Thread: From Sea to Sea to Sea - the Canada thread Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
now that the Arctic is becoming navigable. A nice bright shiny new thread for the residents of Canuckistan to play in.

Lovely clean bright snow out my window, and only -20 C! No wind to speak of, so it is a nice day.

[Thread title edited for clarity - WW]

[ 01. January 2014, 06:24: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Clear and cold here too. Moving van comes in the morning so madly packing here. Only need about another three or four days and I'll be ready for them! Am in the process of resolving (again) to never move again.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
It's warmed up to -29C here. Every single roadway is awful: like luge runs made with ribbed ice, not for your pleasure. Residential streets, highways, back lanes, everything is covered with this awful bumpy ice. Spring, come soon! But not with flooding, please!
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I wish it we would stay in one temperature range for a while. We drove to Christmas dinner through rain showers; two days later we woke up to 4C, then dropped over 20 degrees by nightfall. There's a 14 degree difference forecast between tomorrow's high and Thursday's. I never know what to wear outside, but I'm thinking a parka/flip-flop ensemble should cover all the bases.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Windchill of -20 --my son has just gone out to play shinny, so he'll be a popsicle coming home. A good night to snuggle in front of the fire or the TV and plan tomorrow's turkey pot pie. Probably do some laundry too. A nice introverted New Year's Eve.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
It was quite chilly here last night - When we got back from Midnight Mass I had to get dressed for bed! The temperature was down to 20C!

Bonne année à tous et toutes! / Happy New Year to all!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Pete dear, my heart bleeds. It was a nice, cold, clear sort of day here (about -7°), although it's due to drop a bit tomorrow, then more snow at the weekend and going up to +6° on Tuesday.

I don't understand Canadian weather.

Happy new year everyone!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Canadian weather, as someone once said in quite another context, is not something to understand but a mystery to be enjoyed.

Or something.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Happy New Year Canadians,

Talking of your weather, what is the weather like in Vancouver in December (long range travel considerations)? I know you'l probably laugh and say it doesn't get cold in Vancouver but remember I'm an antipodean and feel positively frozen if the weather falls below 15 degrees C.

Thanks for any illumination of the mysteries
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Since snow does fall in Vancouver, one can expect the temperature to be below freezing occasionally. BUT since it also doth rain, the temp. will be above freezing on other occasions. This means that you can "enjoy" cold dampness for significant amounts of time, along with slush around your feet.

You might enjoy places that have actual snow.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
It's probably safe to assume that the temperature in Vancouver in December will usually be less than 15C. Please note "probably", "assume", "usually".

With the same caveats, it will probably get down to -5C at least from time to time.

It is certain that there will be a great deal of water falling from the sky, which will be grey and cloudy at least 25 of the 31 days of the month. There is no way of telling whether the said water will be snow, ice pellets, rain, or just a constant low-level fog. It can be all four on the same day, if you're lucky.

The weather will likely be drier and brighter, and somewhat colder, just across the river in North Vancouver.

Wonder why I vowed 50 years ago never to move to Vancouver? I was raised in Winnipeg, and even at its worst (I remember 99 consecutive days below zero F) it's a dry cold, as they say, which is so much easier to cope with. Here is Ottawa we get both wet cold and dry cold (on different days), and at -20C, it really does make a difference. Gives one faith in the old wives (why not husbands?) who tell tales.

John (safely indoors)
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Thanks John & HB, tourism Vancouver wants to offer you hush money

Looks like Canada might have to wait for summery months. Cheers.
 

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Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
OK - time to come clean.

I'm moving to Vancouver Island in a few weeks' time (from the UK).

Looking forward to this immensely (although slightly overwhelmed at all that needs to be done before then).

At the moment, I am especially enjoying contradicting people who say to me "You're moving to Canada? You've going to have get used to all those severe winters, then, aren't you?"

Ummm..... Nope - not on Vancouver Island! According to my weather app, the temperature there is presently a terrifying +6C...
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
OK - time to come clean.

I'm moving to Vancouver Island in a few weeks' time (from the UK).

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quote:

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Originally posted by John Holding:


Wonder why I vowed 50 years ago never to move to Vancouver? I was raised in Winnipeg, and even at its worst (I remember 99 consecutive days below zero F) it's a dry cold, as they say, which is so much easier to cope with. Here is Ottawa we get both wet cold and dry cold (on different days), and at -20C, it really does make a difference. Gives one faith in the old wives (why not husbands?) who tell tales.

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I've been thinking for a while that some meteorologist should invent a "raw factor", along the lines of the humidex, to account for the way that wet cold is downright miserable. A day like today -- a dry -22C with a bit of windchill to -32C (not much wind, really), and a clear sky -- is infinitely preferable to a damp, breezy -5C. That dampness gets into your bones no matter how you're dressed in a way dry cold never does if you're dressed properly.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
seconded
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I had to jump-start a family member's car, twice, due to the cold. Luckily I have a portable jump-starter battery pack I keep in my trunk; such a handy device. I rescued a gentleman last week whose car wouldn't start at the gas station with it. Solved that problem really quickly, the owner of the station loved me for it.

Second, in a Canadian Moment, No Frills here in Really English Ontario now sells genuine St. Hubert's Chicken Pot Pies. I had one, it was delicious. But what a discovery!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The promised blizzard is blizzarding merrily as I type, and doesn't look as if it's thinking about stopping any time soon.

Who says that -7° is too cold for snow?
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
We had that blizzard yesterday and it was -23. It is -22 right now but going up to -14 so I may wait an hour or two before going out to shovel. Supposed to be +10 on Monday with rain and wind. Not quite sure if I should pay to have my roof shovelled off right now or if Monday will take care of it. It's a crazy start to 2014!
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
So the latest Snowmegeddon is only supposed to dump between 10 and 30 cm on various parts of Ontario.

The media does seem to like to talk about the weather.

Nice day today....going to get in a bit of walking.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Gosh, Piglet must be one of the ones without power. Newfoundland is sure having a time! Clear here today and supposed to be nice and warm tomorrow, you know, before the flash freeze tomorrow night. Oh Canada, I believe in climate change but global warming is a stretch.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Huge rainfall and +7 C yesterday - cleaned most of the snow off the roof and left the vehicles shiny

But now it is -7 C and clear, so lots of ice.

Nearly 3000 customers lost electricity yesterday as all the birch trees that had bent over under the previous snow/ice load snapped back upright when cleaned off!
 

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Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
-25°C here this morning. That's cold for this area. Confounded car didn't start, even with its brand new battery - a pox on Canadian Tire and their batteries. Finally got a boost and drove into the almost deserted town. No future for a brass monkey in this place.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Having grown up along the Grand, (well back up amidst the sandy hills of eastern Kitchener) I'm vaguely surprised that you find -25 cold.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by lily pad:
Piglet must be one of the ones without power ...

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I was indeed; we had none from 9 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday, and again for about 4 hours on Sunday evening, when the outside temperature was about -12°, which wasn't handy for people like us whose only heat source is electricity. It's amazing how much warmth you can make in a small room with 12 candles ...

The up-side of all this power-saving malarkey was that the university where I work was closed on Monday and Tuesday, giving a nice extension to the Christmas holidays. Back to the grind tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
For no particularly good reason, I saw this and thought of our Canadian brethren.

AG
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Poor moose.
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
For no particularly good reason, I saw this and thought of our Canadian brethren.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Moo:
I remember once on The Muppet Show, the Swedish Chef made chocolate mousse by slathering chocolate on a (muppet) moose.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
I guess it is past now, but what the heck is a "polar vortex"?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
Having grown up along the Grand, (well back up amidst the sandy hills of eastern Kitchener) I'm vaguely surprised that you find -25 cold.

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But that's north of the 401 - different climate, different culture - another world from downstream of the Grand River Brewing Company in Galt.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
And now, on to the January Thaw! Shall spend a large part of the day shovelling out the downspouts and window wells before the rain and wind of tomorrow. Never a dull moment east of the 401.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
And tomorrow, we shall all merrily skate down the main drag of town!
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Ah, but not here. We are to have above 0 degrees temperatures until Thursday. A true January thaw!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Us too, Lilypad - they're offering us +7° tomorrow with quite a lot of rain, and low single-digits for most of the rest of the week.

My Beloved has just brought me a Timmy's™ - what a saint!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
No ice here, so no thaw. But I'd sell my firstborn for a Timmy's. Milk coffee is good here though.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pete, I think you'll find that selling children into slavery is no longer seen as an acceptable practice even in the Colonies.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
... and as far as I know, they're not interchangeable with Timcards™.

Well all that rain certainly cleared some of the snow* - we've got a Visible Sidewalk again!



