Something really upset me today .... you won't need any smiles for this one!

Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. ~~~Jack Layton.

These wonderful words are on a Face Book page - along with a rant which really troubles me.  

... is a guy wearing that damn towel around his head. My blood boiled! You are in Canada buddy, take the damn thing of, wear a baseball cap or something. YOU are not in your country now.

We have to remember Canada was built by immigrants. If you are a Canadian, and not a Native American, rest assured your ancestors came from another country. Actually, even if you are a Native American, your ancestors came from another country - thousands of years before us white skins did. 

I am Canadian, but I was born in Scotland. I suppose I was lucky we weren't visible minorities - the only thing that gave us away was our highland accents. Mom kept hers until the end, but we weren't long losing most of ours. I say most, because even now someone picks up the scattered word. Especially the ones that rhyme with book.

The only racism I knew while growing up in Newfoundland was from Archie Bunker's mouth. This was comedy - everyone knew he had a heart of gold inside that tough exterior. We were all the same colour in our little town, and we all wore the same 'baseball caps.' 

We flew to British Columbia in 1994. We had a lay-over at Toronto, and that was where my then 8-year old son saw his first turban-wearing man. He wondered why he had such a big bandage on his head. It wasn't long before he was settled into a classroom with people of all cultures - although in Richmond, mostly Chinese. He brought many friends through our doors - and he didn't care if they were different. Like all children, he had kind eyes.

We lived in Richmond for 17 years. We learned that not all Chinese people are good drivers - but believe it or not, white people wreck their cars too. We learned that a lot of Chinese people try to bargain for everything they buy - sometimes it works, so why not? The biggest thing I learned though, was we Anglo Saxons aren't the only ones who may practice a bit of racism - we were kind enough (Newfoundland hospitality and all that) to invite a young Asian girl to eat supper with us one night. She was the girlfriend of the young man who rented a room in our house for a year. As she tucked into her chicken, she told us that all Newfoundlanders are drunks. Hmmm. I said, 'Well, I don't drink, although I guess I'm only half a Newfoundlander as I was born in Scotland.' So then she included me when she said that all Scottish people are drunks, too. 

Fortunately she didn't choke on a chicken bone.

Now we live in Surrey, which has a very high East Indian population. The kids' friends have names I find hard to pronounce. But Surrey, even though it is the fastest growing of all the Lower Mainland suburbs, seems to be more low key. The people are quiet spoken and gentle. One of our neighbours is an old man from Afghanistan, who flew for the Air Force fighting the Taliban. He gave thousands of dollars to a smuggler to bring his family safely through harsh mountainous country - he was told if his children cried they would be shot. You know, I really don't mind sharing this beautiful country with this brave man. I'm glad he can live in peace and know his grandchildren can laugh and cry and sing whenever they want.

One of my heroes is Commander Chris Hadfield. I imagine the first time he and his ISS team looked at our planet from way above the clouds, their minds weren't on finding the one little spot where they grew up. I imagine they saw Earth, one big wonderful Earth, full of ... why, Earthlings. Because no matter where we were born, where we grow up, or where we die, we are all children of the Earth. 


So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

* *

Canada is known around the world as a country with excellent opportunities, political stability, a healthy economy, and a very polite population.  Where the US is understood to be a melting pot of different cultures, each culture blending with the new comers, Canada has become a mosaic, where immigrants are able to live within their beliefs and cultural norms without being assimilated into the existing culture.  Immigrants to Canada are able to enjoy the familiar dynamics of their home country or participate in the Canadian culture without the need to commit to one over the other.


Sir John A MacDonald -
The first Canadian Prime Minister, Sir John Macdonald – or plain old John Macdonald as he was then known – emigrated to Canada as a child in the 1820s from Glasgow. Regarded as one of modern-day Canada’s founding fathers, Sir John left school at just 15 years of age but in 1867 became the dominion of Canada’s first Prime Minister. Macdonald is also recognised as the founder of the famous Canadian Mounted Police Force, better known as the ‘Mounties’.

