I have a LOT of Canadian friends.
Well, several at least.
Definitely a few (You know who you are, even if you don’t want others to know.) This morning, my wife pointed out that today is Canada Day! Why she knew this remains unclear. However, the important thing is it reminded us to apply for dual citizenship before November. Last year on A Star is Born, I had the opportunity to learn a lot about Canada during a round of competition that focused on the international community. I chose Canada because of its cultural diversity, great humor, something called “poutine,” and because it’s within driving distance.
Given that today is Canada Day, I’d like to offer this tribute to the Canadian people, many of whom are already preparing for American refugees in November…
Ned's Blog 
I have travelled from sea to sea (mer à la mer in French, since we are officially a bilingual country) and I have never heard someone pronouce about – aboot. Now for poutine – I absolutely hate it, my daughters love it, my son and husband – they don’t like it either. Thank you for the Happy Canada day wishes, and please thank your lovely wife for remembering us. 🙂
Lol! I think it’s possible you’re too close to the situation, Catherine. My favorite news anchor of all time, Peter Jennings, used to say “aboat” all the time… Wait! Maybe he picked it up while living HERE? 😉
In other Canadian news, Ross and I are working on a possible “Humor Columnist Exchange Program.” If it goes through, I definitely want to try some poutine!
You mean you actually haven’t had poutine? You lucky devil you. Peter Jennings was awesome, no doubt about it!
My son currently attends University in Sherbrooke, Quebec and lives close to your friend Ross. Thus if you visit Ross, you could theoretically bump into my son.
Really? If it all works out, Ross will be visiting here, too. I’ll let you know either way so, if I go there, I can show up in one of your son’s classes and tell him he needs to call his Mom more often 😉
Oh he is a good boy, calls his mom quite a bit, no need to show up to one of his classes.
I’ve been hearing about the possible US refugee problem in November. Cape Breton (Nova Scotia) has been preparing for it for months.
As for the pronunciation of that French dish, I agree: I call it heart attack on a plate. I won’t touch the stuff. The thought of it churns my stomach. It only became popular in the East about 25 years ago. Before that, I never heard of it. We (in the East) say it like you do ‘pooteen’. I’ve not heard the other way of saying it. It sounds like a Russian president that way.
Now if we are talking about Canadian bacon, double smoked…
We are enjoying a fabulous Canada Day in Nova Scotia. It’s hot (for us): 27.8 degrees Celsius (that’s 83.7 Fahrenheit). We are also marking the 100 anniversary of the Battle of the Somme from the First World War. Nearly the entire Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out on that day.
Our surprise for the day was a goat kid, born around 8:00 am this morning. We think we might call him Captain Canada.
Thanks for the Happy Canada Day wishes. I’ll leave you with a song from one of our awesome singers. Tim Hicks sings all in fun (he’s from Ontario, but has a home near Nashville, TN) and compares the two countries through his song “Stronger Beer”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E064kb3UnU
I’m hoping to make a trip to the Quebec area (Stanstead) in the fall. It seems like Canadians have a love/hate relationship with their poutine, so I’ll reserve judgement until I taste it for myself. From what I’ve heard, it sounds like most of the things we Americans eat already!
Congrats on the new kid, by the way, who I’m sure will be thrilled with the name Captain Canada. Plus, there’s always the possibility of a Marvel superhero franchise.
Thanks for the great tune, and my sincere wishes to you and the rest of Canada for a wonderful day of celebrating your Canadian-ness!
Cheers!
We do not say “Aboot” but thanks for the sentiments..
I think it’s like Southerners here in the U.S. who say they don’t have an accent or say “Kiss my grits.” They just don’t know they do… 😉
Maybe. Now what were we talking aboot?
Eh?
I understand
Omg I was rolling in laughter watching this. And FYI Canadian provinces have different dialects, just as your states do, like y’all in Texas. That ‘aboot’ joke everyone tends to label us with is how it sounds with an East coast, ie: Newfoundland accent. Not every province speaks like that, and not everyone eats poutine, more of a French thing, which Quebec prefers to speak in French and not English like the other provinces. And yes, Timmies is all over the provinces. And yes, come live here and see how expensive it is paying tax on the tax on the tax, but then again your money will make the pain a tad easier lol.
I kind of figured it was a province thing. I mean, I know I don’t have an accent of any kind, as long as I don’t leave the west coast.
And I’m sorry, but I’ve seen versions of poutine with bacon in it — so I’m trying it if I get the chance!
And you should. But personally, I think it’s gross, lol. Like you said, ‘heart attack’ food, so go easy. 🙂
Will do!
Well said Ned.
On behalf of my home and native land, we’d be proud to have you as a permanent resident, Ned Hickson.
Then again, we’ll take anybody…
I’m counting on that.