Friday, July 01, 2022

Understated

 

I love my adopted country with all my heart. I was out on the beach today and I observed how discreetly we observe Canada Day which is today, July 1st. Little crests on polo shirts, grannies wearing red cardigans over white shirts, small maple leafs on beach chairs and umbrellas. Red and white beach balls, little girls in red and white pleated skirts and so on and dogs with small maple leafs on their collars.

We don't blast it from the rooftops. There's just this quiet pride in this beautiful country rolling from sea to shining sea and fact: our landmass is greater than the United States.

The land area of Canada is 3, 855, 103 square miles compared to America's 3, 794, 083, making Canada 1.6% larger that the States.

And we invented so many things - here's some you might not know about.

  1. Paint roller
  2. Garbage bags
  3. Pager
  4. Peanut butter
  5. Road lines
  6. Wonderbra
  7. Search engine
  8. Imax
  9. The pacemaker
  10. Basketball
Sometimes we're number one in the top countries in which to live but this year we're number two.

Round-up of the best countries to live in the world in 2022
  • Switzerland.
  • Canada.
  • Norway.
  • Singapore.
  • Australia.

And oh yes, a picture of the beach from today. So many birds on the water following the capelin, a small fish (note granny in front of me in red cardie). It's been four weeks since I've been outside my door. I'm so grateful to be somewhat mobile.






23 comments:

  1. Thanks for peanut butter in particular! We wanted to move north many years ago, but, alas, it was not to be. Spending a month in the summer among you sane Canadians is the best I can do. Happy Canada Day!

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    1. And we love you Sheila, so very many Americans come to visit us every year.
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  2. Oh, I didn't know about peanut butter! That is a surprise. So glad you were able to get down to the beach on this beautiful day!

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    1. Me two Chris, I was just dying to breathe in that gorgeous air!
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  3. Not such a quiet celebration in Whistler in my memory. It was a terrific fun day. Happy Canada Day, and great that you got out.

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    1. I know, thanks Andrew, I was thrilled to be outdoors!
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  4. Happy Canada Day! It looks so peaceful. I am sure our 4th will be loud which I have never liked.
    I realize I need to update my google picture as it was taken a few years ago on a trip to Invermere, BC in the Columbia Valley. We live near the Columbia River in Washington and had read a book about David Thompson's exploring the source of the river and it was the impetus for the trip. It was in a beautiful valley with many wetlands and the Rockies to our East. Canada Day is worth celebrating for all those beautiful peaceful spaces you have.

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    1. And you should try and visit the east coast some time Mary, it is also extraordinarily beautiful. As are so many Canadian provinces, all unique.
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  5. I am THRILLED that you got out - and to a place that is so close to your heart. Happy Canada Day.

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    1. Thanks EC, after four weeks of entrapment it was a huge event for me.
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  6. Happy Canada Day. So many Americans are contemplating the great move across the 49th parallel. It will be interesting.

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    1. So I've heard Joanne but what may come as a surprise is that our emigration policies are stricter than the U.S. ones even though we take many refugees - though that's a thought. Women especially could claim that status here with the new draconian misogynistic laws.
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  7. Happy Canada Day! I'm glad you got out and saw the beach. You invented Basketball up there? I did not know that.

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  8. I am glad that you were able to go out to the beach. That is great news for me.

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    1. Thanks Ramana, and for me too. I actually cried quietly. Back in my happy place by the ocean.
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  9. So glad you got out. We had a gloomy rainy kind of day. I am also very proud of my adopted home!
    I checked as I was curious. Za Cafe is at 372 Bay and Richmond. The Cork Room was at Bay and Wellington.
    https://m.facebook.com/VintageToronto/photos/1966-bay-wellington-cork-room-courtesy-of-the-city-of-toronto-archives/270132833056708/
    BTW I found some interesting articles about The Cork Room (before I came to Toronto).

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    1. Oh thanks for checking Jackie. I'm also trying to remember the place near it. I worked at 350 Bay Street for an exploration company. There was so little to do there that I did the Globe and Mail crossword every day and took my time while I planned local lunch spots. I remember with fondness the old Woolworth's at Bay and Adelaide and their malted milks and lunch counters. I'll check out your link. Thanks,
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  10. It's good to see you proud of your country, as so many Americans are not.

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    1. I hope fervently that your country will be restored to sanity, Tom.
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  11. We like Canada too. We've been there several times, including visits to Toronto where Jenny's cousin lives. Canada seems like a beacon of common sense compared to its southern neighbour.

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  12. I have been to Toronto and Vancouver. Very impressed with the cleanliness. Gigi hawaii

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  13. looks like I am in your spam bucket again.

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  14. Gratz! on Canada day and on celebrating on the beach. Good news!

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