Alexander Graham Bell -
 The Scottish-born inventor of the telephone, moved to southern Ontario in 1870 at the age of 23, when his parents purchased a 10.5 acre farm. He became a naturalised citizen 12 years later. Ironic, that an immigrant should be credited with inventing the technology that would allow so many other immigrants to keep in touch with their family over the years, don’t you think?

Adrienne Clarkson -
Born in Hong Kong in 1939, Clarkson came to Canada as a refugee with her parents in 1942.  After settling in Ottawa, Ontario, Clarkson went on to create a career in broadcasting, journalism, the arts and public service.

Robert Herjavec -
Robert Herjavec is known to many Canadians as the good looking, nice dragon on the popular CBC series Dragons’ Den. Born in Zbjeg, Croatia, Herjavex immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of ten.  They settled in a small home in Toronto, Ontario. Herjavec is estimated to have a personal net worth of over $100 million.  Pretty impressive for a Croatian immigrant that landed with his family in Canada with only $20.
  
Peter Mansbridge -
Mansbridge was born in London, England in 1948, and raised in Ottawa, Ontario.
Mansbridge’s on-air career began when he was discovered by a radio executive who heard the, at that time, baggage handling Mansbridge make an announcement at the Churchill, Manitoba airport in 1968.  He was soon heard on the northern service of CBC Radio, and then was transplanted to Winnipeg, Manitoba as a reporter, still on CBC Radio, and eventually becoming a reporter on CBC Television.
In 1975 he became a reporter for The National, and then a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa, and eventually became the anchor of CBC Prime Time News, The National, and in 1999 launched his own program, Mansbridge One on One, where he interviews major players in the current news.
Despite dropping out of the Glebe Collegiate Institute before graduating, Mansbridge has received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Windsor.

( from  http://www.sureimmigration.com/blog/2010/11/famous-canadian-immigrants/)

A Day at the PNE - aka, there goes the kids' college fund ....

Last year, after a day at the PNE, which included one ride only - a couple of trips around in the Ferris Wheel - I told (not suggested, but TOLD) Nikkie that this year we were going to get ride tickets and do all the scary ones, including the wooden Roller Coaster. She just shivered and shook her head in denial.
,
But just in case that didn't work for me, she went and got .... up the builders. (How quaint - an Irish way of saying up the stump, up the duff, in the pudding club, or having a bun in the oven.) No matter how one says it, it's enough of an excuse not to go on wild rides at the PNE. 

So this year we decided to take two kiddies and their daddy's bank account, and off we went for the day. 

Seems like we weren't the only ones.

Well, to be honest about it, this picture was much later in the day. There weren't nearly that many people there when we arrived about noon - or I would have just turned around and went home.

We had a sorta kinda plan - first, let the kids 'play' some games ('play' in this case means 'buying' a prize before they throw the basketball, the dart, or the ball - the more you pay, the bigger the prize), so we headed to the Midway.

 There. That did it. They were really good at these games - Chris killed tons of balloons with hard little balls and darts, threw basketballs galore into nets, and Lizzie excelled at racing her little horse. However, that skill didn't transfer, as you'll see later.

This hammer was hugged so much it got a bit .... smooshy as the day went on. Fortunately there was a remedy available.

After the midway (should I say the first visit to the midway?) we decided to check out one of the three MAIN REASONS to visit the PNE - the food vendors. Of course, it was chips on a stick for Nikkie and me - the kids stayed with the mundane, burger and fries for Chris, cheese pizza for Lizzie.

 

After lunch, we headed for Playland. I would have bought ride passes for the kids, but we didn't think they'd be brave enough to try out all the different rides - and we were right. However, they did get on these crazy spinny teacups - and Nikkie and I got on with them. For those of you with limited budgets - take a kid to the PNE. They get in for free - and you get to go on the kiddie rides with them for free, as long as they are 4' or under.  And let me tell ya, these tea cups do go crazy. Whew.

