Positive, Productive, Profitable Retirement News

Retirement News Home : September 2007

September 3, 2007 - Good Bye Summer - Belching Moose and Other Stuff

Labour Day already - I don't know how it is with you, but to me, it seems as if this summer has zipped past faster than a horny gazelle.
Of course, at my age, time moves at the speed of a runaway train anyway, but, for some reason, this summer has been particularly short.
I always felt summer was over on labour day even though, officially, we have several weeks of "official" summer left - heck, the temperature here in my town moves back in the high 80's this week.
While on the subject of labour day - did you know that the idea of this holiday, started in Canada and the United States in 1894, has its origins in a parade in Toronto.
Back in 1872, during a printer's revolt in Toronto, parades were organized to support the workers who were demanding shorter work hours.
Taking note of the Toronto demonstration, US labour leader Peter J. McGuire and the Knights of Labour organized similar events in New York in 1882 - and the labour day holiday was born.
Labour Day Trivia:
Match these working songs with the artist who has the hit:
(A)Working for the Weekend
(B)Working in the Coal Mine
(C)Workin' at the Car Wash Blues
(D)Take This Job and Shove It.
1: Jim Croce - 2:Johnny Paycheck - 3:Lover Boy - 4: Leo Dorsey
Answers at the bottom of this entry.
With our clan, the labour day holiday weekend means family barbeques - and although I should have listed this in the new interactive recipe sharing page on the home web site, here's a White Bar-B-Que Sauce recipe I favour - I have no idea, who to credit for this, I think I ripped it from a magazine - but it's a goodie:
6 tb Mayonnaise
3 tb Honey
1 ts Salt
1 ts Black pepper
2 tb Lemon juice
3 tb White wine vinegar
Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Brush on chicken near the end on broiling or baking - Makes 1 serving.
By the way, if you do have a recipe to share - it would be appreciated if you could help build our recipe sharing chapter
----------------------------------------------
With the outstanding summer weather in our parts this labour day weekend, our beaches a crowed - but not congested like this beach - I don't where this coast line is located but - would you want to?

----------------------------------------------
From my weekend web wanderings I discovered the following bit of alarming pollution news - it's not just our factories, cars and coal powered generators we have to worry about - now we have to be concerned about our..........Moose.
It was reported on national public radio in the States, that Norwegian researchers say single moose can belch up to 952 kilograms of carbon dioxide a year in the form of methane gas - and you thought you had a problem.
The researchers noted that with the 140,000 moose in Norway, this could make a significant contribution to pollution - well, hello - if that be true, we Canadians, Russians and citizens of the northern States its no wonder our eyes are smarting - we have a hell of a lot more belching moose than Norway.
Here's the latest moose stats - across the globe it's been estimated that there are 2 million moose with the highest numbers in Canada, Russia, United States and Sweden.
According to population estimates in the late 1990's:
830,000 Canadian moose
435,000 Russian moose
255,000 American moose
200,000 Swedish moose
140,000 Norwegian moose
90,000 Finnish moose
Now we could figure out how to pipe a moose we would have a new energy source.
----------------------------------------------
Thanks to retired buddy Dan Dombroski for today's kicker:
A retired couple was asleep when the phone rang at 2 in the morning.
The wife picked up the phone, listened a moment and said, "How should I know, that's 200 miles from here!" and hung up.
The husband said, "Who was that?"The wife said, "I don't know! It was some woman wanting to know if the coast is clear."
One More:
Two elderly ladies, rocking in their chairs on the retirement home veranda were discussing current events and Ethel starting bragging about how she always kept up-to-date on what was going on in the world.
Her friend decided to test that claim:"OK, what is Roe vs. Wade all about."
Ethel pondered the question for a minute, then finally said, "That was the decision George Washington had to make before he crossed the Delaware "
----------------------------------------------
Answers to Labour Day trivia:
A: Lover Boy B: Leo Dorsey C: Jim Croce D: Johnny Paycheck
Don't forget to post that recipe - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 6, 2007 - No Retirement for Tony - A Wonderful Story - Are You Happy?

