REMEMBERING OUR CANADIAN VETERANS

Once just Remembrance Day, now we have Veterans' Week November 5-11. It gives more time to reflect on our military history and the sacrifices made to have the peace we have today in Canada. Our recent missions in Afghanistan and other nations bring home the fact there are still conflicts and suffering in the world.

In parks, town centers and avenues, monuments exist to honour local heroes who served and those who died. The army, navy, air force and merchant marine have men and women from all walks of life. In our family, there are individuals that served in World War One- Ernest Ellis and World War Two- Ellerington Park, Parkin Alton and Norman Ellis. Families across Canada will have similar stories about their loved ones. A family friend has a Mom- Amy Evans- who served with the Canadian army in England. She met Jack there and he came to Canada with her as a War husband.
If you have not done it, talk to the older Vets and get their stories- write them down, film them, tape them. Once they are gone, then their stories are gone. Learn about the famous battles and Canada's role in them. By honouring our past, we learn to find a way to resolve conflict peacefully in this modern world. I hope the Canadian military returns to its peacekeeping role- helping communities build, bringing fresh water supplies, education and health- in a wonderful way. When you think of Canada's history, what stories come to mind for you? Do you have a special person you like to honour?

BEING AN INDIVIDUAL

Takes courage. As important as it is to be a member of a social group, knowing your worth as a person in that group is vital.

Is the whole  the sum of its parts? Sometimes we all need to leave the group to be valued for ourselves. In our multicultural Canada, many new immigrants do struggle with the need to belong to two worlds- their cultural or religious group and Canadian society yet find a way to be an individual! The forest has room for many different trees and vegetation living side by side. Does Society have the room?

A POSTCARD FROM FALL IN ONTARIO

As our Fall weather is winding down and all the leaves are almost off the trees, I found some postcards from various spots in Ontario depicting the Fall colours and thought I would share them with you.

One camp friend of mine wrote- August 13, 1963-"Dear Barb, We're having a real riot up here on our canoe trip. We're in this little town with one whole store and 2 houses. Maybe? the family will go back to Rock Lake. See you then, Sharon" It was from Kiosk Ontario.
From Minden Ontario family friends wrote- "1969- Dear May and Eli, Having a week at a friends cottage. Weather could be better but at least it's fine. Will call you when we get back. Les and Geoff send their love to everyone. Cheers Eve and Maurice"

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

A POSTCARD FROM SCOTLAND

Anyone who has been to Scotland, say it is one of the most beautiful places they have ever seen. My stepdad's parents- my grandparents liked to visit Scotland every couple of years when they were able. They would take a ship over and stay for a couple of months with cousins. Aberdeen was the birthplace of one of them. I think it was Granddad.

The postcards are from the 1960s.

In September 7, 1963- Granma wrote: "This is a card for your collection Having very fine weather and enjoying ourselves. Hope everyone well. Tell Mom to write. Love to all. Grandad and Granma"

There were family friends who wrote often. Hugh Fraser had been a boarder with us from about 1955 to 1957. He worked on the ground crew with Trans Canada Air Lines which later became Air Canada. After he married he returned to Scotland to work but kept in touch with our family for decades. I think he obtained a job with British Airways. I believe they had two children.

October 7, 1961, Hugh and Ishbel wrote- "As you can see we arrived safe. My plane 2 1/2 hours late. Hugh's 25 minutes early. Going around all the country spots like two Canadian tourists. Weather not bad, not keeping us in anyway. See you all soon. Ishbel and Hugh"

September 7 1968 Hugh and Ishbel wrote-" Having a lovely "caravan" holiday here in Aberdeen. It's not Hawaii but we've had terrific weather with lots of sunshine. We both rather like Aberdeen and wouldn't mind staying further. Maybe we'll see you next year. Love Ishbel and Hugh"

The large postcard and the one along the margin are postmarked from Paisley, Renfrewshire. Again from Ishbel and Hugh. The large card, from  June 11, 1962 illustrates the beauty of Scotland. From the script on the card it says- "The Kyles of Bute, Argyll. This beautiful waterway separates the Island of Bute from the mainland. In this picture a Clyde pleasure steamer is seen rounding Buttock Point at the entrance to Loch Ridden." Th couple seemed to love this area of their home country. The top card is from Loch Ness.

