The NHL playoffs are in full swing

What are the chances of a “Canadian” team getting the Stanley Cup ring?

This is what our nation is looking for to show our “Canadian” pride

Will we achieve it or once again be denied?

There is just one more game left in the second round

If you look at the schedule there is only one team to be found

This was a rather dismal year for us we can all agree

The total number of representatives only totaled three!

The “Oilers”, “Canadiens” and “Senators” were the only teams to advance

The “Leafs”, “Jets”, “Canucks”  and “Flames” never made it to the dance

“Ottawa” faced “Carolina” and never won a game

The “Oilers” lost in six games to the “Ducks”, it really is a shame!

“Montreal” defeated “Tampa Bay” in seven to stay in the chase

The “Buffalo Sabres” would be the next team they would have to face

The “Habs” were up three games to two when they met on Saturday night

It was looking pretty promising but things didn’t turn out alright

“Buffalo” would take a one goal lead on their first shot on net

“Montreal” would do the same but they weren’t done yet

Their next two shots following would also hit the twine

This would give them a three to one lead and things were looking fine

As fate would have it, it was never meant to be

The “Sabres” just took over and won the game eight to three

This was quite a beating they took in front of their “Montreal” crowd

After the first three shots, “Buffalo” changed their goalie and not another goal was allowed

The seventh game is in “Buffalo” and they will have to do their best

There will be millions of us “Canadians” watching them in this epic quest

Cheering for “Montreal” to keep all our hopes alive

Will they get knocked out or will they survive?

If they accomplish this, they will be in the final four

This is just the midway point, they have to win eight more

This will be their fourteenth game, more than any other team

Here’s hoping they come out on top and continue our nation’s dream

“Trump” claims that this shooter was out to get me

Another failed assassination attempt that now totals three

Two people have been killed in one episode before

How much longer do we wait until we reach number four?

It’s sad two men have lost their lives in the pursuit of this man

“Trump” is just coping, doing the best that he can

If someone nails him it will be the end of his career

All he has to show for it is one bloody ear

He wore that bandage for two weeks after that tragic event

His “MAGA” followers also wore them wherever they went

After fourteen days he removed the bandages and his ear was revealed

People are still amazed on how well it had healed

There was no scar, scab or even a bruise

Once again he was the top story in the news

To think of all that blood that flowed when that bullet hit!

Yet there is no sign of an injury, not one single bit!

Two months later a man was found on his golf course carrying a gun

The “secret service” apprehended this man and no harm was done

There was another attempt on his life in “Washington D.C.”

It happened this past Saturday which makes number three

There was no bloodshed like the time before

“Trump” says he was the target even though the shooter didn’t get past the door

The “Republicans” are now thanking “God” that “Donny” is still alive

There have been stories circulating that were seen joking and giving each other “high fives”

So let’s summarize all these events if we can

There have been three failed attempts to take out this man

A bullet to the ear is the only “injury” he sustained

We have to take into account that his suit was bloodstained

I don’t believe for a moment, I won’t swallow that pill

The only thing that “Trump” has paid for is his dry cleaning bill

Many people think these stunts were staged and I tend to agree

Just how lucky could this man possibly be?

The “Epstein” cover up is something everyone wants to know

Trump’s popularity has now reached an all time low!

The hatred for this man has now become universal

I’m wondering does he get killed in the dress rehearsal?

Didn’t get out for my walk on Tuesday morning

The weather office issued a heavy rainfall warning

Couldn’t get out anytime  soon

Decided I would postpone it until the afternoon

Went to the mall for coffee with my brothers for an hour or two

Headed off to the grocery store when we were through

The next stop was the “Independent” parking lot

That’s when we realized just how much rain we got

One area of their property was flooded from the downpour

In some parts it looked like there could be two feet or more

Luckily there was a way out and we were able to proceed

That was quite an eye opener for all of us indeed!