Tony Bennett helped convince the lady she should marry me.
Back in 1951 - 52 - I was a triple threat at the 250 watt radio station in Barrie - programme director - play by play hockey announcer and early morning DJ.
During that time I was trying to convince this beautiful, slim and shapely young lady to marry me - she was extremely hesitant. So, every other morning around 8.10, when I knew she would be getting ready to leave for work, I would play Bennett's "Because of You" - his first big hit.
I like to believe that move was a big factor in helping her make up her mind in my favour - when I tell that story to grandkids it always gets an "AAHHHH" response.
Bennett is now 81 years old and far from retirement - a new book will be out shortly, two new albums, an ambitious concert tour (he appeared at our local casino a few weeks ago) and his paintings are selling fast and showing up in world class museums, including the Smithsonian.
Check out this quote: When asked if he plans to retire now that he's in his 80"s, Bennett replied:
"As George Burns said - retire to what? You should do what you really like to do, love to do, and then just keep going forward.
The more you keep learning, the more life becomes important and it makes you live longer."
Keep that in mind folks - have a positive, creative challenge to keep your engines running smoothly.
A positive approach to life is the main fuel and that brings me to asking for another favour from readers of this Blog.
I've just made the Positive Thinking chapter on the home website, interactive - you can build your own webpage and share your positive, life changing experiences and help motivate others. - You can comment on positive thinking, - creative visualization - Affirmations and quotations, - handling stress and a wide range of other positive life alerting subjects.
-----------------------------------------
And while on the subject of things positive - check out this slide show that was forwarded by retired buddy Jim Hill - Two great talents - one heart warming story - turn up your sound. Opens a new window.
This is a PowerPoint Presentation - if you haven't a viewer on your computer - click here for a FREE copy.
I almost forgot - mark next Wednesday, September 12th - Clint Eastwood has produced a documentary on Tony Bennett - "Tony Bennett - the Music Never Ends" - it debuts on American Masters on PBS - critics are raving.
-----------------------------------------
All things considered, I would say that if I was a country I would be about an 8.5 on the happiness scale - that would put me up there with the Danes, but above the Canadian and American average.
In case you didn't catch it - a European academic by the name of Ruut Veenhoven, has developed a World Database of Happiness - started in 99 and now lists 95 countries in his intricately crafted tables.
In a recent interview with my old TV network, CTV - Veenhoven said his work is motivated by a desire to promote happiness - and that can't be a bad thing.
Ask for his definition of happiness, Veenhoven answered - "My definition of happiness is how much you like the life you live" - and he asks that question through anonymous questionnaires and he's come up with some interesting facts.
All these countries in the top are Western and they're rich - they're democratic, and they have a lot of gender equality and are fairly tolerant. However, in Saudi Arabia, they're very rich but choice is rather limited and as a result, people are less happy than equally rich countries
Individualistic cultures, such as Canada, bring about more satisfaction than collectivistic cultures, such as Japan.
Veenhoven said "Freedom of choice is particularly relevant. If we get stuck in a way of life that makes us unhappy and then we have a way out, we can leave an unhappy marriage. Divorce is no fun but you can get out. And you can also leave unsatisfying jobs. In collectivistic cultures, it's less possible."
Spirituality can lead to happiness, though again, it's not a hard and fast rule. Veenhoven found that nations in which citizens are religious are typically slightly happier. For example, previous research in the U.S. has shown that religious individuals are happier than non-religious individuals.
Adequate social programs, for example, lead to happiness, though not absolutely. Veenhoven found that citizens are no more satisfied in welfare states than in purer free-market economies
TOP NATIONS:
DENMARK 8.2 (rank 1)
SWITZERLAND 8.1 (tied, rank 2-3)
COLOMBIA 8,1 (rank 2-3)
AUSTRIA 8.,0 (rank 4)
ICELAND 7.8 (rank 5)
FINLAND 7.7 (tied, rank 6-8)
AUSTRALIA 7.7 (rank 6-8)
SWEDEN 7.7 (rank 6-8)
CANADA 7.6 (tied, rank 9-14)
GUATEMALA 7.6 (rank 9-14)
IRELAND 7.6 (rank 9-14)
LUXEMBOURG 7.6 (rank 9-14)
MEXICO 7.6 (rank 9-14)
NORWAY 7.6 (rank 9-14)
(The U.S.A. has a rating of 7.4, with an overall rank of 17)
Bottom two nations - ZIMBABWE 3.3 (rank 94) - TANZANIA 3.2 (rank 95)
-----------------------------------------
Retirement Thoughts on Exercising:
Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.
The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what the hell I'm doing.
If you are going to try cross country skiing, start with a small country.
Picture of day:
-----------------------------------------
An elderly woman and a retired man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning; it's a bad one.
Both of their cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of them are hurt.
After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.
The woman says, "So, you're a man. That's interesting I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days".
Flattered, the man replies, "Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God - but you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive."
The woman continues, "And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune."
She hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.
The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.
The man asks, "Aren't you having any?"
The woman replies, "No. I think I'll just wait for the police...."
MORAL OF THE STORY: No matter what their age, women are clever, evil bitches. Don't mess with them!
Have a great weekend and don't forget to build your own positive thinking webpage here - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 10, 2007 - A good Laugh - The Benefits of Ginger - Weekend Web Wanderings

