Positive, Productive, Profitable Retirement News

Tom (not his real name) tells me he doesn't believe in excuses - as far as he's concerned you accept whatever hand fate deals you and cope with it. But Tom is on the edge and is, at the moment, as frustrated as a dog on a leash with a hydrant in sight.

Tom has been retired for three years now and is attempting to learn how to use the internet as a creative challenge that will also bring in a little extra revenue. (Tom's a poker player and his wife handles the retirement budget)

From his Email I've learned that he has downloaded the the SBI manual I recommended and is working on several website ideas. But Tom feels that things aren't moving along fast enough, that the Site Build It program takes up too much time in the "preparation" stage and that he wants to start building his site.

Having been there and wear the tee shirt, I can tell Tom that is what Ken Evoy the Montreal Doctor who created Site Build It calls - the tortoise approach - slow and steady to win the race. I realize now how important it was to follow the SBI roadmap to the final destination - a website that is competitive with the millions of other websites aimed at the same audience. Another important plus at the beginning stage is the education you receive on how the internet works - you have to take the time and make the effort to study and learn.

I know of many sites, some designed by young professionals, that are all bells and whistles but no substance and nothing that would interest the search engines. But here's an old geezer, with absolutely no computer smarts whatsoever, who is competitive because he followed the SBI step-by-step roadmap. - and as they say, "If that old B......asket can do it - anyone can."

Fight the frustration - any effort you make will not be wasted - with SBI I can tell you there is no wasted effort. You are creating ripples and building a store of experience that will eventually bear fruit. Know that fulfillment will happen through persistence.

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience and faith is what the sea teaches. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Now, with patience and determination - let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 2, 2006 - Retirement humour test

Spent yesterday afternoon analyzing the April visitor report for the home web site - interesting stuff.

My fascination with the internet comes from the fact that here I am, an old retired guy, sitting in his pajamas, in his home in Barrie Ontario Canada while, according to these stats, his efforts are being viewed by folks in United States France, Canada, American Military, Netherlands, Israel, Poland, Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom and Australia.

Another interesting statistic, at least to me, is that following the home page, the next two top "entry pages" are Positive thinking followed by Retirement Humor. - and that's a natural combination because you sure can't have a positive attitude without a sense of humor and that goes double when you hit the "retirement years".

Example and thanks to Jim Hill for sending this -

This is a story of two elderly people living in a mobile home park in Florida. He was a widower and she was a widow. They had known one another for a number of years.
In the evening there was a community supper in the Club House, and the widower and widow made a foursome with two other singles.

hey had a wonderful evening and spirits were high. The widower sent a few admiring glances across the table, and the widow smiled coyly back at him. Finally, he plucked up his courage to ask her, " Will you marry me? "

After about six seconds of careful consideration, she answered, "Yes. Yes, I will. "The meal ended with a few more pleasant exchanges and they went to their respective homes.

The next morning, the widower was troubled. Did she say 'Yes' or did she say 'No'? He couldn't remember. Try as he would, he just could not recall. He went over the conversation of the previous evening, but his mind was blank.. He remembered asking the question, but for the life of him he could not recall her response.

With fear and trepidation, he picked up the phone and called her. First, he explained that he didn't remember as well as he used to. Then he reviewed the lovely evening past. As he gained a little more courage he then inquired of her, " When I asked if you would marry me, did you say 'Yes' or did you say 'No'? "

"Why, you s silly man, I said 'Yes. Yes I will.' And I meant it with all my heart. "

The widower was delighted. He felt his heart skip a beat.

Then she continued, "And I am so glad you called because I couldn't remember who asked me.

A sense of humor is a must for any age - as somebody once said - the first day you begin to really grow up is the first time you take a good long look at yourself in the nude in a full-length mirror....and laugh.

Remember the movie Patch Adams, the story of the American Doctor who used humor for healing? Take this test to see if you have additional laugh protection against heart disease - I love to laugh and consider myself a fairly good joke teller however I failed the test -but then I had a heart attack back in 87.

This laugh heart protection test is from University of Maryland Medical Center - good luck.

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 3, 2006 - Retirees can remember when

How lucky we are to have such a treasure of memories - Lady Bird Johnson

We do not remember days, we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese

One thing about making it to the "retirement years" - we can remember when - and for older Canadians who spend half a year in Florida and other parts of the American south, we can remember when our Loonie (the Canadian dollar) was worth only 60 cents on the US dollar and as a result many retired Canucks had to sell their US winter homes.

It was just last winter, a shop owner in my southern retirement neighborhood was telling me that when the loonie fell like a rock and the snowbirds sold out, he and a couple of other merchants damn near had to close up shop because of the downturn in business.

But look at the loonie today - it's a rocket - breaking through the US 90 cent barrier yesterday and still firing the afterburners.
Remember when the dollar was that high? - Think of the Bee Gees - they were topping the charts with hits like Stayin' alive - How deep is your love - Night fever and the Montreal Canadiens, who lost the game and the playoff series last night to Carolina, defeated the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup - it was 1978.

Now the financial gurus are predicating the loonie will reach par in the fall of 07 and possibly go beyond in 08.
The downside to reaching the age of being able to "remembering when" is that when they predict the future of anything, we automatically start calculating our chances of being around to see it their predictions come true.

A couple of other notes this morning - last month, I was hailing the benefits of XM satellite radio - US edition - with each musical decade given it's own channel - for me that's channels four, five and six. (the 40's, 50's and 60's) But there are other surprises - how about Bob Dylan, who has to be the toughest interview in the business, as a disc jockey. Dylan has signed on for a once a week gig playing material from his personal record collection but the shocker here is he's a talker and an interesting one.

My thanks to Dan Dombroski for sending me this site - Ever wondered how they loaded the Cole on that Norwegian transporter? Quite an innovative engineering solution! If you have sound, turn it up and listen to the music. It may take a few minutes to download.

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 4, 2006 - Internet addiction

" Why is it drug addicts and computer aficionados are both called users?" -- Clifford Stoll, astrophysicist and author

For a few minutes I reacted like an addict.

Woke up this morning, clicked on the TV for my morning news fix - nothing - this can't be good. Quick run into my computer room - no internet. Immediate flashback - reaction just like that day back in 82 - the first day of my first attempt to quit smoking.

Panic call to the cable guy - can't get there until later this afternoon. I just sat there for a while, taking deep breaths while staring at the blank computer screen. Finally my wife, shaking her head and mouthing the word "loser", suggested that maybe I could start working on a few of the items on her "things-that-have-to-be-done-around-the-house" list.

Changed a light bulb, made a trip to the grocery store, (smuggled in not-on-the-list snacks for tonight's hockey game) and started a new book - ten pages in the cable guy shows up - and that's why today's entry is late and short.

"Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks." - unknown

Now let's get creative (Go to URL)

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May 5, 2006 - Seniors and the web - blessing or curse?

