A Whopper Of A Deal–Burger King To Canada In Tax Dodge

Now, where was I before being Idiot of the Day? Oh ya - horror of horrors! According to a late breaking story from the Wall St. Journal on Sunday, Brazilian owned Burger King is in talks to buy Canadian donut chain giant Tim Horton’s. The deal would apparently be structured as a ‘tax inversion’. Tax inversion is the relocation of a corporation's headquarters (mostly US located) to a lower-tax nation or corporate haven such as Canada. We’re a corporate tax haven?  Who knew?

Heaven in the morning is definitely Tim Horton’s

We knew!  That’s right, my American friends, so-called socialist Canada (hee-haw) has a lower tax rate than capitalist USA. That’s true despite Fox News’ clown heads trumpeting how our Universal Health Care System is a terrible drain on our entire system of government. Here in the Great White North our economy is chugging along just fine with absolutely no bank failures. We do continue to be amazed though at US stories about our very popular and excellent health care.

But, that’s a topic for another day. Right now, the idea of Timmy’s being sold to anyone has to be a serious blow to our national identity. Timmy’s is as Canadian as our Maple Leaf national flag.

With 3,588 restaurants in Canada, 859 in the United States and 38 in the Persian Gulf region (I didn’t know that!) it’s by far Canada’s largest restaurant chain.

I’m betting that there are very few Canadians who have never tasted a donut from Timmy’s. Tim Horton’s was founded in 1964 by former Toronto Maple Leaf hockey legend Tim Horton.

The new Canadian Burger King/Tim Horton’s deal, if it goes through, would create the third-largest quick-service restaurant provider in the world.

Who would be the biggest loser in this deal? The poor American tax payer as yet another American based company would move offshore to reduce their corporate taxes thus shifting the burden to the American middle class. The Obama administration is moving ahead with proposals to limit tax inversions but face heavy opposition from the GOP. What a shock!!

Hey – the joke’s on you America – I’m off to Canada!

Personally, I hope the deal falls flat on its face. I’d rather pay more for a “double-double with a small box of Tim-Bits” than see Tim Horton's sold to anyone.

Thanks for visiting!

Idiot Of The Day Is Me - I Have To Eat A Big, Fat Giant Crow!

I was wrong! I made a big mistake this morning by posting I was going to make my blog Private and available only to me. Since then, I have received a few emails from readers and some have asked me if my decision had anything to do with my exchange of yesterday with Sam and Donna. The truthful answer is no. In fact the very idea of that horrifies me as I’ve never been one to shy away from controversy and certainly not from anything I’ve said.

My decision was based on not adhering to my original goals established when I started this new blog. I wanted to get away from daily activities, blog only when I had something new to say. I’ve been struggling with that lately and have made a few mistakes which I won’t mention lest I exacerbate the situation.

Almost everyone in my family wants privacy when it comes to my blog and I intend to stick to that with the exception of little Mason who just loves posing for pictures. So, I’m going to try again and focus more on things of real interest to me while not getting caught up again in the daily blog-a-thon of what I’m up to unless it relates to something techie or interesting.

I’m not even going to try and make excuses mostly because I can’t think of any good ones!  Thanks to everyone who commented and especially to those who emailed me as sometimes I just need a good slap across the head with a 2 x 4 to focus. And, by the way, my previous post is now declared officially inoperative! My apologies for being the “Idiot of the Day”!

Thanks for visiting!

I’ve Discovered The Secret To Happy Blogging! Private!!

An Important Update To This Blog Shortly after writing this post I changed my mind thus making me: The Idiot of the Day – I Have to Eat A Big Fat Crow No excuses – just a blip in the life of a blogger.

It’s always seemed strange to me that good ideas sometimes come from the strangest places, at the weirdest times and right out of the blue. So, it is with my blogging hobby which will, after this post, change to an “Author Only” publication. That’s right – just me! I like almost all aspects of blogging but I especially treasure the fact it is a journal of my daily activities, family, travel and opinions that I can look back on and have a record of. A diary? Not exactly – just an activity journal.

When after 5 years of blogging with Rick and Paulette’s RV Travels I got tired of writing about the same old, same old stuff I switched to my new format. I thought, at the time, with a new focus my interest would be reinvigorated. It has worked somewhat as I’ve enjoyed the switch to talking more about techie stuff which is my true passion and, on occasion, events in the news. And, mostly of course, my little grandson Mason!!!

Then there is the issue of what’s “too much information” and what’s “not enough”? I still haven’t figured that one out. Most bloggers, I think, will deny that ego has anything to do with their blogging hobby and maintain they do it only for their own satisfaction. I’ve said that too. Then, it struck me this morning that if that were true, I shouldn’t really need the public feedback at all. I could still write what I want, take photos and keep an excellent journal of all my daily activities just for my family.

So, that’s what I’m going to do. In a little over 5 years, I’ve shared pretty much everything I want, or need, to share. I’ve said pretty much everything I’ve wanted to say. My opinions and views are well known to everyone who reads my blog. While I like the feedback, comments and success of my blog, I’ve always known it’s just a hobby and something I don’t really need in my life. I don’t need the ego-boost as I’ve always pretty much relied on my own self-esteem to get by in life.

