After we get through the Christmas rush, we will begin to ask ourselves what thrills and chills will come our way in 2014? Are we heading into January with great expectations, with some tough resolutions and promises to change some of our worst habits, to complete more stages in our exciting bucket list, and to endeavour to be successful, but never at the expense of others? Whatever the case, please don’t be too hard on yourself, have confidence that you will be able to accomplish your lofty promises and goals, but don’t be too disappointed if we drop the ball a few times along the way.
Here is my 2014 wish list, a few that hopes for change, others that we all look forward to, and some that are just for fun.
Ponoka Town and County Councils....Welcome to your first year in municipal office. Always keep asking lots of questions around that big table, share with your constituents, and work together for a balanced budget and a bright future. Please don’t be forced into making quick decisions into vital community issues, especially those that have been hanging around for far too long.
Justin Bieber....Don’t retire, just grow up.
Team Canada....We have no doubt that you will give your best spirited efforts at the World Hockey competitions and the 2014 Winter Olympics, and the whole nation will be cheering for you to bring home a big basket full of medals.
To our youth....Always enjoy and cherish your education, the parental guidance, the friends you have made, your accomplishments, and the amazing adventures that you have had while growing up in your home town. Now you can proudly take those memories and opportunities as you pursue your place in our bright future.
To professional hockey players....Play the game hard, but cut out the ‘cheap shots’, and try to impress and respect those hundreds of minor hockey players and fans who idolize every move that you make.
To Mrs. Redford and our Government....Now that you have made the choice to bring your favourites to the top of the ‘political pecking order’, get on with the job that you were all elected for. Our so-called called prosperous and mineral rich province seems to be floundering in red tape, instead of stacking up the priorities, and making sure that each and every citizen and every constituency receives a fair share of the much promised ‘Alberta Advantage.’
To distracted-careless and drunk drivers....Wake up and realize that thousands of other innocent lives are in jeopardy when you sit behind the steering wheel and act like an idiot. The punishment and consequences for committing these selfish crimes will likely triple in 2014, so hopefully the culprits will find themselves forever walking..
For Rob Ford….Now that you have your own ‘bobble head’ doll, why not resign gracefully and start working at your new movie or book entitled... ‘The Booze Brothers’ or a new holiday classic, ‘The Grinch who stoned Toronto.’
Don’t blame the groundhog in 2014....I think it’s time to quit blaming the sleepy old ground hog for the longer winters. After all, he or she is only a rodent, and not a meteorologist, and some of them have really gotten their heads stuck in the drifts with their forecasts this time around.
To the citizens of Ponoka and district....Thank you for your overwhelming response and donations to those who need a little help from others, not only at Christmas, but all year round. This includes to the Food Bank, to Santa’s Anonymous, to the Salvation Army, as volunteers, and to countless other very special causes.
To the great staff at the Ponoka News....Lots of advertisements, the same great news stories and pictures, and just enough space for them to put up with the Hammer for another year.
To my wife and family....Thank you for your ongoing love and support, and for putting up with my forgetfulness and my bad habits, which are hard to break because they took a life-time of fun getting into.
Just for us seniors in 2014
The electronics wizards have now come up with some nifty new texting codes for us seniors, which will make it easier for us to communicate with our children and our friends.
ATD (at the doctor’s) BFF (best friends funeral) BTW (bring the wheelchair) BYOT (bring your own teeth), FWIW (forgot where I was), GGFPBL (gotta got, pacemaker battery low), GHA (got heartburn again), TOT (texting on the toilet), WAITT (who am I talking to?) GGLKI (gotta go, laxative is kicking in.). What the heck, winter has officially arrived, so maybe now it will warm up a little, and it will be only five fluffy and frosty months before the robin will start chirping again. Now that you have hopefully survived the New Year’s Eve bash, just go ahead, and have a great week, all of you
— Hammertime