The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

 Some folks are having a hard time trying to figure out why President Trump is so nasty toward Canada.  But it's pretty simple really.  

He has two fantasy dreams.  The first is to become the "Monarch Of The Americas".  He has Venezuela under his thumb and he thinks he has control of Greenland.  Canada is the crown jewel of his quest.

We are not in a simple trade war and Prime Minister Carney made that clear in Alberta.

"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Thursday that the United States is trying to break Canada so it can “own us” as he urged oil-rich Alberta not to begin a process toward separation in Monday’s referendum".

Don't expect Donald to let up.  Just gird your loins for a nasty fight.

Yesterday, he revved up a Kentucky rally by claiming that Canada 
"steals" 90 billion dollars a year from the U.S. ( a bit scary because, if they are gullible, we will transit Kentucky in March on our way home from New Orleans, but back to the story).  That amount is their trade deficit with us - it was not stolen, they got full value for their money. 

Trump claims that the U.S. doesn't need anything from Canada.  In that case the solution is easy.  All he has to do is stop buying our goods!  Shut off our oil, stop buying potash for his farmers, stop buying our critical minerals.  Easy, peasy.  Some Republican with guts should tell the man.

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His second fantasy dream is to win the Nobel Peace Prize.  And he is prepared to sacrifice the Ukraine to achieve that goal.  He knows that Russia will not give up, so he's trying to put pressure on (abandon) the Ukraine so that they have to concede defeat.  Then he can claim that he achieved "peace".

He will eventually claim victory in Iran and claim peace there as well, although I don't know how you can take credit for peace in a war that you started which hasn't really ended.  But logic doesn't matter to him.

Just keep those two fantasies in mind when you are trying to decode what he is up to.

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Is anyone planning a backyard ice rink this winter?  If so, you should head for the greenhouse and pick up some free plastic for your project.

Most pieces are 60 by 25 feet.  If you need firewood, take the skid too.

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At their first meeting of our new club year, the Optimist BOD voted on our sponsorship budget for the upcoming year.  We plan to disperse $35,000 between now and the end of September next year, and here’s a list of the organizations that we intend to support with those funds:

Saltfleet High School,

Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade,

Santa Honorarium and Kids Breakfast Items,

Stoney Creek Community Food Bank Fall,

Stoney Creek Community Food Bank Winter,

Stoney Creek Community Food  Bank Spring,

HPL Summer Reading Program,

Stoney Creek Legion Remembrance Day Poppy Fund,

Central Ontario Leadership Seminar - 3 Students,

Optimist International Junior World of Golf Hole Sponsor, Sponsorship up to 2 golfers,

Stoney Creek Optimist Little League-field repairs & equipment,

Junior Optimist Club,

Hamilton Challenger Baseball,

Diabetes Canada - Camp,

Stoney Creek Girl's Hockey,

Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer Club,

T.E.A.D. (the therapeutic horse rides),

Orchard Park Secondary School Robotics Team 2056,

Food 4 Kids,

Canadian Children Optimist Foundation,

Habitat for Humanity - Hamilton (Youth Program),

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum,

Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice/Camp Keaton,

Essay writing Prize,

Orchard Park Secondary School/S.S.H.O.P.S.S,

St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School,

713 Thunderbolt Squadron/Sponsoring Committee,

OI Programs,

New Hope Community Bikes,

Hamilton City Foundation for Student success,

Glancaster Bombers U11A,

Andres - Stoney Creek Baseball,

Playocracy.

In October we gave $1,000 to the Food Bank and this $500 cheque to Habitat For Humanity who are building housing where the Stoney Creek Masonic Hall was located.

So, you all know what is coming next!  My appeal for your support of our Christmas Turkey Roll.  The same amount as last year - $20 will get you seven circles on a card (I like to spread them over several cards to improve the chances of winning more than one turkey gift card).

And, if you want even more excitement, come on out to the Turkey Roll and participate in the Turkey Races.  Crazy fun!

If you would like to help us, you can e-transfer $20 to Mardi.  I've challenged our other members to bring in more money than me, so I do need your help to be victorious again.  If you can, I would appreciate it - as would the organizations that will be helped.

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Elbows up.  Buy Canadian.  Stay well.

There's More

 I wanted yesterday's blog to feature just Calvin and his dad, but that wasn't the only interesting aspect of the Museum visit.

