It's nearly the middle of October, 2021 and it's been a beautiful fall with fairly mild temperatures. I hope you all had a joyous and safe Thanksgiving day (in Canada) with at least a few of your family members present. Yes Covid 19 is still causing limitations and it's now 2021. 

I'm going to keep this post and those following in a positive vein because we have enough angst in our lives as it is. We're going to feature some stories about achievement, happiness, humour and whatever else feels good while maintaining a sense of decency. So, lets jump in. 

Here's your "insight for the day" provided by Bob Proctor from the Proctor Gallagher Institute:

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. Amelia Earhart - 1897-1939 - Aviation Pioneer-Author

And now for some tasty bits you can whip up for all the upcoming hockey and football games.  

How about some tasty Home made Chicken Nuggets:

 

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pkg

  boneless skinless chicken tenders
• ·

  all-purpose flour
• 2 to 3 dash

  garlic powder
• 2 to 3 dash

  onion powder
• 2 to 3 dash

  salt and pepper
• 2 to 3 dash

  Mrs. Dash Original Table Blend
• 2 to 3 dash

  Emeril's Orginal
• 2 to 3 dash

  Mrs. Dash Chicken Seasoning
• 1 can

  Italian bread crumbs
• 2

  eggs
• 1 to 1/2 c

  milk
• ·

  olive oil
• Roll the chicken bits in the flour first then the egg mixture then in the bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes that are spiced to taste with salt and pepper and a bit of garlic or onion powder. Or try a sprinkle of steak spice to really add some life to your chicken treats. 
• Set these out on a tray ready for deep frying this rest helps the coating to dry and adhere to the chicken pieces when deep frying. 
• Then, deep fry in the olive oil until nicely browned, drain and serve with your favourite sauces. 
• Bon Apetit. 

That's it for today. 

Hope you'll join us for more POSITIVE news and information. 

Cheers.

We have been Ignored!

Do you Love Canada?

• Has your business or personal life improved or gotten worse over the past four years?
• Will the TMX approval move to completion or be delayed once again?
• Are climate alarmists creating problems or merely creating another way to grab your cash?
• Are you concerned about Canada’s Sovereignty and the Liberal government’s globalist agenda?
• Are you concerned that Bills C-69 and C-48 are designed to eliminate access to world markets even though a pipeline has been approved?
• Are you concerned about government policies that limit your freedom of speech or access to social media?
• Should government be more or less? How many members, how many departments?
• Should every part of Canada have equal representation?
• Should elected official terms be limited?
• Should we have the right to recall politician’s who are doing little or poorly?
• Do you believe that the current wealth distribution in this country is unbalanced.
• Do you believe that Canada has major problems?
• Do you believe that Canada Can Be Fixed?

The 43rd Canadian election is scheduled for October 21, 2019. Voting is a fixed-date procedure but the Act does not preclude the sitting Prime Minister from asking the Governor General from issuing the writ of election at an earlier or later date!

If any of these statements are affecting your life and you’d like to do something to bring about change it’s time to step up and support our efforts to make these changes happen!

How can you make an impact? One person can’t do much but, as a taxpayer, you can join thousands of others in helping to inform and educate about many of the myths, bad policies and mistakes that have been created by the current government. 

We are not here to suggest whom to vote for, but more importantly who shouldn't receive your vote. And, Unlike other organizations we are offering solutions to many of these problems. It is up to our elected representatives to adopt or at least discuss and implement some of them to help fix Canada!

Right for Canada's mission is to make sure that the federal liberal government does not get elected again. We won't recover from another term in office by these people. We really can do this, we can make a difference. We plan to have billboards across Canada telling people to visit our web site. That's where we do our best work, on the web site. Help us please to get the message out!

Join us and help make it Right for Canada! Visit https://rightforcanada.ca/ for more information about us and our Mission and solutions to help Canadians get the next election correct and get our country moving forward. 

Our goal is not to just complain but actually do something about our current situation. The federal election is a mere 4 months away so we need to move quickly!

Will you step up and contribute today? Your future and the future of your family depends on it. 

Go to https://rightforcanada.ca/ now, click on the contribute tab and help make your voice heard and seen!  

Piano Dreams

When I was a youngster, I remember spending Sunday's at Grandma's place on special occasions with grand meals and great family conversation. While the meals were spectacular, the highlight was gathering around the piano after supper to listen to and sing along with my uncle Dave who was a very accomplished musician.

He was involved in musical theatre in his spare time and so we sang lots of the show tunes along with many standards that were popular at that time. Little did I know that those songs would survive the ages and are still as memorable now as they were back then.

