Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Rednesday Jun 30.10

Tomorrow is our nation's 143rd birthday. And although I'm a day early, today is Rednesday (Check it out at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/). Therefore, this is my chance to highlight Canada's beautiful flag as well as acknowledge the sea of red that will be seen at festivities everywhere tomorrow, from "sea to shining sea".
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I love this country of mine. I love our diversity. I love the freedom we enjoy. I love our reputation of being "nice" and laid-back and peace-makers. I love that we have two official languages (and wish I could do more than read the back of the cereal box and say "Ou est le toilette?" -- although if you need to know a phrase in another language, that's the one to know!!)
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I love our sometimes rather ridiculous national symbols -- such as our national animal, the beaver. (I mean really guys! The U.S. has the magestic eagle, and Canada has an oversized rodent with a flat tail and a penchant for trees! Who came up with that one?). Then there's the moose (rather delicious sauteed with onions and served with small potatoes!). I love that our $1 coin has a loon on it (Canada's national bird) and is affectionately called the "Loonie" (followed by our $2 coin known as the "Twoonie").
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I love that lacrosse is our national sport and that it's origins come from our Native peoples! And I especially love the fact that no one would ever be able to tell that lacrosse is our national sport because of the country-wide fervor that envelopes 99% of our country whenever a hockey game is on! (And I love that Canada's hockey team won Olympic Gold this year!)
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I love Michael Buble and Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn; Mike Myers and William Shatner and Bob & Doug McKenzie; Michael Ondaatje and Alice Munroe and Robert Munsch; Leonard Cohen and Pauline Johnson and Dennis Lee. We are an extremely talented country!
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And although I can't say that I actually love our politians ("They are like diapers; they both need to be changed often ..... and for the same reason". Mark Twain), I do love that we still have strong ties to the monarchy in England and to our beloved Elizabeth II (who is visiting us this week.) [Hope she reads this and sends along some marmalade or toffee to say thanks!]
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I love our Newfoundland blueberries and partridgeberries. I love our Nova Scotia strawberries and cranberries. I love our Ontario peaches, Quebec Poutine, Prairie wheat and canola; and British Columbia salmon (and those sweet Nanimo bars!)
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I adore our maple syrup! And I l.o.v.e our beer! On a hot summer day! Umm um um um um! "How's it goin, eh!"
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I love my country!
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Happy Birthday Canada. Tomorrow, I'll be wearing red and white and hanging out at the street parties listening to traditional fiddle music (and quite possibly a little Drake or Justin Bieber). [But never Celine Dion who has gone over to the dark side!!!] I'll be eating good food and watching parades and enjoying a glass of wine before the fire works!
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Oh! And Canada ...... thanks for the great holiday!

18 comments:

Wendy said...

Happy Canada Day! We'll be BBQ-ing and also not listening to Celine Dion!
I love the Mark Twain quote--hilarious!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love Canada and I'm so happy to learn more about your wonderful country. I am yearning for another visit! Happy Canada Day!!

Sara said...

Happy Canada Day Sandy! We'll be up in New Germany celebrating small town style! (parade, ox pulls, bean & salad supper....)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Happy Canada Day to you. We'll be celebrating our country's birthday on the 4th of July. I guess I hadn't realized they were so close together before. We celebrate the red, white, and blue here.

craftyles said...

Great post. Happy Birthday to Cananda!

Sarah said...

Happy Canada Day and Happy Rednesday! We visit Victoria, BC for our honeymoon and loved it! Beautiful country and friendly people. :-)

KobysCache said...

- another proud Canadian!
Happy Canada Day.

Maureen said...

Great post! As a transplanted Canuck, I'll be there in spirit. Happy Canada Day!

Unknown said...

Yay for Canada! I've never heard of partridgeberries. I've never been to Canada but I watched the Olympics, so now I feel we're all best friends. You're good neighbors!

Kathy C. said...

I've always wanted to visit Canada...now I REALLY want to badly! :) Sounds so wonderful and I can feel your patriotism...though I did laugh about the Beaver, hee hee hee. :)
Have a wonderful 143rd birthday!

Angela said...

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...Canada!!! What a joy it was to find a Canadian show cases our beautiful country on this Rednesday. I've been so busy wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July..Happy Canada day to you dear one!!

Unknown said...

I have been to Victoria, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. All wonderful places. And Poutine! and Patat frites! Yum! You have told me things I didn't know about Canada! Thank you. Sorry about my spelling!

Melissa said...

Cool post! Thanks for the info on your country. I've always wanted to visit. You ARE known for your peace-keeping. Sounds like a wonderful place to live.

★Carol★ said...

What a great tribute to your country! Canadians are definitely lovers, not fighters, and that's why the rest of the world likes you! And I have no doubt that the Queen will be hand delivering your toffee to you!
Happy REDnesday and Happy Canada Day!!
Carol

The Words Crafter said...

Happy Canada Day! I loved the post, especially the symbols-some of which I didn't know. Have fun tomorrow!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Happy Canada Day! Hope it's fantastic for you!

Sevenbeads said...

You should be in charge of the Tourist Bureau for Canada. You make me want to go there ... NOW!

SueLovesCherries said...

Sounds like you had a really great day. Isn't patriotism great?

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