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