February's Gone

   At least it will be tomorrow. And for the shortest month of the year, it really seemed to drag on, due no doubt to the weather we've had. Snow and cold. But why is February the shortest month, anyway?
   The answer is very long, and very convoluted. It goes back to ancient Roman times when the 2nd king of Rome decided to add 2 months to the end of their calendar year (January and February, rather than November-December) to bring it in synch with lunar cycles, making the year 364 days.
   However, the king believed that an even number brings bad luck so he added one more day to the month of January. February remained to have 28 days with no one to justify why it was untouched. I said it was convoluted, didn't I.
   It also dashes the supposition that 2 emperors (Julius and Augustus Caesar) tinkered with the calendar. It was said Julius decided he needed a month named after him, and called it July. He also didn't want his month to have fewer days than others, so he pinched one from February, which supposedly had 30 days.
   Not to be out-done, when Augustus was proclaimed emperor, he to decided he needed a month named after him (August). And not wanting to be out-done by Julius, he too took a day from February to make his month 31 days, leaving lowly February with just 28. Except in Leap Years, when there are 29. Like next year.
   I told you it was convoluted.

TTFN

A Canadian Icon Is Getting A Makeover

   Yep! Smarties, those candy-coated chocolate pieces loved by many, is going on a diet of sorts. Nestle Canada is changing up the package starting next month, and downsizing as well. Gone will be king-size boxes, and the regular ones will also be re-vamped to parcel out the candies in what the company is calling "healthier portions".
   Each new pack will be smaller, and divided into 3 containers, with 15 candies each. That adds up to 70 calories, and 11 grams of sugar. 11 grams doesn't sound like much, until you realize that's the same as 3 sugar cubes.
   Bags of Smarties are also being replaced with canisters, with a lid that doubles as a 15 candy measuring cup. There's no word on whether or not the price will be lowered to reflect the smaller portions, but most likely not
   It's no secret I've kicked the late night snack habit, and have foresworn things like Smarties, M and M peanuts and Bit's 'n Bites as I try and eat healthier. But if I want to have 16 Smarties, or 20 or even 32, then I'm going to have them. New packaging or measuring cup aside.
   And for the record, when I eat my Smarties, I eat the red ones first.

TTFN

Lord, How The Money Rolls In

   Two of Canada's banks have reported first quarter earnings, and both are over the one billion dollar mark. BMO was first to chime in, reporting Q-1 profits of 1 billion. But that's 6% lower that a year ago.
   Canada's biggest bank, RBC, this morning is reporting a 17% jump in profit to 2.5 billion dollars. And that includes a record profit of 1.2 billion from its Canadian personal and commercial banking segment. The other "Big 3" banks have yet to report.
   I realize banks are businesses, and businesses need to make a profit to survive. I also know there have been calls in the past for the federal government to look into some of those profits, and see whether or not Canadians are being gouged. I'm sure there are quite a few people living on the minimum income line, struggling to make ends meet, who would agree.
   I'm not calling for the banks to quit making a profit, but I would humbly suggest that they look at giving us a break. Something as mundane as taking 1/2 or 1% off the cost of car loans, or credit card interest points. Maybe looking at increasing the interest accrued in bank accounts with a minimum balance.
   I do know that would have a huge impact on the bottom line of the banks, but I also don't think it would end up taking 1 to 2.5 billion dollars per quarter out of their profit. Just give us something back is all.

TTFN

I Hate Being Sick

   But I was this weekend. And even today, while I'm 100% better than I was, I'm still not 100%. It started last Thursday with a sore throat, which got worse Friday. By Saturday, I knew I was going to get hit with a cold. Sunday I had no voice, and had to call the boss to let him know Monday was out of the question.
   How sick was I? So sick, I couldn't taste Buckley's. That's sick.
   And getting a 2nd cold in a calendar year is a bit of an anomaly for me. I normally get hit once a year, and it's usually a doozie. So, to come down with a cold just 3 months later is unusual for me, to say the least.
   Maybe this means I won't get sick again until 2017. Right. Anyway, I'm feeling much better, and am "back in the saddle" again.

