Canada's Three-dollar Coin

Did you know that Canada is developing a three-dollar coin? This is the first of its kind in the world. That's right, no other country has a three-dollar coin or bill.

Canadian researchers were assigned to come up with a currency designation that would not only be unique, but create jobs and boost the economy.

Ministry of Finance assistant Bob Billsworth came up with a solution that was indeed genius. The coin would be made of wood - thereby creating jobs and giving a much needed boost to the floundering Canadian logging industry. The material would need to be hardwood for durability and a tree that is abundant. Subsequently birch and maple are the woods of choice.

To further impact the unemployment rate, the insignia on the coin would be partially hand-hewed. 

In keeping with Canada's theme of unique indigenous animals, like the beaver on the nickel, the loon on the one-dollar coin, and the polar bear on the two-dollar coin; the three-dolar coin will bear the likeness of the majestic pileated wood pecker on one side of the coin. The wood pecker is a Canadian icon, and is a hard-working and peaceful bird. 

On the downside, administrators are concerned about the possible moniker that will be given to the three-dollar coin. As we all know, the one-dollar coin became affectionately the "loonie"; the two dollar coin, the two-nie".

Think about the possibilities: Next year when you hand the server at your favourite Canadian donut shop a five-dollar bill when you order a muffin and coffee that comes to $2.97, you'll be able to place your hand in your front pocket and say, "Hang on. I think I have a woody!"

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Inventory Time!

Today is my birthday. Please, don't spend any more than $100 dollars on me! Actually I prefer cash so I can buy something from an outdoors' store. Also, if you get the urge to send me a sentimental e-card with butterflies and esoteric sayings - don't! (You don't want to make me get misty on you.)

I'm turning 50-something. And at this stage in life birthdays - at least for me - serve as a reminder that I need to make my life count. I need to be purposeful in both short-term and long-term goals, and how what I do fits into the big picture.

I also need to think about where I've spun my wheels in the last year doing things - or at least having my mind on things - that are really not productive. I need to think about how I need to change, or revise how I live and interact with those around me.

A very wise man once told me that it's not really the "bad" things in life that you have to watch out for; it's the "good" things. What he meant by this is that "bad" things are obvious to us and fairly easy to steer clear of. However, plans or courses of action that are "good" for us often pull us away from what is "best" for us.

Interesting eh?

He also said that as we get older we should narrow our focus to those things we are best at, and move some of the things that we are good at, to the side.

How do we figure out what we are best at? Well, we take note of what other people say we are best at; things for which we receive praise and encouragement. Rather than what we think are our strengths.

So this is what I'm doing today. Taking inventory. Perhaps I will take a walk in the woods by myself (but with my dogs) and let my mind wander - and ponder.

I think everyone should do this once in a while. It doesn't have to be on your birthday of course; and if you really screw things up on the day after your birthday, you don't have to wait another 364 days to straighten things out!

Any-hooo, enough of this baring of the soul. If I don't stop now I'll break into the chorus of "Kumbaya" - and God knows that my gift is not singing.

Autumn is the Season

Occasionally I stop and ask myself, “Why do I do this?”  This outdoor writing.  I’m not changing the world or doing something particularly meaningful.  But every now and then I am reminded by someone.  It is usually a family member, but yesterday I bumped into an old acquaintance at the mall.  He stopped to say hello and let me know how much he enjoyed my writing.  Then the answer is not so vague.  The great outdoors is magical.  And writing about it often inspires others to get off the couch and into the outdoors.  Outdoor adventure is part of who I am.  It’s the way God made me.  Why shouldn’t I help others find the same simple pleasures?

This morning is very cold.  There is frost sparkling on the fields and you can see where deer have walked very early this morning.  l stop and think that the cold is only relative.  Relative because last weekend it was 30 above and I was basking in the sun on the beach.  You wouldn’t want to do that today.  But in another month or two, zero will be a blessing.  Frost is the first harbinger of fall.  It kicks animals into high gear.  The salmon are running, the moose have begun to search for a mate.  Every other creature is searching for food in preparation for the long winter.

Autumn is my favourite time of year.  In fact it is so full of opportunities it is often difficult to decide what to do next.  You can swing a fly or lure amongst 20-pound salmon in many of our rivers, hunt grouse, or simply take a walk in the woods and soak in the smell and colours of fall.

We live in a magical place along the north shore of the largest lake on earth.  The water is clean and blue.  The insects have all but died off, and our hills are covered in orange, yellow and just a dash of red.  Leaves crunch under foot and mountain ash berries hang like grapes on the branch.

Beside my bed are several outdoor magazines.  They are full of pictures of big bucks, and the text tells you everything you need to know about bagging one.  l think about the days when I had just gotten into fly fishing.  I read scads of articles on how to catch fall steelhead on a fly.  Some were like the key to the Kingdom, so I photocopied them so I could read them over and over.  