There are three kinds of death in this world. There's heart death, there's brain death, and there's being off the network. ~Guy Almes

I see I'm not alone battling web addiction.

Following yesterdays brief entry, the Email response, which included the lists below, can be summarized as - Welcome to the Club.

The strange thing about all this is that I was dragged kicking and screaming into the web world back in the late 80's when the newsroom was computerized - I was very happy pounding on my typewriter with two fingers. For my reference work, I would spend many happy hours at the library - energized by caffeine hits supplied by people who felt sorry for me.

The typewriter, a portable that traveled many miles with me and survived all sorts of mishandling by porters, interpreters, baggage handlers and me, was sold in a garage sale years ago. My library card is in my desk draw and hasn't been used for the past eleven months - any out of home reading today comes during visits to the Starbuck outlet at the local Chapters book store.

Now, my computer is my friend - an exasperating one at times but we manage to coexist. The web is my research center and the coffee is home made.

I may be getting older but the C and W combo keeps me dancing - at lest mentally. If you could bottle the benefits of C&W, you could sell it to seniors as - Viagra for the brain.

10 STEPS FOR WEB ADDICTS

1. I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.
2. I will get dressed before noon
3. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.
4. I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Web.
5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Web-deprived.
6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Web.
7. I will listen to those around me about their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Web.
8. I will not be tempted to check for email during TV commercials.
9. I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Web.
10. Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime and the Web will always be there tomorrow!

You know it's time to turn off your computer when -

• You sign off and your screen says you were on for 3 days and 45 minutes.
• You forgot how to work the TV remote control.
• You meet the mailman at the curb and swear he said YOU'VE GOT MAIL.
• Tech support calls YOU for help
• You sign off and your screen says you were on for 3 days and 45 minutes.
• A friend calls and says, "How are you? Your phones have been busy for a year!"
• You buy a laptop and a cell phone so you can have AOL in your car.

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 6, 2006 - Thank you Margaret Trudeau

In 1971, at age 22, Margaret Trudeau became the youngest First Lady in the world when she married Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Yesterday, at the age of 57she stood before a battery of television cameras in the psychiatric facility at Royal Ottawa Hospital to tell the world she has been suffering from a bipolar disorder since the birth of her second child.

Thousands of us watching the television reports and reading the newspaper accounts of that news conference, can relate to Ms. Trudeau's story and applaud her for coming forth to help dispel the stigma, and to urge others who share her problem to get treatment.

As noted in my retirement journal on the host website during the years just prior to and at the beginning of my retirement, I suffered under the black cloud of depression. Many days I just didn't want to get out of bed and there were many other days when I was overwhelmed with an incapacitating sadness.

It was only after seeking professional help and with the unwavering support of my wife and family, was I able to break the chain of despair and, once again take control of my life.

Ms Trudeau told of how the disease "manifested itself as euphoria; more often it was a crippling despondence. It was an affliction she lived with, often under the glare of public scrutiny, for 25 years".

She said the Prime Minister's residence, "was very lonely, a long tunnel of darkness." Trying to manage her symptoms on her own was "terrifying."

Ms. Trudeau addressed all those who suffer from depression - many of them alone and frightened -

"I am here to day to encourage others who live with mental illness, to tell them that the treatment works, that there is no shame in coming forward for help. If you feel you are being judged, and I certainly always felt that I was being judged, you must ignore the unfair prejudices that society may place on you. ........ I felt I was broken for a long time and now I feel whole. I've worked to bring balance, stability and meaning back into my life........I had no will to live, I had no interest in anything, and now life delights me again. I can't wait to wake up in the morning."

One additional note - The staff of the Mayo Clinic has prepared a self-assessment that can help you understand whether you have some of the symptoms of depression.

Now, lets do some "positive thinking" - (Go to URL)

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May 7, 2006 - Odds and ends and Bing was fed up

While researching for material pertaining to retirement, Positive thinking and other topics covered on the home site, I am detoured on occasion and as a result, uncover interesting bits of information.

Here are a few items I uncovered this past week via the internet and newspapers that have cluttered my den since I-don't-know-when.
Some of this information is entirely useless but attention-grabbing in an odd sort of way. -

• According to the British Medical journal - people who retire at 55 die at almost twice the rate, in the first 10 years after retirement, as those who keep working.
• A 76-year-old man claiming to be a doctor went door-to-door in a Florida neighborhood offering free breast exams, and was charged with sexually assaulting two women who accepted the offer.
• The journal of Political economy estimates that a cure for cancer would be worth 56.4 Trillion to the American Economy.
• the Guardian newspaper reports a study that claims male circumcision cuts the risk of getting HIV by 60%.
• The New Scientist say that the reason squirrels get run over by cars in city streets is because their evolutionary patterning has taught them to run as quickly as possible across open spaces without looking.
• In northern Malaysia Muhamad Noor Che Musa 33 years of age married 104-year-old Wook Kundor - it was his first- hers 21st.
• From National Geographic News - 63% of Americans, 18 to 24, Can't find Iraq on a map. 50% can't find New York State.
• Housewives and donkeys are much the same except that the beasts of burden are better companions, complain less and are more loyal, according to a school textbook used in India's western state of Rajasthan

I came across an interesting site this past week that offered an fascinating insight to one of the great crooners of the 30's, 40's and 50's-

During the summer of 1954 Bing Crosby decided not to continue with a major weekly radio show. He sent a letter to John Scott Trotter dated 9th September 1954 - Crosby was 51 at the time:

'....I of course, John, feel pretty sad about not going back on the radio there this season. I have given many reasons for this decision to many different people, but I feel I can tell you the truth and that you will believe and understand me. John I don't sing anywhere near as good as I used to, and I feel sincerely that it's getting worse. I don't see any purpose in trying to stretch something out that was once acceptable and that now is merely adequate, if that.

I don't know what the reason for this condition is, unless it's apathy. I just don't have the interest in singing. I am not keen about it any more. Songs all sound alike to me and some of them so shoddy and trivial.

I don't mean I didn't sing some cheap songs and bad songs in the old days, but I had such a tremendous interest in singing and was so wrapped up in the work that it didn't matter. I don't know how to diagnose the condition, but it seems to me that possibly this apathy, this lack of desire, when I have to go to a recording session, transmits itself into nervous exhaustion and fatigue.

This must all sound very vague to you, but it's the best I can do, and at least I assure you that 1 am very sincere in what I am trying to describe.

The sycophants that hang about, the press, the photographers, the song publishers and pluggers and the pests of all descriptions that grab me every time I step outside my front door, weary me indescribably.

Succinctly, John, I seem to have had it.

Maybe a year or so away will make me feel differently, and my interest will revive. I certainly hate to see the wonderful organization we have break up, and it gives me a wrench to be an instrument in its dissolution.

I shall never forget all the good years you and I had together, and all the wonderful unselfish things you did for me and my interests.

You had a great deal to put up with at times, and your patience and forbearance was always incredible. You must know how grateful I am to you for everything that you have done. And I don't mean just professionally either......'

