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?

After just twelve games, I am checking to see what my “Hawks” have done

Just as it was last year, they have lost more than they’ve won

This is a pattern that I don’t expect to break

It has been a real tough schedule that they had to undertake

The NHL set it up this way so they could showcase “Bedard”

Since the first puck dropped, their schedule has been very hard

They haven’t played a team below five hundred in any game so far

I have all the confidence in the world that “Conner” is going to be a star

He is leading rookies in scoring even though he has faced the best

It’s going to be very interesting to see how he performs against the rest

This team is being competitive in every game they play

There was only one encounter when they got blown away

I have been happy with everything I’ve seen

It’s hard to believe that this kid just turned eighteen

All I can ask for is that my team does their best

Now to look at how some other franchises are doing in their quest

The “Edmonton Oilers” have definitely had their share of bad luck

Then we are all amazed at the play of the “Vancouver Canucks”

I don’t know if “McDavid” is playing hurt, because he only has ten points so far

“Draisaitl” leads the team with fifteen, their other superstar

There are fans panicking that they are going to miss the playoffs this year

I don’t think this franchise has anything to fear

As for “Vancouver” they are off to a great start

Are they for real or will they eventually fall apart?

The usual suspects, Boston, Rangers and Vegas are all in first place

When their final game ends will they be occupying that same space?

Each team has at least sixty five games left to play in this season

I leave the predictions to the experts for that very reason

There are so many variables that  could happen from now until next spring

I have no idea on who will wear that “Stanley Cup” ring

I can say my team won’t be participating when this year is done

Hopefully after a couple of more seasons they will be back on the playoff run

Got up Sunday morning early as I usually do

Of course we were now on standard time, daylight savings time was through

My phone showed it was six thirty, that meant I actually slept in

I had already gained an hour before my day was to begin

I put the dog on the leash and headed out the door

I know that last line, you definitely read before

So I put on my headphones and was listening to some political talk

The topic wasn’t interesting so I changed stations and continued on our walk

Decided to listen to some music on “Retrohits.ca”

Turned the volume up a little bit and went on our way

It’s a great site that plays old hits from the past

I try to guess each song, which seems to make the walk go fast

If you really know me, I have a competitive side

I am trying to get the song and the singer with every single stride

I am going to confide in you and tell you even more

With every song that is aired, I am keeping score

I kicked in “Shazam” just to see if I was right or wrong

I continued on my route enjoying every single song

I got “Gone, Gone, Gone” from “Chilliwack” right from the start

Then I couldn’t remember who sang “Un-break My Heart”

“I Got You Babe” from “Sonny & Cher” there’s no doubt!

I couldn’t remember “Diana Ross” sang “I’m Coming Out”

“Undercover Angel” was the next song they would play

Hats off to anyone who knew it was “Alan O’Day”

I only managed to recall another one or two

Then I got upset with myself when they played “Jackie Blue”

That is a tune that I should have never gotten wrong

“The Ozark Mountain Daredevils” is the band that sings this song

Chances are if they played their other hit, I would have missed that as well

“If You Wanna Get To Heaven” you gotta raise a little Hell

I am too embarrassed to tell you my final score

I even considered walking extra blocks just to hear a few more

Chances are I could have walked all day and never come out ahead

I have to find a strictly “seventies” hit station instead

This is the decade that I know the best

I would have no problem passing that test

Then I thought it’s a good thing that I have the dog when I roam

Maybe he’s the only one who knows our way home

Though the score I received was a total disgrace

I have to admit that listening to these songs really picked up my pace

I shaved seven or eight minutes off the time I usually take

Maybe listening to music while I walk is a change I should make

Concentrate on the exercise instead of my “brain power”

I completed this morning’s trek fifteen seconds short of that extra hour

Eighteen people dead in Lewiston, Maine, another mass killing in the “States”

Once again the topic is stirring up a lot of debates

They are going through this cycle like so many before

This is the 565th incident this year if you are keeping score

The average is 1.92 mass murders a day and we still have two months to go

This just means the death toll will continue to grow

It seems so crazy to me that this doesn’t sound some alarms

Thanks to their 2nd Amendment “The right to bear arms”