We met 11 year old Kenneth, an encyclopedia of aircraft knowledge.  He spent hours on the tarmac photographing the planes, and he knew the names of all of them.  Interesting young lad to talk to.  His dad patiently stood around and let him take as much time as he wanted to chase his flying dream.  A future pilot I'm sure.

And we watched as folks took flights in the active planes.

And, while we were waiting for Calvin to return from his flight I did my own Lancaster "trip".

Definitely a day to remember.

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My dad experience was different than Calvin's but the emotions were probably similar.  Shortly after I began work at Dofasco I passed through the Tin Mill and the area where dad was fatally burned.  A stop and think moment!

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When I was having lunch at the Centennial Peace Garden on Friday I watched the geese.  When they did their bottoms up routine it reminded me of the TV commercial where people are sticking their heads into the sand or a closet to avoid a vaccine.

A couple of Muskoka chairs at the greenhouse were no longer being used, which I thought was a waste, so I created a quiet space by the pond for Sean and Alex to sit with their dog Bear.

I may take a beer break there myself!

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There were eleven police cars, including the canine unit, at the apartment building up the street this morning.  Apparently a shooting in our neighbourhood.  Scary stuff!

One final comment:

It's important!

Elbows up.  Buy Canadian.  Stay well.

Bravery

 Today I abandoned my Head Gardener duds and transitioned to War Correspondent gear........

..............so that I could report on a special occasion.

During World War Two, thousands of amphibous bombers were made in the U.S. and in Canada.  They were designated as PBY5's and were called Catalinas in the U.S. and Cansos in Canada.

Canada made 730 of them.  They served on both coasts and many were flown to the U.K., through dangerous areas of the Atlantic patrolled by the Germans, to participate in the war effort.  It's cruising speed was just 117 mph, so it was very vulnerable to enemy fire.

A hero named Wilbur Wong was a Flight Engineer on many of those planes as they made that trip.

His son Calvin provided the following information:

"There isn't very much to go on in regards to our Father's activities during the war.  Dad was in a civilian organization created during the war called the RAF Ferry Command.  This organization's duties were to fly aircraft to England to support the war effort.  At the beginning of the war, new aircraft were disassembled and loaded onboard ships to transfer them overseas.  Unfortunately the ships became targets for German uboats which affected deliveries so the Ferry Command was established to fly the new aircraft to England.  Flying itself was not that secure as to keep the weight of the aircraft down to extend its range, the aircraft were not armed and if they encountered enemy aircraft, they were sitting ducks.  Dad was a Flight Engineer and was responsible for the mechanical operation of the aircraft.  Our Mother said that she did not know any specifics of his flights as he was bound my secrecy and he was notified of his flights by telegram ordering him to report to his base at Dorval Airport in Montreal.  He flew on many different aircraft but the PBY5 was his favourite.  I still have some of his maintenance notes which he used as a quick reference in carrying out his duties.  Many of my Father's crewmates were Americans as they were not allowed to fight in the war before the United States entered the war.  The Americans were allowed to fly in Ferry Command because the Ferry Command was technically a civilian organization and not the military.

Dad did tell me about some of the locations which he flew to.  Most of his flights were through Gander to Prestwick with some flights out of Bermuda.  One encounter with a German aircraft forced the crew to fly into a large cloud bank to avoid the enemy as they had no armaments to protect themselves."

Today, Calvin emulated his father with a ride in the Warplane Heritage Foundation's PBY5 Canso.

Meeting the captain.......

......ready to board...........

..........on his way.....

............and safely back from a trip to Niagara Falls.

Quite a day - with lots of meaning for our friend!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Special Friends

 This morning we serenaded Mardi's brother Steve with a Happy Birthday song.  All the best Steve!

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The Oak trees are all planted.  I won't live long enough to see them amount to much, but my grandkids will be able to appreciate "Grandpa's Oak Alley".

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We will have a military escort on our trip to Florida in January.  In exchange for the week we will be spending with Greg in Mexico in November, he will be joining us for the drive to Florida and will stay for several days.  Looking forward to both trips!

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Word is that the Alberta separatists met with U.S. people and promised things like a rail line to Alaska and cheaper precious metals if the U.S. helped them in their separatist quest.  That sounds like treason to me!

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Today was probably the swan song of our golf season.  Once again, Al arranged our annual trip to MontHill for golf.  Nine of us played and Mardi and I were joined by Calvin.