* Not all of it - we've still got some humungous piles of snirt, but it's a start.

edited for spleling

[ 13. January 2014, 02:28: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Spending the nights enjoying the reassuring sound of the sump pump coming on every 10-15 minutes. Woke up this morning and became instantly alert and in a few minutes, ahhh, there it goes, the sump pump is working.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Stercus Tauri:

quote:

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Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
Having grown up along the Grand, (well back up amidst the sandy hills of eastern Kitchener) I'm vaguely surprised that you find -25 cold.

---

But that's north of the 401 - different climate, different culture - another world from downstream of the Grand River Brewing Company in Galt.

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WARNING - Long Post about the Particular Canadiana I Grew Up In


Sometimes people have questioned why I occasionally just want to get out and see the top of a hill, by myself, just to look at what is going on and observe.

I think the link to that desire to look over the next hill and see comes from where I grew up.

We were a different culture from the rest of Kitchener. Eastsiders, as I once was called by an fellow University student wondering what my background was - code for being insular, I was told.

Everybody I grew up with was 3rd generation residents. Big leafy maples and crab apples and birch trees and willows beside cracked sidewalks edged by non-electric edgers and two story homes with cedar bushes and milk boxes and wooden slat shutters that never closed and one car in the driveway that always was having to be cleaned from either grease or ants or grass in the cracks.

None of those flashy newcomers in Forest Heights who worked in insurance, although a daughter getting a job there would always be a good thing, and who lived in homes with newer trees, strived to have two cars, all wore white shirts and ties and used the word neighbourhood and house values to ward off pesky things like clotheslines and road hockey and industrial smells.

No, we didn't want to sanitize where we lived. Clotheslines were out everybody's back yard. Didn't mind the smells of Schneiders and the other couple of meat packing plants, the Weston bakery, chocolate from the Smiles and Chuckles plant and the occasional whiff of rye and beer all the way down from Seagrams and Labatt's. The smell of grease from the cars being worked on by the older boys or on the clothes of the men coming home from the factories at 3:30 wasn't a reminder of where we lived....it was just where we were. It was like the smell of jam in June or of the sugar in the air from the CEO fall fair in the week before school...it all just was.

We were a small town within a small city in what we considered the best part of the world. Industrial foreman and small business owners most of our fathers. Stay at home Mom's who worked during the day to help out but were home by 4 to take care of the kids. Not till later did I realise how insulated we were from the rest of the city by our location in the arm of the Expressway south of Bridgeport and the Grand at Freeport and the industrial areas of Courtland Ave. Road hockey, baseball in parks, Parks and Rec summer camps, snowball fights, tobogganing down any hill possible, skating at the arena, swimming trips to Cameron Heights, minor hockey or soccer.

But what I remember most of all was just the freedom to ride my bike anywhere, without fear. To take off to friends, to parks, to games...as long as I was home for lunch and supper and bed time. Yes, I was a guy, and it was easy. But, that freedom to ride up to the top of the hill near Chicopee and look back on the mile or two of bike path you'd just traversed to get there and wonder who that was back there...did you really pass that old man on your way in your haste to get somewhere....that freedom was my birthright in that small town. It was what I treasured most. The smell of the grass, the wind, the sunshine and the freedom to just be and look.

Not till even later did I realise how insulated we were from the realities of most people in this world. Not till even later then that did I realise some of those realities were happening in that small town too, hidden from view.

Like all our towns where we grew up, that place, that East Side, that is gone now. Sure, the maple trees are there, and the Expressway and the Aud and the parks and the schools and people and families ....but its gone...in the flash of how fast it can take you to drive from Fairview Park Mall up to Northfield Drive...and in the time it takes to type a tweet.

Kids don't bike like that, I don't go out like that, and people don't work like that and none of us live like that. And society is, thankfully, not like that anymore..so male oriented. And I don't long for those days. I was privileged, white, male, able bodied, housed, fed and loved without fear by caring parents. Many were not. And my freedoms were unusual.

Where others fled places like that, I didn't as much leave that place as it all changed with the recessions of the 80's and the hollowing out of the industrial base all those men worked in. Budd Auto, Lear Seigler, Schneiders, Grebs, Kaufmanns...all gone now. There wasn't a there to fit into once the 90's hit. The smells were gone. The parents got old. The daughters moved away and us little boys....we couldn't ride our bikes anymore everywhere we wanted and whenever we wanted because we had to go do something now.

People talk about you not being able to go home. We never thought of that. Home to us was always where we were, as a family. And it remains...home is where we are now.

And that when that I grew up in....that time when I had the freedom to just go out and look at the world. That when has shaped me.

And Its why I go out every once in awhile, up to the top of a hill, and look back at where I came from and wonder about the people I passed on the way up.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
We've had a couple of serious rainfalls (25-30 mm. each) and enough warm weather to get rid of most of the snow in open land.

And, troublingly, I've seen some of the buds on trees swelling.

No significant frost forecast until Sunday

And all of this after three weeks of snow and more snow!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Same here, HB - the council finally got round to clearing some of the snow from our road the other night (after God had done a good bit of it for them), and we were observing how wide it looks without it.

The temperature hit 10°C this afternoon! Double figures in January!
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
I note that prior to the PM's expedition to the Middle East, government representatives couldn't stop talking about Canada's important position in the area.

And I note that, after a brief trawl through some UK media sites, not a one has even noticed that the PM is visiting Israel (with brief side trips to Jordan and the territories), even his criticisms of most European countries for a politer form of anti-semitism because they don't ask "how high" when Benjamin Netanyahu says "Jump".

That's how important we've become -- our allies don't even notice when we criticize them.

John
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
There is reference in today's NY Times. There was, for fans of this topic, an interesting dissonance between cabinet member Chris Alexander's comments on the settlements and Conservative comments on them. I fear that the PM's embrace of one Israeli faction has crippled our ability to do anything useful for Israel in the peace process. But that's me.

-31°C tonight, with wind chill. I present shipmates with a brilliant haiku on this situation:
Thirty one below
Condolence and warmth pour forth,
My furnace brings joy
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 


Any reply of mine, John, would require that this tangent to Purg.

Though the gymnastics the Official Opposition does on Israel are quite amazing to see.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Marmite banned in Canada!!

You'd think those poor short-staffed scientists at the CFIA would spend more time ensuring that safe meat is available in Canada and that mad-cow disease doesn't decimate herds. But Nooooooo.....
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Most importantly, they are changing the colouring in Irn-Bru to comply with Canadian regulations.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:
Marmite banned in Canada!! ...

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I don't mind for myself (I think Marmite comes straight from Hell) but D. will not be pleased.

I can't remember the last time I drank Irn-Bru (I could take it or leave it), but I have it on good authority that it's an excellent hangover cure.

eta: maybe it's the questionable additive that does the trick ...

[ 26. January 2014, 02:24: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
From reports I've read, this isn't about health -- they've admitted there's nothing dangerous about these products. It's just that, for example, Marmite includes ingredients that aren't on the approved list.

I wish I could blame this too on the current government, but it smacks too much of a middle-rank bureaucrat in a notorious agency trying to make his/her name.

John
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
From this article, it sounds more like a news agency needed something to talk about.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Apparently there are formulations that are acceptable in Canada. Perhaps they simply shipped from the wrong warehouse or pallet?
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Getting back to the important subject: 50 cm. of snow today, nice and dry for once, so it is being redistributed by the 70 km/h wind gusts. But, no ice/freezing rain, so we should have power.

plus a storm surge on the Northumberland Strait, since the winds are from the north.

Proper winter! No point fussing about actually going anywhere.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
So far today, the plow has gone by and two other vehicles passed early this morning. Not a single vehicle in the last two hours. Still snowing heavily and blowing wildly. A little while ago, there was a nine vehicle crash on the Confederation Bridge - in the toll area. Dog has successfully done her business in record time. Will go out to play as soon as the Vinyl Cafe is over.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It was our turn for freezing rain today: it started in the morning and when we came out of church at lunchtime the car was encased in a veneer of ice. It's eased off now, but it's blowing a gale, and I can feel the house shaking, even though we're in the middle of a terrace.

No power cuts so far, although there was an ominous flicker during the first lesson at Evensong ...
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Sorry for the double-post, but rim-rolling has commenced!*

So has gagnezing bugger-all.

* Is it my imagination, or is it really early this year? I mean, Lent doesn't start for another two weeks.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
Got my first RUTRTW today -- no love for me either.

John
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Off into the hills tomorrow to get my yearly supply of freshly picked tea (so much better than the ancient floorsweepings known at the tea that is such a pity)
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:
Sorry for the double-post, but rim-rolling has commenced!*

So has gagnezing bugger-all.

* Is it my imagination, or is it really early this year? I mean, Lent doesn't start for another two weeks.

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Easter's on the late side..
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It usually coincides with Lent, so that people who would otherwise give up Timmy's™ don't, but I suspect they haven't got a liturgical calendar ...

Just rolled another please play again.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Family is 0-3 so far.