When I said that good ideas sometimes come from the strangest places and right out of the blue, it’s true. When I got up this morning I had no idea I’d be writing this as I had no concerns about anything at all. Yet, here I am. I’ve only said one time that I would be ending my original blog Rick and Paulette’s RV Travels and I did just that. This time, I will be reverting both of my new and old blogs to private, with no public access, this evening at 9pm PST with no plans for another one.

That’s it. Simple. I’ve always trusted my instincts and will do so again this time!

Mason’s First Visit To The Cobble Hill Fair

It was a big day for me yesterday as I got to take Mason to his very first Cobble Hill Country Fair. As usual for this event the weather gods blessed it with clear blue skies and warm sunny weather. Carrie came along with Mason while Paulette stayed home with Rylie to guard the homestead.

Mason got to drive an old truck complete with stick shift…

and a shiny old red tractor too!

We did come away from the fair with one kind of funny story though. I asked an old gentleman hanging around the old red tractor above if we could put Mason in the driver’s seat for a picture. He said “that would sure be o.k. by me”!  Mason loved it and afterwards I thanked the man for letting us take the picture. He just looked at us and said “it’s not my tractor”. So, that happened!

The miniature horses were a big hit!

“Do you think I could ride that little horse?”

Here’s what I write pretty much every year about this small, crafty, fun fair mostly for little kids:

This event is a real old fashioned "fall fair" for the whole family. You won't find any carnival rides here - there's not a rocket-ship, tilt-a-whirl or roller-coaster to be found. Nor are there any of the side-shows and electronic games blasting out heavy metal ear-busting music.

Next, we were off to see the chickens, roosters and ducks

“Let’s go that way, Grandpa!”

We had a great morning walking around the fair taking in all of the exhibits especially the animals which Mason loved. He saw chickens, roosters, birds, horses, cows, sheep, goats and seemed to find them all interesting. His favourite animal sounds were definitely the loud “baaaa……..baaaaaa….baaaaa” from the sheep.

Mason’s favourite thing was probably sitting in a fire truck…

and putting the Fire Chief’s hat on!

The fire truck was a huge hit with Mason and our little man was a big hit with the firemen too. They took him right up into the cab and made him the Fire Chief!

This is so much fun!

By the time we finished up at the fair, we had one tired, but happy little boy!  We got back home just in time for lunch and Paulette did not disappoint us at all. All in all, Saturday was a great day around here as taking Mason to his very first Cobble Hill Country Fair was a lot of fun for sure.

Thanks for visiting!

An Open Letter To Sam About His Ferguson, MO Views

Dear Sam,

I have never met you in person so I don’t presume to know what’s in your heart regarding the tragic events that have unfolded recently in Ferguson, MO. However, I do know what you’ve written in your blog about this tragedy and I find your words to be extremely troubling and disturbing. This is especially so since you were a police officer in the Dellwod/Ferguson area for over 30 years. I respect that along with the fact you are a US military veteran.

So, when I clicked on your post of Tuesday, August 19th, I had to take shake my head and take a quick couple of sips of strong coffee just to make sure I wasn’t still sound asleep and only dreaming. However, I was wide awake so I continued to read what you wrote even though it could be construed by many as not only insensitive but far worse. But, we’re all different right? We all have our own opinions and deep-set beliefs. Gawd knows, lots of folks disagree with me much of the time!

Sam, here are direct quotes of what you wrote in your August 19th post:

"I know if you are like me I am really growing weary the rioting and bad press the St. Louis area as a whole is getting. The shooting of a young man ,not child as the press is trying to trumpet, Sorry 6 foot tall, over 200lbs and starting college, doesn’t fit my description of a child, a young man yes."

"I cannot believe the restraint our police have used in not returning fire after being shot at and the target of gasoline bombs."

Then in reply to a reader’s comment, you wrote:

Gypsy, for the 30 years I was a Dellwood Police officer, I retired as ass't chief, We had the reputation of a top notch City Police Agency, we set our standards high and you didn't get hired without a degree.

Today if you are black you have the press in your hands, and the police are sacrificial lambs.No matter what the truth is Officer Wilson,will be hung out to dry, to appease the black population. This is oh so wrong. again glad to be a retired LEO.

So Sam, after spending considerable time reading and re-reading your post, and debating whether or not I wanted to jump into the “Bear Pit” one more time and subject myself to probable anger and abuse, I decided that racial tensions will never be resolved, or even improved, until both side’s views are shared openly and discussed rationally.

Having said that, here are my comments and questions, Sam, re your post:

What difference does it make if Michael Brown was “a young man, not child” when the Ferguson police officer gunned him down with at least 6 bullets?  Does it really matter whether Michael Brown was 5 or 6 ft tall and weighed 100, 200 or 300lbs?  He was unarmed, so age and size make no difference when facing a police officer who has a gun.

