tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53245031126008598452024-03-05T10:24:40.343-05:00Fish OttawaterAdventures of a US family in Canada...far from Normal (IL)Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-81967452804537486022010-11-12T20:51:00.002-05:002010-11-12T21:03:32.061-05:00I will not call it a "tuke"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd2V2uFzvVz9Kg6vbj_C6IgLCn914YSLljpcOlULsA68hEY8Mc2b8ly_jO1pI-_zX_CUl2LoO3prJQtQZxjVO7dRL9lCf5ImFCBEjG-ZARPwPTxYEjX1s5oY_juWXlJbZnkpTmH23P24/s1600/96510a.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd2V2uFzvVz9Kg6vbj_C6IgLCn914YSLljpcOlULsA68hEY8Mc2b8ly_jO1pI-_zX_CUl2LoO3prJQtQZxjVO7dRL9lCf5ImFCBEjG-ZARPwPTxYEjX1s5oY_juWXlJbZnkpTmH23P24/s320/96510a.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538849009660339330" border="0" /></a><br />That about sums it up. Apparently, a ski cap is called a toque in Canada. According to those around me, it is not called a hat. When it gets cold outside, it can be "toque weather" not "hat weather."<br />For some reason, I cannot bring myself to call a hat a toque (except a chef's hat). Perhaps it is because I lived my life thus far thinking that a "toque" was some kind of a joke name for a hat due to the fact that the only people I ever heard say the word were <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bougw9J7Wmg&feature=channel">Bob and Doug MacKenzie</a> on SCTV.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-4911619563128692202010-11-01T21:27:00.006-04:002010-11-01T21:59:59.678-04:00Halloween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez723bIr86FmkURAMEVw-RPXR5Zc7Cge3T9UoY41CfHgjpzM95UbH_2jLDjr-cdHOAejXotqklyOzjIQvpBLJpGsbtS7WGojmE44N0lNYxWAbjsc_Hha3w_BzpHVXLLWs7yQI31NwB0U/s1600/Hitbycar.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez723bIr86FmkURAMEVw-RPXR5Zc7Cge3T9UoY41CfHgjpzM95UbH_2jLDjr-cdHOAejXotqklyOzjIQvpBLJpGsbtS7WGojmE44N0lNYxWAbjsc_Hha3w_BzpHVXLLWs7yQI31NwB0U/s320/Hitbycar.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534766263119515442" border="0" /></a><br />The kids were very happy to learn that they celebrate Halloween in Canada. However, we had several inches of snow the night before Halloween. But no worries--we made snow zombies for the yard!<br />At night we took out the potatoes and put flickering tealights in the eyes. Our street has no streetlights so it was actually really spooky!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCWOrndhjNnS8AIl2DkjTiTPBcgbOB-by3F85EKHbbAOe2Cj1lunQXqTe-lQME-YfBOMjHf4fTRsQAW5lErj8GHxhu_YcqDXi9JH3qQyHJTTMtisIksQfARUfcTDxBf7bK8JOXk9l2Og/s1600/IMG_1306.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCWOrndhjNnS8AIl2DkjTiTPBcgbOB-by3F85EKHbbAOe2Cj1lunQXqTe-lQME-YfBOMjHf4fTRsQAW5lErj8GHxhu_YcqDXi9JH3qQyHJTTMtisIksQfARUfcTDxBf7bK8JOXk9l2Og/s320/IMG_1306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534758812933256210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCcMLoHeWoWZScaiYBA1e1PyH3ejNyvn4bZ3G9ghGgmdk_dVKxtSqo44v5GvBotThbwGC3vHozTqsHVPoHNXZDhneD10VhpU2PcNmooYKah2l9TRC0Kdi5hRyEaAMeE3lRWyXWOSQEbQ/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCcMLoHeWoWZScaiYBA1e1PyH3ejNyvn4bZ3G9ghGgmdk_dVKxtSqo44v5GvBotThbwGC3vHozTqsHVPoHNXZDhneD10VhpU2PcNmooYKah2l9TRC0Kdi5hRyEaAMeE3lRWyXWOSQEbQ/s320/IMG_1305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534758804531494898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIYDNHPJy73IN5kTnvZ_POz2v_yAwVl3aWBXXd__neYE5Q_NG1dGBgtQn1ON2V9aRQs0fDXPDTH9yfB74BWRevo8yx4SdrS9DYOMIbiF73OBbCxIGztQpe4Do7QgFjstkLtIAYgEEwaA/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIYDNHPJy73IN5kTnvZ_POz2v_yAwVl3aWBXXd__neYE5Q_NG1dGBgtQn1ON2V9aRQs0fDXPDTH9yfB74BWRevo8yx4SdrS9DYOMIbiF73OBbCxIGztQpe4Do7QgFjstkLtIAYgEEwaA/s320/IMG_1304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534758799083472754" border="0" /></a><br />Sam wanted to attend the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ottawa-Zombie-Walk/105442466186864">Ottawa zombie walk 2010</a>, so we got Sam all undead and took the bus downtown.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84AKOfar2uP2qUhRmDvI8EwwcFoMi_aSuu4L3UMQmnudeJfEiFCS9mp5RrTwHwD7UWua38ccfRA7TF3FOiH3Ytndhzm7IlIRL-LFNLS1WKfjeOk2f51Fr5Ad352aGztclBVkTD4i_fOQ/s1600/IMG_0075.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84AKOfar2uP2qUhRmDvI8EwwcFoMi_aSuu4L3UMQmnudeJfEiFCS9mp5RrTwHwD7UWua38ccfRA7TF3FOiH3Ytndhzm7IlIRL-LFNLS1WKfjeOk2f51Fr5Ad352aGztclBVkTD4i_fOQ/s320/IMG_0075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534763435135794834" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately, I realized that even though Sam is OK with zombies, he is afraid of undergrads, so we went home early.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CsveHlH9U_rfBCc_spLqGCeEHHj7olYxLqEgoP0RK2Gmk_QBASw215P5r8qm7Wv-AvSzCZ9Hv0Zk8ct-XMvaV_dCyOMeRr2y5T0jaIS2ItXC3W4H_Gn9fDcQ8bo-TNpR8mqcMyCAR1Y/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CsveHlH9U_rfBCc_spLqGCeEHHj7olYxLqEgoP0RK2Gmk_QBASw215P5r8qm7Wv-AvSzCZ9Hv0Zk8ct-XMvaV_dCyOMeRr2y5T0jaIS2ItXC3W4H_Gn9fDcQ8bo-TNpR8mqcMyCAR1Y/s320/IMG_0077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534763443427746146" border="0" /></a><br />On Halloween we went over to Joseph friend Owen's house for a delicious dinner and trick-or-treating. (Owen's street has streetlights!)<br />Joseph was a ninja, and Sam augmented his scarecrow costume with a scythe and additional scary stitching.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2QEf8LtN-8r14cjCaxIkhzI_MPGqdiLZx5OUbz6VfIEneqhtPIDYB3vloaP-sj7gfj4MBeNfreuamxIr_HmFdiDcCu4FYJzJ6_6Jon_azsJ9HS837582DucFy1raO-IfB5mU3950vNo/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2QEf8LtN-8r14cjCaxIkhzI_MPGqdiLZx5OUbz6VfIEneqhtPIDYB3vloaP-sj7gfj4MBeNfreuamxIr_HmFdiDcCu4FYJzJ6_6Jon_azsJ9HS837582DucFy1raO-IfB5mU3950vNo/s320/IMG_0094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534757980999147394" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-10793956582602681412010-11-01T21:13:00.005-04:002010-11-20T19:40:05.382-05:00Goodbye Subaru!Our beloved 1993 Subaru Legacy failed the Canadian safety inspection. Rather than paying $1500 in repairs, we decided that we actually didn't need a second car. The problem: according to Canadian customs, we are not allowed to sell, donate or junk the car in Canada. Our only option was to leave Canada and not return with the car. The IL plates expire Oct 30, so we also had a deadline. After many failed attempts to sell the car or give it away to someone we knew, we found a guy who runs a garage in NY who was willing to take our car.<br /><br />Here is Danny saying goodbye to the car!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzq6H3hOpSFpE0v-Vv-iM5KSLLvOWiU2co6i1gsAASdxksvfj7QynrISjc6mzIBfuE7sylLYAQOJWe_guyYUWnKxCl1H5Yq6REPN_kNM7CohlquAk1VUIdvzInFyWEBGPaQuNIfCbWjY/s1600/IMG_0080.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzq6H3hOpSFpE0v-Vv-iM5KSLLvOWiU2co6i1gsAASdxksvfj7QynrISjc6mzIBfuE7sylLYAQOJWe_guyYUWnKxCl1H5Yq6REPN_kNM7CohlquAk1VUIdvzInFyWEBGPaQuNIfCbWjY/s320/IMG_0080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534754812283063330" border="0" /></a><br />Sigh. That car has been from coast to coast at least four times. And we had that car longer than we had Sam!