|
|
Where is the beer and the BBQ
|
Posted:Jul 4, 2013 3:01 pm
Last Updated:Jul 25, 2013 3:58 pm
43621 Views
|
I suppose when one grows up one starts to see the world around them, the room, their home, their garden, neighbourhood, their town, state or country - and so it was with me and the far off country of the U.S.A. commonly known as "The States".
An Irish Connection
 | I suppose President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland in 1963 would be one on many Irish peoples memories. Ireland has laid claim to many famous Americans over the year, Ronald Reagan, Henry Ford and more recently President Barack Obama was found to have some Irish ancestry. Maybe you have some Irish blood in you too! |  |
Irish people would also know some one, or even a whole family, who had gone "West" in search of fame and fortune, adventure, or more rationally, to escape unemployment or enjoy a different quality of life and lifestyle, with over 36,000,000 people now claiming Irish ancestry.
Learning about the U.S.A.
| When I was young growing we listened to the latest on the Vietnam war on the radio, the bombing of Hanoi and the battles around Saigon, I was very young then, but the U.S.A. were going to the moon too. I watched Neil Armstrong set his foot on the soil of another heavenly body beyond earth and utter his, now famous words of "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". How the world was united in this event and again is following the events and wishing for the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts. I remember queuing at the U.S.A. Embassy in Dublin to see moon rock, the cumulative effect of a country bend on exploration and progress and that gave us cheap and easy transcontinental travel through the Boeing 707.
We got views of the Wild West on the Silver Screen, Roy Rogers and Danial Boone, watched Gene Kelly dancing in the rain, and Fed Astaire and Ginger Rogers, not to mention Shirley Temple, Gone with the Wind and who was not following the Yellow Brick Road. The real life story of George M. Cohan, the father of Broadway, encouraging many Irish people to head "Over there" although the idea his song was to support U.S.A. troops abroad, and our schools interpretation was in no doubt when the school's rugby team scored and we stood up pointed our fingers at the opposition supporters and sang "Over there, Over there, You're all very quiet over there!". |
| The vastness of the U.S. of A. cannot be comprehended without a visit, and the variation that it has to offer ensures that there is something for everyone but no one will visit it all. From the North East Coast to the Florida Everglades, through mountains, deserts and fertile plains, to California, the Pacific Coast and north to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest Coast, which is shares in part with Canada. |  |
 | Every Irish schoolboy and girl had to read and learn "Rotha Mor an tSaoil" a book of the adventures an Irish Immigrant including Silver Mining in Butte, Montana. (I am sure that it was great we just had difficulty understanding the Irish (Gaelic)).I am reminded of these adventures when I watch the Discovery Chanel's "Gold Rush". Television has allowed us visit many of the wonderful places that the U.S.A. has to offer but nothing can replace the wish to visit in person. |
Wishing on a Star
Books and Television, Movies and Exploration, only enhances the desire to visit and so no matter what Star represents your State just remember that someone somewhere is Wishing upon your Star!
Happy 4th July U.S.A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
Comments
|
|
Dominion, Moving or Canada Day - whatever it's called Enjoy anyway
|
Posted:Jun 30, 2013 10:50 am
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2013 11:46 am
43990 Views
|
It was my privilege to visit Canada in 2013
and I fell in love with the country and the people and the customs there.
I did not visit as an ordinary tourist but as a guest of some Canadian residents which allowed me experience Canada as a Canadian might see it.
The Irish Canadian Connection.
The first Irish arrived in 1536 and settled in Newfoundland, but many were to follow particularly during the Irish Famine years of 1844-48 with about 4 million Canadians today claiming Irish descent.
Eternal Flame, Parliament Building, Ottawa | In 1866 the Fenian Movement, which was dedicated to freeing Ireland from English rule, invaded Canada with, initially, the support of the United States and the French Canadians, seeking also to free Canada from English rule. While the invasion was a failure, one year later, in 1867, the British North America Act was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament granting the then Dominion of Canada some self rule. It is this act that is celebrated on the 1st July ever since, initially known as Dominion Day and recently renamed to Canada Day.
The history of Canada proves to be fascinating, particularly for me with it's Irish connection. Even today there are close cultural ties between Ireland and the province of Newfoundland. | However, the Province of Quebec, with it's different political outlook, celebrate, as their national holiday, Jean-Baptiste Day a week earlier. Weather dictated that landlords could not evict tenants before the 1st May, while the snows lasted so many one year leases ended on this day. This was changed to the 1st July to avoid students having to move in the middle of college year. So the 1st July became "Moving Day" in Quebec and this tradition remains to this day.
The Canadian Confederation, celebrated by the Eternal Flame photographed above, continued to expand from it's initial size of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with Nunavut joining as recently as 1999. | 
D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub, Ottawa |
My Visit.
 | While in Canada I had the privilege of getting to understand some of the history and culture of the country. While not "into" museums too much the Canadian Museum of Civilization gives a fascinating insight into the history of all Canadian peoples including the original settlers and the arrival of the Europeans.