I'm starting today's entry the way I started my morning - by watching a video - There's nothing like a good laugh to get your day off to a happy start - and that's what happened when I opened the Email from retired buddy Jim Hill that had this video attached.
The quality , unfortunately, is poor, but that doesn't take away from the material - this is from the Tonight show with Jay Leno.
A lady from Arkadelphia, Arkansas gave CPR to a chicken - Keep your eye on the other guest Terry Bradshaw - turn your sound up (Opens new window)
-----------------------------------------------
According to Ellen Michaud, the authour of the book - "The Healing Kitchen" - ginger can help ease all kinds of misery such as helping to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness or after surgery or chemotherapy - improve digestion and treat heartburn, bloating and gas - treat high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) treat colds, cough, and the flu treat vertigo.
OK, that's the good news - now comes the small print - before going on a ginger regimen, check with your Doctor if you have a bleeding disorder - diabetes - heart disease - high or low blood pressure.
The reason I bring this up is because my weekend web wanderings uncovered a recipe for one of my favourite soft drinks - ginger ale - and unless you were slurping down a cask a day - there's no reason to ask for the Doc's permission.
Drinking ginger ale takes me back some 75 years for one of the few early childhood memories still available to me - staying with Grandma who lived on the top floor of a duplex that also housed my uncle Goddard in the bottom unit.
Unc and I would be busy building a wooden fort in the back yard and Nan would lower bottles of ginger ale on a rope - back then ginger ale came in thick, brown, short-necked bottles - Nan would keep them packed in ice for days so they would be artic cold when I arrived - that was real ginger ale - the kind that damn near burnt your throat going down - haven't found anything close since.
So I'm going to give this a shot - Here's Michaud's ginger ale recipe:
4 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
2 cups water
4 teaspoons honey
2 cups seltzer water
Lemon slices
Ice
Finely chop or shred ginger in a food processor or with a hand grater. Boil water and add the ginger to it. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain.
Add honey. (More can be added to taste.)
Allow mixture to reach room temperature. Pour 1/2 cup in a glass.
Add seltzer, a lemon slice, and ice. Stir and serve.
Any leftover drink must be refrigerated or the mixture will begin to ferment and you'll have ginger beer! Makes 4 servings.

-----------------------------------------------
And while on the subject of weekend web wanderings - according to brownielocks.com April 15th was National Husband Appreciation Day - you could have fooled me or maybe I was unconscious all day.
However, husbands of the world I offer this ALERT according to this website, this Saturday, September 15th is - Wife Appreciation Day
Few may have heard about it - but don't take the risk - besides, if your wife didn't know about it you get double brownie points for bringing it to her attention with a gift and a kiss - remember the old Jack Jones song - Lollipops and Roses?.
From another website I learned that less than 2% of the world's population has naturally red hair - some experts predict that redheads could be extinct within the next 100 years.
And finally another visit to one of my favourite websites - the BBC - this section allows you to test your ability of handle emergency medial situations - This could be a lifesaver - open new window - I failed in all but one.
-----------------------------------------------
My thanks to retired Florida neighbour Dan Dombroski for today's kicker.
GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)
To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students...here is something to make you chuckle.
Whenever your children or grandchildren are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to his own children
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve - we have forbidden fruit!!!!!"
"No Way!"
"Yes way!"
Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.
"Why"
"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants.
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked! "Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?"God asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?" said the Father.
"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it!" Adam said
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"DID NOT!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.
Thus, the pattern was set and never changed.
BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself.
If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?
Have a great day and remember to work on you creative and profitable retirement job - start here - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 13, 2007 - By the Numbers - Turning Negatives to Positives - Retirement Humour