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-83024081107779057852010-11-01T21:09:00.006-04:002010-11-20T20:33:51.814-05:00Cruisin' the Rideau<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuEcgX600D7bLY6jTk1tmXu7zwL1p9qHSIEXhY_QgOrQlWsVSUcBjKAd0j8XGWV8k2XGwmvz1dFT0Y_aiB1xRH5RCPvJfApQeJ2nRTWt2fCP9t-loySOkyzmeQtCF5RMs8W7gKnksf5c/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuEcgX600D7bLY6jTk1tmXu7zwL1p9qHSIEXhY_QgOrQlWsVSUcBjKAd0j8XGWV8k2XGwmvz1dFT0Y_aiB1xRH5RCPvJfApQeJ2nRTWt2fCP9t-loySOkyzmeQtCF5RMs8W7gKnksf5c/s320/IMG_0050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541798756314000786" border="0" /></a><br />As part of my birthday present, Danny bought tickets for a tour of the Rideau River. There were many splendid views and corny jokes. (Imagine with a French accent: "People often ask what kind of fish live in the Rideau River. There are two kinds of fish: the fish that are dead and the fish that are wishing they are dead")<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivvashFbofOLZZu0eLEXFPmUTagEEQ_ykFJ7MHwNRomYatFbFX7KJ3V8m5nZO-_ABq9bOdj_feh078rv184HdkYv-BdFebRsTUjyFO_FjbPNzPg1iKrwL9IUSBKJgxqhC0frA6TOrqLY/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivvashFbofOLZZu0eLEXFPmUTagEEQ_ykFJ7MHwNRomYatFbFX7KJ3V8m5nZO-_ABq9bOdj_feh078rv184HdkYv-BdFebRsTUjyFO_FjbPNzPg1iKrwL9IUSBKJgxqhC0frA6TOrqLY/s320/IMG_0046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541798739537187506" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Hill">Parliament Hill</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb-dPeRF7f-vhk76G8AwpVmVk51hLSF_4pVRmv0vjtuR_e0eyPtaFlKSRgvGYfXlQpi-i9ZUSKJN90eSarTQQJE7g6kjJfhDuMoJgpjhlXl2qASvhASh7y8t0AxS3_8U31Zzq5afRW9o/s1600/IMG_1159.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb-dPeRF7f-vhk76G8AwpVmVk51hLSF_4pVRmv0vjtuR_e0eyPtaFlKSRgvGYfXlQpi-i9ZUSKJN90eSarTQQJE7g6kjJfhDuMoJgpjhlXl2qASvhASh7y8t0AxS3_8U31Zzq5afRW9o/s320/IMG_1159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541799643535312114" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rideau_Falls">Rideau Falls<br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTcZoxWHAcMJ1sqFtNYM84fkw4ioDmxy931u6qTctyg0PWwNLczQ8PAY6RLJ2BqyR0s-qg7zjTcsESow-PfDZ_76o-hLgYFXVYW1THjGj1dP5R5UcQv06CvwyYbBbDpBGHT_wS_ynbAc/s1600/IMG_1151.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTcZoxWHAcMJ1sqFtNYM84fkw4ioDmxy931u6qTctyg0PWwNLczQ8PAY6RLJ2BqyR0s-qg7zjTcsESow-PfDZ_76o-hLgYFXVYW1THjGj1dP5R5UcQv06CvwyYbBbDpBGHT_wS_ynbAc/s320/IMG_1151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541799634677802146" border="0" /></a><br />Quebec<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAudC2K3Bpw958hS3O94tzmj0YPw5IwPFJbHtDc5JSB6kZ8_caP5r7CEmBpp25MGqJJd6t0R6wRiTNdOT1hIkpyTvbdV_AxmChwd2eyDECEsOCgj33gfs5PKDd8iYf4xuPkPh0ZVW-odc/s1600/IMG_1140.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAudC2K3Bpw958hS3O94tzmj0YPw5IwPFJbHtDc5JSB6kZ8_caP5r7CEmBpp25MGqJJd6t0R6wRiTNdOT1hIkpyTvbdV_AxmChwd2eyDECEsOCgj33gfs5PKDd8iYf4xuPkPh0ZVW-odc/s320/IMG_1140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541799606122363762" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_Civilization">Canadian Museum of Civilization</a> ("The Museum of Civilization was built with no corners to ward off evil spirits. That's why politicians can't go in.")<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZXOx0eB7Mgt14YW9VwY6klxfNGbLXrlkHyCZuRfTRO5K4HBbzlzaRCUrAVTj6V2KD3xeR1KFVuiLcdd543Z_r9N7ELF0x8FBKPV-cbXxVz2TG6ZYhTXo88xYTksIi13hCfSijJy-o4/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZXOx0eB7Mgt14YW9VwY6klxfNGbLXrlkHyCZuRfTRO5K4HBbzlzaRCUrAVTj6V2KD3xeR1KFVuiLcdd543Z_r9N7ELF0x8FBKPV-cbXxVz2TG6ZYhTXo88xYTksIi13hCfSijJy-o4/s320/IMG_1163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541803304507077378" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoGySBr-a8Bjj-Fo8JOd6593tY1Pe9QE6IUZynf_O-sgVdd4hhwMfuqNaw5csVnYPUtsQYJSgbOsK2gJ5X_R-S0BLQP6lSg9K_ZbAiN54tn-a5KaEDZuFzB8Gg26ySbSuEaRjFwi9sFI/s1600/IMG_1165.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoGySBr-a8Bjj-Fo8JOd6593tY1Pe9QE6IUZynf_O-sgVdd4hhwMfuqNaw5csVnYPUtsQYJSgbOsK2gJ5X_R-S0BLQP6lSg9K_ZbAiN54tn-a5KaEDZuFzB8Gg26ySbSuEaRjFwi9sFI/s320/IMG_1165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541803317878783810" border="0" /></a><br />Tween-aged boys just love to be hugged by their mother in public!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh0A-1dLsOxx23_moDGUwFy4U3gpZqArTrblSc8HPxAdZyDUDvLP1hmIqgSI8VDmcu6lNt79EbK5IR3P7z8mMoJl4aZe_4l0bAWDUJ2wvWUry82gjj9IiSYOvdn4xC4OmIGbp0TzGkE0/s1600/IMG_1147.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh0A-1dLsOxx23_moDGUwFy4U3gpZqArTrblSc8HPxAdZyDUDvLP1hmIqgSI8VDmcu6lNt79EbK5IR3P7z8mMoJl4aZe_4l0bAWDUJ2wvWUry82gjj9IiSYOvdn4xC4OmIGbp0TzGkE0/s320/IMG_1147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541799630602358306" border="0" /></a><br />Danny's new beard<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoLqFk5zZAoQit4qhgRsnj-Xdq4Z-oDlZAenjl7SWCRaxazp-sQsFb2IrTiKWICYRR_madMggpQS93HIDnc_MED1whE9HCwakP3KlebAo8F7hgzMOCgP-k9_8vB4M9zIw2UW8lcF5ImU/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoLqFk5zZAoQit4qhgRsnj-Xdq4Z-oDlZAenjl7SWCRaxazp-sQsFb2IrTiKWICYRR_madMggpQS93HIDnc_MED1whE9HCwakP3KlebAo8F7hgzMOCgP-k9_8vB4M9zIw2UW8lcF5ImU/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541799614662389666" border="0" /></a><br />Sam and Joseph<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFDE_qgJQWR22KC_TvG4Ohr4IjTDkSgkJrjFkVaNbgYX982VSA9hvExHSmCh0ThD0IuxN_qLvrOxLanPhpsHJwzM6ZmWqm3rXg3ZREb3eQn4OrCfg77hK_CeL4rzhXYhC-L0nh-LI1Hw/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFDE_qgJQWR22KC_TvG4Ohr4IjTDkSgkJrjFkVaNbgYX982VSA9hvExHSmCh0ThD0IuxN_qLvrOxLanPhpsHJwzM6ZmWqm3rXg3ZREb3eQn4OrCfg77hK_CeL4rzhXYhC-L0nh-LI1Hw/s320/IMG_0073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541798806264589474" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rideau_Canal">Ottawa Locks</a> for getting boats from the Rideau River to the Rideau Canal. ("People often ask why everything is Ottawa is named 'Rideau' this and 'Rideau' that. Rideau means 'curtains' because the beautiful falls reminded the founder of curtains. So we are lucky that he was French or it would be 'curtains' this and 'curtains' that.")<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8sX-UXGLtTwO-Sws8kD-g_rwmEHl_ooLHKuvQgfMvP8AVgtgwd7-lGm6TY8fUtlwNawSIkU91lsqQRI7WFFONo0YNR3uV_Aj78Z4C1Njy-GJ2p0PjrDZxNhfzK6ycTeFuhUmAIA9TMk/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8sX-UXGLtTwO-Sws8kD-g_rwmEHl_ooLHKuvQgfMvP8AVgtgwd7-lGm6TY8fUtlwNawSIkU91lsqQRI7WFFONo0YNR3uV_Aj78Z4C1Njy-GJ2p0PjrDZxNhfzK6ycTeFuhUmAIA9TMk/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541798797929380418" border="0" /></a><br />Joseph giving me a heart attack by messing around on the locks.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-1081801959314666702010-10-18T21:59:00.006-04:002010-10-19T09:55:07.080-04:00Not quite evil enough<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jTezo8bMI22fxD-jSEUUDQpBunWyQgHQakHo-iOtJiaxcVHNZ8RgZfA1K-SCfReHu9FLgXbYM5uq1-pM5YITTlWD5YUgMHvJIR9gR3zpeG_0IN9dyTvX8JgWaP62eTtfrMFt-1zOvd0/s1600/dr-evil.