There were tall Totem Poles, carved by the First Nations peoples, exhibitions displaying their daily lifestyle, the story of the Metis peoples, not to mention the artwork of the Inuit. Canada in a nutshell one could call it. |
Equally interesting was visiting a genuine "Sugar Shack" where the Maple tree is tapped and fresh Maple Syrup made each spring. We even poured hot Maple Syrup onto snow, let it cool and wrapped it around sticks to eat like lollipops. I got to visit both the D'Arcy McGee Building and Irish Pub in Ottawa and got to try Guinness flavoured Poutine, a traditional dish of Chips, Gravy and Cheese curds. Chinatown in Montreal and Gatineau Park were on the list too, not to mention a trip to the Lafleur Steak House in the Kahnawake Reserve, Montreal and Complex 222 St-Constant, which meant so much to her.
All in all mixing with the local people, with and open mind and open ears, gave me a wonderful insight into the country we call Canada. |  | Poutine Recipe
Regular deep Fried Chips (French Fries),
Cheese Curds or chopped/shredded cheese,
Gravy of your choice,
served steaming to in a bowl with Salt and Pepper to taste. |
There are many more things I would write about, I lost my heart to Canada and am sure that I will return someday soon.
So whether you are Canadian by birth or just a blow-in, whatever you are doing, whatever the connection -
Happy Canada Day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
Comments
(Page:)
|
|
Father, Dad, or what?
|
Posted:Jun 16, 2013 3:34 am
Last Updated:Jun 17, 2013 10:59 am
30314 Views
|
 | Happy Father's Day |  |
For many today will be a day to celebrate, for others there will be memories of times past and for some there will be a mixture of emotions on this day that we have come to call "Father's Day".
I am sure that the presents bottles of "Old Spice", "Brylcreem" or shaving foam will be gratefully appreciated. Or maybe it will be a new set of spanners, screw drivers, paint brushes, garden tools or lawn Weed 'n' Feed that will keep him occupied for ages.
Seriously though (ooops was it you who bought the "Old Spice"...lol) the most important thing about today is not the gifts and presents or the cards, it is the appreciation.
And I know that many have had to perform the role of both parents in this crazy world and others do not get to see their parents or as often as they might wish and some have seen their parents passing - so today is filled with so many different emotions it's hard to encompass everyone with one word, one feeling or on expression.
Even the meaning and the role of fatherhood is changing in some neck of the woods, but, no matter what today means to you, may it bring you joy and happiness and appreciation of good times past and anticipation for future happiness - Happy Father's Day to everyone!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
Comments
|
|
Sometimes some things just stand out
|
Posted:May 29, 2013 1:11 am
Last Updated:Jun 16, 2013 2:12 pm
36579 Views
|
Sometimes some things just stand out, and it may not be what you ladies were thinking.
I am always watching out for some home improvement ideas, not that I haven't got 101 things already.
So when I came across a photo shoot of bathroom loos...
... I just could not resist making a collage.
Loo is a British and Irish term for toilet, of origin unknown... the urban legand is that in day of old the potty water was thrown out the window of upper floors and people shouted to those below "Gardez l'eau!" which is the French for "Watch out for the Water!" (l'eau is pronounced more like low..i.e. lou)... but more likely because the manufacturers of early toilets had "Waterloo" stamped on them... or was room 100 where the toilet was kept? Who knows!
And so another point to ponder - where does the name "restroom" come from.. the last place I would want to rest is in a bathroom/toilet/closet ...lol! Oh and if you are over in Ireland we also use the word "Bog" for toilet - suppose it goes back to the days when people had no toilets and Ireland was surrounded by peat bog for convenience. Brings a whole new meaning to the common phrase "Public Convenience".
So which one takes you fancy?
|
|
|
|
26
Comments
(Page:)
|
|
To link to this blog (gerk321cum) use [blog gerk321cum] in your messages.
|
|
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
|
21
|
|
31
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Comments by Others
| Crises - what crises (12) | roxy54sexy
Jun 14, 2015 2:20 pm |
| I got bored - or was it sun stroke (22) | JN63JPN
Jun 2, 2015 8:44 pm |
| Only cause I was asked (13) | canyaz
Apr 25, 2015 9:19 am |
| How far would you go... (29) | zandigal
Apr 21, 2015 6:44 am |
| What time is it... (21) | zandigal
Jan 28, 2014 2:46 pm |
| Is it a boat, is it a plane, No! better ask again (29) | kukoocock
Jan 3, 2014 2:43 am |
| Wintergrey (28) | JN63JPN
Nov 30, 2013 11:41 pm |
| Daily musings (14) | LadyGrayLeopard
Oct 26, 2013 9:20 am |
| I have a stalker lol (32) | kaytegm2
Oct 22, 2013 11:17 pm |
| Harvest time in Canada (16) | canyaz
Oct 16, 2013 6:20 am |
| When things do not add up!!! (25) | sensualsatiation
Oct 13, 2013 2:36 am |
|
|
