A Fallingwater PhotoJournal

It's been a minute since I updated here, but since we visited a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright sites recently, I thought it was time to share a little about those.

Frank Lloyd Wright is a very well-known name as an influential American architect. But did you know? Wright didn't graduate from high school, and he got his start as a part-time draftsman for a civil engineering professor. He started at the University of Wisconsin in 1886, studying engineering, but changed his focus to architecture. In 1887, at just 20 years old, he went to Chicago and put his architectural talent to work as part of the rebuilding effort in the city after the Great Chicago Fire.

A year later he was hired by Adler & Sullivan as Chief of Design for all their residential work, and the following year he built what is now known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Oak Park, Illinois. He was soon working as an independent architect, sharing office space with several others, including the first woman licensed as an architect in the USA. The group went on to form the Prairie School, designs characterized by low buildings with gently sloped roofs, crisp lines, and using unfinished materials. This movement also featured open floor plans and made them popular. 

In 1934, Edgar Kaufmann Jr read Wright's autobiography and soon went to Taliesin to apprentice. Kaufmann had no plans to become an architect but his enthusiasm for Wright's ideas led him to make introductions between the architect and his parents, Edgar Kaufmann Sr and Liliane. The Kaufmanns were wealthy business owners from Pittsburgh who wanted a weekend home built on forested land they owned in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Wright's design wasn't just a country house near the Bear Run river, it was cantilevered directly over the falls, made to function and feel like a part of its natural surroundings.

When you visit Fallingwater, you walk from the visitor center to the house, crossing a bridge over Bear Run to the entrance. Wright built the house around a central core, so that this living space and steps could be cantilevered over the river. The steps go right down the water and are open so when the river rises it simply flows over and through them. There is even a cold plunge pool beside the house.

The open living room and dining room area, with smaller spaces defined by furniture groupings and differences in ceiling height rather than with walls.

Wright's designs always make use of large windows that bring the outside in, and allow for air flow that would keep the house naturally air conditioned. Even in this kitchen that would have been used by household staff, the windowed wall makes it feel almost like an outdoor space and those corner windows all open completely to allow maximum air flow. The same window design is used in Mr Kaufmann's study on the second floor, but photos aren't allowed in that part of the house.

This is a patio area off the living room.

Wright used four elements in the design of Fallingwater - steel, reinforced concrete, sandstone, and glass. The building is constructed so that it blends into the hillside and even incorporates some of the large existing boulders into the house. 

In 1955, Edgar Kaufmann Sr passed away, and left a large part of his estate to charity. In 1963, Edgar Kaufmann Jr deeded the Fallingwater house and 469 acres of land in Bear Run to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy as a memorial to his parents. He also supplied an endowment fund to care for and preserve the house, and personally took the lead in administration and developing educational programming for Fallingwater, even leading some tours. The house was open for tours beginning in 1964. Edgar Jr had enjoyed a long a successful career as a curator and director at the Museum of Modern Art, and a professor of Architecture and Art History at Columbia University. He was a writer and lecturer and authority on industrial and interior design, and on the work and influence of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Fallingwater was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. In 2019, Fallingwater and several other Frank Lloyd Wright buildings were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Visit the Fallingwater website to learn more.

Thanks for joining me as I looked back on this tour! Hope you enjoyed it, and maybe even learned something. Have you visited any Frank Lloyd Wright buildings? Leave a comment and let me know!

See my related posts: A Kentuck Knob PhotoJournal; Frank Lloyd Wright - Blogging Through The Alphabet; A National Building Museum PhotoJournal

  

A version of this post will also appear on A Fresh Cup of Coffee.

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Victoria Day

 God Save the Queen! Today is Victoria Day in Canada, and although for many it's simply a long weekend that kicks off the summer season, it started out as a way to honor Queen Victoria.

Throughout history, the birthdays of monarchs have often been occasions of celebration. Before Victoria came to the British throne in 1837, the birthday of the king or queen was usually a military occasion. During the 18th century in the the British colonies of North America, local militias would hold compulsory training exercises on the monarch's birthday, and then would drink a toast to the king in the local tavern.

In 1841, the parliaments of Upper and Lower Canada were replaced by a single parliament for the Province of Canada. In an effort to find common ground between English and French Canadians, a celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday was one idea that appealed to all. The young queen's birthday, May 24th, was first declared an official public holiday in 1845 by the legislative assembly of the Province of Canada.

Celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday in Toronto, 1854

Over the years the celebrations grew, and Canadians welcomed the chance to display loyalty to the crown, and the date conveniently heralded the beginning of warmer weather. On Queen Victoria's 35th birthday in 1854, about five thousand Canadians gathered in Toronto, and by the time of Confederation in 1867, the festivities included parades, military reviews, picnics, and fireworks. Queen Victoria was especially loved by Canadians, as she was the monarch on the throne when Canada became an independent country, and she had chosen Ottawa as the new nation's capital.

These early holidays didn't always fall on a weekend, as they were always held on May 24th. Canadians continued to honor and remember Queen Victoria on that date after her death in 1901, and celebrated the ruling monarch's birthday separately. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were touring Canada during May, so Victoria Day was used as the official birthday of the king, even though his birthday was actually in December. Then in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II (whose birthday is in April) ascended the throne, and Victoria Day became the official celebration of the queen's birthday. At that time, the date was fixed as the Monday before May 25th of each year, creating a long weekend right at the beginning of summer.

Canada remains the only country of the Commonwealth to commemorate Queen Victoria with a public holiday. The federal government protocol is that the Royal Union Flag (or Union Jack) is flown from sunrise to sunset at all federal buildings.

