HAPPY 140th BIRTHDAY CANADA
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From and including: Monday, July 1, 1867
To, but not including : Sunday, July 1, 2007
It is 51,134 days from the start date to the end date, but not including the end date
Or 140 years excluding the end date this can also be written as 51,134 days and can be converted to one of these units:
This weekend is the Fête nationale du Québec otherwise known as St Jean Baptist Day.
The Fête nationale du Québec (“Quebec National Holiday”) is an official holiday of Quebec, Canada. The festivities occur on June 23 and June 24 and are organized by the Comité organisateur de la fête nationale (“national holiday organizing committee”). Originally, June 24 was a holiday honouring one of the patron saints of Quebec, St. John the Baptist, and in ordinary conversation the day is still often called la Saint-Jean by Quebecers.
Although the holiday has official status only in Quebec, it is also celebrated by francophones in other Canadian provinces and in the United States as a festival of French Canadian culture. In these contexts, it is more often called Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.
The origins of the traditional festivities are more than 2000 years old. Among several European peoples, the summer solstice was the object of pagan celebrations (Midsummer). Fires were lit during the night in this period of the year when the days are longest. With the arrival of Christianity, the celebration of the event remained; however, it took a new spiritual significance. The celebration of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste was a very popular event in the France of the Ancien régime, and it is celebrated as a religious feast day in several countries, like Denmark.
The tradition landed in North America with the first French colonists. According to the Jesuit Relations, the first celebrations of this Christian day in New France took place around 1638.
As an Anglophone living in Quebec, I tend to stick closer to home for this holiday. I might be bold to suggest this, but its definaltly a sentiment I feel living here during this time. St Jean Baptist is about English bashing. Granted, it is about being proud and patriotic of all things Quebequois, but at the expense of things English.
Even though this holiday is rooted in history, and weaved in religion, as with all modern day holidays the tradition has been stripped out for something far more commercial and political.
Canada Day (which is this coming week, on July 1st) is “Moving Day” here in Montreal, and isn’t as widely celebrated as St Jean Baptist. (Pretty much all rental agreements start and end on July 1st, pretty much all rental and moving vans are booked for this day)
I don’t know why I feel so uncomfortable with this holiday, I feel very self conscience speaking English this weekend, and more so speaking French.
There are a lot of ‘patriots’ in Quebec . . . lots of people who would love to see Quebec separate from Canada. . . .
*sigh*
I wish we wouldn’t celebrate the desire to separate!
I enjoy having the long weekend. . . . .and watching fireworks. . . .I wish everyone celebrating St Jean Baptist a wonderful and safe day. . . . .
I haven’t been on a true relaxing vacation in a few years. Sure I’ve taken a little time off here and there. This year I took time off for my Brother in Law’s wedding, but it wasn’t for ‘me’ or relaxing/refreshing/rejuvenating like sitting on the white sands of a tropical paradise with a fruity drink dressed with an umbrella.
I need some time off for myself (and Colin)
In August Colin and I have booked a week off, we will drive up to Sudbury for a few days to see P&K and their house and hopefully head off to a cottage for the rest of the week.
I’m looking forward to no internet, no laptops, no phones, no cellphones, no Blackberry. I am far too attached to these items day to day. . . . .
I used to work for my Dad while I was in college. When I worked there I called him by his first name, Dave.
Since then, in a bid for humourous nostolgia, I still call him Dave once in a while. To which he replies ‘Daughter’.
My Dad owns his own company with a partner, the partner is the good cop, my Dad is the bad cop. Dad collects debts for the business and usually does the firing of employees. My Dad plays this roll, not because he is a mean guy its because he allows negativity as such roll off him like water off a duck’s back. He just goes with the punches.
He’s always been a laid back sort of guy.
Now he is starting to wind down a bit, looking to sell up his part of his business to the partner (who still has kids in elementary school). Dad enjoys a few rounds of golf in the week and has taken up poker.
My dad has always been about keeping himself active and busy. Up until the last few years (after his hip replacement) my dad played competitive “old timers” hockey. He traveled with my Mom to Europe on year and another year he took all of us to Florida for a tournament.
Besides himself playing hockey, baseball & lacrosse. He also coached. He was the type of coach that 15 plus years later, you’d still call him the best and most influencial coach you ever had. And once or twice, most specifically at lacrosse, kids he coached back in Long Branch who now themselves were married and had kids would come back to him and ask him if he remembered them. He always did.