This will be in the news each and every day

Just like so many times before, this too will fade away

“Democrats” want gun control, “Republicans” totally oppose

I guess this is the way “America” runs I suppose

The “NRA” is a big donator to many “Republican” campaigns

That’s why “Democrats” have been thwarted time and time again

You don’t bite the hand that feeds you, so “Republicans” will stay true

That’s why any kind of amendments will never get through

They kill them in the schoolyards, they kill them in the streets

This is just a viscous cycle that continues to repeat

They won’t ban automatic rifles because “Americans” love their guns

So murderers pull the trigger and then go on their run

I don’t think they go into this expecting to survive

The majority of these killers don’t make it out alive

They commit suicide or get gunned down by a cop

Still despite all of this, these occurrences never seem to stop

Being a mass murderer, you get all the news

You don’t make the headlines if you only kill one or two

Say you take another life, well that only makes three

Your name still won’t be out there for everyone to see

Four or more murders will get you in the books

Anything less than that, they won’t take a second look

So I don’t expect anything to change after the upcoming election

Unless a mass murderer attends the next “Republican” convention

There are people who’s series binging is now just a routine

There are so many shows I would like to watch and so many I haven’t seen

I am the person who is there for the first season and just continues from there

Those who really like their shows are always happy to share

How do they decide on what to watch when there is so much to see?

There is such a vast variety, it’s just so overwhelming to me

I try to stay away from major networks that have sometimes twenty six episodes a season

Then factor in the years and I bow out for that very reason

If it had a run of over four years there will be a hundred installments to view

That’s why I take the easy way out and look for something new

This way I am starting fresh and don’t have to watch something from the past

The trouble lately is that the ones I take a liking to never seem to last

So yesterday I did some research to see what shows have stood the test of time

See how long they lasted when they were in their prime

Ones that I remember when I was growing up

Some shows aired before the “Leafs” last won the “Stanley Cup”!!!

There were always a lot of westerns and each week would have a gunfight

“Bonanza” was the one I remember the most and it was on Sunday night

I remember “Michael Landon” portraying “Little Joe”

When he finished that, “Little House On The Prairie” he would go

“Bonanza” ran for fourteen seasons and “Little House” would last nine more

His last show was “Highway To Heaven” , he died young at fifty four

“Gunsmoke” was the longest running western, it lasted twenty years

“Matt Dillon”, “Miss Kitty”, and “Festus” were the main characters to appear

“My Three Sons” was another show that I remember well

“Bewitched” had “Darren” married to “Samantha” under her witch’s spell

“The Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Waltons” were very popular in their day

“Married With Children”, “Murphy Brown” and who could forget “Happy Days”

“All In The Family” was so controversial as well as “The Jeffersons” , a spinoff of the show

“Maude” was still another spinoff in case you didn’t know

The “F.B.I.”, “Mannix”, and “Ironside” were crime shows that appeared years before

