Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! And today is "Leap Day" in a leap year(2024), so we kind of get a BONUS DAY in our lives....don't we? It means if you are 64, you get one extra day of living before you turn 65 and officially become a "senior". So why is today so special? According to CBS News, "Leap years exist because while the world follows a 365-day Gregorian calendar, it actually takes the planet a little bit more than a year to orbit the sun. It takes Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to orbit the sun, according to NASA — and while that is rounded down to the 365 days we recognize as a typical year, those nearly six extra hours don't disappear. Instead, leap years are added to account for the difference. The extra day keeps calendars and seasons from gradually falling out of sync." There you go. It is also special because it is one more day to do something meaningful or active in our lives: a ski day, a family reunion, an extra

Today is your day Boomer! As we near the end of winter, it is time to start thinking about fishin' Boomers. Yup, I did last week and was able to snag some new insulated hip waders for $100 off! You can get deals at this time of year on stuff that didn't sell last summer. Shop around and check it out. As well, now is the time to buy fishing lures before they sell out...especially the popular salmon and trout spinners, flies, and spoons. Speaking of salmon, I am headed into a phase of a more "serious" attitude as we spend more time near the ocean in retirement. An annual seniors license for tidal waters is only about 19 bucks and a fresh-water license is a real bargain at 6$. You can easily buy them on-line. And don't forget to get the annual regulations as fishing/catching restrictions and openings are taken very seriously by all participants. Mostly, I fish for fun...sport fish with unbarbed hooks for "catch and release". However, I may keep a f

Today is your day Boomer! Winter is hanging on....and we have to remind ourselves of this Boomers. Roads, especially mountain highways, and all roads in the early morning hours can be extremely slippery because of left-over frozen snow, slush, and black ice. And it is this black ice that is so hard to predict and so hard to see. According to ICBC, "When temperatures are near freezing, be more aware. If you notice ice build-up on your windshield, there's likely black ice on the road. Black ice is commonly found in shaded areas, bridges, overpasses and intersections. Slow down and increase your following distance in these slippery areas." For example, Abbotsford B.C. had one day with 22 vehicle accidents last week, all due to icy conditions. Good winter tires are not enough. Boomers, we need to, perhaps, consider staying home on bad driving days. Ice is not nice....

Today is your day Boomer! It was a great day for Boomers....actually, all age groups were represented and having fun at the annual One World Multi-Cultural Festival in Penticton, BC yesterday. My friend and I kept an "eye" and ear on the many performers(including cute little dancers) and tasted ethnic foods from as many as 35 nations particpating in the festival! My wife checked out the clothes, books, jewelry, and other cultural items in the numerous displays. It was a great time had by all as South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services organized and ran its 11th event! Organizer Cherry Fernandez says her "favourite part of the event is seeing everyone connecting with each other." And she is right. This is what Canada is all about: diversity, inclusiveness, understanding, and a broad sense of community. My only criticism...a few more chairs for the aging Boomers and Seniors would be a nice addition for next year! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! When I go to my local fitness centre 2-3 times a week, I often see exercising seniors in the pool. There is a large viewing window, so I can watching master swimmers doing laps or 40-50 seniors in the Recope Program. What is that, you ask? "Recope is a non-profit organization that has been serving the District of Summerland since 1976. It provides medically designed and supervised therapeutic exercise programs for adults with medical challenges."(Summerland.ca) I admire these men and women, most of whom are beyond Boomer age...well into their late 70's, 80's, and 90's. They go hard for over an hour! I watch, and I wonder how I can avoid a similar fate. The health experts say continue regular exercise(moderate cardio every day with light weight training twice a week), good balanced meals, small amounts of alchol, no smoking, regular doctor checkups, and a good, positive life outlook. Did I miss anything? Don't think so, but I k

