“Willie” and “Phil” made their proclamations yesterday

I know everyone was anticipating what they had to say

Six more weeks of winter or an early spring?

Can we rely on these groundhogs for anything?

Just six more weeks of winter would be great

There’s no way March 16th will be the starting date!

It would be nice to think that there is only 42 days to go

Especially looking outside and seeing all that snow!

Last winter was a nice surprise, it was no trouble at all

The summer was extended and we had a late fall

I know  it was a rare occurrence, this year’s edition is more the norm

We have been getting more freezing cold and more winter storms

I’m not going to bellyache about how this season has gone

I believe it’s going to take a while before I get to see our lawn

“Groundhog Day” is a nice tradition and I like the movie too

Here in Northern Ontario, these predictions will never come true

So we will have to cope with the cold a little longer than the rest

I asked “Mother Nature” for an early spring but she has denied my request

We will eventually get there no matter what these “rodents” say

Hopefully it arrives before the beginning of May

Meanwhile the weather should improve from week to week

There will be more hours of sunlight that we sorely seek

These changes will be gradual but will be welcomed nevertheless

Up here it takes longer to get through the whole process

I guess you might say I am making predictions as well

Will I be right? I guess only time will tell

Most of the time February is the coldest and is very hard to bear

Once we get through those 28 days, it’s all downhill from there

When March appears, the temperatures get fairer

This enables us to be able to reduce another layer

No matter where you live, the winter season is rough

We can all agree, spring can’t come soon enough

So when it comes to trading, “Canada is nasty” is what “Trump” has said

That is his logic for why we should become an “American State” instead?

 How would we be treated if we became citizens to our country to the south?

Ruled by a two time impeached rapist and a certified loudmouth?

A country that has re-elected this political clown

Would we be considered immigrants and have to take the first bus out of town?

This man has maintained his followers that have put him where he is today

They continue to support him no matter what he has to say

Twenty five percent tariffs to “Canada” is his latest threat

Our leaders are concerned and their strategy has been set

They have made plans to put into action should this come true

“Trump” is so unpredictable who knows what else he’ll do!

They are trying to be prepared for whatever comes our way

“Doug Ford” is taking advantage of it and trying to save the day

Trash talking “Trump” and appearing on “American” news

He must be soaking it all up and is enjoying the reviews

He is concerned for our welfare and taking up the cause

Hold on this is “Doug Ford” it’s time to stop and pause!

Suddenly he’s our crusader and concerned with our plight?

I don’t think it’s just me, but all of this doesn’t seem right

I think all of the accolades he’s receiving have gone to his head

He’s using all this great publicity to better himself instead

Suddenly he’s portrayed as a hero and aiding his fellow man

Intending to take advantage of it the best he can

Fifteen months early but an election has been called

February 27th is the proposed date, will we still be enthralled?

Strike while the iron is hot and he could rule for five more years

I don’t believe he is our salvation as it would appear

The timing for all of this is so insane

How can he contribute when he is running his campaign?

Like “Trump”, “Ford” is corrupt and the power is gone to his head

They both now wear oversized caps, “Doug’s” is blue while “Donny’s” is red

“Trump” will be back in office before this day is through

These are the things that he has promised his followers he would do

They are the commitments that he said would be done

All of these he proclaimed would be enacted on day number one

A mass deportation to get the criminal immigrants out

This is what his campaign was really all about

Pardon the people convicted for their role in the January 6th attack

He said he would do it in the first nine minutes because he has their backs

Before today is over the war in “Ukraine” will come to an end

He said they don’t respect “Biden” and “Putin” is a friend

An executive order to implement a 25% tariff on “Mexican” and “Canadian” goods

Even though experts in the economics field don’t think he should

We know he doesn’t believe in “Climate Change” and he never will

He caters to the oil industry and says “drill, drill, drill”

Within seconds of arriving in the “Oval Office” he would work on putting this in place

His “Press Secretary” told “Fox News” this would be the case

He plans on being a “Dictator” only on the first day

There doesn’t seem to be anyone that will get in his way

He is surrounded by “Yes Men” and there seems to be no one to rein him in

Ruling the nation as a “gangster” and he’s the “Kingpin”

Actually it’s the “billionaires” that are totally in control

Bettering themselves is their real goal

A “Supreme Court” that is backing “Donny” should he go astray

As long as he holds office, there’s no crimes for him to pay!

