Sunday morning was pretty foggy, but I am not going to complain

The forecast for the weekend was nothing but rain

It was supposed to sweep in on Friday and continue right through to Sunday night

Thankfully their prediction didn’t turn out quite right

Sure we got some precipitation but not near in the amounts they predicted

They were saying that damage to the shoreline was going to be inflicted

I was prepared to be a shut in and took everything in stride

That’s when I decided to take the old bicycle out for a ride

I was supposed to meet up with a friend but he had to postpone

I ended up venturing on this trek all alone

I had already taken my doggy walk earlier in the day

So I continued to contemplate as I pedaled along the way

Then a thought came to me now that I recall

 To check out the new business that opened in the “North Bay Mall”

I walked into this new establishment and couldn’t believe its size

It was very expansive and came as quite a surprise

Will have to go back again to really check out this store

Was only in there for a few minutes then headed out the door

Since I was already on “Lakeshore Drive”, I decided to explore

Took the shortest path to the “Sunset Beach” shore

There I saw the sandbags all ready to be put in place

Cottage owners were well aware of the dilemma that they might have to face

I then headed back to the four lane traffic but took the sidewalk on the side

Then I had to take a left on “Birch’s Road” and continued with this ride

Finally got on a bicycle path on “Booth Road” as I was heading back

After drinking a bottle of water I now required a snack

Then I went to “Marshall Avenue” and continued on my way

Looped “Memorial Drive” then arrived at home to stay

Made myself some supper and fed the dog his food

This however wouldn’t be the way my evening would conclude

Put the dog on his leash and decided to go for a short hike

I ended up totaling 30 kilometers between the dog walking and the bike

We were all short of money and required some much needed riches

So it was decided we would go out and gamble, just me and my bitches

Were we going to “Las Vegas” or perhaps to “Reno”?

“Hell no”, we were hightailing it to the “Cascades Casino”

A thriving establishment located right here in the “Bay”

My wife was entitled to some free “moolah” because it was her “Birthday”

She had ten dollars up front to do what she wanted

So the three of us piled into the car and quickly departed

Our friend would get some cash because she was a “newbie”

For registering she also would get ten dollars for free

They now had twenty dollars between the two of them to blow

After the procedures were done, off to the slot machines we would go

As for me I had no claim whatsoever to any free chances

I was solely responsible for my own finances

Around each of our necks we sported a card tied with a long lace

This would keep track of our totals as we ventured from place to place

If you were winning you might choose to just stay there

When things started to head south, you would soon be out of that chair

Needless to say none us sat too long in one seat

We all left short of funds and admitting defeat

For me, free money on your birthday just doesn’t seem fair

Mine occurs on “Boxing” day so I don’t think I’ll be venturing there

We all left late in the afternoon and had lots of fun

We bought lottery tickets so I guess our gambling wasn’t officially done

Days later we were at the mall and roaming around that great space

Proceeded to one of the ticket kiosks that can be found in this place

We took turns checking each ticket to see if we won

We scanned each individual ticket one by one

My wife went first and with her four tickets not one cent was made

I then proceeded with mine and every one of them paid

I ended up with four free tickets and thirteen dollars playing these games of chance

That adds up to more money that the casino gave the two of them in advance

It’s Monday April 15th, are you ready for the main event?

The first of many cases that “Donald Trump” has managed to prevent

Just sticking with his strategy of delay, delay, delay

Finally after years of this, a decision didn’t go his way

Trying to postpone this trial, his lawyers were zero for three

Too bad this isn’t going to be televised for everyone to see

This “hush money criminal case” goes back to before the 2016 election

Today the first order of business is the jury selection

If you don’t know what this case is about, allow me to explain

He is accused of falsifying “Trump Organization” records before this campaign

Allegations of him paying women for sexual encounters is all the talk

There is also a Trump Tower doorman that claims “Trump” has a child out of wedlock

When you embark upon an election it is best to be very cautious

Even though these so called events occurred before he ran for office

“Trump” was in a dilemma and required some much needed guidance

He got his lawyer and fixer “Michael Cohen” to pay these women for their silence

He paid “Stormy Daniels” a porn star, 130,000 dollars and she signed a N.D.A.

