Gays/Lesbians/Classic Cars???

I posted this a few years ago, and thought it was time to do it again. I found it rather strange then and still do today.

One might conclude the heading is a strange one?? I suppose it is a bit strange and for me quite a surprise. I have been a classic enthusiast most of my life. It is a hobby where I have never come across discrimination. Well maybe a few snobs who think their cars are better than the rest. But never intentional discrimination, classic car buffs are only interested in classic cars. Just today I read an article in a popular UK car mag about a club for gay and lesbians. I looked up the web site (www.gccg.org.uk) and it states anyone can join, one does not have to be gay? So why promote this club at all? surely if anyone can join then it is just another classic car club. Perhaps I’m missing something here but I fail to understand the reason behind this club. If you are into classic cars then you are already part of a very diverse group of people all with one interest, Cars. Sexual orientation aside, we love cars, we follow car shows, we search out rare autos and or parts, that is what the hobby is all about. I may be wrong here,  perhaps I have missed the point of this club, If so I hope someone will point out where I have misunderstood. It just seems to me by declaring a club as Gay that in its self is discrimination. Yes, many clubs declare to follow only one make of car, but I see that as different. Singling out a particular model of car is one thing, singling out the owners is something entirely different, and I think its wrong. I’m sure we have gay/lesbian members in our and many other clubs. I have just never cared or even considered it an issue. The bottom line is the GCCG Club are promoting separation and stating they are different.????
Just my thoughts and no offense is intended.
God Bless and keep reading.

Advertisements

Happy Birthday

Last Tuesday was my eighth birthday, other than a few birthday wishes it was just another day. Nothing special happened just my usual routine, with the exception of allowing myself a small glass of Irish before bedtime. Well, Mark, my son-in-law, did arrive to drop off a card and some birthday balloons. I assumed he was acting on Caroline’s instructions. Now, I will admit I was a wee bit disappointed, I thought maybe there might have been some kind of celebration, after all, 80 is quite a milestone. However, nothing happened and by Wednesday morning I was giving it no more thought. Friday Linda and I had to go to Charlottetown for a doctor appointment. On the way home Linda wanted to stop in at Super Store to pick up ice cream and a ham. I asked why we couldn’t do that on Saturday, we’d be going to town then anyway. We stopped at Super Store and got the things Linda said we needed. Once home I was feeling tired it had been a long day. I was relaxed in my faithful recliner while Linda was preparing supper. I thought it a bit strange that she kept telling me it was taking longer for the ham than she expected. I wasn’t concerned, I can eat supper late or early, it wasn’t a problem.  Around six o’clock Yoda let out a long series for barks, he does that usually when a car comes into the driveway. I hadn’t seen any lights shine on the wall and assumed he’d seen a squirrel out on the deck. They often travel passed the patio doors heading for the BBQ. Moments later the front door opened and in came my family. Caroline, Melissa, Christopher and Bethany plus Benson and Molly their dogs. I was showered with kisses hugs and gifts and a noticeable supply of wine!! Was I surprised? had I been fooled? did I not suspect? The answer is yes to all three questions. I was thoroughly taken by surprise but most happily so. It was a wonderful evening with lots of love and caring surrounded by a large part of my family. Susannah couldn’t be here, she is working in Goose Bay and its just too difficult and expensive to get out of there at this time of year. Nevertheless, she phoned me, being in the know as a part of the surprise party. You can imagine how happy I felt, how grateful and excited I was. But I did have to fend off three hungry dogs while eating my birthday cake. To give you some idea of how great was my excitement, I totally missed the Friday night episode of Coronation Street……….. But not to worry I recorded it, see, this 80 year is still pretty smart!!!!