He’s not the “brains” behind the operations, someone else is pulling the strings

As long as he thinks he’s in charge, they can do anything

Feed his fragile “ego” and he is putty in their hands

How he got re-elected? I will never understand

All his “MAGA” followers are going to discover

This is going to be a crisis that they may not be able to recover

With no restraints to control him, this won’t be an encore

This promises to be even worse than his term before!

I am not a “Leafs” fan, but somehow I can relate to their pain

You see I am a “Buffalo Bills” faithful and the playoffs are here again

I know they are different sports, but both franchises have had great teams

Through the past five decades, they haven’t fulfilled any of our dreams

Way back in 1967 was the last time the “Maple Leafs” were crowned

Since then none of their teams have been able to reach the final round

They have won thirteen “Stanley Cups” second only to the “Canadiens” who have twenty four

The credo from their loyal fans is “Just Once More”

This team has a winning history but that isn’t the worst

If the “Bills” win the “Superbowl”, this will be their first!

They were “AFL” champions in 1964 and 1965

Haven’t won anything after the league expansion in 1970 arrived

Like the “Leafs” they have had great teams but they have fallen short

That’s why they are so similar even though they are different sports

To be the champion in the “NHL” you have to win sixteen games in your playoff run

In the “NFL” the path is shorter but if you lose one game, you’re done!

Hockey is an endurance sport, so many games to play

You could lose three matches in a series and still go all the way

I’m hoping that the “Bills” beat the “Broncos” and come up with a victory

This is a matchup that I am nervous to see

I witnessed all four “Superbowl” games in the nineties when they were denied

I can still hear the commentators “Norwood’s kick is just a little wide”!

Those four years in a row of losses, I admit took quite a toll on me

This must be how the “Leafs” faithful feel, agree or disagree?

I’m hoping the “Bills” survive the weekend to live another day

There are a lot of experts predicting that they could go all the way

If you are reading this now, their fate has been sealed

The game will be over and the winning team will be revealed

There are going to be some upsets, but I hope they are able to continue in their quest

If they are still in the running, the next round will be an even bigger test

If they are successful, I’ll be there again next week to cheer

However, should they lose, I’ll be like the “Leafs” fans, “wait until next year”!

We are now at the starting of January which means a new year has begun

Hope you enjoyed the holidays and got to spend time with your loved ones

I don’t know if it was just me, but the time seemed to speed by

It seemed to take forever when I was a little guy

Now you go to the stores and Valentines are all on display

Weeks from now they will be taken down for St. Patrick’s day

This past yuletide we were the hosts

Supper included turkey and a ham we chose to roast

It was a nice quiet evening with our little group

Plenty of leftovers to share for sandwiches or perhaps homemade soup

Christmas eve we were watching holiday movies and enjoying the show

When we received a message from our neighbours to let us know

They said they saw “Santa” come by our way

He filled our three stockings that we had out on display

I checked the stockings and thanked them with a message we sent

They claimed it wasn’t them and that they just witnessed this event

“It was such a nice gesture” is all I can say

We decided to put them under the tree to open the next day

This is something we won’t soon forget

Presents for everyone including our pet

This seemed to start this holiday off just right

We continued watching our movies the rest of the night

My wife prepared the meal the next day and it turned out great

I helped out later by hand washing every utensil and plate

We video chatted with most of the kids, talked or messaged the rest

Picked up my daughter and her boyfriend who were our special guests

Exchanged gifts when they arrived and enjoyed the rest of the day

Packed up all their gifts later in the evening and then sent them on their way

Turkey and ham was on the menu for a few days more

The rest was put in the deep freeze to store

This holiday was great and I enjoyed everything

I am now looking forward to an early spring!

 Less than ten days before Christmas and I haven’t got any of my Christmas movies in

I’ve watched quite a few by warming up on “Hallmark” to begin

This is a tradition that my wife and I observe every year

Looks like I’m in for a lot of double features seeing this holiday is so near

We both have our favourites and we watch them together

It’s something enjoyable to do during this cold winter weather

I’m trying to squeeze all this viewing in between my watching sports

Taking in all that football and hockey is cutting my “movie time” short

The way my “Blackhawks” have been playing maybe it’s time for a pause

Take in some entertainment and enjoy some movies about “Santa Claus”

We watch most of the classics and make sure we sample something new

Between now and Christmas, I don’t know how many we will view

I looked online for the top “Christmas” movies of all time

We will watch on regular tv or catch some on “Prime”

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation” are my first three

All these classics for me are a “must see”

If you like “Ralphie” when he was a boy

Check out “A Christmas Story Christmas” I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

It’s thirty nine years later and most of the original cast is there

It turned out to be a good movie, so I thought I should share

“A Christmas Carol” is one that we all heard about

There are so many versions, even “The Muppets” put one out!