Then it was a Merry Go Round. Lizzie clamoured on board a tall horse, and I stood beside her. Chris sat in a 'sleigh' with his mom. When Lizzie saw he was sitting in a sleigh, she wanted to get off her high horse and sit with them, but I persuaded her to stay, as it would be more fun. She really needs more horse time, I think. That thing went pretty fast though, let me tell you, and I'm not ashamed to say I got a tad dizzy before it finally, thank God, stopped.

After those strenuous activities, we stopped for refreshment. The sun had popped out, and it was a lot hotter. Because the promise of rain seemed to have blown away, a lot more people had showed up, and now there were more line-ups for our Slushies (Nikkie and Chris)

and ice-cream (Strawberry Sundae for Lizzie, Orange Float for me.)

If we had waited for this little princess to finish her ice-cream we'd still be there.

However, just like life, we moved on. This time we went to the Safeway barn, where there were lots of animals to see and smell. Lovely. And what should we see ... but pony rides! 

Chris said no in a very absolute way. I knew there was no way to talk him into it. Lizzie is much easier to persuade, though, and she seemed fine with it - until the lady there popped her onto the saddle, then she started to wail for her mother. So Nikkie was allowed to walk around the pen with her .... and when they saw me in the sidelines with the camera, Lizzie was kind enough to turn her tear-filled fear-filled face into a wan little smile.

Of course as soon as she got off, I asked her if she wanted to go again, and she said .... Yes.

For all you fancy knitters, this is where Angora wool comes from.

Aren't they the cutest of all?

And if you knit with llama wool, thank these beasties.

And of course, the alpacas. They obviously had already donated to all the knitaholics.

After the barn, with its bees, chicks, doves, cows, etc, we headed to the arena to await the Superdogs. I know every dog is a super dog - but boy can these ones move! and jump!

When we left the Superdogs, it was time to check out the second MAIN REASON for visiting the PNE - the food vendors. Nikkie and Lizzie had fish and chips, Chris had fries, and I had my yearly (well, maybe semi-yearly) dose of Poutine.

As we walked to the next exhibition, we passed the eco-scultptures. These were amazing.

- quite a few pictures following - I loved the yarn bombing ones!

Then we went to the Get Animated exhibit, where we found Sponge Bob's underwater realm -

- the Simpsons' living room -

- and Mr Toad's Wild Ride.

I'm not sure what his wild ride was.

The Walt Disney Family Museum was interesting -

 - but I don't know what this is, besides being very cool.

And of course, we cannot forget the third MAIN REASON  for visiting the PNE - the food vendors. This was our first experience with the Deep Fried Mars Bar. Nikkie and Chris turned their noses up at it, but Lizzie was game, and ate about half of it. I had about half what was left. Seems like she is brave like me!

After our last snack, we headed back to the midway, through millions of people, because one little boy wanted to play one more game. Then it was on to our last wild ride of the night - busing and sky training and busing back home, and a long tired walk up a long tiring hill to our home. Yawn.

But all in all - a very successful day, wouldn't you think?

Rolley Lake - yes, that is salt beef and cabbage you smell ....

Two Augusts ago, on the long weekend, we took a part family trip to Alice Lake - the part of our family that couldn't go were way up northern Manitoba, and I miss them every day. However - this August, on the Saturday of the long weekend, Neil, Steve, their others and kiddies, and we all went to Rolley Lake Provincial Park for the day.

Howard and I spent the previous night at Neil and Shannon's place in Mission, where I saw the most spectacular sunset that wasn't ocean-fuelled. It didn't last for long - by the time we had picked up some last-minute day-at-the-park stuff, the skies were black and night had set in. 

Early the next morning, we (by we, I mean everyone else) packed the van with almost everything we needed,

and the rest of what we needed was stowed in Neil's trailer. Well, almost the rest. Who has ever gone to the beach for the day and taken absolutely everything they needed?

There. All ready to go. Almost everyone was excited about a bit of canoe-dling.