These are just a few examples, there are so many more

This is just the tip of the iceberg of shows that I used to view

Some you will remember, others you never knew

They are so last century and some may never be found

I counted all the episodes in case they are still around

Over forty five hundred episodes if I was to take them in

There are so many, I have no idea where I would begin

In one year I would have to watch at least twelve episodes daily I would say

If they ran sixty minutes it would literally take up half my day

It’s obviously too much of a commitment that I refuse to undertake

Trying to relive my life in decades old television is a total mistake

So I will rely on my failing memory and will not proceed

Occupy my time with better things, maybe find a book to read

Thanksgiving weekend’s weather was lousy and most of us decided to stay indoors

However I decided to take a chance to go out and explore

I didn’t make my way outside for the entire day

Then I took the opportunity when the rain was in a delay

I checked my weather app and chances were pretty low

Thirty percent for the next two hours , so I decided we would go

If it was higher I wouldn’t venture out the door

Let’s just say from experience, I’ve been burned before

There were a few things I had to do, so allow me to explain

I elected to wear a waterproof jacket in case we got caught in the rain

I looked at my cell phone and it was only at eighteen percent

I decided to take a second one and out the door the pup and I went

My plan was to use the backup so I could listen to music while on our route

This way I wouldn’t have to  worry about my battery running out

I put my headphones over my cap and headed up our street

Put a cell phone in each pocket which was a simple feat

They were both protected by a flap that wouldn’t let any moisture in

This is the way that my journey would begin

I went up the overpass to Memorial Drive which led me up to Main

When I got to the corner of Fraser Street, there was a few drops of rain

I didn’t get excited, I wasn’t worried at all

I got to the bowling alley and gave my wife a call

She said to stay there and she could pick us up in the car

I said it wasn’t bad and home wasn’t all that far

I put the phone in my pocket and adjusted the volume on the other one

I put them in each side pocket and continued on our run

Just the two of us walking on Main Street, there was no one else around

We were only halfway down the block when the rain came pouring down

The water was flowing everywhere and getting deeper with every drop

We just continued on our way, we had no inclination to stop

My sneakers and my blue jeans were now soaking wet

I just said to myself how much worse can this get?

Then as the deluge continued my ears were starting to sting

That’s because there were now hailstones appearing on top of everything

There was a strange noise coming from my coat pockets with every step I took

I was only a block from home when I decided to take a look

The water was up to my wrist when I put my hand in there

All the time I was walking I was totally unaware

My phones were immersed in all this water and I may have to pay the price

They now both sit on the counter in a bag of  rice

It turns out I didn’t close the pocket flap after making that one phone call

I guess I shouldn’t have decided to take that walk after all

So I will keep my fingers crossed and hope they come back to life

Next time I will make sure I take that ride with my wife

It’s the last long weekend before Christmas and it’s such a dismal day

This pattern is to continue until Tuesday before it goes away

The leaves in the yard are continuing to pile up as well

Will the trees be bare after this weekend? Only time will tell

The weather has affected so many things for this very reason

Our local carousel and mini-train have been shut down for the season

The farmer’s market must be suffering for customers today

It’s so sad to see their last outdoor Saturday finish in this way

The mini heat wave we were experiencing has finished its late run

We may even have to kick in the furnace before this weekend’s done

What can we do now that we are forced to stay indoors?

Raking the leaves in my yard will become a midweek chore

I thought I would be watching “Blue Jay” baseball, but sadly that’s not the case

I still can’t believe “Guerrero” got picked off on second base!

The CFL has a game on Saturday and another Monday afternoon

The playoffs and the “Grey Cup” will be following soon

You can eat breakfast and watch a NFL football game on Sunday

Set the alarm in case because it’s nine thirty am when they play

This is the second game from England to be broadcasted live

The number of matches they play there will total five

So NFL football will be on from morning to night

That’s why Saturday morning was the time I chose to write

You see I plan on taking full advantage of watching all these events

If I am forced and stuck inside it only seems to make common sense

Take in all the action and have a “Thanksgiving” meal

This is a combination that never loses its appeal

CFL football Monday afternoon, NFL Monday night

To someone who enjoys sports, this just works out right

This will consume a lot of energy but I’m in it for the long haul

I will probably be totally exhausted after watching all that football

Yet still I will be too excited to sleep for one single reason

Come Tuesday afternoon, the NHL starts its regular “hockey” season

Thirteen Canadian rock acts got together Thursday night at “Massey Hall”

If you were around in the 1970s and 1980s you probably remember them all

They were big here in Canada and some reached international acclaim

They now have all been inducted into “Canada’s Walk Of Fame”

For some of us it will definitely be a blast from the past

I’ll mention all the performers but still save my favourite for last

“Glass Tiger” is a band from Newmarket that started in nineteen eighty six

“Someday” and “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” were their biggest hits

In 1979 there was a band from Calgary whose name was “Loverboy”

“Turn Me Loose” and “Workin’ For The Weekend” are their hits that we still enjoy

“Gone, Gone, Gone, She’s Been Gone So Long’

The title is “My Girl” and “Chilliwack” sang this song

“Platinum Blonde” is another band you should remember too

“Situation Critical” and “Crying Over You”

“Carole Pope” with the band “Rough Trade” had so much potential

Their biggest hit by far was “High School Confidential”

“At The Feet Of The Moon” and “Rise Up” were big hits in our land

“The Parachute Club” was the name of this band

“Trooper” was a party band that did relatively well

“We’re Here For A Good Time” and “Raise A Little Hell”

“Lighthouse” was a band that featured horns and strings

“One Fine Morning” and “Sunny Days” were the biggest hits that they would sing

There were two solo performers who were also honoured at this scene

The first was “Lee Aaron” who is known as the “Metal Queen”

