Today Is Your Day Boomer

Today is your day Boomer! Boomers, this week most of us get a pay raise! Yes, an Old Age Security raise of 2.8% for seniors aged 65 or older. It is a COLA raise (cost of living) and now we get them three times a year! The average senior's unreduced OAS is now $727/month and if you are over 75, you receive $800! By the way, we get another 1.3% by December. Why? A box of cereal now costs 7 bucks and a new car almost 50,000 dollars. Everything is going up in price, so we need more buying power! And....a recent poll informs us that 2/3 of Canadians agree: "A majority of Canadians (64 per cent) who were recently surveyed by Angus Reid said they would support the increase in OAS payments for those aged 65 to 74."(Global News) Meanwhile, most of us get CPP as well. It went up 4.8% this year and has seen raises every year since 2019. Boomers, someone is listening to us. Senior pensions cannot remain static in this inflationary world. Cheers!

Today is your day Boomer! While we await the "final" results from the recent BC election, it is time to reflect on the big American presidential election in about two weeks. Trump vs Harris is a close one and, of course, very interesting for many Canadians just to the north. A new poll says about 2/3 of all Canadians would vote for Kamela(if given the chance) and only 20% would support Donald. Not surprising, I guess, given Canada's more "social-democratic" traditions and values. More from the Leger poll: "Those who intend to vote Conservative in the next Canadian election were split on where their hypothetical ballot would land. Forty-five per cent would back Trump while 42 per cent said they’d vote for Harris." What about Boomers? "Canadians 55 and older, Quebecers and women were more likely to support Harris." Interest here: "Seventy per cent of Canadian respondents in the new poll were interested in the current U.S. election.&quo

Today is your day Boomer! I write this blog from my bed as I recover from my first, and hopefully last, case of COVID. It is not pleasant....the coughing, aching head, dizziness, sore throat, and low energy keeps you sidelined....if you are lucky...for about a week. I am just starting to feel a little better; but what about all those people that have long-term COVID, and worse, those who died? Here are some staggering numbers(see picture): over 700 million people got the virus worldwide and 7 million died, in Canada: 5 million cases and 59,000 deaths. Which countries suffered the most? The United States, by far, was number one with 112 million cases then India in 2nd place and France 3rd. These numbers come from worldometers.info. And of course, the pandemic is still with us...just now at a more-subdued level. I got it last week and a close relative the week before. Boomers, get your shots and take great care in large-gathering situations. Cheers--and here's to your good health

Today is your day Boomer! I was just plain dumb...I guess. I got COVID this week after making it through the entire pandemic without being victimized! I went to a social gathering of 30-40 retired teachers....indoors because of inclement weather, participated in a lot of hugs, hand shakings, pats on the back, close-in conversations, and one drink. Well, that was it....two days later and still today, I am suffering with hurtful coughing, a sore throat, dizziness, and lack of energy. It isn't fun, but what it is....is a warning for all of you fellow Boomers. COVID is not over, it is close by, and in the right situation...it can still rear its ugly head. When the social got switched to indoors, I should have thought more clearly and refused to attend. Next time I will. I sit here in my basement, far away from my wife and dogs, because I didn't practice a little common sense. Boomers, take note! Cheers.

Today is your day Boomer! And...it is a day for decision-making for Boomer British Columbians. After a month-long campaign, Elections BC is ready for your attendance at one of many polling stations across the province. But should you vote? OF COURSE! This from a former social studies teacher and current politician, and one who is proud to say "I have voted in every election possible since I turned 18." Boomers, it is your "civic duty"....just like paying taxes and doing jury duty. And our age group votes with the highest possible percentage (75%) with youth being the lowest at 47% in the 2021 federal election. So, we need to tell the politicians what we think is important for BC's future, be a good role model for younger voters, and encourage them to participate. Our country is built on democratic values and so much can change with just ONE election result! Imagine Trump winning the US presidency again???? Ahhhhh!! These people make major decisions on ou

