Kind of interesting for us weather buffs. Snow is on the ground in 49 out of 50 states – every one except Florida. Forecasters described the storm as a fast-moving and severe, where air pressure has dropped alarmingly quickly. It is characterised by heavy snow and winds thanks to a jet stream extending unusually far south.
Don’t think I have heard of such a thing in all my born days.
The Link below shows where all the Animal and Bird Deaths are happening here on earth. Just hover your mouse over the selected areas and a pop up will come up and tell you what it is all about. Pretty interesting I thought take a look. Click Link Below
Well for one I say it’s a sign of the times. Thing is folks, the old Zellers stores hasn’t been very productive for a good number of years. Myself I just don’t like the atmosphere when going into one, nothing against the stores just that’s the way I feel. You can say what you want about the US stores and maybe not like shopping in them as they are not Canadian, but one thing is for certain, they all have a certain flair about them that draws millions of customers a year. Their secret lies in how they promote their stores, along with how they lay them out. That pertains to the old style family, has worked for them for years and will keep on working, as the USA as a whole is one family and treats everyone as their family. Lets hope now that Target is of the same calibre as the rest of the USA stores so that we have another place to spend our hard earned dollars. Hmm just what I need too. Thing is though no matter where one shops here in Canada, most of all the items you see or buy all comes from across the ocean, hardly anything any more says, Made In Canada Or Made In The Good Ol USA. What a shame too. My Opinion Only
Internet as we now know it will soon be a thing of the past, at least here in Canada, if we keep allowing these Powers That Be to do what every they want. These big players like Bell and Rodgers are all about money. Even the Governments of today bow to them. Right now these small business’s like Teksavvy are having a major hard time and if allowed to continue, their advancement in the business world will be hard done by. Thing is folks, some competition is needed here in Canada and with out it we will always being paying these high unfair prices. Not fair that just a few have the right to making a go of things. Shouldn’t be allowed and for one, if something isn’t done, certain Powers That Be will be loosing my vote come election time let me tell ya. I have written them, E mailed them, you name it, does it do any good? Not likely by the way things are shaping up with this Internet throttling that’s for sure. This dropping the limits on downloading to around 60 GB or less is the last straw in my books. Sure a lot of folks don’t use that much, but a lot does and even if you don’t you should be allowed to download what ever you want for a favourable price, simple as that. Dam….. where is this world going. There is reason behind it though, as more folks will be turning to Internet TV in the future and that is what it is all about, so when the big players put their TV shows on line for downloading, they can charge what ever they want. Not a good thing folks, so come election time speak out, as we as a whole are the only ones that can do anything about it. Bottom line, The Powers That Be should have not let this happen. One day they will wake up an realise that it isn’t the big guys that make a country strong and prosperous, it’s the little guy.
Good Morning!! Well sure a cold one here this morning, down to around minus four old scale and I got to tell ya, I almost needed to put on a tea shirt to walk to my shop this morning. LOL. On another note, while in town the other day visiting my son Karl, we decided on getting our books put into E Book Form. We are going to try the first one, One More Story and see how it goes. Then kind of take it from there. As my son says it is the sign of the times and one has to look ahead. The nice thing is, the price of the books will drop to about half price. I will let you know the exact price when we get it all set up. We will still have the paper backs though so don’t be frettin’ about that, as a lot of my readers like signed copies. I am also really lucky to have Karl and Craig my two boys to do all the technical work, as it isn’t as easy as it might seem to get things all in order. With the price of E Book readers dropping each and every day a lot more folks are buying them, not to forget that even without an E Book reader they can still be read on ones home computer or lap top. Amazing really, as looking back it doesn’t seem that long ago I was typing on an old ribbon typewriter. Still miss that old typewriter too, think it was the sound I miss most. Well guess I will go and will let you know when the E Book is all said an done and where you can purchase it.
Well how you all doing today?? For myself other than clean the driveway with the old snow blower, an going for an hour walk, my day has been quite mild. On saying that I often wonder how many folks today just take a day and do nothing. Nothing other than getting some fresh air and a touch of exercise. I bet not to many, as for most folks today when taking a day off usually just sit around and watch some TV, play on the net or have a snooze. Now don’t get me wrong, as there is nothing wrong with a snooze now and then, as I do enjoy them once in awhile, especially after lunch. Even five minutes seems to give me the boost I need to make it through the rest of the day. Well there again I shouldn’t say I don’t need any excuse to make it through a day, as I enjoy every day that happens by. I would have to say I enjoy the daytime hours as much as I do the night time hours, as bed to me looks as good as getting up in the mornings. So there you go, a post about nothing, but is it nothing, could be, might be, hmm……………..maybe I will lay down and check my eyelids for leaks and give it some thought.
