Two weeks and counting until Christmas day is here

Then follow up with seven more and we’ll be into a brand new year

Time seems to be going quick and there is no time to waste

Hope you are able to enjoy yourselves in spite of all this haste

As we all get older, the time just seems to speed up on us all

But remember when we were all young kids, the time would seem to crawl

The days would seem to linger because we were excited for the day

Counting down the minutes to the time Santa would arrive upon his sleigh

Cherished memories remain and we can each recall our favourite ones

Stories that we have passed along to our daughters and our sons

Christmas holidays when we were young consisted of playing out in the cold

Get out and get some fresh air was the creedo we were told

Our parents had us bundled up and we had all that energy to burn

The more we ran around, the more internal heat we would churn

The local playground was the focal point where most of us would meet

If you weren’t in attendance there, you could play your hockey on the street

There was always plenty of kids around to play this wonderful game

In turn you got to know each other because the teams would never be the same

Sometimes there would be so many kids that you could seldom make a play

But that factor never seemed to bother us because we were out there the whole damn day

It’s funny how the cold never seemed to bother us when we were all young

We played in temperatures so cold, out parents feared we would sear a lung

This of course would continue throughout the winter season

Hell, we played outside all the time, we didn’t need a reason

Christmas holidays seemed so long because you were hoping for that special present

I’m just happy that I enjoyed those days because for others, recollections aren’t as pleasant

Take the time to observe the children this season when you can

Watch the smiles and glee on their faces and then you’ll understand

Just soak up all the happiness they exude and then without a doubt

You’ll realize Christmas is for children, that’s what it is all about

I started writing a poem but it was going nowhere

Seems I was concentrating on the weather and I didn’t want to go there

I looked at the entry that I posted last time

Then I realized that it’s been almost two weeks since I last posted a rhyme

I can’t seem to concentrate on a topic that I want to write about

I need to post something to end this short drought

So let me ramble on and continue on my way

Not sure where I’m going or what I will say

Looks like I’m going to just jot down what comes into my head

Perhaps you’ll want to quit now and reach for a book to read instead

So if you are still undecided and wish to give up

The first thing that comes to my mind is the “Grey Cup”

To Canadians it’s our “Superbowl” that is competed for in the late fall

I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t watch it at all

This is the first time I never viewed one single play

Believe it or not it is still bothering me today

I’ve watched every championship since I was a boy

It is a Canadian ritual that we should all enjoy

Ottawa when they were the “Rough Riders” was the team I would back

Followed them when they were the “Renegades” and now the “Redblacks”

I guess I followed them because my father was born there

Cheering for them was something that we both could share

We sat next to each other when “Tony Gabriel” caught that touchdown pass

Never really knowing that championship was the “Rough Riders” last

It would be fourty years before they would win again

But it was officially the “Redblacks” that was their name

It was so huge back then that Canadian networks would have a broadcast that they would share

Both CTV and CBC would each have two quarters while they were on the air

Now it’s on TSN and you have to pay for in order to view

Back then there was only three Canadian Channels that we knew

It’s sad to think that you have to pay for the channel in order to now watch this game

No wonder the “Grey Cup” isn’t as big as it once was, it’s such a shame

Regular cable will broadcast NFL games by their major networks to all

Which game do you watch? That’s really your own call

Each Sunday at one pm you have your own choice of four

When these games conclude, stay tuned for some more

You get them all through the season and the playoffs as well

But if you want to watch CFL I have to pay? What the hell?

The “Superbowl” is the biggest sporting event and it’s free

Then us Canadians have to pay for the “Grey Cup”? I just don’t agree

Maybe that’s why our football interests are now south of the border

When we want to watch our Canadian teams we have to put in an order

It’s too bad that’s the way things have evolved

I don’t know if this problem will ever be resolved

Maybe things aren’t as bad as I think they appear

I promise I will watch the “Grey Cup” next year

At the start it looked like I had nothing to say

I’ve come to the end of my rant and I’ll call it a day

I did manage to keep it on one topic after all and will now lay it to rest

It’s nice to vent out my frustration and get it off of my chest

Saturday November ninth in the year two thousand nineteen

Would mark the last time “Coach’s Corner” would be seen

Seems like Don said something that was controversial about immigrants in our land

I decided to review what he said and try to understand

So I watched the full segment just for curiosity sake

In order to see for myself where he made his big mistake

The presentation towards our forces was certainly sincere

He always pays tribute to this fine group each and every year

This is only my opinion but I think he added his own spin to what he said he heard

