and yes, it was a perfect Saturday night dinner with lunch and dinner leftovers set up for today! Nothing wrong with that. The old standby recipes still work and you have all the preparation memorized....no reading recipes, no stress. And...it still tastes oh-so-good!! Tradition is great, right Boomers? Despite the criticism our generation sometimes receives, we still do some things very, very well. Good ol' meat and potatoes for dinner again tonight. Cheers...

Today is your day Boomer! I often feature on this blog Boomers who do something remarkable. Today's focus is a group of seniors, Boomers, and, I am assuming younger people from all over the Okanagan Valley in BC that have a passion for pickleball and fundraising! Nearly $36,000 was raised to support the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association at the second-annual Pickleball for Mental Health tournament in Penticton this fall. According to the Penticton Herald, "That cash couldn’t come at a better time, with the CMHA deep into preparations for its holiday programs, including Christmas dinners for clients." Organizer Leah Schulting adds "Some of the funds from the pickleball tournament will support these Christmas meals and gifts, and the remainder of the funds will go towards art therapy programs for folks with a diagnosed mental illness.” By the way, HUNDREDS of pickleball players participated! Great job Boomers! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! Are you ready for winter Boomers? Skiing, skating, snowshoeing...outdoors. Maybe some pickleball, dance lessons, card games...indoors? Here is the reality though. According to Castanet News, it should be a little warmer this winter: "Generally in an El Niño year we can see less snow up in the mountains as a result of the warmer temperatures,” said Dereck Lee, meteorologist with Environment Canada. “We can only assume the snowpack will be a little bit less due to less snow accumulation up in the mountains.” El Niño is a shift in the jet stream caused by warmer equatorial ocean water in the Pacific. During El Niño, the jet stream that carries storms into B.C. tends to shift to the south." Okay...not so great on the skihills, but better weather in the valley bottoms. Get out your snow shovels, touques, warm gloves, and long johns....and just be happy you don't live where this woman does in northern Russia (see picture!) where the temperature

Today is your day Boomer! I admit I enjoy a nice glass of red wine before dinner....but I don't get headaches from it. However, many Boomers do, so they may consume white wine or other drinks to socialize or pair with food. A new study tells us why red wine hurts our brains. According to CNN, red wine contains this plant compound: "Flavonols. The most studied flavonols are quercetin, myricetin, and fisetin. Flavonols are linked to many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease. They’re found in Lettuce,Tomatoes, Onions, Kale, Apples, Grapes, Berries, Tea, and Red wine." This then may interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, causing an accumulation of toxins that can lead to swift headaches, suggests the study published in the journal Scientific Reports. More testing needs to be done apparently...using human subjects. I'll volunteer!! Oh, if you still like wine but don't want the headaches....drink white wine or cheaper red wine

Today is your day Boomer! We don't hesitate to spend good money on a bottle of wine, so why not spend big dollars on luxury water? Well, Boomers, first off....most Canadians already have access to pretty good, high-quality fresh water. We don't necessarily want or need "luxury" water...but the same can't be said for other countries. Many third world nations struggle to find any source of water; they even desalinize salt water! But this new trend might be one you may want to try; for example, an eating establishment will try to sell you a fancy bottle filled with rainwater from the Amazon or spring water from the Himalayas! Only six dollars U.S. a bottle! According to Global News, "This 'fine water' is also drawn from volcanic rock in Hawaii, from icebergs that have fallen from melting glaciers in Norway, or from droplets of morning mist in Tasmania. Connoisseurs, some who study to become water sommeliers, insist this trend isn’t about snobbishn

Today is your day Boomer! Okay Boomers, another big concert is coming to Vancouver. Yes, Taylor Swift is on her way....but more importantly for our generation, Mick and the boys will perform as part of their April-July 2024 tour! According to Castanet News, "Fans can expect to experience the Stones' most popular hits as well as new tracks from “Hackney Diamonds," the band's “best new work in decades,” as The Associated Press' Jocelyn Noveck wrote in her review of the album. She argues the 12-song collection is “tight, focused, full of heart and swagger.” I like the old stuff the best, of course. In fact, I can't get no satisfaction from the new songs!! By the way, The Stones will tour for the first time without their legendary drummer Charlie Watts. He passed away two years ago. Boomers, my question is this: if Taylor Swift fans are called "Swifties", are Rolling Stones fans called "Stoners"??!! Cheers to good ol' rock n' r

