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01 July 2019

Happy Canada Day!


Happy Canada Day to all of our Canadian friends out there! In honor of this auspicious day, I'm rerunning a post that I originally wrote in 2017. The same sentiments hold true today.

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During the winter season at Indiantown Marina, Canadians probably outnumber Americans by a sizable margin. It's quite a popular place for Canadians to store their boats during hurricane season. Once the snow starts to fly, they make their way down south to Indiantown and get their boats ready to head out cruising or just hang out here at the marina for the season enjoying the sunshine and palm trees.

You've heard all of the stereotypes about Canadians before. They say "eh" a lot (true for some), they have unibrows (no comment), they say "a-boot" and not "about" (yes, and it's adorable), they live off a diet of maple syrup and Tim Horton's donuts (sounds good to me), they're all lumberjacks (uh, no) and they're super nice (very true).

I can't emphasize how much that last one is true. Canadians are some of the nicest, helpful and most generous people you'll ever meet. They're all around good eggs. Okay, maybe there's some bad Canadians out there, but you won't find them at Indiantown Marina.

Honestly, they've restored my faith in humanity. After a bruising and divisive election cycle (no matter what side you were on), I kind of started to lose hope in the basic goodness in humanity. You know, the "do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" way of approaching each other. It seemed like it was becoming more of a "who cares about you, it's all about me" kind of a place.

Then along came the Canadians with their help, support and "pay it forward" mentality. Don't get me wrong, the Americans here are wonderful too and we'd be lost without the support and help of our dear Yankee friends (not to mention their "tool shed" and acrylic expertise). That just goes without saying.

But this is about the Canadians and how much they've been instrumental in getting our boat ready to go cruising. (I should say "somewhat ready to go cruising" just in case I jinx things and more stuff breaks.) These guys might not be lumberjacks, but they sure are geniuses when it comes to electrical systems, engines, solar arrays, you name it. And they share their knowledge freely. They even come poke around in the murky depths of our engine room or in the confines of the lazarette to help us chase down issues and sort out problems.

And when you apologize for taking up so much of their time and pestering them with annoying questions, they just shrug their shoulders and say, "Don't worry. Just pay it forward."

I always knew I loved Canadians. But now I love them even more because they've reminded me that humans (at least most of them) are good at heart and genuinely want to do unto others as they would have them do unto them.

What's your favorite things about Canada or Canadians? And for a more controversial question - only 100% genuine maple syrup on your pancakes or will Mrs. Butterworth's do?

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24 comments:

  1. We could all use a boost of restored faith in humanity right now. I have to watch what news stations I watch or it's a barrage of complaining and attacking.
    Best thing about Canada? They gave us the band Rush. And hockey! Let's not forget hockey.

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  2. Thank you for this. You've earned a pile of poutine ! See you in the fall at IT.

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    1. Do you know that I've never actually had poutine? Always wanted to try it :)

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  3. I agree with your assessment of Canadian's. They are awesome folks.

    I don't like waffles or pancakes so I won't be using any kind of syrup.

    Happy Canada Day to our our Canadian friends.

    I'll be receiving Poisoned on the Pier tomorrow.

    Have a fabulous day, Ellen. ♥

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    1. What? You don't like waffles or pancakes? I didn't think that was possible! Hope you enjoy Poisoned by the Pier :)

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  4. I love meeting Canadians. We have met a few on our road travels and they are always just a nice as all the Canadian sailors we have met. Although once we met a Canadian who tried to tell us that the original capital of the US was in Detroit. Canadians have some pretty wacky ideas just like Americans.

    And I love their accent. We don't always know we are talking to Canadians at first, it is always a dead giveaway when they start to talk a-boot things.

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  5. My favourite thing about Canada / Canadians is my friend Pat! I don’t understand the second question …

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    1. Ah. That might have been an American reference. Mrs. Butterworth is a pancake syrup made with very little, if any, maple syrup. Just corn syrup really.

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  6. One of my friends from Canada, as i like to tell her when i see her, she's my happiest hello and my hardest good-bye. Excellent people, deserving of great respect, which they have from me.

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  7. awesome article.
    thanks for sharing :)

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  8. Nice tribute to our neighbors to the north, and I agree with you 100%. Every Canadian I've ever met is the epitome of kindness. I'm sure there must be rotten apples, too, but I've never met any. Then again, all of the U.S. apples I know are pretty darned okay, too. :)

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  9. My husband was born in Canada and my cousin married a Canadian, so I'm biased! Glad your experiences with Canadians has been so positive. Michael J. Fox, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen are some of the best "things" to come out of Canada IMO! Happy 4th!

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    1. I always forget Michael J Fox is Canadian. Have a Happy 4th as well :)

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  10. Also, thanks so much for co-hosting this month!

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    1. Do you mean co-hosting IWSG? If so, thanks :) It's always a lot of fun.

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  11. Two years ago I traveled from my home in Canada to Florida. It was an exciting trip as I was receiving an award for my thriller novel. At the event I met several American writers. One in particular expressed his sadness over what the world must be thinking of Americans given the unusual behavior of Mr. Trump. I told him that I have many American family and friends and know that the vast majority of Americans are wonderful, hard working and caring people. The rest of the world owes a lot of gratitude to the USA for their security and the benefits of a highly educated and professional driven culture. Bravo, USA!

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  12. We had such a good trip to Nova Scotia a few years ago, we decided to take a trip to Canada this year to the Calgary, Banff, Jasper area. Everyone was so kind and helpful to us. And what a beautiful country. AND I can read the road signs and drive on the right side of the road there!!
    JQ Rose

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  13. I remember reading this original post! We like Canadians a lot as well. As a matter of fact, we spent this Canada Day in Canada to honor that! In the capital, even. :-) FYI: ALWAYS real maple syrup. That’s the one thing we pay real money for. :-) We actually just bought a half a gallon for $20 in Vermont. It’ll last us a couple of years.

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  14. Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.

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