“It’s A Wonderful Life” must be the most played movie I would say

At this time of year it is probably being played everyday

I enjoy the comedies, I can’t help myself

“A Bad Moms Christmas”, “The Santa Clause” and of course “Elf”

So many films based on this theme

Some are very nostalgic and then others go to the extreme

There are many “Horror” pictures about this holiday as a matter of fact

Then there’s that one question every year that continues to distract!

I have taken that step and I have to insist

“Die Hard” shouldn’t be appearing on anyone’s “Christmas” movie list!

Looks like my evenings are planned in the next days ahead

Watching some late night “Christmas” flicks and then off to bed

If I get too busy, perhaps there won’t be a new poem that will appear

Just in case, I want to wish you all a “Merry Christmas” and a “Happy New Year”

I think of all the gadgets out there for us to buy

Especially electronics that I want to give a try

Some that are specific and perform a certain chore

Or ones that are versatile and can do so much more

I see some of them and having one would be nice

Then reality sets in when I see the sticker price

When I was a teenager, a “Sony Walkman” was the thing to get

You could listen to all your music on a single “cassette”!

It came with headphones for just you to hear

The sound was incredible and it came in “crystal clear”

This definitely was a “craze” and everyone jumped on board

Then came the cheaper versions that most of us could afford

So we were now able to listen to music everywhere we went

To all of us “teenagers” it was money that was well spent!

It was portable and convenient and could be carried anywhere

When you think about today’s devices, does it really compare?

We used to take pride in the music we listened to

Recording each song on these tapes was something we had to do

Today we are spoiled and have the choice of any selection

Back when I was a kid you relied on your own record collection

You needed another cassette player, one that could record

This was yet another luxury that not all us could afford

Somehow making a ninety minute tape didn’t seem that long

Even though you had to sit and listen to each and every song!

We got to use this device each and every day

This was so marvelous, all you had to do was  press “play”!

You exchanged music with friends to hear a new sound

This was to us, the greatest thing around!

Some of you may be reading this and perhaps laughing aloud

You have to remember, we couldn’t save our tunes to a “cloud”!

The “Walkman” was where the seeds for portable music were sown

Decades from now people will be asking, “you listened to music on a phone”?

I took a week off from my posts in hopes of clearing my mind

Getting away from that election and trying to unwind

The results certainly didn’t turn out the way I hoped

Now I’ll just leave it to the “Americans” to deal with this dope

I have tried to wean myself off of all the political news

Stayed off of “Youtube”, not taking in one view!

Not watching “CNN”, “MSNBC” or even “Bill Maher”

To be honest, I think I have been doing good so far

I was glued to the TV viewing football and hockey every day

Enjoying watching my “Buffalo Bills” play!

My “Blackhawks” are another story, they aren’t getting blown out

They are more competitive this year, which is what a rebuild is all about

Last weekend I was watching sports from morning until night

“American Thanksgiving” after that election, they certainly timed that right!

I started watching games on Thursday and am still keeping it up

Watched a lot of football including our “Grey Cup”

My “Bills” play at four today so I hope to finish this poem  soon

Right now it’s two o’clock in the afternoon

This is something else that I have to prioritize

Especially when I am usually up before sunrise

It’s been two weeks and yet here I am

There can be no excuses I have to get with the program

Some events out there can make me want to “scream and shout”

Then you have lapses where I don’t know what to talk about!

I have to write when an idea is fresh and tackle it right away

Do it spontaneously, that way there is no delay

Like that old saying “strike while the iron is hot”

I should pursue it when it first enters my thoughts

Sit down and do it right there and then

Write it down on paper using a favourite pen

This is something that some days I sorely seek

Hopefully you will see some better poetry in the coming weeks!

The “American” election is now over and done

I still can’t believe that “Donald Trump” actually won

So another four years of this “idiot” in charge

“Americans” led by this “criminal at large”

Don’t know what consequences are left in store?