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jTezo8bMI22fxD-jSEUUDQpBunWyQgHQakHo-iOtJiaxcVHNZ8RgZfA1K-SCfReHu9FLgXbYM5uq1-pM5YITTlWD5YUgMHvJIR9gR3zpeG_0IN9dyTvX8JgWaP62eTtfrMFt-1zOvd0/s320/dr-evil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529755338895936978" border="0" /></a><br />So, we were out walking by the canal and I saw a building that could only be an evil supervillain fortress. It was grey with sinister slatted windows and a volcano on top. Sam and I had a good laugh, and then we went around the front to see what it was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT0SaomkooRiPPghuK0e4j2zwmSjYSje5pZ5Uqf3Wbuyi3VkuDQD36djeNaRU-QruxbkKFttC9F2_xcb90UyXOKWmR_Y3d5zZQehbNX6AtgTesLUro24Ia3A-3dof3Gg0T51GMRr-nEo/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT0SaomkooRiPPghuK0e4j2zwmSjYSje5pZ5Uqf3Wbuyi3VkuDQD36djeNaRU-QruxbkKFttC9F2_xcb90UyXOKWmR_Y3d5zZQehbNX6AtgTesLUro24Ia3A-3dof3Gg0T51GMRr-nEo/s320/IMG_1127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529571096164075570" border="0" /></a><br />As it turned out, it was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Embassy,_Ottawa">U.S. Embassy</a>. Glad to see that the U.S. is trying hard to maintain favorable relations with our neighbors to the north.<br />Apparently, it is not a volcano: the building is meant to look like a submarine. (Again, what a friendly gesture!) Another gift: on the other side of the embassy the new anti-terrorist blockades permanently snarl downtown traffic.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-50861324515789535052010-10-18T21:48:00.009-04:002010-10-18T22:22:49.800-04:00Rideau Canal walk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xh-w8SO5cUqyhsvavpECUm5SK4JtphPN3dxmQjQyB_ByoowVmc2t-pKl-nfFv4RJpomQIsQIqQ1iwC07zG6BIQOxHDIsaxXVcR1PBytOFJ9GjF4PQhwqAdhjJ3fArZTETzfT3V9vj3U/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xh-w8SO5cUqyhsvavpECUm5SK4JtphPN3dxmQjQyB_ByoowVmc2t-pKl-nfFv4RJpomQIsQIqQ1iwC07zG6BIQOxHDIsaxXVcR1PBytOFJ9GjF4PQhwqAdhjJ3fArZTETzfT3V9vj3U/s320/IMG_1076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570528740896018" border="0" /></a><br />A few weeks ago we decided to spend Sunday afternoon walking the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rideau_Canal">Rideau canal</a> to the Ottawa River. It was a lovely day, too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY5DLM1a_nZeVnBTynL3qhduX3gIRtt9YmHxXE3uLia79WMbNlhSoCf3Qaj4_wYRfXnF_fvpuX3c3rAE-ZT63aiRcVX9X4M88GtWk_Se0OPidpy2urAYYaCLjF-LKPPx5xCnpOEu66ow/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY5DLM1a_nZeVnBTynL3qhduX3gIRtt9YmHxXE3uLia79WMbNlhSoCf3Qaj4_wYRfXnF_fvpuX3c3rAE-ZT63aiRcVX9X4M88GtWk_Se0OPidpy2urAYYaCLjF-LKPPx5xCnpOEu66ow/s320/IMG_1073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570537760187922" border="0" /></a><br />The kids take a moment to meditate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaf4ZgnJH5gKJrxP7wKGUbjEgjeauVg9Hxi1cDW9YddqfBxBPyo-lXaaSIKVUucLOwDNWecI_-GQq0mIPob1pPslFqBrZkdpWO7LKvHCFRtc-uXmJ7CcbrtPS6v_yYDjoBMUjcRTte4/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaf4ZgnJH5gKJrxP7wKGUbjEgjeauVg9Hxi1cDW9YddqfBxBPyo-lXaaSIKVUucLOwDNWecI_-GQq0mIPob1pPslFqBrZkdpWO7LKvHCFRtc-uXmJ7CcbrtPS6v_yYDjoBMUjcRTte4/s320/IMG_1107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570015073226482" border="0" /></a><br />The kids running around the giant egg-engorged spider at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada">National Gallery of Canada</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnRNykDzqrDiA4SnW1FW6UBrq2kpbcjYnqYcGpdFWpVxZ9nqK28nx40999okrjr8cgY0nYQacYT3Z6PMRjNyW3ia2N7WVBqr3S2M4KyCM7_gKyi_yXMy3YgrgvVi-Rh3bAtu1uKgkers/s1600/IMG_1099.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnRNykDzqrDiA4SnW1FW6UBrq2kpbcjYnqYcGpdFWpVxZ9nqK28nx40999okrjr8cgY0nYQacYT3Z6PMRjNyW3ia2N7WVBqr3S2M4KyCM7_gKyi_yXMy3YgrgvVi-Rh3bAtu1uKgkers/s320/IMG_1099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570522306788866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSew_B8NUL3JjKYAeF1MutWQzQp42MdSniRbt7acAMRc9AXEK0v-4LWa5dScTVf09Y8_JMnnj6fa4ikm-1dWfwlAqrrMOI_7d95N1PHUn3CQmErSr_geYXm4Ki73YiqiO14QvhGCrkyU/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSew_B8NUL3JjKYAeF1MutWQzQp42MdSniRbt7acAMRc9AXEK0v-4LWa5dScTVf09Y8_JMnnj6fa4ikm-1dWfwlAqrrMOI_7d95N1PHUn3CQmErSr_geYXm4Ki73YiqiO14QvhGCrkyU/s320/IMG_1101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570023235237186" border="0" /></a><br />Many excellent views of the Ottawa River. (That's Quebec over there!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvavOn2TEqdoY0H6zJqKMGXNAaSLFJo9soxb8lB9rCfiWNVcqjO4e3ieimZPUlutahW962nUTqfV7oXOsnv7mN0k46-2s4fDCTIJRG0QQcKEycGadRqKMdjXttU3j7Qg6kk_H-Cql5IU/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvavOn2TEqdoY0H6zJqKMGXNAaSLFJo9soxb8lB9rCfiWNVcqjO4e3ieimZPUlutahW962nUTqfV7oXOsnv7mN0k46-2s4fDCTIJRG0QQcKEycGadRqKMdjXttU3j7Qg6kk_H-Cql5IU/s320/IMG_1116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529570007056300818" border="0" /></a><br />Scenic view of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_Hill">Parliament</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIfrjS7bIiSYCdc5D2R3RTBWdNoa7gQirWKGOZbEfYsecMqCUlKQut7bbKsuTerNLENgcy4vV2IqBGypWwv18X9aAn9m7qYWKujZRVP2ESxdv0h81H2JoLR8N7UrbHozCvcucQ6ZY46A/s1600/IMG_1122.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIfrjS7bIiSYCdc5D2R3RTBWdNoa7gQirWKGOZbEfYsecMqCUlKQut7bbKsuTerNLENgcy4vV2IqBGypWwv18X9aAn9m7qYWKujZRVP2ESxdv0h81H2JoLR8N7UrbHozCvcucQ6ZY46A/s320/IMG_1122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529569995538767010" border="0" /></a><br />A rare good picture of Sam smiling!!!!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-25882996568903039652010-10-03T20:39:00.004-04:002010-10-03T21:19:10.254-04:00Smarties!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCYmAs3ZGIsob2BcFJIcvblzenASRlODFaR2QO3gbq3owCdS_U4OmDN_pKBf-lofx5uTTnXhEly4p19Syl7bM1gMQl7WkaOM4FpgdlOO4VqVZtiP_QIERnV4HNl2TpcU8VNeHb4_NPJk/s1600/smarties.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCYmAs3ZGIsob2BcFJIcvblzenASRlODFaR2QO3gbq3owCdS_U4OmDN_pKBf-lofx5uTTnXhEly4p19Syl7bM1gMQl7WkaOM4FpgdlOO4VqVZtiP_QIERnV4HNl2TpcU8VNeHb4_NPJk/s320/smarties.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523987095513474914" border="0" /></a><br />I admit that Smarties are only a half-step above Valentine's day hearts and Necco wafers with respect to edibility, but for whatever reason, I like them. I like them a lot. And I was shocked to discover that in Canada, Smarties are a different candy entirely--nasty waxy plastic candy shell disks covering dry stale mocklate (rather like M&Ms left in the damp footspace of a car for a year.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y5yhUUmSM-pS498xJtJIETUgjczaSTcIkozf9TtNNvQMhgN4NCsw1stU0akGGtF0_dHMICdVtJ3sx0OsEgMYUkDrwX68_hyphenhyphenmO3LDe7sh5d9LYmR4PZ2vcgozZziZZAqR6LdqxaOuPig/s1600/dofpro_smartiesRGB.