Yesterday seemed to be stats day in Canada and the United States, as census reports and population studies were featured on nightly newscasts in both countries - the info offered up more material for us old timers so we can bore people out of their minds with our "when I was a boy" comparisons.
A few of the interesting bits - if your thinking of a retirement job -cross "wedding planner" off your list.
Statistics Canada reports The number of married-couple families -- heterosexual and homosexual -- increased by only 3.5 percent in the five years between while common-law couples increased 18.9 percent.
Also, they found that the kids are staying home longer - more than four in 10 Canadians in their 20s were living at home, compared to just over three in 10 two decades earlier.
The U.S census reported yesterday life expectancy at birth inched up to 77.9 from the previous record, 77.8, recorded for 2004.
The increase was more dramatic in contrast with 1995, when life expectancy was 75.8, and 1955, when it was 69.6.
And check this - life expectancy for women continues to be five years longer than for men.
If you want to see the full report - here's the clip I watched last night on ABC news - opens new window
But here are some stats that I found interesting - a recent survey discovered that 22 per cent of Canadians, both male and female, admitted to secret spending.
Women can be secretive when it comes to costly retail purchases, with 32 per cent hiding clothes and 14 per cent concealing beauty products and treatments - among men, 13 per cent opt to hide electronics, 9 per cent conceal clothes and 5 per cent squirrel away booze.
That's no big whoops - husbands or co-couplers in today's world - wouldn't know if their partners clothes were old or smuggled new - "Hi dear - is that a new Blouse?" - "Oh, you mean this old thing?" - we nod and move on.
I can understand a guy smuggling electronics - that's not usually in the family budget. I admit I was nabbed awhile back - tried to sneak in some new software for my computer - like an idiot, I left the receipt in the pocket of a shirt I tossed into the laundry hamper - that was quite a discussion.
But here's the stat that just floored me - 6% of Canadian guys try to keep vehicle purchases secret - how the hell do you hide a car?
It must be some sort of "car mistress" thing - keeping a option loaded Lexus stashed in an upscale condo garage.
Imagine the guy locking the Lexus on a Friday night and while stroking the hood, whispering - "OK baby I won't be seeing you for a few days - you know the rules - I have to spend the weekend driving the family Civic - but I promise, we'll get together again sometime next week."
According to this survey, which is considered accurate within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 - at 6% that means nearly two million Canadians are having a secret car affair.
Can you image the private-eye submitting his report: "We know now what your husband has been doing all the nights he called you to say he was working late at the office - I can tell you she's gorgeous - sleek, built for speed and moves in a fast crowd - her name is............Lucy Lexus.
---------------------------------------------
While on the subject of marriage or co-coupling or whatever - did you hear about the retired couple who attended a marriage seminar that dealt with communication - they listened to the instructor - "It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes."
He looked at the Husband asked - "'Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"
T he old retired guy leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, " It's Pillsbury, isn't it?"
-------------------------------------------
Or the retired couple who were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning flight to join some buddies on a fishing trip.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper - 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM .' - He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight - furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM . Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
---------------------------------------------
Julie Chipman wrote an interesting piece in the Post Journal - a Jamestown New York newspaper under the headline - Is It Time For An Attitude Adjustment?
Mz Chipman writes -
"The difference between a positive and negative attitude is not just limited to how a person thinks. It snowballs into how individuals feel, how they interpret events, how they react to and interact with others and, as a result, how others perceive them.
Thinking patterns and attitudes develop over time and become habitual and automatic. Because the process is so automatic, a person gets the impression that an event causes a reaction.
In reality, it is the thoughts about the event that cause the reaction. Individuals can create a lot of grief for themselves when their habitual pattern of thinking is full of negativity."
As we all realize, breaking unhealthy habits is not an easy task - it takes a great deal of hard work but the end results are amazing.
In her article, Mz. Chipman offers the following behavioral changes that can help with the development of a more positive attitude
Use humor to soften the impact of the encountered problems. Laughter changes the chemicals in the brain encouraging more optimistic feelings.
Focus on and invest more time in the positives in life such as people, situations, events and activities where good feelings are experienced.
Get rid of life's clutter - whether it be those unused, nonessential possessions or the multiple commitments or involvements, simplify life.
Stay busy with necessary tasks. Set goals for and keep focused on them until they are achieved.
Exercise. This is another activity that has an immediate benefit of boosting those mood-enhancing brain chemicals and also the longer-term benefit of providing overall better health.
Refuse to assume responsibility for other people's problems.
Limit involvement in the negative drama of others.
Use spiritual resources.
Engage in a special hobby on a regular basis. Recreation is an important part of effective stress management.
Share a positive attitude to others - that is, do something nice for someone else.
Take care of yourself, not only your physical health but also becoming content with who you are and how you appear to others. Work on feeling good about yourself.
Visualize positive outcomes. Get as much detail in mind's eye until it ''feels'' real.
Here's more "negative to positive" ideas.
---------------------------------------------
My thanks to retired buddy Jim Hill for today's kicker:
Down East Logic I hope you have a lawn mower...
To Newfoundland fishermen, Jim and Bob, are sitting at their favorite bar, drinking beer.
Jim turns to Bob and says, "You know, I'm tired of going through life without an education. Tomorrow I think I'll go to the community college and sign up for some classes."
Bob agrees that it's a good idea, and the two leave.
The next day, Jim goes down to the college and meets the Dean of Admissions, who signs him up for the four basic classes: Math, English, History, and Logic.
"Logic?" Jim says. "What's that?"
The Dean says, "I'll show you - do you own a lawn mower?"
"Yeah."
"Then logically speaking, because you own a lawn mower, I think that you would have a yard."
"That's true, I do have a yard."
"I'm not done," the Dean says. "Because you have a yard, I think logically that you would have a house."
"Yes, I do have a house"
"And because you have a house, I think that you might logically have a family."
"I have a family."
"I'm not done yet. Because you have a family, then logically you must have a wife."
"Yes, I do have a wife."
"And because you have a wife, then logic tells me you must be heterosexual."
"I am a heterosexual. That's amazing, you were able to find out all of that because I have a lawn mower!"
Excited to take the class now, Jim shakes the Dean's hand and leaves to go meet Bob at the bar.
He tells Bob about his classes, how he is signed up for Math, English, History, and Logic.
"Logic?" Bob says, "What's that?"
Jim says, "I'll show you. Do you have a lawn mower?
"No."
"Then you're gay."
Have a great weekend - don't forget to work on your creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 17, 2007 - 80 Ain't Old - Aging Ears - Brownies Are 100 - Investment Possibilities

