Category Archives: community

True patriot love

25 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by in activism, community

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Canada Day 2022 is approaching and celebrations in Ottawa may be tarnished by unwelcome participants.

After Ottawa residents were harassed for many weeks this winter by the “Freedom” Convoy occupiers, many of us cringe when we see someone with a large Canadian Flag draped over their shoulders, or flags fluttering from the back of pickup trucks parked on our residential streets.

Those people disrupted traffic, disrespected the national war memorial and infested downtown residential streets with their noisy, smelly trucks and menacing behaviour. Their financial backers and some western Conservative supporters tried to disrupt democracy and overthrow our fairly elected government while using the vaccine mandates as their focus for complaints.

They used offensive language and visual props encouraging personal attacks on our Prime Minister. They welcomed members of the right-wing Christian and white supremist fringe. They harassed politicians and doctors. They taunted residents who wore protective masks while walking on the streets. They used their own children as shields to thwart arrests and removals.

It was an occupation that was planned with military precision. It makes one think that there is a darker influence that still lurks in the background.

Thankfully, the OPS and reinforcements removed the protesters in a peaceful, methodical manner.

Tree stump after the May long weekend storm, graced by a small Canadian flag

Those occupiers are back in our fair city with plans to attend Canada Day celebrations and stick around all summer. What are they protesting now? Vaccine mandates have been lifted.

Local residents and politicians are not pleased with the antics of these unwelcome visitors with their menacing behaviour, anti-science rants, immature posters and flags. People of the Ottawa region are still recovering from massive storm damage and hydro outages. We don’t need this bullshit.

I haven’t been downtown for many years to celebrate in the hot sun or rain with thousands of other people. The COVID-19 pandemic distancing recommendations and Freedumb Convoy have sealed the deal on my personal preference for quiet, clean celebrations closer to home.

In the news

Convoy removal: https://globalnews.ca/news/8630153/live-coverage-ottawa-police-freedom-convoy-feb-18/

Vaccine mandates lifted: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/06/20/vaccine-mandates-canada-travel-pandemic/

Backgrounder: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2022/06/backgrounder-government-of-canada-suspends-mandatory-vaccination-for-federal-employees.html

Ottawa will be ready: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-day-downtown-convoy-protest-fears-1.6497837

That weasly, opportunist politician: https://globalnews.ca/news/8936478/pierre-poilievre-encourages-protests-canada-day-rally-reports/

Local law enforcement plans for Canada Day: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news-and-community/canada-day-2022.aspx

Our national anthem – Official lyrics of “O Canada”

English version

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

French version

Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!

Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.

Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/anthems-canada.html

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Wishing my fellow Canadians a happy, meaningful and respectful Canada Day.

Thanks for dropping by. Don’t overstay your welcome.

T

Canadian Thanksgiving 2021

10 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in community, Health, pets, philosophy, therapy, writing

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What is there to be thankful for eighteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic?

You have your health.

You are double vaccinated.

You have the privilege to visit restaurants, theatres and gyms – if you actually wanted to.

You have a place to call home.

You have family and close friends, still reachable on various platforms.

None of your family or friends have succumbed to the virus.

You still have a job.

You still are able to work from home.

You are less stressed because you aren’t forced to use unreliable public transportation two hours a day.

You are more productive, creative and relaxed when you aren’t forced to conform to the visual expectations of some corporate culture.

You have the freedom to get outside for walks around your neighbourhood for fresh air, to pick up provisions, and engage with community acquaintances.

You found a new network of like-minded folks, opportunities to rekindle that sense of purpose, of contributing your time, energy and skills.

You have remembered that you have the right to set boundaries with family, friends and others.

You have had plenty of time for quiet reflection on life, your values and priorities.

You have let your inner child emerge during bouts of creativity.

Basket of kittens for the Grand kids

You continue to review your list of accomplishments, and many things to look forward to.

You finally have opportunities to warm the home by using the oven and stove top to cook delicious meals.

You can still afford to buy groceries and necessities.

You can share your thoughts with others through a talk radio show this evening, using various platforms.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/what-are-you-thankful-for-this-thanksgiving-1.6204049

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Art appreciation during a pandemic

20 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in Art, community, Health, photography

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I ventured into crowds outside of my community willingly last week for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

I don’t experience wanderlust nor do I rebel against science-based protocols and restrictions on personal movement. I bite my tongue in passing judgement on others I know who have been travelling across country and borders for pleasure this summer. It has been two years since I have seen my grandchildren.

A friend and I made plans in June to aim for attending an arts event in town this summer after we got our two COVID-19 vaccinations. We had hopes for a pleasant time considering the circumstances.

We needed to experience the beauty of art during a social outing again.

A Van Gogh self-portrait painting image

The exhibit: https://vangoghottawa.com/

We navigated with her car through summer road construction to Lansdowne Park. We navigated the underground parking facilities. We respected protocols by waiting with masks on, ground level in the time slot visit queue of art lovers then followed slowly at a distance through the maze of digitized art displays and meaningful quotes that led to the immersive experience.

Boats on water at night – Beyond Van Gogh exhibit in Ottawa, ON

The venue was warm with very little air flow. In general, the immersive experience was entertaining and enjoyable. All the while though, the risks associated with the pandemic were on my mind. Even the beautiful images of Vincent’s Starry Night and floral arrangements struggled to calm my concerns.

Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting image in a digital display
Van Gogh Irises and Sunflowers

After 45 minutes of that, I made sure to purchase a souvenir at the boutique on the way out, an over-priced notebook with reprint images of his popular paintings.

Lunch out was a challenge with filling out the electronic contact tracing form before being allowed into the restaurant. Management made safe distancing arrangements for diners. It seems that trendy restaurants are still playing background music way too loud for my preference in enjoying a conversation. Half-way through my salad, I declined the offer of dessert. I just wanted to go home.

There are other art gallery and museum exhibits I want to see this summer. My desire is dampened by reports about the COVID-19 variants spreading about.

I am okay with delaying the satisfaction of my selfish desires for a little while longer, and finding safer alternatives.

I would rather be deprived than dead.

Thanks for dropping by.

T