TTFN

A Tragic Week In Saskatchewan

   Three young people are dead after separate incidents on northern First Nations communities. Two children died in a house fire on one reserve, while a 17 year old was murdered on another.
   The fire that claimed the 2 young lives was made even more tragic when it was revealed the volunteer fire department in Loon Lake did not respond. Apparently, it goes back to last spring when the First Nation didn't pay the bill for service, and the town suspended service. To top things off, there was a fire engine on the reserve, but the band Chief says it doesn't have the proper equipment or trained crew, and has been sitting parked in the snow. Both sides say they want to resolve the problem, which has sparked debate in Parliament.
   The 2nd tragedy saw a 17 year old boy killed, and his 17 year old girlfriend briefly abducted from the Lac La Ronge First Nation Wednesday. The girl was later released unharmed, and RCMP were involved in a stand-off with the alleged suspect for 16 hours before he finally surrendered last night.
   He'll face 1st degree murder and other charges in court Monday.
   All in all, a tragic week.

TTFN

Good Job

   It's true we haven't had anywhere near the snow they've had in the Maritimes or parts of the U.S Northeast. Up to 2.5 meters of snow has blanketed parts of that region, so the weekend storm we had, at least to them, is small potatoes.
   But we got walloped none the less, and that meant getting around town was difficult to say the least. And that brings me to the point. Despite the fact they've got a limited amount of equipment, Yorkton City crews had the vast majority of streets not only graded, but in many cases had the windrifts removed by this morning..
   A lot of people in many centers can (and will) complain about the job winter crews do, and I've heard a few here. But to their credit, they're out at it, and streets are open.
   Just try getting around on some of the secondary streets in Regina or Saskatoon after a big dump, let alone residentials, after a similar amount of snow.
   Kudos!

TTFN

Happy Flag Day, Canada

   It was February 15, 1965 the then new Maple Leaf flag flew for the first time atop the Centre Block of Parliament. The symbol of our country was a design chosen from several others, and was the unanimous pick of a special committee struck in 1964 by the then Lester Pearson liberal government.
   It replaced the old Canadian Ensign

   But there were questions about the whole process, with most being asked by the opposition Conservatives lead by John Diefenbaker.
   Debate in the Commons was acrimonious, and the Liberals had to use closure to end it after the Tories filibustered, trying to stall approval for as long as possible.
   In fact, my own father was vehemently opposed to the Maple Leaf flag. So much so that at his funeral (he was a wounded war vet) even though he could have had a flag-draped coffin, he refused saying he did not fight under that flag, so he wouldn't be buried under it either.
   And while the vast majority of people in Canada now alive don't remember anything but the current flag, I do.
   Happy 50th, Maple Leaf flag, and have a safe long Family Day weekend, if you get it off.

TTFN

It's A Scam

   When I opened my work email this morning, I noticed something purportedly from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. It was addressed to me, but did not have the above logo anywhere in the email.
   This is what it said:

Dear customer,

For your protection, you must verify this activity
before you can continue using your account.
We will review the activity on your account with you
and upon verification,and we will remove any
restrictions placed on your account.

Activate your account now

If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no
choice but to temporary suspend your account.
Yours sincerely,
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Security Departament

   There's just one big problem. I don't even have an account with CIBC. And if I did, the bank would've informed me some other official way. Also, whoever tried this scam can't spell. Department is NOT spelled departament.
   Needless to say, I did not fall for this scam, nor did I click on the link to follow it. Nor would I had this been from the bank I deal with.
   Nice try, though.

TTFN

A Lot Of People Feel This Way

   Including folks in our area. We don't have any watches or warnings yet, but our immediate area could get anywhere up to 16 cm of snow tonight and into tomorrow morning. And while that is, for us, a somewhat considerable amount, you have to feel for the folks living on both coasts.
   I've got a relative living outside Halifax, and he says the recent storms they've had have dumped 85 cm in his area, and 120 in other parts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the other Maritime provinces. And even that pales compared to Boston, where the equivalent of almost 6 feet has fallen.
   And even that's nothing compared to Kitimat, B.C, where 166 cm has fallen.
   I guess we shouldn't complain, although I know my back sure will shoveling it.

TTFN

Do We Need This?

