By Mona Caukill

This year, in the town where I live, there didn’t seem to be much of a Canada Day parade. Mind you, I didn’t go down and sit on the curb to watch. I didn’t have any urge to do so. Trudeau’s idea of what Canada is, and should be, isn’t the same as mine.

Before covid (and isn’t everything “before covid” or “after covid” these days?) the Canada Day parade marched, played and drummed, honked, trotted and whinnied and more, in front of our condo. We would all go to be with someone in an apartment overlooking the street and cheer them on from there. It was pretty darn good. They don’t go by our condo any more, which is too bad. Sometimes we “oldsters” need something like that in our lives, and we’re good at cheering and waving.

I could see bits of it from my deck, but it didn’t seem to have the same enthusiasm and life as it used to, and that’s a shame. Is this because Canada isn’t the same country it used to be? Is it no longer Canada, glorious and free? The other day I read the words, “Woe Canada, our home and native land.” Our home is becoming not so much a home as just a place to live, if we can afford to.

Newer and more restrictive regulations are being set for almost everything, even the natural remedies that have been used and found effective over many years. Why? Because they work, and big pharma doesn’t like that? You want to get better? Buy our drugs. Guaranteed to cure whatever it is you have, as long as the side effects don’t get you first.

This is not the Canada I grew up in, and that saddens me. I’m old. I don’t have too many years left to live but my children do, and my grandchildren and great grandchildren, and on down the road. I know worrying doesn’t help, but I do worry. The amount of apathy affecting so many is palpable, especially in the young. Apathy and despair. Some haven’t been able to live with it.

So what are we going to do about it? Sometimes it’s difficult for seniors to be able to do much but the following. Do not comply. Do not be assimilated. Do not get the jab. Attend your town or city council meetings. Be heard if you don’t agree with what they’re doing.

Use cash, not digital, buy locally, not at the big stores, make your meals at home if you can. Bake a cake or pie and enjoy the good feeling it gives to eat what you’ve made with your own hands. Speak to your neighbours, give them a few slices of that cake or pie. Smile and say hello to anyone and everyone. Make your part of your world a friendly place.

Tom T. Hall, in one of his songs says, “I like being kind and I like being true,” and Roger Miller sings about walkin’ in the sunshine. Those and other songs are oldies but goodies. Play a few of them. They’ll make you feel good.

Do not comply. Do not be assimilated. The Borg cubes had everything they needed within a fifteen minute walk. No thanks. (My apologies to those who haven’t watched Star Trek TNG.  Webmaster’s note:  There are four lights.)