The the original adaptation starring John Wayne was one great show for sure. Also the scenery was a lot nicer and of course no one could pull on John Wayne’s boots, but….. the new movie has some Grit to it for sure. Last Friday my wife and I along with our son Karl went to see it and I would have to say it was a nice evening out. Only thing is, the treats cost as much, if not more than the show LOL LOL oh well what can you do and I shouldn’t complain as my son paid our way in for us. Out of a five I would have to give it a three and a half star rating. One other thing. These days there isn’t to many westerns being made, so if you would like to see more, then get out there and see True Grit, as the more folks that goes, the more westerns the Powers That Be will be inclined to make. There is a need for a few good westerns let me tell ya, as it would be a pleasant alternative for folks to see other than those Vampire, Harry Potter, you name it movies. Not sure why folks even go to see them. My opinion only.
Now here is some interesting news that for some reason doesn’t even bother folks, as to what is happening in our old world today. For most parts the Powers That Be have said it isn’t us humans that have caused their death, but in saying that I kind of think they are wrong in their thinking. Something is causing these to die and no matter what they say I don’t believe it is natural. I am inclined to think that the cause is from us humans and to take it one step further I am kind of inclined to believe that some where killed deliberately. Reason being there is word out there that a lot of folks in certain towns are plagued with birds of certain kinds, along with fish and other species. So what better way than to get rid of a few and put the blame on something, other than themselves. Now again my opinion only.
Two million fish washed up in Chesapeake Bay.
Hundreds of snapper fish were found dead on the beaches of Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand on Tuesday. Beachgoers found the fish, many with their eyes missing, lying lifeless on the sand.
You know when it comes to Ford I have to say I am a pretty dedicated customer along with my family of today and of yesteryear. For years other companies have competed right along side of Ford and a few like GM has even touted that they sell more cars. In theory I would have to say they are right in some instances too. Thing is though that in my mind ford is the only true car or truck that was ever made that helped bring our country to what it is today. Ford in the beginning when horses were being put by the roadside put together tractors, trucks and cars that fit most all our needs and also should say they kept them to where anyone and everyone could afford. I would have to say Ford was there for the working man and is still there today doing as it always has. Ford also hasn’t taken any Government assistance like all the other and is still leading today in sales. How can that be? Simple as I firmly believe that folks today have awakened and now realise what has been going on behind close doors for a good number of years. Yes Sir if your in a need for a car truck or tractor there is none better in my eyes. If your not sure just take one for a drive and then go and drive a GM, or off shore one, no comparison, none what’s so ever. Of course as always, My Opinion Only
Well here we go again and I couldn’t just let this get by without saying a few words on the subject. Folks everyone knows in today’s world what smoking can do to a fellow or gal. Also laws have been passed in excessive so that others aren’t affected by the ones that does smoke. Even the ones that do smoke are pretty courteous where they smoke and for most parts respect others wishes I have found. Anywhere you go you will see folks sitting outside their home or place of business smoking, so that they don’t infect their children or family or others. What I am trying to get across here is that we can’t keep on bringing in laws that are useless and this is one that is just that. What governments have to realise is that we are grown up human beings, we know right from wrong. Just that the powers that be want to be in full control, they don’t want us to think for ourselves any more. Want to protect us they say, give us a break, leave us alone, things have worked for a good number of years before these so called laws and will keep right on working without any interference from them. Maybe we should ban the governments from passing these laws and let our tax dollars start doing some good, like maybe looking after our elderly making sure they are cared for properly. It’s just common sense folks, but I guess a lot of that has been put by the road side, what a shame. My Opinion Only.
Well that is what they said us older folks said in a poll taken the other day. Now let me walk you through this a bit, as in reality there is a ploy setting this scenario up. What has happened here hidden from ones eyes, or so they would like you to believe, is that most seniors would like to stay working after sixty fife. The reason for this is so they don’t have to pay you your pension which you are entitled to as of now. Thing is folks, even for myself I want to do some work, but its not work that says I have to work from nine to five. Its work of my own choosing, work that lets me work when I want and when I want. Maybe I should say it isn’t work at all, its something that I look forward to doing each day, a reason to get out of bed. To enjoy nature, family, friends. pick up that pole and go fishing, bring in firewood, it could be any or all of them things. That is what most of us meant when this poll was taken. So don’t be fooled, but make sure you say what you mean when asked a question, as today folks have a way of twisting words for the good of them only. My opinion only.
You know they talk about fast guns many years ago but this fellow here is pretty good himself he is suppose to be the fastest gun alive and once you watch the video you will see for yourself that he is pretty good. Click Link Below to view
Well thought I would say hello and wish you all a Happy New Years. Wife and I are down with a cold right now, not sure where we caught the thing but in today’s world it is pretty hard not to catch one or two a year. Although this is first cold for my wife in seven years and first one for me in three years so guess we are doing ok. At any rate on another note raining here today and temperatures at 45 old scale. Got rid of some ice build up on my roof which is a good thing. Also will melt some snow on the lakes now so the ice can get thicker and the snowmobiles can get to having some fun. Colder weather is heading our way though starting tomorrow. Today we are taking down our Christmas tree as it has started to shed some so house is slowly getting back to normal. Have a good day.
Well since my son works there in North Bay on Base at NORADm I figured I should put this write up about NORAD tracking Santa this Christmas Also click the link in the below article as it will take you to the official site of where NORAD is doing its tracking. So here it is. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
As Christmas gets closer, the Canadian NORAD Region has put the finishing touches on plans to track and escort Santa Claus when he visits Canada, and has selected four CF-18 fighter pilots who will act as Santa’s official escorts.
425 Tactical Fighter Squadron Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Sylvain Ménard, and Major Eric Haas, an exchange officer from the United States Air Force, will launch from 3 Wing Bagotville, Que., to welcome Santa as the sleigh approaches Canadian airspace. 409 Squadron Commander, Lt.-Col. Eric Kenny, and Captain Chad Ireland of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., will take over the escort duties as Santa makes his way into Western Canada.
Special NORAD SantaCams, positioned around the world, will take photos and video of Santa and his sleigh as he journeys around the world. The SantaCams instantly download the photo and video imagery so that it may be viewed by children worldwide on the NORAD Tracks Santa website, www.noradsanta.org, on December 24. All of this information will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese.
The Canadian Air Defence Sector Operations Centre at 22 Wing in North Bay, Ont., will alert NORAD when their radar and satellite systems detect Santa approaching North America. Two CF-18 Hornet fighter jets from 3 Wing will welcome Santa as he enters Canadian airspace off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. As Santa flies across Canada from east to west, two CF-18 Hornets from 4 Wing will escort through Canadian airspace so that he may safely conduct his Christmas voyage.
On December 24, children can also receive updates on Santa’s Christmas Eve journey by calling the traditional “NORAD Tracks Santa” telephone hotline at 1-877-HI NORAD, or by emailing NORAD at [email protected]. Last year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website received over 13 million unique visitors from 231 countries and territories around the world. On Christmas Eve alone, NORAD “Santa Trackers” answered more than 74,000 telephone calls and answered 3,500 emails over a 25 hour period ….
Here is a short clip of Cole, my Grandson and his Dad Craig, my son. Gotta’ like it. Click Link Below To View.
Here is a story which I wrote for my book Moments In Time which came out last spring. Give you an idea of my style and things. It’s a story that relates to my Grandfather and one of his tales which happened many years ago. True Story. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Christmas To Remember
Looking back to when my old Grandfather George was alive, a lot of his stories have still stuck in my mind. He was a great man for sure and will never be forgotten as long as I am alive. Saying that though it got me to thinking that I won’t always be around to tell his tales, so figured maybe I should be putting a few onto paper.
My Grandfather now was a strong man, weighing around 200 and some pounds. He stood about six foot six and had to duck going into every place of business on his way through the small towns in the back woods of United States. He did a lot of surveying back then and as I have written about in other stories he hired on another a big strapping fellow by the name of Jeb. Jeb was hired for his abilities, which was trapping, hunting, tracking and one of the best darn guides throughout the west. This is just one of many tales which I take great pleasure in writing.
“Cold night huh Jeb?”
“You can say that again, I have ridden through these here hills many times but can’t recollect doing it this time of year. If we don’t soon find some place to hold up for a few days out of this wind and snow we might be in for some real trouble.”
The words were no sooner out of Jeb’s mouth when we were rewarded by the smell of smoke.
“Got to be a homestead up ahead somewhere.”
“Yep and none to soon neither as I am about half froze, especially my feet. Knew I should have listened to that lady back in the town we just came through when she said for me to buy some of her home made socks.”
“I thought I hired a man Jeb that could take any kind of weather.”
“Ya well, just get that horse of yours up over that there hill and let’s see where that smoke is coming from.”
