I was going to start joking about all the things that are going on

The fact that this hockey season is all but gone

That as far as basketball goes, it is done as well

The fact that all the sports in general have all gone to hell

Then I thought seriously about it and changed my course

The events around us are transitioning from bad to worse

Everything around us is shutting down

This is not the time for me to play the clown

You can sit down and pretend that there is nothing wrong

Hope for the best and pray that it won’t last long

You can choose to accept it and take it all in stride

Who knows how long we will all be on this ride

Schools are closed and you can’t eat in

I don’t even know where I should begin

Wash your hands and don’t dare touch your face

Don’t infringe into anybody’s personal space

Heed the warnings and try to obey

This is what the “experts” say

I’ve been to a few stores and I have no doubt

People are getting prepared in case of a “breakout”

Don’t think of getting hand sanitizer because there in none around

Good luck trying to make your own because rubbing alcohol can’t be found

Toilet paper is in now in short supply

They have had to put a limit on it so all can buy

It’s terrible what is happening to people everywhere

Please try to think positive and not give into the despair

There is plenty of information for all of us to watch and read

Do all the research before you proceed

As for my wife and I, we have stocked up on supplies

I’m not thinking the worse, but who knows what could arise

It is still early and who knows what we have in store

So many people have died, who knows how many more?

We’ve decided to heed all the warnings and take the safe protocol

Following all their instructions should keep us safe overall

You look to the news and really it doesn’t sound good

So much of what’s happening is not fully understood

It’s spread all over the planet and still hasn’t reached its peak

No wonder so many people are beginning to freak

In Italy so many people have died from this strain

Three thousand so far and they still don’t have it contained

North America is now experiencing the tip of this blight

Three countries will have to work together to put up a fight

Yesterday they decided to close the border between Canada and the States

Only essential travel will be permitted to go through these gates

Some people believe the reaction to this has been too slow

How they continue? I don’t think they really know

The next few weeks will be a barometer for us all

Hopefully instead of that steady rise, the numbers will fall

Nobody knows how long this will last

It could be months before it’s a thing of the past

So when you finally decide to put up a fight

Look at all the facts and just do it right

Some people will ignore everything until their final breath

Then the coroner can write “stupidity” as their cause of death

To the dedicated few that chose to check in last week

Thank you for deciding to give my blog a peek

I’m sorry that I was unable to provide you with something to read

I will relate this experience to you and now I’ll proceed

This story begins oh so many years ago

You want an actual date and time? I don’t really know

This pertains to each individual’s dental care

That’s today’s topic that I have chosen to share

Dental plans when I was young, was something that was unknown

The first time that I saw a dentist, I had kids of my own

So you can understand how uptight and nervous I would be

When the first appointment for my two daughters was also first for me

In those days I was in my late twenties when my first examination was performed

I still see the same dentist regularly, I guess I was reformed

So over all those years, three cavities or possibly it is four

To consider when I started, I think that’s a pretty good score

Through all these years I had my wisdom teeth, and yes they were impacted

I’d go to see the specialist, he said “there’s no need for them to be extracted”

The reasoning for this I was told was because I had no pain at all

When they start to bother you, don’t hesitate to call

Over all the visits to my local dentist, I made three visits to this “specialist” guy

His answer was always “There not bothering you? I don’t even want to try”

So this is my saga that’s been going for more than thirty years now

Don’t worry about them, you have no pain anyhow

So recently my dentist refers me to a new surgeon that opened up in town

I went in for the consul and there he sat me down

He showed my all my x-rays and began to explain

That he advised to do this procedure even though there is no pain

He couldn’t believe I wasn’t experiencing any discomfort at all

He told me all the bad scenarios and told me it was still my call

The damage he said is extensive and showed the infection that was there

He proceeded in great detail for my wife and I to share

He initially wanted to do this the very next day

We decided to do it on Thursday, amounting to a three day delay

This way we were prepared and all our schedules were met

So when I came out of recovery, everything would be set

We arrived at the office for a seven fourty five date

We were well prepared, so we weren’t even close to late

I got through the operation and we were on our way

After picking up prescriptions, we were at home and called it a day

It was just a little before noon when we came through our door

I managed to get to the couch safely without stumbling to the floor

Of course I was still out to lunch for quite a while

I was told I was doing “Godfather” impressions when I tried to smile

Now today makes it a week and I’m still black and blue

Writing about this escapade is what I chose to do

Eating soft food and soups by the score

How could a man ask for anything more?

