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

A total of 440 million dollars across three civil cases is what “Trump” has been ordered to pay

Of course he intends to appeal them, that’s his credo, delay, delay, delay

His company isn’t public and he has steadfastly refused to disclose his tax returns

Does he have the funds on hand is something we may all soon learn

He claimed in a deposition last year that he had substantially in excess of 400 million dollars in cash on hand

I tend not to believe everything he says, I’m sure you all understand

He has to post the funds or get a bond in his civil fraud case

 If he resists paying, a sheriff would be put in  place

This would take effect immediately and all his assets would be seized

If that should occur, I’m sure “Donald” would not at all be pleased

Things are handled differently in the court where “E. Jean Carroll” was his victim

“Trump” could be ordered to produce his bank account records through the Federal system

They could then proceed to place a lien or even garnish his wages

This would have to go through the trial judge to implement these stages

“Trump” has no way of delaying payments so the money has to be put up front

Typically 120 to 125 percent of the post judgment is needed to implement this stunt

We are now talking about 550 million dollars and the interest will accrue

Who knows how much extra money he will have to pay before this process is through

Perhaps he will not have a company left when all is said and done

Just how much will this affect him on his presidential run?

“Trump”  with all his indictments has put him on a roll

With every conviction, his popularity increases in the polls

The donations to his campaign are continuing to pour in

His Ultra MAGA followers still believe that he will win

They seem to be backing him no matter what the cost

Of course they are gullible enough to believe he never lost

Even with all his loyal supporters he cannot raise that kind of cash

We will finally see if “Donald” has that big of a stash

His true worth will finally be revealed once the dust has cleared

Once he is exposed for the fraud he is, he will no longer be revered

For all his loyal disciples this will be beyond comprehension

Let’s hope this is accomplished before the upcoming election

Just a message to let you know that I am still around

If you have been looking for me, I have been living underground

No I didn’t become a miner and decide to dig for gold!

I have been keeping myself busy which resulted on my poems being put on hold

I would head down into my basement and just disappear

It started in December and has continued into the new year

You see I have been a hoarder and you might say I am in denial

Ever since I was a teenager I have steadfastly refused to give up all my vinyl

I have kept them on shelves or in storage boxes out of view

With no intention of discarding them, yet not really knowing what to do?

I have held on to them for decades and kept them out of the way

Now that they have made a resurgence I had a purpose to put them on display

I decided I would take them out of the darkness and bring them back to the light

So if I was going to tackle this, I had every intention of doing it right

I have never been the  one to rush out and do things right away

I tend to overdue the research which ultimately causes much delay

I put hours and days of time looking for the proper stand

I researched every business and looked up every brand

I have accumulated many Lps, 78’s and forty fives

Some of them were issued before I was alive

It just happened I got on my computer and found the ideal one online

This was the perfect unit that suited the both of us just fine

The top had a shelf that displayed the records like in the old music stores

My wife and I both agreed we couldn’t ask for anything more

The bonus was that we could buy it local and out the door we went

After we put them together, we agreed that it was money well spent

Each stand was supposed to hold 330 records so I figured we needed five

After filling every one of them, we had to go for another drive

We bought a couple more and filled up every space

Both of us agree, it looks great in its place

I bought a double wide filing cabinet for my forty fives to store

Indexed them alphabetically to the letter “T” and had no room for more

The albums run from the “5th Dimension” all the way to “ZZ Topp”

Listen to “Big Band”, “Western”, “Rock”, “Heavy Metal”, “Soul”, “Jazz”, “Disco” and “Pop”

I have more albums than forty fives which is quite a few

So we can all listen to the “Oldies” until I purchase something new

Are you a person who likes to gamble or play that game of chance?

Dream of winning the lottery just to better your circumstance?

I am one of those individuals and I haven’t had much luck at all

The most money I won was a hundred dollars on “Lotto Max” I recall

In fact I keep the proof in my wallet that I carry every day

I don’t buy a ticket very often, in fact I rarely play

When the jackpot is enormous, that’s the time I usually give in

Perhaps that’s the reason that I seldom win

But now the tide has changed and I am now on quite a streak

I have been winning prizes every single day of the week

For contests that I don’t even remember entering my name

But the rewards from these events are pouring in just the same

I am not bragging about it all, I insist

Here are just a few examples that are on my list

I got a five hundred dollar gift card from “West Jet” to go towards a flight

I wasn’t making plans, but now I think I might!

