It's Over !

Well, the excitement is done, the turkey is but a memory and the gifts have been opened and scattered. Yes, Christmas is over! Hooray ! Sorry, I just find it a very hectic time of year, what with the rush to get gifts bought and wrapped and everything that has to do with that time of year. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, however I can certainly do without all the hub-bub and crazyness, as I am sure you all can. Ah well, just think - only another 349 days left to do your Christmas shopping, LOL.

It is New Years Eve day and we are certainly ending the year on a very sad note - another 3 of our brave soldiers gave their lives doing what they loved and believed in. What a time of year for it to happen, not to say that anytime is not bad. My heart goes out to the families of all those that have fallen since this conflict started. LEST WE FORGET - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

So - any great plans for tonight? Maybe going out to a big party to ring in the new year? Or having guests over to celebrate? My wife and I stopped going out several years ago and we now have a nice quiet evening at home, just her, myself and the cat lol. I must be getting old - don't see the sense in going out and getting sloshed just for the sake of it being New Years Eve. Whatever you have decided to do, I hope that you enjoy it thoroughly. Please remember though not to drink and drive. Not only can you put yourself at risk for arrest and loss of driver's license, you also put others at risk by doing so.

A good friend of ours sent us an e-mail that I will reproduce in part here - I thought it quite appropriate.

"I WISH YOU ENOUGH"

'When we say, 'I wish you enough,' we are wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them. Therefore,

- I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how grey the day may appear.
- I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
- I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
- I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
- I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
- I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
- I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

As I said, it seemed appropriate, considering that we are on the threshold of a new year.

A very Happy New Year to All and to all my friends and family, I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

Grandpa out .........

Christmas Day

The following is excerpted and paraphrased from the editorial page of our local newspaper. It certainly causes one to pause and contemplate ........


Love and Fear.
Sages from different religious and philosophical traditions agree that these are the two poles around which everything moves. It's interesting then that one of the most beloved Christmas speeches in the Christian tradition opens with the words, "Fear not." Good words in troubled times, whether or not religion is part of your life.

The measures of fear and love can be applied to all things, really, in an attempt to understand motivation, both personal and public. While Christmas is a celebration of love in the absence of fear - an unqualified declaration that everything is as it should be - it becomes for many a trial to be endured. This Christmas, in that blessed few hours after the rush is over, there are good questions to ask. What causes the trial? Is it love? Or is it fear? Is it fear of disappointing our loved ones that drives us to fret about the gifts we buy? Is it fear or love in action when we spend more than we have to live up to the standards someone else set for our families?

And what of the deeper questions we will face in the months ahead?

Never in the experience of the current generation has there been so much economic uncertainty going into a new year. What roles will love and fear play as we move forward? Which will rule us?

"For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people ... "

Rarely have more hopeful words been written, yet they can and have become violently divisive through dogmatic disputes of our choosing. What drives those disputes, and other religiously motivated divisions and violence across the full spectrum of belief? Love? Or fear? This is the acid test of awareness for all things going forward, religious, secular, political, social. It may be of great value as we all face the trial ahead.

"... and on earth, peace, good will toward men."

Merry Christmas to all.

Grandpa out .....

Adrift and slowly sinking !!

Well, here it is December 6th and time marches on - getting closer to Christmas, shopping malls are packed, even though people seem to be spending slightly less than last year and we are a country adrift in the high seas of a faltering economy! How did this come about, you query? I will try to explain it, without getting too verbose or dealing with too many issues. Our finance minister brought down an economic update a week and a half or so ago and the three opposition parties certainly didn't like it. Because they together outnumber the current governing party, they decided to form a "coalition" of the NDP and Liberals, supported by the Bloc. They had a non-confidence vote scheduled for December 8th and if it had been held, would have potentially booted the democratically elected governing party out and possibly either had the Governor General ask them to form a temporary government or caused her to call another election (7 weeks after the last one). The Prime Minister met with the Governor General the other day and convinced her to "prorogue" (suspend) Parliament. As a result of the meeting, our parliament has been suspended until January 26th and the non-confidence vote scheduled for Monday has been cancelled. Parliament is scheduled to resume January 26th, with a budget slated to come down on January 27th. The budget will be a confidence issue and if defeated, will cause the government to topple. Then, we will either end up with another election costing untold millions of dollars or have the Liberals govern, with the support of the other two parties (you remember the last time the Liberals governed, don't you? Large deficit, high taxes, cutbacks, etc).