There was magic in those 88 keys and if we were able to carry a tune we could join in and create those lifetime memories that never fade. I'd watch my uncle Dave's fingers move gracefully up and down that keyboard and I wanted to learn to play that thing. Mom and Dad had an old upright at home so I started to plunk away. It was a player piano as well with those paper roles full of little holes that made the music by passing air through them. And, just pumping pedals on that old gal I was able to make at least some kind of music. But it wasn't me making the music it was the hoses, and bellows and gears and chains of that old player piano that was making the music.

Oh I knew where middle C was and I could play a mean Chopsticks but that was about it. My sister was taking voice lessons at the time so I decided to take piano. I started with great enthusiasm that quickly waned when I found out I'd have to practice for hours while my buddies where outside, playing football or other sports and building tree houses. This wouldn't do, I wanted to play anything at anytime just like Gershwin, Brubeck, Peterson or any of the great piano masters from the 20s through the 60s.

Not only did I have to practice but the teacher was boring and the music was even more boring. I mean how many times could a guy play the skater's waltz?? I wanted to play Beatles tunes or at least some of the rock music that was all the rage or maybe even a little jazz. What now?

I tried but there were too many other things that I enjoyed and unfortunately the piano faded from memory. It would be many years before a musical instrument drew me in and captured my attention. It had strings alright but it was much more portable. I discovered the guitar!

It might also have been because I began following and hanging around with a great little band called the Sons of Adam. They had a great lead guitar player - Henry, a bassist - Doug, a helluva keyboard player Al, an outstanding singer from Wales -John and the wildest drummer you've ever met - Leonard. I mean he could play a 20 plus minute version of In a Godda Da Vida by Iron Butterfly- Watch Here! Ya, that drum solo! Oh and he's still gigging today out on the west coast and just had his 72nd birthday. Keep on Rockin' Lenny!

So, did I get to be a rock god. Uhm Nope!. Life got in the way and again music was relegated to my car stereo. I did however pick up an acoustic 12 string and have been putzing with that for 40 years and have since increased my guitar or stringed instrument count to about 7 now. I sort of play with most of them but still carry a torch for the piano. In fact I have a keyboard in the music room so maybe its time to see if I can re-learn what I forgot or gave up on.

I didn't want to have to go to classes every week and I didn't want to spend a fortune. I wanted to be able to study on my own time at a reasonable cost so I did a little searching and found this product that fit my criteria.

I'm going to have a look at this program, review it and see if I can at least play a tune or two whenever I want. Keep watching, I'll let you know. Cheers. Dave

Oh and if you want to check out what I'm doing, Click Here!

Are Leggings taking over the fashion world?

Leggings are popping up everywhere and are no longer confined to the gym and home and leisure wear. Youngsters are wearing them to school with appropriate tops, and teens and adults have made them a main part of their wardrobe, teaming them with stylish tops and accessories that make them fit for any occasion.

Solid colours, stripes, checks, stars, moons, leather look and even camouflage are featured in many wardrobes.


Tops can range from fancy to plain and of course stylish black that goes with any occasion. When it comes to accessories you can let your imagination run wild. From belts to scarves, to baubles and beads you can add a ton of zing.  Play it up or play it down it's up to you.



From Calypso comfy to the black striped classic to this subtle grey striped version you can add black or coloured leggings or capris.

Want to add some pizzazzzzz! How about these celestial beauties or perhaps a walk on the wild side.

Or maybe a great looking, walk about pair for shopping, trips to the rink or gym or biking or hiking -- whatever suits your fancy. 

Lets go shopping!

Spring is on the way with Wine and Berries.

Its nearly spring and I'm excited for the next phase of our weather.

I'm thinking of warm meadows, flowers, burgeoning plant life and the birds that will come as well.  This little hillside gem would be a great place to experience the arrival of spring but alas it is just a picture for now. I have to find this vale.

My grape vines need a little trimming and I was going to do that last fall but an Italian friend of mine said to wait until about now to trim off the extra branches in case it got really cold over winter and it did. Now though the sun is providing lots of warmth and I'm afraid if I trim them now they'll start to leak if the sap is running. I'm going to risk it though because I've found a vintner that makes incredible wine from all kinds of fruit. My Valiants will make a delicious dark red so I'm excited about that.

I got 250 bunches last year (double the previous year) and we boiled it down to make about 6 litres of concentrate and that should make at least a dozen bottles.
Here's some of the goodies he gave me last year.

Yes, there is a pear mist and a cucumber melon mist that are both delicious and cooling to the palate. I had a bottle of the LE16 Cabernet over the weekend (well, Saturday night.) and it was spectacular. I can hardly wait to taste the Valiant product.

The garden will be next and the Missus has been planning and plotting for weeks now so it should be a dandy.

We planted a few Hascaps of Honeyberry bushes a couple of years ago and they are coming along well. We've had fruit for the last two years and they are an extremely hardy bush. They're the first to bloom in the spring and the last to go in the fall. They are originally from Siberia and thus their toughness and ability to survive. Oh yes, the Bohemian Waxwings love them too. Little

Growing on the vine.

bandits!!