Yesterday, on the CBS news magazine "Sunday Morning," correspondent Tracy Smith interviewed a group of 80 plus year olds to learn that turning 80 ain't no big deal and it can even be a hoot.
Guests included Entertainer Elaine Stritch, Ben Bradlee of the Washington Post, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, TV Producer Norman Lear, and Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy empire, who by the way, was still in his pajamas and, for a time, was surrounded by three young ladies whose combined ages would likely be a couple of decades short of his - (the wife muttered a "that's disgusting" comment to which I naturally agreed.)
Anyway, all the interviewees pointed out that turning 80 is not the same thing as being old.
When asked their secret, it was interesting to note it all came down to three main points:
Maintain a sense of humour
Keep active physically
Keep learning and accept new challenges - hello there creative retirement jobs.
Listening to each of them answer the same questions it was obvious they have reached an age were past life-living experiences has molded a maturity that allows them to keep an emotional even keel - a skill to cope with whatever is thrown at them.
Which leads me to what my wife calls - my selective hearing - her accusation that I hear only what I want to hear - my rebuttal - "you mumble"
But aging ears can be a problem and my weekend web wanderings uncovered a recent study that showed that a group of men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 helped put the brakes on hearing loss by taking 800 micrograms of folic acid daily for 3 years.
But take note - there are two important caveats for these findings - the research took place in a country where foods are not regularly fortified with folic acid, and the benefit to hearing was observed with only low frequency sounds.
Here in our world many products are fortified with folic acid - breads - cereals - pasta so we probably get at least a few hundred micrograms from our regular diet. But according to RealAge.com the Optimum dose should be around 700 micrograms per day - stay below 1,000 micrograms per day, especially if you're over 65.
Here's some folic acid products that may catch your fancy - Oranges, one medium, 40 mcg - Asparagus, 1/2 cup 190 mcg - Artichokes, one large 150 mcg - Brussels sprouts, four large 130 mcg - Black-eyed peas, 1/2 cup 100 mcg - Sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup 80 mcg - Lima beans, fresh or frozen, 1/2 cup 75 mcg - Soybeans, 1/2 cup - 70 mcg - Avocados, one half 60 mcg - Spinach, fresh or frozen, 1/2 cup 60 mcg - Broccoli, fresh or frozen, 1/2 cup 50 mcg - Banana, one medium 45 mcg.
-----------------------------------------------
My thanks to retired buddies, Craig and Cathy Olsson for these pictures - why I like kids
Here's another bit if trivia I picked up during my weekend web wanderings - Happy Birthday to one of all time favourite snacks - The Brownie - one hundred years old this month.
My son-in-law Paul bakes the greatest brownies this side of Betty Crocker - loaded with thick chocolate icing - guaranteed to clog any Lipitor cleared artery.
As a TV movie snack supplement, I like to combine my brownies with pop corn - one bite of brownie with a four finger grab of popcorn - but only when the wife is visiting relatives.
For the full story - click here for the news report - opens new window.
-----------------------------------------------
Thanks to daughter-in-law Julie for the following tips for investing those big bucks this year
Maybe I shouldn't give you some of these, but here goes: Investment tips for 2007 for all of you with any money left - be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks.
Watch for these consolidations in 2007.
Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R.Grace Co. Will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.
3M will merge with Goodyear and become:
MMMGood.
Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa.
FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.
Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become:
Fairwell Honeychild.
Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become:
Poupon Pants.
Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!
And finally ..
Victoria 's Secret and Smith & Wesson will merge under the new name:
Titty Titty Bang Bang
OH YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO FORWARD THIS ONE...........
Now let's start researching your creative retirement job - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 20, 2007 - Hawkeye's philosophy - Grandparent and Grandchildren - Web Wandersings