The website goes on to say that "Within a month or two however, Bing was persuaded to continue in radio, albeit in a different and cheaper format. On November 22nd 1954 'The Bing Crosby Show' emerged on CBS at 9:00 p.m. preceding Amos 'N Andy. The show was broadcast daily Mondays to Fridays and was of 15 minutes duration with Bing talking about all manner of different subjects and usually including three songs around the dialogue.

The audience rating was 3.1 for 1954-55 which earned the program fourteenth position in the Nielsen ratings. Jack Benny's show was in top position with 5.8. In 1955-56, the audience rating was 2.2 which placed the program in tenth position in the Nielsen ratings of evening programs. Our Miss Brooks (starring Eve Arden) was in top position with 4.3."

The site also has a complete rundown of The Bing Crosby Show dates and songs

Now fast forward from the fifties and lets get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 8, 2006 - Your retirement job market - 694 million people

Regular visitors to the host website and to this Blog know that I am, from personal experience, a believer in having some sort of creative challenge before and during retirement and that a computer and the internet offer one of the best platforms to provide that creative challenge.

When I talk to older, no-computer folks, it's the same response over and over - I'm too old to start learning that stuff - bull dung - I was well into in my sixties when I finally took the time to learn how this C&W combination works and I'm still learning.

Then I ask them - what really interests you? What are your hobbies? What are you truly passionate about? What expertise can you offer the world? When I ask that last one, they usually look at me in bewilderment - the world?

Sidebar: comScore Networks Inc. has introduced a new global survey with an estimate that 694 million people, age 15 or higher, used the internet during March or about 14% adults.
The survey called the comScore World Metrix, estimates that four Asian countries, China, Japan, India and Korea account for nearly 25% of that total. By contrast, the Unites States is at 22% of the world's users. - Don't you think at least 20 - 30 -40 -50 thousand would be interested in what you have to offer?

Anyway, back to my story - the older, no-computer types fear the technology as I once did - too complicated - one guy nay nays with the comment - "hell, I can't even figure out the TV remote."

I tell them their missing the point - they agree that a creative challenge to keep them mentally alert is essential during their retirement years, but they fail to see that the learning experience itself is a creative challenge. Learn basic computer skills first - senior centers have classes or do as I did - grab a how-to book from the library or book store and start at page one.

For sure, building a website or publishing an E-book is not something that happens the day after you get your first computer, but remember that the studying and research that goes into learning how to use the computer is a great way to improve mental alertness.

Now, a final thought to those of you who are reading this and therefore do have a computer - take the next challenging step - study and learn how to use the internet by offering up information you are capable of giving - information that people are willing to pay for - start your research here - just like I did.

Computer and the internet - one of the great strategies for remaining alert as you age - (Go to URL)

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May 9, 2006 - Negative kids and our numbers grow

The other day I was eavesdropping on a group of junior teens while munching down at the neighbourhood fast food joint and while listening I realized that stress isn't just an adult problem.

Their conversation ranged from major problems at home - double that at school - their appearance - and the big one - their boring life - there was nothing positive in any of their exchanges.
I couldn't help but wonder about their future and the prospect of them appreciating life and living life to the fullest.

Obviously at their age not even a flash moment is spent thinking about being were I am now - they have another 20 to 30 years before they will finally realize time is marching on at a quick-march clip. But there is evidence from a host of studies that suggests an upbeat, positive attitude during the early years, could be the key to a long life - young people who have active minds and who are optimistic, were the ones who aged best. On average, they lived 10 years longer than others.

-----------------------------------

Our numbers are growing - According to the Administration on Aging, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the United States is experiencing a dramatic increase in the numbers of people who live to old age.
The increase in seniors is not just limited to the United States; there is also a senior population explosion in many other countries.

In 2000, approximately 605 million people were 60 years or older - By 2050, that number is expected to be close to 2 billion. At that time, seniors will outnumber children 14 and under for the first time in history.

Dr. Herbert Benson, founding president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School points out - " until recently, few people reached age 65. They died from infections, heart attacks and other causes, long before they had a chance to reach old age. You realize that this is really the first generation in the history of the world to get old. We are really at the beginning of understanding aging."

Hey, we're seniors, smart and eager, so lets get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 10, 2006 - Retirement humor with wily old Charlie

Time to clear out the incoming mail that was directed to the retirement humor chapter on the host webksite

Love these quotes:

• "At my age I do what Mark Twain did. I get my daily paper, look at the obituaries page and if I'm not there I carry on as usual." - Patrick Moore.
• "Except for an occasional heart attack I feel as young as I ever did." - Robert Benchley
• "Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous. When I was sixty-five I still had pimples." -George Burns
• "Sex at the age of eighty-four is a wonderful experience. Especially the one in the winter." - Milton Berle

An old man gets on a crowded bus and no one gives him a seat. As the bus shakes, the old man's cane slips on the floor and he falls.
As he gets up, an 8 year old kid, sitting nearby turns to him and says, 'Sir if you put a little rubber thingy on the end of your stick, it wouldn't slip.'
The old man Snaps back, 'Well, Sonny, if your Daddy did the same thing eight years ago, I'd have a bloody seat today!!!'

You realize you're getting old when..... You're cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.

A couple goes out to dinner to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
On the way home, she notices a tear in his eye and asks if he's getting sentimental because they're celebrating 50 wonderful years together.

He replies, "No, I was thinking about the time before we got married. Your father threatened me with a shotgun and said he'd have me thrown in jail for 50 years if I didn't marry you. Tomorrow I would've been a free man!"

Never underestimate a senior like Charlie.
He retired a while back and purchased a modest home near a junior high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and quiet, puttering around on his computer.

That is of course until the school year began. On the first day of school three young boys, full of pent up energy from a full day of school, came down his street.
As they walked down the street they beat rhythmically on every trash can they past.
Day after day, it was the same thing. Beating, clanging and pounding out a rhythm on the cans as they walked down the street.
Poor Charlie just couldn't take it any more.

The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young musicians. As they worked their way down the street, pounding out a tune on the cans, Charlie stopped them and said, "You kids sure are having a lot of fun. I like seeing young people like you, express themselves.
In fact, I used to do the same thing when I was your age. Will you do me a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if you'll promise to come around every day and do your thing." The kids were elated and continued to do a bang up job on the trash cans.

After two days, Charlie greeted the kids again, but this time he had a sad expression on his face.
"This recession's really putting a big dent in my income," he told them. "From now on, I'll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the cans."

The boys were not pleased, but they did accept his offer and continued their afternoon concert. A couple of days later, Sly Charlie approached them again as they drummed their way down the street.
"Look, my Social Security check just isn't stretching as far with the expenses. So I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents a day. Will that be okay?"
"What?! Just a crummy quarter?" the boys exclaimed. "If you think we're going to waste our time, beating these cans around for a quarter, you're nuts! No way, mister. We quit!"

