Prince William and Kate: Good news has reached Canada, eh

Heard the news?

Prince William of England will marry Kate Middleton (commonly known around Buckingham Palace as ‘the commoner’) in April, 2011.

Odds are, I’ll likely receive an invite to the shindig.

I’m not going to ask to go - that would appear presumptuous of me, and if I can humbly say anything about me, it’s that I don't presume to know anything - but, if invited, I’ll book passage right away, then shine myself up like a new dime.


[“Don’t forget my next shed night”: photo link]

There will likely be no invitation forthcoming from the Palace for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harperpants. I can almost guarantee it.

Why is he off the ‘in’ list?

Because of recent reports in the paper.

Though the PM says “the newest royal couple are welcome to come to Canada any time,” he didn’t issue a specific invitation with a specific date. (Nov. 17, London Free Press)

It’s like he said, “Give me a call - whenever - and I’ll think about putting clean sheets on the guest room bed, then get back to you. Maybe.”

I’m the opposite.

I say, “Prince William and Kate, you’re invited to my next shed night, Thursday, December 2nd, 2010. BYOB. RSVP not required.”

Also, under the heading of “Massive Faux Pas” in the PM’s case, it was reported that “Harper offered Prince William and his bride-to-be “warm wishes” on behalf of Canadians.”

Warm wishes? I’ve never heard of such a thing.

How can you get away without saying, at the very least, “the warmest of all possible wishes, ya two lovebirds ya”?

Me in. Harper out.

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More Prince William and Kate right here.

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Climate Change Concerns: Don’t plug in GM’s electric Volt

The following isn’t good news, in my opinion:

“The Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, the centerpiece of a revitalized General Motors Co., was named 2011 Green Car of the Year Thursday.” (Nov. 19, London Free Press)

What part of any news about the Volt could be good news?

That it’s a green car?

That it costs $41,000 US?

That it can run on electric power for about 64 kms (40 miles) before it is recharged with a gasoline engine?


I’m not charged up at all about it.

If GM boasts it’s green because it is fuel efficient (How much coal must be burned to keep this car on the street?) and helps reduce CO2 emissions (The auto industry emits untold emissions while producing individual vehicles), then it’s an empty boast.

People with money to burn and limited environmental awareness may flock to it. “I’m driving a green car,” some will say.

It’s not a green car.

GM and other car manufacturers still pander to the whims of the individual and their growing transportation ‘wants.’ More cars are filling our expensive and expanding highways each and every year and individuals are collectively driving more miles per year for pleasure and shopping.

The greenest car is the one you don’t buy.

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More Climate Change Concerns here.

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The Maple Leafs: What do we have here?

Leaf fans didn’t get the three-wins-in-a-row they wanted recently, but if you’ve been paying attention - and you should, you really should - to one of Canada’s favourite teams lately, you’ll know what we did get... three wins out of the last four games.

How do I describe this turn of fortune?


["Interesting times at the old rink. Go Leafs!": photos GH]

Fairly interesting, that’s how. Beating the Devils was expected; the Dallas win was some better.

When C Dion Phaneuf returns to the old blue and white, The Leafs will be a better team than they are right now, so we may find them above the dreaded playoff line by Christmas.


What do the stats reveal?

We need to score more goals. We need to allow fewer goals. We need to beat Ottawa and Buffalo this week (both away games). We need Stamkos.

Hey, we can hope, can’t we?

***

Earlier musings about The Maple Leafs here.
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Prince William and Kate: By now you’ve heard the news

Price William has announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend and commoner Kate Middleton.

I wish them well.

(I wonder if Prince William will ever take Kate for a ride in a British rescue helicopter? I think that would be neat. Do Brits call them choppers?)


["What's this button do? Let's find out, shall we?"]

Their wedding will take place in April, 2011 and I may get invited because Prince William said he wants other common people to attend - besides Kate - and I’m about as common as they come. (Go ahead, nod. You’ve read my stuff).

About my probable invitation - I wonder if Prince William will allow me to sit near the front of the church because of my height. I’d really appreciate it.

Can I take pictures during the ceremony?

Will they pass the collection plate? (I’d like to know ahead of time so I can change a $20 bill into legal British currency. Sorry, I digress - just a bit).

How much is a Canadian twenty in pounds?

Will that be enough to drop into the collection plate?