Og child is doing one a day...she likes the white hot chocolate.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. gagnezed un café today but I'm still at 0/4, even though there's two rims on each cup (a fact that had completely escaped me until one of my colleagues pointed it out - I thought they'd just changed the arrow colour from yellow to blue).


 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:
It usually coincides with Lent, so that people who would otherwise give up Timmy's™ don't, but I suspect they haven't got a liturgical calendar ...

Just rolled another please play again.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
... the barista was very impressed with my plum ascot speckled with little white rabbits.

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I was imagining that your coffee establishment must be serving some very interesting substances, until I looked up "plum ascot".

Google is my friend.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Only had one Tim's this week, and I'm 0 for 1.

But we have a very nice new coffee shop a block away from me, so I don't feel the need to chew up cardboard rims unless I'm on an errand in town.

At least the Tim's I go to is a very friendly place unlike certain others
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
It was the most perfect Winter Olympics ever for Canada. Gold in the four sports this country cares about: men's, women's curling, men's hockey and women's hockey.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Especially when one could see how beautifully hockey could be played without the influence of Don Cherry and his fans.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
Especially when one could see how beautifully hockey could be played without the influence of Don Cherry and his fans.

---

It was a remarkable set of games. International hockey played with a precision and skill level we may never see again.

I said to the family today that this might be the best Canadian mens team ever. Yes, better then the 87 Canada Cup team.

I hope they get to play again in 4 years but the NHL is rumbling and the IOC doesn't have Russian oil money to use to bribe them the next time.

As for the women's final, I turned it off after the 2nd US goal....and turned it back on when somebody else in the office said they had gotten 1 back.

If there is one team we REALLY care for, its the Women's NT.

[ 23. February 2014, 21:47: Message edited by: Og: Thread Killer ]
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As a CFA* I know the square-root of diddly-squat about hockey, but I was looking in while getting ready for church, and saw Mr. Crosby's goal. The final whistle blew just before we went to process in.

There were some interesting pieces of improvisation on the organ during the service ...

* Comes From Away

eta: Why does O Canada give me a bigger lump in the throat than God Save the Queen?



[ 24. February 2014, 03:14: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Maybe because it gives a role to all the people rather than to a nice lady who happens to believe in God.

Also GStQ is just a rather morose German drinking tune, suitable for something like a funeral. Not that OC is particularly inspiring, of course, but who could take something totally triumphal at 20-below-with-a-wind-chill?
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
On the day of the women's game, I was in Montréal down by la Visitation (in a neighbourhood not yet gentrified, which in recent years elected a Trotskyite city councillor) and found myself hearing O Canada sung through the windows of a bar and shouts of les filles frappent! (tr: the girls hit!) and voyons les dames! (rough tr: look at the ladies!).

If you had told me ten years ago that O Canada would be sung in that neighbourhood, I would have assumed that you were on very bad drugs.

Someone told me that the men played a game as well, but I haven't had that verified.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
... a neighbourhood not yet gentrified ...

---

What a wonderful expression - we live in one of those!

As to GStQ and OC, don't get me wrong: on the day when the British athletes won six gold medals at the London Olympics, I had tears streaming down my face, and I'm getting a throat-lump just typing this.

I think OC took me by surprise: I switched on the TV the other day and happened on a medal ceremony (I hadn't seen the event, and can't even remember what it was) and found myself reaching for the paper-hankies.

patriotic piglet

[ 25. February 2014, 02:42: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
Dropped in to boast: 1 for 1 J'ai gagnzed un café on the first Tim's coffee I have had in weeks.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I finally broke my duck yesterday by gagnezing un beignet.

I gave the rim to D., as he's been gagnezing at the rate of about un café per day and giving the rims to me to get my Timmy's at w*rk each morning, and he likes beignets more than I do.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
What, pray, is a beignet?

I hope that doesn't translate as a bayonet as the thought of an organist having one of those at choir practice is both understandable and terrifying!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
beignet is a form of doughnut.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
What, pray, is a beignet?

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It's the French translation they use on the Roll up the Rim - you can exchange your rim for a doughnut or (I think) a muffin. Are you feeling homesick yet, Pete?

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... the thought of an organist having one of those at choir practice is both understandable and terrifying!

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He doesn't have a bayonet ( ) but he does have a crumhorn, which can be quite useful for putting the wind up the sopranos.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Rick Mercer on Weather Forecasting

Encapsulates this winter pretty much.

At this rate,we might see summer by October.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
You have approximately two and a bit weeks to get your country adequately warm. Some of us have to wear silk frocks to weddings you know.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Firenze, you can wear whatever you want to the wedding, just be sure to have your parka and boots on to get there. A weather alert has been issued for 30 to 50 cm of snow and high winds on Wednesday. As the snow is still waist deep on my front lawn, I'm thinking "warm" is not such a good idea anyway. I prefer a nice slow thaw.
 

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Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
You have approximately two and a bit weeks to get your country adequately warm. Some of us have to wear silk frocks to weddings you know.

---

You worry too much. We were at a winter wedding in Québec City a couple of years ago, and the photos afterwards made it look as though the bride and her entourage had suddenly put on weight. They were all wearing long thermal underwear under the traditional pretty stuff, so that's what you may need to do. I was comfortable and warm in my kilt. We expect most of the snow to have melted by May.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It was snowing gently but steadily when I came to w*rk this morning (but not enough for a snow-day ), but we're being forecast a weather-bomb on Wednesday/Thursday with 20-30cm of snow ...



Spring? Yeah, right.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
They are threatening double digit above freezing for the weekend.

I'll believe it when I get outside and feel it.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
In the west, double digits below. Whacked out weather! (WOW!)
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
You have approximately two and a bit weeks to get your country adequately warm. Some of us have to wear silk frocks to weddings you know.

---

I thought you were going to Victoria, which hardly has a winter worthy of note?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
True. But thereafter we're coming east again, specifically Toronto and Kingston.

(I have ordered a thermal underpinning or two).
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's all relative - from some perspectives Toronto and Kingston are quite far West ...
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
The "let it snow" switch has been switched on. It took three hours to go from no wind to blowing like stink and then the snow started. All hunkered down for a real Nor'Easter.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We've been getting the tail end of it since early this evening - fierce winds and blowing snow (although not really very much lying) and now it's raining and still blowing a fair bit.

Not enough for a sn*w day tomorrow though.

Hope those of you in the thick of it are keeping safe - the Weather Channel pictures of Halifax and Charlottetown looked pretty wild earlier today.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Enough wind that the snow blew away from the cars, leaving only the pile at the end of the drive, basically pushed in by the plow. Did lose a few shingles.

Nowhere hear what PEI got.

Full whiteout though - TransCanada closed from Sackville to Truro for about 24 hours

Daughter 2 called from TO, in a panic that we would be alright. Hey, nice and cosy in the house, power merely flickered a couple of times, didn't have to go anywhere, and the snow was easy to clear the next morning. Doesn't get much better

But now they're calling for rain - 15 mm or so, just enough to freeze a shell on the surface, which is disaster for the deer.

And, just to keep you aware that it could be worse, Winnipeg has had it so cold for so long that pipes 7 feet underground are freezing. So glad I'm not there any longer.

[ 27. March 2014, 22:26: Message edited by: Horseman Bree ]
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
All well here. It sure was windy and the weatherman, who has been at it for 28 years, said it was the worst storm/wind he has seen.

Everything was pretty much shut down yesterday and today - over 50 cm of new snow and drifts 2-3 metres in front of my house. I'm on a main road so there was a track plowed for the fire trucks but the winds kept up all day so they have had a hard time of it. Gusts to over 100 km/hr do not make for an easy clean up.

The sun shone brightly though and my dog thinks that I put the snow out there just for her!
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
True. But thereafter we're coming east again, specifically Toronto and Kingston.

(I have ordered a thermal underpinning or two).

---

I live halfway between Toronto and Kingston. Shipmeet?
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
... Winnipeg has had it so cold for so long that pipes 7 feet underground are freezing ...

---

I take the minutes for the Anglican Cemetery Committee of St. John's and at our last meeting somebody mentioned that the ground in Manitoba froze to a depth of 7 feet. It came up in the context of a discussion about the ground here, which usually doesn't freeze more than about a foot, had frozen 3½ feet this year, making it far harder to dig the graves (and more expensive, as the machines used more fuel).
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Well into the third day of wind, freezing rain/snow, low cloud - but at least it is still near zero (C)

Driving isn't too bad, but visibility is not good.

Hope there is someone enjoying a garden somewhere
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Much the same here, Horseman Bree. Everything is shut down. I daresay I will not be changing my tires this afternoon as originally planned. Still have power though and the wee dog had a blast jumping through the snowbanks - she thinks I put them there just for her while she was asleep.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
With snow days, professional development and parent-teacher meetings, our sons have been in school 0.5 of the last 7 days.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Similar here - we had the five days off for March Break, school was on for Monday and Tuesday and now they have been off for five school days in a row with a PD day this Friday. Some high school students are being emailed assignments and some teachers are giving daily homework via blogs. Hopefully the snow will stop falling later today!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It's not been quite that bad here, although we had a snow-day today. It was really only a half-day: the university was closed in the morning but opened again at 1 o'clock. As I would have finished work at 2, I phoned my boss (who was working from home as her kids were off school) and she said not to bother coming in just for an hour.