I am trying to be patient and let the healing proceed

Some days have been worse as I still strive to succeed

I’m feeling much better today and am actually hungry for homemade soup

Just one of the so limited options available in my new food group

So I will leave you now and continue on my way

I wish to apologize for my sixteen day delay

I know it’s been more than two weeks since I’ve been gone

Hopefully next week I can find a “shorter” topic that we both can “chew” on

I remember one particular “Hawks” game nearly two years ago

When their backup goalie got injured and what do you know?

An emergency goalie was inserted into the game

If you don’t remember, “Scott Foster” was his name

Although he  only faced seven shots, he stopped every one

After playing fourteen minutes in the “big league”, his night was done

All the years I’ve spent watching hockey, I never saw this before

Every save “Foster” made you could hear the crowd roar

Imagine how nervous he must have been

I figured I’d never see this happen again

Now it’s present day and it’s Saturday night

Being Canadian, I’m watching hockey, it’s only right

I’m sitting in front of the set watching the “Leafs” and the “Canes”

If you will allow me, I will take some time to explain

The starter “James Reimer” for “Carolina” was injured in the net

The backup replaced him and everything was set

During the second period, “Mrazek” raced far out of his net to move the puck

This time unfortunately, he ran out of luck

The “Toronto” forward ran into him at full speed

“Mrazek” tried to recover but he didn’t succeed

The “Emergency Goalie” protocol was now in place

“David Ayres” would be the man that would fill in the space

He looked pretty shaky right from the start

He eventually calmed down and played his part

In the second period he only managed to stop one shot out of three

Those were the only “Maple Leafs” goals that the home crowd would see

They never scored in the third period and the “Canes” won the game

“David Ayres” was the winning goalie and had his claim to fame

They ended up winning the game by a score of six to three

It was a game to be remembered we can all agree

The news of this event went viral and spread everywhere

The next thing you know, he is on “The Late Show” with “Stephen Colbert”

He must have dropped into New York when he was on his way

You see, on Tuesday in Raleigh the mayor declared it “David Ayres” day

Like “Scott Foster” before him, “Ayres ” is enjoying his day in the sun

Let them both enjoy the accolades and have some fun

Although this has happened twice in the past two years

I wish to say something and make it perfectly clear

The chances of this event happening anytime time soon

Are rarer than that saying “once in a blue moon”

Both goalies ended up being on the winning team

How much better could it be when you fulfill a dream?

Now if you were to ask me “Which goalie looked better”?

I would have to say “Scott Foster” because he was wearing the “Blackhawks” sweater

I got a message on my phone just the other day

Who was the sender? I am not at liberty to say

She asked me for a favour, you know, a request

I told I would think about it and wished her the best

Some guys will choose to do this without a second thought

I heard that they are hooked on it and do this a lot

I on the other hand have never been that way

Didn’t do it when I was younger, can’t see me doing it today

Of course when we were younger, it would have taken quite some time

I think with all the procedures involved it would be hard to stay out of the crime

It would be hard to cover all your tracks and still stay in the clear

Once the word got out on you, I think most of your friends would disappear

You would have had to really known somebody to get this task done

Someone who did it as a hobby just to have some fun

Back then I know of no one that dabbled in this art

The chances of someone like this was few and far apart

I’m not saying that it didn’t happen, I’m sure it really did

This was not something that you bragged about, it’s something that you hid

If the authorities heard about it, they would definitely bring you in

You couldn’t confide in your pastor, because the church considered it a sin

They’d probably would have told you not to do it and that things will just get worse

They’d would have tried sorts of things because to them it was a curse

You weren’t supposed to do this and now you had a black mark on your slate

Now there are scores of people who choose to do this and will participate

Usually two people share this act from the start

But in many instances, it can get blown apart

This item will be passed around the group if they so chose to share

Some will take some serious interest, while others will not care

It’s not because I’m older that I choose not to try this out

I am stuck in my ways and do not want to go down this route

I will not “expose” myself to what people do today

What do people do with a “dick pic” anyway?