This wasn’t the  only place that was besieged by the rain

We had to take detours time and time again

It took us a little longer to reach our final destination

As for taking the dog for his walk, I had some hesitation

The sun had come out and it was now bright and clear

I put the dog on his leash and finally got myself in gear

Was now on our trail but much later in the day

Not sure of what I could possibly see along the way

There were whitecaps of water on “Chippewa” creek

With all of the rain it must have reached its peak

Had to walk the overpass instead of the path below

The tunnel was flooded with water and it was the only way to go

The sewage plant was flooded and detours were put in place

Because I was a pedestrian it didn’t affect me in this case

I wasn’t hindered again until I got closer to my home

Due to the creek flooding there were areas I couldn’t roam

I went down blocks north, south, east and west

Taking pictures and videos all along my quest

I got to “Fisher Street Park” and the water was deepest there

It was totally underwater, no dry land anywhere

I was now just a few blocks from home and now headed on my way

The park I described looked much better the next day

I’ve lived here all my life and have never seen so much rain

With all the damage it  produced, hopefully we will never see it again!

Last week my brothers and I were trying to remember a character “Raymond Massey” played on tv

The name “Dr. Zorba” was the first thought that came to me

That was on a show called “Ben Casey” from the 60’s you might know

Turns out he played “Dr. Gillespie on the “Dr. Kildare” show

Back then they were the only 2 medical shows that were on the air

They certainly gained a lot of popularity from there

We have a lot of hospital dramas and comedies today

Just thought I would mention some that you might have heard along the way

“Dr. Marcus Welby” and “Dr. Steven Kiley” shared a practice on “Marcus Welby M.D”.

“Dr. Joe Ganon” was on “Medical Center” at the same time on tv

“Hawkeye” Pierce and “Trapper John” were two characters on the hit “M.A.S.H.”

This was based on the movie that was also a big smash

It was a comedy but it also had a serious core

It was about a “Mobile Army Surgical Hospital” during the “Korean” war

Their final episode set a record for most viewers when it went off the air

Their numbers were bigger than the “Superbowl” just to compare

“Jane Seymour” played “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” set in the 1860’s that had a five year run

That was back in 1993 when it first begun

“St Elsewhere” was another series that many actors had a part

That was where “Denzel Washington” got his start

A teenage genius surgeon was the role on “Doogie Howser M.D.”

“Chicago Hope” was another one that was popular on tv

“E.R.” featured “Noah Wylie” and “George Clooney” in their cast

These are just a few examples of medical shows from the past

In 2001 “Scrubs” starts the 21st century and ran for 10 years

“House” would be the next one that would appear

“The Good Doctor” is another series that got in the game

Then we get to the show that belongs in the “hall of fame”

There’s a series that started back in 2005

This remains on the air and is still alive

This show is called “Grey’s Anatomy” and is still doing great

If you want to binge it, the number of episodes now totals 468

These are just some examples of medical shows that have been on the air

There are some I have missed and I am well aware

I haven’t looked on anything on “Netflix” or “Prime”

I have stuck to the major networks and it hasn’t cost me a dime!

We are spoiled today when we turn on our tv

There are so many options and shows for us to see

The picture is crystal clear and high definition is now the trend

That’s not the way it was years ago my friend!

Back then television came in only two colours and that was black and white

Each station signed off between 1:00 and 2:00 am every single night

Then you would see a test pattern on full display

Then four or five hours later it would start another day

This was the cycle that was followed by every tv station

There wasn’t anything to be viewed across our entire nation

The broadcast towers sent out radio waves through the air

These in turn were available for everyone to share

The only way to capture them was dependent on the aerial attached to your tv

The better the setup, the clearer your picture would be

Most of these were screwed to your rooftop and  proudly on display

It is possible to see some remnants of them still to this day

Those were the origins and we certainly have come a long way

From black and white to colour, then high definition and now 4K

We don’t have to sit in front of the set with remote in hand

Now we can go  about our business and watch programs on demand

They say high speed streaming is the best way to go

This offers more flexibility to watch any show

Netflix was one of the first services out there

Your password was available for everyone to share

Today we realize this no longer is the case

The game has been changed and new rules have been put in place

You sign up for these services and each one of them comes at a cost

Even if you don’t watch one of their programs, your money will be lost

Subscriptions are automatically renewed if you don’t cancel out

That’s how these companies work, that’s what it’s all about

When networks originated, their  sponsors paid for every tv event

We were able to watch all of their programming and it didn’t cost us a cent!