Today is your day Boomer! Boomers watch a lot of television....some studies say as much as 24/hours per week. But one thing is for sure; we are much more "traditional" in our watching habits compared to younger generations. According to Statista.com, "40 percent of U.S. baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, used cable TV daily, while only a quarter of surveyed millenials, born between 1981 and 1996, and 17 percent from Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, stated to do so." I'm sure the numbers would be similar for Canada, but it seeems we are still hooked on "cable" while younger people watch streaming services and paid-for specialty TV like Hulu and Crave. Why? I'm speculating, but it is quicker and easier to access the channels we want from cable and this is the way we have done it for a long time. We are not as flexible, I guess. And....I assume many Boomers do not want to do anything illegal like pirating TV shows and movies fr

Today is your day Boomer! Better stock up on your favourite Okanagan wines Boomers. Grape production was down about 50% this year....especially hearty reds like Cab Sav. The main reason? Climate change and associated problems like a huge cold snap last winter. Wine Growers BC president Miles Prodan says a recent survey found that 45 per cent of the Okanagan region’s planted grape crop suffered long-term damage, and 22 per cent of vines needed to be replaced. That means a potential loss of about 145 million dollars and a shortage of grapes for this year's production. You know by now....less grapes mean higher prices and reduced stock. Isn't it crazy that "global warming" means more COLD weather at times?! But it also means more unpredictable weather with more extremes. My wine solutions: buy your favourites while still available or change to another country's wines for awhile; for example, I love reds like Shiraz and Merlot from Australia. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! It was such a "Boomer" thing to do....and such a fun thing! It was Music Bingo night at our local legion and over 100 grey-haired music lovers showed-up to eat, drink, and "dab" our bingo cards to numerous tunes played by a host DJ. 1960's songs, mostly, like you see in this picture. Everyone was singing along, laughing....generally, having a good time reminiscing and guessing the music. My wife even won a bottle of wine, and there was a big 50/50 draw. We went with three other couples, all Boomers, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I found out that these bingo nights are a big draw all over....at pubs, legions, and community centres. And you can pick your favourite decade and genre of music! Give it a try Boomers....and cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! I can't find the exact numbers....but about one million people play recreational hockey in Canada. I'm sure a few hundred thousand of those are Boomers and/or seniors who play late evening beer league hockey. Ever watch a game? It can get pretty competitive as pucks, sticks and skates are flying everywhere! Now...one person has died and one almost died in games in the past two weeks. The latest is this young man shown in the picture. The stitches come from skate cuts to the neck as players fall on a slippery surface and other skates rise up accidently. The man who survived wore a neck guard, which many players refuse to use. Why? Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets says "It’s kind of like wearing a dress shirt and your tie is all the way up, it feels like that; you feel restricted and it’s a little warm, too.” But it was his friend that passed away in a hockey game in England, so he now uses the guard and says, "I don't notice it muc

Today is your day Boomer! I guess it had to happen....a bar without booze Boomers. Yes, it opens in Kelowna, BC on December 1st and features all the drinks you may want WITHOUT alcohol. That includes so-called "virgin" drinks, like a Virgin Tom Collins, and of course non-alcohol beer and wine. Owner Alex Viol says "We’ll have the ambiance, music, drinks, wine bar lighting and glasses … all the good stuff from a bar, without the downside of alcohol that can kill the mood.” It seems more and more like the way of the future as medical experts say we should be drinking much less booze and people are choosing healthier options. Viol adds "Our collaborative team is always looking to push boundaries and bring something new to the table." The bar is called SOBAR and, by the way, it will only be open in the evenings. It is not meant to be available for kids. Good luck SOBAR; hopefully lots of Boomers who like a good drink with atmosphere will give it a try. Cheer

Today is your day Boomer! Two news stories from the past few months illustrate the importance of taking a dog with you out hiking. Two Boomer males, in their early 70's, died on isolated mountainous hiking trails....one in Colorado and one in Arizona...and both had dogs with them that somehow survived! The most recent story was a man who was missing for 7 weeks and his pet was found lying beside him....alive! But what can a dog do...say...if you suffer a stroke or heart attack on a lonely trail? Well, overnight warmth for one as man and dog can sleep together; also, a dog can carry extra water, food, and a signal device so searchers can find the victim as quickly as possible. Dog lovers will also attest to this aspect: dogs are very loyal and will provide comfort, companionship, and a sense of security if a hiker is alive, awake, but not able to move. As well, a dog can help fend off potential predators like bears. Boomers, hiking alone....not a good idea, I think. But telli

