Varia

Well still working on tax returns.. not nearly as hectic as during tax season but still few to do...why do some clients wait until after tax season...many do so willingly so it's less hectic; others do so as they don't owe money; and others.. well just procrastinate ((:-)). But my clients are the 'lifeblood' of my business so who am I to complain ((:-)).

Spent a week in Saskatchewan a few days ago. Saw our family. Grandsons are growing...newest one (4 months old) contributed to 2 sleepless nights for my wife and me. But he's loads of fun...

Glad our federal politicians came to an agreement on document disclosure. Gee they CAN work together when they want to...but only because no one of them wants an election...which is becoming long overdue in my view....

Speaking of not wanting something I see most MP's don't want Auditor General reviewing their expenses.. have they something to hide.....

As many of you know we are returning to Saskatchewan next month.. tomorrow we get to say 'best wishes' to lots of friends and customers....

Various Stuff

Writing this post from Calgary airport en route for visit to family and friends in Saskatchewan. A good 'post tax season' get away even though not everything is done... But pressure time is over at least for now.

Still have some responsibilities in NGO's in Ottawa. Dealt with one of them by phone and email from here.

Very happy at upbeat mood of son-in-law with whom I spoke a day or so ago.

Others are commenting on current happenings in Parliament. From where I sit, the Speaker's ruling on detainee documents was a good one. Parliamentarians of all stripes must co-operate to ensure MPs have access.

I hear folks still venting about HST. Do those who vent have an alternative to ensure public agency has resources to carry on all the worthwhile public programs and services? Consumption taxes like HST are regressive but low income earner tax credits/rebates lessen impact. One can argue about levels of credits/rebates but the reality is consumption taxes are here to stay.

Wonderful Day

Late this morning an as yet not named young man arrived in this world. He is the newest member of our family. Our fourth grandson is now alive and well.

We are proud to once again become grandparents.

A Huge Country We Have Here

Well after seven driving filled days we are back home...great to be ensconced in usual quarters.

What a variety of scenery in this country...flat prairies; beautiful lakes; wonderful valleys and rivers...

Experienced snow squalls.. not very nice if you are driving on already snow covered roads.. but appropriate levels of caution one can safety arrive at destinations.

Saw daughter and boyfriend, and two grandsons during our time away.. all are good which is great

The Most Important Relationship Batch of All

We all have relationships in our lives. They go up and down; hot and cold... but soem are more important than others.

Some time ago I talked about my relationship with my spouse who is also my best friend.. .we had a wonderful time this past summer marking our 40th wedding anniversary.

I want to talk about another very important relationship. It's the one we have with our children. YOu know even when they grow up they are still our children. There isn't much (some might say we do too much) we won't do for our children.

This next week we are spending many days travelling to and from where our adult child lives. To the extent we can, we are helping her sort out some significant life cycle issues she is facing.

One may ask why we are going to all the hassles of travel (I may post comments during our trip)....well like all parents we are doing it as we love her. She entered our lives nearly 3 decades ago and it's been an exciting time ever since. She has grown up into a mature woman with normal young people's dreams and goals.

We are there both literally (at times) and figuratively to support her.

What's Really Important in Life and Other Musings

You know as parents we never stop worrying about our children...it's like we're 'hard wired' to worry. Our nearly 28 year old child is having major health challenges right now. THey are temporary in nature but we still cannot help but worry.

We hope things will progress in her overcoming these challenges.. but we will continue to worry.

See lots of stuff about Iran in the news.. sometimes think they may focuss on its nuclear ambitions/plans. Yet we don't focus on others who have nuclear capability.. wonder why sometimes.

Of all the ideas of the Iranian president the most distressing is his comments about the Holocaust. To question its historicity is the height of madness. Criticism of actions of te State of Israel does not make one an anti-semite. But questioning the truthfulness of hte holocaust which carried out acts of genocide against European Jewry is most definitely anti-semitic.

I see Canadian political party shenanigans will resume this week...but I doubt all three opposition parties will be able to force an election.. unless it happens by accident...