He was told that poppy sales were down but after that things get blurred

Whoever mentioned this to him I think they meant Canadians in all

So Don decided to mention our immigrants and set them up to take the fall

He didn’t say it while in a rant, in fact he said it nice and plain

Unfortunately he said it near the end and had no time to explain

Then two days later on “Remembrance Day” they decide to fire our guy

Now everyone who’s been loyal to him are left to wonder why

Ron MacLean in the following week tried to explain it all

He said Don had refused to apologize and that was his own call

MacLean in his own defense said he couldn’t quit because it would mean he agreed with what was said

He decided to keep his job and try to diffuse the situation instead

Let’s face it, Don Cherry has been a mainstay because he can be so open and raw

I think things have accumulated and what he last said was the final straw

He had to be aware of the way things are and when to tow the line

If he would have kept things in check, things might have turned out fine

Who knows what they will do to fill the hole that’s there

I haven’t watched intermissions in years so really, I don’t care

Already a monument has been vandalized because they got rid of Don

Others are threatening to cancel Sportsnet now that he is gone

So let us just say goodbye to Don Cherry and wish him good luck

Who knows maybe next week will see the return of Peter Puck

So seriously, what has happened this past week is a total shame

But nothing will stop Canadians from watching our National Game

Woke up early enough this morning to greet the dawn

Checked out my weather app and what little enthusiasm I had was now gone

The intentions I had was for me and my dog to walk out the door

But what was staring me in the face, I just couldn’t ignore

So I just “wimped out” right then and there and I said “hell no”

The temperature with the wind chill showed thirty below

I just couldn’t motivate myself to participate in this activity today

I am now occupying the couch and here’s where I’ll stay

It will have to warm up a lot if I am to get this task done

Tomorrow is looking up because it is going to rise up to minus one

This cold snap in what really is autumn is depressing to me

It’s not even winter, how much colder could it be?

I don’t cherish the winter, it’s been so long since I did

I haven’t really enjoyed it since I was a kid

I’ll have to tolerate the next many weeks until spring will arrive

Hibernate like most of us just hoping to survive

Outdoor activities in this cold haven’t been my cup of tea

There are countless others who would choose to agree

Most of us venture out to shovel snow and melt the ice

In northern Ontario you can say rock salt is our favourite spice

We use on our driveways, sidewalks and porches often to excess

It’s the only way to keep our paths clear and ensure our success

If you have a furry friend there are brands that can be used that don’t harm your pet

This way you can still perform your tasks without having any regret

As long as you are dressed for the weather you can still  have some fun

Get out in the outdoors and bring your dog out for a run

When the temperature becomes frigid you can bundle up and still get out there

But when it comes to your pets please be aware

Animals exposed to the cold too long can get frostbite like me and you

Keeping their visits outdoors to a minimum is what you must do

I realize now that I have gone off on a tangent and panicked a bit

I am writing this poem while I continue to sit

This lousy forecast has motivated me and I should finish this blog soon

As I look at the clock it’s just a little past noon

I am sorry my hysteria set in and I started to freak

Perhaps my next edition will be more upbeat next week

I was prepared to go into great detail about the events that are happening south of our border

But once I realized the depths that it would take, I realized it would indeed be a tall order

I mean we can’t get away from it, it’s all that we hear

Getting Trump out of office won’t be as easy as it would appear

The transcripts of his Ukraine call are there to read

The Democrats hope to impeach him but I doubt that they will succeed

Everyone who has testified has said there has been a quid pro quo

That means I’ll give you something if you do something for me, just so you know

Trump asked for a favour it’s all there to read in black and white

The Republicans have dug in their heels and are ready for a fight

All the witnesses stories are all basically the same

Each and every one of them have mentioned Rudy Guiliani’s name

It’s hard to believe after all that proof that’s written on the wall

That anyone is still continuing to back this President at all

Senator Graham said he would waiver if a quid pro quo was shown to be true

Now that it is been proven, not reading the transcripts is what he has chosen to do

Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz are now Trump’s love pact

At least Stormy Daniels received one hundred and thirty grand for performing the same act

It seems the Republicans have no morals to adhere to after all

Rudy Guiliani is being set up as the Patsy and will probably end up taking the fall

Next week these hearings will be aired on your TV

This way Americans can decide to agree or disagree

No matter how much they prove or how much they say

Trump’s men in the Senate will never sway

Think of all the things he’s already done and they haven’t even batted their eyes

Taking into account all his stupid tweets and his countless lies

All his party back him knowing full well he is wrong

He’s defamed the United States from the first day he came along

I believe he will be impeached in the house but his Senators will stay firm

No way two thirds of the Senate vote him out, can he run for a second term?