So, you ask, how does this affect the general public as a whole? Well, it could have some dramatic effects. The way it is set up in the Constitution and laws governing the country, no new money can be doled out for various programs - the government does not have the legal authority now to create any additional funding. The only money that can be called on is that which has already been budgeted and approved. In other words, no hands in the cookie jar for the next month and a half. That, in itself, can be a good thing, but on the opposite side it is bad also. No new money for additional health care, no money for the armed forces, no money for childcare, etc etc. Not quite sure how it affects the cost of living increases that pensions such as CPP generally get, but guess time will tell.

Getting back to the budget - the Tories are going to have to sit down, put on their collective thinking caps, and come up with a plan that addresses the current economic situation and provide some kind of impetus that will kick start the economy again. If they don't and come in with a normal type budget, they will end up not only with egg on their faces, but probably be out of a job as well. To say the least, it should be an interesting time.

My personal opinion is that it really doesn't matter who is elected - when it gets right down to it, they are all the same and only in it due to the prestige and power. I have always voted for the representative in our area that does the best job for the people he/she represents. As it turns out so far, the individual represents the Conservatives, but that is the way the cookie crumbles. It just as easily could have been one of the other parties, but Bruce Stanton (our elected MP) does a wonderful job representing the area and his constituents and I really can't see any of the other parties even coming close to doing the job that he does. That is, again, just my opinion - I am sure you can find dissenting opinions very easily just by asking around. Okay - enough of the politics and the state of the country. We could probably go on forever discussing it but it only gets me riled up and you don't want Grandpa "riled" lol lol.

Soooo ....... finished Christmas shopping yet? I am very pleased that all my (our) shopping is done, everything is wrapped and ready for delivery. That way, I don't have to fight the crowds at the local stores to try and buy gifts. I am going down to the big smoke (Toronto) on the 20th to deliver all the gifts down there and get to see the grandkids while I'm at it. Unfortunately, the wife has to work and with split days off (Sunday and Wednesday) she doesn't want to rush around on the one day and be exhausted for work the next day. That, and it looks like she may have to work Christmas day also, so if we don't have our turkey that day, we will have it either the day before (that way she can take in turkey sandwiches for lunch) or after the fact - we will see. It all depends on what she wants to do - me? I am easy lol. I guess I should take the camera with me on the 20th and get some current pictures of the grandkids. At least that will help the wife see how big they are all getting.

Anyways, not much else to say - - other than the weather and I don't want to even get into that again! So, will sign off for now and if for some reason I don't do another post between now and Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of myself and my wife, to wish you a Merry Christmas. May God Bless your holidays with hope and peace.

Grandpa out ......

I am NOT a winter person

More snow - aughhh !!! Bad enough we had 6 - 8 inches on the 16th of the month but we got another 6 inches last night. I guess the only fortunate thing is that the wife is off today, so there was no major rush to clear the driveway to drive her to work. We have been getting flurries off and on all day - sure wish it would stop already, he he he. Seriously though, there are some that just love the snow (my brother in Edmonton, for one), some that can take it or leave it and then there are those of us that would prefer NOT to have any. Although I must admit the trees are very pretty just after the first snowfall, particularly if lights happen to shine on them. Trouble is, all that pretty white pristine snow soon turns to grey crappy looking slush and then where are you at? Gotta slog through it to go anywhere and you either end up with a load of it in your boots, getting splashed by idiots in cars going too fast for the conditions or freezing your buns off.
Speaking of those that like snow - was out clearing my drive this morning and a couple of snowmobiles went by with kids on them, as well as the adults driving them. Whatever happened to work and school, people? The kids were all school age and I know the schools were open - the only area that didn't have any bus service was north of us; and it isn't a day off at school for PD day either, as our adopted grandson dropped by on his way to school so "grandma" could measure him. Hmmmm ........ must be nice to be able to take the day off whenever you want and yank the kids out of school - would never have happened when I was going to school - you practically had to be on your death-bed before you could stay home from school and forget about going out to play if you are home sick.

Ah well, guess that is enough ranting for now. Soooo ..... anyone finished their Christmas shopping yet? I have a couple of more gifts to get and that will be it for us. And no, not getting any of the gift suggestions I mentioned in a previous blog, lol. I will leave those for others ha ha ha (although I still like the scooter idea lol ). We are not too sure what is happening this year for Christmas - there is a distinct possibility the wife may have to work it, but we won't know for sure for another couple of weeks. So, will probably just drive down and drop off the gifts to the kids and grandkids beforehand (which reminds me - will have to contact daughter to get my "care package" ready lol) and spend a nice quiet time at home. This time of year gets extremely hectic, particularly if you still have shopping to do, and it is nice not having to worry about fighting crowds or traffic the closer it gets to Christmas.

