bigugli

Yer a lucky guy, Brian. I needs to wait another couple of years before I get to enjoy any of that.

I used to have them back in the 70's. Gold weedless Williams and weedless Johnson silvers were great for pike in thick weeds.

I have two very important goals. Every year, there is the goal to fish 10 new bodies of water. The better goal is to get out and go fishing with as many OFC members as I can this year.

I know of a couple of lakes like that in the Minden area. I'd focus on the outer edge of the weed lines in a bay or by an inflow from a creek or stream. Second spot would be to fish any ledges you know of.

Nothing like good old pond hockey. Learned to skate, and play hockey, at the farm pond. When there was a heavy snow the one neighbour would come over on his lawn tractor and plow the pond for us. One rink for hockey. One rink for skating. I sure missed that when we moved to Toronto.

In 20 years hockey will likely be smothered in bubblewrap as well.

Merry Christmas, all Hyvvaa Joulua

Back in the late 70's we used to put together a public rink in Scarborough. Sat on lands held by the school and the city park. We'd go out late in the evening to scrape it, flood it, do minor repairs. All was good. Then one fall the community association received notices from the school board and the municipality. There were complaints from folks neighbouring the park. Therefore the rink could only go up if certain conditions were met. Such things as providing mandatory adult supervision on the ice. Portable chain link fencing with a locked gate for when there were no adults available to supervise. $10,000 security deposit to be left with the municipality. That was the end of the rink, the playground fund and the association. You try and do good and end up getting pissed on by bureaucrats and politicians.

Welcome to suburban conformity. Your yard must be green, grass kept to under 2" height. No more than 2 licensed vehicles on the driveway. White picket fences made of same material, style, and dimensions as all your neighbours. No clothslines. Must only BBQ with propane. Dogs must not bark. Babies must not cry. Children must not be spanked. Ritalin replaces discipline. Etc, etc,..... ad nauseum. There is not a single municipality in Southern Ontario that is without such rules.

Nobody thought about collecting these things when we were kids. Just like nobody ever thought to keep the packages that the toys came in. All the original matchbox toys i had that actually came in a matchbox are worth a fortune, but only if you never played with them. What's the point of having a toy you can't play with?

10 card shootout. Each guy put up 10 cards against the wall. The guy to knock down the last card got the pile. There'd be 4-500 cards at stake In a good 4 man shootout.

I used to have the old Opeechee NHL cards from the 60. Nothing in mint. We spent too much time shooting them against the wall as kids. Still managed $500 for them some 10 years back, except for 1 card. It was a 69 checklist card. It was not mint, but it was unmarked. Was still worth $200 to a dealer

Chocolate covered worms. In other words. Deep fried Chinese noodles ( You Know! The ones you get with every take out order) dipped in melted dark chocolate.

As a kid. we didn't get fishing gear at Christmas. That was the time for sticks, skates, pads, sleds. My birthday was when I got most of my fishing gear

Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon

My all time fave from Joe was "A Little Help From My Friends" . The Beatles version was good, but Joe Cocker made it great.

It may have been a small gathering, but it was a good GTG all the same despite the " possible passing" of one of our members. Hey Dave! The wife likes you.

Better get my nap in now.

Nothing shows respect for nature's wonders and majestic beauty like 500hp of roaring engines.

started cheating a couple of years back. The cabbage rolls became a casserole in the crock pot, done in layers like a lasagna. The only thing missing is the work to get the cabbage rolled right

Heard something really old and obscure this morning. "Trogladite" by the Jimmy Castor group

Finnish style... Herring and cream cheese on hard biscuit.

You have no idea what good pickled herring is. The really good stuff you used to get right out of the barrel just like good dill pickles. Used to be a good Finnish shop on Queen st called Huites. These days, when you get a chance, go to IKEA's deli, there is a good variety of 5-6 flavours of herring. IF you are ever in Minnesota or Michigan, Look for a brand called Gafelbiters. The Norwegian herring was a family favourite, but no one sells it here in Ontario now.

Strictly wooden bullets

I'm certain the bride and I will be there