Can-Am Holidays

It's that special time of year.

On The Rock we finally get warm weather AND a long week end. In fact, Canada Day passed three days ago and we had a short get-away at my parent's house 'up the shore' (thanks, Laurita, for the correct local terminology...).

Today is now the fourth of July and our one-time adversaries, our American  cousins, celebrate their Independence. It is also the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812 (which ran until 1815) when our cousins dropped by, unannounced, for a visit. I don't profess to know anything about that war so I won't go any further on the topic, embarrassing myself on my lack of Canadian history. Honestly, I don't recall it being taught in school. Then again, school was decades a long time ago and maybe I just forgot. Or maybe I was sick that day.

The Canadian government commissioned the minting of a new coin commemorating the War of 1812. It is a handsome looking 'toonie' with the image (below) of the British frigate HMS Shannon on one side and the aged Queen on the other.

Speaking of war ships...the boy is ready to wage his own battle with his own bateau (Har! Get it?...bateau?) When we arrived at my parents house we discovered a row boat sitting in their driveway. It was a well-used craft belonging to the former home owner who figured that since Sean was a sea cadet, and a future sailor in the Royal Canadian Navy, he might appreciate the boat.

Now begins the task of stripping the hull of flaking paint, old caulking and sundry dried out sea vegetation and freshening it up with a layer of fibreglass and paint. Sean's Papa Davidson, a painter of 50 years, has already begun the tedious task of researching  how to start a good fire fibreglass the boat and the fine art of applying marine paint. I had suggested to the boy that he name the vessel after a girl in his life. We decided against that as the boat would obviously have to change name on a regular basis...

I have included photos below. Be sure to click on them to enlarge.

SO...to my American friends...have a great day! I hope that you booked a couple of extra days to extend the holiday into the week end. Have fun with those fireworks, but keep them over there.

And no hard feelings about that war business, eh?



At 13'-9" it's not the HMS Shannon, but one can be sure that it can still do some damage




"Y'think that this 1" crack is noticeable?"



Boy and boat are nearly christened by the mysterious wee dog

Independence...and Seven Sins

I'll be out of touch the rest of today and tomorrow as we're off on a two hour drive to my parent's place for a visit (and to drop off our son for a few days). Whoo hoo! R & R...for us...

The seven sins posts (lying) were popular last weekend and the past few days. Got the creative juices flowing and a good laugh as well. There was one person that took the challenge to a new level and was very creative with the "game." Anton Gully at Urban Fantasy Experiment (whom I tagged) ran with the sins and posted, in serial format, a short story with his interpretation of the sins. It's gritty and a first draft but very creative. You can either link to his web site, opening the posts from June 29th to July 3rd, or hit each of the links below.

Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, Sloth

Since I will be away tomorrow, I won't be able to offer greetings to my American friends. So I'll do it now...Happy Independence Day to all of you. Hope you have a great and relaxing week end. Set your stories aside for the day and spend time with the family.

To help celebrate, click on the attached link to a time lapse fireworks display in Louisville, Kentucky. The music is pretty funky too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVz6YUf1A6U