If he can, will people vote him into office once more?

Would the Republicans still back him in hopes of an encore?

How will this end up? Does anyone know?

Remember what people were saying just three years ago?

Trump is a joke and he will never get in

He fooled all the experts and he came out with the win

I don’t have to worry because I am a proud Canadian resident

If I was American I would think hard before voting in the next President

Last night we celebrated Halloween by giving out candy and watching the kids going door to door

The real horror of the night was what Mother Nature had in store

There wasn’t as many trick or treaters as we have seen in years gone by

If you took the time to glance out your window you would have realized why

Cold rain and wind were the real evils of the day

Some children chose to stay at home while others braved their way

This foul weather wasn’t unique to our city to say the least

Some cities chose to postpone the holiday in areas to the east

The warnings from the weather office were issued as we all know

So when I got up this morning, our municipality was blanketed in snow

The roads were in such bad shape that they decided not to let the school buses run

Now some of the kids could stay home, eat their candy and enjoy some fun

When I look at the long range forecast it’s hard for me to say

That the snow we received last night could possibly stay

I look out the windows and it gives me quite a fright

What was once green yesterday is now totally white

I want this snow to melt, I in no way want it to last

I’m still having nightmares of the last winter that passed

Spring came so late and summer wasn’t near long enough

I’m not happy at all in seeing all this white stuff

I don’t want a replay of what happened last year

I want this snow to be gone, just disappear

The twenty first of December is still seven weeks away

Can we not throw in some nice days before winter is finally here to stay

It’s time for Mother Nature to prove that she is truly sorry

Let spring arrive next year early and ease all our worry

So in the meantime let’s hope this winter is short and sweet

God only knows that we don’t need a repeat

Do you remember anything about the last entry that I wrote?

The next question that I ask is did you get out and vote?

The leaders of all our parties were all elected

Except Maxine Bernier, he was soundly rejected

Not one single member of his group will attend Parliament this fall

Looks like the People Of Canada won’t have their party after all

The Liberals won the most seats but now they are in for a test

They didn’t elect a single person in Saskatchewan or Alberta in the west

The Conservatives won the popular vote but still came in second place

That’s the same scenario that happened in the American’s Presidential race

Trudeau will have a tough time making this situation work

Hopefully he won’t transform into Trump and become a total jerk

The NDP came in fourth place just slightly out of the running

Bloc Quebecois landed in third. Did anybody see that coming?

Green Party picked up three seats which for them is a plus

They will keep the environment issues in check for the rest of us

This will be one hell of a chess game for all the politicians to play

Think of all the maneuvering they will have to go through just to get their way

Already there are rumblings of Provinces separating from our Dominion

I don’t know if there is any truth to this or merely someone’s opinion

I mean not just Quebec but maybe Alberta and Saskatchewan as well

Right now there’s just a ripple hopefully it won’t form into a swell

If it picks up momentum, who knows what’s in store

I would like this Country to stay together from the east to the western shore

I think Justin should saddle up now because it’s gonna be one hell of a ride

I hope all Politicians can assume their role with pride

I look at other nations that are on a collision course

I think the situation here will go from bad to worse

It’s time for Canada to show the world that we can be civil when we disagree

Put it out there for all the world to see

Canada is a peacemaker, a fact we hold so dear

If our Government comes to blows, our reputation will soon disappear

Let’s not be like other nations and divide and spread apart

Let’s just try to settle our differences before disorder begins to start

I know there will be lots of legislation that will never pass

This is no time to act like idiots, try to show some class

I know that it’s imperative to stick to your Party’s plan

All of us constituents expect you to do the best you can

Let’s not be like our neighbours to the south and let things go all to hell

 As Canadians we can have our differences and still get along as well

This is just the way we are, there is no need to explain

Sadly so many other nations are striving to attain

Long weekend is over and Thanksgiving is now done

Our candidates are now gearing up for their final run

We have less than a week to make our selection

Looks like no one will be the majority in our Canadian election

Rumours of deals between parties has the Conservatives reeling

I guess the New Democrats find the Liberals much more appealing

If what’s happening in Ontario is an indication of what our future will be

Then I hope the Liberals and New Democrats will find some way to agree

The way Doug Ford is now running Ontario is a disgrace

If Andrew Scheer becomes our Prime Minister we must put some kind of plan into place