Here's some of my grapes about mid-July. They start to turn colour about the first part of August and we harvest them in September even after a couple of light frosts. The frost seems to add a little more sugar.

The harvest - Valiant Grapes 2017

I'm just back at my blog after a long absence but will be posting more regularly now as the season goes on.
I hope you enjoy some of my content and invite you to comment or ask questions. I'm always open to sharing information.

All the best with your spring and summer adventures.
Here's more information about the Hascaps from Prairie Plant Systems. https://www.ppsfruittrees.com/pages/haskaps
and the University of Saskatchewan. http://www.fruit.usask.ca/haskap.html

Enjoy! 

Are You Ready For the Rocky Mountains?

Spirit Island on Maligne Lake

Take one visit to the splendour of Canada's magnificent Rocky Mountains and you will be hooked for life. Soaring rock faces, cool lush valleys, tumbling waterfalls, jewel like lakes, amazing accommodations with unequalled views and pure fresh air scented lightly with pine. The Rocky Mountains will continue to draw you in forever. Why not plan a trip there now.

Locally known as the Rockies these monuments to the sky stretch from Alaska through British Columbia and Alberta and down into the USA and feature some of the oldest national parks in north America. Whether you camp in tents, travel with trailer or motorhome or if you prefer, rustic cabin facilities or world renowned Five Star accommodations you'll find it throughout this amazing playground.

Sunwapta Falls

I first experienced the Rockies as a child of 10 traveling with my folks to visit Grandparents in BC's lower mainland. We were prairie folks who made a living farming the fertile soil around Edmonton. We weren't well off but we made do and our first tour vehicle was Dad's pickup truck. It was a '52 or '53 Ford with wooden side racks on the box and a tarp stretched over that to provide cover and a place to sleep and eat. In fact we were having a tail-gate party way before they became popular. There was a mattress on the floor and another support above that toward the front end of the truck with another smaller mattress for us kids to sleep on. Food was packed in a cooler box with dry ice inside to keep it as fresh as possible. Campground fireboxes heated whatever we need so it was a great adventure.

There was only one real route to get to the coast so it was a long trip and that old Ford chugged up some huge hills and down into some pretty impressive valleys which I'm sure heated the brakes to maximum temperature many times.

Now-a-days, there are many routes from the Crows Nest pass in the south the Roger's Pass in the Middle and the Yellowhead in north central. Many of these roads are four lane where possible so the trip from Edmonton or Calgary can be made in 11 to 12 hours if you need to do that. I prefer to take my time and drink it all in.

As I mentioned, there is a wide range of accommodations and you might want to use this service Booking.com to find the best deals. I've used them recently and they make the trip much easier and the more you use them you begin to qualify for private discounts that save you even more money. Oh and the best yet, the service is FREE. Oh, you have to pay for your rooms but signing up is hassle free and you can search accommodations world wide and get some very accurate reviews from people who have stayed at these properties. Enjoy your visit and return here for more adventures of the Old Ford. Next time our Bear for lunch experience.

Buying A Fishing Boat

With the long winter we've had its no wonder that folks are busy hauling out their boats from winter storage and preparing to head to the lake or the ocean to get in some quality spring fishing. Oh what's that? You don't have a boat. Maybe you've always wanted one but weren't sure what to look for. Here's a few first steps for the Nautical Neophyte. 

Selecting the right fishing boat can be a real
challenge and also a lot of fun for someone who is
new to boating.  If you haven't experienced buying
a boat before, it can also be a daunting task to
say the least.

Before you start looking, it's important to consider
the purpose of your fishing boat.  A fishing boat
serves but one purpose - fishing.  You have to
decide if you plan to fish in the ocean, or in other
bodies of water, such as lakes.  This is very
important, as there are different types of fishing
boats available.

If you plan to use your fishing boat for ocean
cruising and overnight stays, it would be ideal to
buy one that has a hull.  This design is meant for
rough waters, riding the waves, and providing more
comfort for anglers while they fish.

When you buy a fishing boat, you should know if it
includes a warranty.  If it does, you should really
study the warranty as not all are the same.  Buying
your boat from a dealer is always a smarter decision,
as dealers will provide repair services if the
boat is found to be defective.

It's also important when buying a fishing boat to
note if the boat is certified by the

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada 

 This agency will guarantee that the certification they

give to every boat passes the agency's standards
of excellence.

When it comes down to it, you should do more than
just look around when it comes to a fishing boat.
You should learn how to look for the best details
to ensure that your boat is worth the money.  If
you take the time to look around, you'll find a boat
that you can truly be proud of.

Make sure you bookmark this blog and return often for more Boat Buying information and tips. Or subscribe to our feed to be notified when new material is posted. Happy Boating!