Charlie is obviously the kind of guy who appreciates a creative challenge - (Go to URL)

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May 11, 2006 - Reformat for retirement

I received an e-mail this morning from Bill McKay, an old newsroom buddy and attached was a retirement newsletter written by consultant Dr. Lynda Falkenstein who's theme is - Don't Just Retire: Reformat!

Dr. Falkenstein tells of a successful corporate lawyer , who at the age of 57 lost his bid to buy out a business he had been working with for some time - "

"And, just like that, someone else controlled Buck's life. You can be sure, it wasn't going to happen again. That said, he still had to answer the question, "What the devil to do?" How, at 57, could Buck develop a new career and assure himself there would never be a re-run of what he had just experienced?"

The newsletter goes on to tell how the lawyer "reformatted" his life - "After distilling his greatest strengths, he realized that a next-career exploiting his consulting and facilitation skills would be the ticket he was looking for."

In this case, the lawyer partnered with a progressive new franchise. -but as Dr. Falkenstein points out, the moral of the story - "wanting to shape your own destiny is a signature behaviour of healthy human beings"........... You have wisdom and skills that can help others achieve their goals. The question, then is, what are your own treasures?"

Right on, what are your interests, what are you passionate about? I contend that the C&W combination (computer and internet) may be something you should look at to "reformat" - and don't worry about knowing much about either.

I often wonder about how things might have turned out if I had learned the value of building a creative challenge via the internet when I was 57 instead of 71.

On that day I sent out an appeal to fellow eBayers to help me identify an unusual piece of sterling silver and then received a message from an Englishman vacationing in Greece, I didn't know zip and cared less about web design, HTML, internet marketing, or search engines.
But a casual remark from that vacationing Brit led me to Dr. Ken Evoy, the Montreal medic who created Site Build It and I was hooked - all the tools plus step by step instructions designed, not only for computer incompetents and internet ignoramuses like me but also for the pros who can go their own way - and here we are two websites and working-on-two-more later, charged up, happy and even cashing regular cheques.

But I'm not alone with this discovery and recommendation - check out this story

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 12, 2006 - Who lives or dies?

How old is old when someone has to decide who lives or dies?

That's how my morning started today after reading a front page item in my morning newspaper about a new study just published in the journal "Science", that recommends that the sick and elderly should be the last to be given a flu vaccine in a pandemic.

As it stands at the moment Canada's approach, and I believe it's the same in the United States, the first group to get the needle would be public health and paramedic workers - next, essential service providers - cops, firemen, government leaders and so forth - the third group high risk people like those over 65, with medical conditions, children 6 to 23 months and pregnant women - fourth, healthy adults and the fifth group, children 2 to 18.

The authours of this study use 65 as the dividing line between adult and being "elderly"

Ezekeil Emanuel, a national Institutes of Health ethicist who co authored the paper while agreeing that no one disputes that emergency workers should be vaccinated first added -

"Why should we value someone who's 65 and going to live 15 years more years, compared to a 20 year old who's going to live 60 more years?"

The save-the-most-lives approach is not ethically justifiable in a pandemic. Priority should be given instead to three life principles: saving those who still have a life span ahead of them, who's lives have already been invested in and who can maintain public order in a pandemic. So while a boy of 4 may have more life to live, he has not had the same emotional energy and education invested as a 20 year old embarking on a life of independence and high productivity.

Likewise, the 20 year old has more life to live and productivity to give than a 70 year old."

In response - Judith Wahl, executive director of the advocacy centre for the elderly says - "My first reaction is it doesn't make sense and runs counter to everything we stand for in society. We're not just here for the survival of the fittest."

So there's the topic of discussion for the coffee break at the retirement center this morning.
But to me it's a no-brainer - could you get the needle while your children and grandchildren were watching and waiting - no way, and I would bet the farm that a vote of the elderly would be overwhelmingly in favour of going without or, at the very least, dropping down to group five.

Now some lighter fare - fun thoughts sent by Jim Hill

• Health freaks are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
• All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism
• Why does a slight tax increase cost you 50 bucks and a substantial tax cut saves you 50 cents?
• Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 13, 2006 - Retirement flashbacks - some good, some not so good

Seniors have, what I consider to be one of the perks of growing older - memories - some good, some not so good, some heartbreaking and life changing.

For me, many of these flashbacks come while reading a newspaper or watching television news - example - this morning, In a Toronto Star front page feature, Michelle Shepard and photographer Peter Power reported on their tour of the frontier between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Pakistani's army attempt to hunt down Taliban terrorist.

It was the stories headline that fired-up my memory movie - It read, "You love to Live. We Love to die"
They were quoting a former associate of Osama bin Laden, Khalid Khawaja who told them - "We play only a win-win game and for this reason you cannot win from us. You fight to live; live a comfortable life. We fight to die. You love to live. We love to die."

Immediately, I returned to 1987, I was working at the CBS station in Boston, and as a Canadian, I would be allowed into Iran so I was given an assignment to produce a series of reports on the Iran/Iraq war.

During that tour, my Iranian "minder" assigned by the government to be with us at all times, managed to get us into the "Martyrs Cemetery" in Tehran were funeral processions for those killed in the war arrived three - four at a time during most of the day.

On both sides, the war was considered a Holy Jihad and tens of thousands died willingly.

But the centre of this flashback was when we filmed a funeral of an Iranian airman.
When his mother, on her knees beside the open grave, saw the camera, she struggle to her feet, looked directly into the lens and began to bawl a torrent of words I didn't understand.

I asked our minder what the woman said, - "This is my third son I have buried and they are happy and at peace. Now my fourth and last boy must ready himself so he too can reach paradise."

" You love to Live. We Love to die" - I just don't understand - although I'm far from being a religious scholar, this is not the way of Islam as I understand it - "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression." (The Quran 5:2).

At no point do the basic texts of Islam enjoin terrorism and murder. At no point do they even consider the random slaughter of uninvolved bystanders. - Bernard Lewis in "License to Kill" (1998)

I apologize for this morbid entry to day - but that headline and the Iranian mother are freeze-framed in my thoughts this morning. Like I said about this seniors perk -memories - some good, some not so good, some heartbreaking and life changing,

Let's get back on track - (Go to URL)

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May 14, 2006 - No I can't - Yes you can

" Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy " - Mark Twain

There's a right-on quotation it fits those of us who have retired and looking for some action by creating a home based business - full time or part time.

I found that quote after reading a story about a recently retired man who's hobby during his working years, was working in his garden. Over the years, his neighbours, impressed with his work, would bombard him for ideas and advise on landscaping.

Someone suggested that he should sell his knowledge on the internet and he reacted like many people do - "no, no, I couldn't" - then he listed a series of reasons why - Don't know how do work the internet - don't know how to write - don't know how to ..... and on and on - he never took a moment to look at the possibilities.

Don't ever rush into believing that your experience and skills are worthless.