God Bless and keep reading

My Driving Career Began in the 1950s

 

Yes I did have a licence to drive an automobile in the 1950’s and I knew all the hand signals??? Hand signals??? what are hand signals you ask?. In the 1950’s cars were not fitted with flashers or brake lights, some had small arms that popped out on each side of the car to indicate the vehicle was tuning left or right.They were know as trafficators. However, it was much safer to indicate by sticking your arm out the window and signaling your intentions. There was one signal for slowing down or stopping, another for turning right and one for left, one to indicate the vehicle behind should overtake. It was a bit of a pain in the winter, cars were cold to begin with and having an open window didn’t help. Most cars did not have heaters or blowers, on the windshield we sometimes had small electric elements held in place by suction cups. They were designed to heat the window and clear frost and condensation, they didn’t work very well. Driving in the 1950’s wasn’t easy, no seat belts, no cup holders, no heated seats, no blue tooth, no CD players, radios etc etc. We did often have two speed vacuum wipers though!! dead slow and stop. But then again it was probably safer on the narrow roads of the UK than it is on today’s fast motorways. I actually dated a very pretty girl driving a 1960 Bond three wheeler. Most cars from that long gone era were not capable of much more than 40 mph down hill with the wind behind you. The average family saloon was usually rated from 7 HP to maybe 12 HP, not exactly your North American muscle car?? Gone are those days, but I think I sometimes still miss them???just sometimes.
Today, I have to recognize that at my age laying on a concrete floor doesn’t work, having a afternoon nap works much better. Nevertheless, I haven’t completely given up old cars. I have a 1991 Pontiac Firefly. Its kinda MGish? convertible, two seater but somewhat easier to get in and out of.

The photos in order from top – 1935 BSA Scout. 1936 Hillman Minx. 1960 Bond Three Wheeler. 1991 Pontiac Firefly.
.God Bless and keep reading

PC party gone wrong again!

What on Earth is wrong with the members of the PC party of PEI. It seems the backroom boys cannot resist interfering with leadership issues. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what is happening in this latest leadership race. Much the same happened in the ousting of Olive Crane a few years ago. Jamie Ballem was the backroom poster boy, but lost to Olive.  It did not take them long to get rid of her. Now we have obvious attempts to support Dennis King as the next leader. One has to wonder how this effects the other four candidates? Indeed, we might ask why they even bother to run in what potentially is a one horse race. I see the backroom boys using these other candidates as window dressing and to create the illusion of a race. Not unlike the Liberals coronation of MacLauchlanin in the last provincial election.  However, surely this must make the liberals very happy, and also cements the Green Party as the real opposition in the upcoming election. One has to wonder if or when the PCs will get their act together and stop trying to manipulate an election candidate of their choosing.

God Bless and keep reading

Canada Post Eh!

This morning I was planning to go to the bank to get a money order. I wanted to mail it to Ontario where I had purchased a antique car book. I had the enevelope addressed and ready to go, all I needed was a stamp. I purchase the stamp at my local village post office on my way into town. I explaining, I didn’t want to mail it until I got the money order. The post office lady said, oh! we have money orders. Great, that would save me going into town to my bank. I asked for a $20 money order, she printed it out on the computer and I slipped it into the envelope and sealed it. What do I owe you for the order? I already had the twenty dollar bill out and change from $5 for the stamp. The price absolutely stunned me, $7 cost for a twenty dollar money order. If I’d gone to my bank the order would have been free. This was a lesson well learned, in future I will ask for costs before jumping in. However, it’s not too late for someone else who might be planning to buy a Canada Post money order! What is ironic about this story, are the costs involved. The book is costing me $10 plus $10 postage and now $7 for the PO money order. That is a ridiculous profit for Canada Post totalling $17 for a $10 item.

God Bless and keep reading

Reconciliation Eh!