Anyways, after looking out the window and seeing the snow coming down, debated whether to go out and clear it now - nah - will wait until tomorrow when the weather is supposed to clear up a bit. That's about it, so ta-ta for now and will write again soon ..................

Grandpa out .....

WHAT ?? Christmas is coming?

This year has gone buy so fast, it’s difficult to fathom Christmas isn’t that far off. Not only do most stores have Halloween decorations littering the aisles, but I actually saw Christmas decorations adorning the shelves at Wal-Mart the other day. We all know what this means, don’t we? It’s the time of year to figure out what we’re going to buy the people in our lives who have everything. I figured out last year that gift cards are the ideal item - easy to purchase, allows the recipient to get what they want, and saves a lot of running around and fighting crowds at the mall. Has anyone else given thought to holiday gifts yet? If so, are you going high tech, or keeping it simple?

Christmas is a little over a 5 1/2 weeks away (yes, yes I know - so many gifts to buy, so little time), so I thought I would assist you and provide a list of the Top 10 Redneck Christmas Gifts for those of you who are last minute shoppers. When most think of rednecks, beer comes to mind. Sure, you can buy a few cases and satisfy any redneck - but why be one of those people, when you can purchase high-tech redneck items? Some you can even make yourself by simply going to the dollar store, while others may require special order - but hurry, you want these items in time for Christmas morning.

1. The Redneck Grill - Rednecks love a good cook-out, there’s nothing like a little raccoon or possum cooked over an open flame. Why not buy your favorite redneck a grill? Ok, maybe not buy, but I’m sure you can find the tools necessary to build the one below:

2. The Redneck Lawn Mower - Some rednecks prefer goats when it comes to lawn maintenance, but this little beauty will brighten any Christmas morning:

3. The Redneck Barbie - We can’t forget all the good little redneck kiddies. Most little boy rednecks will entertain themselves with duct tape and sticks, but redneck girls? Give her a role model she can look at each day and say, “Hey, I wanna be just like her when I grow up.” (The doll is also known as Britney Spears)

4. The Redneck Senior Scooter - We can’t forget our senior rednecks. As they age, riding the mule back and forth to the mailbox or pushing a cart in Wal-Mart can become strenuous - the scooter below is for Granny, Gran-pappy’s comes with a black seat:

5. The Redneck Entertainment Center - For the high-tech rednecks, this entertainment center will bring hours of fun. Sunday Nascar races, phone calls from bill collectors and writing to their favorite prison pen-pals while sitting on a comfortable seat:

6. The Redneck Computer - This computer is for those rednecks who are not yet skilled in using high-end technology. Comes installed with Redneck Winders, however the mouse is optional. I suggest looking in the outhouse or barn and make sure the balls are clean.

7. The Redneck Hunting Dog - As they say, a dog is man’s best friend. The Redneck Hunting Dog can not only shoot a gun, but run back to the house and tell Mom and Dad that Timmy is stuck in a cave:
8. The Redneck Car Lock - Forget the bar across the steering wheel, this lock will make car thieves think twice before stealing a redneck’s car - although I’m not sure who would want to steal one to begin with:
9. The Redneck Gift Basket - Since I mentioned beer, you can buy a gift basket full of a redneck’s favorite beer - which is usually Budweiser. Don’t buy some high-society foreign beer - you’ll only confuse them. Bottles or cans doesn’t matter either - they entertain themselves with both:
10. Redneck Airbags - This gift is a two for one kind of deal. First, you have to find a redneck chick that looks like, well her. Then you have to force her to drive the redneck man around. What he does with her after he gets home is up to him - this gift is quite expensive due to this fact - monthly payments are involved as well as a case of beer and the gift basket listed above.

There you have it - the Top 10 Redneck Christmas Gifts for 2008. Never forget, rednecks are people too. Do not purchase sheep - just a friendly reminder.

As you have probably gathered by now, the above list of gifts was strictly tongue-in-cheek. I am sure that you will probably come up with much better gifts on your own, without my help (although the scooter definitely has possibilities :>) ).

Anyways, from our house to yours, may the upcoming season be joyous, may you get all that you deserve and may you enjoy each other's company. Merry Christmas everyone !

Grandpa out .........