Not to be outdone, “Air Canada” sent me one too

Another five hundred dollars, perhaps I can combine the two?

I have parcels waiting  for delivery waiting for confirmation to send

I don’t remember ordering anything, they must be from a friend

Some businesses must think I’m bilingual because they are en francais

Another couple of presents that have somehow lost their way

“Rona” sent me a request to fill out a survey and I think I will

Just for answering their questions I receive a “Milwaukee” power drill

I’m not much of a handyman and everyone can agree

This won’t take up much time and hell it’s all free

Finally, being computer savvy as I am

I am intelligent enough to recognize a scam!

I got some email from “Netflix” saying my subscription was suspended

I never had an account, so how could it have ended?

Two dollars a year for movies is what I would have to pay

You think I’m stupid! I wasn’t born yesterday!

It was the “American Thanksgiving” so I got a lot of sports in

So many to choose from I didn’t know where I would begin

Thursday, football was available for the whole day

Friday featured hockey and I got to watch my “Hawks” play

It was an afternoon game which turned out alright

My daughter and I had made plans for later on that night

My team beat the “Leafs” in overtime which was really nice

This was their second meeting and my “Hawks” have won twice

I’m liking it more for one very reason

They don’t play each other again for the rest of the season

You know some “Toronto” fans do like to talk

My comeback to them will be “You never defeated the Hawks”

After the game ended it was time to head out to the chill that was in the air

I had a hard time deciding on what I should wear

I got an ensemble together and finally put it on

Got the dog on his leash, walked out the door and we were gone

The plan was to pick up my daughter at her place

Throughout this trip the cold wind was blowing in my face

It was an annual event we were going to on this day

From her place of residence it was only blocks away

There were people there that we were expected to meet

An outdoor event on our local “Main Street”

We spent the whole evening going from block to block

Now I know why they call it the “Downtown Walk”

They had a little train there for the kids to ride and the lines were long

There were people and choirs all singing Christmas songs

Hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting was available too

There wasn’t too many people there that I knew

We watched snowboarders performing on a make shift slide

It’s the first thing we attended when we arrived

They were packing things up when we went for another view

That’s when we decided that we would leave too

I would say that we spent a couple of hours down there

This gave a father and a daughter new memories to share

We both were dressed warm for the cold outdoor weather

I always enjoy the times that we get to spend together

Yesterday I was in a dilemma, not knowing what to do

My plan was to watch two football games and a hockey match before my day was through

The schedule wasn’t going my way with them being a few hours apart

The “Buffalo Bills” playing the “New York Jets” had the earliest start

The “Grey Cup” championship of the “CFL” featuring “Winnipeg” and “Montreal” was next on the list

These were events I didn’t want to miss

Then the “Hawks” playing the “Sabres” was another must see

I didn’t know if I would be able to watch all three

If I was paying through the nose for cable I could have recorded each and every one

See them later making sure I didn’t know who won

This is an option that I no longer possess

With a little bit of ingenuity however, I was able to accomplish my quest

I watched two hours of the “Bills” game before the “CFL” game was to start

Thankful that they were scheduled at least two hours apart

This time gap really helped me in my cause

I watched the first two quarters and simply pressed pause

This option only gave me ninety minutes to keep that game on hold

I then went to my “CFL” game to see what would unfold

I was able to watch all the action and every single play

Then back to the “NFL” at half time, I could afford no delay

I managed to watch the rest of the “Bills” game with no time to spare

Thanks to the fast forward button that helped to get me there

If “Green Day” wasn’t playing the half time show in “Hamilton” I would have never accomplished this feat

Once again the favoured “Winnipeg Blue Bombers” went down in defeat

The “Alouettes” made quite a comeback with only seconds left to take the lead

I really wanted our hometown hero “Mike O’Shea” to succeed

All this time I had my “Blackhawks” playing on a tablet next to me

I was continually going back and forth every time I had a chance to see

The “Blackhawks” like the “Bombers” never won

These games finished seconds apart and my night was finally done

My “Bills” beat the “Jets” for a much needed win

Tonight “Philadelphia” plays “Kansas City”, 8:15 pm is when it begins