   The Western Convenience Store Association is calling on the Saskatchewan government to allow beer and wine to be sold in properly licensed outlets in the province. Something that's been done in Quebec, the U.S, and several European countries  for years and years.
   Already, our provincial government is looking into making changes to the way booze is sold here, possibly with an eye to privatization like they did in Alberta years ago. And if not full privatization, the government has already moved to say new liquor outlets will be private, while existing ones will remain a Crown Corporation.
   In making their submission, the Association says such sales are not new, pointing to the fact that 190 franchisee stores are already running in smaller communities as government liquor stores, and have done so successfully.
   So, why not allow beer and wine to be sold at convenience stores? I think, at least right now, it comes down to accessibility and availability to young people, although a big part of that could be addressed by simply checking everyone's I.D at the cash register.
   Where do I stand on this? With proper controls put in place, and keeping displays and coolers out of sight for underage kids, why not?

TTFN

A Moo-ving Afternoon In Yorkton

   That is indeed a cow meandering down the street in Yorkton. 5 cattle managed escaped from a trailer yesterday afternoon, causing a little chaos and a lot of looks.
   RCMP and staff from a local livestock company eventually rounded up the cattle. Sadly, though, 3 had to be put down, while the other 2 were corralled.
   This isn't the first "what the heck was that" moment involving meandering bovines. Just 3 weeks ago on January 20th, several more head of cattle got out.

TTFN

Biting Back

   Yesterday, I blogged a few recipe's about putting the bite on groundhogs, after 2 of the 3 "big names"called for another 6 weeks of winter.
   Today, a story of a groundhog getting revenge!
   A mayor in Wisconsin was bitten by their local rodent, Jimmy, as it was being held by it's handler. And not on the hand, either. Apparently, the critter was being held next to the mayor's face when it bit down.
 And while the mayor flinched, he also continues with the traditional Groundhog Day task, proclaiming the Jimmy had forecast an early end to winter.
   There's no word how badly bitten the mayor actually was.

TTFN

Winter Will Continue

   At least according to the 3 "major" groundhogs. Both Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Pennsylvania's Punxatawny Phil both saw their shadows when they emerged, or were dragged, from their burrows this Groundhog Day. And according to tradition, that meas another 6 weeks of winter.
   Ontario's Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow this morning, probably due to the fact that it's snowing there, and an extreme cold warning is in effect.
   Last year, as we all remember, Sam and Winnipeg's "Willow" got it wrong, and we suffered polar vortex after polar vortex.
   A lot of people (some quite serious) last year were wondering how to cook groundhog?
   Here are a couple of recipe's I found on the internet:

Country-Style Groundhog:

Ingredients:

1. 7 individual groundhogs

2. ½ cup flour

3. ¼ tsp. salt

4. ¼ tsp. pepper

5. ¼ tsp. soda

6. ¼ c. cooking oil

7. ½ tsp. sugar
 

Instructions:

Prepare groundhog by removing the small sacs in the back and under the forearm.  Soak groundhog overnight in salted water. This will help remove the gamey flavor. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and soda; use as a rub on the groundhog.  Brown the groundhog in hot oil in the skillet, and sprinkle with sugar. Reduce heat, add 1 ½ cup water. Cover, simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender. Remove cover; let cook for an additional 10 minutes.

 

Or try:

Oriental Groundhog:

Ingredients:

1.1 groundhog

2. 2 quarts water

3. ¼ cup salt

4. ½ cup soy sauce

5. 2 whole cloves garlic

6. 1 whole pepper

7. ¼ onion

8. 2 tablespoon mild chile powder

9. ¼ bunch whole parsley

10. 4 beef bouillon cubes

11. ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground white pepper

12. 1 cup beef or chicken broth

13. Teriyaki glaze
 

Instructions:

Cut meat into pieces and let soak in 1 quart water and salt for three hours. Transfer groundhog to 1 quart fresh water and soak 4 hours. Drain and dry meat. Place meat in a baking pan with broth, soy sauce, garlic cloves, pepper, onion, Chile powder, parsley, bullion cubes, and white pepper. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for an hour to an hour and a half. Baste frequently and finish with teriyaki glaze.

   Bon Apetite!

 

TTFN