Yesterday I noticed a shopping cart abandoned on the sidewalk along Broad Street.  I’ve seen carts almost everywhere you can imagine but bus stops seem to be a favourite place for people to leave carts.

Customers at some stores have to pay a deposit by inserting a coin, which is returned when the customer returns the cart.  I don’t like the inconvenience of having to dig for a coin but I understand why a store would want to do this.  It must cost a substantial amount of money to replace carts and that cost is added to the price of our items.  This system also reduces the expense of employees having to gather the carts that were not returned.

Stores have shopping carts for our convenience and we should at least leave the cart in the parking lot when we’re finished using it.

School closures have become something we’re used to hearing about.  The Public School Board will be closing Ken Jenkins Community School in Normanview because the number of students could not justify keeping it open.  The Ken Jenkins students will go to either Ruth M. Buck or Elsie Mironuck Schools in the fall.

I have never heard of a school closure that has not upset someone.  I remember the pain in my hometown of Ceylon when the school closed.  The community had worked very hard to build a school to replace an outdated building.  I was a member of the first class to graduate in the new school in 1982.  That school has been closed for a long time.  It sits in the community as a sad reminder of the dreams of many people.

The students from Ceylon went to schools in other communities like Pangman, Radville and Bengough.  I know all of those communities have their own strengths but I’m sure the Ceylon students wish they could have went to school in their hometown.

I understand that things are always changing, but it’s not always easy to except change.  I wish the families, teachers and students of Ken Jenkins Community School the best in their new schools.

My first vehicle was a 1974 Chev half ton purchased from a farmer for $2,000.  It was nothing special and I had it for less than a year.  I can remember being excited as I pulled away from the farm.  It had a 454 engine which my friends thought was cool.

Our oldest child is now sixteen and many of his friends have vehicles waiting for them as soon as they can legally drive.  I think this is a mistake.  Many of these children have never had a job but they’ll be driving vehicles that many adults would be proud to own.   

Our son understands that his parents are not going to purchase him a vehicle.  We’ll try to help him get a vehicle at some point but until then he’ll have to drive the family vehicles.

I believe you should work for things and drive what you can afford.  I think it’s wonderful to give your children some of the things you didn’t have but we also have to teach our children the skills they’ll need later in life.

Yesterday, I talked about my experience with Moose and invited people to share their stories.  It seems there are more Moose now than ever before.  I had people call to tell me about Moose near the Saan Store in Assiniboia, Moose on the highways in Ontario and a large number of Moose near Davin and Holdfast.  One caller told me a story about hitting a Moose on Highway 10 near Balgonie.  She said the head of the Moose came right into the vehicle.  Now that’s scary!  She also wanted to remind people to slow down in the fog because she is still seeing Moose on the highway.

Bill Smith sent these pictures of Elk in a neighbourhood in Calgary.  Imagine spending big money on a home in Calgary and having these animals in your yard.

I was in Saskatoon recently and noticed several new Moose Crossing signs between Davidson and Saskatoon. 

I have made the trip from Regina to Saskatoon many times and have never seen a Moose.

My friends who hunt say they’re seeing more Moose in Saskatchewan. 

I grew up about an hour south of Regina and don’t remember anyone talking about a Moose in the community.  It is not uncommon to see Moose in that area now.  It could be because there are so many large areas where no one lives anymore.  

My only experience with a Moose came near Jasper, Alberta.  The Moose was along the edge of the highway and came up and licked our window.  It wasn’t scared of anything.  You would have thought that an alien had landed by the line-up of cars stopping to see the Moose.  

There have been fatal accidents involving Moose so you need to know about the dangers of Moose on the loose.

Telemiracle 34 is this weekend.  Brad Johner will open the broadcast on CTV starting Saturday at 9 p.m. from the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina.  Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

I’ve always been impressed by the efforts of people in Saskatchewan to make this event a success.  I wonder how many lives have been changed by the kindness of people from Saskatchewan?

Beverley Mahood is back for another year and yesterday she joined me in studio.  She had great things to say about Saskatchewan.  Listen to the interview.

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I loved every minute of the Merle Haggard concert last night at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.  Merle performed many of his hits and there were lots of laughs during the show.  All of the fans I talked to said it was a wonderful experience.   

Merle joined me for an interview yesterday.  I asked him who he enjoyed working with.  Listen to what he said.

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There are still a few tickets remaining for Merle’s concert tonight at 8:00 at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.

I had my dentist replace a filling yesterday.  I thought it was a routine procedure but this morning I was back in the dentist chair.  I’ve been having what the dentist describes as “zingers.”  Everything seems normal and then I’ll have a sharp pain in my tooth.  These “zingers” come and go as they please.  I can get several of them in a few minutes.  Apparently this is caused when a deep cavity is filled and the dentist has to work near the root of the tooth. 

After an x-ray it was determined that I will likely need a root canal on that tooth.  The dentist has given me some pain medication to get me through the weekend.  If it doesn’t get better, I’ll be back in the dentist chair Monday morning. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a root canal.  It worked out well for me and the crown has stayed in place.

I didn’t have the best dental care when I was a child and have paid for it.  I know that’s why I’m always telling our children to look after their teeth.  Please make sure your children get good dental care.  It will make their lives easier when they become adults.

I’ll be hosting the Merle Haggard concert tonight at 8 at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.  Tickets are still available.

I’ve never liked going to the dentist but it’s something I do to avoid bigger problems in the future. 

I had to replace a filling this morning.  My dentist told me I should be 100% by the time I hit the air at 3:00 p.m.  The receptionist listens to me and plans to listen closely to see if I sound okay.  Thanks for caring. 

Our family has gone to the same dentist since I was a teenager and has always received outstanding care.  It’s wonderful to be in a situation where your dentist will go out of his way to help you.  You just never know when you’re going to have a problem.

I’m fortunate to have a dental plan where I work which helps with the cost.  It is expensive to get dental work but it’s one bill I don’t mind paying.

I loved the Olympics!  It will be awhile before I get that theme song out of my head. 

I have always loved sports and the Olympics bring out the best in people.  I admire the sacrifice the athletes make.  Imagine preparing for years to finish 14th in a ski race.  I think that is great accomplishment.  It’s easy to cheer for an Olympic medalist but I watch for the great stories from people who will never win a medal or make money for their efforts.

The hockey gold medal game yesterday was outstanding.  By the time Sydney Crosby scored the winning goal, I was wondering what it costs to get a home defibrillator?

Canada ended up with 14 gold medals.  The Own the Podium name was wrong.  We should have called it Own the Top of the Podium.