***

More to follow - as news develops.

More of The Lite News here.

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I Ask You: Is reluctance to spend $$ at Christmas rational?

In an earlier post I revealed that 44 % of respondents to a recent survey say they will spend less money on Christmas this year.

Also, 75 % of respondents said “they planned to use any extra income or a bonus to pay down debt or save.”

I ask you, re Canadians who show a reluctance to spend and a desire to save actually being rational?

Said a spokesperson for Deloitte Canada:

“The Canadian consumer has weathered the storm well. They are holding their own, but there is reluctance to spend money and that’s rational.” (Nov. 17, London Free Press)

I agree, it’s rational.

(I’d applaud more loudly if survey reps would actually call us ‘people’ every once in awhile, and not consumers first or foremost.

Dictionary definition - rational - endowed with reason, reasoning; sensible, sane, moderate, not foolish or absurd or extreme.

Going into more debt at Christmas time is not sensible. It’s insane. Buying more stuff is often foolish and absurd, especially when the giver can’t afford it and the receiver doesn’t really need it.

I ask you -

how can we escape the buying frenzy?

how can we approach the Christmas season rationally?

how can we control our spending without it controlling us?

***

Counting today, there are 32 days before Christmas arrives.

Let’s use them wisely.


["Maybe I'll make birdhouses and fill them w shortbreads": photo GH]

Recent photographs from the side of the road here.

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32 Days ‘til Christmas: Will you spend or save money in 2010?

A recent survey by Deloitte Canada finds “a majority of Canadian consumers plan to spend the same or less than last year” over the Christmas season. (Nov. 17, London Free Press)

Here are the exact figures:

52 % of respondents say they will spend the same

44 % say they will spend less

4 % say they will boost their Christmas spending


["My goal - spend less, save more, feed the wee pig": GH]

Also, 75 % of respondents said “they planned to use any extra income or a bonus to pay down debt or save.”

Will you spend more, less, or the same as last year?

What would you do with a Christmas bonus?

***

More I Ask You here.

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Zoom w a View: Two belt buckles; which will win?

I have two belts that I wear - one at a time; two at a time would be superfluous - with one purpose in mind.

I.e., to keep my pants up.

Pants around the knees can cause embarrassing scenarios.


["The belt from Quigley's may last forever!": photo GH]

For example:

“Young man,” someone might say. “Can you get to your car without assistance?”

“I’m fine,” I might reply.

“But your pants are falling down.”

“Don’t give it a thought.”

Pants around the ankles can cause accidents.

So, I have two belts. If one breaks, the other can step in to do the job.

Today, it happened. One belt broke.

The circumstances aren’t important. (Something about a big lunch and a big hurry. I’ll tell you later - maybe. Sorry, I digress).

Now I’m down to one belt.

The ‘Country Music’ belt, the younger of the two, is history, and the $5.00 one from Quigley’s Leather Works (a London store, north of Oxford St., beside the Thames R., circa 1969) lives on.

Who would have guessed?

***

Do you still wear apparel or accessories that are 40 years old or older?

E.g., yellow and black checked polyester pants?

Visit more Zoom w a View here.

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song for the blue ocean PT 2: More than about fish

The book 'song for the blue ocean' is more than about fish - or the decline and destruction of fish.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the book is about forests as well - and the decline and destruction of forests.

Though extremely well-written, and highly recommended, the book could easily have been called 'trouble for the blue ocean.'

Why so many pages, so much information about forests in a book about fish?

I read the following about deforestation:

"The implications of deforestation (in the Pacific North-west) went far beyond the (spotted) owl, but the owl attracted more than its share of headlines and attention. Many species suffered from forest destruction - salmon included. Yet in the din over the owl even conservationists almost totally overlooked the salmon who were quietly blinking out in run after run, stream after stream." (pg. 173)

[Def'n - salmon run; a location in a river where salmon spawn and mature before entering the ocean; a run can be miles long]

[Def'n - blinking out; a quiet way of saying dying out, or disappearing from our radar screen]

And why do salmon blink out after forests are destroyed?

Carl Safina writes:

"Over a clear-cut several square miles in extent, Fran (pilot) points out a draw where the land has been sliding (eroding) into a creek, saying, "It hurts fish by clogging the gravels."