Just a Wandering Man

The wife and I went to Barrie today and visited some former co-workers and friends at my old office. The main reason was because a good friend is expecting. I was surprised, to say the least. Not that there is anything wrong with that; just that I never thought that she would get around to having a family - she always seemed to be having an enjoyable time travelling around with or without hubby. Anyways, I know that she will make a wonderful mother as she adores her niece and I am sure she will enjoy the time off from work also. We wish nothing but the best for her, hubby and the little one to come. God Bless.

Saw a few other friends and former co-workers also while we were at the office. It was sure nice seeing everyone. Unfortunately, a good friend wasn't available - apparently she is down in Vegas this week spending all her hubby's money lol. Oh well, I am sure that we will catch up with her sometime in the near future. A couple of people mentioned that they were "slightly jealous" and wished they could retire as well. Well, DON'T HATE THE PLAYER; HATE THE GAME! he he he he. Funny how you still tend to miss the office atmosphere and the friendships/working relationships that you build up there. As I have stated numerous times before, I certainly don't miss the work (not that it was that difficult) but I sure do miss the people. Sitting at home during one of my many coffee breaks (all day, every day :>) ) and having the cat stare at me or jumping up on the computer desk or chair is not quite the same. It is a tough life and someone has to do it so it might as well be me I guess. :>)

While in Barrie, my wife suggested that I pick up the gift certificates for my granddaughters while we were there. The girls love shopping at Fairview Mall in Toronto and as Georgian Mall in Barrie is part of the whole Cadillac Fairview thing, it makes sense to pick up the gift cards there. It was a great idea, saving me another trip down to Barrie. Of course, you know she had an ulterior motive - she HAD to stop at Kernels Popcorn to pick up a large bag of popcorn lol. Whatever makes her happy - I am not a popcorn fanatic myself - I prefer a nice cookie or dark chocolate but, being diabetic, I have to limit what I have :>( . I am just glad that the weather cooperated and wasn't too miserable for the drive down and back - I hate the highway in rain or snow, what with all the transports passing me like I am standing still.

Anyways, that was my day more or less. Sure enjoyed the visit and, knowing that some of the office staff read this blog, BEWARE !!!!! You never know when I will drop in to make sure you are continuing to work hard for us retired folks, ha ha ha ha.

Not to worry folks, my promised blog on Christmas is coming out shortly. Until then, ............

Grandpa out ........

Remembrance Day 2008

November 11th - A day of remembrance, to give thanks for our freedom. For those of us born during peacetime, all wars seem far removed from our daily lives.






We often take for granted our Canadian values and institutions, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that the values and beliefs enjoyed by Canadians were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."



By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed that their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dream of peace is realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.





By remembering all who have served, we recognize their willingly-endured hardships and fears, taken upon themselves so that we could live in peace.





I leave you now to remember in your own way .......





Grandpa out ............

Items of Note

Well, here it is November 6th and several items of note have occurred over the last several days. Firstly on a sad note, a young boy of 15 from the Barrie area, who ran away from home on October 13th after an argument with his parents over his use of a video game, was found deceased yesterday. Although official confirmation won't be made until autopsy results are completed, the police are pretty certain it is Brandon. Although foul play has not been ruled out, police aren't looking at that aspect right now. In all likelihood, Brandon probably died from exposure - we had some wickedly cold nights around that time. So sad, to lose one's life over a stupid game. Unfortunately, that is the way of things now-a-days; kids are more prone to sitting inside and playing video games, rather than get outside and play with friends while getting fresh air. No wonder obesity is rampant amongst the young ones. When I was growing up (yes, many years ago), we had a choice - get outside to play or do chores. Never being one to enjoy chores that much, I always took the other option, only coming home when I got hungry or it got dark, whichever came first. I also never had the luxury of having a parent drive me to the mall, or downtown or wherever. If I wanted to go, it was up to me to find my way - usually by bike, but occasionally by bus if going downtown (I grew up in Vancouver BC and area, so "downtown" was quite a distance, although I did travel it a couple of times by bike).

The second item of note was the American elections. They were poised to make history, no matter which way the elections went. If the Democrats won, they would have the first African-American president. If the Republicans won, then they would have the first female vice-president ever. As it turned out, the Democrats won handily, with something like 349 electoral votes vs 163 (approximately), with Barack Obama garnering 53% of the popular vote vs John McCain's 46%. It was a very long (a year or so), hard-fought campaign, what with each candidate first having to win their respective nominations and then having to battle their opponents to gain votes in the various states. Voter turnout was apparently very high as well, around the 64% mark according to various reports. Whether this was interest generated due to the candidates or due to the fact that people were just plain tired of "Bush-onomics" and didn't want another 4 years of the same old, same old, only time will tell. I am sure glad that the Canadian process of elections isn't based on the American model - I don't think I could stand a year long campaign of politicians lol.

