Retirement Journey Day One

The person who quipped that the job isn't finished till the paperwork is done wasn't joking. Karen has just started working through the paperwork, as hers is far more complex than mine, as she has her Ontario Teachers' Pension as well as her LAPP provincial paperwork to complete.

As for myself, I took the initiative to begin receiving my Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits early due to injuries I have experienced, and I submitted an application for Old Age Security (OAS), anticipating my first payment at the end of January. However, as part of the verification process, they are requesting a copy of my Ontario marriage licence to confirm my identity, as well as, I presume, Karen's.

The government can be unpredictable, to say the least. After all, we’ve been filing tax returns together for almost 40 years—shouldn’t that count for something? So, I went to the Ontario Government’s website and sent my last $15 to the Ford Administration for a card they've known about for years at both levels of government. At least Ontario, which claimed it would take 4 to 6 weeks, managed to process it in just 1 day and mail it out immediately. Now, it’s up to Canada Post. Wish me luck!

Karen taking her time has kind of set a probable date as December 01, 2026. My guess it will be way sooner than that as she has a huge amount of accumulated holiday days to get rid of. So it is more of a wait-and-see.

There’s no doubt that, given Alzheimer’s Disease has affected every generation of my family, and my foster brother Ian passed away from cancer much too early, serious conversations began about what the future may hold.

Many people I know have chosen to involve their children in family decisions, particularly significant ones such as retirement, by discussing plans together and seeking their input. While we are not financially affluent, in fact, quite the opposite, we decided that our children would not influence this particular decision. We informed them that both Mom and Dad will be retiring this year and invited them to join us for Castor Winterfest. Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

Essentially, now that we've both reached 65, we value every day we can spend together far more than any amount of money. For the past forty years, our days have been filled with work in classrooms, hospitals, or on the road, followed by evenings spent raising our children before resting to start again.

We have now reached the next threshold, and it is notable that this transition is accompanied by significantly less anxiety than previously anticipated. The reason for this may be that, for the first time in quite a while, both of us are moving forward together, united in purpose, without dwelling on the past, and ready to embrace the future collaboratively as we enter our golden years.

Our radio station, along with our Facebook and YouTube pages, will keep sharing our adventures, but from now on, we’ll never do it alone. We've reached a moment that's truly ours. The world isn't just an opportunity waiting for us; instead, everything that matters is contained within what we share together.

Going back to The Last Great Days of Retail

 

Unlike today, the 1980s and the large rows of shops, mostly independently owned, many of which have been owned by the same families for Generations. Jasper Ave in Edmonton or Yonge Street in Toronto were lined with everything from clothing and camera shops to non-franchised pubs and restaurants. 

In Edmonton, the Silk Hat Restaurant offered patrons the unique experience of having their tea leaves read by an experienced fortune teller at the conclusion of their meal. Alternatively, families could enjoy evenings together at Buffalo Bills Restaurant on Kingsway Avenue. For those seeking something distinctive, dining in settings themed as a jail or a sheriff's office was also available for special occasions.  

Toronto featured notable sports bars such as The All-Star Cafe, which displayed Dave Winfield's apology after he was arrested for throwing a baseball at a seagull during a Jays-Yankees game on Dundas west of Yonge. The venue was known for its spacious summer patio, offering views of the constant flow of pedestrians on their way to Yonge. Additionally, along Yonge Street, establishments like The Main Event just north of College offered themed nights, including steak and spaghetti specials, as well as highly popular chicken wings available every Monday and Wednesday for ten cents each.  

You didn’t have to spend time in places like the Eaton Center or other large shopping malls built in the 1970s, which were designed for shopper convenience with the “everything under one roof” idea—an approach that’s now fading or has already left many malls empty. Instead, people enjoyed finding everything they needed at the numerous shops lining the streets, while buskers sold goods from tables along the way. It was common to stop for a quick snack at the hot dog stand as you moved from store to store. 

This period marked the emergence of the first big-box stores and original bargain outlets, established by leading retailers of the era. Notable figures such as Ed Mirvish (Honest Ed’s), Howard Trifler (Howie’s), Herb Title (Herbie’s and Economy Fair), Hy Himmel (Hy and Zels), Steve Stavros (Knob Hill Farms), and Bill Comrie (The Brick, specializing in furniture) were instrumental in this transformation. These industry leaders capitalized on an open supply chain, enabling them to purchase goods in large volumes and maintain minimal overhead costs. Consequently, their establishments became prominent destinations for consumers, compelling competitors to adapt to the evolving retail landscape. 

It could be said that a level playing field was established, allowing every Canadian to live comfortably and with significantly less stress. 

As with all periods of growth, this era eventually came to an end, ushering in changes driven by technological advancement. Amazon began to significantly expand its influence across both the retail sector and major supply chains. Consequently, traditional retail experience began to decline, with franchises and corporate stores, as well as the fast-food industry, taking its place. While diversity has always played an important role in consumer choice, prevailing market trends now exert considerable influence over individuals' preferences in clothing, food, and lifestyle. 

It would be advantageous to have access to a wider range of options, rather than having choices restricted by the convenience offered by Amazon. This broader selection is something that was once highly valued, and over time, others may also come to recognize the benefits that were previously appreciated. 

The End Result of Unregulated Capitalism Faces A Trump Weary World

 

As Trump continues to place pressure on Canadian Sovereignty, a close examination of as a whole to geo global geo-politics from the 1980s forward, in terms of economics and trade relationships have many clues as to the decline of America and Canada as a whole, leading to not only the economic circumstances facing the lives of both working Americans and Canadians but also the polarization of not only the fascist right but also the radical left.

It can be observed that numerous Americans are concerned about the Trump administration's assertive actions in the global economy, particularly regarding its approach toward the sovereignty of NATO-aligned member states. These developments reflect the culmination of policy directions and decisions initiated during the Reagan, Thatcher, and Mulroney eras.

The first thing that everyone must do is put the Rhetoric on both sides into a corner. This is, for the most part, posturing. On one hand, you have the extreme right Oligarchy Which has put its faith in the Trump Administration with its billionaire cabinet and just as the Canadian Conservative party, the representation of the angry man at the schoolhouse door, placing blame without providing practical solutions to counter the economic circumstances that affect both countries equally.

Conversely, individuals across the political spectrum—including those in the center, right, and left, such as the Liberals and Democrats—have offered general responses to the nation's actions. Carney, recognized for his eloquence and expertise in economics, currently adopts a defensive position, aiming to uphold his administration’s prospects of forming a majority government in the event of a confidence motion. Much as the Democratic Party of the USA. However over the time since the 1980s they both have had an equal hand in the undoing of the North American economy and especially its working population.

This all begins with the Ronald Reagan Margaret Thatcher era. Ronald Reagan, whose rise in the GOP was predominately based on not only his celebrity status but also his work during the McCarthy era house investigations on un-American activities, where he actively to part in red bating and ruining the lives of many actors, labour leaders, and many other proffesional organizations across the United States. He would rise to become a corporate darling , and a proponent of corporate and financial domination worldwide.

What both He and Thatcher realized is that in order to accomplish this the first thing that they needed to do is take away the greatest source of power on the left, and that was the systematic destruction of the Labour movement. Reagan delivered the first blow with the firing of the Air Traffic Controllers, followed closely by Thatcher's all-out attack on the Unionized miners in the United Kingdom. Followed very quickly by the destabilization and privatization of public services as well as the deregulation of transportation, energy, and the banking industry.

Corporations recognized that organized labour's position within North American democratically elected society had weakened, resulting in a diminished sphere of influence for organizations such as the AFL/CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. This shift has led to persistent challenges from emerging economic powers, ultimately reducing labour's role to a fraction of its former significance in the industrial era.

Mulroney previously led the Iron Ore Company of Canada before becoming Prime Minister. During his tenure, he initiated significant changes to Canada's economy by selling off several Crown Corporations that had traditionally supported domestic wealth, research, and development. This shift transferred much of Canadians' economic interests to the private sector, which was primarily controlled by US-owned multinational companies. As a result, Canada became one of the world's largest exporters of capital.

With Corporate America now at the helm of the North American economy thing began to change dramatically, and the industrial age of North America came to an end.

This leads to the topic of Free Trade, including NAFTA (now known as CUSMA) and the subsequent signing of the WTO agreement. In contrast to the European Union, the agreements established among North American countries did not incorporate provisions to ensure labour standards were equally upheld across member states. As a result, manufacturing shifted extensively towards the Mexican border, where wage conditions were considerably lower. These changes in the economic landscape affected both American and Canadian workers, who increasingly relied on borrowing, contributing to rising public debt that ultimately played a role in events like the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States.

The World Trade Organization was established in 1994, which allowed emerging nations to participate more actively in global commerce. This development greatly benefited wealthy elites, such as Donald Trump, who, like many others, moved their product manufacturing overseas to take advantage of the low-cost labour conditions found in the Far East.

A significant turning point for the North American economy occurred in 1997 with the transfer of Hong Kong from British to Chinese sovereignty and China’s subsequent adoption of an oligarchic economic model. Prior to these developments, countries such as China, Russia, and India were often characterised by considerable economic and political challenges, and at times were regarded as unstable states.

Due to China's authoritarian government, a large supply of inexpensive labor became available for infrastructure development, allowing many Fortune 500 companies to relocate rapidly to the Far East. These companies benefited from an abundant workforce with limited oversight and minimal safety and health regulations, similar to trends observed in India. One of the early indications of these regulatory differences was the emergence of lead-based paints—banned in North America—in children's toys.

For North American workers now suffering the effects of poor working conditions or if nessesary the implementation of both temporary foreign workers in Canada and undocumented and migrant workers in the states to keep wages down. Became the consumer victims of cheap imports from the far east, once manufactured in our own back yards.  

Capital investments, public works, and infrastructure in North America declined as significant tax concessions were granted to the very oligarchy that contributed to these issues. This trend resulted in widespread housing shortages, increased living costs, and the consolidation of monopolies not only within businesses but also throughout the supply chain. In the absence of economic regulation, oligarchs and monopolistic entities were able to set prices at the highest levels consumers could tolerate. As a result, many individuals faced increasing economic hardship, further entrenching disparities between those with resources and those without.

Trump and the rest of the Global Oligarchs benefited greatly from these global moves. So why now is the blame card being placed on the very country they served to build up to protect the interests of the Oligarchic powers that be, and why does he have his sights set on fulfilling the Monroe Doctrine?

The primary factor is debt, specifically the substantial debt accumulated by both the USA and Canada over recent years. Additionally, the United States faces a shortage of critical minerals and resources necessary to restructure its economy. Economic pressures, including those stemming from corporate influences, have contributed to vulnerabilities within the U.S. economy. President Trump’s policies reflected ongoing alignment with established power structures; however, absent further expansionist initiatives in regions such as the Arctic and South America, the American dollar supported by economic elites may experience significant devaluation, potentially leading to broader economic challenges.

Carney's speech served as a prompt for mid-level economies to consider alternative strategies in response to the emerging isolationist policies advocated by the Trump Administration. He emphasized that exploring these options is essential to avoid potential economic constraints.

So in one way, his speech, although based on economic fact and reality, is without a doubt a beacon to the rest of the world. The question is how far he is willing to carry this vision out, and will Canadians and the rest of the world be willing to follow along?

TWO BROTHERS, TWO JOURNEYS, ONE SHARED ASPIRATION TRAVELING THE MINSTERAL ROAD

 TWO BROTHERS, TWO JOURNEYS, ONE SHARED ASPIRATION

TRAVELING THE MINSTERAL ROAD

As my brother Ian's memorial service approaches in Vancouver, with another planned soon in Edmonton, I reflect upon our lives, which took very different paths. Ian moved to Vancouver and dedicated himself to folk music and social justice, facing numerous hardships until he passed away from cancer in British Columbia’s Shelter system, unable to afford other housing. Leaving his girlfriend and one child.

I chose to pursue work in the east, dedicating my career to writing, social justice, mental health, and family. Even as a retired senior citizen, I continue to face challenges similar to those of Ian in fulfilling credit obligations and maintaining financial stability. This situation reflects the broader economic difficulties faced by many individuals in our country and province, which are only now beginning to recover from decades of poor fiscal decisions by previous leadership regarding wealth distribution.

I accept some responsibility for my setbacks, but Ian consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic in his day job and dedicated his evenings to recording in studios or performing with his band at nightclubs. Ian adopted a minimalist lifestyle and, despite earning a steady income amid Vancouver’s high cost of living, he always chose to reside in shared accommodation.

Things got worse for Ian as a pedestrian; he was struck by a BC Hydro Bus in the eighties, suffering severe Brain Damage that plagued him for the rest of his life.

Even with all of this struggle, Ian remained content. Ian's life was his music, and that is all he ever wanted. If you could bottle patience for medical distribution, his name would be on it. Ian was the textbook definition of the wandering minstrel; he lived to fulfill others by either the keyboards of his pianos or the many instrumental chords of his guitar.

Personally, I would head east to Toronto—a city that has also become largely unaffordable, leaving many residents homeless, hungry, or struggling to get by. My initial focus would be on writing and establishing a journalistic reputation. However, much like Ian's accident, my own mental health declined to the point where I crashed, encountering similar obstacles along the way. As a result, I had to reshape my life and find new strategies to navigate the mental roadblocks that kept appearing

I accepted a position at National Drug, now known as McKesson Canada, where I also met Karen and started a family. While there was an opportunity to remain in Toronto, continue writing, and collaborate with various organizations, the increasing responsibilities that came with each child led me to make a change. Consequently, I relocated to Alberta to prioritize raising and providing better care for my family and to focus solely on that.

Now in retirement, my children grown my dreams of becoming the writer I once aspired to be can now sit in the forefront of anything else. Taking my readers on fantastic journeys flowing from my mind to my pen. As long as I breathe, this is my new reality. I only wished the minstrel's song could have joined along.

New Years 2026 Dont Fear the School Yard Bully

 

As we bring in the new year, it seems most of our thoughts and reflections turn to Donald Trump and The Monroe Document, his administration's continual assault not only on his own people but also on sovereign nations, and the constant flow of uneasy rhetoric coming from the White House.

I realize, as most do, that this is hard to ignore and brings fear and anxiety to a great many people, which, in truth, is his intention. Dealing with Trump is like dealing with the schoolyard bully. Trump derives his power by antagonizing people to the point that they begin to run away in fear or simply surrender in defeat as the American administration continues to put a headlock on its own people. While challenging and creating chaos globally.

My intention, for the longest time, upon my retirement, was to begin writing books to address a very displaced and hungry nation and world. The idea was to give people of limited means, like groceries, gardening, and other cost-saving measures available to each and every one of us, but also to be a voice critical of those, especially in the corporate world, who continually apply financial pressure on those who can least afford it.

With social media becoming a cesspool of useless, conspiracy theory-filled rhetoric, people face an increasingly difficult task in defining what truth is, let alone what is real or AI-generated. This mindless propaganda is gold to Trump, as it silences what might otherwise be a far more unified front against his administration's draconian and vicious grab for power.

I'm often glad for the cold, snowy winters of the prairies, as the huge blanket of snow is so white that it reflects not only the sun's rays but also gives new life to the ground beneath it.

So, I can say with absolute certainty to each and every one of my readers and friends around the world. The global community will not allow a bully like Trump to continue, as will the greater population of American people, with midterm elections upcoming this year, Trump's firm dictatorial grip on power will begin to fall apart like a house of cards.

Until then, the best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him, prove that no one is scared or intimidated by him, and begin to ignore him and take away his stage.

It’s time to build a world together, hand in hand, learning from each other and peacefully building a world where all are equal, and the poor and marginalized can thrive alongside each one of us.

For my family and me, we will continue to write, make videos, and celebrate life at its fullest across the internet, on Outlaw Radio 1960 on live365.com and TuneIn radio, and leave the schoolyard bully to cry in the realities surrounding him while we speak.

Trump's stance on the Monroe Doctrine edges the world toward global conflict.

Now calling it the Donroe Doctrine, Donald Trump, with his invasion of Venezuela, has set the globe on a collision course between the major superpowers.

For those who do not know what the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 is, I suggest you brush up on your history very quickly. Because the Donald Trump shouting of the 51st state and the acquisition of Greenland are far closer than most of us would like to think. Canada, Latin America, and South America had better wake up fast because we not only have a leader of the USA, but we have a megalomaniac who is also the holder of the most significant supply of nuclear weapons, as well as the largest stockpile of chemical and biological weapons.

Maduro was regarded by many as an authoritarian leader in Latin America. However, the invasion of Venezuela during the Trump administration, along with the proposed occupation, has been criticized as a violation of international law as well as an overreach of executive authority under the US Constitution.

Currently, numerous world leaders are exercising considerable caution in their statements, primarily due to concerns about potential responses from the Trump administration. I am particularly taken aback by Marc Carney's reaction to this development, given Canada's central position within Donald Trump's sphere of influence and its likely inclusion among his priorities.

I am equally, if not more, concerned by Pierre Poilievre's response; however, I am not entirely surprised, given his association with what is often referred to as "Maple Maga." He may lack a comprehensive understanding of global geopolitics and its history. Furthermore, his actions suggest a greater focus on political alliances rather than on considering the immediate international consequences of this situation.

This is not the moment to retreat, especially since that's precisely what Trump is counting on. He epitomizes a schoolyard bully, so the most effective response is to stand firm and refuse to back down. Giving in to him and his administration would be an act of surrender. Canada must remain resolute and consistently demonstrate our true character without hesitation.