"Silt can be murder on salmon eggs, slowing water circulation and thus strangling salmon embryos. Much of the silt comes from log roads. No one in the world builds more roads than the U.S. Forest Service: 360,000 miles of roads (and growing) lace and filigree our national forests - seven times the aggregate length of America's interstate highway system." (pg. 167)

On those roads, trees are delivered to waiting mills and ships. Jobs leave the country by those roads. (US tax dollars at work).

And because of those roads a salmon industry is being bludgeoned. More jobs are leaving - on the US tax payers' dime.

'song for the blue ocean' is definitely more than about fish.

***

I wonder if the same problems can be seen in Canada, i.e., over-fishing, over-foresting, sending jobs out of the country?

Any good books out there about the Canadian resource and job scene?

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Three more signs that winter has definitely arrived

For those that keep count, I believe there are over 40 million signs that winter has arrived in Canada, that's if you count every pair of mittens sold in stores or knitted by people over age 70 in the last 3 years alone.

There are even more signs if toques and scarves are included.

Whatever the total, here are three more:


["Cold gray water - coming from Cameron Lake, Fenelon Falls": photo GH]

1. Ice has formed on Cameron Lake, on the north side of Fenelon Falls.

(I saw it with my own eyes. No camera available at the time. Sorry).

2. My wife and I had to take turns pushing our twin grand-daughters in their stroller this morning - our hands got so cold - because we didn't have sturdy gloves or even one pair of the aforementioned mittens. (usually she hogs the stroller and I just get to watch).

3. I had to wear my wife's toque after about 5 minutes to keep my ears from falling off.

Def'n - toque; a woolen cap that can be pulled down over the ears to prevent them from freezing or falling off. Some toques, aka toboggans, have pointy tops and make the wearer look like an over-grown elf. Fashion police should be called in such a case.

***

Tomorrow's temperature is supposed to be be about 14 degrees Celsius.

What's up with our weather?

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Fenelon Falls: Sunrise to sunset

7:00 A.M. - I walked out onto a second story balcony to watch 30 seconds worth of sunrise.


["It was chilly on the balcony, but worth it": photos GH]

5:30 P.M. - I walked out to the end of the driveway to take one photo of a slim sunset.


In between 7 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. - I watched and relaxed while others ran around the house after Anna and ella, age 14 months.

***

Okay, I helped out a little bit.

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Zoom w a View: Pileated woodpecker - 15 ft. from my wooden skull

Nose-deep into an earlier post about job creation, I barely noticed the loud call of a large bird as it settled onto a branch just outside the computer-room window of my son's house in Fenelon Falls.

But a memory stirred inside my little round and wooden head.

I recognize that sound, I thought. It's from a woodpecker.

I looked out the window, spotted the bird - a pileated woodpecker - and walked downstairs for my camera.

Shots through the window were blurred by the window screen. So, I stepped onto the balcony. The bird left, then returned, and I was able to get a few decent photos in spite of the strong wind, swaying branches and nervous antics of the bird.


("The bird finally sat still - for a second": photo GH)

Appearances by this type of woodpecker are becoming more frequent in Fenelon Falls. I saw my first such bird during a visit in September.

They may becoming less frequent in other locales.

This from an article entitled 'Pileated woodpecker is knocking on wood for survival.'

"A damning report, recently released by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation for North America (CEC), has indicated that timber harvest in Ontario is destroying the habitat of one of the province's iconic woodland bird species, the Pileated Woodpecker. The Ministry of Natural Resources has vowed to protect the bird, and yet Ontario's forestry policies are contributing to the species' decline."

Coincidentally, the species, along with several other creatures, is being threatened in the USA as well, so says 'song for the blue ocean,' a book mentioned in the aforementioned 'earlier post.'

The article went on to say the following:

"Pileated Woodpecker populations will drop dramatically unless the Ontario government intervenes and affords meaningful protection for the species. The report indicates that Pileated Woodpecker habitat will decrease in Ontario by 35% due to logging."

(Same problem in the US.)

"The report investigated how logging activities affect birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The report shows that logging is destroying habitat and nesting grounds for several migratory bird species, such as the Boreal Chickadee and Bay-breasted Warbler. Although the Pileated Woodpecker is not a migratory species, the report indicates that their projected habitat loss is the most dramatic at 35%. The survival of both Ontario's local and migratory bird populations is at stake."
(March, 2007, earthroots.org)

I hope this won't be the last picture I'll ever get.

