Hobbies: Casino Mania!

Today, with the best interests of my readers at heart, I took myself off to our local casino on a trip of research and discovery.

No, not for my own pleasure and enjoyment, but simply to scope it all out and find the reason why so many seniors are always in there!


And if you believe that story, I've got a parcel of swampland in Florida I can sell you too!


Ok, so I do go to the casino once in a while, I admit. And I love it!


I do however, only go once in a while and have some little tips and observations to share.


First of all, our casino's here in Ontario are mostly located at our horse racing tracks.


We do have a few bigger, Las Vegas style ones within a couple of hours of my home, but I like the little ones the best.


They are a comfortable place for a person to go by yourself because they have security guards to help you and if you're uncomfortable walking back to your car, they'll go with you too! Video cameras are everywhere so nobody misbehaves for long and there is a sense of community sitting side by side with another stranger with a common activity.

My most frequented is in London, Ontario at the Western Fair Grounds. They have 750 slot machines only with denominations of 5 cents to five dollars. (No gaming tables.) It's a pleasant little place with a restaurant, lounge and free coffee and serve yourself soda kiosk. Waitresses circulate and the security guards all smile and say hi. (I think they are made to try to catch everyone's eye.)

The scene today. Of course it was freezing outside. Inside, they have a coat check and really huge, clean washrooms. All the staff is seriously nice and if you want, they are always glad to show you how to use any of the new machines and explain all the ins and outs.



tip 1- Only take the money you want to throw away and some sort of ID in with you. (You can't accept a big win if you don't have ID.) If you take any of your credit cards or bank cards, the urge to use them will be too strong. If you leave them in the car or at home, by the time you collect them to gamble MORE, your saner side will have surfaced to save you!


tip 2- Make sure you eat something! They pump those places full of good air and smells and anything else they can think of to keep you glued to the same machine for weeks! Eating does two things. One, makes you think better and two, gets you off your butt, away from the slot machine. If you can't afford the restaurant, then go over to the racetrack side and they'll have sandwiches and muffins over there.


tip 3- Get a membership card. They do give some freebees away and you might as well get them as well as anybody! Also for every penny that slides through the slot, you get a tiny little percentage back in points, which can be redeemed cash value or for free food in the restaurant.



tip 4- Give yourself a time limit. My limit is normally how long it takes me to get home before Dick does after his work!


tip 5- Remember, it's just for fun. Do not ever think you can pay the bills with your winnings. Look around you while you are there and see all the folks who are pounding machines and are desperate because they've gone over their limit!  Expect yourself to lose every single time and if you expect this, you won't ever be disappointed and the odd time you might win a nickle or two, you'' be on cloud nine!


So! To end my story. I donated $40.00 to the province today. (They say the money goes for healthcare.)

One of my Hobbies: More Faces of the Market

This fellow is one of my favorite market people. He is very South American and very Gallant! When Dick and I were at the market a few weeks ago together, this chap and I flirted shamelessly, I must admit! 
All in good fun though! He gives free samples of his delicious coffee!

No market would be complete without the tiny donut machine and this one just keeps cranking out those little circles of pleasure!

The mushroom ladies were in the season's spirits!

This woman looks so sweet with her antlers on!  I was going to snap the smoked meat hanging behind her, but she is more fun to look at!

This is where I buy the most of our meat. (When I'm not buying my cousin's!) These sweet Amish people are from Mitchell, Ontario and have a butcher shop there. They also have a stall at the Aylmer, Ontario market on it's Tuesdays, but working full time, I never get to that. They're meat is so delicious because it doesn't have any drugs or chemicals.


I bought six T-Bones and Six smoked pork chops to BBQ (or grill in American) on Christmas day.      Yum! Yum!

This robust fellow is also found every Tuesday in Aylmer and we always smile and nod whenever we see each other. 

As you can see.. He's the tool guy!

And last, but not least, I couldn't help but snap this little girl. Perhaps wishing for some grown up jewelry from Santa?

Well, thanks for coming along. I hope you've enjoyed watching my people as much as I did!

Hobbies: Antiques

I found this old box of cookie cutters in a thrift shop.

They would start a great collection, wouldn't they?

All the old fashioned shapes

                                                               Yum!





 

Hobbys: Collecting Salt and Pepper Shakers?

One is just a sample. Two is a pair, but more than three and you've got your self a collection!


You are retiring and you want to start a collection of something so you have an excuse to travel around and not feel guilty because it's without purpose. So what would you like to collect you ask?


Well, you could collect elephants, but no.... the seniors home doesn't have enough storage.


You don't have enough money saved to collect vintage cars you exclaim? Well! Neither do most of us, so they're out.


