Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sometimes you just cannot win!!! We looked all over for a gazebo to fit on our deck but they were all too large and we only had 8 feet. Finally we located one at Walmart which indicated it was 7 and three-quarters - if something sounds too good to be true it likely is. We borrowed a van to pick this monstrosity up and haul it around. Today it was carried piece by piece from the garage and erected on the deck. Our excitement was short lived when we found out this six sided gazebo was actually 7 and three quarters long from pole to pole on "one" of six sides. Tried to fit it on the patio only to have to resort to setting it up in the backyard. We decided this would not do as we want to use the deck so piece by piece it was carried to the garage and boxed - trying to fit it all back in the box was no picnic. Now we have to find a way to get it back to Walmart and try and figure what we can do for shade now that the sun roof has been taken down. A real exercise in frustration and disappointment not to mention it was a wasted a day when there is a lot to be done like digging out the pool and filling the hole - OMG those filthy pigeons - heard the backyard neighbour yell "dam pigeon shit" and looked over the fence to see if we heard - I am with her!!!
More physiotherapy - was coming along well when they set me up in the gym with weights and ended up doing more damage to my back so I am pretty much back where I started.


Thursday, April 24, 2008
FOGEYISM - rejection of all things new and modern

I like to think that I am not becoming an old fogey and can keep an open mind in regard to the younger generation especially when it comes to music but rap music just gets my blood pressure boiling and I would rather have my fingernails pulled out one by one than be forced to listen to rap and all it entails. On the other hand, I do continue to believe in politeness, good manners and consideration of others even though those things seem to be out of style. I sound much like my father who once forbid me to watch Elvis Presley on TV as he felt he was a very bad influence on the youth of the time with his disgusting gyrations, etc. - an old fogey - I thought so. When my son Donald asked for a Beatles album back in the 60s I was not too willing to listen to their new type of music but chose to have an open mind and they in fact became a favorite of mine. As I complain now about the younger generation my parents also grumbled about clothes, makeup and general demeanor and felt my generation were going to "Hell in an hand basket" (there's a saying you do not hear anymore). So I guess I must be yet another old fogey not because I want to be but because life has other ideas and it just happens to be a product of the stage I have reached - sadly we all get there whether we want to or not and fogeyism overtakes our conscious attempts to keep an open mind!!


Saturday, April 19, 2008

Interesting letter from a Caper:

Dear Revenue Canada or whatever your current name may be:

Enclosed and/or attached, you will find my 2008 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes.

Please note the attached article from the Toronto Globe and Mail; dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Canadian Department of National Defense is paying $171.50 per hammer and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has paid $600.00 per toilet seat for it's icebreakers.

As payment, I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued @ $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued @ $1,029), which I secured at Canadian Tire, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00.

Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the "Help Stephan Dion Election Fund," as noted on my return.

You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5" Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from The Globe and Mail detailing how the Department of Public Works pays $22.00 each for 1.5" Phillips Head Screws). One Philips screw is enclosed for your convenience.

It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.

God Bless Canada !

Sincerely, A Cape Bretoner




Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Another year older but not a lot wiser. Had a nice birthday after getting through my first session of physiotherapy - kind of tough as they want this old body to go through contortions that it is just not willing to do anymore!!! Got a new puter (as they say in Cape Breton), a laptop and you can be sure with himself purchasing it that it is the largest one with all the bells and whistles. Taking some time to get used to it but it is really awesome. What else is awesome is that we can now see the street again after the mountain of snow went down - Samantha is like a kid at Christmas to see people and dogs again!
Thanks to Kevin, Elaine and kids for remembering me with a lovely flower arrangement.