“Karen McDougall”, a former playboy model would also get her pay

“Cohen” arranged for the “National Enquirer” publisher to pay the “Playboy” bunny

“Donald Pecker” paid her 150,000 dollars using his own money

He used the “catch and kill” to obtain this model’s story

This meant he wouldn’t  publish it and “Trump” wouldn’t have to worry

“Trump” is no genius we all know this of course

He got himself into trouble when it was time for him to reimburse

He paid “Cohen” in bonuses and extra payments and showed them as a legal expense

Now he is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records and I can’t wait for this trial to commence

“Trump” wanted to get his case moved because he says he won’t get a fair trial

This is coming from a man who is continually in denial

“Donald” has a gag order and this trial could be six weeks long

He is pleading “not guilty” and says “he didn’t do anything wrong”

He says “all he can do is tell the truth and the truth is they have no case”

I wish this trial was televised and I could see him put in his place

Security will be high, who knows what’s in store

This is the first one, he still has three more

I am glad that this case was never moved to another jurisdiction

I am hoping that the “Manhattan District” attorney comes out with a conviction

I contracted a dose of spring fever this past Saturday

Grabbed my rake and shovel and headed out on my way

The leaves that I boldly neglected last autumn were still on the scene

Decided I would make the effort and finally get the back yard clean

The big oak is our major culprit and it’s lost leaves were everywhere

There was still the abandoned acorns left out for the squirrels to share

I had this feeling of ambition and took advantage of it while I could

I tried to talk myself out of it but I was convinced that I should

It was a bright sunny day and the temperature was warming up

Just a little before 10:00 a.m. when I headed out with the pup

I was  told that the fallen leaves would insulate the grass over the winter season

 I left them where they fell for that very reason

Now they were blocking the lawn’s exposure to the sun

This was the reason that I decided to finally get things done

I listened to my favourite podcasts as I was cleaning the estate

The dog was basking in the sunshine next to our garden gate

This whole situation was now turning  into quite a chore

The enthusiasm I started with, wasn’t there anymore

I began in the morning and it was now afternoon

Even with all that I accomplished, I wouldn’t be finished soon

There were also broken branches and the odd pile of poop

So it wasn’t just the fallen leaves that I had to scoop

I just grabbed any container, a random selection

When finished my project, I had amassed quite a collection

No worries about anything blowing away in the breeze

Disposing them in the garbage was done with ease

They were a little heavier because everything was moist

Some of these filled bins were a little hard to hoist

I managed to stuff eight of them before the job was done

Hopefully they will lighten up in the shining sun

This yard cleaning took over four hours in all

I plan on doing this task once again this fall!

Money is tight for almost everyone, there really is no question

Especially for the older folk who are living on a fixed pension

Not near enough money to even consider going out to paint the town red

Just sitting in their houses forced to watch television instead

No longer having that free Netflix membership that they received from a friend

They have to keep tight tabs on what little money they have to spend

After paying for utilities, your mortgage or your rent

After buying all your groceries, almost all your money is spent

Now think of the young people out there trying to save money for their first house

It is now next to impossible for them and their spouse

Even with both of them working it is something hard for them to attain

They are getting beat in real estate offers time and time again

Companies and individuals are purchasing them to rent out after they buy

As a result renting a place to live has now gone sky high

Interest the past few years increased at a steady rate

Those who didn’t have a fixed mortgage were forced to vacate

So the rich are now getting richer and the poor have to pay

So many forced to the brink of just living day to day

Dreams of owning a home for some may be a thing of the past

Is this a trend that is going to last?

It is a seller’s market that is for sure

You have to have the cash or be an entrepreneur

People from out of town seem to be buying up all our space

This is what a hopeful new home owner now has to face

Is a single family home going to be a thing of the past?

