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!!!

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?

So the “World Series” is over, what can I say?

The “Dodgers” were victorious beating the “Blue Jays”

So many of us watched each round from beginning to end

Turns out the team from “Los Angeles” was able to defend

So this is two years in a row that the “National League” has won

We should be proud of our boys in their playoff run

They gave it their all but just came up short

All of “Canada” was behind them giving support

The “Jays” were on everyone’s mind and they did us proud

Remember “there is no crying in baseball”, that’s not allowed

To all of us “Canadians” they are a sensation

They were able to unite us all as a nation

They battled through injuries and they gave it their all

They represented us heroically in the classic this fall

Finished the season  and came out in first place

They were picked to lose the first round but that wasn’t the case

They beat the boys from “The Bronx” three games to one

After four games, the “Yankees” were done

They then faced “Seattle” in “Toronto” and lost the first two

Most of the so called “experts” said they were through

They went into “Seattle” and won two out of three

Then they won both games at home and put their fans in a “frenzy”

They were “World Series” bound, they reached their quest

This time they faced the “Dodgers” who were considered the best

We all know the outcome, I gave it away in this poem’s second line

As far as us “Canadians” feel, they were looking really fine

Remember this team finished in last place the year before

They gave it their all until they couldn’t give anymore

We could see the pain their faces when injured players went to the plate

This team as a whole deserved a better fate

On the score sheet you lost the last game by one run

To all of us “Canadians” you are second to none!

It’s Saturday morning, hell it’s almost noon

Just trying to find something to write about soon

There are so many topics that are running through my head

Just trying to put these thoughts to paper instead

The “Blue Jays” seem to be occupying most of my mental space

After finishing off the “Mariners”, now it’s the “Dodgers” they have to face

They are now in the “World Series” and won game one

“Los Angeles looked bad but they certainly aren’t done

There are so many sports that I want to view

Baseball, hockey, football, I just don’t know what to do?

I’ve watched more “Blue Jays” ballgames than I have ever done before

Hope I get the opportunity to see them win three more!

My “Buffalo Bills” have faltered and lost their last two

They may have stumbled but they certainly aren’t through

They will be in the thick of things when the season is done

Hoping they get to the “Super Bowl” in the playoff run

Meanwhile my “Blackhawks” have started off well

Is this an illusion?  I guess time will tell

Going with a young lineup is the direction that they chose

So far, so good, let’s see how far it goes

There are so many obstacles that they have to face

I will be happy if they manage to move out of last place

It’s nice to see how united we are to have the “Blue Jays” back

Especially now when we as a nation seem to be always under attack

“Trump” and his tariff threats change from day to day

The world seems to be listening to every stupid word he has to say

“America” is falling apart while “Canada” is staying firm

Who knows how far the “States” will fall during “Donald’s” second term

No matter what he does, his “Republicans” claim they are doing great

Can the “Democrats” win the mid terms or is already too late?

The way he has treated and abused us “Canadians” is really a shame

Here’s hoping the “Blue Jays” triumph and we beat them at their own game!

Once again fall has arrived and its colours are in full display

I am making a point of taking pictures each and every day

My maple in the front yard has now reached its peak

My task of raking up fallen leaves started last week

It rained yesterday so they shouldn’t blow away

I’ll make a point of gathering them later on  today

The view from my front window is of colours yellow, orange, red and green

No matter what angle you look at them, it’s a beautiful scene

This tree provides vital shade to block the summer sun

Keeps the house cool until the warmer months are done

As the days become shorter, bare patches begin to appear

This cycle of nature continues year after year

This is a trade off that happens during this annual run

As the days get colder we are exposed to more sun

We look at the bare branches, but our living room is nice and bright

Letting us to be able to  soak up that much needed sunlight

Something that is essential to all of us we can agree

It’s rays enable our bodies to produce their own vitamin “D”

This in turn also helps to bring  some warmth to our space

Something we appreciate more when there’s cold temperatures to face

With the abundance of summer leaves in the tree it was impossible to see across the street

We will eventually get to view the whole neighbourhood once this cycle is complete

This is a harbinger of winter that we cannot ignore

Gathering up all these leaves is an annual chore

The colours our maple tree displays are stunning every year

We look forward to the change when autumn finally appears

We are able to treasure it and take in the view

Get a lot of compliments from our neighbours who love it too

I gather up these leaves and do the best I can

This is just half the work required by this old man

This is very time consuming and really not that hard

Remember, I never mentioned the huge oak tree that’s in our backyard!