Today is your day Boomer! Are you getting sick of this whole Taylor Swift thing? I wake up this morning to multiple stories about the mega star....from increased BC Ferries sailings next December for her three Vancouver concerts, to lightning strikes cancelling her gig last night in Australia, to her love life with a football player, and how much money she gave to a family after a tragic death at a Superbowl celebration-turned riot. Blah...blah...too much Taylor! I know she is worth a billion dollars, I know she is young and beautiful, and I know she is great singer...but too much is too much. For Boomers, let's follow our guys and gals. How about Rod Stewart, turning 79 and still going strong: "he continues full-throttle with a busy year. Highlights in 2024 include his 200th show at his Las Vegas residency, an ongoing world tour and a new swing album." (The Associated Press) How about cranking up some of our old-time songs and dancing around the living room? A li

Today is your day Boomer! Baby Boomers will have vivid memories of him...perhaps the greatest hockey player of all time, the young man who revolutionized the game! Yup, Number Four, Bobby Orr and according to hocky writer Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun....we are in danger of forgetting his accomplishments: "Orr won his first NHL scoring title in 1970 — as the first, then later the second, defenceman in hockey history to win an Art Ross Trophy. The first came 54 years ago. At the height of his brilliance, in an unmatched six-year period, Orr scored 734 points,finished first in NHL scoring twice, second three times, third once. Most of that coming more than 50 years ago." And the article, published two days ago, goes on to list his other "team" accomplishments like two Stanley Cups! But why talk about this? Young people know the current star athletes like Connor McDavid, but do they really know and recognize the greatness of past stars like Wayne Gretzky, Pele,

Today is your day Boomer! We're number one....we're number one! Uh, oh...no more Boomers. Stats Canada says those darn Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, have taken over top spot in Canada's population. We, the Baby Boomers, dominated for 65 years are now in 2nd place. Boo hoo. Those young whipper snappers(aged 27-43) now own 23% of the population; WE....used to be as high as 40%, and the experts say Millennials will never get to that level. Okay, why the change? Well, we are getting older and with age comes death. As for the Millennials, their population is being bolstered by ever-increasing immigration; according to Global News, "From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, the millennial population increased by 457,354, exclusively due to the arrival of permanent and temporary immigrants." But Boomers, this is good, right? Think about it. They are in the prime of their working lives and are paying big taxes, and....making major contributions to pension pl

Today is your day Boomer! They are the biggest band of all time...and maybe they do deserve a movie about each member. It is called a "big-screen biopic" and apparently it is coming in 2027! A film on each Beatle, from four different perspectives....John, Paul, Ringo, and George! According to The Associated Press, "McCartney, Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have all signed off on the project through the band's Apple Corps. Ltd. Sony Music Publishing controls the rights to the majority of Beatles songs." The director will be Sam Mendes who says “I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies." Boomers, think of other biopics: one on Bob Marley (in theatres now!), Freddie Mercury, Elvis, Elton John, and another in production now on Micheal Jackson. These movies are a relatively new trend and I like it! Boomer Beatle fans rejo

Today is your day Boomer! There is a lot of misunderstanding and criticism of Boomers out there in the social media world. I know because I do quite a bit of research for this blog...and I share my blog thoughts on Facebook and Instagram. Younger generations even like to taunt us with expressions like "Hey Boomer"! But there are some things that many people just don't realize when it comes to our aging, but sprited generation. According to senioradvisor.com, here are 7 of them: (1) We are Online – and in Great Numbers.....over 80% of Boomers access the internet and social media every day. (2) We are Turning 65. Yup, many of us are now officially "senior citizens" and we qualify for pensions like CPP and OAS. (3) We are Increasingly Foreign Born. More and more immigrants are coming to Canada and many are aging. (4) We are Thrifty: "While not cheap, Boomers don’t believe in spending money needlessly. 79% of Baby Boomers believe that store brands are an

Today is your day Boomer! About five years ago, I started this Baby Boomer blog....with the intent of going at it regularly until further notice. Well, that "further notice" reached the 700 blog mark this week with a whole lot of researching, pondering, and writing about the lives of Boomers born after World War II (from 1946-1964). I focus on lifestyle, recreation, food, sport, health and current events that affect our often-criticized generation. Some of my stuff is also very serious; a recent critique of the health care system and the high divorce rate are examples. Some is tongue-in-cheek; Donald Trump is a main target. And some is historical, as I helped explain the background of the Israeli/Palestinian crisis lately. I also throw-in some family/friend developments, which I like a lot, and reflect...generally...on the aging process. So...as I continue to write, I would like more readers. If you can help spread the word, I would greatly appreciate it! Boomers ca

Today is your day Boomer! It really was a "Boomer" kind of event. Last night....my wife, friends, and I attended an arts show/special gathering at Peachland's community centre. It was an art display plus an opening ceremony for art in an old schoolhouse. Awesome! And the atmosphere was mostly all Boomerish: from the grey-haired artists, to the visitors, to the singing mayor, the band, the displays, art lessons, and the food/drink providers! Even the two-man band played Boomer, old-time songs from performers like Willie Nelson. Lots of sitting and standing around, sipping wine, gazing at paintings, listening to music, and trying to ignore long speeches. And...the hors d'oeuvre were excellent: meatballs, cheesy bread, cold veggies, meat/cheese, veg sticks! What an event....a perfect Boomer evening and thanks to our friends M and K for inviting us! Cheers to good friends and good times Boomers!

Today is your day Boomer! I play pickleball twice a week in the winter....when not injured, and I just love the sport! Lots of good competition, socialization and different skill levels from different players....including many younger people who are taking up the sport. This sport is getting so big, cities like Vernon BC now have an indoor 12-court facility with over 700 members! New York City's Central Park hosts 15 courts and check out this picture. Fort Lauderdale, Florida is going BIG, really big as they get ready for the many retired Boomers/seniors that come to their state. Their new concept includes "stadium" pickleball, which means they can host huge national events with top players like tennis does. For me, I like our local club of 260 with two small indoor venues and one bigger outdoor spot. However, I can see the need for more courts soon....especially indoor courts for the winter season. Our membership is growing so quickly, it was capped this year!

Today is your day Boomer! It is not a pleasent topic to talk about....but it is a reality. It is called "grey divorce", a new trend in Canada that points to more and more couples aged 50 and older splitting up. Yes, the average age of divorce is now 48....and our divorce rate is hovering around the 40% level. Wow, that sounds high....but is true according to a new report on Global News. Here are some startling quotes from that story:(1)"There seems to be less of a stigma around divorce and older couples are more willing to end their marriage if they are not happy with it."(2)"The breakdown of a marriage is never easy, but divorce at an older age beyond 50 has its unique set of challenges." (3)"Senior couples look at it as they only have so much more time left to enjoy life." (4) "Baby boomers also have more wealth than any other generation in history, so they can afford to live in separate households." (5)"In addition, there

Today is your day Boomer! Please tell me Boomers that you are watching the Superbowl today for the football....and not the commercials, and not the half-time Usher show, and certainly NOT for the continuing love story of Taylor and Travis (see picture!). Yes, Ms Swift is flying halfway around the world to see her boyfriend play....but, but, really....who cares? I know, I know, millions of Swifties do, but emphatically NOT diehard football fans like me. I read that nearly 70 million Americans will make bets on the game today, and that includes at least five bets on the T and T drama; for example, one bet centres on whether Travis will propose to Taylor shortly after the game (on the field!) if the Chiefs win! Seriously? Yikes....this is madness. But the game is in Vegas, and I hear that anything can happen in Vegas! Sports Boomers, should be a good close exciting football game. Enjoy the competition, the atmosphere, your cold beer, great food, and socializing friends. Go Chief

Today is your day Boomer! I often read media stories about people getting old....for my blog, yes, but also to discover their secrets to long life. So...according to Global News, "Canada’s newest centenarian has two tips for longevity. Russell Kaye, who turned 100 years old on Friday, says his first suggestion is to stay busy and avoid moping. 'If you wake up in the morning and want to go back to bed, that’s not going to work.'" His other tip is simply to be "lucky"....stay away from situations where you could easily die. By the way, as a young soldier Russell avoided death on the D-Day beaches of Normandy in 1944! That's big time luck. Boomers, almost 10,000 Canadians are aged 100 or older, about .03% of our population. I think we should heed the advice of people like Russell, exercise, eat and sleep well, socialize lots with friends and family, get regular medical checkups, keep a positive attitude, and rely a little bit on long-life family geneti

