It’s Canada Day!

Every country celebrates its own day of national pride. Ours is July 1st, Canada Day. In addition to being a holiday, and who doesn’t like those, it’s a time to reflect on the good things one’s country, province, area has to offer.

We have much to be proud of here in New Brunswick. There’s a lengthy list of inventions, accomplishments and famous people who started out here in Canada’s best-kept secret – our wee province on the east coast. I found a post on Facebook that outlined just a few of these.

Copied from a group and a good point – we are Canada’s forgotten province.

“ Canada is one incredible country. A fellow Canadian on social media posed the question, what makes New Brunswick unique? They didn’t know. They know PEI potatoes, the Nova Scotia Bluenose etc.. You get the idea. As a proud to be from NB person, I thought I’d share my lighthearted response on this Canada Day long weekend.

Have you ever eaten McCain’s french fries or used a snowblower? You have my people in New Brunswick to thank for that. We’re smart. Ever buy a heart-shaped box of candy for Valentine’s? Yeah, well Ganong’s in St. Stephen, NB did that FIRST way back in 1932 with the first Palomino bar. (They also invented Chicken Bones – a standard Christmas delight). You can thank them for that. Barley Toys. See, NBers are sweet and love love, and we’re super smart aren’t we? We have the warmest saltwater beaches in Canada and have no need for pool noodles, so we save money that way. Smart AND talented aren’t we. We own the largest ocean tidal whirlpool in the western hemisphere, off the coast of Deer Island, and get to play at the Bay of Fundy which has the highest tides on earth. Look up, way up high and you’ll see NBers literally floating on top of the ocean. We’re covered in covered bridges because there’s nothing we can’t build. Our personalities shine as bright as our many lighthouses, and New Brunswick has the oldest university in Canada. I keep telling you we’re so smart. Why are we so smart? We ate fiddleheads. PLUS, Ron Turcotte from Grand Falls rode to fame aboard ‘Big Red’ (Secretariat) in the 1973 Triple Crown. Kerosene was invented in 1846 in Albert County. Basketball was first played in St. Stephen as well.

And we don’t brag enough, but I say it’s time we stopped being so humble and started.”

We celebrate in many ways. Some go for the big “do’s”, others are content to sit out on the deck and enjoy any summer weather that can be found. It’s usually cool here in the Maritimes, even in summer, but right now it’s hot and very humid. Sitting doing nothing is its own celebration.

Our white lilac tree is in bloom – and Canada’s colours are red and white – so that, combined with the bright begonias, is our contribution to the flag waving.

Some spend the day beautifying the country with their gardening. My hostas are getting ready to flower!

Others, like me and this young doe, are content to relax, take in a snack, and enjoy birdsong and peace in the countryside.

Happy Canada Day!