I’m presuming this term will be worse than the one he served before

The “Republicans” won the “House” and the “Senate” and definitely rule the roost

This means they will be able to pass almost anything they introduce

Lost are the “guard rails” that used to keep this man in line

Many of them were fired, the rest chose to resign

Finding another “Republican” to control “Trump” is getting sparse

The majority of them are standing in line still kissing his “arse”

Already the choices he made for his cabinet are getting bad reviews

It’s all that they are talking about lately in the news

This is just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many situations to decide

The consequences of this election will be felt world wide

I am not a pessimist but the future doesn’t look all that bright

There is no way “Donald Trump” is going to make it right

Just a couple of months before he takes his proper place

Then he will start his agenda that his electors have chosen to embrace

I don’t know how this will go down or what the results will be?

Unfortunately it’s a case of us having to wait and see

Between rounding up “illegal immigrants” and pushing “climate change” aside

The “United States Of America” will be in for a “bumpy” ride

This won’t be a smooth transition no matter what they do

There’s no doubt that violence will ensue

Some will be shot for the lies that the “Republicans” and “Trump” have said

There could be thousands of innocent people that will end up dead

“Donny” and his “Republicans” have spun quite a tail

All for the sake of keeping their “leader” out of jail

Then as another result of all of this disorder

We will see a lot of “Americans” flooding our “Canadian” border

IT’S ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH EVERY YEAR

A TIME TO REMEMBER WHEN WE ONCE LIVED IN FEAR

A TIME WHEN PEACE ON THE PLANET WAS PUT TO A TEST

WHEN EVIL RULED AND THERE WAS COMPLETE UNREST

THIS WAS A TIME WHEN MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT THE FIGHT

THROUGH EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT

THEIR LIVES WERE DEVASTATED AND MANY LIVES WERE LOST

ALL FOR PEACE AT A HORRIFIC COST

PEOPLE FROM OUR COUNTRY WHO CHOSE TO DEFEND

OUR RIGHT TO PEACE, UNWILLING TO BEND

NOT GIVING IN TO THE EVIL THAT WAS ALL CONSUMING AT THE TIME

A TYRANT THAT WAS KILLING WITHOUT REASON OR RHYME

THESE PEOPLE LEFT THEIR SAFE HOMELAND TO BATTLE THIS FOE

THEY ENLISTED BY THE THOUSANDS AS YOU AND I KNOW

TO STAND UP FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE WAS THEIR GOAL

THEY WERE PROUD TO BE SOLDIERS:  THEY CHOSE THIS ROLE

THEY LANDED IN EUROPE TO MAKE THEIR STAND

DETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS FOREIGN LAND

THEY WERE WELCOMED BY THESE PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARRIVED

WITHOUT THESE BRAVE SOLDIERS NO ONE WOULD HAVE SURVIVED

THEIR GOAL WAS TO END THIS GERMAN KILLING MACHINE

WHO WERE LED BY HITLER, A TERROR TRULY OBSCENE

MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH FAITH WERE THE PEOPLE HE CHOSE TO SLAY

THE GAS CHAMBERS HE USED FOR THESE ACTS REMAIN UNTIL THIS DAY

IT WAS DURING WORLD WAR II WHERE THESE PEOPLE WOULD FALL

THE WAR THAT PRECEDED THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO END THEM ALL

WORLD WAR ONE IS SAID TO HAVE DEFINED CANADA AS A NATION

THANKS TO OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION

WE FOUGHT SO MANY WARS OVER THE YEARS

LOST SO MANY LIVES, SHED SO MANY TEARS

CANADA WAS AN INFANT WHEN WORLD WAR ONE BEGAN

WE HAVE BATTLED IN EUROPE, KOREA AND AFGHANISTAN

WE HAVE SOLDIERS BEING SACRIFICED IN THIS MODERN AGE

TO PRESERVE THE PEACE THAT OUR NATION HAS CHOSEN TO WAGE

CANADA HAS GROWN AS A NATION, WE’LL MAINTAIN OUR STANCE

OUR PAST HEROES ARE WORSHIPPED IN EUROPE: REVERED IN FRANCE

THE MAJORITY OF US HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE: NEVER EXPERIENCED WAR

SOME THINK IT AS HORRIBLE AND JUST CHOOSE TO IGNORE

NOVEMBER 11^TH  IS THE DATE WE HAVE CHOSEN TO SHARE

TO SHOW OUR ARMED FORCES THAT OUR NATION DOES TRULY CARE

WE JUST CAN’T BE APATHETIC AND NOT HONOUR THIS DATE

FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT REACHED THEIR GRIM FATE

TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE SEEMS SO LITTLE A TASK

FOR ALL THAT THEY SACRIFICED:  IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK?