A Message to all Voters

Today is the day for all Progressive citizens of New Brunswick to go forward and do their duty. It is not necessarily a time for being Conservative - but it is a time for New opportunities. So exercise your Democratic right and consider what each Party has to offer.

Try to be fair and Liberal in your choice. After all, this is the People's election. Together your votes can form an Alliance for good government. And always remember - the rest of the world would be Green with envy to have a political system like yours.

Voting is not just your right - it is your duty! So do your part - get out there and vote for the party of your choice. Or just close your eyes and take your best shot. Flip a coin, spoil your ballot or just make a doodle. The main thing is that you vote - it is more important than you think.

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Two Thumbs Up!

I went out to "a show" the other night and I have to say I was completely entertained even though I have seen it many times before. This show has literally been around forever - yet it is still enjoyed by young and old alike. With all the hype these days about high definition and 3D it was refreshing to see one of the old classics again. I never get tired of it - I still see something different every time.

There was only a small crowd on hand, but that didn't matter - we all had front row seats. And there was no need to get there early because there are no commercials or previews with this show - just the main feature! As the light started to fade you could sense that the small but appreciative crowd was settling in for an evening of quality viewing.

Imagine watching a show that has been seen by more people than Gone with the Wind, Avatar and Titanic combined - yet it has never won an Oscar or even been nominated! It always starts out slow with the same old plot; simple yet fascinating, but as the light starts to fade the attention of the crowd is once again riveted on the drama unfolding before their eyes. The color was glorious and even the sound was so clear and crisp you could hear every nuance. No people talking too loud or coughing and shuffling, no annoying cellphones. Maybe just the sound of a few loons in the distance... huh?

Oh, did I mention I was talking about a bonfire? The longest running show on earth and it never ceases to fascinate people. And best of all it is absolutely free - except for the cost of the firewood but you can just drag that out of the woods. This particular bonfire was playing at Peltoma Lake last week and I suspect it will be making a return engagement next year and I for one plan to be there.

But don't take my word for it - be sure to see this perennial crowd pleaser the next time it is showing at a lake or a beach or a backyard near you. You will not be disappointed - and I am pretty certain even Siskel and Ebert would have agreed on this!

Get Back!

Before I start I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! That's right - Happy New Year! And I would not be surprised if you found this greeting to be a little premature considering it is only early September- but read on and I will explain...

I have always thought of the fall and Labour Day in particular as more of a turning point in the year than what we traditionally call New Year's Eve. Think about it for a minute - summer puts everything on hold; life seems to be in a state of suspended animation for three months. School is out, people take holidays and go away or just power down and cope with the heat. We all function on automatic pilot or maintenance mode - anything important that has to be done can wait until fall... well guess what?

Fall is the time of year when we get back to being busy. There is a lot of work to do and the light is fading fast so no more lounging around in pools and sitting around in the shade sipping iced tea and beer. Take off those shades, pack that bathing suit away, put down those ice cream cones and let's get back to work!

Now is the time of year when most of our major holidays and cultural events still lie ahead of us - the real ones. All summer has to offer is Canada Day and that happens before summer even gets here. Once Labour Day arrives, we get back to school and college; we settle down and get back to our jobs again. Soon we will get back to giving thanks again and remembering again - something we don't do in idle summer.

We are Canadians - we are people of the north. We are not designed for hot weather that lasts more than a few days, let alone weeks or months! We are built for wearing lots of clothing and taking off a layer or two if it starts to warm up a little. Fall reminds us of that fact. And just as the Beatles sang long ago - it is time to "get back to where we once belonged."

Who is with me?