Category: Heritage

Au Revoir Netherlands

River Mass, Maastricht

Beautiful Netherlands and all the friends and family of my dear wife Marijke.

The dutch language is very difficult to learn. Try to imagine having a frog in your throat 24/7 and that will give you an idea of how difficult it is to speak Dutch. Much like trying to type on this IPpad. There have been many times when I have wanted to throw this Ipad into the River Maas.

They also have a funny way with words. Take the word Liuk,pronounced “look.” Now I say “look” but the Dutch pronounce it like “Luke”as in the apostle Luke. And that my friends is the Gospel truth. It is also how they call the Belgian, or Belgique, city of Liege. A city at the northern edge of the Ardennes that got literally creamed like a Belgian waffle during the first world war. And “Luke” is also a Dutch word meaning “oooooh,so cute”when describing a something sweet like a cuddly baby or a babbling brook, well maybe not like a babbling brook. But you can see how someone like me can get confused. Although English has its own problems as in nit or knit, but I digress.

So when I am describing Liege,I am not sure if they are looking at me stupid like or think I am a religious zealot of referring to a small child, when all I want to know is how far it is to Liege.

“Oh look”they said.

“ No liege”I said.

”Oh Look” they said.

”Where”I said

“No look,over there” they said.

“Eee gads” I said “So how do I get to Liege?

“Who’s on first?” I thought

Why oh why can’t all people speak the same language?

I mean sitting on an open terrace sipping coffee is a European pastime. So why can’t everyone speak:

“L’espreseronto!”  Groan!

And thats the way it was for 2.5 weeks.

And 32-38 Celcius, 250 % humidity so it felt like the surface of the sun.

Off to France

This Ipda isdrtibniung me cfrdazy. It hasd a spelling minbdof iitsd opwn.. I

Idiocy!

974 people (fans?) attend White Sox / Rays baseball game…. that many?

Ice storm expected to hit southern Ontario…Great!

Margaret Atwood claims Star Wars inspired 9/11….and that is why I will never read any of her stuff…Geesh!

The best place in Canada to find a job? Moncton New Brunswick! Where? Hard to find as its normally covered in snow 8 months of the year.

4 weeks after giving birth Petria then saw her husband’s phone bill. BTW who the F&^K is Petria and why should she be concerned about her husband’s phone bill. What about all of them cigars?

The actress Anna Faris initially thought that getting a breast augmentation would be “caving into the man,” but was delighted with the “-—ing awesome” results after deciding to undergo the procedure after her 30th birthday, she told Women’s Health. “It came down to a really simple thing: I wanted to fill out a bikini.”  Yeah right! The #MeToo crowd were ecstatic when they heard this. Harv’s eyes popped. and BTW, who the F&^K is Anna Faris anyway.

From the “whole world is our oyster” file comes this (Blazing Cat Fur): Order Of Canada Recipient & Trudeau Pal Peter Dalglish arrested On Pedophilia Charges In Nepal. One of the world’s leading experts on humanitarian work with street children and children affected by war has been arrested on pedophilia charges (who would have thunk).  Oxymoron of the year me thinks and it’s only April….sickening.

I have always believed that the “Odor of Canada” award smells at the best of time. You will never ever see a Canadian conservative (Don Cherry???) winning that award.

Love this one: from the UK:

These items were found during a near during . Safely disposed and taken off the streets

Next up: Home Depot and their Hardware Department.

Then again look at this statement – again from the UK:

Regents Park PoliceWe’re the Regents Park police and you’re not!Please do not report crime here, call 101, tweet or visit our website. In an emergency call 999  …that makes me feel so much better and safe.

From the California “Brown’s Out” file comes this: California State Senator introduces legislation that will require State Sanctioned “fat” checkers to approve online content. Oh you mean these guys:

See the source imageOr this:See the source image

Perhaps this:

Image result for pics of chubby checkersComing out of retirement for the California Senator.

Government math:

 

We’re doomed in this country.
Then again there is music to soothe the soul. One of my favourite bands. from their 7 Year Itch Album, Collective Soul “Tell Me Why:”
Click on link then click you tube link.
SJ…………………………………….Out

 

Song of Bernadette

Countdown to Vezelay: 117 Days to go.

See the source imageVezelay is one of the staring points of the “Via Limovicensis” to St Jean Pied de Port French pilgrimage. In the middle ages pilgrims from northern Europe took this route as part of the Camino De Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. This aspect of the pilgrimage is 900 kilometers in length. But you can’t look at it that way. It is just 20-25 kilometers per day.

People do this for a variety of reasons. Generally people do this at an important juncture in their lives: be it a religious, spiritual, physical or social reason, there is no one purpose that overrides one over the other. It becomes a very personal journey. It is also a challenge in planning, preparation and execution. I am very excited about this walk and am looking forward to it. It is also providing me with a focus during a very difficult time in my own life – the loss of my wife of 40 years.

See the source imageI have always loved the old world vibe and architecture of Europe, especially the massive cathedrals. Vezelay is said to have some of the remains of Mary Magdellan. Perhaps. Maybe not. But this Catholic mythology gives Vezelay its unique charm and patina.

Part of the route takes one to a place called Nevers, France, which is the final resting place of St Bernadette de Soubirous, of Lourdes fame. I definitely want to visit that shrine. There are also many other sites to see along the way.

Wish me luck. Still a 117 days to go though, before I depart.

Song of the day

Have a happy Friday, wherever you may be.

No craziness out there today.

SJ………………………………..Out.

Hosers!

So what’s happening today at the games?