Following the golf we all headed for the Erie Beach Hotel for dinner.

Amazingly, our waitress Rose, took the orders for four of us, was sent to another table to take their order, came back to finish with us, all without taking any notes.  And she delivered perfectly.  Pretty incredible memory.

All in all, a very fine day.  Thanks Al!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Conkers

 Today was a popular birth date among the people that I know.  Ron King, Al Addis and Jo-Anne Vanstone celebrated the event.  Best wishes to all!

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I reminded Mardi that she wouldn't be able to enjoy her favourite Canadian Club when she's in Florida due to the U.S. embargo on Canadian alcohol.  Pretty sobering news!

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I almost finished planting the Oak trees this weekend.  An hour tomorrow should do it.  And the sod that I removed to make room for the trees is now helping to replace that infertile clay scar at the top of the front hill.  Two birds with one stone.  I'm now over to the Chestnut tree (second plant in this picture).

Speaking of the Chestnut tree, today I discovered some chestnuts under the treee.  Most Chestnuts are not self-pollinators, except for Horse Chestnuts, which are also the only variety that is toxic.  For all other varieties it takes two trees to tango.  But this Chestnut came from Mardi's garden in Stoney Creek, and as far as I can tell there are no Chestnut trees near Trillium Hill, which I guess proves that this is a Horse Chestnut.

As far as I can remember, this is the first time that I've held a Chestnut in my hand since public school.  Wayne and I used to stop under a huge tree (since sacrificed to development) on the way home from school and collect the nuts for games of Conkers.  Fond memories!

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And we have booked flights to Merida, Mexico for the end of November.  A week with Greg at A.J.'s condo on the Gulf of Mexico (known by another name in some quarters).  Should be fun.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Forest Remembered

 We returned from Forest late afternoon yesterday, but I had no energy to put together a blog.  Mardi and I collapsed into bed at 9 p.m.  Ten hours later I got up.

Obviously, it was a great weekend, so let's go back to the beginning.

Sunday morning I headed to the greenhouse to water a few plants and the sod that I had previously laid.  Just 15 minutes, but necessary.

Then we picked up Rose and Ed and headed to Forest.  Lunch, then golf.  With ten players, we had two foursomes in one group, then three ladies, and three men.  Scramble format to make sure that we all had fun.

We had a couple of water holes to get over.  The ladies made it.

The last hole.

Dinner was included in the package and Sandy (front left) joined us.

We had a cake for our Ed (Roll Out The Barrel) Strecker, and the waitress joined in the fun.

It was shared for dinner and then lunch on Monday.  Congratulations Ed!

I'm not sure if it was the cake that made the chorus line crazy.........

...........whatever it was, it obviously bypassed Mardi!  Maybe she was thinking about what to say when she held court.

A fun time for sure.  Thanks to Maureen for making all of the arrangements, and thanks to Sandy for arranging the cake.

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Today was somewhat anticlimatic.  I headed to the greenhouse to do some weeding and then set out my Oak trees for planting.

Sixteen Oaks will line the back driveway.  In addition, I dug up another six this year, five of which have been replanted, with one spare held back in case we have an expiry.  A banner year - thanks squirrels!

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An awesome last Blue Jays game celebrating Mad Max Scherzer and George Springer, whose contracts have expired.  Two greats that we got to enjoy while they were with the Jays.  Maybe Max will be back.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Every Chile Matters

 Today, Mardi and I put on our Truth and Reconciliation shirts (and my hat) to acknowledge that Every Child Matters and to honour my Oneida daughters.  The painting behind us is by an Oneida artist and it depicts the various native clans

On our most recent trip west, I met a man who was taken from his family at age six and didn't get back together with them until he was thirteen.  Then in his 60's, he was celebrating his recent success at beating his alcohol addiction, caused by his horrible experience.  A very moving meeting for me - one that I shouldn't and won't forget!

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I know that it's a bit early for Indian Summer, but the fall colours of Sumac, Goldenrod, and especially Asters is making me think that way.  

It is both a comforting and relaxing scene.

I cut the lawns today, partly because they needed it, partly because the forecast calls for rain tonight, and partly because my wagon broke down.  A steering wheel came off and I'll need to disassemble the wagon to get it back on.  That's a job for tomorrow.

Elbows up.  Stay well.