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y5yhUUmSM-pS498xJtJIETUgjczaSTcIkozf9TtNNvQMhgN4NCsw1stU0akGGtF0_dHMICdVtJ3sx0OsEgMYUkDrwX68_hyphenhyphenmO3LDe7sh5d9LYmR4PZ2vcgozZziZZAqR6LdqxaOuPig/s320/dofpro_smartiesRGB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523987088473854578" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloN1fTYB4AnnOlomIGo2c6ZuJae-IiL60pVptrcw7kZBOL8mE88LsHtS1NHTrGM1Eikt5T0LjE-ro6GNZ9cvYZ0XnDNERI78_eIZ871aDda3fxQhryBTq6vvTmfKR3dZRrBuhMuj5nRE/s1600/m&m_smartie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloN1fTYB4AnnOlomIGo2c6ZuJae-IiL60pVptrcw7kZBOL8mE88LsHtS1NHTrGM1Eikt5T0LjE-ro6GNZ9cvYZ0XnDNERI78_eIZ871aDda3fxQhryBTq6vvTmfKR3dZRrBuhMuj5nRE/s320/m&m_smartie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523987086286688402" border="0" /></a><br />However, as the Halloween candy started to arrive in stores, I was delighted to find that indeed there are Smarties in Canada--they are just called "Rockets" here. Hmm. This reminds me that maybe I should start looking for a dentist here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3FownBb1b47MOiQgUGrVq0IwUCywBW1e3GQKLWPBwYvigJoI5Z9i7dMASbhqSYcQzRo7xwBv-AtP0CAuJHJ3Ifr6XjnThoIDBW8mWA1cbxxKcmBIcvn4-IqEDYR-_j_ilQ86e6iSh14/s1600/smarties-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3FownBb1b47MOiQgUGrVq0IwUCywBW1e3GQKLWPBwYvigJoI5Z9i7dMASbhqSYcQzRo7xwBv-AtP0CAuJHJ3Ifr6XjnThoIDBW8mWA1cbxxKcmBIcvn4-IqEDYR-_j_ilQ86e6iSh14/s320/smarties-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523987085848613330" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-59994598502389132392010-09-28T22:20:00.007-04:002010-09-29T21:23:43.578-04:00edited for Canadification<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk-_SNxliN94gO2Xk6GJRH4EkBJeEKRth1_WogCf6MNU0rCuYEFGLHtQdsPht1aO2mkglHJpz9NImQ6imIc7tjBbrgAT4Djb4PQtvLkXlevH3BVQFTvUNGovjWRONiwL-McCon6dH3ss/s1600/simpsons_canada_cp.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk-_SNxliN94gO2Xk6GJRH4EkBJeEKRth1_WogCf6MNU0rCuYEFGLHtQdsPht1aO2mkglHJpz9NImQ6imIc7tjBbrgAT4Djb4PQtvLkXlevH3BVQFTvUNGovjWRONiwL-McCon6dH3ss/s320/simpsons_canada_cp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522157547492016546" border="0" /></a><br />TV programs and ads in Canada are often subtly tweaked from their original U.S. content.<br />On the Simpsons, Bart and Lisa learn Canadian history in school:<br /><b>Bart</b>: Quiet nerds burp only near school.<br /><b>Lisa</b>: Bart, I'm doing my geography homework.<br /><b>Bart</b>: I know. That's how you remember the 4 original provinces of Canada. Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia; quiet nerds burp only near school. And here's how you remember the principle exports; dogs eat barf only on Wednesday, Mable.<br /><b>Lisa</b>: Stop! I want to learn on my own.<br /><i>(Bart walks out of the room)</i><br /><b>Bart</b> <i>(hanging from a vent)</i>: Canada's govener's general; clowns love haircuts, so should Lee Marvin's valle.<br /><b>Lisa</b>: Get out! <i>(attempts to hit Bart with her book)</i><br /><br />Also, in a case of clever wind-turbine migration, "Iowa Lakes" seem to have moved to somewhere in Canada because the Canadian version of a Duracell ad claims that Iowa Lakes College students help Canadian wind turbines.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGpf9_hWqNCKlAalVXENGzXEclqLWfMuCxjSBQQye7egzyKzpLXlqNP4MXaGMRSmo9ZIR1NnTorBFI3GdtKTy5s-T9xXtftTIqwZPBhk3RzAZUeu0YElR7r6xAE2UYzd-SLHFd5DM4qs/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGpf9_hWqNCKlAalVXENGzXEclqLWfMuCxjSBQQye7egzyKzpLXlqNP4MXaGMRSmo9ZIR1NnTorBFI3GdtKTy5s-T9xXtftTIqwZPBhk3RzAZUeu0YElR7r6xAE2UYzd-SLHFd5DM4qs/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522506096422128994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And of course, noodle ads say "<a href="http://fishottawater.blogspot.com/2010/09/pasta-imposter.html">paysta</a>" instead of "pasta."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLeIcoTgiV-U_V5xu7J_b0PAClaGBvDw5RoeiAx824im66D4p04dvwGwvQkcQnTJOU6EZ6oQCCqXcBzz5Luk81NDW7VejnhjF5jUNa4K3KTUwALHWdAOBx75rjtylTf7bezEI1E48jzY/s1600/KraftDinner_Lge_2.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLeIcoTgiV-U_V5xu7J_b0PAClaGBvDw5RoeiAx824im66D4p04dvwGwvQkcQnTJOU6EZ6oQCCqXcBzz5Luk81NDW7VejnhjF5jUNa4K3KTUwALHWdAOBx75rjtylTf7bezEI1E48jzY/s320/KraftDinner_Lge_2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522506103727012994" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-24383430879129475112010-09-28T21:41:00.003-04:002010-09-28T22:10:26.952-04:00Canadian Aviation and Space Museum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8T7PPM-XMSAY5z4SNSlMHLM_vWsS6Cdt6p_vQVk_Wvb4Q4kgoAevZ5SAO3k5NVtoP2IvjbjO-sCw4X8WRBP9V54G4UYSo2NRF1Q9K1agW-niQIMabXzCi1PjbJECL8CZMr5ebhKkcf8/s1600/IMG_1022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8T7PPM-XMSAY5z4SNSlMHLM_vWsS6Cdt6p_vQVk_Wvb4Q4kgoAevZ5SAO3k5NVtoP2IvjbjO-sCw4X8WRBP9V54G4UYSo2NRF1Q9K1agW-niQIMabXzCi1PjbJECL8CZMr5ebhKkcf8/s320/IMG_1022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522145493033597282" border="0" /></a><br />Ottawa has an awesome museum of aviation! As opposed to all of the other (many!) airplane musea that we have visited, <a href="http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/">Canada Aviation and Space Museum</a> is completely indoors and is immaculate. Also as opposed to most U.S. aviation museums that tend to focus on war planes, this one focused mainly on the history and diversity of those small airplanes with pontoons that Canadians use to get into the areas of Canada with no roads.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Op2mbg0Ix9TWbdcB67aUGtUmbmG0IY8a4RkjK1vZaggi6ERSQcW5Uk0RZTwkOp3HyuNS6B7_1Pssm731rwc_PyONWFSXoGJ9qSNV7i_8tSo2yBEQNGsgoUUN-2b2ZwbUcWjD0_x_t6A/s1600/IMG_1015.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Op2mbg0Ix9TWbdcB67aUGtUmbmG0IY8a4RkjK1vZaggi6ERSQcW5Uk0RZTwkOp3HyuNS6B7_1Pssm731rwc_PyONWFSXoGJ9qSNV7i_8tSo2yBEQNGsgoUUN-2b2ZwbUcWjD0_x_t6A/s320/IMG_1015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522145485611471458" border="0" /></a><br />There were some excellent flight simulators. Both kids got a turn. Sam did very well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8HhwGozVJBZMCbvnSfYv_n1TAk51BqoiqjuWm_NlUcV4CtF8B60-mrhYWfqHukXQb53Ue0_Ko5_Bf2KFTXsqX7FPBhv_8J9vwFY5YkcNefSoNmqFNCOsQuw91almn_PpPXEu4EB-Jdc/s1600/IMG_1042.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8HhwGozVJBZMCbvnSfYv_n1TAk51BqoiqjuWm_NlUcV4CtF8B60-mrhYWfqHukXQb53Ue0_Ko5_Bf2KFTXsqX7FPBhv_8J9vwFY5YkcNefSoNmqFNCOsQuw91almn_PpPXEu4EB-Jdc/s320/IMG_1042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522145503824406578" border="0" /></a><br />Joseph managed to crash his plane 10 times in 5 minutes--several times before even leaving the runway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtd8Lp13OjxDQeOiZhiC5jGUV3hWXn53fs5d83Pn-R-Nf21B07Xt1G4NlpJDhZ0225kAkCbrZ28QcX1PHbrHYUg0pRHs_Qzpt7MIFe9oN0x2enUsWUrcVkjSnvqfAE3frIZKJfjAwgJk/s1600/IMG_1038.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtd8Lp13OjxDQeOiZhiC5jGUV3hWXn53fs5d83Pn-R-Nf21B07Xt1G4NlpJDhZ0225kAkCbrZ28QcX1PHbrHYUg0pRHs_Qzpt7MIFe9oN0x2enUsWUrcVkjSnvqfAE3frIZKJfjAwgJk/s320/IMG_1038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522145498047714674" border="0" /></a><br />There was also a gallery on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Space_Agency">Canadian Space Agency.</a> As near as I could glean from the display, the Canadian Space Agency consists of about 16 astronauts, one of whom is actually a Greenlander and half of whom have never been in space.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-23318361285548458892010-09-27T21:11:00.003-04:002010-09-27T21:20:28.136-04:00Beavertail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYMWq1CSMsmJgowMDWN-svo28iItZLsoTDMctTIeRqbPtihJwOj0_MeqNCq-8zKO8heT2Feu3-pOva-HoR2FtihweTHEdMeJg3B2qK9WHuBTyYblvMMemqPbQ0qj8AsyVrWs7Tiy0bP0/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYMWq1CSMsmJgowMDWN-svo28iItZLsoTDMctTIeRqbPtihJwOj0_MeqNCq-8zKO8heT2Feu3-pOva-HoR2FtihweTHEdMeJg3B2qK9WHuBTyYblvMMemqPbQ0qj8AsyVrWs7Tiy0bP0/s320/IMG_0956.