You don't sew, knit or crochet, so you can't collect fabric, yarn or patterns.


So here's a thought: Salt and Pepper Shakers! No Wait! They're small. They're cheap mostly. And you can find them darn near anywhere! A perfect collection!


Here are some that I found and they're all Christmas themed! (What coincidence!) 

 

 

 

 

Sorry about some of my close-ups! I'm working on getting a new camera!

Out Door Cards. Ontario, Canada

This is taken directly from the Ontario Government website and it boils down to you need a license from our government to hunt and fish in Ontario UNTIL you are 65. After that age, they figger we don't need to pay for that privilege. Oh! You can also fish free if you are a minor or under the age of 18. (Like we're ever going to see that again, but good to know if you're taking the grandkids fishing!)
There are different regulations for visitors to Canada, listed below as well.

Also farther down and just for the yuks, I've posted to rate plans for the different options. Leave it to the government to make it as involved and confusing as they possible can! Remember that we still use British English spellings for lots of words.

Fast Facts about Ontario Outdoors Cards and Fishing Licences


A licence to fish in Ontario consists of an Outdoors Card plus a fishing licence tag (either affixed to the card or accompanying the card). Here is a quick overview of the basics for Ontario residents, Canadian residents, and non-Canadian residents.

Note: An Outdoors Card is not required for a one-day fishing licence.





Ontario Residents

Ontario residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday. The sportfishing licence tag or the conservation fishing licence tag (3 year or 1 year) is affixed to, or accompanied by, the plastic Outdoors Card.

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can request an application form be mailed to you by phoning the Outdoors Card Centre from anywhere in Canada at 1-800-387-7011.

Your Outdoors Card is good for three calendar years.

If you are an Ontario resident between 18 and 65 years of age and you want to fish in Ontario right away, you can buy a "Resident Temporary Fishing Licence and Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province. This temporary paper licence is effective immediately and valid until December 31 of the year in which it was purchased.

The fee for a temporary paper licence includes the cost of a three-year plastic Outdoors Card.

If your Outdoors Card will soon expire, or has already expired, the fastest and easiest way to renew your Outdoors Card is a three year renewal by credit card with a call to 1-800-288-1155 or online at the Outdoors Card website.

Ontario resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoors Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.

You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011. This toll-free number works from all regions of Canada, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).


Canadian (other than Ontario) Residents


Canadian residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are at least 18 years old but have not reached their 65th birthday. The sportfishing licence tag or the conservation fishing licence tag accompanies the plastic Outdoors Card.



If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can purchase a "Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province. The Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application does not include the fishing licence tag. The fishing licence tag will be a separate paper permit.



The temporary Outdoors Card and paper licence tag are effective immediately. Your plastic Outdoors Card will be mailed to you by year end, and is valid for three calendar years (including the year of purchase).



Canadian resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoor Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.



You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011. This toll-free number works from all regions of Canada, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).



Non-Canadian Residents


Non-Canadian residents need an Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario if they are 18 years of age and over. (NOTE: Non-residents 65 years of age or older are not exempt from requiring a licence). The sportfishing licence tag (1 one year or 8 day) or the conservation fishing licence tag (1 year or 8 day) accompanies the plastic Outdoors Card.

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can purchase a "Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province. The Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application does not include the fishing licence tag. The fishing licence tag will be a separate paper permit.

The temporary Outdoors Card and paper licence are effective immediately. Your plastic Outdoors Card will be mailed to you by year end, and is valid for three calendar years (including the year of purchase).

Non-Canadian resident hunters can also fish under the authority of their Outdoor Card (hunting version) with the appropriate fishing licence tag.

You can also get more information on the Outdoors Card by calling the Outdoors Card Centre at 1-800-387-7011. This toll-free number works from all of North America, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
______________________________________________________________
These one-year Ontario resident licence fees are in effect from January 1, 2009, until December 31, 2009. Three-year fees are subject to change after August 31, 2010. For the location of the licence issuer nearest you, contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources office.



NOTE: The 2009 Ontario Budget proposed a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for the Province of Ontario. Subject to legislative approval, the HST would come into effect on July 1, 2010 and would generally apply to fees that cover a period that occurs on or after July 1, 2010. For this reason, these rates may change.





Licence Type
Available From

2010 Fee for Ontario Residents
(includes GST)
Outdoors Card plus three-year Sport Fishing Licence Tag

* Available online at the Outdoors Card website (renewal only)
* by phone (renewal only) at 1-800-288-1155
* by mail (new application or renewal)$83.25

Outdoors Card plus three-year Conservation Fishing Licence Tag

* Available online at the Outdoors Card website (renewal only)
* by phone (renewal only) at 1-800-288-1155
* by mail (new application or renewal)$51.75

Sport Fishing Licence Tag (one year) and Outdoors Card and Application. (Outdoors Card is included in this fee.)

