Canada Day weekend
Hope Canadians had a great Canada Day yesterday! It was thankfully a dry, warm and sometimes sunny day around Vancouver for those out to see parades and fireworks or going to backyard pool and BBQ gatherings with family annd friends. Today has been back to cold and wet. I feel sorry for those camping on this long weekend which started with an unusual and beautifully atmospheric fog on Friday evening and overnight - I wish I had captured photos.
We continue to be busy with home projects, especially husband who is also helping youngest daughter fix up her apartment before moving in (and moving out). Work never ends it seems when one is a homeowner yet we take deep pleasure in our home. The garden is a washout though...
We are looking forward to a visit tomorrow from friends whom we have made (and met before) through blogging. I will be baking a cake! More later, must remember to take photos.
Marja-Leena | 02/07/2012 | 11 comments
themes: Blogging, Canada and BC, Home
Too bad about the cold weather - I'd be glad to send you some of our hot, sunny weather! At least you'll have cake and friends for warmth and sunshine.
Marja-Leena,
just finished watching in Finnish YLE the last part of a history of the British empire, and now it struck: but Canada is in Commonwealth, isn't it? And under the British crown?
Do YOU feel that you have a queen? What is the national anthem, God Save the Queen?
The Imperium-series was of course produced by BBC, so maybe you have had it over there too.
Have a nice celebration day!
Leslee, thanks, we had a great visit with our friends - will try to post about it tomorrow. The rain put on an incredible show this afternoon, just pounding down as if every water tap in the heavens had opened on us!
Ripsa, yes, Canada is part of the British Commonwealth, headed by the Queen. We have two anthems: 'O Canada' and 'God Save the Queen'. Nowadays the latter is not sung as often. Oh yes, I feel we have a queen, but wish it were not so. You might be interested in one discussion we had here about that issue.
I had not read that discussion to the end.
It is good that there is the discussion going on. Very good. I was inspired by the BBC-documentary of the Imperium, and saw that one of the memories of Imperium was the wars against the people who already lived in the continent.
It is 4th of July, and without of doubt my family's two Americans will go to store and try to find at least the American (very watery to my opinion) beer to celebrate. My husband and my son. They use to have a long conversation ast 4th of July, and I used to go to a 4th of July demonstrations in Stockholm always this day.
True, Canada is different, polically and to some extent socially. I went thru the country when coming back home and noticed that people were much more peaceful than were at the same time in USA. Vietnam war deserters were accepted by at least Canada and Sweden.
I also understand that Canadian brits and French did not commit mass murders of Indians like Brits and other "Caucasians" did in USA. Today YLE starts the documentary by Kevin Costner about Indian tribes in America. I understand that Cree's were living in both sides of the border.
It's ages ago, but postcolonial wars continue...
Ripsa, thanks for all your observations. All I can add is that even in Canada a lot of the Indians (called "First Nations' here) were killed - by white man's diseases, starvation and in battles, then put on reservations often on poor land. That film with Kevin Costner - would it be 'Dances with Wolves'? Actually it is not a documentary though based on true events - a very powerful film! Perhaps there is also a documentary too? Yes, postcolonial wars continue...
Suddenly I remembered my husband's half-Akwesasne Mohawk and half-French Canadian grandmother complaining of Quebec tourists "so damn French they can't speak English."
Of course, that's not a proper response to this thread... but it is what sprang into my mind and made me smile.
Marly, that makes me smile too, and yet there is still much anti-French or anti-English sentiment amongst certain groups in Canada.
You've posted a remarkable picture of a maple leaf, haven't you? We had a very nice Canada Day and several days thereafter when one of our oldest friends (from Toronto) came to visit for a few days. Naturally, there was much talking, eating, and lots of outdoor exploring. I'm so glad the weather was good right through yesterday when we drove her to NB to meet her brother for the drive back.
Your mention of 'Dances With Wolves' to Marjatta reminded me of my favorite older movie about the Indian Nations - 'Little Big Man' starring Dustin Hoffman and Chief Dan George. I wonder if you ever saw it?
Susan, sounds like you've had some wonderful days with an old friend - they are the best, aren't they?
Interesting you should mention 'Little Big Man" which I almost added in my comment to Marjatta. I loved it! Chief Dan George came from a reserve near us here. His son was also a chief, now it is his grandson - it is one of the more successful tribes around.
If I remember correctly, the Haida were the single tribe in North America who got enough advance warning.
Susan, I did not know that. How dreadful and sad.