"I think it's better to treat life as an improvisation than a script that you're playing out." - so said actor Alan Alda in an interview with the Toronto Star's Richard Ouzounian.
Alda was visiting the big smoke to my south to promote his new book - "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself."
Great title - but 71 year old Alda has some interesting observations on how he thinks life should be lived in order to get the most of the time given to us.
He likes to quote physicist Richard Feynman, who Alda played in a stage drama QED - ""When Feynman was about to die of cancer, he said to his doctor, "Don't give me an anesthetic, because if I'm going to die, I want to be there when I do." - he wanted to experience even that last moment as a moment he never would have experienced before."
And Alda puts forth another reason for us to grab life by the buskus.
"Marcus Aurelius said it first, when he wrote: "All we have is now" - but scientists have told me that 'now' is only five seconds long. Everything else is a memory or thinking of the future. If I'm driving in the car when my wife says something to me and I answer her five seconds after she say it, I'm not answering her, I'm responding to a memory. But if I answer inside those five seconds, then we really have a connection.
I'm seeing things much more vividly than I've ever seen them before, because I'm in contact with them now."
When Ouzounian ask Alda for his bottom line on the 71 years he's spent on this Earth, Alda doesn't hesitate - "This life is unimaginably worth living, if you just pay attention to it."
I would suggest, that those of us at the age were we can see the light at the end of the tunnel take heed of Alda's philosophy - as he pointed out in this interview - "We are living a life which is a death sentence. Every person who's living on this planet is eventually going to die. When my friends die, I mourn them and I miss them, but I know it's something I have to expect."
Alda has turned to writing as a life energizer - "When you write, you can defy death a little bit. You can say the un-sayable, you can bring back the people who have gone. If you do it deftly, it lets them live in imagination, which never dies."
When I was reading this interview, I couldn't help but think of all the people who have Emailed or snail mailed me with all kinds of reason for hesitating in learning new stuff as promoted on the Home Website. - twaddle such as being "too old" - come on - your not committing a felony here - it's a challenge to keep you mentally sharp - besides, if you snuff it - you leave behind a project that will reflect what really interested you - plus a long list of new friends around the world - folks you'll meet as you research and ask questions - remember - "All we have is now"
--------------------------------------------------------
I received the following slide show via Email - I have no connection with this outfit - never heard of them - they have a popup for a newsletter at the end - that's up to you - but, I like the message and the pictures - opens new window
--------------------------------------------------------
My thanks to retired buddy Bernice Dini for this collection of "grandparent/grandchildren" observations:
A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"
--------------------------------------------------
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo while I asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.
--------------------------------------------------
A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."
--------------------------------------------------
I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"
--------------------------------------------------
When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use, Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."
--------------------------------------------------
When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised. "mine says I'm four to six."
--------------------------------------------------
A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."
--------------------------------------------------------
Picture of the week - Creative Advertising"
Web wanderings this week revealed:
According to Survey conducted in 28 countries - while married men do less housework than live-in boy friends, the opposite is true among females. Overall men put in 9 hours of housework a week - women 20 hours -
Even in cool weather, people lose up to three litres of sweat a day. During hot and humid weather, or when a person is rigorously exercising, the body can pump out as much as 19 litres of sweat.
The 2002 world ranking of religions plus nonbelievers rates Christianity number one with two billion - Islam next with 1.3 billion - Hinduism 900 million and fourth - people who are secular, non-religious, agnostic and/or atheist - 850 million.