Here’s hoping that this latest trend isn’t built to last

They said the interest rates will fall, yet there hasn’t been a decline

That’s the first thing you think about when you see a real estate sign

There has to be some housing that every average person can afford

I am tired of the promises made by politicians like “Doug Ford”

People in this Province and across Canada are struggling to survive

Something “constructive” has to be done to keep their dreams alive

Got up this morning early as I usually do

Then proceeded to walk the dog, what else is new?

Stepped out on the front porch and the temperature was low

When I looked at the forecast, it said it was twenty below

That is with the wind chill factor and the breeze was blowing in my face

Needless to say, I immediately started picking up the pace

Ran into my son in law as I was walking on my way

We both couldn’t believe how cold it was today

Then we parted company after our short talk

I then proceeded on my way to the next block

There was a thick coat of frost on my beard, thank God I didn’t shave

I then passed by my daughter’s living room window and she gave me a wave

She is the main reason that I take this path that I walk

When the weather warms up, we both sit outside her place and  talk

She has a bowl ready for the dog when the weather gets hot

He always gets excited when he sees her, it’s his favourite spot

Got home and opened the door to soak up the home heating

When I saw my wife, I gave her a birthday greeting

I then gathered up her presents while she was sitting in her chair

Then she proceeded to unwrap them while I was standing there

She barely had time to finish this simple task at all

All her friends and family were giving her a call

Beautiful flowers from her sisters were delivered to our door

Just to get to her scheduled appointment was going to be a chore

The afternoon we had planned with a dear friend went according to plan

Have a lunch together at a special restaurant was how it all began

Then it was off to the casino to try and make a buck

Unfortunately, our tiny crew didn’t have much luck

Being new to this place, we took some of our time to explore

Decided to buy some lottery tickets before heading out the door

The three of us had a good time and didn’t lose much money

I am going to end this poem now and say “Happy Birthday Honey”

Spring is just around the corner, less than a week away

The temperatures are slowly rising each and every day

The morning light greets us earlier as the weeks go on

Since daylight savings time kicked in, I am up before the dawn

The hour that we advanced has ironically caused my some delay

I have to wait for the sun to rise to get things underway

I crave the longer days to spend more time outdoors

I am actually looking forward to do some yard work chores

This past winter was the mildest that I ever witnessed here

There was only a few days where the temperatures were severe

The amount of snowfall we received was well below the norm

At the most there was only three or four major snowstorms

In fact I only used our snow blower maybe once or twice

Less than a bag of salt was needed for the winter ice

There was only the odd day when I was forced to stay in from the cold

Keep in mind it had to be below minus thirty to put my daily walks on hold

This is the first and only time in my life and I solemnly swear

When I went through the entire season not having to wear long underwear

For  the outdoor winter sports enthusiasts, this winter was the worse

Mother nature didn’t supply much snow for our local skiing course

Snowmobilers as well had it pretty rough

Besides the lack of snow, the ice on the lakes was never thick enough

Ice fishing was a gamble if you chose to undertake

There was more than a few instances of vehicles sinking in the lake

The local tourist businesses will be hurt the most

Seems all our Canadian snow piled up on the east coast

It certainly was a weird winter and they have their right to complain

It may be many more decades before this ever happens again

The sixth of March I seen my first robin, the earliest I recall

Last week I heard a Canadian goose, a returnee from last fall

Hopefully this trend will continue and spring is really on its way

The cycle will continue and there won’t be a price to pay

It may be only days before we see the buds appearing on the trees

All we need is the temperature to go up a few degrees

Then before long our first dandelions will be on full display

Could this be the first time we have a “no mow” April and May?

Instead of writing about politics or perhaps a major crime

I thought I would create something educational about daylight savings time

Since it just occurred this weekend and maybe you are still trying to adjust

I’m thinking perhaps in your workplace, this topic is being discussed

“George Hudson” an entomologist from “New Zealand” was the man

He needed more after work hours of sunshine, so he proposed his plan

It was in “1895” when he suggested a two hour shift at this time of year

It would be decades later in “1915” that “Germany” would put his idea into gear

To save energy and resources was the reason that this did occur

This was implemented two years into the “First World War”

After “Germany” established this practice, almost every country that fought, followed suit

This affected all the highest ranking “Generals” to the newest of “Recruits”