With that George laughed out loud and rode off. On top of the hill looking down into a valley they spotted the smoke curling up from a chimney, which was attached to an old house.
“Not much of a place huh Jeb?”
“Nope that’s for sure, looks like them folks are having some hard times.”
“Yep seems so but let’s ride on down and if nothing else get warm.”
As we rode in, laying half covered with snow on the front porch was an old hound dog. Didn’t even move when we stepped over him to get to the door. We knocked with no answer.
“Hello in the house I hollered. Anyone at home? We are good folks and don’t mean you any harm. All we want is a place to warm ourselves and get a bit of rest.”
With that the door opened slowly and a young woman came into view, pretty little thing.
“You are welcome to come in and get warm but our food supply is short and I have two small young ones here to look after.”
“Not a problem there young lady said Jeb, we have food of our own out yonder on our pack horses. Just a place that I could warm my feet would be fine with me.”
“Them darn feet of yours,” I replied, “always complaining.”
Old Jeb just looked at me, and we both moved on into the house closing the door behind us. Wasn’t much of a house but it was warm.
“Where is your man, I asked?”
“Oh…………….. he……. is out hunting as we don’t have any meat left.”
“When do you expect him back,” looking over at the two young ones, a boy of around six and a girl of around four.
“Well…… I don’t rightly know, he left here a week ago saying he would be back in a day or so, but as you can see he hasn’t returned.”
Not weather for man nor beast to be out in, that’s for sure,” said Jeb.
“Do you know what day it is?” Asked the young girl whom was peeking from behind the old wood stove.
“Can’t rightly say that I do young lady,” I replied. “Been so long in the saddle guess just lost track of time.”
“Well just so you know, it’s almost Christmas and Santa is coming soon, and he brings presents and things.”
I looked over at Jeb and said, “well I’ll be darned, Christmas, well I am sure glad you brought us up to date there, Miss?”
“My name is Marsha and this is my brother James and the lady that you been chattin’ to is my Mother, Mary.”
“Well Marsha, glad to meet you both and your mom too.”
“You both can sit down by the fire if you like said Mary and I will bring you some coffee. I just put some on the stove a few minutes ago, so it should be still warm. Don’t mind the young ones they are regular little chatter boxes when company drops by, which isn’t to often living out here.”
“Don’t mind at all with the chatting Ma’am, as listening to old Jeb here day in and day out, well….. lets just say, they are a breath of fresh air.”
Old Jeb just snorted and moved to a chair which sat by the cook stove. As we sat there by the stove we looked around, and we could tell these folks were in some serious trouble. No food or firewood to speak off, and we both suspected it wasn’t good news concerning her husband. Which later on we found to be true, as we found him no more than two miles from his home froze laying up against a rock. We buried him where he laid.
We got warmed up and knew right then and there we had to do something for this family. The next day Jeb got right into cutting and splitting firewood, while I did some fixing up on the front porch along with patching up a few holes in the roof. While I was working the young ones watched, I guess trying to figure out just what kind of beings we two old fellers were, as I am sure we were quite a site having been out in the wilderness for the past few months, not having had a shave or bath. A couple days later we had enough firewood cut, split and piled in the old barn to last them till spring. The only thing that was missing was some meat, which was looked after by Jeb, as there was no better hunter than him. Seemed he could find game when others swore there was none.
Christmas Eve came, we got cleaned up and after supper I mentioned to Jeb that we should move on in the morning. Thing was, we hated to just leave this lady with no man, especially with the two young ones at this time of year. But it had to be done and down deep we both knew or figured this young lady was a tough one and would handle things just fine for a time. The first town we came to, we would send back some help for her and the young ones.
Just before supper Jeb got up, dressed and not saying a word went outside. About a half hour later he came pounding at the door.
“Open up in there, I got something for you young ones and need some help.” The young ones ran to the door and opened it up and there was Jeb covered with snow holding a good size Christmas tree. With tears in her eyes Mary said, “well bring it on in here and quit letting out all the heat, you look half froze.”
“I am, especially my feet.” With that he shook the snow off the tree and in he came.
I just looked at him as he passed and shook my head. “Darn old feet of his.” I said to myself
After supper the young ones got to decorating it with what they had and I got to say within an hour or so, it sure was something to see. Kind of choked me up a bit.
Throughout the night we chatted and I got to telling stories about my younger days, with Jeb throwing in a few of his own.
Thinking back it was one of the nicest Christmas’s that Jeb and I ever had together, as usually it came and passed as any other day, without our knowing.