Remember, the internet is a world populated by billions of individuals who are looking for information - information that maybe you can offered them - for a price.

The "yes-you-can" comes with taking the time to learn - then make your decision and if you're already retired, taking the time should not a problem. The reason I'm pushing this for consideration is from personal experience. I too knew nothing, zip, nada about the workings of the internet, but by taking the time to research, I found it fascinating. Maybe you will or maybe you won't - but take that first step to learn. If you do, you will find that with each turn of the page, ideas start to flow and enthusiasm builds and then "I can't" turns to "I can".

Here's were I started.

"Success in business requires action, courage, and informed risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, who while slow and cautious, only makes progress when it sticks out its neck."

Visit with others who have taken the time to learn - (Go to URL)

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May 15, 2006 - Retirement feedback

Cards on the table - I have no idea how this works - I'm self taught on how to program the software therefore, it may or may not work - a couple of tests seem to have been successful but who knows.

Over time, I would like to expand this Blog and the host website by involving others. So over the next couple of weeks I am attempting to add viewer generated content through comments and discussion.

Take this Blog as an example - after each entry you will see a "comment" link - you can click and respond to that particular entry - offer a topic suggestion - even editorialize on any subject you think retirees would be interested in. Although I'm still in the process of refining this procedure - meaning I still have four more chapters to read in the how-to text book, the basic edition is now up and ready.

Hopefully, folks like you, rather than just reading this and clicking the "next" link, will get involved - help build a community of diverse thoughts and opinions from folks who have been there and done that.

Now, to the Monday morning Email In-box -
I received a viewer response that forwarded a comment about mother's day - too late for this year, but there was a notation at the end of the message directed to those still on the job - a message that those of us, now retired, can attest to - it deals with FAMILY:

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.

But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

Come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed don't you think?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Retirement humor - Thanks to Jim Hill:

Two patients limp into two different Canadian medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.

The first patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.
The second sees his family doctor after waiting a week for an appointment, then waits eighteen weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another month and finally has his surgery scheduled for a year from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?
The first is a Golden Retriever; the second is an elderly man.

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 16, 2006 - Baby Boomeres on the move

I have a retirement travel chapter on the host website that illustrates how your travel experiences can be developed into a positive, productive and profitable retirement job.

While touring the net looking for some travel information for a friend, I came across some stats about how baby boomers are now a major market for tour operators, not only here in North America but all over the world - imagine harnessing that market for yourself via your own website - now there's a creative challenge to pop you out of bed in the morning.

An Australian tour company notes - "As the Baby Boomer represents a large part of our customer demographic, Insight's itineraries that feature Eastern Destinations like Croatia, the Dalmatia Coast, Bulgaria and Romania appeal to their adventuresome spirit".

Also listed in a New Zealand tour brochure, this headline - The Canadian Rockies - A must do on every travelers list, an awesome and breathtaking experience.

According to the notes I jotted down while researching this "baby Boomer travel phenomenon," the green, green grass of England and the United Kingdom still lead the way as most popular travel destination for English speaking tourists.

Take note that Baby Boomers are more adventurous that we senior-seniors. One baby boomer interviewed on a cruise ship heading Antarctica said - "We're on the move - I don't want to settle down in Florida with Jerry Seinfeld's parents."

According to a recent survey by Knowledge Networks published by the AARP -. Nearly eight in 10 baby boomers consider their travel experiences more adventurous than their parents. Passport ownership among senior citizens has grown by 18 percent over the past 20 years, the study found. And the American baby boomer population is spending more than $157 billion a year on travel.

"It's almost beyond comparison (from the past)," says Allen Kay, spokesman for the Travel Industry Association of America. "They have more money than the previous generations to spend. They love to travel more than the previous generations."

What do you know that would interest this vast market? How about near were you live? What vacation destination have you visited that won you over? Even if you can't get back to tour the area again, what you already know plus online research can produce a valuable information source to these wandering boomers.

Let's see how some others are taking advantage of their travel experiences - (Go to URL)

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May 17, 2006 - Teenager inspires senior and drivers from hell

Regular viewers to this Blog or host website know that, well into my 70's, I stumbled into this internet undertaking through an Email communication with someone I have never met.
Once I realized the creative opportunities of the web, I learned a great deal from a Canadian teenager who I have never met.

So, As a follow-up to yesterdays entry concerning the idea of selling your travel knowledge on the internet take a moment to check out her website then return for the rest of the story.

We seniors can learn from this young lady who is now making well over - a thousand dollars a month.

As I do, she give full credit to Site Build It -

"SBI taught me how to work smart. That's more important than working hard. Site Build It! did not build my site... it did not build my business. I did.
But it did help me to work smart. I picked a good theme, thanks to Site Build It!.
I built a Web site, which I could never have even started without it.
Traffic grew, thanks to SBI! leading me through the process of writing my words so that they make both my human visitors and the search engines happy. I had to work to do this, but I could not imagine doing it without Site Build It!.
Site Build It! took away 90% of the "work hard" and let me work smart.

I now have a business that I can grow over the years - a business that is fun. I'll always own my own life.
That, more than money, more than learning about the Web, more than anguilla-beaches, more than learning how to write well, that is the most important thing I've learned from SBI!."

Learn, as I did from a teenager - you are never to old to try new things and I found that the internet can give you that creative opportunity that will - make your life more interesting the longer you live"

Retirement humor contribution - Dan in Florida sent this is in -

How to identify where a driver is from:

• One hand on wheel - one hand on horn:
  CHICAGO.
• One hand on wheel - middle finger out window: NEW YORK
• One hand on wheel - middle finger out window - cutting across all lanes of traffic: NEW JERSEY.
• One hand on wheel - one hand on newspaper - foot solidly on accelerator: BOSTON.
• One hand on wheel - one hand on nonfat double decaf cappuccino - cradling cell phone - brick on accelerator - gun in lap: LOS ANGELES.
• Both hands on wheel - eyes shut - both feet on brake - quivering in terror: From MONTANA, but driving in CALIFORNIA.
• Both hands in air, gesturing - both feet on accelerator - head turned to talk to someone in back seat: ITALY.
• One hand on 12oz double shot latte - one knee on wheel - cradling cell phone - foot on brake - mind on radio game - banging head on steering wheel while stuck in traffic: KENTUCKY.
• Four-wheel drive pick-up truck - shotgun mounted in rear window - beer cans on floor - Prairie Dog tails attached to antenna: WYOMING.

  Two hands gripping wheel - blue hair barely visible above windshield - driving 35 on the Interstate, in the left lane with the left blinker on: FLORIDA

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 18, 2006 - Old? not me

Today's entry will be short and personal - I've been given one hour to post this so there will no interruption in the publishing of this Blog on a daily basis - It's a personal creative challenge I've set for myself.
The family has organized a series of events on my behalf today.

It's my birthday - a confusing day really. I don't feel there should be 78 candles on the cake - not that there will be - but if there was a cake big enough, and all fire safety measures were followed to the letter - I feel the number of candles should be maybe 55 - 60 tops.