When we opened the front door there was about a foot of snow on the step, but now it seems to be easing off (or turning to rain and freezing rain).

Take care, those of you who are having it a lot worse than us.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
We're finally beginning to see gardens and grass under the snow, so that's good. I would normally have had species tulips in bloom over a week ago in one bed -- snow is finally gone but not a hint of anything growing as yet.

But about what really matters -- after scoring 2 -- yes 2! -- free coffees in the whole of March -- a new low in my experience -- on 1 April I landed a third, as they were clearing out the last of the RUTRTW cups. Now I can go back to ceramic mugs and save the environment.

John
 

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Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
I went to work in shoes, rather than boots today, for the first time this year. One of my co-workers bicycled to work, for the second time this year.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm still in boots - just as well, as I had to negotiate about a foot and a half's depth of snow to get from where D. dropped me off in the car-park to the door at w*rk.

D. said later that he'd seen someone out walking in shorts ...
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Someone upstairs must have flipped switch. Instead of adding a foot or two of wet snow every couple of days, we are now losing over a foot of snow a day. Our old dog was actually puzzled about the damp brown stuff that appeared from the snowdrifts today - mere earth and grass has been so rarely seen.

At least the deer won't be kept away from their food much longer.

And robins! and geese! and ducks!
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Lots of geese and ducks and songbirds here too. This is my pup's first spring and she's ecstatic about it all. She has also begun to employ her well-practiced digging skills in the little bit of ground that is now showing at the edge of the house. We still have at least a metre of snow all over the yard and much higher banks. I too wore shoes to walk the dog yesterday and today and was only a little bit cold. Still need the hat and mitts in the morning though.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Having carefully packed thermal everything, Toronto was bright and sunny when we arrived. Will find out what Vancouver's like later today, and Port Alberni the day after (but the forecast promises 12C and rising into the w/end).
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Dredging this out of the doldrums to boast of my honorary grandson who will be 12 in a few weeks, and a few weeks after that will be presented with a black belt in karate. He's worked very hard for this and I have made a decision to go to his presentation. I will be able to see other important people and do some long-neglected visiting as well. I will be away for 5 days. Roll on, June!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I admit that I know the square root of diddly-squat about karate, but being a black belt in anything at the age of twelve sounds pretty impressive to me.

Well done, HonorarygrandsonofPete!
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Back from The Great Canadian Outing. The thing that struck me looking at the photos (at 3am. Hello jet-lag.) was how Spring washes in and out as we dot from east to west and back again. Plus leaving a still leafless Ontario to come back to a full-on green and blossomy UK.

The other thing I have a lot of pix of is water: the harbour at Horseshoe Bay, Stamp River Falls, Port Alberni, the Fraser River, Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls, ditto rapids and whirlpool.

And now I have just to lose the 10lbs of pancakes, syrup, fries, tacos, pizzas and doughnuts.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Firenze, what? No poutine?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
Firenze, what? No poutine?

---

There are depths to which even I will not sink.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
No trip to Canada is complete without poutine and beavertails.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Come to Newfoundland next time, Firenze and sample the delights of seal-flipper pie.

I think that Spring this year in St. John's is scheduled for the third Tuesday in June, at about 2:45 in the afternoon. But it might be late ...
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Need to have a feed of cod tongues and cheeks as well.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Been to Nfld twice. I recommend it. All the men called me buddy, all the women called me darling. Great scenery. Just generally great.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Ahh, a trip to Newfoundland! That's on my bucket list. I've been before but never for very long.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I also would like to visit the Maritimes.

Struck too by Niagara on the Lake and the wine country. Possible combo with a trip to the Finger Lakes in upstate NY - which a friend in Albany was recommending.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
*Clears throat* The Maritimes are indeed lovely, but are you discounting Atlantic Canada? Newfoundland and Labrador?


 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
Firenze, what? No poutine?

---

There are depths to which even I will not sink.

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Don't you live in the land of Deep Fried Mars Bars?
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
This food discussion brings up a query:

Is there a decent book about regional cooking in Canada? Not a cookbook, just a book that discuses what different regions enjoy?
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
While I've seen various books, there is also a lovely magazine about Atlantic Canada called "Saltscapes". They have a website here.

[ 30. April 2014, 10:13: Message edited by: lily pad ]
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Google suggests this book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Flavours-Canada-Celebration-Regional/dp/1551928957

quote:

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Anita Stewart takes readers on a full-flavored pan-Canadian culinary journey in this tantalizing winner of two Cuisine Canada Book Awards...

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[edited to prevent any copyright issues]

[ 30. April 2014, 13:37: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
It's Spring, the birds are chirping, the sun in shining and the Election Lawn Signs are in bloom here in Ontario.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I just pray Hudak doesn't con the people, nor that Wynne wins.
 

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Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
But Wynne did have one glorious moment just before Christmas, when she made a homely reference in the House to Tiny Tim. She looked at Hudak's face, realised what she had said, and cracked up, as did the rest of the House.

We'll be out of the country for the next couple of weeks, for which mercy, profound thanks.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I was somewhat disappointed there wasn't a formal vote of no-confidence. I'm a stickler for the formalities.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Wynne has the prerogative to ask the L-G for a dissolution and election at anytime. Take Marois for example...
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
That was poetic justice, that was.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I almost posted this on the "Canadian saints" thread:

RIP Knowlton Nash

Goodnight, Uncle Knowlty.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Meg the Red:
I almost posted this on the "Canadian saints" thread:

RIP Knowlton Nash

Goodnight, Uncle Knowlty.

---

I heard it on the radio this morning and enjoyed the description of his "broad smile". I imagine many people of a certain age were smiling in return at that description. Lots of memories of him in the tv in our living room.


 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
I was somewhat disappointed there wasn't a formal vote of no-confidence. I'm a stickler for the formalities.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
... Summer is on its way!

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Really?

We're still in single digits here, although they are beginning to promise a bit of warmth, and there are a few nascent leaves on some of the trees ...


 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Er, as I did raise $200 for my local candidate, I suppose I am a bagman now.
 

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Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :
 
Sitting in Vancouver airport waiting to get on a plane to Victoria. It's been a long day!
 

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Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
Hope you've recovered!

I will be in Victoria for a day tomorrow - hope the weather stays good (especially for the drive across the Malahat).
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Watching the funeral service for the RCMP and so disappointed in the Baptist pastor. Gosh, his head must be so big he should be careful or it might explode.

Otherwise, a beautiful service. The police dog whose handler was one of those killed made it especially poignant. There's a photo of him reaching up on his hind legs to smell his partner's hat as the procession was stopped and his mournful whines and barks filled the auditorium of 7,000 police and family members.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
There has to be at least one Christian to make the rest of us look bad. And that one will be the one to complain publicly about the lack of churchianity.

Worst funeral I ever attended, for a 16-y.o. boy killed in a stupid traffic accident, had two preachers vying to see which one would do more damage to the church.

But you're right. LP. The parade and the service were a marvel.

Traffic in town was about 1/4 of the usual, what with people lining the route, attending the satellite venues or watching at home or work on live TV.

Many have been extremely touched by the huge outpouring of affection for the Mounties, everything from the pizza-shop owner who gave away a full day's production to the officers on duty during the search through the signs and personal givings-of-thanks to the fact that 850 families* offered billet space (in a few cases, complete houses) for the visiting police here to cover on duty for the city police or to attend the service (I've heard numbers up to 7000)

*It only took one morning to get these offers.

[ 10. June 2014, 22:17: Message edited by: Horseman Bree ]
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
Signs are up on my block: 3 NDP, 3 Liberal, and one PC. The trend is not likely province-wide.

---

So it seems.....I'm not sure even the Libs thought this was possible. Its not quite Bob Rae but its darn close.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I was surprised that it was a majority (although I won a bottle of rioja on it) but wanting a minority may have been wishful thinking on my part, as I am one of the small cohort that quite likes minority governments, which are forced to be responsive. I thought that the NDP did very well out of this one, and have improved their long-term fortunes considerably. The Conservatives, for their part, might have to realize that asking the people to make a clear choice sometimes results in their making a clear choice.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
Perhaps they will also realize that no party can win on its base (a lesson for all parties, of course, at all levels).

The task is always to see how many people you can add to your base, and on the left and the right that means moderating and moving towards the centre.

WHen you position yourself as one of the extremes, you positively invite moderate rightists to move to the centre, and make yourself unattractive to anyone else.