Today is your day Boomer! As many Boomers are, or soon-to-be, grandparents....I think we need to follow the advise of my favourite hockey player of all time. Bobby Orr spent his childhood outside fishing, swimming, and skating in Perry Sound, Ontario. I know this because I read his biography. And now he says our kids are inside too much, mostly on screen time(see picture). How bad is it? One recent survey says kids get only 4-7 minutes per day of outside, free playtime! Yuck. And according to the Child Mind Institute, it is a real problem: "Many researchers agree that kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors. Spending time in nature can build their confidence. There’s a lot less structure than most types of indoor play and they can choose how they interact with the nature around them. This gives them practice managing their own actions and encourages creativity and imagination. Being outdoors can a

Today is your day Boomer! Donald Trump is running for US President again....and here are some of his 2024 election promises. In brief: (1) "drill, baby drill", oil-gas-coal production will go way up in America (2) homeless people will be sent to mass tent cities on cheap land (3) thousands of civil service workers will be fired (4) the US/Mexico wall will be finished (5) a 10% tariff on foreign goods (6) end the Ukraine War (7) only two genders will be recognized by US Government (8) teachers can carry concealed weapons and schools can hire armed guards (9) the death penalty for drug smugglers and those who traffic women and children (10) re-impose a travel ban on Muslim-majority countries (11) a mass deportation of illegal immigrants (12) phase-out Chinese imports into America within 4 years (13) continue support of Israel. Information, with no opinion this time Boomers. Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! I see our BC Health Officer, Bonnie Henry, is being sued by some fired health care workers who refused to get the COVID vaccine. I see the hospital situation is so bad in Surrey that a portable is now being used beside the major buildings; I see more Canadians are heading south to America for surgeries because wait lists are so long here; I see some emergency departments going through temporary closures due to lack of employees....I see a lot of problems. But...I also see many good things in our health care system because good news often doesn't get in the media. One year ago this month, I had major heart valve surgery and have now fully recovered. I can breathe normally again on hikes with my family...what a relief! Other family members or friends have had very successful knee surgeries with a very short waiting period and a hip surgery with no lasting ill effects! Meanwhile, millions of British Columbians are protecting themselves with free COVID a

Today is your day Boomer! Another politician....another wall! Yup, he is running for US President and is concerned about drugs crossing the border. The Canada/US border, that is, and his name Vivek Ramaswamy. "There was enough fentanyl that was captured just on the northern border last year to kill three million Americans. We’ve got to just skate to where the puck is going, not just where the puck is. Don’t just build the wall, build both walls.” The Republican candidate is also talking about the US/Mexico border wall which of course was started under Donald Trump. The price tag so far? About 15 billion dollars for 1200 km. So, do the math...a Canada wall is over 7 times as long! I'm sure both countries can find better ways of spending so much money. And that drug problem Mr. R. talks about: "According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, two pounds of fentanyl (less than one kilogram) has been seized at the northern border this year, compared with 27,000 pounds

Today is your day Boomer! Yup, he is a Boomer...but just barely. People Magazine has just announced the "sexiest man alive" for this year and he is kind of old-ish, like us! "McDreamy" himself, Patrick Dempsey is best known for playing Derek Shepherd on more than 200 episodes of Grey's Anatomy; he snags the title at the age of 57, more than 30 years after he began his career in Hollywood. He says "It's nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive." Dempsey is very much into a cancer fundraising and awareness campaign. Way to go Patrick! But isn't this honour a big pat on the back for older men everywhere? Sexy used to mean just young guys....no longer! And...are you following the ABC show "The Golden Bachelor"?! There is another older guy getting accolades for his good looks and attractive personality. Boomers, let's face it....the w

Today is your day Boomer! I apologize Boomers if you are a "country" music listener. My blogs rarely touch on that genre of songs and artists; instead, I prefer rock and pop. But today....I give you BOTH: Boomer info and a country song. In fact, it is a new country song by Texas performer Greg Young who writes lyrics and plays songs. This time, however, he cheats a little; he takes the most memorable lyrics from Boomer-favourite songs from the 1960's, 70's, and 80's and combines them into a song called "Boomer State of Mind". For example, he uses "Whisper words of wisdom, let it be" from the famous Beatles' song Let it Be. And it is quite good. Lots of guitar with rhyming lyrics you will easily remember! Google it....it is on YouTube. And get into a Boomer: state of mind. Cheers...

