Birth of a New Tradition

Christmas 2011
Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into
high gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply
produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of
Canadian labor. This year will be different. This year Canadians will
give the gift of genuine concern for other Canadians. There is no
longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that
is produced by Canadians hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to
fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift
certificates from your local Canadian hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about
some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian
owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift
certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking
down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that
grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed
for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local
golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what
about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember,
folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting
your home town Canadian with their financial lives on the line to keep
their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services
of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy
who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people
spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and
pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and
leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play
or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand
Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of
lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those
kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a
nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so
that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about
caring about us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep
plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other
Canadians, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back
to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new Canadian Christmas
tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section
in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio
stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring
about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?


BUY CANADIAN - BE CANADIAN - The job you save might be your own

St. Andrews Presbyterian College

Message to me from their coach looking for players interested in heading to the states to go to school and play some lacrosse.

Dear Rob,

I will keep this short and sweet. We have something exciting and special going here at St. Andrews. With only 22 on our roster, and 18 that we can dress, we are winning.

Attached is a press release of our most recent against nationally ranked Queens University of Charlotte. They 35 guys at our 17, and our 17 wanted it more.

We are losing only 3 seniors, and we need to add depth to our roster.

We are looking to for any kids that want to play in the state and go to college.

This is to keep you informed on how the team is doing. The kids you know, could help us take this program back to the top of Division II lacrosse, and help us on our to make a run for National Championship.



We currently sit at a 7-8 record,with one game remaining. We plan on being nationally ranked next year, and competing for a conference tournament. In 2013 when the NCAA expands the Division II national tournament, we plan to be there. With your help and the help of your players, our goals can become reality for your players.


Thanks for your time, hope to hear from you soon,


Coach Sherman




St. Andrews Presbyterian College
1700 Dogwood Mile
Laurinburg, NC 28352

Mike Lawson
Head Coach
910.277.5279
lawsonms@sapc.edu

Christopher Sherman
Asst. Coach
910.277.3931
shermancl@sapc.edu

A Little Christmas Story

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Not a lot of people know this.

What is Rider Pride

What is Rider Pride? Is it a group of fanatic football fans or is it more? For me it was as a young lad sitting in the end zone under the score board with my dad eating peanuts and watching Lancaster to Dawson with the long bomb.

Then came my career in broadcasting working the sidelines listening to the crunches and feeling the brush as the pile of players bowled into you while you tried to save your TV camera from being damaged. The neglected spouses sitting in the stands commenting on which players bums were hot. The roar of the fans and the now Mayor Fiacco shooting little yellow football into the stands. Then along came the rough times and the telethon to save the Riders.

Yes they were begging for the fans to buy season tickets. Money was tight the league and others teams were in trouble. Lancaster, Reed and Sheppard trying to save the team and I remember how the province responded. Now its sellouts and not just the Labor Day Classic. My sons have season tickets, we bleed green and white and the next generation is starting out right. My birthday present this year was the Rider Centennial ring and I wear it with pride knowing I cheer for something special.





The Rider Nation a group of fans, a sea of green. Whether its wearing your jersey, painting your body green or wearing a watermelon on your head we all get together to celebrate the game. From east to west fans flock to their stadiums to watch the team when they come to town. They cheer scream and party win or lose. It started in the small towns when the harvest finished and people met to talk football. It grew and just like the Olympics people want to be part of this and experience being part of the greatest fans in the world. As someone told me when their team loses they cheer for SK as how can you hate them. OK Calgary fans are different but that's the rivalry and its a good hate!


The Riders are in the Grey Cup a second year in a row and they want to redeem themselves from the blunder from last year. Ya the thirteenth man. How ironic after all the talk about last year and the fans and the effect that they would have on the game. It will go on forever that they screwed up and lost the game but show me a team that would not want this fan support.

After attending the Western Final and beating the Stamps again the great migration to Edmonton began. Everyone celebrates and watches the game in their own way. Receiving tweets and emails from Riderville Friday night and turning down ticket after ticket my poor bottom lip is sore from biting down on it. But I decided to stay at home and watch the game as I have done over the years with family. Mom coming over and doing her knitting asking every so often hows the game going. Elaine making the big pot of chilli. This year Craig, Ness and Boyd won't be here but I am sure they will watch it with Kevin and Ally(Yes go Fantuz). Troy I don't know where he will be but he always seems to come home for a surprise.

So, yes I hope the Riders win the Grey Cup, but if they don't I for one will be back next year to start all over cheering till I am hoarse. The world won't end, we will all go back to work just like the Stamp's fans have after the last few western finals!

Lacrosse Moms

At one point during a game, as the coach I called one of my 7 year old lacrosse players aside and asked, Do you understand what cooperation is?
What a team is? The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

Do you understand that what matters is not whether we win or lose, but how we play together as a team?
The little boy nodded yes.

So, I continued, I am sure you know, when a penalty is called, you should not argue, curse, attack the referee, or call him a pecker-head.
Do you understand all that?
Again the little boy nodded.

And when I call you off the field so that another boy gets a chance to play, its not good sportsmanship to call your coach a "Dumb Asshole"?
Again the little boy nodded.

Good, Now go over there and explain all that to your mother....

The Long Weekend's Ups & Downs

Like last year we decide to take an extended long weekend in Waterton National Park.
Elaine, myself and the three dawgs headed down Wednesday and set up the trailer. The day was nice not overly warm 20c. Rode the bikes, laid around and just relaxed.



Sunrise in the Rockies...



Thursday was the annual Peace Hills Golf Tourney so I was up early Thursday morning driving back to Olds, Alberta to do a well deserved round of golf, some drinking and steakage. Finished my shmozing and returned back to Waterton around 9:30pm. Damn it gets dark! No really, no lights, no stars or the moon, covered by the shadow of the mountains its DARK!



Friday was up early again to do a round of golf in Waterton with Elaine. One of the most enjoyable days of golf I have had. No I didn't shoot that great but the group in front was fast so was usually well ahead of us. No one behind for two to three holes. It was sit back, slice hook, look for you ball with no hurry.
Nice form!


You can see the Prince of Wales Hotel at the end of this fairway.



No bears on the golf course but they were around or evidence they were around.



Friday was up to Cameron Lake to sit beside the water, but a cloudy day just didn't allow it to warm up in the mountains. So was 17c up at the lake and 24c back at the townsite.




So after a few hours of playing "suns out" "suns gone" the game and wee shot of rain it was back down to the trailer and a game of Boccie Ball.


I'm green...

With a cold wind that night and a chance of rain we awoke to rain, low clouds and snow in the mountains. High of 4c hiking was out. The rain and sleet also put a damper on it . Should have brought the snowboard!




What to do on your anniversary on a wet, cold, day stuck in the trailer????
Ya right! Its been 23 years people!



We packed up headed to the Prince of Wales bar and watched the Riders muddle there way to victory over the hapless Bombers. Needed to fight off some pushy Americans who wanted to watch tennis! Tennis come on. The waiter told them they would have to discuss it with the Rider fans and I think I actually intimidated somebody....
Ok makes for a good story!

Back to the trailer to find three Popsicle puppies as the furnace cut out while we were enjoying the football game. Got the furnace working a few treats and I was loved again!



So was one of those trips where it was a pain in the ass, but it beat being at work!!!

I Wish you Enough

An email I received that I liked to share with you.


I wish you Enough !

Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'?

They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.

'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.


I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how grey the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

He then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.


Take Time To Live..

To all my friends and loved ones,I wish you Enough!