Growing up in Belfast in the 1940-50s, I was cowboy crazy, as were most other boys my age. We relished going to see movies starring Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hop a long Cassidy etc. There would be a great cheer from the audience when the cavalry came charging over the hill to rescue a wagon train from those savage Indians. I now realise my total education of First Nation People was from Hollywood. I also realise it took me several more years to learn the truth. Fortunately I have been forced to re-evaluate why the different tribes did what they did. How or why they killed the poor homesteaders and burned their homes to the ground. I think when I first arrived in (1964) Canada, I believed all the Indians were gone. Not sure where I thought they had gone! but they were gone. My first reality check came at a Legion fancy dress dance around 1969. I saw a woman staggering across the room, dressed as an Indian squaw. I turned to my companion and said, looks like that squaw has had too much fire water. He bristled, then said I’m an Indian. I was shocked and even more embarrassed. Of course, I immediately apologise trying to explain my stupidly. That was more than 50 years ago and I have learned much since that time. Today I look at the dreadful treatment these once proud people are forced to endure. The many Federal Governments over the years have claim they are intent on reconciliation. Promises of improving the standard of living, providing clean safe water, investigating the disappearance and murders of young indigenous men and women. Yet nothing appears to be changing, the same issues continue unresolved. Its not only the Government to blame, many Canadians need to change their attitude to the First Nations people. A few years ago I was attending a legion function. I was chatting with the man sitting next to me, we were talking about our time in service. He made (what he thought was funny) the comment, the only combat he’d seen was fighting a FBI(f##king big Indian) while stationed out West. It is examples like this that really cause me concern. How can Canada ever reconcile the issue of First Nations when so many Canadians show such distain. Nevertheless, if our governments really wanted to make amends they could. Can you imagine if one of our major city’s had contaminated water, how long would it take to fix? Yet this same problem exists year after year on First Nation reserves. The First Nations were the true stewards of the land, not the corporate farmers of today. They looked after the environment, only killed the wildlife they needed to survive. When they slayed a buffalo every part was used, the animal was not killed just for its skin. Something we cannot say about those white buffalo hunters who only wanted the hide. Times have changed and I understand that. However, the tribes that roamed this beautiful land before we came, were proud and more advanced than they were ever given credit for. It is time we started to act as the civilized race we claim to be. Time we recognized and accepted the potential of our First Nation brothers and sisters. Help them to restore the great pride that once shone so brightly all across this glorious land.  God Bless and keep reading

 

A Little Sunday Humour

Twin sisters in a Newfoundland Nursing Home were turning one hundred years old.
The editor of the local newspaper sent a photographer to gets some pictures of the 100 year old twins.One of the twins was very hard of hearing.

When the photographer arrived he asked the sisters to sit on the sofa.

The deaf sister said to her twin, “WHAT DID HE SAY?”

“WE GOTTA SIT OVER THERE ON THE SOFA!”, said the other.

“Now get a little closer together,” said the cameraman.

Again, “WHAT DID HE SAY?”

“HE SAYS SQUEEZE TOGETHER A LITTLE.”

So they wiggled up close to each other.

“Just hold still for a bit while I focus the camera,” said the photographer.

Yet again, “WHAT DID HE SAY?”
“HE SAYS HE’S GONNA FOCUS!”

With a big grin, the deaf twin shouted out, “OH LARD TUNDERIN’ JAYSUS!
BOTH OF US???? — CAN I BE FIRST

Lost My Faith Friend This Morning

In the early hours of Friday morning January 11th 2019 my faithful friend and companion left this world. Angel was 13 1/2 years old, mostly Doberman with a tiny part Staffordshire terrier.  Angel and I became companions in 2004 when Caroline found her in Elmsdale NS. She was probably the most spoiled dog ever, she had beds upstairs and down stairs. We had to cover her with a blanket when she lay down. I guess that was probably my fault for beginning it in the first place. She has had back issues for the last year or so, and I knew this day would finally arrive. Yet it is never easy, she was not a dog to me she was family. Coming to terms with my loss will take time.  Rest in Peace my beloved friend.