The first thing that I have chosen to say

Is it cold enough out there for you today?

It’s early here but it sure is cold

All outdoor activities for me are all put on hold

This morning the temperature was minus thirty five

The old thermometer sure took a nose dive

Take the wind chill factor and then it’s minus fourty two

Staying here in the warmth seems like the only logical thing to do

School buses are not running so some kids will get to stay at home

They better make sure they are bundled up if they choose to roam

Funny how a day can be so bright and clear

But if you choose to brave the elements, it’s frostbite you have to fear

How many people are aggravated even more?

All because they didn’t plug in their car the night before

They will get everything ready and out the door they will depart

Only to be totally frustrated when their car doesn’t start

The next thing they require is some help in this case

A dilemma that almost every northerner here has to face

Booster cables are a necessity especially at this time of year

Now you are in need of someone’s help and hope they are near

Some people are more resourceful and already have a plan “B”

Let’s face it in this scenario it wouldn’t be you or me

The prepared person would have another battery and off he would go

The majority of us would be there freezing out in the snow

Neighbours, friends, hell, enemies will boost someone in need

It’s just common courtesy, it’s a solemn creed

When you are stuck in the cold and your car just doesn’t go

You’ll find some assistance from people you don’t know

So one way or another, you will not be alone

In case of a real emergency you can still use your cell phone

Chances of you being left abandoned are second to none

You will get aid from almost anyone

So many people have stories that they like to share

Involving friends and strangers that showed how they cared

Even in the coldest days of the winter, a warm hearts still beats within

Be it someone unknown, or your closest of kin

Someone who has a heart and helps you on your way

Seems so appropriate to remember seeing it’s Valentine’s day

I don’t know how many can really relate to the words I said above

Here’s hoping you are able to share this day with someone you love

I am sitting here and have to wonder why?

How so many people are so loyal to this guy?

He is in the news each and every day

I wish he would just leave or just go away

I haven’t even bothered to even mention his name

But you know who I am really talking about, just the same

A man, let’s face it, is morally corrupt

Not to mention his dismissiveness and how he’s so abrupt

He is involved in so many shady deals and still hasn’t had to  pay

You can’t believe a word that he has to say

With all the accusations flying at him from the left and right

Makes me wonder how this man manages to sleep at night

I don’t think this man is in the possession of a conscience nor a heart

I guess this is just two of the factors that set him apart

Most of his associates have been or are involved in crime

Many of his closest ones are now serving time

Yet there he sits, so pompous and so proud

His greatest reward is being praised in front of his crowd

Of course he gets to choose the venue and where he is to appear

No matter what nonsense he spouts, he gets a rousing cheer

He holds the power and rules the land

How he accomplished this? I will never understand

I can’t believe this man is in charge of the place

The fact that he is, is truly a disgrace

Men and women have sold their souls to keep this man in his seat

Even people with common sense, know when it’s time to retreat

This man in public, doesn’t seem to worry about things at all

If history does repeat, it’s his followers that will take the fall

The evidence is sitting there in plain black and white

It seems that these people can’t distinguish wrong from right

This man has no charisma and a complete lack of charm

Still his group of ass kissers still show no alarm

So when it was time to reach a verdict to each one in his troup

There was found to be only one set of balls in his faithful group

This man had the guts to weigh the evidence and reached the right decision

He didn’t bow to his leader and encourage more division

History will show that he chose to hold his ground

He didn’t pressure to the whims of his bias crowd

Now you have to wonder, what will happen next?

You might not see it coming or know what to expect

The guy that’s in charge will now have a free rein

How could you let that happen? Are you all insane?

