From High in the Mountain to Feet on the Ground

The skiing at Lake Tahoe (Heavenly Valley) was, as the name implies, close to heaven.One day was an 'out of body' experience, sunny skies and "perfect bluebird" conditions. At over 10,000 feet, one run was five and a half miles long. It was not the best run on the hill, but definitely worth skiing at least once. The snowfall this year was exceptional, some days as much as two feet, yes that is feet! It was difficult to find the car in the morning! We had wonderful skiing companions and on the days we were snowed in, the games, discussions, the dinners were events to remember.

For me the most difficult part of the skiing was the lack of oxygen, the thin air made breathing difficult, especially when the new snow was a foot deep. But we all survived.

Coming down to earth and returning home was a real shock. So much can happen in a week: Canada got involved in  another war, a Federal election was called, an Ontario Budget was presented ($16.7 billion non-public debt and $220.3 billion public held debt!), Roger Abbot of Air Farce fame died, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not make the playoffs AGAIN, and gas at the pumps jumped to $1.24 a litre. But it is good to be home nevertheless.

Obliviously there was not much Canadian news in California/Nevada. There was plenty on the  deteriorating nuclear problems in Japan as well as the war in Libya. But there were no negative ads or election leaflets stuck in our ski lodge door. I already sent an email to my Federal member complaining about his negative pamphlets. The "Harper Government" (the Federal government!) are still 'harp-ing' on  what wonderful money managers they are. Did they not start out with a huge surplus and we now owe $562,483,081,000.00 and counting? That is going to cost each of us right now at least $16,935.78. Besides, Canada avoided a financial meltdown, not because of the Government, but because of the banking rules and practices that have been in place for many years. And they want to spend more on jails and jets, and other expensive election goodies, but they are not sure how much any of this is going to cost!  It must be wonderful to be a politician and free to spend our money, hoping we believe we are getting a free gift! What a sick view of the people of this beautiful country. Was it not George Orwell who said the great enemy of clear language was insincerity!

Now we have a great debate about a debate! Sometimes I wonder who is steering the ship and if they know anything about navigation. There is some comfort in being in my eighties realizing I knew Canada when it was at its best!

And that's a Dick's View of the World this Week.