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521767278827739890" border="0" /></a><br />The kids and I took the bus to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ByWard_Market">ByWard Market</a> and they sampled their first Canadian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_tail_%28pastry%29">beavertail</a>. They had a traditional cinnamon sugar and pronounced it delicious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPjx1DrjIrhOmCw6XgJwSJ7u1YkQznkyBGSnnuiPPRa-vagnXScxA9LY73FlC9mQ0j6FILCEwTjPATmuBSFiMDPrCUV9LjT0FznbygC5H_CJQPEIotxZvSXTMKV_5vG5c0QJ6Qemny3s/s1600/IMG_0957.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPjx1DrjIrhOmCw6XgJwSJ7u1YkQznkyBGSnnuiPPRa-vagnXScxA9LY73FlC9mQ0j6FILCEwTjPATmuBSFiMDPrCUV9LjT0FznbygC5H_CJQPEIotxZvSXTMKV_5vG5c0QJ6Qemny3s/s320/IMG_0957.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521767282674950466" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-60831077247433532232010-09-27T08:20:00.001-04:002010-09-27T08:22:14.571-04:00Wee Watley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxrgvcubq71Yp5DSKBklClvYCPQVxM_X-dz8w8p2VylDODUt3zVSSwIcm16BipDpkS4Nqou9v3gNgtHlFx3GnoQ2flIVMudEx8xSZV1RORtmPz7925td0W7LlWCSfZy7TR9SeTI97SiI/s1600/header2wee.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 45px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxrgvcubq71Yp5DSKBklClvYCPQVxM_X-dz8w8p2VylDODUt3zVSSwIcm16BipDpkS4Nqou9v3gNgtHlFx3GnoQ2flIVMudEx8xSZV1RORtmPz7925td0W7LlWCSfZy7TR9SeTI97SiI/s320/header2wee.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521567508932597490" border="0" /></a><br />Check out the new link to "<a href="http://watleyreview.com/2010/weehome.html">Wee Watley</a>" to see some satirical articles by the kids.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-26638586295423674292010-09-20T21:36:00.000-04:002010-09-20T21:55:49.402-04:00Pasta imposter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyQLGuUbuN8SIQY8GqR8PxbFSu61vpkIwe0-bVGgRwmkfNnvU-UcTlrVClvQo55mQkw6Lqym6eyPSCCsAMwgjjqoxUAEwoG__OKbeeHcUw5ywE00d3b-yCQv8UoCKl3tA6uVtx-ceO-4/s1600/Parrot-Cooking-Pasta.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyQLGuUbuN8SIQY8GqR8PxbFSu61vpkIwe0-bVGgRwmkfNnvU-UcTlrVClvQo55mQkw6Lqym6eyPSCCsAMwgjjqoxUAEwoG__OKbeeHcUw5ywE00d3b-yCQv8UoCKl3tA6uVtx-ceO-4/s320/Parrot-Cooking-Pasta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519179203375330642" border="0" /></a><br />OK, once and for all, its paaaaasta, not paysta. Just saying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJLg2L-AedDO-m4-LszlpjhIL0a-KW4YoXw7iqr29UhuR2jIIJYSJ2bLE-LJam_-uZJbe38fhLe7ZhNdjwBG5Fag7-fJG3CzZBz7xPlZbDgU3ghVeZK4HI_KNzyHbdNRCZwIJCC_XwTE/s1600/838mice-eating-pasta.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJLg2L-AedDO-m4-LszlpjhIL0a-KW4YoXw7iqr29UhuR2jIIJYSJ2bLE-LJam_-uZJbe38fhLe7ZhNdjwBG5Fag7-fJG3CzZBz7xPlZbDgU3ghVeZK4HI_KNzyHbdNRCZwIJCC_XwTE/s320/838mice-eating-pasta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519179201638105154" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-39023842979921680072010-09-20T11:25:00.000-04:002010-09-20T11:41:10.237-04:00Science and Pirates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJr6B1VNkdBI5095VrDXiir6vKh0WQnDohpQFkIRUKwcyDZpovKCVgJ8h4JTqydQamkzC6Etmy1s76x1l0tyePVL6bff48HaGRUZn1LGHtOw6mVtPQ6zH9-5fvsfZwMMY_a9ngKtFjRA/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJr6B1VNkdBI5095VrDXiir6vKh0WQnDohpQFkIRUKwcyDZpovKCVgJ8h4JTqydQamkzC6Etmy1s76x1l0tyePVL6bff48HaGRUZn1LGHtOw6mVtPQ6zH9-5fvsfZwMMY_a9ngKtFjRA/s320/IMG_0861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017530807811586" border="0" /></a><br />Because Ottawa is the capitol, there are plenty of museums. The kids loved the Canada Museum of Science and Technology.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z_UtXknXx0aRL15Jnw31BVTrL5x5l4GEjNJ2n-PA1fjfO0vZx7Y61AYDKW9Do-9w76XUxlGaCQVa16ucSnWXPKV__kSEcvMGFem6DD2lsZ7MMuZrYIabEwKMrUcW8jSf06TBc3ciY1E/s1600/IMG_0869.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z_UtXknXx0aRL15Jnw31BVTrL5x5l4GEjNJ2n-PA1fjfO0vZx7Y61AYDKW9Do-9w76XUxlGaCQVa16ucSnWXPKV__kSEcvMGFem6DD2lsZ7MMuZrYIabEwKMrUcW8jSf06TBc3ciY1E/s320/IMG_0869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519019621490415202" border="0" /></a><br />Old tech: the kids loved the outdoor exhibits, including the rockets and trains.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgB5wdzWWybTm9_O-MPCKvuT5WtbYfBwhyphenhyphenb-wHK2qjyBcRS0P5H_No1Swf4kgyAHe2Fx7T7mgNjNJqSQEatH-62CLqfb9cDuhFnqta88CPHZbb89KjkorImy2tPqeJANTio-_RkGWkzo/s1600/IMG_0883.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgB5wdzWWybTm9_O-MPCKvuT5WtbYfBwhyphenhyphenb-wHK2qjyBcRS0P5H_No1Swf4kgyAHe2Fx7T7mgNjNJqSQEatH-62CLqfb9cDuhFnqta88CPHZbb89KjkorImy2tPqeJANTio-_RkGWkzo/s320/IMG_0883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017541692310098" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently it is pretty hard to ride an old-timey bike.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx26kAFk4f-xyi3YulzDLrJhHDeFT9l1ngwIMOIHmCIueycGc7jExrSvyMmuCgBQ7nqd0HFcjwKTEr0aBBXXxp9QigTNWZ5C7_rod0-bVtvha6yPnJX8fReWvCqX15GV28fDxITSLeX0/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx26kAFk4f-xyi3YulzDLrJhHDeFT9l1ngwIMOIHmCIueycGc7jExrSvyMmuCgBQ7nqd0HFcjwKTEr0aBBXXxp9QigTNWZ5C7_rod0-bVtvha6yPnJX8fReWvCqX15GV28fDxITSLeX0/s320/IMG_0890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017552072594770" border="0" /></a><br />The seizure-inducing internet demo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-5KaXu-TUaNrYF5EOB-1L_IvE-j8tva471dIJzQOx-jiPUAAoKNezmKt5gJCk2mfzrR8arz8iEOcPW2wOm706b4_5av7RykZNWvMzHBBNtDuiGDldSfxrg2B12HQDo5T5e45Hi15OlI/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-5KaXu-TUaNrYF5EOB-1L_IvE-j8tva471dIJzQOx-jiPUAAoKNezmKt5gJCk2mfzrR8arz8iEOcPW2wOm706b4_5av7RykZNWvMzHBBNtDuiGDldSfxrg2B12HQDo5T5e45Hi15OlI/s320/IMG_0936.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017741094374018" border="0" /></a><br />We have also been to the "beach." at Mooney Bay. Not too bad! The sand is nice, and there is enough of it to pretend that it is an actual beach.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJF8Fu1oJ96WBNJgOaa-9WsMYqlyi_Nnd0ranapHIA6_iDTT49OefBTBTsYaj0fI3rJ3hyphenhyphenTcaMBVXdmizAMow0VZiEuCJTlVHyue-F_OuQSpJrsflgED8iU0D4avNTMzgjD31FAsZAMU/s1600/IMG_0922.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJF8Fu1oJ96WBNJgOaa-9WsMYqlyi_Nnd0ranapHIA6_iDTT49OefBTBTsYaj0fI3rJ3hyphenhyphenTcaMBVXdmizAMow0VZiEuCJTlVHyue-F_OuQSpJrsflgED8iU0D4avNTMzgjD31FAsZAMU/s320/IMG_0922.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017558568600354" border="0" /></a><br />The kids excavated holes and waterways. I eventually went in and swam laps. It was not too bad--low visibility and lots of algae, though.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M-hNuyLwP0K9qGJmO0srxAAbZi9GoDkp8tfk17spjw6ennHrd4to6ZyZGgyDhOA4qdeRsgNp9x8zJrR71zqkpz-aN6QaMgANawARwIeJ5VqJOcN6kwqYXg9vTmYpbKIpmSFQrt0MVAg/s1600/IMG_0931.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M-hNuyLwP0K9qGJmO0srxAAbZi9GoDkp8tfk17spjw6ennHrd4to6ZyZGgyDhOA4qdeRsgNp9x8zJrR71zqkpz-aN6QaMgANawARwIeJ5VqJOcN6kwqYXg9vTmYpbKIpmSFQrt0MVAg/s320/IMG_0931.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519017565205666354" border="0" /></a><br />Also, there were pirates. Inexplicably, someone runs a pirate ship up and down the river. A ship full of 10-year-olds enacted an elaborate scenario in which they used water cannons to battle a lone pirate in a rowboat.