And off we go through the streets of Mission. Meanwhile, back in Surrey, Steve, Nikkie and the kids were busy packing their car up for the day. It really was a bit of 'everything  but the kitchen sink' day.
Some of us were really excited about the trip.

And here is Rolley Lake, calm and quiet at 10 o'clock in the morning. We chose a picnic table that was nestled in a corner of old-growth forest, and another picnic table that was near by. After all, we had 11 people, a car load, a van load and a trailer load of Stuff.

Besides being beautiful, this lake has a story.

Table number one, with a gas barbecue all ready for a wienie roast, and some of our provisions, which ranged from a pineapple to a bucket of salt beef. Chances were nobody would go home hungry. However, it appears we had forgotten several things - such as ketchup, mustard, relish and fuel for the barbecue. After a  quick call to Steve, he was able to stop at a store and pick up these items.

The kids hit the water pretty quickly. Tanner and Clayton are two little water rats. Chris and Lizzie had fun, too, and the life jackets they were wearing made them really brave. Brave enough that Chris started paddling out to the floats - and I had to strip down to my bathing suit to waddle out to him. For some reason he wasn't listening to my shouting his name. I was really happy when he reached the rope and turned around - after all, I had almost got my bathing suit wet.

Talking about bathing suits. I hate bathing suits, and don't know why on earth I subjected myself to trying some on. The only thing that got me through that ordeal were the wise words of Tommy, the 500 year old boy vampire in the Zombie Fallout books - he couldn't understand why women were worried that certain clothes made them look fat. He said, ' Clothes don't make you look fat. Fat makes you look fat.' 

How smrt is that? Once I realized that no matter how many suits I tried on, none were going to look better (or heaven forbid, worse) I picked the one that sort of kind of looked like it would cause the least amount of trauma to the beholder.

Howard felt right at home at the chopping block, getting the veggies ready for - yes, you guessed it - a Jiggs Dinner. I figured if there were any Newfoundlanders in the park, they'd find us soon enough.

Neil, Shannon and Dominik were the first to go paddling, and after a while Howard and I went out. Let me tell you, paddling a canoe is not the easiest thing in the world, especially when you're in the front and can't notice the man behind you probably not doing anything but watch you work your heart out. 

This is the cloth for the peas pudding bag. I had forgotten to pack the bag the night before, and I called Steve to make sure he brought it. They couldn't find it, so I told Nikkie were to go and get my surplus fabric. A meter of muslin doesn't go far when you're forever losing your peas pudding bag, believe me.

I was so glad Steve brought a guitar - unlike an IPod or a boom box, his battery never runs low!

We were angled in the trees, and this cheeky little noise maker came to visit. We also saw a tiny little squirrel, who turned out to be a chipmunk. What do I know .... I never went to Wild Animal School.

By 3 o'clock, the quiet lake wasn't so quiet any more. All the picnic tables were taken, and there were lots of canopies set up on the beach. By now the sun was beating down pretty hotly, and the sand was almost too hot for my feet to bear. We spent most of the time in the shade.

And finally, dinner is served! Salt beef, potatoes, turnip, carrot, cabbage, onions, peas pudding - it was all so delicious that no one took the time to open the mustard pickles, so they are back in the cupboard til next time.

The only thing that tastes better than a Jiggs Dinner cooked in the kitchen, is one cooked outdoors. Neil brought the bottom part of his Turkey Deep Fat Friar, and that, hooked up to a propane tank, provided the stove for out huge boiler!

And his Coleman stove provided the heat for the very first Molasses Steamed Pudding I ever made - together with a Molasses Coady, it was the perfect dessert for our feast. (I had the top sliced off before I remembered to snap a pic, though.)

Many hands made the clean-up and subsequent packing-up much easier, and it was soon time to leave. I babysat all our things while the strong manly men brought everything to the road so it could be packed into the vehicles. Steve set up a chair in the shade for me, and everyone probably thought I was a bit crazy, but I did get a couple of Nature snaps while I made sure nobody stole the stuff in the trunk of his car.

And that was that. Another beautiful British Columbia Weekend day. In beautiful British Columbia.