A friend from  work at the time at CNIB wrote me a card in 1984.
"2.2.84 Hi Barb! Touring by car with Mary. We have been on a few Mt. walks- very beautiful scenery. Today we saw Loch Ness (no " Nessie") and Ben Nevis. Ging to a castle at Nairn tomorrow-then to a theatre at Pitlochry to see a play. Scotland looks just like the postcards. See you. Love Adele"

My folks visited Scotland a couple of times. I have dozens of cards from their visit. Perhaps another Postcard from Scotland will be warranted at a future date.
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

THE HOLLAND MARSH ONTARIO

A stretch of wetland and farms north of Toronto named after Captain Samuel (Johannes) Holland- a Dutch born Surveyor- made a fun day trip looking for photos and ideas for Adolph's blog- granpa loves to cook.

Highway 400 divides it so on any drive north, the fields are visible, making the route scenic. Taking the sideroads off Highway 9 allowed some time to take in the area.

It used to be all family farms( some remain)  but now there are grocery chains that buy the crops. Apparently, carrots and onions are huge crops along with other smaller ones.

Onions crated and ready for market.

There is something picturesque about seeing food grown in its natural environment.

The Holland River which runs through the Marsh is a watershed that lies within the Oak Ridges Moraine. Nearby is the Lake Simcoe watershed area. There is also a canal that runs through the Marsh. Managing the area environmentally and refertilizing it keeps it viable presently and for future generations.

Bradford is the small town near the Marsh.

There are always some photo opportunities. Maybe next time I will take my tripod and try to capture some artistic pictures. On any of my drives while accompanied by my husband, I jump in and out of the car, snap a picture then we race to the next stop. Perhaps a Spring jaunt alone, so I can leisurely take the time needed to relax and reflect on the area. An added note- I have lived near this area for most of my life. Taking the time to explore it was interesting. I did some Internet research to use in this post. There is local history all around us. So if you have areas near you- explore them, take pictures, research the history and is quite amazing what tidbits you will find there.

CANADA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS BUT NOT FOR SALE

Is a sign I would like to put on my front lawn. As I listen and watch business reports and hear of yet another billion dollar offer to buy yet another Canadian company or resource, I always wonder once done will the profits stay in Canada or go to the foreign ownership? Yes, trade between nations keeps economies flowing and workers employed, but are they our Canadian workers? Some of our Free Trade agreements work like with the United States and Mexico. We have expenses here- Health Care! Are these foreign owners taxed so the money goes back to keep Canada afloat? If our resources are profitable, why not keep them Canadian with Canadian owners? Does foreign ownership give those individuals a say in our politics and our health and social services which are in place? We are a democratic country with wonderful human rights. Do I trust other nations are the same? No! Money talks and the one with the biggest wad, often speaks the loudest! Reciprocal trade-yes! Ownership- please think before you sign the dotted line! Canada may be at stake! What do you think? Do you feel there are enough safeguards in place to protect our future? The future of our grandchildren?

NOVEMBER THE MONTH OF REMEMBERING

November is the in between month. Fall is starting to end. Day Light Savings time!Turning the clocks back! The trees have lost all their leaves so there is brown on brown. The days are starting to get shorter and darkness prevails. It is a month to gear up for Christmas, shopping, putting the outdoor lights up by the middle of the month, Remembrance Day, and of course a couple of family birthdays that bring some fun. If the weather holds- more outdoor cleanup and raking those last leaves. There is yard waste pickup until the end of November! I like the beginning of months as there is so much promise to set some goals to get "things" done. It is a time to remember as I like to start wearing my poppy today. How do you feel about the new month? Is it just another month or do you have plans?