God Bless and keep reading

Can You Imagine the next 100 years

Can You Imagine The Next 100 Years
Posted on October 25, 2015
by irishroverpei

Rate This

I’m unlikely to live for 100 years but as I close in on my 80th birthday next week I once again think of the immense changes I have witness in my lifetime. Who could have imagined the internet, flat screen TV’s, Satellites, Iphones, Ipads, Major heart surgery, Man on the moon and the list goes on and on. Can you even begin to imagine what the next hundred years will bring. Perhaps we don’t want to know?????. Here are a few things to ponder on, as we begin the year 2019
Here are some statistics for the Year 1910:
***********************************
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !
The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year,
And a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools,
Many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as ‘substandard.’
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
There was no such thing as under arm deodorant or tooth paste.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
The five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2, Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas Nevada was only 30!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
(yes, people have changed)
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years

God Bless and keep reading

We Will Remember! (Meaghan Roberts Service Officer PEI )

I’m re-running these blogs from 1st March 2018. I believe they are important, if we allow such insulting behaviour to be forgotten then the culprits will merely carry on doing more of the same. In the case of Meaghan Rockman, I suspect she has put this behind her and is still doing the same mediocre job, comfortable in the knowledge her job is secure. As per usual the Provincial Command will support her, not the veterans she insults. Meaghan Roberts is the service officer for PEI Provincial Command. So if any veterans out there need help she is the person to turn to. All I can say is good luck with that.

The writing is on the wall.Posted on March 1, 2018
by irishroverpei

Shortly after last weeks rude phone call from my legion representative (Meaghan Rockman) and after my stress levels returned to a more normal level I decided to write Dominion Command. It was possibly because of the medications I’m on, but I really believed someone at Dominion would respond ,maybe even offer apologies. Yeah! it was the Meds! Not one word no of explanation, no we are sorry etc. Just the usual, ignore him and he will go away. I have attached the letter sent to Dominion below. This has me thinking, not much else I can do these days, however the disarray of the RCL seems very obvious. I can’t speak for all of Canada just my own province of PEI. What see here clearly indicates a sinking ship. A provincial command that have lost their way and now drift aimlessly into oblivion. I look at the country branches, they are perhaps surviving on the fact most are the only place to buy a beer in the village. They are open to all and sundry, and support comes from a wall of lotto machines and ATM, plus booze. In the two major cities it’s a different story, lots of places to buy a beer. The two, once the islands largest branches, branch one and five in Charlottetown and Summerside are now renting the basements of what was once their former buildings. I don’t think it needs a Rocket scientist to see where this is heading. As I said in the title , the writing is on the wall. Please read below the letter sent to Dominion via Bruce Poulin communications officer. Since I received no communication this is another contradiction in terms.

Hello Bruce ,
it’s been a while since I last sent you an email of complaint or criticism about the Royal Canadian Legion . I hope and trust you will forward this message to the National President. I most certainly claim the moral high ground in what took place yesterday. (21st Feb) I received a phone call from Ms Rockman to tell me the RCL would not be supporting me for my present medical condition. (provincial health care denied coverage) Had she done this with a little compassion and or a sense of caring it might have turned out very differently. However she didn’t, her tone was aggressive, rude and demanding that I be quiet and listen to her. It was without doubt the nastiest phone call I have ever received . As you may be aware I’m ill and it does not take much to upset me, she manage it in spades. I had to hang up on her. Next, she called back and my wife ,unfortunately ,endured the same tirade , she eventually also hung up . This person lacks any trace of respect for a veteran. She made the incredible statement if it had not been for her I would never have received funding from the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Benevolent Trust. Nothing to do with the fact I had served twelve years in the Royal Navy. Please read yesterday’s blog, I have somewhat calmed down since writing it. However my anger lingers and this has upset me more than you can imagine. I have ,of course ,no proof but the prevailing attitude from provincial command makes me believe there is a undercurrent of pettiness and revenge. I’m well aware I’m not their favourite person, but that is a very poor excuse for such appalling treatment. I’m sure this not the image Dominion Command wish to have portrayed. It is certainly not the reason the legion exists . It goes even further, I have been seriously ill for fourteen months, was hospitalized during the summer of 2017 and to date have not received a phone call, visit ,or a get well card from the local branch or provincial command. Bruce ,I sincerely hope you will pass this email to the people that need to know. This is not about attempting into shaming the legion into giving me financial aid. I have reached the point where I will manage without legion help. not a great result in the claim ( we are there for veterans). Respectfully Submitted F.Ben Rodgers.
God Bless and keep reading