Come morning we decided to stay for a few more days making sure things were looked after around the old place. The day before we were going to leave out behind the barn I spotted this horse that was wandering around loose. It looked half froze and was hardly moving, but as I stood there with my hand held out, it moseyed on over to see me. I then walked her over to the barn and put her in a stall.
“Well one good thing,” I said to Mary, “you do have enough hay for this old girl, and I am sure she will be happy to make this her home.”
I don’t see any brand on her, but I am certain of one thing, she is in the family way, so I suspected that she has wandered off from a wagon train headin’ west to have her young one. I looked over at the young ones and said.
“Well, looks like you got yourself a late Christmas present here, two actually, when the time comes. She’s going to be needing a lot of love and things,.”
“You mean it’s ours?
“Yep, all yours and come spring it will give you a way into town for supplies and maybe a good hired hand to help out with things.”
Later on the following morning we saddled up. Mary had fixed us up some fresh bacon wrapped inside some biscuits she had just made. We left her and the young ones with two deer, one hanging in the barn and one cut up piled in a shed out back of the house. Along with that we left half our supplies as Jeb said he needed to go on a bit of a diet anyway.
We looked around for the young ones, not to be seen, I guess they were attending their new-found friend in the barn. With that we thanked Mary and started to ride out. Just as we headed down the lain-way the young ones came a running after us.
“Please don’t leave us George and Jeb, we don’t want you to go.”
I looked over at Jeb and I thought there for second I spotted a big old tear running down his cheek.
“We would love to stay, but we have to go, I will make you a promise though, we will stop back to see you before next Christmas and I kind of think there might be a present for you in my saddle bags when I return.”
With that they ran back to the house hollering at their mother of what was to come.
“Jeb you got something in your eye there?
“You just ride on and mind your own business or you might be looking for another guide.”
I smiled and with that, we rode on.
Well went to the meat store the other day on our way to town and picked up a large package of suet. Most meat stores carry it if one asks and have to say the birds just love it. I hang it on a big old pine just outside our front door and can sit and watch them having a great old time while I have a tea now and then. Simple things these days seem to make my day it seems, which in reality is a good thing. All kinds of birds come to it, the huge Pileated woodpeckers, Downy and the good old Hairy Woodpecker. They are all quite different once you get to looking at them especially the Pileated LOL as it is five times the size. When that old feller gets to knocking on trees around our place it sounds like a jack hammer. Kind of figure he must have a sore head at the end of each day. Lots of others come also, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Black Birds and Sparrows. Also get some others but haven’t looked them up in my book as of yet. Wife knows more than I do as she is always spotting new ones. Breaks up ones day you might say watching them. Well guess go got some shop work to do, so will say hello a bit later.
For those of you that are planning on cooking a turkey this Christmas here is one of my favourite recipes. Enjoy!
TURKEY RECIPE
I thought this sounded good! Here is a turkey recipe that also includes
the use of popcorn as a stuffing ingredient — imagine that. When I found
this recipe, I thought it was perfect for people like me, who just are not
sure how to tell when turkey is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out. Give
this a try.
8 – 15 lb. turkey
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing ( Pepperidge Farm is Good)
1 cup un-popped popcorn (ORVILLE REDENBACHER’S LOW FAT IS BEST)
Salt/pepper to taste
And you thought I didn’t cook… 
Well with Christmas coming on fast I got to wondering how many of you folks had all your shopping done. You know years ago, where I was raised we didn’t have presents. For most parts it was a day of getting together with neighbours and friends. Usually our day started off with Reg and myself getting the cows milked and chores all done up while Laura the lady of the house, was busy cooking and baking things for later on in the day when guests arrived. Yes things has changed that’s for sure, even in our home, as my wife and I have been steadily trying to figure out what to buy for our boys and daughter in-law and new grandson. Trouble is our sons are pretty high tech, make good money and what ever they really want they buy themselves. But there is other things they can’t buy and asf today I can honestly say we are done for this Christmas, at least for the gifts. My wife still has lots to do, preparing for our family and guests, she just doesn’t stop. But she enjoys doing it, so who am I to say any different. On another note up here in the north where we live, there is one thing that we can always depend on, and that is a White Christmas, as I can’t remember when we ever had a green Christmas. This morning looking out the trees are laden down with heavy snow and with the smoke hanging in the air from the wood furnaces and fireplaces in our area, what could be nicer, Just something about it all makes me feel content. Just by looking out brings back so many memories of years gone by, which is what no one can buy at a department store.
As A Writer here is My Favourite.
Dear Editor,
I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?Virginia O’Hanlon.
115 W.95th St
Answer:
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank GOD! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