There are words or phrases that are distinct to us Canadians in their own way

Some you might have expressed yourself or heard someone say

Being that our country is so vast, some can be totally unique

Depending on the location and the language you speak

Take for example “soda”, but we call it “pop”

Was it called that because of the noise it made when you loosened the top?

Twenty four beers is a “two-four”, we’ve all heard that before

No matter what “Canadian” brew you drink, you are wanting for more

So in between beer trips if you didn’t get out and hustle

You wouldn’t develop a “beer belly”, no in Canada it’s “Molson muscle”

“Timbit” and a “double double” are two that go hand in hand

You only have to think “Tim Hortons” to fully understand

“KD” is “Kraft dinner”, a staple I still consume

A macaroni and cheese meal that occupies many a dorm room

If you hop in your car and go speeding just to get your kicks

You’re not racing in “miles per hour” you’re counting them in “clicks”

“Running shoes” is another word that we don’t usually say

The kids put on their “runners” when they go out and play

If you are short of money and need a “buck or two”

Up here a “loonie” or a “toonie” will have to do

In the living room we have no “sofas”, a chesterfield was put there

Outside, nothing from the “Adirondacks”, it’s a “Muskoka” chair

Our national sport is hockey and we are all called “Canucks”

Does this come from a combination of “Canada” and “puck”?

You hear “Jesus Murphy” time and time again

That’s just our way of not taking the Lord’s” name in vain

In the heat of our game, players never swear, in respect for their mothers

Listen to any broadcast, they are only “chirping” at each other

“Snowbirds” head south to escape the winter’s cold

Just another saying to add to this special language I’ve been told

Just one last thing to emphasize after everything I have said

The “Canadian” alphabet as we all learned, officially ends with the letter “zed”

It’s Saturday night and spring is now just one week away

My wife and I were busy running errands most of the day

The plan was to get things done so we could hunker down

According to the weather reports some bad weather is coming to our town

So if need be we will be ready for what there is in store

This is supposed to last for maybe two days or more

Fourty eight hours of snow, rain and ice starting Sunday morning

Their forecast confidence is high and it’s an “orange warning!

Compared to a “yellow” I am assuming “orange” is worse

We will now have to sit back and let “Mother Nature” take her course

I am seeing they are also predicting 25 to 50 centimeters of snow

Depending on the temperatures, who knows which way this will go?

Will we be covered in ice or will the snow prevail?

Then you have to factor in the possibility of hail

It could be quite a mess when this storm passes through

Depending on the mixture there will be lots of  work to do

I can only hope it won’t be too heavy for the snow blower to proceed

If it can’t move all that white stuff it will be hard for us to succeed

Will we be sliding or will there be a crust on top?

Will we have to venture out several times before it comes to a stop?

No matter what happens we will have to take it all in stride

From what I am reading we could be in for quite a ride

We will keep on top of it the best that we can do

Hoping that this forecast doesn’t come true

The snow blower is filled with gas stored in the shed

Along with over 300 pounds of salt if we need that instead

Both of us will be out there ready to perform

Meanwhile we will try to enjoy the calm before the storm

March came in like a lion and this is the last roar we should hear

Hopefully in the next  couple of weeks the snow will all disappear

So take in the time if you must to take in this winter scene

All this white that you see will soon transform to a coat of green!

You can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to that country that is south of here

Is their law of governing just going to disappear?

They have a president who is declaring war without anyone’s approval

Yet there is no one taking steps to get his removal!

“Republicans” are backing “Trump” all the way

The events that are happening are getting crazier everyday

His first term was a disaster but now he is calling all the shots

It’s just another day in “America” believe it or not

He is bombing “Iran” killing hundreds of innocent people in these attacks

No one seems to want to confront this ego-maniac

He has all his flunkies in the positions that he needs

They all in turn bow to him, no wonder he succeeds!