I just don't feel 78 - and yes, I feel very blessed to be able to say that.
Of course my appearance has changed since 55 - the additional pounds, the sagging jowls, less hair on top but more on the eyebrows and in the ears, but mentally and in attitude, yup - 55.

This is not say that there aren't times I don't feel "older" - I have twinges of nostalgia on a fairly regular basis that remind me of my age in years - usually it's music or "remember when" conversations.

Last night as an example, I was asked what are some of the more unusual things I miss about the "old days" - front porches was the first thing I thought of.
"Back then" as my kids call it, people would sit out on the front porch after dinner, weather permitting, and the neighbours would walk over to visit - we knew the names of everyone on the block.
There are few front porches today - I have no idea who lives two doors down let alone across the street - a wave of the hand and a short greeting is all the communication we have.

Another remembrance I offered up - "back then", we actually parked our cars in the garage.
Looking down our street today, driveways are mini parking lots and garages are mini warehouses packed with mountains of crap items collected over the years that wouldn't even go for a handshake at a garage sale.

But most times this "older" feeling comes with music. As a write this, the XM Satellite radio, via the internet and my computer, is serenading me with music from the 40's - 50's - I miss the dancing to the big bands - dancing while holding your partner close - even when jivin' you held her hand - today they stand two feet away from each other and gyrate with body damaging abandon - it's a solo effort - no connection with each other.

Right on - I sound old, but I don't feel or think old - I just miss some of the things that used to be.

Received the following via Email from Berni Dini and it's a perfect way to end this -

We all get heavier as we get older because there's a lot more information in our heads. So I'm not fat, I'm just really intelligent and my head couldn't hold any more so it started filling up the rest of me!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 19, 2006 - Silver Surfers - we have a lot to offer

By noting, in yesterdays birthday entry, that I was 78 but feeling 55 - 60 tops - it was brought to my attention that makes me a Goty - getting older, thinking younger.

To be honest, I hadn't heard the term before, but it was created by social and economic analysts who say that many 60-year-olds feel in the prime of life and are "ageing positive".

The English newspaper, the Telegraph, recently ran a story that reported the following:

• Goty's are the biggest and wealthiest consumer group in Britain - they hold 80 per cent of the country's wealth and are courted by politicians and advertisers alike because they have money and influence.
• Forty-nine per cent of them enjoy an active sex life (with 75 per cent still sharing the marital bed), 19 per cent would try online dating,
• 10 per cent would consider plastic surgery and 75 per cent have a positive attitude to life.
• By 2048, more than 50 per cent of the British people will be over 50 and many are escaping traditional retirement for adventure holidays or gap years working abroad - so-called Grown-up gappers.
• Nine in 10 have their own home and 72 per cent have no mortgage.

  But this Goty generation is, apparently a one off - According to Paula Wallace, of the Association of Retired and Persons Over 50 -
  "Now is the golden age of seniors. They have never had it so good and future generations won't have it. As long as people maintain their health, that seems to be the main criterion for happiness. They only start feeling old when they feel really unwell."

  And this group is also making a mark on the labor front. The Telegraph reports that one survey in the UK found: The public generally thought that older tradesmen were more reliable and trustworthy.

• People preferred an over-50s plumber, electrician, builder or decorator.
• Two and a half times more respondents (46 per cent) said they believed someone of this age would do a better job than someone much younger (19 per cent).
• They also thought an older tradesman would have better manners than a younger one, would be more polite and more likely to tidy up.I believe that a similar study here in North America would come up with the same results. Folks value experience and as one expert note, "the survey also suggests that age equates to better manners and a higher level of trust."

  If you can't or don't want to use your experience outside, why not take advantage of what you know inside.

  As noted on host website's page dealing with home based retirement job ideas - sell your knowledge -

  "Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can't retire his experience. He must use it." Bernard M. Baruch

  Now let's get creative by letting your past be your future - (Go to URL)

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May 20, 2006 - Fun and frustration

The following is for folks of all ages......but I think it leans more to the "retirement" side of age bar - and yes, I'm taking the easy way out this morning by simply posting fun material forwarded to me from a couple of Maritime newsroom buddies, Jim and Bill, and Dini a Florida bowling buddy.

First, this one drove me nuts for about a half hour yesterday.... the object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.

If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal - the best I could do was 11 seconds before I powered down, The copy that came with this said the American Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes - American Air Force? Armenian Air Force maybe, hard to believe that Yankee top guns sit around working this red block that likely was created by some 12 year old computer geek. - anyway it's fun to try

Why men are Happier

Men Are Just Happier People -- What do you expect from such simple creatures be they teens or seniors?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.

You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut blisters or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your Own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

Apples and Wine

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Now Men.... Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
Send this to the women who can handle it and to the men who will enjoy reading it.

More fun with additional retirement humour - (Go to URL)

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May 21, 2006 - Senior drivers - retirement humor and something to think about

A real mixed bag of items this morning as I check off three postings I've scribbled in my retirement notebook while cruising the web in search of website material.

I consider myself a good driver - maybe a little to heavy on the metal at times but accident free. (says he knocking on his wood desk). My brother, who is coming up to his 88th, aced his review test - he's off on a motor holiday tour of Eastern Canada next week.

On the other hand, I was nearly T-boned awhile back by a senior-senior who just kept on coming as she blew through a four-way stop intersection. (We assumed she was SS as we could only see a batch of grey hair trimming the steering wheel.)
As it is with any generation - most good, some bad. But when blessed with good mental and physical health, senior seniors can preserve their right to drive by returning to the basics every once in while - take a refresher course.

I spent some time touring the Drive Wise site sponsored by the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and operated by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Transportation - but folks from other jurisdictions are welcome to visit and relearn.

You can view video clips and learn what they call - a drive wise philosophy - one example - "Pick your outings carefully - look at the clock and to avoid driving periods of high density traffic."

For senior groups in Ontario, you can also book a free seminar, conducted by an OPP officer. I would imagine that other Provinces and States offer something similar.
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Retirement Humour - From Dan Dombroski -

Senior Wisdom:

One night an 87 yr old woman came home from Bingo to find her 92 yr old husband in bed with another woman.
She became violent and ended up pushing him off the balcony of their 20th floor assisted living apartment killing him instantly.
Brought before the court on charge of murder, the judge asked her if she had anything to say in her defense.
She began coolly, Yes, Sir, your honor, I figured that at 92, if he could have sex...he could fly !
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Something to remember -

The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed;
The deed develops into habit;
And the habit hardens into character;
So watch the thought and its ways with care,
And let it spring from love Born out of concern for all beings.
As the shadow follows the body,
As we think, we become

From the Dhammapada

Now les get creative and make your life more interesting the longer you live - (Go to URL)

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May 22, 2006 - You're never too old

"To learn what is new is to be ever young." - Aeschylus

Again, I'm faced with yet another - "I'm too old" reply to the suggestions on the host website about using the internet to build a creative retirement job - to use what you know as your "product." This latest doubter is a junior senior - still in his sixties, plus, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to ----------. (Subject withheld in case I can get him to change his mind and start researching for his niche keywords.)