Today is your day Boomer! I know it is not Canada, but U.S. statistics for Baby Boomer real estate holdings are astronomical. The number is 19 trillion dollars at the end of 2022!! That's a lot of Boomer buyers and sellers of commercial and residential real estate. And want to know what is very frustrating? You never know, as a buyer, what other people are bidding. Yes, you get advice from your realtor on how much to bid....but you never really know if you made the right decision. So...a Vernon realtor has come up with a solution, a transparent bidding process! According to Castanet News, Vernon realtor Jake Russell has a new way of doing business. The Royal LePage Downtown Realty agent is the one of the first in Canada to introduce a system where home buyers and sellers can see all bids on a property. Russell says the new, transparent system has been talked about for more than a year and could be a game changer for buyers and sellers. "We have been looking at this for

Today is your day Boomer! I may know a few things about politics and government being a Social Studies teacher and elected school trustee for 35 years. Here is my take on the big recent referendum in my home town (Summerland, BC) on a new $50 million pool facility. Community members, including many Boomers, voted 58% NO and 42% YES in a very definitive ballot. The population was informed over many months, debated seriously all the issues, and voiced their concerns and support in a variety of ways like social media. This is a good way for politicians to gage support on big issues and projects, but it is too time-consuming and expensive for most municipal decisions. That must be left to the faith we put in our elected officials like mayor. After this NO vote, city council must go back and consider "other" options....like fixing the old pool. It should be less expensive, I hope. One other thing: only 46% of Summerland's eligible voters cast ballots and experts cons

Today is your day Boomer! Right now in the Okanagan, you can get apples for free or almost free. Why? Well, most have been frozen on the tree and are now soft to eat. It's great for bears trying to fatten up for winter, but humans like crisp, firm, fresh apples. So, what to do? Process is what! Check out this picture and realize we have dried pounds and pounds of Ambrosias over the last week with excellent results...crisp, tangy, sweet taste with lots of potential for snacking and possibly, Christmas presents. Next is apple sauce with the soft apples easy to cut and blend and for some people...juice and cider is on the go! One important requirement through all of this is a good, quality crank peeler that removes the apple skin and core and, generally, makes processing a breeze, and we were able to buy a used dryer off local social media for a very good price. We now have three! Boomers, I know it is November but don't give up on apples just yet! Yummmmm. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! I woke up this morning to a new Beatles' song! Yup, that's right. An original song from the Fab Four from 1970 with the very-familiar voice of John Lennon singing and the band in the background doing their usual thing. John and George, we know, are long gone...but with a little help of AI, we are getting a new song that was never released and wasn't usuable in its original form. According to CBC News, "This is not a fake John Lennon created by a computer," said Michael McCarty, the CEO of Kilometre Music Group. "This is the real John Lennon whose voice was basically buried in tape hiss and a wobbly piano on an old demo. And so what they've been able to do is extract his vocal and make it a pure, clean vocal as if he had recorded it today." And a bonus for Boomer listeners is the "B" side of the the record, massive 1962 hit "Love Me Do" is there for our ears. And...I like it, I like the new song! It

Today is your day Boomer! We are all seeking warmth and comfort as the cold days of November begin. In the news, I see homeless camps burning up because of issues like fires and propane burners inside tents. I see people out cutting firewood as they attempt a few last loads before the first big snow. And I see critters trying to get inside buildings and establishing winter nests....critters like mice and rats! Do you live in any of these B.C. cities (check the photo)? Vancouver, Burnaby, and Kelowna are 1,2,3 respectively with Victoria a close 4th. Nationally, Toronto is worst of all with Vancouver second. Boomers, get out your traps...whatever you do to rid your home of these invading rodents.....or contact an extermination company. They might be pretty busy though. By the way, don't forget your vehicles. Rodents like to curl up inside warm engine compartments and even, dashboards. Better check regularly. The only good "rat" I know is Brad Marchand, the captain o