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-39484989033059658802010-09-16T22:05:00.001-04:002010-09-16T22:22:12.303-04:00Needs no introduction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ9gZDMjLlh2WyoYNl4nfgyUhXcuzILqpIPyvdVV_GpOQVjmCNly95W2HFSDkBUh12hKYjzLotX-HLTxtiWBYNkeGMmNAZ39w86Gd4r7UaCk_eAPSsF0N9A1kgGjjEPRaaMiI038Tns0/s1600/no_name.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ9gZDMjLlh2WyoYNl4nfgyUhXcuzILqpIPyvdVV_GpOQVjmCNly95W2HFSDkBUh12hKYjzLotX-HLTxtiWBYNkeGMmNAZ39w86Gd4r7UaCk_eAPSsF0N9A1kgGjjEPRaaMiI038Tns0/s320/no_name.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701175698614546" border="0" /></a><br />And why doesn't anyone introduce themselves around here? When I first arrived, I was perplexed by the fact that when I would meet someone, they would say hello, and then move on without telling me their name. I have no names for @1/3 of the people that I know. I privately ask other people to name the nameless, and, indeed, often they don't know either.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ZpTN1S9kWDXzvkeuisJtONhB_gQwJB4T44B3C9ciuMRRjpfw2HgkU9uQp5g4474_VfEHslgXg2VHhb2qls2E43kpnh_FQH6HM5IOOacL9_7a094gr3WmkQ7c9iU5KvgmGSWWxvC5tQ/s1600/no-name.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ZpTN1S9kWDXzvkeuisJtONhB_gQwJB4T44B3C9ciuMRRjpfw2HgkU9uQp5g4474_VfEHslgXg2VHhb2qls2E43kpnh_FQH6HM5IOOacL9_7a094gr3WmkQ7c9iU5KvgmGSWWxvC5tQ/s320/no-name.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701169731633746" border="0" /></a><br />This week I was on a scavenger hunt to borrow chemicals from other labs. I reflexively started by telling people my name and my lab affiliation. It was clear by the alarmed expression on their faces that I was providing "too much information" about myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5vp0s2wTYFtVl0BBPopLA4wczeS9inUXlKT4lY34GxCfP76vClqVY0DkTQfM6Mc32a2RqY2c3uv-1a6wKac99e0RH1C0pvDmrC-kLEdxr_DsizYRTRjD9OJ3LvUe7wL5PSVdIX44uOQ/s1600/nohandshakepin2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5vp0s2wTYFtVl0BBPopLA4wczeS9inUXlKT4lY34GxCfP76vClqVY0DkTQfM6Mc32a2RqY2c3uv-1a6wKac99e0RH1C0pvDmrC-kLEdxr_DsizYRTRjD9OJ3LvUe7wL5PSVdIX44uOQ/s320/nohandshakepin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701180363671250" border="0" /></a><br />The people that <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> introduced themselves to me include: my labmates, my immediate neighbors, the kids' principal and the mailman. My working hypothesis is that introduction etiquette goes along with people here being polite but rather standoffish. I guess that names are on a need-to-know basis only.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-21316703703204379282010-09-16T21:12:00.000-04:002010-09-16T22:23:37.386-04:00The cottage channel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6gSWH3VliYpYrX9gZN5JzlVnsYP00aX_dbfmrORjgOpxNjrr055bgSYo7XVV1edRm92V1Rk7G03ILmXBm10I3KG_R6eCqazbpatNGp-HzIJjPilGbCW7uyEjChn9oblZni5bhzoHWy0/s1600/bavarian_cottage_model.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6gSWH3VliYpYrX9gZN5JzlVnsYP00aX_dbfmrORjgOpxNjrr055bgSYo7XVV1edRm92V1Rk7G03ILmXBm10I3KG_R6eCqazbpatNGp-HzIJjPilGbCW7uyEjChn9oblZni5bhzoHWy0/s320/bavarian_cottage_model.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517695587708654386" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, there is something called "The cottage channel" in our cable package. Frankly, before I moved here, the only "cottages" that I was aware of are in "cottage cheese," "cottage industries," and in fairy tales. But I have heard the word "cottage" more times in the last 30 days than in the last 30 years. It would appear that a "cottage" is a Canadian's summer home in the woods. And if you don't have a cottage, you can always make do with watching "The cottage channel" which replicates the view from the window of your cottage.<br /><br />And here it is:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSdxemqbhnWjsM8L_nGBxN6f_hQcHcrh_AmlGE2Yfj-XD5-TWjxHthW3gZcHVCd363LE7P2RT8DiHzSVLOB9YZfY7sYa6V3ztE-jQIVWe3JAj5jXnAUGm8FPu7ElPNLsnMyKC72L99J4/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSdxemqbhnWjsM8L_nGBxN6f_hQcHcrh_AmlGE2Yfj-XD5-TWjxHthW3gZcHVCd363LE7P2RT8DiHzSVLOB9YZfY7sYa6V3ztE-jQIVWe3JAj5jXnAUGm8FPu7ElPNLsnMyKC72L99J4/s320/IMG_1060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517695583949977234" border="0" /></a><br />You have to imagine the sound, though. And yes, there is a loon.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-15811330941261290372010-09-06T13:51:00.000-04:002010-09-20T21:35:36.888-04:00Thanks everyone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeINmaXkiTB8RqS0QpJAp5k6xL7sJGUGcuIOUCya0ZGwOaA-PuKr1TCsJ7q2TkVwNEGl667tetXUfSeSQGCsK-ws94uGcG9gM6ZgWMXW8nVNZRVarcwU9_dzZEUpl8E-l5nlWaqzonCFY/s1600/IMG_0984.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeINmaXkiTB8RqS0QpJAp5k6xL7sJGUGcuIOUCya0ZGwOaA-PuKr1TCsJ7q2TkVwNEGl667tetXUfSeSQGCsK-ws94uGcG9gM6ZgWMXW8nVNZRVarcwU9_dzZEUpl8E-l5nlWaqzonCFY/s320/IMG_0984.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519172893242710082" border="0" /></a><br />First, I want to thank everyone for sending such lovely birthday letters! Danny and the kids made them into an album (complete with illustrations). It was a really nice surprise and helped me feel less friend-less on my birthday!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NIRF5nUFK0HJAAxQbVNC_2Bel6rwcgVQx9jYpaULVP_9ZvmvJI_pIh8jjw32F9eJUsz9CN0UHRVAdQ6Zd_Ul7POj-yeg4jPmI2MTYjlUXQIyPaknfNymT_3ZpueVyx9kqcj422j6cUI/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NIRF5nUFK0HJAAxQbVNC_2Bel6rwcgVQx9jYpaULVP_9ZvmvJI_pIh8jjw32F9eJUsz9CN0UHRVAdQ6Zd_Ul7POj-yeg4jPmI2MTYjlUXQIyPaknfNymT_3ZpueVyx9kqcj422j6cUI/s320/IMG_0963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519172884604273346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the topic of being old:<br />A few days ago I saw "The Graduate" for the first time since I saw it as an undergrad at Oberlin. My former impression was that Benjamin was a nice kid who kept trying to engage Mrs. Robinson in conversation and a meaningful relationship, yet crabby Mrs. Robinson kept trying to get him to shut up and take his clothes off.<br />This viewing, however, I totally identified with how much it would suck to be Mrs. Robinson. The poor woman had needs but few options. And having to listen to this dumb kid talk about nothing just added insult to injury.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gcRsin9RI5unx6h-CT9O-tHkbVxLwWVUVR-pEnH6_0qcLcGvYHm-gXjiSnRpZ0eVX852qMdHhtL7xRRS39q-ANFm6RF74RH7pRCCbj5cy09-69YYgTYdvN2Tumy_RYleG-cegtlQqtQ/s1600/the+graduate+decades+best.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gcRsin9RI5unx6h-CT9O-tHkbVxLwWVUVR-pEnH6_0qcLcGvYHm-gXjiSnRpZ0eVX852qMdHhtL7xRRS39q-ANFm6RF74RH7pRCCbj5cy09-69YYgTYdvN2Tumy_RYleG-cegtlQqtQ/s320/the+graduate+decades+best.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519172901276828194" border="0" /></a><br />I was also impressed by how well-preserved Mrs. Robinson was, so I looked her up on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000843/">IMDB</a>. Anne Bancroft was 4 YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME when she played this role. AAarrrgghh.