After taking a couple of months off from writing posts and updating the site, everything is up to date for September 1.
Well, it definitely feels like summer is over. The evenings are cooler, school starts this week and if the Ex was on it would be ending today.
We had a great summer. Teresa and I were at the cottage more this summer than any time since we have owned the cottage with Ken and Judy. We were at the cottage most weeks Monday to Thursday. This allowed us to play the golf course we joined, Bay of Quinte GC and then be home on the weekends to play golf and have dinner with our children. A great balance and as COVID restrictions eased over the summer it was definitely easier to see everyone. All of our children and their partners (except Brendan and Candace who are in West Virginia) took a week off and we spent that week at the cottage, golfing, playing card and board games, eating and drinking. We visited Signal Brewery in Corbyville (near Belleville) for dinner after golf one evening and had a great dinner along with their craft beer. Although the Father and Three Sons golf event was cancelled again this year due to COVID, we had a great couple of days at the cottage with my brother-in-law Richard and his three sons and three of our sons in our own family version of the event. Hopefully, the event will be back next year. One of our extended family's favourite family cottage events of the summer Fins and Skins is delayed but not cancelled. Last year we cancelled the event due to COVID. This year with allowances for larger groups we are holding the event in September. We are so looking forward to having our extended family, 20+ people together for a great weekend at the cottage.
Along with everything else going on our Prime Minister decided to call an election. This was clearly unnecessary, the existing minority government was working fine (it did after all get Canada through the pandemic in better shape than many countries). This was an obvious opportunistic move by Trudeau to try and gain a majority government. Although too early to call (and I am certainly not an expert) it appears that we are headed for another minority Liberal government. So no change. Why are we doing this again? I don't intend to spend time writing posts on the election. I will just say this. I am a Liberal, I want to vote Liberal in every election, federal and provincial. I did not vote Liberal this election. Justin Trudeau and the Liberals do not deserve my vote. Too much scandal, inaction, insincerity and arrogance. I could not bring myself to vote Conservative. I cannot vote for a party that many of its members deny climate change, the majority of its members voted against conversion therapy and vote against a woman's right to choose or not choose abortion. Erin O'Toole has done his best to come across as moderate but the fact is his party is against many of the things I think are important and I think he will continue to have issues containing his party. I voted NDP this election.
I also completed mail-in voting for the first time ever. It was an easy process. You apply online for your voting package, it is sent to your house, you complete the ballot and mail it back. That's it. The only slight complication is you do not receive a ballot with the candidates for your riding already filled in. So you need to know the name of the individual you are voting for and print that name clearly on the ballot. If you just write in the party your ballot will be spoiled. It is great to live in a country where mail-in voting receives no attention, no controversy.
So what is new on the website. Here is what to look for:
I posted an article titled, My Canada Day Project. I read a number of books on First Nations people and racism and tried to articulate my feelings about Canada Day and how we should or shouldn't celebrate. I will admit I am not sure I got it right and am still somewhat conflicted. Read the article and let me know what you think.
Given I had not updated my site in a while there are 18 new books listed and rated in the What to read, 2021 Edition - updated to September 1. The new books are all highlighted in red so they are easy to identify, There are a number of really good books which I think you will enjoy.
I also updated my books of the month for May, June, July and August, fiction and non-fiction. This is the place to go to find really good books if you are looking for something to read. Open by Andre Agassi, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and Educated by Tara Westover are all excellent (all non-fiction).
I also updated the Great Wines under $20! - updated to September 1 post. Again because I had not updated the site in a while there are 10 new wines. The new wines are highlighted in red for easy reference. Two of the best wines, Mcguigan Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon and Mcguigan Black Label Shiraz are under $10. Amazing value for really good wine. Also included are two other delicious Australian wines, a California cab that is amazing and a couple of really good Chilean wines. Enjoy!
I also updated My Favourite Wines - Updated to September 1 post. Here you will find my favourites, still always under $20. I added May, June, July and August. Try them out I am positive you will enjoy them.
I have already picked the topic for my next blog post. Look for it in mid-September.
As always let me know any thoughts, ideas, at thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com.
And remember, make sure you vote!
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