Some of the commentary about Hudak this morning is interesting -- no one seems to be giving the man credit for actually believing his platform was true. They're all talking about tactics and so on. I think Hudak really believed what I would call nonesense, and give him credit for having the courage of his convictions despite the probably impact on electibility.

John
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Horvath showed once again that when the NDP runs a campaign towards the centre only the Liberals benefit.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I'm as right-wing a Dipper as they come, and I thought Horwath could have run a more visionary campaign. Her platform needed a bigger centrepiece.

OTOH, I'm glad that it's a majority for one reason and one reason only: I get to concentrate on Federal politics exclusively until 2015. The NDP has a single, integrated membership and people work both levels, especially at riding level. It's an awkward fit sometimes and the uncertainty of minority governments hindered federal efforts in Ontario, especially in fundraising. Not any longer.

Anyway, off to collect signs....
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
It has been raining for 10 days, every day. We have standing water in all fields, parks and roads. They said it would stop before the weekend, but we just got another 1½" two hours ago. The sump pump which normally runs every 20 minutes is going every minute for the the last week. This is insane! The eastern slopes of the Rockies into the prairies are wet, wet, wet. Same thing in 2013 and 2012. The weather is mad!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Rejoice, O Torontoians!
Sing Alleluia! You poor Trawnian denizens!

Rob Ford is back from rehab.


In other news I leave for the countryside tomorrow. No internet. 5 days of bliss.
 

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Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
Looking forward to my first Canada Day as a resident (was in Canada for 1st July a couple of years ago).
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
... 5 days of bliss.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
... Rob Ford is back from rehab ...

---

Did it work?

Glorious sunshine here today, and temperatures forecast to go into the mid-20s.

Thinking about all you Prairie-dwellers though - the pictures on the Weather Channel have been scary!.


 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Rain is supposed to stop today. TransCanada and Yellow Head highways out in eastern Sask. Probably will get out to help with sandbagging. Maybe Rob Ford could be a raft. He is a big guy.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
NP, to divert you while you're holding back the deluge, perhaps you might like to take this quiz? .

According to my results, I am apparently as Canadian as a beaver. I missed on the soft drink, porch climber and jelly doughnut (though for the record, the last was always dubbed a bismarck in our house).

Happy Canada Day!
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Thx. I am also a beaver. Building damns.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and I, who have visited Canada twice in my 65 years, qualify as a Moose! Mind you we do have a Canadian Experience every winter here.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
Beaver, 24 points. I checked to see how many points this equalled for a Hudson Bay point blanket.
 

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Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
Ha! Been in Canada for less than 6 months and I'm a beaver. Looking at the answers, I could/should have done better. But feeling pleased.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
That was a very silly quiz.

Happy Canada Day to Canadians from coast to coast to coast and around the world.

So far today, I have celebrated by mopping the floors and by putting a maple leaf scarf on the puppy. Shouldn't be too hard to top that!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm a Mighty Moose, which isn't bad for a Brit who's never been further west than Toronto (and that was only the airport).

eta: Happy Canada Day!

[ 01. July 2014, 14:08: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

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Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
Happy Canada Day!
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
I finally saw some images of the flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Horrible times there right now. The commentator on the CBC Canada Day show from Parliament Hill said that, even as we celebrate, we would all do well to remember the people who were coping with the flooding. I echo his thoughts.

for all those who are struggling.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
Sunny and windy now. We are on the Sask-Man border. Power went off again for 12 hours, on again now. Pumping pumping pumping. The water is acting like a land tsunami. It will be calm and then a flow comes.

Highways west are intermittently closed. Family is driving west and is taking some interesting and time consuming detours. Expect when they hit Alberta they willbe in the clear.
 

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Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
Happy Canada Day!

Here's a webcomic for the day.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That link wouldn't work for me, basso - sorry.
 

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Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
Drat. It works here. Sorry I don't have another.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Works OK to the UK.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Worked fine for me. Bookmarked it, too!
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Nice and comfortable all day here, what with the wind coming up Fundy to move the heat around. Alma and Albert had fog and 16 degrees C. We were at about 25 most of the day and Moncton and inland was way over 30.

No wonder they have difficulty in forecasting!
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
That link wouldn't work for me, basso - sorry.

---

Sorry, so very sorry. (Worked for me)
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
According to Environment Canada, it got up to 25° here today, but I reckon it was hotter than that. It's always a few degrees hotter downtown than they say anyway, and that's before you factor in the humidity.

27°, feeling like 33, tomorrow ...
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Hot and uncharacteristically humid today; when I tried to cool down by going to the park on my lunch hour, a squad of mosquitoes attacked my legs.

When did I move to Winnipeg?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
That link wouldn't work for me, basso - sorry.

---

Sorry, so very sorry. (Worked for me)

---

Today it works okay - weird system!

Sorry about that.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Hatches all battened down in anticipation of Hurricane Arthur.

Our weather forecast has a big red box with the following:
TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT
WIND WARNING IN EFFECT
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT IN EFFECT
TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT

It's going to be a time.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
And things are not looking any better in Manitoba .

For all those facing a deluge, whether overland or from the sky.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Holding all in the danger zones in the Light.

Stay safe, everybody.


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for all in Arthur's path, which may include us, although so far here it's just been hot, blustery and sort of pre-tropical-storm-ish.

Sunday's forecast has cooler temperatures ( ) and rain, but not really in the sort of quantities you might expect from a tropical storm.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 
And now smoke. We have extremely large amounts of standing water, flooded farm field and all that other water, but now we also have smoke in the air, a constant haze for 3 days. We are at home/swamp from the lake/swamp. NWT forest fires we are told. I'm glad someone enjoys all this: mosquitos are ridiculous many even looking out the front door.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
No Prophet, as I have heard said often enough, you have all of our sympathy and none of our envy.

Still way too hot here but if it is any consolation, the mosquitoes here are great in number and biting like mad too.

It appears we are destined to have two seasons - one too cold and snowy and one too warm and itchy.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
We had serious but not ridiculous amounts of rain from Arthur last Saturday, and the winds didn't seem to be much more than the usual up-Fundy summer strength, but the western side of the province was smacked quite hard. Still no power on Thursday for about 30,000 people, mostly around the provincial capital. The railway line that runs diagonally across the province from Moncton to Edmundston had over 1000 trees on the line, despite the clear strip along each side.
 

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Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
No Prophet, as I have heard said often enough, you have all of our sympathy and none of our envy.

---

quote:

---

I'm glad someone is enjoying this... I meant mosquitoes...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by lily pad:
No Prophet, as I have heard said often enough, you have all of our sympathy and none of our envy.

---

Sorry. By someone enjoying it, I meant the mosquitos. Did not mean humanfolk. They are a group possessed. A gang. A swarm. A murder of.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
... Rob Ford is back from rehab ...

---

Did it work?

...

---

Apparently it doesn't cure you of homophobia.

Although Rob has blamed his past homophobia on his disease.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
An' for just one time, in a Land so Wild and Savage...

Parks Canada has found one of the Franklin Wrecks, they don't know whether it's HMS Erebus or Terror.

Now there's a mystery solved.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Yes, spotted that myself - itching to hear more!

AG
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I strongly suspect it's genuine, it's in the right place. The wreck lies in 11m of water and divers are going to go down. But the camera footage the CBC aired showed classic black-powder naval cannon lying in the wreckage. Any wreck with those aboard in the Canadian Arctic at that location has to be, without a doubt, the Franklin ships.

Inuit oral history had a Franklin wreck at that location too; there is another possible resting spot for the other ship.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Didn't get to see that, but the sidescan sonar picture looks - to my eye, at least, I'm no expert - to show a substantially intact hull sitting on its keel. If it's as well preserved as the 1812 wrecks in one of the lakes (Hamilton and Scourge?)...

AG
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I recently finished a book about the search for the Franklin expedition.

I had always heard of Franklin as a great explorer, but he really didn't accomplish much. He went in for Arctic exploration because there was not much else for senior naval officers to do after the Napoleonic wars.

Other officers, such as Edward Parry, John Ross, and James Clark Ross showed an aptitude for exploration and made important discoveries. Franklin was apparently an excellent military leader, but that didn't translate to exploration.

His claim to fame is the repeated searches which were made for him. His wife, who was a very forceful woman and who had the ear of people in high places, was responsible for the tremendous effort to find him.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Yes, Hamilton and Scourge are the Great Lakes wrecks, and anyone who knows their names is always welcome on this thread.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
The joys of National Geographic, SPK!

On the subject of Franklin, here's a pic of something quirky: https://flic.kr/p/dwLppX

piglet will no doubt jump if we mention John Rae as well. Badly served by Victorian society for believing the word of the locals rather than the presumed reputation of British servicemen...

AG
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
Rob - out.
Doug - in.

For better or worse? Or, more of the same? Actually, it looks like Tory will win.

I'm just glad Olivia is trailing in the polls.
 