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-86752106897016168962010-09-02T18:59:00.000-04:002010-09-02T19:35:02.132-04:00Squirrely<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHtP17ZK3-OmfnNnolZnQzsKligcDL6tU08A3CT8W0ENhhcwJzRIfiIznPu7xopF7PYXtWTRuzvDvpImzvi65JpeO0s7F57C7ZxOWXX1k-YGSsV6bW3B8oOC1rRsOO5GrNq7iU6FoytQ/s1600/ap_smaller_squirrel_logo_gvq1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHtP17ZK3-OmfnNnolZnQzsKligcDL6tU08A3CT8W0ENhhcwJzRIfiIznPu7xopF7PYXtWTRuzvDvpImzvi65JpeO0s7F57C7ZxOWXX1k-YGSsV6bW3B8oOC1rRsOO5GrNq7iU6FoytQ/s320/ap_smaller_squirrel_logo_gvq1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512462405173822386" border="0" /></a><br />Black squirrels freak me out--there is just something so wrong about them. The squirrels around Ottawa are not cute, fat, fluffy and gray. Instead they are skinny, black and smooth. They have skinny ratty little tails, too. Whenever I see one I recoil because they look like roof rats. NOT charming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tbfYoVqUZvHaT2EwAKfsca7OFqXBCi49GCLWVhBIIl6ecR1KbiohhWEHeqLfsnNm8lsmwHmbKdsEPKkAxH_jmsagUXTgSVVmY_Y_d4Gy-q2yBumq9gI0CY-4AjbAHwc-jcP3dAH37Pk/s1600/blacksquirrel080606_228x351.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tbfYoVqUZvHaT2EwAKfsca7OFqXBCi49GCLWVhBIIl6ecR1KbiohhWEHeqLfsnNm8lsmwHmbKdsEPKkAxH_jmsagUXTgSVVmY_Y_d4Gy-q2yBumq9gI0CY-4AjbAHwc-jcP3dAH37Pk/s320/blacksquirrel080606_228x351.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512462405606634626" border="0" /></a><br />Black squirrel. Note the mean little eyes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiDCPW0MZTAko3cnWzG2YBmXuX9VodcoBw5u4DinoT-TNIc4FWmb_3GQm3y6qD2yQiKOzcUteEvYm7n9pLGKbT6VYeIZF9tNfl4UwktuF8XlAYmxR7B2rAmxVezNB4z5a7j3hLbsNDVU/s1600/roof_rat3_1mps.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiDCPW0MZTAko3cnWzG2YBmXuX9VodcoBw5u4DinoT-TNIc4FWmb_3GQm3y6qD2yQiKOzcUteEvYm7n9pLGKbT6VYeIZF9tNfl4UwktuF8XlAYmxR7B2rAmxVezNB4z5a7j3hLbsNDVU/s320/roof_rat3_1mps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512463392129786914" border="0" /></a><br />Roof rat. Not so bad. Except for the verminous infestation and disease vector parts.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-40993466910730861772010-09-01T21:10:00.001-04:002011-12-11T21:55:42.991-05:00Unpacked!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBFEvcv91OCzg-RBwN4Uj3uZ0XDnX7sdjaPDsrUjRZ4fIfAp_b6MhrKxZr_llOh28LTSJa5J9oyddba-Sz2o_OqW-s_EOWK6LvALsu1MrgVLiYHihTPPnPdEykuOKw8C7AogoKvDc7MI/s1600/IMG_0940.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBFEvcv91OCzg-RBwN4Uj3uZ0XDnX7sdjaPDsrUjRZ4fIfAp_b6MhrKxZr_llOh28LTSJa5J9oyddba-Sz2o_OqW-s_EOWK6LvALsu1MrgVLiYHihTPPnPdEykuOKw8C7AogoKvDc7MI/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512119502962755250" border="0" /></a><br />Our new rental is gianormous! I am not willing to buy extra furniture to fill this house, so we have been trying to use the spare rooms creatively.<br />There is a large empty front room which we use to play "Ottapaddle" (as in "...up a creek with ottapaddle")--basically full-court table tennis. The kids are having a great time and play quite a bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPensUabFZZSLWdW0wPFv3Ng6sSi46opFEw2vu0NsrOu93EoYDoUXZCkTbdH2Cc_asToC4bj2dxsoGuof7-dFRfUIdZyoF0Fr7ES5Hz3FSChvIEoeOAmlMuTEgnRJjlBMPc8vidw6mlI/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPensUabFZZSLWdW0wPFv3Ng6sSi46opFEw2vu0NsrOu93EoYDoUXZCkTbdH2Cc_asToC4bj2dxsoGuof7-dFRfUIdZyoF0Fr7ES5Hz3FSChvIEoeOAmlMuTEgnRJjlBMPc8vidw6mlI/s320/IMG_0948.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512119485237799090" border="0" /></a><br />Our small living room furniture fits nicely into the central dining room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe-qwaHRFpmcIcv9gmAa0KiieuHBX11wIzBfqUDi1R756Vz9M-wzfbMkwQ3JBSt7WTChAAGgk4LkD9SpZ2yhZmL_3fLu1oT_Ry1FPjT8zfepG_p9zeqxYNb0eSb1zdfNMXB40vtdu18E/s1600/IMG_0943.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe-qwaHRFpmcIcv9gmAa0KiieuHBX11wIzBfqUDi1R756Vz9M-wzfbMkwQ3JBSt7WTChAAGgk4LkD9SpZ2yhZmL_3fLu1oT_Ry1FPjT8zfepG_p9zeqxYNb0eSb1zdfNMXB40vtdu18E/s320/IMG_0943.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512119493876698850" border="0" /></a><br />The kitchen is stupidly large and inefficiently laid out--there is actually way more cabinet storage space than we have stuff to fill it. However, for the first time ever we have a dishwasher!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFG2b7huGpkjFOtchTgS33CnweZXkK_OcopWfj7qS_JhLmKNuvQRSFaL013MQo7_VpmszOsrDGLpFza6emphe1V2e22qST8mrj2mqo1S1rGRWya_Pl8Zk1fcHZ1Cxbcdi05-cwJn1dxk/s1600/IMG_0949.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFG2b7huGpkjFOtchTgS33CnweZXkK_OcopWfj7qS_JhLmKNuvQRSFaL013MQo7_VpmszOsrDGLpFza6emphe1V2e22qST8mrj2mqo1S1rGRWya_Pl8Zk1fcHZ1Cxbcdi05-cwJn1dxk/s320/IMG_0949.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512132458176388898" border="0" /></a><br />There is a huge room off of the kitchen which we are using for eating and Legos (of course).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgY2j4raDDG4MpvswjTGD2RJPM6VqXTi-IXkKTS2kNtm_fT99x_lbS3Qtyc3Q_DYftBASTTbsZtFoCWI3PHGGZTIpZHfo02-iF7VMrF6s_9AmCPgVrj8UJSolOqhw89dzO3LjRU_cBIQ/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgY2j4raDDG4MpvswjTGD2RJPM6VqXTi-IXkKTS2kNtm_fT99x_lbS3Qtyc3Q_DYftBASTTbsZtFoCWI3PHGGZTIpZHfo02-iF7VMrF6s_9AmCPgVrj8UJSolOqhw89dzO3LjRU_cBIQ/s320/IMG_0950.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512118450589496098" border="0" /></a><br />The office is big enough for Danny's work station, as well as my desk and the kids' computer area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN0fRGc36aYq3z91F1LL2muBiCJfNX6kOvxdZQZDnCCSrt9SBRoVHdFKZzL3_-ZcgkkaZt_TLafsPfELhMLw9b0CC1-aFpcW4Rv_ycIykAF1pTIDu0YujOb_pclNV0up6oEloBv43GUU/s1600/IMG_0951.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN0fRGc36aYq3z91F1LL2muBiCJfNX6kOvxdZQZDnCCSrt9SBRoVHdFKZzL3_-ZcgkkaZt_TLafsPfELhMLw9b0CC1-aFpcW4Rv_ycIykAF1pTIDu0YujOb_pclNV0up6oEloBv43GUU/s320/IMG_0951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512118436546144914" border="0" /></a><br />Our bedroom. We picked the room with the least scabby walls. Also, the only room that doesn't have closet doors that look like they came from an 80's-era airplane.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABsemJD7HqHRzSFCP2zq6s58skpVDhbTXY7KM-8GKfoKmoHQqcDtLrA6rqGNlHwZejFcKOGhsj_nwkSKuDfZIdX4h33AlSXtqLu5QvIOTaoxLX399XVg28XZbd6-u_0yAN-lvC8cA1bQ/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABsemJD7HqHRzSFCP2zq6s58skpVDhbTXY7KM-8GKfoKmoHQqcDtLrA6rqGNlHwZejFcKOGhsj_nwkSKuDfZIdX4h33AlSXtqLu5QvIOTaoxLX399XVg28XZbd6-u_0yAN-lvC8cA1bQ/s320/IMG_0952.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512118429782175762" border="0" /></a><br />The kids' room. When we moved in, there was inexplicably no door for this room. However, we found a dirty old door in the basement which seemed to fit the door frame. Before the moving van arrived, I put up the shower curtain, but the kids like it so much that they won't let me replace it with proper curtains.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9hYRwfo068xoYR9hw0JgKcHKJBdeu2pyLiDZNxbtgKfAP8D1rN36bd1hYeSZ_wKupjIqSpoXlWWzys7wNrFwO-NRBcEyNspx-jUdCblRGmdecdcUP-yB5ykHZv8wMxD7zued_W7KXZ4/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg"></a><br />My big dream in life is not to have to share a bathroom with the kids. I have not yet achieved this dream, though.