“Michel Pagliaro”, a renowned French Canadian who was another member in this lot

One of his English hits was “What The Hell I Got”

“Max Webster” is another band that we all remember

This band was a trio and “Kim Mitchell” was a founding member

“Prism” was another band that made it from the west

“Take Me To The Kaptin'” and “Spaceship Superstar” were probably their best

Now we have come to the end of the line

They are the best of the bunch and that’s “April Wine”

Why this band hasn’t won its fair share of awards has been a mystery to me

They were the first “Canadian” act to appear on “MTV”

They have been entertaining us for what seems like forever

I guess it’s a case of “better late than never”

Opening up the “Greenbelt” was an ambition that “Doug Ford” was eager to take

I guess reality finally set in and now he is admitting his mistake?

He was certainly pigheaded and intended to stay the course

Then this week he decided to kick it into reverse

So for now I guess this “Greenbelt” will remain intact

I did a little research and here are some of the facts

This all began last year on November 4th with Housing Minister “Steve Clark”

This was the first we heard of this scheme that they were  to embark

They needed almost 17,000 acres to proceed with this plan

Then build 50,000 brand new houses on this land

Some developers knew in advance is something that has been implied

When confronted by reporters , “Clark” and “Ford” both denied

It was the end of November when this all occurred

It wasn’t until the new year when the police considered investigating “Ford”

NDP leader “Marit Stiles” informed them that developers had paid for tickets to Ford’s daughter’s stag and doe

“Mr. Ford” said that only friends and family were allowed to go

For the developers who attended the wedding, some benefits would ensue

It would be another month before the integrity commission decided what to do

“Bonnie Lysk” released her report and the facts were all there

Two key developers got the major share

Clark’s chief of staff “Ryan Amato” awarded ninety two percent to developers he knew

Then “Ford” put in a request that police look into this man too!

August 22nd, “Amato” handed in his resignation

The next day “OPP” refers the matter to the “RCMP” for an investigation

“Ford” says he’s confident there is nothing criminal on the “Greenbelt” file

With all they have to research it may take a while

Then you have “Clark” resigning on September fourth

It will be interesting to see what facts they will unearth

The next day “Ford” announces a review of the “Greenbelt” lands including the ones removed

I guess maybe his ego was now beginning to get a little bruised

September 20th, “Kaleed Rasheed” resigns his post and the “Conservative Caucus” as well

How much is he involved? I guess time will tell

The next day, “Dougie” reverses his plan to open the “Greenbelt” lands

Hoping all his constituents will truly understand

Asked if he would resign after all of this deception

He said that he’ll let Ontario decide in the next election

So now we have two more years and counting if this man remains

The way that he has governed really is a shame

He’s getting a lot of backlash from his members, there’s no doubt

Here’s hoping that they will get together and finally boot him out

There is a ridiculous story that I read in the news

It certainly is getting a whole pile of reviews

I’ve read the articles and watched the videos as well

So I said to myself “Oh what the hell”

This couple attended a musical on a Sunday night

Looks like things didn’t turn out alright

They were both thrown out as a matter of fact

Escorted off the premises during the second act

This ruckus was caused by “Lauren Boebert” and her male guest

It all started up when a pregnant woman made a request

Seems “Laura” was vaping and taking pictures during the play

The ushers came in and took both of them away

She was quoted as saying “Do you know who I am?”

Then shown giving the finger caught on the lobby cam

They proved she was lying because they have her on tape

After the woman asked her to stop, she continued to vape

There were more embarrassing antics that she had to address

The fact that her boyfriend was fondling her breast

Things just continued to escalate from there

Her touching his groin while he sat in his chair

She tweeted by saying she was guilty for laughing and singing too loud

But her story is changing now that the real truth is getting around

She now says “her public and difficult divorce has been a challenge for her”

This latest caper has created quite a stir

This all occurred in the riding that she represents

How does this compare to some of her previous events?

For “Laura” and the “Republican Party” this is just par for the course

This doesn’t even rate, they have done so much worse

Impeaching “Joe Biden” is the new agenda that is on their slate

As far as this theatre episode goes, it doesn’t even rate

“Scruples” is something this party does not possess

It’s already been forgotten would be my guess