As we say goodbye to 2014, I would like to pay my respects to Robin Williams who sadly left us this year. In his memory, I give you one of his quotes: "Canada is like a loft apartment over a really great party."
If Canada is the loft and the U.S. is the party, then I'm at the party. I happen to be in training as a snowbird by residing in one of those huge RV parks in the Arizona desert for six weeks. I left the cold to fly for three hours into Phoenix and 80° temperatures.
Not only is the sunshine and hot climate a welcome change, but so are the prices for food and gas. Add to that the myriad of activities offered every day, which verges on silly. There is no excuse for boredom here.
The owners of the mobile home I am renting are Canadian, as are about 50 per cent of the 1,800 winter residents in this park; which means the other 50 per cent are mostly Americans from the northern and Midwest states.
There are lots of farmers and prairie people from both sides of the 49th parallel, all of them extremely friendly, providing you're talking their language. Because so many Americans seem to love God and hate Obama, I am learning to keep my opinions to myself.
Although I did falter in that regard at the Cowboy Christmas Concert when they closed by singing God bless United States of America and everyone, and I mean everyone, stood up and sang it with them. I remained seated trying to see if all 400 audience members were standing. They were, even the Canadians.
This was the same week there had been unprecedented protest marches all over the country against the police killing unarmed blacks. At a Christmas craft fair they were selling "concealed weapon purses" where your gun fits nicely inside a zippered, lockable compartment.
This is very foreign to my sensibilities but I must remember this is Arizona, which is heavily vested in cowboy culture and is also the capital for white supremacists. I suspect most everybody is packing heat just to protect themselves from all the other people who are packing heat to protect themselves. I think we call this a vicious circle.
Which brings me to another Robin Williams quote: "The Second Amendment says we have the right to bear arms, not to bear artillery." It's no wonder the police are so paranoid because many civilians probably do have automatic weapons concealed in their trendy designer bags. Thank goodness Canada has not gone down this road.
Here is what I'm looking forward to in 2015: The creation of more affordable housing in South Delta that will allow families and seniors to stay or move here to fill our schools and shop in our shops.
I'd also like to see the revitalization of the Ladner waterfront, the start of the new bridge to replace the tunnel and I will watch with interest as the malls at the Tsawwassen First Nation take shape and how they impact our communities. Here's to accepting change.
Have a happy, healthy New Year.