<br /><br />I also would like to add that this house has AN ENTIRE OTHER FLOOR. The basement is fully finished. There is a bedroom, a "bar", many closets and a full bathroom. So far, we have absolutely no furniture to put there, but I promise that we will find something if anyone wants to come visit us!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5324503112600859845.post-52561315727412136582010-08-31T22:03:00.000-04:002010-09-01T11:39:31.336-04:00The trip North<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FrIwjKy8odZVnEZtO8zW6Q-Fned7IY5nky_RxglEzNCTUOw_LU-Z-wwkGMrJfgC9M6htvVEvkyQDwrK1ujn4nHcRQNwdvtuJp1qH7FU2LVUqFAWR13suPDW9tVRR_Mk7Qq-GJXjEIj0/s1600/moving+day.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FrIwjKy8odZVnEZtO8zW6Q-Fned7IY5nky_RxglEzNCTUOw_LU-Z-wwkGMrJfgC9M6htvVEvkyQDwrK1ujn4nHcRQNwdvtuJp1qH7FU2LVUqFAWR13suPDW9tVRR_Mk7Qq-GJXjEIj0/s320/moving+day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511959391470987106" border="0" /></a><br />I like to think that I am a semi-pro mover. I have packed up and moved the house so many times that everything we own has its own dedicated plastic moving box. So, for the move from Normal to Ottawa I had the grand idea that instead of packing gradually, I would work full time up until the last week, and then spend my final week in Normal doing nothing but packing. Unfortunately, an emergency trip to Cleveland cut two days out of the packing week and wrecked the whole calm and orderly vibe that I had going on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuQ8b079Kd2PLTs6SBo4wkl8yje-9G2EKggY1ltWSQtQOazdyBhWq92JW1QKgkQxxch4eVlcVOIyfQMOinIybNuGlAuXAOdpo5ZKWbBhYjJB99SQ0O7l_EQDuv7D3wx4x-RxXxLs1PFc/s1600/too+busy+to+volunteer+picture.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuQ8b079Kd2PLTs6SBo4wkl8yje-9G2EKggY1ltWSQtQOazdyBhWq92JW1QKgkQxxch4eVlcVOIyfQMOinIybNuGlAuXAOdpo5ZKWbBhYjJB99SQ0O7l_EQDuv7D3wx4x-RxXxLs1PFc/s320/too+busy+to+volunteer+picture.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511959383588868034" border="0" /></a><br />However, we were able to leave Normal (kind of) on schedule. I drove the Odyssey with the kids and Argos and Danny drove the Subaru. We loaded our stuff into an ABF van which <span style="font-style: italic;">supposedly</span> would reach Ottawa in 5 days on its own. I have been severely missing the beach, so our plan was to spend a few days at the beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine while our stuff wended its way to Ottawa.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt13NMGdXIm-m5SnI6wLpAGBRmNZF4Fluc-f96PQidEIh9Is9M4T2OzD9lc2_1K-_M7ScLRjMyTXD5jNsGiTsryciA2Wmm-w5F_U0AS88OPQongeHTOhemrNXnGzOa8JRhnoD06H6TDQ/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt13NMGdXIm-m5SnI6wLpAGBRmNZF4Fluc-f96PQidEIh9Is9M4T2OzD9lc2_1K-_M7ScLRjMyTXD5jNsGiTsryciA2Wmm-w5F_U0AS88OPQongeHTOhemrNXnGzOa8JRhnoD06H6TDQ/s320/IMG_0817.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511958464602530706" border="0" /></a><br />Maine was awesome! The weather was beautiful. We laid around on the beach all day and ate a lot of lobster and salt water taffy at night. The kids had fun playing shuffleboard, minigolf and riding the rollercoasters on the boardwalk. Oddly enough, at least half of the people on the beach and in town were speaking quebecois. There were also several places in town selling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine">poutine</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYunb-l1tBfW3B_mzCPrwoXyWr99Uxhk2486KEQcEXhvyobd4AlmwegLf2ghtuB0WbWR82HA7vsIw_VfCBv7G9GKRwrklmiAUySF7UKdynyHPtEgaZ5gvjRklhFYZh0xaW8wG4j5ov7Q/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYunb-l1tBfW3B_mzCPrwoXyWr99Uxhk2486KEQcEXhvyobd4AlmwegLf2ghtuB0WbWR82HA7vsIw_VfCBv7G9GKRwrklmiAUySF7UKdynyHPtEgaZ5gvjRklhFYZh0xaW8wG4j5ov7Q/s320/IMG_0804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511958473169977986" border="0" /></a><br />We were scheduled to cross the border on Friday to meet the moving truck in Ottawa. However, calling ABF revealed that our moving van was nowhere close to Canada, and would not be arriving until Monday. So, we stayed an extra day in Maine and crossed the border on Saturday. The drive Northwest was a convoluted path through small towns and mountains. On the way we got to drive through a rainbow and under a hot air balloon rally.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQGaP7nxNmWBqarAdNCEa-ofMqOXjuJwnsUsRoyZ3lvneuwx1S30rgw4OrG_Ihm6SGWlLbdc_YShZKOyIsR0yf48_JMUwAa2m3DOJ6iHBNhfsWauM-guDtAL8W8ffyg-FRDzg6mlx6kg/s1600/IMG_0794.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQGaP7nxNmWBqarAdNCEa-ofMqOXjuJwnsUsRoyZ3lvneuwx1S30rgw4OrG_Ihm6SGWlLbdc_YShZKOyIsR0yf48_JMUwAa2m3DOJ6iHBNhfsWauM-guDtAL8W8ffyg-FRDzg6mlx6kg/s320/IMG_0794.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511958521055135282" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently, we had done everything wrong with respect to my work visa. Although the consulate in Detroit accepted our $400 a month ago, they had failed to process our paperwork. After a lengthy detainment at the border in Quebec, the immigration officers processed us and bestowed upon me my work visa. Also, it only cost $125 (however, we will not be reimbursed the remaining $275).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrLB7Z1gBfyolvn0djiZBVYPHgyX0KOjCRfxoww9EKmx5Gb9n6gttUvyQVikQRMUJZ5rZpTq57vUCnd7p2g-NGWNxrp9CHEzCtNQ3hG0XBubPvozxP_lzAlgBlQJt7hyphenhyphenz4fEZhebVPmQ/s1600/IMG_0897.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrLB7Z1gBfyolvn0djiZBVYPHgyX0KOjCRfxoww9EKmx5Gb9n6gttUvyQVikQRMUJZ5rZpTq57vUCnd7p2g-NGWNxrp9CHEzCtNQ3hG0XBubPvozxP_lzAlgBlQJt7hyphenhyphenz4fEZhebVPmQ/s320/IMG_0897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511958457053777170" border="0" /></a><br />We arrived late at night in Ottawa to our giant empty house. As we were leaving Normal, I had freaked out about the possibility that the moving van would be delayed/stolen, so we had packed the Subaru with sleeping bags, an air mattress, the last box out of the kitchen and the last box out of the bathroom. This turned out to be very fortunate. Monday, the truck did not arrive because ABF had loaded it with a shipment from <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://sidesalad.net/archives/SpongmonkeyMoon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sidesalad.net/archives/2005_04.html&usg=__BBm7mI03nr3-r8uP3c3X1xl23u0=&h=347&w=343&sz=51&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=_Y6cPMcymYc-BM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspongmonkey%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1070%26bih%3D555%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=392&vpy=91&dur=2159&hovh=226&hovw=223&tx=76&ty=248&ei=Z3N-TP4m2ICcB8bs5e8B&oei=Z3N-TP4m2ICcB8bs5e8B&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0">Quizno's</a> that got it turned back at the border. Tuesday the truck arrived in Canada, but was detained by customs. Wednesday, we spent the day at customs, but had difficulty getting the van because Danny and I could not prove that we were married, and although I had the work visa, he signed the ABF contract. Also, the immigration officers at the border had neglected to process our vehicles, which required more trips to the customs office. Finally, after 5 days of sleeping on the floor, the moving van showed up.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12629554497023935448noreply@blogger.com2