STAYCATION OR WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME ON A WEEK OFF

May is a good time to take a break form work. This week also coincides with my anniversary. So let's me be more relaxed.  Changing the normal routine is as good as a rest. I still rise at 5:50 a.m. I like to go on my weekend power walk every day. Observations of my world at that time can be made. As I walk by the Central Library in Richmond Hill, at Yonge and Major Mackenzie, I noticed the traffic is quite busy as well as the number of people heading to work. It makes me realize how lucky I am to be within walking distance of work and do not have any real commute as most people do in my area. There are lots of chirping birds that make it seem as if I am really in the country instead of a suburb of Toronto. I can blog a little later in the day. Well it is only an hour or two later but seems much later!! I have aready completed some minor projects- new curtains for the kitchen. Plans for a couple of dinners out at restauarants and a movie. Hopefully a day trip or two to be back in time to pick up the little grandsons from Day Care! Sitting on my back porch and reading or jotting down some ideas for this blog. Puttering in the garden, pulling weeds and just stopping to look at the world around me. Okay, I really would rather be spending Springtime in Paris, but there is a always a French channel on TV or French music to pretend my bucket list wish is true. Perhaps, next May I will be in France! I was lucky one May to be spending my anniversary in Rome! Do you enjoy Staycations? It is a little bit of preparation for retirement!

A NEW YEAR'S LEVEE, HOW CANADIAN EH?

Although historically other countries had new year levee, Canada is considered the country that observes this old custom of receiving people for a special occasion on New Year's Day. A representative of the government will meet with local residents to welcome in the New Year. In Toronto this year it will be on January 2 which is a Monday. Many communities across Canada are hosting New Year's Day levees! Are you going to one? Do you know the first one in Canada was actually hosted on January 1, 1646 by the Governor of New France?            /
                                              Levee is a French word meaning to raise up.
So go figure, voulez vous aller a Levee maintenant?
Happy New Year one and all!

BIENVENUE BENVENIDO BENVENUTO

Means Welcome in 3 languages. Lately I have noticed people from other countries reading my blog. I welcome comments in your languages. I understand, io capisco italiano, je comprende un peu de francais, comprendo espanol un poco. I work with people, for example, who immigrated from China, Russia, Poland, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Solvenia, Netherlands,India, Japan, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Egypt, South America, Israel and many other countries in Europe, Asia, Africa. So the deal- if you want to write comments in your language- please, per favore, por favor, s'il vous plait and please in any other language write something. I can share with my colleagues and they will translate for me. Do not be shy write in English if you can!! My blog is meant to be an interactive dialogue between people. Merci, grazie, gracias and thank you to all who continue to read. However I really want your reflections too. Will you write me something? Tell me how you feel.

THE CANADIAN TOQUE

The Toque is a common word in Canada to name a versatile winter hat that can be crocheted or knit. It originated from the Coureurs de Bois- those early French and Metis fur traders. There can be pom poms on top or tassels and a modern version comes with braids. One colour or stripes with variety of colours can be seen. Your favourite hockey team's logo can be embossed on a toque. It keeps your head warm in the winter. Everyone has a toque or even two or three. If you are a crafty person, a toque is very easy to make. Since it is a name very unique to Canada, it is used in many sketches by comedians to make fun of Canadians. What would a good Canadian joke contain if a toque was not mentioned? Do you have a toque? Is there a joke about a toque you can share? Only in Canada, eh!