Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!

War of 1812

I noticed something interesting when I was in Ottawa this week - the light posts all around the Parliament buildings were hung with banners commemorating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Things were a different though along Sussex Drive - the road the runs alongside the US Embassy. Here the banners looked like this:

I thought it was a bit cheeky for the government to place constant reminders about the war where the US invaded Canada and was beaten back by a ragtag group of Canadians, British, and Indians.
Canadians find the war a source of pride. In the US it is generally ignored.

The US embassy will have trouble ignoring it this year - especially since it is the bicentennial of the war.

Paul and I are taking this commemorative year to heart - we hope to visit a number of the sites of battles and events on both sides of the border throughout the remander of this year. A history lesson of sorts. Most of these sites about less the 90 minutes form our home and most are spots we've never been to  . . . it's about time ot correct that!

So, about that war . . .

The war of 1812 was a really military conflict between the United States and Great Britain. As a colony of Great Britain, Canada was swept up in the War of 1812 and was invaded a number of times by the Americans.

Calling it the War of 1812 is a misnomer - the way lasted until 1814.

This weekend we visit our first site - Queenston.

Photo Hunt - Sturdy

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'sturdy'. This wonderful blue bear sculpture 'holding' up the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver is VERY sturdy!

A Quick Tour of Philadelphia

For the past two days I've been in Philadelphia where we were presenting at a conference. in between sessions I've been able to wander about the city.

Here is a small sample of what I have seen - more tomorrow . . .

Photo Hunt - Symbolic

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'symbolic'. Oh my. I have an embarassment of riches for this one. The challenge is finding one of two shots with which to play!

I was going through some pictures form our trip to Maine back in 2006 and came upon these shots which were taken in the town of Blue Haven. This vacant lot next to the legion had rows and rows of white flags - each one a symbol of lives lost - American soldiers and Iraqi civilians during the war in Iraq.

Travel Tuesdays - Palm Trees, Beach, Sun

This week for Travel Tuesdays I feel the need for some sun. I'm in Ottawa for work and it's freezing!!!!! No doubt the folks in these pictures thought the weather was cold for them but for these two Canadians it was gorgeous. I could use some of that right now!!!

Travel Tuesdays - Maine

It's a tricky day for Travel Tuesday - Sandi's blog round up of travel related posts. Tricky because it is also Vanentine's Day . . . and I had alreayd used my Heart picture from San Francisco for Saturday photo hunt. These are challenging issues for bloggers.

I know, I know . . . get a real problem Jerry!

Anyhow I remembered our 2010 to Maine. We stopped in the lovely town of Rockland, Maine to tour the Farnsworth gallery. They were featuring an exhibit of work by Robert Indiana a 60's pop-art veteran who has made Maine his home for years.

outside the gallery was this piece of art - perfect for a Travel Tuesday Valentine's Day edition!

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!

So What did we Bring Home From California . . .

A quick post . . . we arrived back home at 12:15 this morning. After dropping Paul off at home I went to the 24 hour grocery store to gather a few things. When I got home I carried in four suitcases, the knapsacks, and assorted bags of stuff (Paul had to work today so I sent him to bed and took care of stuff).

This morning I awoke mighty tired!

After dropping Paul off at work I unpacked all of the suitcases, put everything away, did 6 loads of laundry, took 12 articles of clothing to the dry cleaners, got everything ready for dinner, and finalized my presentation that I had to do this afternoon.

I will be heading to bed shortly!

After I have everything unpacked I did the usual `what we brought home picture`.

Here goes . . . a small carry on suitcase that was on sale at Kohls. A five litre can of olive oil that my friend Jane had shipped from Tuscany. 8 bottles of wine (the bottle of 2 Buck Chuck brought home from a friend was apparently stolen by TSA). 4 bottles of flavoured olive oil and 4 bottles of flavoured balsamic vinegar purchased at the new olive oil shop in Palm desert. 2 boxes of toffee, two small bags of toffee, and two bags of toffee popcorn from Brandini Toffee. 9 jars of spices/rubs, pomegranate molasses, freeze-dried corn, California Bay leaves, fennel pollen from the new spice store in Palm Desert. Jeans. A wine book (which I realize I forgot to pay Palma for - ARGH). 2 bottles of dish soap, a lime and lemon juicer, veal demi glace, and a new citrus zester from Williams Sonoma. A jar of Tuscan spice/salt mixture. Pear salad dressing. Artichoke and Truffle tapenade. A jar of chipotle and peach jam. " tins of coffee beans, cat treats, multi-coloured Quinoa, assorted sweets from Trader Joes. Maple leaf shaped crackers. Heart shaped crackers. 9 boxes of chocolates and one box of suckers from Sees. A box of Ghiradelli Valentine's Day chocolates. 2 bags of Valentine's Day message M and Ms. 2 bags of individually wrapped sweet hearts. 3 bags of Moose Munch from Harry and David. 1 pair of shoes. 1 jar os Santa Maria BBQ dry rub spice mix. 1 dozen large oranges grown in Palm Desert.