I guess the only other item of note right now is the glorious weather we have been experiencing for the last several days. Temperatures in the mid-teens to low 20's during the day with lots and lots of sun! I LOVE IT !!! If this is what fall is going to be, bring it on! Unfortunately though, saw on the weather this morning that the next 5 days are supposed to be rainy, with the temps dropping down to a high of 3 next week, and a possibility of wet snow as well :>( . Oh well, knew it was too good to last, although the way the weather forecasters have been wrong this year, there is hope yet.

Well, in order to not make this too long, will call it a day for now. Stay tuned for my next blog when I will discuss the upcoming Christmas season and possibly suggest some gifts for loved ones. Take care all and have a good day ...

Grandpa out .......

I Survived !!!

Well, here it is the day after Halloween and so far, I haven't seen any little kiddies running feverishly around with sugar highs. That, I guess, is a good thing -- it probably means that mom and dad have put the candy garnered last night in a high cupboard or on a high shelf and will be handing it out in small doses, lol.

Surprise, surprise! I actually enjoyed handing out the goodies to the kids last night. Not having "shelled out" for several years for various reasons (away that night, etc., etc.), I had forgotten how cute some of the little ones could look, making their way down the drive and up the stairs (some with the help of mom or dad), dragging their pillowcase or other candy-holding item in their little hands, and staring up in awe when I reached beside me and came up with a handful of candies (nut free, due to the current problems with life threatening allergies) and placed them in their containers. Then, with a whispered thank you, they would again navigate the stairs and driveway and go on to the next house, for some more goodies. What a treat! Just when I thought I had seen the last of the costumed rug-rats for the night, around the corner came another gaggle of them, all yelling trick or treat! My next door neighbor (new to the neighborhood, having moved from the country) seemed to enjoy herself immensely handing out the goodies to all the little ones. Although she used to bring her kids to town for Halloween, it is a far different thing to sit at your front door and hand out the goodies, rather than have to schlepp (is that even the right spelling?) from door to door while the kids do their thing. Hope you enjoyed it Tammy and, by the way, welcome to the neighborhood.

Oh Joy! Here comes a Princess, with a cowboy in tow. Next came a Power Ranger (I thought they were outdated, but guess not). We had lots of ghosts and werewolfs and vampires as well. There was one little guy of (I would hazard a guess) about four years of age, and when I asked him if he was a Power Ranger (the costume looked similar to one and after all, what do I know?), he got quite indignant and haughtily said "NO! I am a gladiator!" The look on his face was priceless when he said it. I apologized to him and gave him a couple of extra treats, which seemed to mollify him somewhat. However, as he walked up the drive, I could hear him tell his mom "he called me a Power Ranger". Too funny!!

I saw a couple of older teens taking their siblings around door to door and they even took the time to dress up a bit themselves, which I thought was great. So did some of the parents. The one thing I don't care for is when the older kids come to the door by themselves or in groups, looking for candy. I mean - get real - here they are, young teens in the range of 17 or 18 years old and they can't even be bothered to dress up and they want candy. In three words, GET A JOB! and buy some. Sorry to all the readers - that is just a personal opinion. It has been a pet peeve of mine for many years.

Anyways, all in all, it was a great night, even though I had to run up and down stairs numerous times. I think we probably had around 60 - 70 kids in total; I know that the goodies were starting to get quite low towards the end, but we had enough fortunately. The highlight of the evening for me was seeing my adopted granddaughter Kayla when she dropped by just after 9 pm. She had been out earlier with friends in her own area and her mom brought her by so we could see the costume - Kayla was dressed up as an "Egyptian Goddess" (or something like that) and looked real cute. Stupid me, I forgot to get a picture! Oh well, I am sure mom took some and I will get one from her. Hmmm ..... leftover Tootsie Rolls ......... yum yum. Both my wife and I like them, but being diabetic I can't have too many at once so will have to make them last. I will grab a few and hide them so my wife can't eat them all ha ha. That way, I am sure I can make them last until my favourite time of the year - Xmas - with all the home made goodies that my daughter will make (she calls it a care package for Dad, lol). Well, I think that is all for now, so will end this posting. Take care all and remember not to make yourself sick eating all the leftover candies.

Grandpa out ..........

BOO !!! (did I scare you??)