Today is your day Boomer! How is your driving confidence when it comes to roundabouts? ICBC did a recent survey that shows drivers, like Boomers, generally do well in roundabouts, do better in single lane situations, but don't understand multi-lane rounders very well. We have three roundabouts in my hometown and they do work very well....except for big trucks I guess. But according to ICBC, here are the official "do's and don'ts" of navigating roundabouts: "Slow down as you approach a roundabout. Yield to pedestrians or cyclists. Know where you are going. Yield to any traffic already in the roundabout. Do not change lanes in a roundabout. Don’t drive alongside large vehicles in roundabouts. Large vehicles may need more space in roundabouts. Signal “right” before exiting the roundabout.**In a multi-lane roundabout: If you want to turn left, use the left lane. If you want to turn right, use the right lane. If you want to go straight, use the left or right

Today is your day Boomer! Yesterday, I asked this question: "What defines Boomers, what are our values and characteristics?" Today...we compare. Here is a table that outlines the other generations and their tendancies and trends (see picture!). Check out all the differences between us and our kids.....for example, in the area of communication. Also....look at family life and realize we are/were very "work" oriented, while younger generations seek more off time, recreation, and balance in their lives. I think the comparison is a little harsh on Boomers, but I understand the content and a lot of it does relate to Boomers in our working/raising family lives. For example, the BIG motivation of money! A good read...and thought-provoking. Cheers and here's to us Boomers!!

Today is your day Boomer! Of course, this is an almost-daily blog about Baby Boomers and is written by a Boomer.....me, 65-year-old Dave. So, sometimes we need to remind ourselves(and others!) who we are and what we stand for. So....according to euronews.com, this is us: "The baby boomer generation is defined as people born from 1946 to 1964. This cohort was the result of a strong post-World War II economy, in which many people felt confident they would be able to support a larger number of children - resulting in a huge surge of births. In the media, many have criticised members of this generation for their resistance to technological change, climate change and their opposition to the changing values of younger generations - hence why the internet phrase 'Ok boomer' took off. Conversely, in the US and Canada, baby boomers have been labelled as the “flower power” generation, thanks to their roles in pushing the civil rights movement, anti-war protests to the Vietnam Wa

Today is your day Boomer! Okay grandpa and grandma, got the grandkids over to play today? Thinking about buying a $1000 Playstation or $500 bikes to keep them happy and occupied? How about a box instead? A simple cardboard box with a few accessories like crayons and blankets? This is called "unstructured play" by our health experts, and you should recognize it from your early play days. Simple, thought-provoking fun stuff! Here are the benefits, according to those experts: (1)Physical health and gross motor skills: Active, unstructured play reduces sedentary behaviours, helps promote healthy weights and improves motor skills. It improves musculoskeletal fitness and cardiovascular health. (2)Mental and emotional health: Unstructured play promotes children’s mental and emotional well-being such as positive self-concept and self-esteem. It supports the formation and maintenance of friendships. (3)Social health and team work: Unstructured play helps children improve their

Today is your day Boomer! Guys, have you looked in the mirror lately....at your hair? I got a rude awakening this week when my picture appeared in the local media. That's me with the two-tone haircut on the back of my head and a maybe a slight-balding spot starting on top! Oh, I look rather old....and the grey is taking on a rather wierd style....I think. Of course, many Boomer men are gradually going grey, so maybe we need some expert advice. This is from "Losi", a celebrity expert on hair styles for Baby Boomers: "Learn to care for gray hair: Gray hair can be coarse and oily. Look for clarifying shampoos and conditioners that exfoliate your scalp and help dissipate oil buildup. Opt for lightweight oils and serums to keep gray hair soft and manageable. Also, keep in mind that environmental factors, such as chlorine or hard water can discolor gray hair. Rinsing in non-chlorinated water is essential, especially if you've been swimming. Get the right cut an