Mike Rainone
Hammertime
With hopes that everyone has fully recovered from all the glitz and good company while enjoying a fantastic Christmas celebration with family and friends it is now that time to look forward to the exciting arrival of 2019.
No matter what happened in 2018 and how our politicians are performing, we should all strive to keep our heads-up and with great anticipation and wishes for a whole lot of successes, health, happiness, and challenges that we can enjoy and share with each other, for another year round. Talking about cheer, there is no doubt that the new toys and gifts are all put away many of us will be contemplating our New Year’s resolutions, but first things first, as most are busy planning that annual Dec. 31st celebration that will either bring 2019 in with a bang or a dull roar?
Like many of you, little old me at the age of 76 can only faintly remember some of our New Year’s Eve parties, and there were indeed some dandies, but at our present status we will likely phone or FaceTime the kids, pick out an old movie, pop some popcorn, and go into snooze mode after a cup of tea and the news at 10. However if you choose to ‘let loose’ this last Monday evening of 2018 please be mindful of the safety of others as well as very aware of the strict rules and consequences that are now in effect for those who may choose to break them while out and about in the party mode. There are many cities and towns that will have groups and programs in place to offer safe rides home for those who may be a little bit under the weather. Of course there will always be lots of friendly taxi services that are only a phone call away; while some really organized groups will bring along a designated driver on the team to get their buddies home in one piece. For those ‘party-hardy’ souls who will be bringing in the New Year at a friend’s place, if he or she has your keys long after the stroke of midnight, they will surely find you a bed and will gladly provide you with lots of coffee in the morning.
We are now number one Canada
I was so pleased to see that Canada, our beloved home and native land was just named the most Christmassy country in the world last week by a Global Festive survey, edging out such wintery and frosty countries as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, with the Trump Nation finishing in eighth.
We were judged as being ‘the coolest place in the world’ at this time of the year based on our Christmas travel recognition, our chances of having snow, and the vast popularity of our festive season music. By the way Canada is claimed to have the 6th highest possibility in the world of always guaranteeing a White Christmas, as well as being the proud owner of the world’s best and most magnificent and highest outdoor skating rink up at Lake Louise. Those who love us also claim that we also have some really great wildlife, both wandering around in our perfectly natural outdoors, as well as during our social activities, especially on weekends and New Year’s Eve. As far as our music is concerned Sarah McLachlan’s Away in a Manger was rated as the most distinctive yuletide anthem, but then again we also have Michael Buble and a whole lot of other multi-talented Canadian entertainers who can spin off a pretty good tune any time of the year. Whatever the case, as always and hopefully we will all be striving to enjoy another great festive season with family and friends in our favourite winter wonderland of Canada, where our doors will always be open to visitors from throughout the world who also proudly believe in peace on earth and good will towards everyone. Maybe, just maybe our federal and provincial politicians and leaders will get their heads together in the New Year 2019 and strive to make our great nation of Canada Number 1 in lots of other vital categories. These of course should include health care/education and related facilities and services, the production/promotion and sales of our natural resources and the best way to get them to the world markets, support for our war veterans and their families, fair and free trade, and employment, along with equal opportunity and support for all groups and walks of life and so much more.
Hopefully we can then proudly and boldly venture into what we hope and pray will be a strong and prosperous future for all Canadians.
Now let’s have a little fun
• It is a well known fact that most New Year’s resolutions go in one year and out the other. A happy New Year 2019 to everyone, and may all your troubles last as long as most our New Year’s resolutions.
• When I was much younger, every New Year’s Eve I would ask the same question, ‘How did I get here and who did I come with?’
Enjoy the sunshine and have a great last week of 2018, all of you.