You see that in this man’s head he actually believes he has done nothing wrong

Aren’t you all tired of hearing him sing that same old song?

He’s complained that this was all a witch hunt from the very start

This man who claims he’s a “stable genius” is the one that has torn you apart

I prefer to call you “the states”, this is all I have to say

Because as far as the rest of us are concerned, you are not “united” in any way

Have you ever been a part of a close knit group?

Then through no fault of your own, you are now out of the loop?

Then made you wonder what did you do?

Or made you question what things are true?

That made you feel that you did something wrong?

Why you are out and the rest still get along?

Those that you welcomed and went through your door

Don’t wish to even acknowledge you anymore?

That when you speak up in your own defense

The repercussions administered are too immense

They single us out and make up a lie

Then there we are, left high and dry

Though through the years, the decisions they made affected us the most

Now when everyone gets together, we’re like a ghost

Some in the group don’t talk to us at all

Then they expect us to be at their beckon call

They think they are puppet masters and pull our string

When they want you to meet they expect us to drop everything

This group you see doesn’t want to evolve

There’s decades of problems they refuse to resolve

They still cling to instances that happened so long ago

Volumes of pettiness is all that they know

They seem to focus on some members and seem to share the same opinions

There are a few that are in charge and the rest are their minions

Over the years they get to choose who they wish to beret

They always need someone to scorn, it certainly seems to make their day

But when you chance to meet them in a mall or on a street

They can certainly fool the public and act more discreet

At the meetings you attend, they never have any words for you to share

Then when you are an absentee, they wonder why you’re not there

Some choose to just throw in the towel and say “the hell with the rest”

Figuring it’s just for their own good, it’s just for the best

Now they announce to this group that this is a path that they chose

Now the whole congregation is aware and everyone knows

You continue with life and hope things aren’t the same

But the members you left still play the game

Then we think to ourselves, what must we do?

Then you realize, that we must be the glue

The fact that they shot us down, it’s what makes us the bond

They don’t seem to miss us now that we are gone

You sit around and you sure feel some grief

But when it comes down to your own happiness, you feel a sense of relief

You just get tired of the bickering and you don’t want to fight

Just because this group is in unison, still doesn’t make them right

We don’t know how many days on earth we have left to spend

We don’t want to go through life and try to pretend

We all want to be happy and have a reason to live

Some people will never achieve this if it’s not in their heart to forgive

Ontario’s teachers are putting up quite a fight

Some people say they are in the wrong but I think they are right

Money isn’t what this conflict is all about

Ontario’s Premier wants to take a different route

School is nowhere near what it was when we used to attend

Parents should take up the teachers’ cause and help them to defend

The government in their infinite wisdom wants to put more kids in each class

Doug Ford and his Conservatives need a good kick in the ass

They want high school students to do some subjects online

To quote a famous comedian – “Hey Doug, here’s your sign”

You want to congest the class and then send them on their own?

We have to stop all this stupidity before the first seed has been sown

The trouble today is that children aren’t getting the attention that they need

They grow up and reach high school and some can barely read

More educational assistants are required for kids with special needs

Now you want to put more kids in this classroom and expect them to succeed?

The emphasis should be on the children and the needs that they require

Teachers need more of the one on one so they can instruct and inspire

There are so many of us adults living here today

That had a favourite teacher that was able to show them the way

The path that should be taken is to lighten the educator’s chore

So they can answer all their questions and let them study more

More recognition should be given to educational assistants that are with them in the class

The work that they have to perform is indeed a delicate task

Remember these same people aren’t paid when school is on a break

Filing for Employment Insurance is a labour they have to undertake

This means that they only pay into their pension for part of the year

They literally put their lives on the line and need to work longer to make it a career

Lately I’ve been intrigued and have been reading some of the posts online

One person’s comment was “If they can’t handle it, why don’t they just resign”

I just sit back and shake my head at all the crap that is said

The thought that came to me I will share with you instead

This goes out to all the trolls that have chosen to constantly beret this profession

I’m going to try to stay polite and use some discretion

There is something so ironic that I think I need to share

Just so you will understand and maybe finally become aware

Those of you who publish all your comments and think of being so bold and bright

If it wasn’t for these people that you harass, you wouldn’t be able to read or write

Christmas is over and a new year has begun

The Bills and the Patriots seasons are done

Buffalo blew their lead and in overtime lost in the end

New England even with “Brady” could not contend

Who wins the Superbowl? I haven’t a clue

I just want to say I am proud of what Buffalo was able to do

Rookie quarterback Josh Allen and this team had quite a year

I’m confident that in next season’s playoffs they will appear

Of course the question about Brady is was this his last game?