Today is your day Boomer! Boomers....within 10 years, one of four British Columbians will be officially "seniors", 65 or older. And of course, we are part of this! But do we need more attention from government, more helping programs, more services....more money? Yes, we do. So the good news is we have a "seniors advocate" in our province, one who lobbies, pushes and promotes what we need. Dan Levitt says we need "to develop and implement a cross-ministry strategy and action plan to strengthen supports and services for seniors." He adds: "The recent flurry of announcements of new and replacement long-term care spaces and the updated poverty plan are encouraging, but seniors also need assurance that government is working to improve availability of seniors subsidized housing, access to health care, affordable transportation and home care, and better income supports.” How bad is it? Levitt says "the average wait time for a long-term care bed wen

Today is your day Boomer! I think Donald Trump needs to take a basic high school social studies class on political ideology. Yes....this week, he called Democratic opponent Kamela Harris both a "communist" and a "fascist". Well, Donald that is impossible. Check out this political spectrum diagram found in any text book, and realize right away that they are extreme opposite ideologies! Communism supports public ownership of all land/business, and government control over people's lives. Fascism, on the other hand, promises private ownership of all land/business with government control often being violent and only when necessary. Think of communism...think Mao TseTung of China and Stalin/USSR. Think of fascism....think Hitler/Germany and Mussolini/Italy. Donald, perhaps the only similarity, historically, has been their authoritarian leadership styles. Get it straight Trump, do your research, fact check before you make brazen statements, and tell the truth.

Today is your day Boomer! Or maybe November 29 is your day! That is the day of release for the latest Beatles' documentary entitled " Beatles 64". According to BANG showbiz, it "will focus on the 'electrifying moment' of the legendary group's first visit to America, and the global impact of the band at that time." The Fab Four film will be produced by Martin Scorsese and will be on Disney+. It will take us back to the moment the band arrived in New York City to unprecedented excitement ahead of their performance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' - which became the most watched TV event of its time, and shining a light on the bond between the band. The film will also feature rare footage restored in 4K, as well as, live clips from the group's first US concert at the Washington DC Coliseum, newly-filmed interviews with surviving Beatles Paul and Ringo, and discussions with fans whose lives were transformed by the band. I like it!! But I am a real

Today is your day Boomer! Most of you know I am a retired BC high school teacher and current school trustee. Education has been a huge focus in my life for almost 40 years....so, I read with great interest the educational "school" promises made by the top three political parties in BC. (1) Green: "The Greens would establish a digital literacy secretariat and ensure that every middle school and high school student receives a laptop for school work. Putting laptops in the hands of every student from Grade 6 to 12 is expected to cost $110.5 million annually, including software and cybersecurity costs. The Greens would also institute an universal school food program, as well as double the funds for mental health support staff in schools."(timescolonist.com) (2) NDP: "bring costs down for even more families through affordable before-and after-school care in every school district....Add tens of thousands of new, desperately needed accessible and affordable child c

Today is your day Boomer! You have to like it! A 69-year-old Boomer guy stepping out of his comfort zone with a sing-and-play public performance at an Okanagan beach! Why is this extraordinary, you say? Well, it was his first time doing this and the man had not even learned to play his ukulele until COVID....just a few years ago. John Wardley says "It took me out of my shell a bit. It was good for me, and I enjoy it. But I’ll stick with the ukulele. I can only manage four strings. Six would be too much.”(Penticton Herald) John was playing Beatles' songs like "Let it Be" with people walking by and boats coming in from the lake on a warm fall day. This takes courage: "I just do this for fun. I’m not after anything, and I find that people like it." I can relate to John. I also took up the ukulele during the pandemic and recently sang and played at a family memorial service. But you have to practice and gotta be brave. Boomers, don't you think we shoul

Today is your day Boomer! It's been a bad week for mortality Boomers....three of our favourite entertainment stars passed away, all in their 80's. Kris Kristofferson, actor and singer, with that deep baritone voice was one of them. Who can forget his role in A Star is Born with Barbara Streisand or his Highwaymen songs with the likes of Johnny and Willie(see picture!) Actress Maggie Smith also passed, perhaps best known for her TV role on Downton Abbey and numerous movies. "Again and again across an extraordinary career, Smith gave us painfully accurate portraits of British women, from steely and haughty to fragile and vulnerable – often simultaneously. She captured women’s fatigue with the social constraints imposed upon them and showed stunning glimpses of a world beyond those limitations, full of other potentials and possibilities."(theconversation.com) And then was the death of Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hit leader on the positive side....and negativel