---

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
I love Olivia but I think she will soon have to dump her campaign and throw her support behind John Tory. Next Monday we have an election here in NB.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I must confess to not knowing as much about John Rae as I should, but when we were in Orkney last week they mentioned that there was to be a memorial to him unveiled next month in Westminster Abbey, and that they're planning a simultaneous memorial service in St. Magnus Cathedral.
 

---

Posted by Soror Magna (# 9881) on :
 
Hi, fellow Canucks. I'm going to be in Toronto in early October. PM me if you'd like to be part of a Shipmeet!
 

---

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
An' for just one time, in a Land so Wild and Savage...

Parks Canada has found one of the Franklin Wrecks, they don't know whether it's HMS Erebus or Terror.

Now there's a mystery solved.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
Fall is the best time to be in Southern Ontario ...

---

IMHO it's the best season to be anywhere. Especially Newfoundland.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
It's pretty. Makes me realise that I'll soon have to get my Indian visa to get the heck out of Dodge.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Considering that you go to India every winter, when was the last time you saw actual sn*w?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Considering that you go to India every winter, when was the last time you saw actual sn*w?

---

Last winter. I never leave till mid-December. This time I leave after the Christmas blackout. So I will see plenty of the white stuff.

There have been times when I have seen snow when I returned in April.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

Do I sound like Bing?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Shadduup Wodders!

You sound more like Thing.

If he could sing, that is. You have that in common with him
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

---

I'll probably get one - would you like me to send it to you?


 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
What a kind offer, but...
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
Considering that you go to India every winter, when was the last time you saw actual sn*w?

---

Last winter. I never leave till mid-December. This time I leave after the Christmas blackout...

---

Don't put those last two words together again please. I walk past a downed tree limb from that storm every day. Bad memories.

[ 07. October 2014, 01:51: Message edited by: Og: Thread Killer ]
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Too right, Og. We had a black-out just after New Year last year, and it wasn't even caused by a storm, but more due to catastrophic mis-management on the part of Newfoundland Power.

It's no fun being deprived of your only source of heat when the day-time temperature is struggling to reach -10°.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Parks Canada has identified the Franklin Ship found a month ago as the Erebus, the one Franklin himself berthed on.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
...It's no fun being deprived of your only source of heat when the day-time temperature is struggling to reach -10°.

---

no further comment
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Not wearing a shirt again today, eh Wodders?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Not wearing a shirt again today, eh Wodders?

---

Does he ever, except for Mass on Sunday? Enquiring minds need to know...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
What you mean is that some people have prurient minds!

Currently, at 06,20, I am not but these days I try to wear a shirt or equivalent for meal times - out of my natural modesty.


 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I suppose a bib counts as an equivalent...
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Happy Thanksgiving, compatriots!

(At least we hold the holiday at the proper time of the year)
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, indeed - and don't eat too much!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy Thanksgiving from over here too. We're going to friends on Monday for turkey and all the trimmings - as we're all in the choir, Sunday's a bit too busy to include civilised eating, so Monday works better.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Attended Grandson's baptism at the Cathedral in Halifax, so "wetting the baby's head" became the reason for the family to gather in that city. Oddly enough, not much turkey was served at the buffet event.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
You say that as if not having turkey was a bad thing.
 

---

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
I hate turkey. Had to eat it on consecutive days. I should be safe until Christmas.
 

---

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 
Just had my first Canadian Thanksgiving - turkey and all.

We're now eating cold turkey for the foreseeable future and have made the decision that NEXT year we'll have lasagne, instead.
 

---

Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
Heresy! We got a fresh turkey from the local Hutterites again. Wild rice, mushroom and bacon stuffing. Baked turnips in cheese. Potatoes and beans from our garden. Marshmallow salad. Buns I made. Cranberry sauce my wife made. Pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream.

Love, Love, Love turkey. Thanksgiving, Xmas and Easter.

I just ate my lunch which was a turkey, cranberry, mayonnaise, bacon sandwich. An epiphany of exploding flavours, like angels fighting demons on my tongue. Everyone has won and must have prizes.

We're looking for church fall suppers which means more turkey, probably weekly for the next month.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I must confess to turkey not really being my favourite thing (I eat it twice a year because I'm expected to), but the one we had at our friends' on Monday was delicious - nice and juicy and with lots of lovely accompaniments.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
Back from the trail and sad to have missed Thanksgiving, as the turkey feast is one of my favourite celebrations. I am notorious for pleading for the carcass, so that I can spend a day or two cheerfully making turkey stock-- I can usually get 10 litres of stock out of it.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I find stock-making very therapeutic - we buy a ready-cooked chicken every other week or so and I make stock (and then soup), which leads to a very satisfactory feeling of domestic goddessishness.


 

---

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 
My mother, bless her heart, is in the habit of sending me worried e-mails every time someone in North or South Korea so much as utters uncomplimentary words about the other country.

She moved to Ottawa earlier this year.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Oh hell, Stetson, she must be having kittens.

Fingers crossed for Ottowa right now...

AG
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
For anybody who has been in or around that building, this is just heart breaking.
 

---

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 

quote:

---

Oh hell, Stetson, she must be having kittens.

---

Well, she's actually out in the suburbs, so I'm not overly worried. Thanks for the concern, though.

And yes, I hope all Ottawans, and especially the Shipmates among them, are holding out okay.
 

---

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :
 


Really shocked.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
Thinking of everyone in and around Ottawa today.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
A reservist from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was apparently shot at the National War Memorial. No other information is available as the military is in a communications lockdown. The gunman ran to Parliament Hill, nearby, and apparently many shots were fired in the building. A gunman is confirmed dead, but there is no other information. Shortly afterward a person was shot near the Rideau Centre Mall just up the street. The Mall and, indeed, much of downtown is in lockdown. My information is third hand from the hysteria-inducing media. One of my friends is in lockdown as staff were advised to stay away from the windows and doors, but apparently not from Facebook.

This Uncle Pete reporting from about 5 miles away in Ottawa.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I was on the way for my morning cortado and taking my usual route behind parliament hill by the river when I was stopped by some very focussed RCMP plainclothes who were looking for someone in a black jacket, and had I seen anyone. Just cyclists, I told them.

As the market stalls were closing, I returned home by a very circuitous route. My friends in offices are under lockdown and instructed to stay away from windows. The RCMP are everywhere and are concerned about: a) keeping people safe if someone is still about with a weapon, and b) finding him.

I expect that there will be more coherent news in a few hours. We've made the front page of the New York Times but generally speaking, would rather not have done so.
 

---

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
The latest information says that there were not any shots in the vicinity of the Rideau Centre.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Just checking in to say I'm thinking of you all, especially Uncle Pete, A the A and any other Ottawa Shippies.

for the soul of Cpl. Cirillo, and that of his killer.
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
A great editorial cartoon about yesterday.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
My nephew, who is currently at the Ottawa Mission, says that the slain gunman was a client there, and that he used to talk to him. As you do with people with whom you are thrown together. It might explain further why the Mission was in lockdown yesterday
 

---

Posted by Jane R (# 331) on :
 

 

---

Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
This Nat Post article describes the trying to save the soldier's life. It is a very moving account.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
The Cold Lake mosque was vandalised last night. By this afternoon the town (which serves a military base) had the mosque nearly aright.

Canadians are not jerks. Regardless of our faith path, we are quietly decent people.

I was appalled, then I was pleased. The mayor and the military attended afternoon prayers.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good - that's the way it should be.

While I'm appalled by the action of extremists like Zehaf-Bibeau, whenever something like this happens I find myself feeling very sorry for all the decent, law-abiding Muslims who come here to work and do nothing but good.
 

---

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
Jian Ghomeshi! You have been a very naughty boy.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
After reading his tirade on Facebook, I wondered if he was the inspiration for the bloke in Fifty Shades of Grey.



Seriously though, can they really fire him for having, um, interesting bedroom proclivities?
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
He's an yuppie artist, his proclivities are de rigeur interesting. But other than the fact that I find Q to be intensely boring, I don't care about what he does.

Though 'Mothership' is certainly reverting to its puritanical type.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
Today's revelations, particularly the Toronto Star article , make it seem likely that there's more to the story than the CBC firing someone for liking a bit of BDSM. Which makes sense, because I'm pretty sure you couldn't get away with firing someone on those grounds in this day and age. I've always been a big Jian fan ... in fact I used to be a big Moxy Fruvous fan, which apparently is not cool to admit right now -- but although I know there are such things as false accusations, I find the storyline of the abused women afraid to come forward, and the powerful man claiming it was all the work of a vengeful ex, all too familiar and plausible.

[ 27. October 2014, 20:49: Message edited by: Trudy Scrumptious ]
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
From the whips to the mundane. Another Tory, Tory, has won the Trawna mayoralty. From a populist Tory millionaire to a grey Tory millionaire. I think it's the first election Tory has ever won. A slight improvement.