* Available as an E-licence (renewal only) at the Outdoors Card website
* from 1,800+ licence issuers throughout the province.$33.25

Conservation Fishing Licence Tag (one year) and Outdoors Card and Application. (Outdoors Card is included in this fee.)

* Available as an E-licence (renewal only) at the Outdoors Card website
* from 1,800+ licence issuers throughout the province. $23.00

Ontario/Canadian Resident One-Day Fishing Licence

(Outdoors Card not required.)
Most licence issuers (including ServiceOntario offices) throughout the province. $11.25

Three-year Outdoors Card only (no licence tags). This Outdoors Card becomes a fishing licence when a one-year licence tag is affixed or when accompanied by an E-licence.

* Available online (renewal only) at the Outdoors Card website.
* by phone (renewal only) at 1-800-288-1155
* by mail (new application or renewal) $9.00
One-year Sport Fishing Licence Tag (for holders of a valid Outdoors Card)

* Available as an E-licence at the Outdoors Card website
* from 1,800+ licence issuers throughout the province.$24.25

One-year Conservation Fishing Licence Tag (for holders of a valid Outdoors Card)

* Available as an E-licence at the Outdoors Card website
* from 1,800+ licence issuers throughout the province. $14.00

ONTARIO RESIDENTS: If you wish to both fish and hunt, you may apply for an Outdoors Card (hunting/fishing version) which provides for both privileges.

For information on this option call the Outdoors Card Centre: 1-800-387-7011.

To renew your Outdoors Card (hunting/fishing version) with a credit card, call 1-800-288-1155 or go to the Outdoors Card website.

Various

An article about retirement I read this morning

There's a really interesting article on my Yahoo homepage this morning. The lead in line is:

Why retirement is bad for you. by Steven Berglas, Forbes.com

It is all about what happens when we spend every day in a vacuum of nothingness and it actually now has a serious sounding name.

This is taken directly from the article and I urge all to go to the Yahoo Finance page and read the whole thing.

"I call this idleness-borne syndrome Supernova Burnout. Unlike other forms of fatigue, this brand of burnout is very private and self-condemnatory. Those who suffer from it experience chronic trepidation, despondency or depression. In some cases they turn to alcohol, abandon their loved ones or fall prey to some other form of self destruction."

Wow! Doesn't that sound serious? My dear mom said many times that if you sit down, you get old quick. (She was driving her own Buick and led a vibrant life until 3 months before she died at 85.)
So start getting hobbies and interests lined up and figure out what you'll do when you do retire 'cause you didn't work all these years to have this happen, did you?

Another hobby for your retirement

You might ask: "Why on earth do you have a blog about silver replacements?" Well, everybody needs a hobby, don't they and when you retire, you need something to fill all those hours you used to spend working!

Dick and I like to sell stuff and once upon a time, we sold a few things here and there on Ebay. We loved it! We enjoyed hunting for items to sell. We enjoyed taking the pictures and doing the descriptions. And we actually liked the shipping too!
We would pack underwear and toothbrushes into a bag, throw the bag in our green half ton pickup and off we would go to search out antiques and oddities and frankly whatever people wanted to buy on Ebay that particular week. I printed a list off the internet of all the Sally Anns, Goodwills and Value Villages in Southern Ontario and we would head a direction and hunt the thrift shops on our way til dark, find a motel and check in for the night. The next morning, we would hunt and scrounge our way back home. Sometimes we would find some really cool stuff and sometimes not, but each and every trip was special and just so much fun!
We enjoyed the local auctions too and spent almost every Thursday night at Shackelton's Auction in Springfield, Ontario. We often reminisce about the things we bought there and definitely the sandwiches and homemade pie!
We would list our finds and then wait and watch to see what sold and what we would have to donate back to our local thrift shops for the next entrepreneur to discover.

We had a common goal and interest which gave us tons to talk about.
We would drive around holding hands and laugh and joke and isn't that how you'd like to spend your retirement? I do.

So, one of our blogs is about silver replacement. Some will be antique, some will be newer, some might be just cool old stuff, but we will have fun finding it, listing it and maybe actually selling it. I hope you can find a hobby you enjoy too.

The first frost at our cottage.

I had to go outside last night on the back patio to rescue my few remaining tomatoes. Bah! I hate the coming of November! Those gloomy, dreary days with no sunshine and nippy winds. The lake is all steely gray and the waves crash onto the shore.
Once you get into the twenties of October, you just know the warm days are numbered!