--------------------------------------------------------
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT--SENIOR STYLE
An elderly couple in their 80's were about to get married.
She said: I want to keep my house.
He said: That's fine with me.
She said: I want to keep my Cadillac.
He said: That's fine with me.
She said: I want to have sex 6 times a week.
He said: Put me down for Fridays.
Have a great weekend - remember - "All we have is now" - get researching your creative retirement job - start here - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 24, 2007 - Shooting Stars - Take a Breath - Video Stuff

Good morning to all - to lead off - a video submitted by retired buddy Bill Ozard.
Here is Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield explaining some space stuff....I bet you will think of this next time you see a falling star!! OK ~ Quick, make a wish!
---------------------------------------------------
Now, back to earth and the reason I forward this next bit is because of concern I have for a retired buddy who is popping pills like popcorn because of high blood pressure and lack of stress management - when I'm troubled about something or someone - I Google.
As a result, I came across the Mind-Body Medical Institute that's attached to the Massachusetts General Hospital - the place were I had by Quadruple back in 87 and I figure any outfit connected with the place who's work has kept my engine running for 20 years, must know what they're talking about.
They say that the body responds to certain situations with a stress response - But, and it's a big But - the body can also comeback with a relaxation response.
With and easy 20 minute daily exercise, we can develop a relaxation response to reduce blood pressure and reduce stress.
Find a comfortable place to sit with your back straight and feet on the floor.
Relax - try to clear your mind of everything but doing this exercise (that will take some doing at first but keep working at it - remember this is a daily thing.
Relax- close your eyes now - deep breath in through your nose. Fill you lungs with air.
Then, exhale through your nose- feel your body collapse.
Here's an important addition - every time you exhale - say or think a word that is meaningful to you - a one word mantra that, over time, will become your personal keyword that triggers your relaxation response.
If you start drifting in thought, gently return to your breathing.
Repeat this everyday and, if you can, at the same time each day, but the important thing is do complete this exercise every day - If you do, you will be amazed at the results.
And it certainly won't do you any harm to take short time outs each day for a mini exercise - a minute or two of mantra deep breathing.
Remember, you are teaching your body how to respond to stress in a calm way - it works - no matter what your age.
---------------------------------------------------
Another video - thanks to retired buddy Jim Hill - and my wife thinks I spend too much time at my computer - image how the spouses of these people must be reacting - however, we all must have our creative challenges.
Retired buddy Bernice Dini sent this one - been around awhile but it's still worth another look
and finally - more funny commercials.
---------------------------------------------------
Get working on your creative retirement job - start here - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 25, 2007 - Honour the Fallen

Sadly, I must post an extra Blog entry
I've had to change the "war on terror" honour roll numbers on the Connect2Canada page of the home website.
Yesterday, another Canadian soldier was killed in Afghanistan.

Killed:
Cpl. Nathan Hornburg 24,
a reservist with the King's Own Calgary regiment.

Cpl. Hornburg was struck and killed by a mortar shell while trying to fix a Leopard tank. In a separate attack, three other Canadian soldiers were hit in a firefight. All four were taken to Kandahar airfield where they were being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The death of Cpl. Hornburg brings to 71 the number of Canadian troops killed at the hands of the enemy or in accidents in Afghanistan since 2002.
The trooper became the third foreign soldier to die that day after two Spanish soldiers died in a bomb blast in southwestern Farah province.
With the latest casualty, 172 international troops have been killed in Afghanistan this year - most in combat operations against militants.
They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
More than 18,500 troops make up ISAF, with contributions from 36 nations.
To learn more about the NATO force and mission - click here for their official web site.
Honor to the soldier, and Sailor everywhere , who bravely bears his country's cause,
Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.
(Abraham Lincoln)
To learn more about this attack plus additional special reports, visit my old network - CTV News - Assignment Afghanistan.
Connect To Canada webpage - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

September 27, 2007 - Number of Days Left - Cell Phone Madness - Afghanistan - Retirement Jobs

