Today is Canada Day! On July 1, 1867, the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec joined to form Canada. Canadians throughout Canada and the world will celebrate this anniversary with parades, barbecues, and hockey games.Given my Canadian heritage, I couldn't let the day go by without acknowledgement.
I strongly suggest you find yourself a Canadian and give him or her a big kiss. (French kiss or English kiss -- whatever you like.)
While you're waiting for a Canadian to come along, enjoy this list of the Top Ten Myths about Canadians, written by a very defensive Canadian for ignorant Americans; a list of famous inventions by Canadians; and this list of famous people who were born in Canada (which is especially cool because it comes from BabyNamer.com, in case you wanted to name your kid after a famous Canadian, so it lets you see the origin of the name, for example, say you wanted to name your kid after Canadian actress and role model Pamela Anderson, you could find out that Pamela is from the Greek meaning "all sweetness," that it was the 454th most popular girl's name from 2000-2003, and that it was invented by the poet Sir Philip Sidney).
Happy Canada Day! Kiss a Canadian!
5 comments:
Bob,
Given my prior diatribe about French Canadians, I can't believe you'd throw me such a soft lob over the plate.
Actually, I like Canada, in general. It's just Quebec that annoys me. For those that don't know, my father-in-law was born in New Brunswick , Canada , and we're fortunate enought to have access to a lakefront cottage that's still in Karen's family. The only draw back is that it's about a 7 hour ride from Boston, so our visits are limited. Basically, you drive through Maine, and keep going some more. If not for the border crossing, the stupid signs in Frnech, and speed limit in km, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from northern Maine.
Since tomorrow marks our 20th Anniversary, and my wife is of Canadian heritage, I'll gladly heed my brothers suggestion.
Mike
Hey Bob?
Are you bored?????
xxooChristine
Am I bored?
Mike --
Isn't that just the kind of anti-Canadian-American comment that we've had to endure our whole lives?
Bored -
it's a common mistake. The pasty white face and blank stare are more due to the 11 months of sub zero weather that freeze most Canadians faces into something resembling boredom. or trying to shake off too many Molsons. (they're about 7% alcohol voume up North).
Actually Canadians are far from boring people. They enjoy exiciting activities like Curling, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling (a/k/a dodge the trees), ice fishing,and for 2 weeks when the summer thaw comes, they kayak on their many beautiful inland waterways. (Note- although it's their national sport, only a handful of Canadians actually play ice hockey. Although most of them talk the game up like experts. Don Cherry being the classic example.) Side note - silly Canadian humor is exemplified in the fact that Don Cherry's friends jokingly call him "Grapes".
Canada Day is usually celebrated in many of the small Canadian towns with traditional events such as lumberjack (or lumberjill) contests and tractor pulls.
Then they hibernate for 11months.
Good Day,
eh!
Bob, you forgot Prince Edward Island. But then, so did we. Last year, the California Bucks, for some strange reason, decided to vacation in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. We've already been to Quebec and BC as a family, and to Alberta before that before Molly was born. We considered adding PEI to our trip but just weren't that excited about Anne of Green Gables; for some reason our daughter the voracious reader hasn't been interested in reading that book.
Oh, and I've been to Ottawa and Toronto, but Christine hasn't.
Too bad that our money is worthless paper now.
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