Not only does this reading get my juices flowing, but it provides an opportunity for me to forget the sometimes unpleasant realities of life.  It is an escape of sorts.  One that is neither illegal, immoral or unhealthy.  So many people turn to unhealthy things to assuage their conscience, their predicament: how they feel that life has dealt them a poor hand of cards.  

But even if you can’t afford bus fare, you can still jump on a bike, put on a pair of shoes, or have someone push you in a wheel chair and wander off into the woods.  Hoisting a chunky salmon that has just bent your rod in half is good medicine.  So is a brace of grouse.  A harvested deer or moose is a memory that will last a lifetime.  And life is short.  Before you know it you’ll be wondering where the time went.  

So while you still can, do what brings you joy.  lf hunting and fishing is not your thing we don’t mind.  But get out and walk, take pictures, maybe have a sandwich and a thermos of tea beside a babbling brook.  Winter is long, summer is hot and sweaty, but autumn is the time when this country blooms in every way imaginable.

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Top Ten Reasons Why We Love Dogs!

Regardless of what kind of day I’m having, my dogs can make me smile. I own two springer spaniels. They are so full of life they put the Energizer bunny to shame. Not only that, but they each have their own personality. Every dog does. And that is just one characteristic that makes dogs fun to be around.

It sounds cliche, but dogs truly are mans’ best friend. Here are my top ten reasons for why dogs are easy to love:

1. Easy to please: Think about it. You feed your dog the same food 365 days of the year, yet every mealtime they wag their tales and hop around in anticipation for dehydrated chunks of lamb, chicken, rice and other mystery substances. Some joke that dog food is made from lips and eyeballs (etc.). That is probably not far from the truth. Yet your dog gobbles down their kibbles and bits like it is prime rib with gravy.
2. Low maintainance: Yes dogs take some work when they’re pups, but once they’ve completed basic training it doesn’t take much to make them love you. Let them outside in a fenced yard with a bowl of water and maybe a bone and they keep themselves entertained all day. If you say hello to them when you get home, scratch their ears and rub their bellies you are golden. Feed them a bowl of lips and eyeballs and they are good until the next day.
3. Forgiving: If you occasionally ignore your dog, or otherwise act like an ungrateful so-and-so, your dog doesn’t hold a grudge. They are ready to pick up where the relationship left off - with no baggage.
4. Forgivable: My two springers gobbled down a whole store-bought barbeque chicken and left nothing behind except the little plastic thingy that holds the legs together and a grease spot on the tile floor. I erroneously left the chicken on the counter within “nose-shot” of the dogs and left the room momentarily (silly me). Within seconds they snorfed down the chicken. When I realized what had happened, I began scolding the dogs, who were now curled up on their pillow in the corner. I was really giving them what-for until one them looked at me and belched. I couldn’t stay angry any longer.
5. Predictable: When my dogs come into the house they wag their tales and circle the perimeter of the kitchen looking for scraps. If something is lodged underneath the fridge or stove they morph into contortionists trying to get their tongue or toe nails onto the crusty. They never walk into the house and sulk about having a bad day at the office.
6. Not squeemish: Dogs will do the pre-rinse cycle on any dirty dish. In fact they love it. Bits of egg, grease, tomato sauce mixed with chocolate cake crumbs - you name it - and they will lick it clean right down to the glaze finish. Drop a glob of chili or stew in the grass or gravel, no problem, “We’ll eat it” says the dog.
7. Simple pleasures: Dogs make the most of every situation. Leave the toilet seat up? No complaints here, they’ll just have a drink on you. Have a toddler walking around smearing jam on the coffee table. “That’s awesome!” Says the dog. Even better if a toddler has an icecream cone. “Don’t mind if I do” Says the dog, as he licks the cone tactfully from behind.
8. All-season equipped: Some people buy dogs jackets, sweaters and booties, but dogs actually have all-season tires and coats - if you haven’t noticed. Is it cold outside? “I’ll wear my fur coat.” Says the dog. Is it hot outside? “I’ll wear my fur coat.” Says the dog. And etc. I think you get the drift.
9. Sleep-in or not: Unless your dog is a pup, they don’t care if you sleep-in, sleep all day, or party all night. They’re game for whatever. Want to get up at 5 a.m. take them for a walk, or better yet, for a little grouse hunting. AWESOME! Want to sleep in until 10 and read the paper in bed. AWESOME.
10. Look funny in hats or glasses: Not only do dogs look funny in glasses or hats, they let you dress them up and take pictures of them. They’ll never ask you to delete the photo. Nor will they mind if you have the photo published in a magazine!

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