Hmmm - no wonder it took hours to put everything away.

Now lest you think I'm going to eat all of this candy myself don't worry - everything is a gift and will soon be out of the house (or at least out of my sight!)

A Blogging First . . .

Well, a first for this blogger, anyway.

I'm updating my blog from 37,000 feet as we cruise past Kansas City. Wifi on planes is a beautiful thing. Blogging is an interesting diversion from watching the guy in front of me knocking back his fifth drink. Even in first class some of the folks are hideous.

This morning we woke up and had coffee with Palma, Brad, and Luigi. We left Palm Desert at 7 am and made the trek to LAX for our 11:20 flight. We were booked in first class (thank you, points) so I wasn't that worried about making it in time. LAX is only a 90+ minute drive from the desert but with traffic and general annoyances we were not taking any chances.

Thank goodness as there were accidents galore.

Finally, as a result of a wrong turn, the GPS took us well away from any highway and through an unknown (some might say scary) area of LA and got us to the airport with an hour to spare. We would have made it sooner but we had to pull off for a 'comfort break'.

I dropped Paul and the luggage off at the curbside check in (thanks Brad for this great tip!) and raced off to drop the car off. Of course I promptly made a wrong turn since the address wasn't entered in the GPS and I almost ended up back on the freeway. ARGH

Once I was sorted out (after making no less than 4 illegal U-Turns) I pulled into a gas station to fill up the car only to be stymied by a hideous woman in front who seemed to have abandoned her car. By this time I was ready to do the same! After helping her out I was next to fill up and soon the car was full of gas and back home at Thrifty.

It was a quick shuttle ride to the terminal where I met Paul (who was starting to panic since the plane left in 40 minutes) and we proceeded through security. The guard tried to send us to a long line up until I waved our first class boarding passes - then we went to the special line where we were whisked through security in record time.

When we got to the gate the plane was loading. We ignored all of that zone silliness and just walked on and into our seats where we were greeted with a drink.

If only we were rich - it'd be first class all the way! The food is decent. The drinks plentiful. The service great. I have all the room I could possibly want (except for the pinhead in front of me who feels the need to recline his seat into my lap). All in all, this is THE way to go!

With this wifi I was able to work on a presentation for tomorrow. It's nice to not have a panic day of work awaiting me upon my return.

Next stop, Philadelphia and on to Toronto. SIGH

A short trip but a much needed rest!

A Lazy Day in Palm Desert

We were asked what we wanted to do while we were in Palm Desert - the answer was 'relax'. We've been going full out for the past 4 months and we just wanted an opportunity to take it easy!

Yesterday was a perfect day for that . . .

We played with Luigi . . .

Hung out by the pool . . .

Watched the hummingbirds dart about in the grape vines . . .

We did manage to rouse ourselves long enough to wander about the town doing some shopping.

Of course, Palma spoiled us with her wonderful cooking . . .

As always, there was laughter, smiles, and Luigi in the middle of everything! *smile*

Traveling to Palm Desert

Yesterday was another travel day for us. Happily it was without the hideousness that characterized our trip west!

We left Buellton at 9:30. While I was at the light waiting the signal change so I could enter the freeway I spotted the windmill that marked the hotel the guys in Sideways stayed at.

We were meeting Palma and Brad in Santa Barbara for brunch at 11:00. It was only about a 50 minute drive so we had lots of time to stop. The drive south from Buellton starts off by going through some rugged terrain as you cross through the mountains. Once the mountains have been left behind the road hugs the ocean, offering up some brilliant sights.

Because we had plenty of time we pulled off and wandered about.

Even with all of this stopping we were early when we got to Santa Barbara. We have briefly stayed in the city a few years ago and didn't really care for it. This tim we were further away from the beach - we were amazed at what we had missed during our last visit. Santa Barbara is now high on the list of places we want to return to!

The restaurant was well-known for it's local seafood. Paul and I ordered the fish tacos and a glass of prosecco  . . . the perfect way to start a sunny day in CA!

After brunch we hopped back into the car and headed southwest over the mountains to Palm Desert. We stopped for a spell at the outlet mall where I was the picture of restraint and arrived at Palma and Brad's house by 5:30.

It was great to meet Luigi, the new addition to the family. He loved 'Mr. Lobster' every bit as muchas Max did when we delivered one to him in Piemonte last fall.

After we were settled we nibbled Palma's treats, chatted, laughed, drank wine, and played with Luigi until we could no longer keep our eyes open.

Another wonderful day in California.