***

Are these birds in your neighbourhood?

Where?

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song for the blue ocean PT 1

song for the blue ocean, an outstanding book by Carl Safina, is 440 pages long and I'm nearing the half-way point.

Already I highly recommend it to you.

[For a few details, use the link under 'Read This' in side margin.]

This morning I read a paragraph that relates to an earlier post of mine re job creation. (We need jobs all across Canada. Unemployment rates are high. I made a brilliant suggestion, do you recall?

(And it's not like me to throw the word 'brilliant' around lightly.)

This may help:

"Throughout the 1980s, timber companies cut lands owned by the American people at record rates, while selling more and more raw logs overseas. Oregon and Washington lost about twenty thousand lumber jobs to exports and automation. A 16 per cent increase in wood taken off public lands accompanied a 15 per cent drop in logging and milling jobs. While wood prices - and company profits - rose to record highs, management exacted pay cuts up to 25 per cent." (pg. 173, song for the blue ocean)

An observer said the following:

"They should be giving the processing jobs to people in mills here. Allowing them to export raw logs makes no sense to me at all."

I have to agree.

Whether we are talking about the USA or Canada, processing jobs related to raw materials should stay in our own country.

Fat chance? Likely. Some economists will say that we have to let globalization and certain efficiencies take their course. I say, horse feathers.

Also, automation means that machines are doing the jobs that men and women can do.

I say, as I did in an earlier post, fire the machines. Put a tarp over them. Let real people have jobs and communities have a better chance to survive.

***

Q: Why do trees figure prominently in book about the ocean?

Good question.

More to follow.

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Anna and Ella: They are already talking up a storm

My wife and I were last in Fenelon Falls visiting our twin grand-daughters in September, to celebrate their first birthday and the fact they were already taller than me.

Now they are almost 14 months old and, in my opinion, absolutely rule the roost.

Their mom and dad, who we also visit with, even though the girls get all of the attention, will be free to have a lengthy conversation with us in about 19 years time. I'll be 80 years old and likely shuffling around the house in red long johns and bunny slippers.

Don't laugh.

I already have the slippers.

While carrying Ella around her parents' kitchen this afternoon she spoke to me.

She said, "Ma."

"Hey, close enough," I said.

Ella's mother told me that she was saying 'Max.' Her cousin Max's picture was on the fridge.

Brilliant kid, I thought.

I don't think I said my first words until I was almost 2 years old.

At age 3 I said my first full sentence.

I said, "Dad, can we change the channel, please? Red Skelton is on another station."

No one was as impressed as I was today when Ella spoke to me.

***

How old were you were you first watched Red?

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No Zoom w a View: But I did see snow today

I had two cameras in the car but I wasn't going to pull over at the side of the road north of Whitby just because I saw my first blanket of snow of the season at about noon today.

Besides, I'd eaten an Egg McMuffin earlier and was feeling like I needed to find a bathroom not take some nice photos.

Sorry, I digress.

And re the snow.

Blanket is also the wrong word.

Sprinkling would be more appropriate. And titch would do as well.

So, write it on your calendars.

Winter officially arrived in Canada today (at least in the part of Canada slightly north of the 401 highway), Nov. 19, but I can't prove it.

***

Did we get any snow in Deforest City while I was stuck in traffic west of Toronto?

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I Ask You: McDonald's Egg McMuffin - what's it supposed to taste like??

I know that Ol' McDonald had a farm. I used to sing the song.

EIEIO.

But on the way out of town this morning I picked up an Egg McMuffin for the first time in years (the coffee was free; that raises a second question) and by the time I was 5 miles down the 401 I was wondering, what's it supposed to taste like?

The English muffin seemed a bit off to me.

The egg didn't quite match up in the taste department, compared to the eggs I scrambled yesterday.

The cheese tasted a bit like plastic.

Good thing I had some free coffee to wash it down or else the meal would have been a complete bust.

***

I think I overpaid - $2.39 - for what it's worth.

Q2: Is that why the coffee is free?

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Climate Change Concerns: Can John Baird even spell “e-n-v-i-r-o-n-m-e-n-t?”

Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice, regarded in many circles as one of the strongest ministers in the Conservative government, resigned recently.

Why?

I read the following the other day:

“Prentice had clearly come to a personal crossroads.”