Hmm .... Halloween is upon us and all the little ghouls and goblins will be out "trick or treating", looking to fill their sacks with all kinds of candy for the coming month or two. Talk about sugar rushes - sure wouldn't want to have to deal with a classroom of little ones after they have had a load of candy during recess or lunch. Candy and kiddies aside, I wonder how many people actually know of the origins and some of the customs of Halloween? I present here, for your edification, a short version of the story of Halloween.

The Story of Halloween

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays with origins going back thousands of years. The holiday we know as Halloween has had many influences from many cultures over the centuries. From the Roman's Pomona Day, to the Celtic festival of Samhain, to the Christian holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. Hundreds of years ago in what is now Great Britain and Northern France, lived the Celts. The Celts worshipped nature and had many gods, with the sun god as their favorite. It was "he" who commanded their work and their rest times, and who made the earth beautiful and the crops grow. The Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1st. It was celebrated every year with a festival and marked the end of the "season of the sun" and the beginning of "the season of darkness and cold." On October 31st after the crops were all harvested and stored for the long winter the cooking fires in the homes would be extinguished. The Druids, the Celtic priests, would meet in the hilltop in the dark oak forest (oak trees were considered sacred). The Druids would light new fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals. As they danced around the the fires, the season of the sun passed and the season of darkness would begin.
When the morning arrived the Druids would give an ember from their fires to each family who would then take them home to start new cooking fires. These fires would keep the homes warm and free from evil spirits.

The November 1st festival was called Samhain (pronounced "sow-en"). The festival would last for 3 days. Many people would parade in costumes made from the skins and heads of their animals. This festival would become the first Halloween. During the first century the Romans invaded Britain. They brought with them many of their festivals and customs. One of these was the festival know as Pomona Day, named for their goddess of fruits and gardens. It was also celebrated around the 1st of November. After hundreds of years of Roman rule the customs of the Celtic's Samhain festival and the Roman Pomona Day mixed becoming 1 major fall holiday.

The next influence came with the spread of the new Christian religion throughout Europe and Britain. In the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church would make November 1st a church holiday to honor all the saints. This day was called All Saint's Day, or Hallowmas, or All Hallows. Years later the Church would make November 2nd a holy day. It was called All Souls Day and was to honor the dead. It was celebrated with big bonfires, parades, and people dressing up as saints, angels and devils. But the spread of Christianity did not make people forget their early customs. On the eve of All Hallows, Oct. 31, people continued to celebrate the festivals of Samhain and Pomona Day. Over the years the customs from all these holidays mixed. October 31st became known as All Hallow Even, eventually All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en, and then - Halloween.

The Halloween we celebrate today includes all of these influences, Pomona Day's apples, nuts, and harvest, the Festival of Samhain's black cats, magic, evil spirits and death, and the ghosts, skeletons and skulls from All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day.

Bet you didn't know all that, did you? Neither did I. Another part of Halloween traditions and superstitions that I particularly like is about witches and black cats. Again, for your edification and amusement, I present the following:

The Witches' Caldron

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog"
"Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing"
"For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and babble"
"Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble"

William Shakespeare

Witches and Warlocks have had a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons changed,

on April 30 - the eve of May Day and the other was on the eve of October 31 - All Hallow's Eve. The witches would gather on these nights, arriving on broomsticks, to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions told of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people, transforming themselves into different forms and causing other magical mischief.

It was said that to meet a witch you had to put your clothes on wrong side out and you had to walk backwards on Halloween night. Then at midnight you would see a witch. When the early settlers came to America, they brought along their belief in witches. In American the legends of witches spread and mixed with the beliefs of others, the Native Americans - who also believed in witches, and then later with the black magic beliefs of the African slaves.

The black cat has long been associated with witches. Many superstitions have evolved about cats. It was believed that witches could change into cats. Some people also believed that cats were the spirits of the dead. One of the best known superstitions is that of the black cat. If a black cat was to cross your path you would have to turn around and go back because many people believe if you continued bad luck would strike you.

So, there you have it folks - a very brief history on Halloween and some of it's traditions and superstitions. Now get ready for all the little kiddies to be ringing your doorbell on Halloween night, yelling "Trick or Treat". Enjoy the evening.

Grandpa out .......

Winter Already?