It's a simple fact - we seniors have unused assets that can take us to a level of achievement that many failed to reach during their working years.
Keeping your mind active with what I call - the internet challenge, and offering your expertise to a world wide audience, is a tremendous source of rich enjoyment. The basic learning experience is, in itself, mentally invigorating.

Many I believe, hesitate to even take the time to research the possibilities because of a lack of faith - a lack of faith in themselves.
From the Emails, it appears the excuses come from a common folder. "I'm too old - the old brain doesn't operate the way it used to." - "All that computer and internet techie stuff is beyond me" - that's just a pile of bollywog.

The late Glenn Frank, when President of the University of Wisconsin summed it up this way -

"Diplomas and degrees carry the subtle suggestion that a person's education is finished at a certain age, and they can stop learning and begin to live. But, when all is said and done, learning is a life job. Education is endless. A true education registers men and women at the cradle and graduates them at the grave"

- so don't use "I'm too old" as an excuse.

Laziness is also a factor for some. Well, maybe some additional income can motivate them into action.
Whatever form your creative "internet challenge" may take -website(s) - E-books - video CD & DVD's - the possibility of extra income is the bonus for using your life experiences and imagination creatively.

You have a computer - don't just use it for swapping Emails and family bookkeeping - use it to further your education and to develop a creative challenge to keep your mind nimble and alert.
I've used this quote before - I have it pasted on my computer monitor - The American artist Robert Henri once observed -

"Perhaps mental inactivity is the most fatiguing thing in the world! You'll never get tired of life as long as you let mental activity keep it interesting".

- (Go to URL)

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May 23, 2006 - Great pics

I'm a picture hunter - and here's a trio that captured my interest- the first two because of the unusual circumstances that created such a phenomenon; and the third because of the story behind it.

First, something not many of us get to see, unless you live near there - Mt. St. Helens at sunrise.
Mt. St.. Helens continues to spew ash, while it's forming a lava dome in the crater and still having minor tremors.

In the first picture - a sunrise shot, she appears to be blowing smoke rings (and anything so benign is welcomed, given recent history).
What forms the "smoke rings" is the air flowing over the mountain getting pushed up higher as it goes up and over the top. The moisture content and initial temperature are just right so that the moisture condenses from a vapor to small particles at the higher altitude. When the moving air moves past the peak and comes down again, the particles evaporate back to an invisible vapor

Pictures by Brent and Jan LeBaron.

The story behind the Kiss -

He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire - She is pregnant.

When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.

A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, "The Observer," noticed her in the distance looking at the fireman.

He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do.

As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies and kissed him just as the photographer snapped this photograph -

Have a great day - (Go to URL)

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May 24, 2006 - Did retired snowbirds have passport problems during Lincoln's time?

I doubt that back in the early 1860's anyone retired let alone head south for the winter but hey, I have one - have for decades - so for me, this passport rumpus between Canada and United States is no big shakes.

But when you look at the stats on how this proposed plan could hurt tourism and trade, then obviously it's big shakes to a lot of people on both sides of the border - particularly retired Canuck seniors who are stretching their pensions as it is just to escape the cold blasts of a Canadian winter by heading south - yet another expense.

The Bush administration wants everyone on both sides of the border to have a passport if they want to cross from or into Canada - by next year if coming into the US by air - 2009 if entering by land.
The whole idea is extremely unpopular in both countries.

So, is history repeating itself? Could be - Adam Mayers, author of the book, "Dixie and the Dominion of Canada," in a feature article in the Toronto Star, gives an interesting history lesson on how a similar move was made by President Lincoln just prior to the civil war.
At the time, public opinion in Canada sided with the Confederate states - not that Canadians supported slavery, but with their British/French backgrounds they were just plain anti Yankee.

Mayer writes -

"Just as Bush sees Canada as an indifferent ally in the war on terror, in late 1864 Lincoln felt much the same way.
Annoyed by raids across the frontier by Confederate State agents based in Canada and puzzled by Canadian sympathy for the Southern cause, Lincoln decided to act, ending the laissez-faire attitude towards cross-border traffic that had extended for more than half a century.

Although the law lasted only three months, it stifled trade, created long lines at the border and was condemned in the court of public opinion on both sides of the frontier.

But just as Bush administration's actions have forced Canada to take notice, so did Lincoln's.
Prime Minister John A MacDonald formed a border police and Parliament passed a law aimed at dealing with suspected terrorists."

In those days very few people carried any kind of documentation when crossing the border - today, about 40% of Canadians and about 20% of Americans have passports.

Mayer notes that President Lincoln's law didn't last long -

"Much to everyone's relief the passport laws were lifted at the end of March 1865. With the Civil War nearly over and most members of the confederate mission having fled, the crisis was over."

If and when this new passport law goes through, don't expect it to be as short lived as Lincoln's.

Now for retirees and wannabes - let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 25, 2006 - Retired detectives and get invovled even if you are retired

I can't get the darn ditty out of my mind - been singing and humming the thing all day -

It's alright, It's Ok
doesn't really matter if your old and grey
It's OK, listen to what I say
It's alright, doin' fine
doesn't really matter if the sun don't shine.
It's all right, It's OK,
gettin' to the end of the day.

That's the first verse of the theme song to BBC TV series - "New Tricks" about a bizarre group of older detectives, who had a reputation of not going by the book when they were on the job. Against his better judgment, the Chief Inspector brings them out of retirement to form a "cold case" squad - great show.

Anyway, love that theme song - to me it's the theme song for all seniors - like these TV detectives - we seniors may act a tad strange on occasion - when you pass the 65 mark people say your just an old eccentric - strange but harmless.
We may have grey hair or no hair at all and we may not be able to outrun the young un's but we have experience and the smarts to work wonders when we get involved in some creative challenge.

There's an interesting book - "The Laws of Lifetime Growth, by Catherine Nomura and Dan Sullivan, that offers some guidelines that should be followed by folks of all ages - but I suggest the list is of particular importance to those about to retire and those already retired. (It's never too late.)

• Make your future bigger than your past.
• Make your learning greater than your experience.
• Make your confidence greater than your comfort.
• Make your purpose greater than your money.
• Make you enjoyment bigger than your effort.
• Make your performance greater than your applause.

It's all right, it's OK, doesn't really matter if your old and grey - get back in action - Make your future bigger than your past. - here's some ideas - (Go to URL)

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May 26, 2006 - Retirement humor and Letterman's top ten list

My thanks to retiree Jim Hill for sending these -

It had to be a senior who came up with this idea - a win win win situation.

Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border, take the dirt and raise the levies in New Orleans and put the Florida alligators in the moat.
Any other problems you would like for me to solve today ?