In other news, a grey Watson has retained Ottawa, but my ward councillor, Peter Clark, the former reginal chair, has lost to a local businessman.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
...In other news, a grey Watson has retained Ottawa, but my ward councillor, Peter Clark, the former reginal chair, has lost to a local businessman.

---

Reginal - is he a Queen?

...and as a chair is he comfortable?

Inquiring minds want to know.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I never thought I'd miss Mel Lastman!

At least John Tory knows how to behave in public!
 

---

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 
The Alberta byelections might not seem that significant, until you consider that the government was widely viewed as being extremely unpopular in the wake of Redford's spending shenanigans, and that Wildrose was regarded as the natural replacement.

Yet the Tories won all four seats, and in two of them Wildrose didn't even make second place.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
I guess you'd have to check which partisan sources were reporting the problems!
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Changing the topic to rather more cheery notes (at least for me, it's cheery) my visa is now happily installed in my passport and in 10 weeks I will be off to Woddersland.
 

---

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
Snow today.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Oh, go wash your mouth out with soap!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
They've already had some sn*w up in Labrador, but mercifully none here so far.

Good news about your visa, Pete - presumably now you won't give a stuff if the rest of us get sn*w ...
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Changing the topic to rather more cheery notes (at least for me, it's cheery) my visa is now happily installed in my passport and in 10 weeks I will be off to Woddersland.

---

Lord, have mercy!
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
The Ghomeshi thing might just have started a must needed discussion on why women don't report rape and how much victim blaming happens in this country, especially among those who otherwise would call themselves liberal types. It was amazing how many people saw this as a Harper led conspiracy against the CBC.


I for one care a WHOLE LOT about the injustice of how people are yelling "liar" at women for not going to the cops about an assault and yet believing a guy based on his Facebook post.


Report tonight is up to 8 women and 1 has allowed herself to be named.

This country needs to discuss the difference between legal truth and acceptable behaviour.
 

---

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
Report tonight is up to 8 women and 1 has allowed herself to be named.

---

The one who allowed her name to be used for publication is an actress who is also a captain in the Air Force.

The winds of shit are blowing, Ricky...
 

---

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Jian and I served on the Ontario Federation of Students executive in 1991-2. I watch with interest as this saga unfolds.
 

---

Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
The information about this is very disturbing indeed, from what was done, and possibly how the corporation didn't do anything. Probably something police is next according to the news. I feel deeply for those affected.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
In other news, Peterborough's very own Deano has been found guilty of election fraud. We wait with bated breath to see if he gets gaol time and/or whether his seat in Parliament is declared vacant.

Hardly likely, I fear. Though he now sits as an Independent, he was first elected as one of Harpo's clowns. They don't know the meaning of the word no.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
You rang?

As I have moved back to the City of Peterborough (temporarily), I'm at Ground Zero here.

Ah, Dean, that whale of a car salesman. He sold cars at Del Mastro Motors down on Lansdowne St. until he was elected in 2006.

I doubt there will be a byelection; Dean will appeal until the bitter end. The appeal lies to the Superior Court of Justice in this case, I believe.

Most people are sick of this story, this is hardly the coverage the city and county want. Plus from self-interest, a byelection would interfere with setting up the new Riding Associations on the new boundaries, which changed significantly during redistribution.
 

---

Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
Peterborough. Wish my father's family hadn't sold the quarter mile of shoreline on Clear Lake for a song in 1962.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Quite. On the Smith or Douro side, if I may ask?

On a different note, my little riding association now has 250 members. We have a contested nomination. After what happened in Quebec, everyone wants to be a New Democrat!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
... see if he gets gaol time and/or whether his seat in Parliament is declared vacant.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
I think that figure is a little high in any case; the riding is different this time but the NDP came second in 2011 and has been investing resources in Peterborough. I would put Peterborough--Kawartha (as it is now) as three-way competitive.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Quite. On the Smith or Douro side, if I may ask?

On a different note, my little riding association now has 250 members. We have a contested nomination. After what happened in Quebec, everyone wants to be a New Democrat!

---

Highway 28 goes north through Young's Point at the west end of the lake and then turns east. At the corner a was a farmhouse owned in the 1940s by Jim and Violet Freeburn. They owned the land down to the shore of the lake. Highway 28 then turns northwards again. There was a road between the 2 turns of the highway down to the lake. That's the land that was bought in I think 1943 or so, for some $1500 or so.

On your other, with riding redistribution, I suspect Saskatchewan will elect between 3 and 6 of it's 13 MPs as NDP next go. The prior riding boundaries there washed out urban NDP votes with rural. Alberta will likely be much the same as now, as will Manitoba, as the new riding boundaries don't affect them so much. BC, I have never understood BC politics.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Smith side. Smith is the west side of Clear Lake, Douro is the east side of Clear Lake and the south side of Stoney Lake.

And yes, ah, to go home again....

And of course I can't forget Edmonton--Griesbach, who send Linda Duncan to Ottawa to as their NDP MP. The only non-blue riding in Alberta. She's hosting next year's Convention.

Peterborough was redistributed into Peterborough--Kawartha, the first serious change of the riding boundaries since the 1960's. The three northern townships of Peterborough County were reunited with Peterborough and the southern townships of Norwood-Asphodel and Otonabee-South Monaghan passed to Northumberland--Peterborough South.
 

---

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 

quote:

---

And of course I can't forget Edmonton--Griesbach, who send Linda Duncan to Ottawa to as their NDP MP. The only non-blue riding in Alberta. She's hosting next year's Convention.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stetson:
I grew up in a neighbourhood now encompassed by Edmonton Strathcona. For many years, it was represented by Tory David Kilgour, who later crossed to the Liberals after having switched to a redistricted riding(which may have also overlapped with my neighbourhood, I can't recall).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Stetson:
I grew up in a neighbourhood now encompassed by Edmonton Strathcona. For many years, it was represented by Tory David Kilgour, who later crossed to the Liberals after having switched to a redistricted riding(which may have also overlapped with my neighbourhood, I can't recall).

---

My uncle was friends with and campaigned for David Kilgour. I met him twice, I was politically agnostic in those days (1970s). He was an excellent speaker.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:
I didn't know the John Turner connection. Very interesting, thanks.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
D. Kilgour actually went to school in Manitoba - at least, high school, since I met him there. I don't know if being one of those people infected by dangerously eastern-province ideas made a difference.

Even then, Manitoba and Alberta were very different places.

---

quote:

---

our western Canadian perceptions of Ontario being, may I say, more broad minded.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
NPS is a rural riding, and rural Central and Southern Ontario have a history of returning "interesting" politicians like Bill Domm (Peterborough) and Sam Hughes (Victoria County (Lindsay)). It's just given Ontario's urban population, they were and are usually swamped by MP's of a more moderate persuasion. But not always.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Please don't forget "Gorgeous George" Hees who sat for Northumberland County. Even my mother cast envious eyes his way from then near, yet so far, Durham County.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Please don't forget "Gorgeous George" Hees who sat for Northumberland County. Even my mother cast envious eyes his way from then near, yet so far, Durham County.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
What did you use to fry your fried? All in one piece or did you cut him in chunks first?

Do the police know about your little predilection?

---

Her, surely. The thought of George Hees kissing a man on the cheek....

REmember George Hees was implicated in the infamous (If you're old enough or a political nerd) Munsinger affair.

John
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I had to Google that, JH, but I'm glad I did, as now I know where the name of the CBC show This Hour Has 22 Minutes comes from; I've been vaguely wondering that for the last 10 years.


 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Changing the topic, today I was browsing the offerings of the Rockcliffe Park Book Fair on this weekend. To my great joy, I came across a hardcover copy of the Indian edition of Mihir Bose's A history of Indian cricket. A book I never expected to see in Canada, but what a joy! It will certainly be part of my permanent collection,
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pete, let me know what it's like, it looks like I might like a copy on my shelves, too - can get from amazon.in here.
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
A treasure trove of names and hundreds of pages of test match scorecards (1933-1990) which you (and I) will need magnifying glasses to see form a very large appendix. It will be fun reading.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
... hundreds of pages of test match scorecards ... form a very large appendix.

---

You might need surgery for that ...
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Another day to despair of the laws of this land.

Its apparently not illegal to do despicable things, well except for one teensy bit which gets you the equivalent punishment of when ur a kid and break your neighbour's windoe...... but it is illegal to mention the name of the person those things were done to.

Not for the first time, I have come to the conclusion that the law is an ass.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I am sure many lawyers would agree with you.

I don't really know about Canada but in lands I know better one of the problems is surely the rather indifferent quality of some of those we elect to be legislators.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I am sure many lawyers would agree with you.

I don't really know about Canada but in lands I know better one of the problems is surely the rather indifferent quality of some of those we elect to be legislators.

---

quote:

---

The House of Commons starts its proceedings with a prayer. The chaplain looks at the assembled members with their varied intelligence and then prays for the country.

