LIFE IS LIKE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Fireworks happen at special occasions. New Year's Eve saw displays throughout the world- a collective activity for world's nations. Big displays, little displays! Victoria Day and Canada Day- Canadians can have them in their own backyards! Ontario Place in Toronto used to have them all summer long sponsored by various countries.  Fireworks let's us see something fun and flashy, often set to music. We gather as a crowd looking to the sky for the lights. It looks easy but a group of technicians needed to plan, do the choreography and then set it off on schedule. All the work is over is just a few minutes! Gather our blankets or chairs to trudge home until the next special moment. Sometimes we can have firework moments. A fun party. Reconnecting with old friends. A new family member. An engagement. Oh fireworks, give us those highs in life!
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CANADA DAY 2013-PANCAKES WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND PEAMEAL BACON

Canada Day is always celebrated on July 1 of each year. We are 146 years old since Confederation but of course Canada has a longer history. Canadians like pancakes for breakfast, attending local ceremonies and fireworks at night. There is often coverage from Ottawa of the hoopla there! T-shirts in red and white are worn. I actually have a purple one- not surprised eh? It is a time to be thankful we live in one of the best countries in the world. Peace earned by many times of conflict-with a price! Tolerance! Acceptance! Lots of good manners! And smart people! Never assume good manners and honesty mean we are stupid! Just nice! Hard working! Love our family! We know how to eat well. There are traditional dishes from all parts of the country. Today-fresh maple syrup on my pancakes with some Canadian peameal bacon. Then off to Richmond Green for some of the day's festivities and may return for the fireworks or not! For those with a birthday today-have a good one! What are you doing to celebrate our special day? Alittle history-it used to be called Dominion Day! So what year was it changed to Canada Day? What 4 provinces were the first to become United? What was the last province to join the Confederation in 1949?

WHEN THE FIREWORKS ARE OVER!

We all have exciting times in our lives. Feels a little like fireworks- oohs and ahs! Lots of splash and colour! Returning to our regular life and activities sometimes seems like a letdown. Where's the excitement? Where's the fun? Regular activities can bring the small "ah" moments. Looking each day for something that is passionate and fun takes energy and a commitment to enjoying the day. By living each day to the fullest as best we can, allows our lives to have meaning. There will be days that are a struggle. Even getting through that struggle can gives a sense of accomplishment. It is difficult with young children or caring for an older family member to find time for ourselves but setting aside even thirty minutes a day to read, exercise, or doing something pleasurable brings the little fireworks back into our lives. Do you enjoy fireworks? Do you struggle each day? How do you find the "ah" moments? What would some of the moments be?

A CANADIAN LONG WEEKEND

Victoria Day long weekend is the first of the summer season, although technically it is still spring. Many people hit the road on Friday to go to their cottages or out of town to visit friends or tour. We are like many people. Stay home and work in the garden, enjoy a barbecue on a Saturday night with a favourite beer or glass of wine. If it rains there is always a movie to see. Monday is fireworks time. As a child, I loved this weekend for the fireworks. It just seemed so special. There was always the burning of the schoolhouse as the last one. Sparklers were a great hit and just did not last long enough. We used to buy some fireworks for the girls when they were little having our display in our backyard. Now I just watch from my bedroom window. There are some big displays in public parks but we do not make the effort to go. During the summer Ontario Place in Toronto has an international fireworks competition. Oh- long weekends- an extra day away from work and then the four day workweek! Lots of work but somehow my pace is slow. One weed at a time, one vegetable row at a time, the garden will evolve at its own pace!
How do you spend your long weekend? Do you have just work in mind or are you having some relaxing time too? What is your favourite long weekend?