“On the one hand, he’d evidently had enough of taking orders from the Prime Minister’s Office on climate change, in which the government marched in lockstep with the Obama administration in Washington (which is like “going nowhere”).”

“On the other hand, Prentice was looking at a compelling career opportunity...” (Nov. 5, London Free Press)

I ask you:

Looking after the environment is not a compelling career opportunity?


["Can John Baird even spell?" drarrwing by GH]

My answer:

Not in Canada. Not with the Conservative government. It’s about the oil, stupid.

Let me know if you think otherwise.

***

Some may ask, who is the Minister of the Environment of Canada now?

Don’t ask.

More Climate Change Concerns here.

More Climate Change Concerns here.

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This Old Economist: Should we ask women for more taxes?

Why ask that question?

I read the following from “Rich Canadians charitably minded”:

“Almost two-thirds of wealthy Canadians plan to give away between 1 and 3% of their wealth this year...” (Nov. 15, London Free Press)

In other words, many Canadians, including a lot of women I bet, are in the mood to help out others.


And this:

“91% of women say it is important to give back to their community” (vs 72% of men).

If women could be convinced that the future of Canada as a country is as important, if not more so, than their community, should we not ask them for more help through taxes? (I.e., in light of Canada’s growing debt).

***

I want to hear from my sisters.

Call me.

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The Maple Leafs: Two wins in a row would be VERY nice

Two wins in a row might even be miraculous.

At least, that’s what some members of my 50-plus hockey team said yesterday after we got spanked 2 - 1.

(I had some good chances too).


My opinion:

1. The Leafs have scored fewer goals than 12 of 15 teams in the East.

2. They have to climb over 5 teams to be on the right side of the playoff line in the standings.

3. With Phaneuf gone, they need me. I’m ready.

Conclusion:

A win tonight would be VERY VERY nice.

***

And it would give me some talking points at next week’s 50-plus game.

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This Old Economist: Could some good news lead to more?

Headline: “Rich Canadians charitably minded”

Line 1: “Almost two-thirds of wealthy Canadians plan to give away between 1 and 3% of their wealth this year, with the majority saying the recession has not affected their donating habits...” (Nov. 15, London Free Press)

How could that not be good news?

I’m sure most charities and non-profit organizations in London would say they wouldn’t be around and helping others if not for the generosity of Londoners, including the most wealthy citizens in town.

Though “the classic personal donor gives without being asked, (and) wants to be involved in how the gift is used,” I wonder how they would feel about supporting - by 1% more than they already do - the greatest organization in Canada, i.e., Canada.

Would the wealthiest support a 1% tax increase in an attempt to pay down record national and provincial debt so that future generations do not find themselves in a truly vulnerable position re educational, health care and other money matters?

My question is flavoured by my notion that the wealthy can afford to help more than they already do.

National taxation systems tend to favour the wealthy, in my opinion.

For example, in the US, Pres. G. W. Bush passed a “raft of tax breaks” while in office (which the Republicans want to see continued), favouring the wealthy to a large degree. (Nov. 15, “Obama confident of deal on tax cuts”, London Free Press)

Also, in a book re the successes and failures of Globalization I read the following:

“There was broad deregulation, privatization, a lowering of tax rates at the top half of society, and a shifting of the tax burden from the top directly and indirectly through stealth taxes to the bottom. Governments were feeling seriously squeezed as their tax base shrank and the moral pressure to balance their budgets grew.” (pg. 111, The Collapse of Globalism, John Ralston Saul)

So, apparently, the money is out there to support numerous good causes (and so we all should) and, in my opinion, the finest one in all the land, i.e., our land.

Some will want to wait for a growing economy to bail us out of debt.

I don’t think we should wait for the economy. One per cent more taxes, applied to the debt, will allow us to see how large our debt really is and how much real effort is going to be needed to make life a wee bit easier for ourselves in this generation and those that will live in our houses after we are gone.

Is one per cent a good start?

***

Is the money out there?

Debt may not be totally within our control anymore.

And the tax lever is just one we should be willing to pull to help the cause.

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Port Bruce: Ready for winter a bit early

If you tell me NOT to do something, you can bet I'll give it a try.






Okay, at least I won't litter while on the pier.


["And I won't steal the Water Survey marker": photos GH]


***

More photos from Port Bruce, Ontario.

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