Tuesday, July 04, 2006

North American Birthdays

Good grief! I haven't even blogged about Canada Day yet (of course, I haven't blogged about anything lately), and here it is Independence Day down south. As you know, I recently spent time in Arizona, met several of you fellow bloggers, and felt quite at home. Some of you sure speak with funny accents, but Americans that I have met, both recently and formerly, are wonderful people. The description, salt of the Earth, comes to mind. Have a great day in Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Georgia, Washington, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, and the other states where my blogger friends reside; those remaining state names simply aren't springing into my dim consciousness right now.




Yesterday was Canada Day. (No it wasn't, but I'll leave it as written, just to show that started to write this several days ago. It comforts me somehow.) We celebrated our 139th birthday. Every little community does something. There were concerts and feasts and fireworks at our local park and at all sorts of venues across this vast land. We weren't at the park, however, choosing to celebrate with family and friends at D1's house. D2 and friend were in town and staying with them, so we weren't about to be anywhere else.



As the above picture shows (taken early when there were still relatively few present), many of us were decked out in red and white, and flags were flying everywhere (just not in the picture, so don't strain those eyes). The flags will come down soon, of course: most of them at least. We're very proud of our country, you know, but we don't carry on about it most of the time. It's just not the Canadian way. Eh?


Cuppa and I were the only oldsters in the crowd. Most of the couples were thirty something with a toddler in tow: only one in all cases. It's hard to afford either the funds or the time to raise more these days, I guess. Or maybe second children will make their appearance in due time. Cuppa and I waited six years between our two, for example.


The little folk showed tremendously divergent personalities. Just like the adults, there were loud ones and quiet ones, gregarious ones and shy ones, trusting ones and fearful ones. Then there was the pooch, Frodo, a Shepherd-Border Collie mix (photo below — with yours truly). What a neat dog! He was still there when we left near midnight. His folks tried to take him home when they put their little girl to bed, but he wasn't interested — wanted to mix. He wasn't hyper or demonstrably excited but very undoglike in choosing not to rest or sleep for all those hours.



We sat in the sun and later in the rain although we moved to the protection of a neighbour's gazebo when the rains began. It was quite the gazebo too, with deck flooring, carpeting, electricity, satellite tv, and high speed internet access. Cuppa and I stayed until after eleven o'clock, but, of course, the thirty-somethings partied on until the wee hours.


The next day (after I began to write this in the morning), Cuppa and I headed back to D1's where we had a grand family breakfast. In the afternoon, we drove down to Smiths Falls to visit the Hershey Chocolate Factory, and we had a bbq supper. D2 went back home the next day, but it was great for the little clan to get together one more time.


Today though, I think I'll continue to take life easy and resume watching The World Cup. Despite the fact that, as I opined earlier, I'd like to see a few more goals, I am quite enjoying the competition although with both England and Brazil out, I'm not sure for whom I will cheer. Then, we'll go line dancing tonight. Should be a good Independence Day here in Canada too. Eh?

11 comments:

Heather Plett said...

Good to see you were appropriately dressed in red and white, complete with a Canada hat!

Happy relaxing. Sadly, my relaxing had to end as I was due back at work today.

Gina said...

Happy belated Canada Day!

Not many things are as fun as a good BBQ, with good friends.

Ginger said...

Hey, thanks for the good wishes to us cousins to the south. It sounds like we're all laid back and vacationing these days.

Enjoy the World Cup, and hopefully a few spectacular goals.

Darlene said...

Happy Belated Canada Day from me, too! Isn't it glorious being able to just lie back and relax? We're celebrating the 4th of July here today.

Just wish I could see the two of you line dancing. I haven't done it much myself; too klutzy, but I so enjoy watching others do it.

Madcap said...

Very national, all those clothes. Good to see the proper spirit, beer and lawnchairs and all.

Tammy said...

Visiting for the fist time...
Great blog! Looks like you had a great 4th! I haven't read your posts before but I'm guessing your a transplanted Canadian? If so, Happy belated Canada Day!
Hey...any guy who lists Sleepless in Seattle as one of their favorite movies (my hubby and I had our first blind date seeing that movie and I love it too!) is worth bookmarking...;)
God's blessings...
~Tammy

-epm said...

It took me two read-throughs to figure out the D1 and D2 was daughter one and daughter two... duh. :)

Too many Corona's yesterday.

Dale said...

Sounds like a fab weekend, AC! A dream of mine is to visit the Capital Region for Canada Day. Maybe next year ...

Turtle Guy said...

Nice pooch!! I still have you in the radar - sorry I haven't commented much... crazy days here!

Bonita said...

Glad you had a good celebration - and the people sure knew how to dress for the occasion. I've never seen that done.

mreddie said...

It looks like you had a great day of celebration - it was good for us as well in the great unmentioned state of South Carolina. :) Good to see you blogging again. ec