---

quote:

---

When in that House M.P.'s divide,
If they've a brain and cerebellum, too,
They've got to leave that brain outside,
And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to.

---

 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
There was some commentary in The Times about the necessity for the US President to finish his speeches with "God Bless America", and what would be the appropriate ending in some other countries.

The statement that seemed to offer the least offence was voted to be "Keep Britain Tidy", but the clear winner generally was "God Save Us All".
 

---

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I am sure many lawyers would agree with you.

I don't really know about Canada but in lands I know better one of the problems is surely the rather indifferent quality of some of those we elect to be legislators.

---

From time to time, I think of the Will Rogers routine where he said that he had been up to Washington and had seen Congress at work. They were fools or thieves, he stated, rapscallions, ne'er-do-wells, and desperadoes of all description-- and thoroughly representative of their constituents. If we don't like what we see, we need to reflect on who put them there, and how they got there.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
There was some commentary in The Times about the necessity for the US President to finish his speeches with "God Bless America", and what would be the appropriate ending in some other countries.

The statement that seemed to offer the least offence was voted to be "Keep Britain Tidy", but the clear winner generally was "God Save Us All".

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:

quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
There was some commentary in The Times about the necessity for the US President to finish his speeches with "God Bless America", and what would be the appropriate ending in some other countries.

The statement that seemed to offer the least offence was voted to be "Keep Britain Tidy", but the clear winner generally was "God Save Us All".

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If "God save us all" is uttered with the right inflection it could be rather good. In Canada, though, perhaps we might be best to have a comment about the weather, such as "stay warm!".

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Mr Harper tried "God Bless Canada" when he first took up his commission, but press commentary (and focus groups) discouraged him from continuing.

Perhaps that we should all be exhorted to "Keep your walks shovelled," or "Check your snow tires?"
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Snow tires have now been installed. Hoping that only the 15-25 cm will be all we get. We're as ready as we can be!
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The only reason I can think of that we're not being offered the 20-30cm that they're expecting on the west side of the island is that we had our snow-tyres fitted on Monday ...


 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
The deck has now been shovelled off twice and another 10 cm is expected this morning. The puppy had a glorious walk this morning. The wind is up and everything is cancelled. Snow day!
 

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Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
Snow tires are worth it for sure. We have them on the car and I have studded tires on my winter bikes, 310 studs per tire. The streets are a mess just now. We have a foot or so of snow and its -23°C. Stay warm!
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:
... We have a foot or so of snow and its -23°C. ...

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You can keep that, NP! I know I like the cold, but -23° is over-egging the pudding.

**brrrrrrr**
 

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Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:
... We have a foot or so of snow and its -23°C. ...

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You can keep that, NP! I know I like the cold, but -23° is over-egging the pudding.

**brrrrrrr**

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quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
And -23 isn't really cold unless there is a wind. Serious winter camping isn't planned unless one expects -40 (on either temp. scale)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
So, is Tulip Bacon packed by Calvinists?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
... I have turned down invitations, including one which was very tempting ...

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**shudder**

Not to me they wouldn't be. Then again, even summer camping, even if the weather could be guaranteed warm and dry, wouldn't tempt me either.

I like my creature comforts.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
Piglet writes:

quote:

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**shudder**

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Do not write so, you who have not been pierced by the gaze of a red-headed lieutenant of Hussars (still, better than being pierced by her sabre).

[ 29. November 2014, 03:34: Message edited by: Augustine the Aleut ]
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Now I'm shuddering even more ...
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
The reason that Rob Ford continued to get 40% of the vote is that his constituency work was seen to be really good (plus a personality that appealed to a certain segment of the population)

....

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Emphasis on the seen.

Reality was another matter.

That and Toronto city politics at the ward level is a cesspool of "vote for him because he gives us this".
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
And please forgive me for responding to old posts but I work in a Holiday centric job involving deliveries across the country and am just coming up for air tonight.

I not only pray for good weather for you all cause of Christian charity but also because it makes my life SO much easier for the next month.


On a serious note - praying for no ice storms or blizzards. Saw and heard of too many people who had ruined family times because of those last December. Regardless of whether people celebrate Christmas, this country desperately needs that winter celebration for our good mental health.


Oh, and one of the best Rick Mercer bits on winter ever.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
... I work in a Holiday centric job involving deliveries across the country ...

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You're not Father Christmas are you?
 

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Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Le Gros Bill is dead!


 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
And in other sad news, its been 25 years since 14 women were killed for daring to be Engineering students.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Even sadder is the fact that nothing in our society has actually changed on that front. We still gather to mark the killing of more women, all too often by their (male) partners.
 

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Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
Even sadder is the fact that nothing in our society has actually changed on that front. We still gather to mark the killing of more women, all too often by their (male) partners.

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Actually, lots of progress has been made.

Stats Can reports that the wife-murder rate in Canada dropped steadily from 11.6/million in 1991 to 5.1 in 2010. We may not be there yet, but the stats show things are changing for the better.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Well, that is encouraging.

Of course, the overall violent-crime rate seems to be dropping, in particular, the rates of homicide against both males and females. Makes one wonder why the Harper gov't needs to be so whiny about crime (except that fact has never been something they enjoy)

But there are still too many women being threatened or beaten by men who regard said women as their property, so there is still work to be done. I know that our local shelter for women trying to get away from trouble is turning them away for lack of space (although that the fix for that is in the works). I have no idea what it is like around the "man-camps" of the West.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Meanwhile, of more immediate concern: over 100 mm. of rain (4 inches) in a day across most of the province leaves at least 80 roads unusable, in some cases, for months rather than days.

Our provincial gov't has spent far too much on building 4-lane highways for the meager amount of traffic we have, while ignoring the roads that people actually use every day.

Is there any way that politicians can be forced to deal with maintenance issues, rather than settling for bright shiny new toys that aren't helpful?
 

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Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
I'll pick up on the weather part. We are day #2 of +5°C, and 2 more minimum scheduled. Makes a terrible mess with all of the snow melting, and when it drops to normal temps, we'll be skating and falling. I wish it was -5.

While I'm at it, Stephen Harper says that it'd be crazy to regulate the oil and gas industries. How about it's crazy not to, because of the atrocious impacts on climate and weather. And because I fear a brown Christmas now.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hope all of you being hit by storms are safe and well.



So far, nothing worse than a wet, miserable day here, and set to be wet and warm (double figures!!) for the next few days.


 

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Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
It is supposed to be a warm rainy Christmas here in the nation's capital. Yuck. Warm and dry would be ok, or cold, but there's nothing you can do with a warm rainy winter day.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Sharkshooter, we are facing similar weather here. The forecast is for +12 tomorrow but the wind and rain is going to make it pretty nasty out. We still have six bridges out since the rain two weeks ago. I made an extra trip out to the church yesterday as I couldn't see carrying everything - especially the four dozen cupcakes - in tonight in the wind and rain. Yes, it is better than snow but it will make for a cozy indoor Christmas. If we keep the power, that will be a bonus.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
We got the merest dusting (really just a few flakes) of some frosty/snowy stuff last night, and it's quite cold here, but nothing exciting (Deo gratias). Any weather that you don't have to shovel is fine by me.

I don't even want to think of the possibility of power-cuts. We had a humungous one last New Year that lasted most of the weekend, and was apparently caused more by brainlessness on the part of Newfoundland Power than any meteorological factors. Having no electricity when it's your only source of heat and the temperature's hovering around the -10° mark is no fun.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
The torrential rains we were promised turned out to be drizzle falling through fog. Temp. up to +14 C yesterday, today a mere +3 C, with the snow magically vanished, and surprisingly little mud.

One of our C&E visitors managed to find the one seriously muddy spot and dug his car in rim-deep, but that was a ten-minute diversion after service, since many of the locals understand how to deal with such a problem. No-one got mudded! Otherwise a blandly pleasant time.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Brrrr........we had the nice warm +14 degree Christmas Day and now we've got -13 with a wind chill of -25. They are forecasting a big storm for Sunday so does that mean I don't need to prepare the service/sermon?
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by lily pad:
... They are forecasting a big storm for Sunday so does that mean I don't need to prepare the service/sermon?

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Certainly not.

Whenever there's a big storm here, we're sometimes the only church in the city to open its doors. Having said that, the Deanery and the curate's house are just across the road from the Cathedral, and we're about 5 minutes' drive up the road.
 

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Posted by John Holding (# 158) on :
 
"They're forecasting..." words that fill one with dread, and yet words that don't carry a lot of conviction as prophecy.

Even apart from what the Piglet says, would you actually base your actions on weather forecasts for more than the next day?

John
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Happy New Year!

In keeping with Ship tradition old regional threads die on the last of the year and then new threads appear when anyone so minded starts the next.

I'll miss this thread but I'm sure a sooper-dooper new thread will soon takes its place.

Go to it, Shipmates.

WW - AS Host
 

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