We cannot let what’s happening in this Province spread nation wide

It’s no time to sit back and just let it ride

Just what Doug Ford’s plans for Education and Health are anyone’s guess

Only sixteen months as Premier and Ontario’s a mess

Who knows what shape we will be in when he finishes his term

The thought of him ever being re-elected just makes me squirm

We can’t let this happen to all our Provinces and Territories, so let’s be aware

Let’s not let them sabotage our education and our health care

A minority government should keep everything in order

Our medical coverage is the envy of our neighbours south of the border

We don’t need anyone tinkering with it while they hold the power

The wrong party in charge and things could soon sour

So let the New Democrats be the watchdog and give them the final say

If it benefits us all, just let them sway

Let them play both sides of the aisles and do what they can

Jagmeet Singh should just try to wing it and not stick to a plan

He has no need to form a coalition with either the Liberals or Tories

He should sit back and run things without any worries

Whether it’s Trudeau or Scheer, he carries all the weight

His group may have come in third but they will settle any debate

This way our Government will have to work together to make it run

They will all need to co-operate to get anything done

The polls and the reporters are saying this race will be tight

We will see how good their predictions are come Monday night

To all of you that have taken the time to read these words that I wrote

Please practice your civic duty and get out and vote!

I was watching my wife and her sister going through family photographs the other day

They would glance at each picture and then would have their memories to say

If there was someone in the photo they didn’t recognize in their stack

The name of the person was conveniently written on the back

Not only was their name there but quite often there was a date

The inquiry was soon resolved and there was no real debate

It then occurred to me what will our grandchildren have when they’re old and gray?

How will they remember us when we pass away?

They won’t have photos of us when we were alive

Unless they were able to store it on a hard drive

Hopefully the folder they store it to will have some data there to share

The chances of that happening may be very rare

You see right now we have pictures that you can actually touch and feel

To me this makes all our ancestors more important and real

Kids take photos wherever they choose to go

Using their own cell phones they all have in tow

The pictures that they take are sent to friends back and forth

Without a second thought of how much they could be worth

They often post them online for everyone else to see

It doesn’t cost them one thin dime, they never heard of a processing fee

When they’ve spent all their memory and have no room to store

They’ll just choose to delete most of these pictures and then they’ll take some more

They go through so many pictures every day of the year

Some they choose to keep but most just disappear

I know there are plenty of photos of our past generations that we share

The generation that’s coming next seems to be so unaware

In the future all you’ll have are the photos of us to see

This is the way history has unfolded and that’s how it was to be

Now this generation is a whole new dimension and who knows what’s in store

This is all that we have to leave for you, there really isn’t anymore

The life you live is so advanced and who knows what’s to unfold

I’m sure when your days are done, your story will be told

If you have a facebook account, most of your life will be there to view

Over the years when technology advances who knows what you’ll do

The future has no limits and the possibilities are so vast

Please take time to remember your relatives from the past

I am sitting in front of my tv set listening to all the Republican cronies

Members who are constantly sticking up for this Presidential phony

People who were sworn into office and taken the oath to uphold

Everyone of them choosing to cower to him and fold

All of them defending Trump even though they know he’s wrong

Corruption has been evident since the first day he came along

Hillary and Barack have been his nemeses from the start

“Tweeting Donald” we can all agree we wouldn’t consider smart

He calls himself a stable genius which makes me want to chuckle

Everyone in his party seems to be on board, no one seems to buckle

Since he entered office, he’s ambushed us with all his lies

This is a man that most of us have now learned to despise

Under no circumstances is this man someone nations would revere

People cannot trust a man who’s never been sincere

Imagine having to engage in strategic talks with this particular man

Donald doesn’t have the faculties to truly understand

Because of all his turmoil, America as a nation is a mess

Ask him who’s responsible, he’ll tell you it’s the press

Say it’s fake news and they are the ones to blame

Trump supporters will back him no matter how he plays the game

And now we have the whistleblower that has exposed him yet again

Reports coming out of Washington are saying he is beginning to feel the strain

Democrats are leaning on him heavy, it should be quite a fight

Now how will this battle go and is his end in sight?

Only thing we can do is try to take it all in stride

What I want? Please read down from the first letter on the left hand side.