Well, here it is October 21st and we got our first snowfall. WHAT THE HECK IS WITH THAT ??? Dang - not even November yet and it is snowing - have about 2 inches of the crap already and it looks like it isn't gonna give up anytime soon! Sure hope that this isn't a harbinger of things to come. I will be mighty pissed if this is all I have to look forward to from now until April 2009! And the worst part is that they are calling for minus 10 degrees celsius overnight - that is like only 14 degrees fahrenheit! Cold enough for anyone lol. Ah well, what can you do?
The only saving grace is that I was over to the trailer park today to take a few things back and they were starting to winterize the trailers. I was talking to the manager's son and he said my trailer should be completed this afternoon. All I would need is for the water to freeze in the pipes and have a flood in the spring when I open it up. Yuck.

Just had a look out the window and the snow is sticking to the roadways!! ENOUGH ALREADY ! I'm not ready for winter yet! Well, can't think of much else to say right now, so think I will go and bury my head under the bedcovers for the rest of the day - that way, don't have to look at the white stuff lol. Until later,

Grandpa out ...........

Managed to close up the trailer without any problems - actually had great weather to do it in, not like years past when I have had to close it up in the rain and cold. This past weekend was super! Had average 17 - 22 (c) degree temperatures all weekend. Actually got most of it done on the Friday - the beauty of being retired after all lol - but have to go over again later to take the gazebo cover and final laundry back and pack it away. I get the park to winterize the trailer - that way I don't have to worry about the cost of getting an air compressor, anti-freeze, etc., plus don't have to worry about screwing it up, although it appears straightforward enough. By letting the park do it, if anything goes wrong they have to fix it. After the great weather, still hard to believe that the season is over. Oh well, with any luck, the new season will be upon us before we know it and we will be back over enjoying our time there.

Well, Thanksgiving is past and so are the elections. Hope all my Canadian friends and family had a great Thanksgiving - sure our American friends are looking forward to theirs. Ours was great - went to a close friend's for dinner Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The great part is that we get to do it all over again today, as we will do our own turkey as well. That way, get to have leftovers - yum. Turkey dinner, turkey sandwich for lunch and leftover turkey for dinner again the next night, lol. You would think that I would be sick of it by then, but no, I do like turkey.

Hmmm .... minority Conservative government, albeit a slightly stronger one. Liberals lost a few seats - no wonder, when the leader can't even give a simple answer to a simple question. Sure hope the various parties in Ottawa can learn to get along with each other and govern the country accordingly. We certainly don't need any more bickering between them, throwing the population into confusion and turmoil. And I certainly don't want to go through this exercise again in 18 months to two years. There are times when I seriously think that we would be better off without these idiots and have something like the US does, but then look what has happened to them over the last 8 years - no thanks. For all of our faults, still think that we probably have one of the better systems going.

Anyways, thought I would just jot a note or two down - gotta go get the turkey on now so take care all - - -

Grandpa out ...........

Well, here we go again, trying to keep the old mind active and sharp (no comment girls!). Anyways, promised to start to bring you up to date so here goes, in a slightly different format:

January/08 - Yahoo! first full month of retirement - seemed a little strange not to have to get up and go into work, but soon got used to it lol. Unfortunately though, still had to get up early, not only because the internal time clock was still ticking away at the old hours, but also in order to drive my wife into work. Yes, that is right - she is working. I mean, after all, she has to keep me in the style I would like to become accustomed to (he he he - yah, right). Also, on a real good note, got my first work pension cheque the last day of the month - wow that was fast - I was told that it could be 6 - 8 weeks to get the first one, then everything would be deposited directly into the bank after that by the end of the month. Deposited the cheque in the bank and lo and behold, had my first CPP cheque in the account as well!!! Felt flush with money, but knew that I had to budget as the pensions would only come in once a month, instead of a paycheque every two weeks. Oh well, like the song says, "I will survive!".

Feb - April/08 - Snow, snow and more snow. And when it wasn't snowing, it was bloody cold! Was sure glad to see Spring arrive at last! Hmmm ...... wonder if I can afford to go south during the winter? I know, I know, Gail still has to get to work - that is what cabs are for, isn't it? I have a feeling that if I went south for the winter, I wouldn't have a place to come back to in the summer lol. Oh well, will have to tough it out I guess. We opened up the trailer the weekend of the 25th of April - looking forward to a nice summer of being there. With Gail being off during the week (temporary, as her shifts change every once in awhile), will be nice as won't have to put up with all the day-trippers over the weekend. Should be nice and quiet.

May - July/08 - Summer? What summer? We have had more rain so far this summer than I can remember, although one year it did rain every weekend - however, coming up from Toronto we put up with it, as it was almost a 2 hour drive back home and seemed a waste. Now we have the luxury that if the weather is crappy, we can be home in 15 minutes or so.