My Dad was the ‘cool’ Dad on the block. My friends, my friend’s parents, and pretty much everyone in between adored Dave. He liked to tout himself as quite a comedien. Classics which include – “How does an elephant hide in a cherry tree, he paints his toe nails red” and the ever popular “I hope this rain keeps up, so it doesn’t come down”.
My dad often gets asks to host or mc various events, his famous opener, which I learned because as I child I found it hilarious!
“Ladies and Gents, hobos and Tramps
cross eyed mosquitos and bow-leg-ed ants.
I come before you, to stand behind you
to tell you about something I know nothing about.
Of course you know next Thursday is Good Friday
There will be Mother’s meeting for Father’s only.
The admission is free, you pay at the door.
You grab a seat, and sit on the floor.
Thank you for your unkind attention,
I’d like to draw your unkind attention to the four corners of the round table”
I remember Saturday mornings with my dad. We’d get into the car and head to Max Milk to pick my dad’s lotto numbers. My brother, Sister and I all got to help pick numbers. We’d then head to the dump, we’d always find something that needed to be taken to the dump. Followed by going through the car wash. After our long morning of errands we’d head to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger HappyMeal with the newest toy.
I also remember my dad being quite an inventor and handyman, and even though as an adult I realized he was actually a DIY disaster waiting to happen. I must admit his ideas and presentation of his ideas were very impressive, perhaps the exucution was left to be desired. Of course the fact that he fixed everything with old hockey sticks and duct tape should have been the first indicator.
I remember riding on the back of my Dad’s bike. My push car that he rigged (with a hockey stick) so that he could push me without bending over. I remember catching crawfish in the creek behind our house. I remember science fair projects and making fishing rods out of widdled sticks.
I remember my Dad walking me down the aisle when I got married, telling me all the same jokes that made me laugh when I was 6. . . . .
My Dad is a good man.
Happy Father’s Day, Dave, I love you to bits.
This picture ran in today’s New York Times. See the slide show here
I think it is a moving reminder of the true meaning of the day. Remember Mary when you are drinking your beer.
Mary McHugh visited the grave of her fiancé, Sgt. James J. Regan, who was killed in Iraq in February. He is buried in the new Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery for those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Happy Mothers Day to the Mothers in my Life . . . . .
I love you!
Also a special Happy Mother’s day to Jo-Ann, this is her first Mother’s day as a mum!
At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May
this year, the time and date will be
02:03:04 05/06/07
This will never happen again in our lifetime
Happy Easter everyone.
Colin got me a chocolate cat for easter. . . . check out the FREAKY eyes!!!
Today is Marty & Minou’s 2nd birthday.
Happy Birthday Moggies!! Tuna tonight for you guys!
Marty and Minou at 6 weeks Old
For my New Years entry, I expressed my hope that every had a wonderful new year, and enjoyed the coming year of the Pig.
Now that the true Chinese New Years is upon us, I’m getting an absolute ton of hits for people searching “Year of The Pig”
In the interest of the communication and continuation of information, here is some tidbits of info about what this new year of the Pig will bring.
Years of the Pig ::: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
According to customary superstition, the Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. They are a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, they are often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; they won’t let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.
Also according to customary superstition, that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of them, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the countryside. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.
There is a tolerant and peaceful side to the character of Pig types. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. They are not weak, however, and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them. People of the Boar type are the most admired by others.
People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don’t make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don’t talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.
Its Valentine’s Day! Remember to tell your someone special you love them!
So, in that spirit. . . . .I love you Colin.
Top 10 Rejected Love Hearts Candy Sayings
Today is Groundhog Day. I wonder if little Wiarton Willy will be seeing his shadow or not!
To be updated!
**UPDATED**
Wiarton Willy’s Official Website
SPRING IS ON ITS WAY
There was no shadow on the ground
Which means that spring will come around.
Flowers will bloom and life will begin
The waters will warm then we can jump in.Children will laugh as they learn to ride
Boaters will rise and fall with the tide
The golfers appear out on the greens
People line up to taste new ice creams.A warm breeze will brush on your cheek
The waters will rise on some of the creeks
Farmers will plant their first set of crops
Windows and doors will open on shopsThe Town of South Bruce Peninsula is worth driving to
If your looking for springtime activities to do.
Ride a horse, catch a fish, hike the trails, if you can.
So many things to do you might need a plan.If you don’t have time to enjoy everything.
Feel free to visit again in the spring.
There’s plenty to do throughout the whole year.
Especially now that spring time is near!C. Wyonch
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