Realism - more than Patriotism

[michaelmaltby]

I post the following for all the doubters and double-talkers who dismiss the importance of The Commonwealth - or at least my section of it ... :

Tom Brokaw explains Canada to Americans. [VIDEO]

[oldcrowcv63]

I post the following for all the doubters and double-talkers who dismiss the importance of The Commonwealth - or at least my section of it ... :

Crossed the common border at both ends and in the middle too many times to count, always welcomed, always enjoyed the stay... but what is your section? East, West, Central or God Forbid, the Great White North ?

Two true stories:

sainted wife always complained about the Quebecois tourists in their restaurant in Cape May NJ. and British Columbians. (Q's lousy tippers she claimed and BC's dangerous to her novice snow plow skiing technique She couldn't go slow enough, they couldn't go fast enough ) truth be told, she found american tips just as meager when she worked as a waitress in Wyoming. Of course, I didn't dare bring up the common element in HER two experiences if you get my drift. (<--- That icon is not representing 'shock' it depicts pure knee-quaking and teeth chattering fear.)

This summer, I spent 2 weeks in Europe with two Canadian families as traveling companions. Never had so much fun on a trip before. Didn't realize until that trip that, next to the casualities suffered by the USA on Omaha beach, Canadian's Normandy landings were the next most strongly opposed and bloody. The Canadian late-war tank battles (post-Normandy and later, within Germany) among the most savagely fought...

Of course, I have yet to forgive the Canadian Government or people for reducing the canadian armed forces to a common purple organization. What I ask was wrong with the RCAF, and the RCN? They both had magnificent traditions.

[michaelmaltby]

Thanks for the stories and the kind words, oldcrowcv63.

When I spoke of "my section" of the Commonwealth I was referring to Canada as a whole within the Commonwealth (just as Parsifal might refer to Australia as his, for example). But to answer your question, I have worked in several provinces but was born and now reside in Toronto, Ontario, with a cabin the the bush 2 hours North which I visit every weekend, year round.

When at I look at the struggling E.U. I deeply appreciate how fortunate our two countries are to have each other as like-minded neighbors (for the most part ). Treaties only work if the signatories share common values ....

MM
Proud Canadian

[pbfoot]

is that your commode?

[michaelmaltby]

I never drink on the commode, pb.

MM

[oldcrowcv63]

I never drink on the commode, pb.

MM

Well there's one value we may not share!

[oldcrowcv63]

I think I was 'forced' ( ) to endure canadian companionship last summer because so many americans couldn't afford the trip with our economy in the tank. I was fortunate to be there on 'business' ( = tax write off! ) Apparently you guys handled your economy in far more rational manner than we.

Forgot to add, visited Toronto during a conference back in 1984 during my professional 'coming out'. A Paki canadian immigrant took my colleague and I in tow for a tour of the city and dinner at his restaurant with his whole family. One of my fondest memories of time spent in Canada and there are many! I've discovered their hospitality was not unique although perhaps not always quite as effusive.

[Crimea_River]

A nice thread. Oldcrow, I'm sure you meant no offense but the term Paki would not go over well with that family in these parts. Unfortunately, it's too often been used in a racist sense up here.

[oldcrowcv63]

Thanks for the heads up, it was meant as an abreviation only... no disrespect intended. Never even considered it as an epithet.

[Crimea_River]

I knew that bud. No worries.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I think I was 'forced' ( ) to endure canadian companionship last summer because so many americans couldn't afford the trip with our economy in the tank. I was fortunate to be there on 'business' ( = tax write off! ) Apparently you guys handled your economy in far more rational manner than we.

Forgot to add, visited Toronto during a conference back in 1984 during my professional 'coming out'. A Paki canadian immigrant took my colleague and I in tow for a tour of the city and dinner at his restaurant with his whole family. One of my fondest memories of time spent in Canada and there are many! I've discovered their hospitality was not unique although perhaps not always quite as effusive.

When were you in Normandy last summer. Me and my wife drove up to Normandy for a week last July.

[Wildcat]

I've also been to Toronto, nice city. My family particulary liked the "old spaghetti factory".

[tomo pauk]

Well, after seeing the video, I hope that similar words would, in close future, describe the relations between my country and it's neighbors, esp. with those at our eastern borders (at west/north we are pretty much okay).

[Readie]

I hope you colonial boys will be in London to help celebrate our monarch's 60th in June.
It is an historic day.
You'll all be very welcome.
John

[oldcrowcv63]

When were you in Normandy last summer. Me and my wife drove up to Normandy for a week last July.

Actually the subject came up during one of our wine-besotted dinner conversations (we were on a booze cruze down the Mosel to the Rhine after my business in Switzerland ended) July 27-August 8. trip ended in Amsterdam. Never got to Normandy although it's a trip I surely want to do one day. I did visit some of the war related sights in Luxembourg like the Patton museum.

I got a chance to execise my decades old hoch deutch. Let's just say it wasn't as hoch or as deutch as I thought or been led to believe.

I've also been to Toronto, nice city. My family particulary liked the "old spaghetti factory".

Did you try the Mizithra cheese sauce on the spaghets? I have searched the world for its equal. Unsuccessfully as it turns out.

I hope you colonial boys will be in London to help celebrate our monarch's 60th in June.
It is an historic day.
You'll all be very welcome.
John

Would love to attend, and visit many spots on my bucket list while there but unfortunately will be working until late July... Thanks for the invite though and all you commonwealth chaps, mates, canucks, and undiscovered German and Hungarian cousins are always welcome at me casa. Lots of nearby ocean to wet your toes and aviation history to explore. I have an idea, you should all come at once I'll be out of town that week but feel free to make yourselves at home. key's under the mat.

That's a great photo MM, what were ya drinkin' there?