August/08 - Gail took 9 days of vacation and we went to the trailer - overall, the weather wasn't too bad, thank goodness. Would have been real upset if it had rained all the time, as she works hard and looked so forward to the time off at the trailer, although she said at the time that she would have been happy just being off, never mind being at the trailer.

September/08 - AGAIN with the crappy weather! What is up with Mother Nature?? I am beginning to think she has it in for those with trailers or tents - saw some people camping in tents in our transient section and really felt sorry for them, as the entire area was just drenched and the water was sitting on the ground - not draining like normal as the ground was completely saturated. Even the canals were up a good foot from where they would have normally been at this time of year.

October 6/08 - well, went over to the park today and paid the deposit for next year's camping. Hard to believe the season is over already and next Monday is Thanksgiving (that is the time for closeup at the park, although we can still get in for a couple of weeks after that). Doesn't seem like we had much of a summer or time at the trailer at all this year. Sure hope Mother Nature cooperates a little more next year, but time will tell I guess.

There were other things we did or went to during the summer, but I chose to not mention them, rather than bore you all to death with the information. This more or less brings you up to date with the first 9 months of retirement. Prior to me leaving work, had great plans to do several things - funny how things can change - didn't accomplish as much as I anticipated I would. Oh well, that is the beauty of retirement - I have all this time to be able to do what I want, when I want, as long as it is okay with the wife lol. Just noticed the time - better get something to eat before I waste away to a shadow of my former self lol. Until next time,

Grandpa out .........

The Start of It All

Hmmm .... where to start? Guess I should start at the beginning. Many, many years ago I was born to - - oops - too far back, I guess. That would be boring to most if not all of you. Guess I should start maybe with my retirement.
I retired December 31 2007, after 32 + years of working for the Federal Government, not to mention all the other jobs I have held since I was 16 years of age. There wasn't any one thing that made up my mind to retire - in actuality, it was many cumulative things over several years. I had been more or less musing about retirement for a couple of years before, however didn't feel that the time was right. I got to seriously thinking of retirement around March of 2007, after hearing through the office grape-vine of a good friend and co-worker's death at age 53, due to a major heart attack caused by work stress. That got me thinking about my own mortality, as he was 6 years younger than me at the time of his passing. I realized that we don't live forever and I was determined that I was going to get some benefit from working all these years, no matter how much more time I had on this mortal coil we call earth!
I made the appropriate enquiries with our staffing section and after reviewing all of the information available to me, I made the decision to call it a day and subsequently put in my "official notice" of pending retirment.
After having given notice, it felt like a great weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. However, that feeling was short-lived, as the next few months prior to retirement were extremely busy for me. I had to finalize actions on accounts that I was responsible for, arrange for their transfer to another officer or two, ensure that there were a couple of staff trained to take over some of the enforcement/search facilities that I handled, dissolve myself of other responsibilites I had and also to fill out paperwork for my pending retirement.
Paperwork! My God, there was paperwork! I swear that you complete more paperwork when you retire than you ever do anytime during your lifetime! Fill out this form in duplicate, that form in triplicate and those forms in quadruplicate! WOW! Anyways, with a bit of guidance from a wonderful Human Resources individual and a bit of luck, I actually managed to get through all the paperwork and sent it in.
At the end of November 2007, my friends and co-workers threw me a wonderful retirement party, for which I am eternally grateful and will remember for the rest of my days. There was a large turnout - I didn't think I had made that much impact with that number of people, but I was wrong (one of the few times in my life, ha ha). Anyways, it was a lovely party and everyone had a good time. Of course, there were the obligatory "potshots" at me by friends and management, but I took it in the spirit that it was given and thoroughly enjoyed it. During my rebuttal, I was going to go for a few zingers of my own, but changed my mind and just thanked everyone that came to the send-off (even though I was going to be around for another month), those that had faith in my abilities over the years and in particular my family, without whom I would never have reached this point in my life. I also, during my speech, provided all those in attendance with the following thought:

Happiness is a journey. We convince ourselves that life will be better after
we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids
aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're
frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy
whenthey're out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete
when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able
to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time
to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Our lives will always be filled
with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy
anyway. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have and treasure it
more because you have shared it with someone special - special enough to spend
your time with, at work or at home ... and remember that time waits for no one.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money,
love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.

I officially retired on December 31, 2007 and haven't looked back since. In my next post, I will try to not be so long-winded and will bring you more up to date since my retirement. Until then,

Grandpa out ..........