Not that this bit of news will dampen your day, but I have decided to take a Blog Break during the month of October - working on a new challenge that for me, has a huge learning curve and I have stay focused - it's one of those thick, detailed, small print, take-a-page-at-a-time, user manuals.
Plus, in two weeks we have to pack 'em up and move 'em out and join the Snowbirds trek to the south.
I sincerely hope you will maintain your RSS link for confirmation that this biweekly journal has returned - hopefully on Thursday Nov 1st -God willing. (Those of us in our advanced years always say that - God Willing)
Staying with the "God willing" theme, I found out that I am 28,986 days old today and, if I keep my current lifestyle, I can expect to live approximately another 3,900 more days
However, if I exercise more and change to a proper diet - I could hope for an additional 4,300 days - no guarantees of course - we're dealing with averages here.
The test also doesn't take in account such unexpected endings as being whacked during a drive-by or squished into sardine size when some nut case, driving his car while using a cell phone plows into your car. (More on that later.)
---------------------------------------------
The Global TV network - One of Canada's three national networks, anchored their national newscast last night in my home town of Barrie, Ontario - the hook being that Barrie is Canada' fastest growing city - tell me about it - try driving around here - anyway, here's the Wednesday Sept. 26th newscast - opens new window - it looks as if they only keep the newscasts up for a week - the Barrie Report is near the end of the newscast.
---------------------------------------------
Also last night, on the ABC news, they had a report on new technology that can silence annoying techie devises such as cell phones and if these gizmos can cut a cell phone transmission on the run - I've got to get me one.
Click here to view the report.
Back in June of last year, after nearly being T-boned by a car driven by a guy who was on his cell phone, I used this Blog to rant against these peanut brained clowns and offered up a couple of bumper stickers that should be massed produced.
Now to add to the library - the following:

---------------------------------------------
Here's a new addition to the Connect to Canada page on the home website - the media's attention on NATO's work in rebuilding Afghanistan is centered on the military - as it should be - however, we seldom, if ever, hear about the positive work being completed in that country.
The Canadian International Development Agency has produced a slide show complete with reports, on the rebuilding of Afghanistan - opens new window
---------------------------------------------

How old do you feel now?
Eddie Haskell, The Beave, and Wally.
---------------------------------------------
Interesting stats from AARP concerning retirees looking for creative retirement jobs - for some it's a financial necessity while others look to a retirement job as a way to pay for a special vacation - but more than half say a retirement job will keep them mentally active:
(61%) --need the money
(54%)--desire to stay mentally active
(52%)--need the health benefits
(49%)--desire to stay physically active
(47%)--desire to remain productive or useful.
Promoting the idea of at least researching creative retirement jobs is what the host website is all about - the retirement years offers the chance to do what we really love to do or try something new - and - make some money at the same time.
Be creative - take the time to research - first at your resume - your experience and knowledge - how can you sell what your know?
Then think outside the box - what really interests you - look back on your life - what were your dreams and hopes - perhaps a new challenge would rev up your engine - Take a look at what others are doing online - then research offline possibilities (a retirement jobs - offline chapter will soon be added to the Home Website.)
---------------------------------------------
Staying with retirement jobs - you've got to love Brit Humour - this sent in by retired buddy Jim Hill.
This is an actual job application that a 75-year-old pensioner submitted to B&Q in Tunbridge Wells England - They apparently hired him because he was so funny.....
NAME: Kenneth Way (Grumpy Bastard)
SEX: Not lately, but I am looking for the right woman (or at least one who will cooperate)
DESIRED POSITION:Company�s Chief Executive or Managing Director. But seriously, whatever�s available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn�t be applying in the first place - would I?
DESIRED SALARY: �150,000 a year plus share options and a Tony Blair style redundancy package. If that�s not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.
EDUCATION: Yes.
LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.
PREVIOUS SALARY: A lot less than I�m worth.
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.
REASON FOR LEAVING: It was a crap job.
HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.
PREFERRED HOURS:1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they�re better suited to a more intimate environment.
MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 lbs.?: Of what?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"
HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Reader�s Digest Timeshare Free Holiday Offer, so they tell me.
DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job - no! On my breaks - yes!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy Swedish supermodel with big boobs and who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.
NEAREST RELATIVE?: 7 miles
DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Oh yes, absolutely
---------------------------------------------
OK, I'm off to tackle a new retirement job challenge
- hope you stay with me - see you on Nov. 1st - God willing - in the meantime keep working on your creative retirement job. - (Go to URL)

To reference this entry please copy the url in this link: (Permalink)

RSS Feed For This News