Wednesday, July 1, 2009

from sea to shining sea...

We are celebrating our country's birthday today
...and are reminded once again
of what a great country it is!

'From sea to sea'...Canada's motto is based on Psalm 72:8 'He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.'

It happens to be the second largest country in the world...and has the world's longest coastline and six time zones.

It is comprised of ten provinces (two of which I have yet to step foot on)...and three territories.

Nearly one-quarter of all the world's fresh water can be found in Canada...along with ten percent of all forests. About one-half of our great country is forest.

We have two national symbols...the maple leaf and the beaver.

We also have two national sports...although most of us know only about hockey, it seems. Lacrosse is our second national sport.

Our wonderful national anthem...Oh Canada...was first sung in 1880. And we have a French Canadian singer who sings it quite nicely!

Most of the people...the heart and soul of this country...live near the 49th parallel...in cities. Vancouver, British Columbia is tied with Zurich, Switzerland for the highest quality of life of any city in the world.

Canadians have been known to be very innovative over the years...and have brought you basketball, the electric light bulb, the electric range, the electron microscope, standard time, the television, the telephone, and the zipper and the baseball glove...oh yes...and the chocolate bar!

I am proud to be Canadian...today and every day. I plan to get out there and celebrate my country...strong and free. There are fireworks tonight...and maybe I will walk a portion of the Canada Trail.

Canada is a country that has been blessed beyond most countries in the world. It is a country worth working for.

The unity of the Canadian people was the paramount issue in 1867, as it is today. There is no force except the force of will to keep Canadians together.

Queen Elizabeth II ~ Canada Day, 1990


Happy Canada Day 2009!

17 comments:

  1. Yes, sometimes we don't know how good we have it, till we stop and reflect about issues in other countries.
    We have so much to be thankful for.
    I'm wondering which trail I'll blaze today.
    Have fun!

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  2. Happy Canada Day to you and yours, Judy! I can tell that you are a mighty proud and happy Canadian!

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  3. Happy Canada Day to you!

    I am very proud to have such a fine country as our northern neighbor.

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  4. Have a great day, Judy! Over here we'll be barbecuing and spending some time on the Gorge, watching the rowers, listening to the music and celebrating our 142nd birthday.

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  5. Beautiful post Judy .. your pictures and the description of the Canada we love is wonderful.
    Have a Happy Canada Day!

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  6. Gosh, I did not know all those amazing facts about Canada!

    Happy Canada Day.

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  7. very good history lesson Judy.
    Wishing you a great day, and thank God we live in such a great country,eh?

    by the way....love the cherry header!

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  8. Happy Canada Day! What a wonderful informative post. We librarians dig that sort of thing you know.

    Happy to have Canada as our neighbor up north!

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  9. Enjoy the celebrations! It must be raspberry and hay-baling season!

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  10. Have a wonderful celebration. Thanks for the little history lesson...chocolate bars well that does it. You guys are the best :D

    I must admit since meeting a few of you gals here in blogland, you have enticed me to come and visit and explore more of your beautiful country.

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  11. Happy Canada Day Judy! You have every right to be proud of your wonderful and beautiful country. It is one of my favorite places to visit! The United States is so lucky to have such a good strong northern neighbor.

    Enjoy this special day!

    Hugs, Pat

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  12. I loved reading all of the facts that you just shared on Canada. Quite honestly, I did not know many of those facts, and yet I always wanted to visit any and every part of Canada. I remember my dad took our family to Expo '67. I was too young to remember that visit. Happy Canada Day to you! I like your loyalty and the pride you have in your country.

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  13. Hi Judy
    I was looking through some of your older posts and wondered if you would share where you bought the magnet supplies (glass blobs :) ), magnets and metal tiles. I have been looking and have not had any success....thanks
    Deb

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  14. Happy Canada Day to you and your family. I have always love to hear about Canada. The way things are going in this country, we may all be moving there. Oh no, you say. Just kidding.
    QMM

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  15. I learned something new - I didn't know that we invented the chocolate bar.

    Love the shot of the mounties in their dress uniform!

    Happy Canada Day!

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  16. "OH Canada"...isn't that a song? Happy Canada Day to you Judy and yours!!! Sounds like a wonderful celebration...

    Our's is just around the corner!
    "4th of July"!!!

    Update...we leave for Montana the first of August...counting the days!!!

    More Philipsburg/Montana posts and photo's coming soon!

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~ Ralph Waldo Emerson