I wonder how his ego will be without all of this fame

Whether he goes or he stays I could not care less

I’ll just leave it to the so called experts to continue to guess

Now let’s talk about hockey, you know, Canada’s sport

Two tournament championships I like to report

The Spengler and the World Juniors our nation both won

It’s nice to know that as far as this sport goes, we are still number one

If anyone watched the Junior’s comeback, they accomplished quite a feat

To witness that third period’s heroics was definitely a treat

So the new year has started and I made no resolutions

I am not in the business of trying to offer any solutions

This year is still into its infancy with so many days to go

What it has in store for us, we never know

Here’s hoping that everyone’s ups outweigh their downs

The times that you smile outdistance your frowns

That  this year you accomplish something you couldn’t before

That when December thirty first comes you are wanting for more

For those who experienced so much suffering in the year that just past

I hope you are able to find some sense of relief and hope that it will last

I wish much happiness and goodness that it fills your heart

If not in its entirety, at least a small part

I have no comprehension of how you are coping  or how you must feel

I can only state that I’m sorry and pray you continue to heal

I hope the following weeks and months will help in your quest

I only have my condolences to offer and wish you the best

So “Happy New Year” to all is what we are supposed to say

I hope this proves to be true and I’ll be on my way

It’s now a week before Christmas and I wish to announce

I’ve finished all of my shopping without leaving the house

Shopping at the mall is something I would not dare

I sit in front of the screen munching on a chocolate eclair

The hustle and bustle of the store is something I dread

That why I prefer the online shopping instead

I don’t want to put up with all that holiday crap

If you have any sense of what you want it can be done in a snap

You can find anything you want it doesn’t really matter

I am even considering ordering my holiday platter

I feel I have more control of my secret stash

I can shop any site as long as it doesn’t crash

It’s become so convenient as most of us know

You can perform this task no matter where you go

Some chose not to do this because it’s something they fear

They feel all transactions should involve a cashier

This adventure could go pretty quick

Especially if you already know what to pick

Whether you decide on buying socks or even a board game

Your charge for the postage will still be the same

If you order enough, you can qualify for free shippin’

These are just some words of advice that I chose to slip in

Internet shopping is not for us all

Do it or not? You make your own call

I recommend that you give it a try

Everything you want is there to buy

Hackers could expose you this is so true

Don’t let them scare you from what you want to do

If you have good security you can still remain aloof

Most sites are secure and bulletproof

I still do lots of shopping in my hometown

Sometimes there are things that just can’t be found

Locally is where I spend most of my loot

Sometimes you choose a different route

If there is something that you lack

Try cyberspace because you can still send it back

You can still do your retail therapy if you are still wary

Just cruising the internet for some, can be very scary

It’s up to you how you spend your dough

It’s up to you where you choose to go

You may meet your deadline by the skin of your teeth

You may take the high road or crawl underneath

It may affect you so much that it upsets your belly

You may get so wound up that your feet feel like jelly

The purchases I made were all done by myself

The presents are wrapped and now sit on a shelf

I finished shopping early so I could stay ahead

It gives me more time to enjoy this holiday instead

Some will shop until they go bezerk

I will just sit here and try not to smirk

Is it nice to be done? Yes I suppose

It has given me time to finish this long prose

As I am getting near the end I am beginning to whistle

This poem is getting longer than your Sunday epistle

This entry doesn’t seem to be going the way that I thought it might

I’m just going to say that I’m finally finished and I’m going to call it a night