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A wealthy lady, recently retired, decides to go on a photo safari in Africa , taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company.
One day, the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that she's lost.
Wandering about, she notices a leopard heading rapidly in her direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep trouble now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, she immediately settles down to chew on the bones with her back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid- strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!" Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard.

The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!" Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with her back to her attackers, pretending she hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says: "Where's that monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!"

Moral of this story -

Don't mess with old folks...age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill!
Baloney and brilliance only come with age and experience!
If you don't send this to five old friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.

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Paul Shaffer, a Canadian and David Letterman's band leader, will be inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. To mark the occasion, Letterman came up with a top ten list - Perks of being inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

• 10: "Signed photo of Canada's favourite son, Alan Thicke."
• 9: "Wayne Gretsky's wife handles all your betting needs."
• 8:"Get name engraved on walk that's covered with snow 300 days of the year."
• 7: "All the antifreeze you can drink."
• 6: Immortalized alongside such household names as Murray McLauchlan and Walter Ostanek."
• 5: "Box seats to all Expos games."
• 4: "Every year on your birthday, Gordie Howe shows up and knocks you on your ass."
• 3: ""Let's see, a celebration in Canada? Yeah, I think you might be able to get a beer or two."
• 2: "free haircuts for a year."
• 1: "Hotel sends up a hooker and five litres of maple syrup."

For more Blog retirement humor click on the category link below or visit the fun stuff on the home website - (Go to URL)

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May 29, 2006 - Retirement time off and other things

Two days off - call it time management.
Since starting this retirement journal some five months ago I set a personal goal of trying to post an entry every day and except for two short holiday breaks, I've been able to maintain that schedule.
But now I'm off on another computer/internet adventure and for me, it's tough slugging - as I have explained before, when it comes to computer techie stuff I'm not the brightest bulb on the light stand.

So, surrounded by a varied collection of "how-to" books and fueled by an unending supply of Tim Horton's coffee, Saturdays and Sundays are now my "study" days.

Now to the business at hand - a word of warning to all computer users but particularly seniors who, like me, are new to the internet.
Ben Edelman, a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard University, warns, that some results you get from search engines can give you a major techie-headache by messing up your computer.

Mr. Edelman has just completed a study that was sponsored by McAfee Software that found up to 72% of the websites returned on certain high-risk search engine terms can take you just a click away from serious computer damage.

"The core problem is that there are a bunch of bad guys out there who seek to make money by cluttering up users' computers with junk, whether it's the whole computer, email inboxes, or by scamming users, getting them to provide credit card numbers."

The search engines aren't dangerous - it's the websites they list. As Edelman points out, exploration is the whole point of the internet and that means clicking into the unknown but he urges everyone to be an informed and sophisticated internet explorer.

This study list some of the more dangerous search keywords such as -"screensavers" and "smilies" - free music downloads can be risky - other trouble bearing keywords - Peer-to-peer music sharing, free music, MP3 download, download music.

Anyway, while exploring the internet this past week - some items that caught my interest - .

• Women who sleep five hours or less a night are 15% more likely to become obese than those who sleep at least seven hours. - BBC Health
• Like this one - Etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige tells new parents it's a bad idea to Email more than two pictures of their new born to friends - one pic is perfect. She gives an exception to this rule - grandparents - to them Email as many as you have.
• Dr. Charles Gerba says the typical office desk has 400 times the bacteria of the typical toilet - if that's true, mine may well start an epidemic.
• I can't remember the site I got this line from - I jotted it down because it fit the moment - I was touring the web while listening to XM satellite radio's music from the 40"s - "Live for the moment but reflect on the past through music memories."

  Now let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 30, 2006 - Builing a retirement community on the internet

I am venturing forth on behalf of all retired people and this is truly uncharted territory from me.
I've entered an internet world inhabited by young people - as far as I can see, I may well be the oldest in a population that's numbered at 56 million.

I have set up a profile in MYSPACE. a social networking site that is, as of February 2006, the world's sixth most visited English website.

You are supposed to invite your friends to sign in on your profile, then they invite their friends and so on and you'll all be connected - but the problem is, I haven't figured out how you sign up on my profile - if you get through please Email your experience

Find me on MySpace

It's called "community building and folks exchange photos, blogs, and messages and you can join groups that center on a particular subject - plenty of subjects - but my search produced only blank pages when I used such search keywords as "retirement" and "Seniors"

So I figured that if the young ones can have this exchange community why not seniors - but you have to be a member for seven days before you can suggest a new category so I'll keep you informed - maybe we can build something here.

In the meantime the "young ones" are uploading some interesting material - some of it a tad strange but there are some interesting bits particularly in the video section. Many upload fun clips from TV shows = example, this one I liked - How many of these moves can you still get away with?

Now, let's get creative - (Go to URL)

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May 31, 2006 - Retirement networking and medical facts

Some fun first.

As a follow-up to my suggestion in yesterday's post about the possibility of establishing a retirement networking center using a community site populated by young people, I received the following cartoon in response - I just had to share it with you.

I made a promise to myself when I started this weekday journal, not to editorialize on topics not related to aging and retirement - I'm going to break that promise - It's about time Canadians, especially senior Canadians stop bitching about the country's health system - we have it a hell of lot better than most.

Please allow me to explain.
About three weeks ago while waiting for a prescription at my neighbourhood drug store, a senior, after paying his $6.11 senior citizen fee for $226.00 of pills, started to tell everyone within a fifty foot radius, how the health system was going to hell in a hand basket - Doctors were nothing but money grabbing con artists and how he had to wait more than an hour at the Emergency room when he sprained his ankle.

The fact is my home town is blessed with a great hospital, staffed by experienced, caring professionals and, I know through experience, that their ER works on a strict case priority basis and I would think a sprained ankle doesn't even rank in the top fifty.

Anyway, in this mornings newspaper the headline - Canadians get more bang for the health buck - new AMERICAN STUDY.

Dr. Davis Himmelstein of Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance says -

"We pay almost twice what Canada does for care, more than $6,000(US) for every American, yet Canadians are healthier and live two to three years longer." He continues - "Our data clearly shows that for any given level of expenditure, you get far more and far better care from a Canadian method of going about financing it (health care) than from the U.S. method. You (in Canada) spend at a very low level and get very good value for care."

Though many Canadians report having trouble finding a family doctor, the survey suggests Americans have a bigger problem on this front. Nearly 85 per cent of Canadians reported having a family doctor, versus just under 80 per cent in the U.S.
And only 5.1 per cent of Canadians reported being unable to pay for needed medication; the rate in the U.S. was virtually double.

Overall, 13.2 per cent of Americans said they had unmet health needs, compared to 10.7 per cent of Canadians. Himmelstein said the Canadian problem related to waiting times for care, but in the U.S. it was inability to get care at all because of cost barriers.

The study was published yesterday in the American Journal of Public Health.

Now let's have a mental workout and get creative - (Go to URL)

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