Incredibly, you seem to suggest the police should have opened fire on the protesters, including women and children, just because some threw water bottles and in rare cases a Molotov cocktail and even a few bullets at the heavily armored and protected police. The facts are there have been no reports of police actually being injured by anything.

Do you actually believe the situation would have been better today had the police opened fire on black men, women and children who were protesting? It doesn’t take “restraint” not to open fire on civilians marching in protest, it takes “common sense, morality and training” all of which, thankfully, those police officers demonstrated.

Finally, the idea that any police officer would be “hung out to dry” to “appease the black population”  would be laughable were it not so tragic. This flies in the face of the entire history of blacks vs police confrontations in the US. If that’s what you truly believe then I suppose every black person near Dellwood/Ferguson should be thankful you are now a retired LEO and no longer active.

Your fellow blogger, Rick D.

Now, before anyone rushes to their keyboards to type out the tired refrain that “it’s Sam’s blog and he can write what he wants because he is entitled to Freedom of Speech” – I understand and agree with that completely.

But, Freedom of Speech does not protect what you say, only your right to say it. This means that you can say what you choose, as Sam has, but free speech by its very nature means that others, like me, are just as free to say what they choose as well, even if it means disagreeing with you.

And then there is the old blog canard that goes like this: “if you don’t like what he or she writes then why do you read their blog?”  My answer to that is too many folks drink the same Kool-Aid relying on only those they agree with to help form their own opinions. Changing Kool-Aid flavours once in a while is a good way to learn what other folks are thinking and maybe even understand their point of view. Once in a while, even right-wing wackos and nutbars, like Sen. Rand Paul, make some sense.

I realize that almost everyone will have an opinion on Sam’s blog post, both pro and con, while at the same time most will not want to comment publicly. That’s too bad because I don’t feel these serious problems will ever be resolved simply by ignoring them. As for me, I’ve already stated that I found Sam’s words to be quite disturbing, insensitive and 180 degrees from my way of thinking. How about you?

Thanks for visiting!

A Short Film Captures The Beauty Of Cowichan Bay

Yesterday morning, Paulette, Rylie and I made our very first trek of the year up to the top of Cobble Hill Mountain.  It was a beautiful morning but cool enough in the forested trails to make the hike very comfortable. That was going to be the subject of this blog until I received an Email from Rod (Six Saturdays and a Sunday) with a link to a short 5 minute film simply titled “Once Upon a Day…Cowichan”. After watching it I knew I just had to share this with everyone – it’s pretty amazing!

Good music, creative arts, an inclusive and diverse community that thrives on fresh food and delights in the stunning scenery which is a daily four seasons backdrop to life in The Cowichan - that is what inspired this short film.

Watch ‘Once Upon a Day…..Cowichan’, a glimpse into our beautiful region

It is no mystery why so many first time visitors to the Cowichan Valley stay to enjoy its four distinct but gentle seasons, the award winning wines, the plentiful farm gate fare, freshly caught seafood and a range of cuisines in its many restaurants and pubs. As Canadian poet Linda Crosfield wrote "You know you're safe here, meandering through the seasons, home at last, there's nowhere else to go."

This film, a collaboration between two across-the-street neighbours in Cowichan Bay; internationally known film maker Nick Versteeg (DV Media/ DV Cuisine) and retired composer and arranger Eric Smith both of whom tapped into their local networks and found nearly 100 musicians and singers who were willing to go anywhere and do anything needed to make this project a success.

What I found especially enjoyable about watching this short film was recognizing all the places and scenery that I have talked about and shown photos of in my blogs over the years. Here are just a few of the examples I picked out:

From ‘Once Upon a Day…..Cowichan’

I took a picture of the same old barn in 2009 – just a half mile from our house

From ‘Once Upon a Day…..Cowichan’

True Grain Breads – from my blog

From ‘Once Upon a Day…..Cowichan’

Yup – we captured this one too!

From ‘Once Upon a Day…..Cowichan’

The Kinsol Trestle – I’ve written about it quite a bit

There were at least a dozen more scenes from the movie that I recognized as places we’ve been to and trails we’ve hiked, along with mountains we’ve climbed. It’s kind of good to know and reassuring that we seem to be on the right track!!  Thanks again to Rod for sending me this link.

Thanks for visiting!

Down By The Riverside – Just A Few Pics

When I switched to my new blog format back in May, I had intended to make it about “pics” as well as “bits ‘n bytes” and “news”. I was hoping that on slow summer days I could be just a bit less “wordy” and let the pics do the talking. I haven’t really done much of that but since we did go for a really nice hike along the Cowichan River earlier this week that’s exactly what I’m going to do today! More pics – less words! I hope you all enjoy the peace and quiet.

One of my all-time favourite scenes of the Cowichan River

Holt Creek Bridge

Lots of moss growing in the rainforest

The high trail above the river

Holt Creek in mid-summer

More moss

 

A long climb up

Gotta watch your step

Cowichan River

Thanks for visiting!