In “1918” the “Canadian Government” implemented this to increase wartime production

This was officially it’s formal introduction

When this war ended, daylight savings time was through

It wasn’t put back into motion until “World War Two”

To some of us, the following might seem a little profound

During the “Second World War”, daylight savings was used all year round

Not all jurisdictions in “Canada” observe this yearly change

“Saskatchewan”, the “Yukon” and parts of “Northern B.C.” choose not to engage

British Columbians’ “NDP” Government has pledged to eliminate it once and for all

It is hotly debated every spring and fall

I always thought this was enforced for the farmers and their crops

I grew up thinking that this was the reason that we adjusted our clocks

So they could have more sunshine to help in their long day

Ever since I was a kid is what I heard them say

This loss of one hour, to some can have an effect

The repercussions of this is a whole different subject

There is a saying that has been heard by one and all

We lose an hour in the spring but get it back in the fall

Evidence is mounting that accidents and health issues increase every season

Daylight savings time may be discontinued for that very reason

I make a point of reading the news everyday

Of course it’s not done in the same way

I don’t have a subscription that comes to my door

Is there such thing as a paperboy anymore?

Almost everybody gets their reports online everyday

People put in their comments and have their say

You can click on a video to see the source

After going through some ads that they choose to endorse

No longer do I have a paper to fold

What I am using in front of me has to be scrolled

I can go from news to sports by rolling the screen

You can get the reporters right on the scene

Things change minute to minute in front of your eyes

It’s not like the newspaper, waiting the next day for a revise

There is a problem when everyone is allowed to have their say

Things can get blown out of proportion by the end of the day

Some people read more of the comments than the facts that they see

Then continue to contribute whether they agree or disagree

Some just like to tangle, for them it’s a game

They can say what they want, they use an alias for their name

No matter what you choose, someone will have your back

Whether you are wrong or right, be prepared for the attack

These remarks will continue to fill up that space

People are so brave when the encounter is not face to face

Accuracy and truthfulness aren’t appreciated anymore

Who has the most supporters is how we keep score

You can lie all you want from morning to night

You can make up all that shit, you don’t have to be right

Popularity is what you are striving for and the number of followers is the gauge

The trick is to amass a large following that are ready to engage

Lie, cheat or harass, nothing has to be true

Sad to say in this day and age, honesty is no longer a virtue

It was quite an event that happened in “Chicago” yesterday

The “Wings” from “Detroit” were in town to play

It wasn’t just the game that had everybody there

This was an event scheduled that everyone wanted to share

“Chris Chelios’s” jersey was to be retired, it was announced before this season

“Patrick Kane’s” first return to the “United Center” was the other reason

The ceremony started almost two hours before the game would begin

So you would have to arrive early if you wanted to take it all in

Thankfully it was televised so I was able to watch it too

Being “unbiased” as I am, I give it a five star review

I was impressed with the ease “Chelios” had in talking to the crowd

As he mentioned every family member you could see that he was proud

Lots of his old teammates were there to share in this day

His number “7” now hangs from the rafters proudly on display

The crowd in a chorus singing “Cheli”, “Cheli” “Cheli” was also very nice

They continued with the chant as he and his family left the ice

For everyone who attended it would have been a special day

It would take a little while longer for the game to get underway

As far as the hockey game went, it couldn’t have been written any better

There you have “Patrick Kane” on the opposition wearing a “Red Wings” sweater

The first commercial break they ran a tribute of “Kane” on the scoreboard

As the video played, the crowd just roared and roared

He acknowledged his fans and skated while saluting them on the ice

The crowd was so appreciative, that he had to do it twice

The “Hawks” were ahead late in the game leading two to one

“Debrincat” tied the game to force overtime, this game wasn’t done

“Alex” would be instrumental in this hockey game once again

After the “Hawks” missed their chance, he grabbed the puck and passed it up to “Kane”

“Patrick” had no one near him and was miles ahead in the clear

He fired the puck in the corner of the net and received a rousing cheer

The crowd continued cheering and yelling out his name

It just seemed so fitting even though we lost the game