He is running the show and pulling all the strings

So far this man has gotten away with everything

He doesn’t care who gets killed or hurt when everything is said and done

The only credo he lives by is taking care of number one

It’s just a comedy of errors no matter which way you look

It’s reminds of a plot read in an old comic book

Seems like they have no way of reining in this man in any case

What is happening in this country is a total disgrace

Once again they are looking at the mid terms in November to put him in his place

It’s going to be a “too little too late” scenario in this case

They don’t seem to understand how much damage this man has done to their nation

“Trump” and his party have ruined their country’s reputation

It just doesn’t seem that they want to learn from this huge mistake

The emphasis is on the millionaires and how much money they can make

The “Democrats” and “Republicans” are at war and this crisis can’t be averted

All thanks to their “President” who is rich, powerful and perverted

It still boggles my mind that they gave “Trump” a second term

They thought the “Coronavirus” was their biggest germ!

It just seems so obvious from the outside looking in

In order to fix this travesty,  we know where they should begin

My wife and I watched all the events during the Olympic games

Took in all the sports they played and even remembered all their names

From February sixth to twenty third we checked in every day

Viewed every men’s and women’s hockey game, what more can we say?

Our team won twenty one medals, nine bronze, seven silver and five gold

The athlete’s pool is pretty shallow is the story being told

More core funding is required and our Government has denied this request

If they want to attract more athletes, this situation has to be addressed

Speed skating accounted for almost half taking in ten medals in all

They never cease to amaze us as they always take in a haul

Freestyle skiing matched speed skating by taking in two gold out of their total of five

Watching all the participant’s performances I’m just happy to see them all survive!

It was so befitting that our dance couple picked up the bronze after the event was done

They were retiring after these Olympics and it was the first medal that they won

Snowboarding got us a silver in the men’s snowboard cross race

He lost by a tiebreaker that kept him out of first place

In curling there was a heated exchange between Canada and Sweden in the ninth end

Our men’s team was accused of cheating and used some colourful language to defend

It was captured on live tv and everybody heard

Even though the team was from Sweden he understood these words

Canada was issued a warning and had to tow the line

Our  men’s team picked up the gold days later so everything turned out fine

They later accused our ladies team of the same offense

Our women won the bronze so I won’t keep you in suspense

In the game of hockey, we picked up two silver for coming in second place

We cannot blame the amateurs because these athletes are professionals in this case

Both our women and men lost in overtime and both came up short

It came as a major blow to us “Canadians” losing in our “national sport”

The Americans were the victors of both gold in this case

Some “Canucks” are not happy and consider it a disgrace

The sport that we invented is being played worldwide

It shouldn’t even affect our sense of “Canadian” pride

The times that other nations win is few and far between

“Trump” has already divided their national teams as everyone has seen       

“Canada” and “America” have a “heated rivalry” as we all know

Hockey was made in “Canada” as well as that much talked about show

So don’t take it so hard that we didn’t take the crown

You should be smiling instead of wearing a frown

Obviously other countries are envious of us as a nation

Don’t be so discouraged, enjoy the celebration

Yesterday I woke up and the neighbourhood was blanketed in snow

In the early morning it was a spectacular show

The new fallen scene was delightful to see

Being an early riser, the only footprints belonged to my dog and me

I took a few pictures as we walked through the park alone

The photos that were taken are all stored safely on my phone

This is the way most of us react when the first snow touches down

You immerse yourself in the scenery when you wander around your town

I got to experience it because I was out before the dawn

The rain arrived later and by afternoon most of it was gone

If only it would have arrived just the week before

This whole scenario would have brought out so many more

You see our “Santa Claus” parade was meandering on its designated route

It would have enhanced this event, I certainly have no doubt

I am not wishing for snow by any means

It just seems so appropriate when it comes to this holiday’s scenes

I’ve seen the snow come and I also saw it leave

Please hold off now until it’s officially “Christmas Eve”

We are almost through November and haven’t received too many flakes

I am hoping “Mother Nature” continues to give us a break

Just enough of the white stuff for everyone to have some fun outside     .                                                                                                          .                        Whether you prefer skating, skiing or the occasional toboggan ride

Would like to have a winter where the snow blower stays in the shed

Just the occasional workout using only a shovel instead

Let the snowmobile trails be accessible until the early spring

Just enough accumulation to accomplish everything

Just the occasional snowfall in your city or town

Not a major dump that shuts them all down

In a little less than four weeks we will be finished with the fall

Winter arrives with the longest night of all

We really don’t know what to expect or how it will unfold

I will end with another request, “Don’t make it so damn cold!!!