This spring, I felt compelled to grow and nurture something. Obviously a throw back to my farm raised childhood and when you retire, you need some intersting hobbies to fill those hours your jobless situation has created. I have fantasies of wandering a raised bed backyard with pruners and basket in hand, harvesting heritage tomatoes. Mulit coloured, intersting shapes, mouth watering.... mmmmmm!
So one day, I turned into Canadale's after work and spent an enjoyable hour wandering the isles of lush green bedding plants. I made my choice: One plant that would bear yellow, pear shaped fruit in miniature the tag said and having paid for my potted plant, rushed home to bury it!

When we did the renovation last summer here at our cottage, I had the carpenters build two multi tiered wooden planters that in their expert opinion, would cost only one hundred dollars apiece. Two days later and a couple of trips back to the lumber supply for more wood, screws and god knows what all else, my five hundred dollar planters were complete. (The realtors let me think that the addition of decorative features in our back yard has increased the value of our house?)

And what a wonderful receptacle the one has made for my single solitary tomato plant!

I planted it, (it was all of 20 inches tall when it went in the ground,) watered it and eagerly awaited the harvest. Juicy, delicious tomatoes grown by my own hand!

The thing about this summer, was that we had very little extreme heat and lots of rainy days! It turned out perfect for growing patio tomatoes, I guess, because before long, Dick and I were on the ladder staking and tying my one little tomato! It was the beanstalk kind perhaps? As you can see, it grew over six feet tall!

Mid August, sure enough, we started getting tomatoes and what a haul we've picked. They have been luscious and lovely and I have enjoyed every single one.

So I had to go out and pick the last of them and they are sitting on my counter now. I'm hoping they'll still ripen. The plat is gangly and thin, many of the leaves withered and fallen. Before the real estate sign goes on in spring, I'll have to clear the debris away and make the yard look all nice - nice.

But I think I'll plant two next year. Maybe I can start my own veggie stand!

Do what you can every day.

        Whew! Did we have fun last night! Nothing like sitting outside on a summer night, the smell of unburnt fuel and exhaust and the scream of engines as the driver's throw their hand built cars around the racetrack !  If you've never been to the stock car races, you'll never be able to fully understand the passion, but if you have..... there's nothing better! We sat just on turn one, near the top of the grandstands where we could see the other side of the track. We had our little blue stadium seats and for padding, a black and white blanket we brought back from Mexico. We stopped on our way at a grocery store in Blenheim and we had a bag full of goodies and sandwiches. We cuddled and exchanged comments and 'Oh Looks' and I think the experts would call that quality time. We were both pooped when we got home, but happy.

      

The lession today is do everything you can every day.

People always save their entire lives for their retirement and then the day comes along and they go home and sit down and die. Period.

Someone once said to me: Picture when you're old, sitting on the front porch of the old folks home in your rocking chair. Back and forth... back and forth.... And the old gal beside you is somebody who had a man around like you did and both of those men worked their whole lives and then retired and came home, sat down in the living room and then a couple of months went by and they died.  And every day you and your old gal buddy sit on that porch... back and forth... back and forth... and the conversation goes; 'I wish I had...' and; 'I should have....'

Dick's dad was one of those men. Worked his whole life 'cause he had to. Never had a hobby or passion he let anybody know about and when he retired, he had nothing to do. Nothing to look forward to. Came home and sat down and didn't die quick, but got so sick he had to be put in long term care. A big time became being first in line for supper. 

My dad worked his whole life 'cause he had to. Worked and worked instead of doing the things he loved. He had an antique tractor and after he lovingly restored it, it sat in the barn because he was always working. He died when he was 64. 

So this left two women sitting by themselves having to figure out what the heck they were going to do with themselves.  My mom's dead now too and Dick's mom is still alive although her mind has mostly left her.

So! Do what you can every day. If you can't yet afford your hobby then read about it. Plan what hobbies you want to persue when you get the time finally. You maybe can't build a streetrod, but you can go to the local cruise night and look at them.  Maybe you won't win a blue ribbon at the fair, but you can quilt a patch this week and then another next week and so on.  Maybe you can't take a month and go the Florida like we are this winter, but you can go to a motel overnight and hang out at the pool. 

Find something, somewhere that you both enjoy doing. This is a big world. Don't tell me there's nothing out there that you both can't enjoy. Negotiate, compromise and get out and enjoy life.  Go somewhere and buy a coffee. Meet some new folks that enjoy the same thing that you do. Have a chuckle over a private joke. 

And do not ever be that person who says "I should have!" 

Bye for today and let me know what you think.