Watched the free-style skiing half-pipe woman’s and men’s qualifying. Canadian from Comox BC won the woman’s. Not sure about the men’s. I went to bed!

Appears that an American  woman representing Hungary qualified for the Olympics without even really competing. Her name: “Edna the Eagle:”…Good for her. Anyone can do this? Well no, they can’t:

“Skier wipes out on Half Pipe…while only wearing a G-string…at Whistler BC of all places.” Would have loved to seen that. “She lost her job at the local “Peeler Bar”” someone spouted.  It’s a new take on the “Pole Dance” another spectator was heard to say. Wow.

File PhotoVirtue and Moir capture their second Gold in Ice Dancing – congrats to these two Canadian skaters. Probably their swan song. Asked what’s next and Virtue said she would like to compete in the Half Pipe. “Ice dancing and the Half-Pipe” are a good mix she said. “There is some synergy involved here.” Moir was non-committal about his future but was eying Cross Country Skiing.

Russian “curler” ousted from Olympic competition for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. What? Are you kidding me? For curling? Yeah, I guess those rocks are heavy man. Sent home. Probably going to a Russian Gulag next where he will be forced to watch Cross Country Skiing 23 hours a day. Hear he is going to compete in the summer games in Rhythmic Gymnastics!

Canadians share the gold with the Germans in the two-man bobsled competition. That was cool to watch. Tying in an event that comes down to milliseconds in timing? Incredible.

Appears Lindsay Vonn has two hidden messages on her. Great but the hype surrounding this skier continues unabated by the American Press. Hope she puts up in the downhill.

Love this comment:

Canadian Woman’s curler’s husband two-fisted drinking in the…heaven help us…. morning… while watching his wife, Holman compete:

“I’m not a drunk, I’m not an alcoholic, I’m just a Canadian”

Yeah, that says it all hoser. Asked who his role models are he responded. “Other than my wife, well, these guys of course:

Image result for pics of the mackenzie brothersSays it all about us Canucks doesn’t it?

Canadian hockey world all in a tizzy of worry because we only beat the Korean team 4 to zip (nothing). Are you kidding me. Hate to see you guys when you lose. C’mon, lighten up. It’s not that bad.

Canadian Hockey Team celebrates their 4 – 0 win over the North Korean team:

Image result for images of fighting during Olympic hockey gamesAnd when they lose all hell breaks loose:

Image result for images of fighting during Olympic hockey games

Canadian women’s curling team receives pep talk from Toronto Maple Leafs coach, Mike Babcock:

Mike Babcock standing in front of a crowd

Yeah, that should do it. This coming from a team, the Leafs, that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. Someone once told me that the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup he was in diapers and he’d probably be in diapers when they win again. And how can you take a team seriously that can’t even spell Maple Leaves correctly. Huh! By the way, the woman’s team lost again…to China. Says it all but Trudeau is happy.

That’s my take. Another tune from Badfinger: Dedicated to the Olympic ideal: Perfection! A song for life. Successful conversation but stay clear of toxic social media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol-7G3-PoMs

Great song.

 

SJ…………………………….Out

 

 

 

PyeongChange or Pyongyang? It’s Pee-yong Me!

Image result for pics of 2018 winter gamesLet’s see what’s coming up. Oh yeah, this exciting sport:

Image result for pics of boring winter sportsSee, even he agrees. He’s waving to his mom! Cute.

Cross Country Skiing. Such an exciting spectator sport. Don’t you agree:

Image result for pics of boring winter sports

Hey, wake up. Medal ceremony is about to begin.

How about this exciting display of physical prowess:

Image result for pics of boring winter sportsMaking “Snow Angels” is going to become a winter games sport competition in 2022. Can’t wait. Or this latest offering from the Brits:

Image result for pics of boring winter sports   From their Directorate of Silly Walks. That’ll work…Gotta be fun.

We need characters here to lighten things up. Like good ole Eddy the Eagle:

Image result for pics of eddy the eagleMaybe this:

Image result for pics of boring winter sports“Hey, bring the bobsled with ya next time…okay. Man oh man I have snow burn bad.”

Great games nonetheless.

What else is going on?

Trudeau and his Chief of Staff Gerald Butts thinks Canadians are fascist for daring to criticize Trudeau and his government. Fascist? Coming from our fearless leader.  It’s a joke, just like this government Minister, Catherine McKenna, after this remark:

Like, Pyongyang is in South Korea? Oh Really! Me kenna thinks it is in North Korea Catherine. When queried she could only come back and say:

“Well, hey, after all it is 2018. Geography is hard you know. Just like the New Math, as in 2 + 2 = 22.  C’mon….now move on.”

I don’t think many Canadians will be watching from Pyongyang. Just these dudes and dudesses:

Image result for pics of North Koreans watching tv in Pyongyang

이동 캐나다 이동 …(Go Canada Go)

The US is cutting taxes, eliminating regulations, and opening up more land for development. What are we doing? Well, Canada is implementing social justice based policies regarding major infrastructure and resource based projects that render Canada economically impotent. McKenna has just insisted that a Gender Based policy will over-ride the approval process in the construction of pipe-lines…… Say what! What does that mean?…..Well, perhaps this:

Image result for Pics of trudeau and pipelines

Oh Canada? You’re / we’re screwed.

After the Boushie verdict our Prime Minister denounces the Canadian justice system calling out the Judge, Jury and the system as a whole as racist. Contempt for our courts? Yet, not too long ago he upholds our justice system in awarding convicted terrorist Omar Khadr $10.5M bucks. Identity politics at its best, or worse.

Canadians should be appalled at what our so called leaders are doing to this country.

SJ………………………………………………Out