These days Canadians enjoy the long weekend as a chance to get away to the cottage or cabin, barbecue, or attend outdoor festivals. 

The original version of this article appeared in May 2020 as From the High School Lesson Book: Victoria Day

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

From the High School Lesson Book: Inauguration Day

January 20, 2025 is the date for the United States presidential inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President. It also happens to be Martin Luther King Jr Day, which means many have the day off work or school. Although I've watched previous inaugurations on TV, I couldn't recall whether they took place on a third Monday of January, or a specific date in January, so I did the same thing I used to do as a homeschool mom . . . I did a few minutes worth of research, and wrote about it!

The date for the presidential inauguration was set as January 20th back in 1933. Prior to that, March 4th had been the date for this ceremony. A longer timeframe following election day was necessary so that the votes could be tabulated and reported and results ratified, since it involved a lot of travel. As you might imagine, technology advances allowed reporting and traveling to happen much more quickly, so less time was required. In addition, on a few occasions that lengthy lame-duck period caused significant problems. Notably, following the 1860 election, seven states left the Union earning that time period the nickname "Secession Winter". Abraham Lincoln was the President-elect but had not taken office, and had no authority to take action, and outgoing President James Buchanan declined to take any action, and left the issue for the new administration. During the Depression, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt had no authority to implement his promised New Deal, and the already troubled stock markets reflected the extra months of uncertainty. 

The 20th Amendment was ratified on January 23, 1933, and established January 20th as Inauguration Day, and January 3rd as the first meeting of the new Congress. So when FDR was re-elected, his 1937 inauguration took place on January 20th. 

Did you know? The only part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies and festivities that is required by the Constitution is the recitation of the presidential oath of office. It's one of three oath or affirmation clauses in the Constitution, and it's the only one with specified wording. The Constitution does not specify who should administer this oath, but with only a few exceptions, this duty has been carried out by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: ― "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." ~United States Constitution, Article II, Section One, Clause 8

The Vice President, who serves as President of the Senate, is sworn in during the same ceremony, immediately before the President takes the oath of office. This oath of office is the same one sworn by senators, representatives, and other government officials. 

Everything else is tradition! Including the location of this swearing-in ceremony. The news has been buzzing about the decision to move the 2025 Inauguration indoors due to the extremely cold weather, but there is no mandate to hold the event in front of the United States Capitol. The west front of the Capitol facing the National Mall, with the Washington Memorial and Lincoln Memorial providing a backdrop, has been a preferred location since the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan. 

From 1829 through 1977, most swearing-in ceremonies were held at the Capitol's east portico, on a platform over the steps. They've also been held inside the Old Senate Chamber, in the House of Representatives, and the Capitol Rotunda. The Rotunda will be the location for President Trump's inauguration in 2025, as it was for President Reagan's second term when the weather was also extremely cold. 

Other Inauguration Day traditions:

A joint procession to the Capitol by the outgoing and incoming presidents. While this has been a tradition most years since 1837 when Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren shared a carriage ride (Van Buren had been Jackson's VP), it comes as no surprise that at least a few of those shared rides seemed uncomfortable! A few presidents even skipped the ceremony altogether.

The honorary departure of the outgoing president. It used to be that outgoing presidents accompanied the incoming presidents back to the White House following the inauguration. In 1909 Theodore Roosevelt departed for his home immediately after the swearing in of his successor, and a new tradition was begun. Since 1977 the tradition was for the new President and First Lady to accompany their predecessors to the presidential helicopter and the short flight to Joint Base Andrews. 

The inaugural parade. Originally a ceremonial escort to the swearing-in, this shifted to a parade after the ceremony in 1841. 

The inaugural luncheon. The tradition of the outgoing president hosting the new president at a White House luncheon following the swearing in goes back to the 1800s. Since 1953, the new president has been the guest of honor at a Capitol luncheon hosted by senators and representatives. 

Inaugural Balls. When George Washington first took office, a gala event was held in his honor a week later. The first formal inauguration day ball was held for James Madison in 1809. 

A letter to the Presidential successor. This modern tradition began in 1989 when Ronald Reagan left a humorous encouraging note to George H.W. Bush. A letter of congratulations and encouragement has been left on White House stationery for the incoming president.

Sources include: History.com (re: date), History.com (re: tradition)

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Preserving Nature

I so enjoy visiting any kind of nature preserve, a state or national forest or park, or even a local park that preserves natural spaces. Forests, wetlands, seashores, lakes, mountains, deserts . . . all are places to marvel at the beauty and delicate balances in the natural world. I'm always amazed by God's creativity and workmanship in the variety of landscapes, plant life and wildlife. And sometimes I also remember to be grateful that someone had the foresight to preserve a natural area and protect the wild spaces in some way from being trampled in our efforts to build and to tame.

I think I appreciate the parklands more now that I live in a city. I'm not an outdoorsy person really, but I like a good walk in the woods, a hiking trail that's not too difficult, watching birds, and stargazing. I wonder if I took for granted our country location before we moved here, and now that my home is surrounded by parking lots and other buildings rather than my own unmowed lawn and neighboring farmland, I realize that I need those walks in the woods.

I watched an interview Tucker Carlson did with Robert F. Kennedy Jr not long ago, and towards the end of the interview, RFKJr expounded on why he got involved in environmental causes and his beliefs about the value of nature. He believes nature is where we meet with God, and that there is a deep connection our souls have to nature. Of course, I don't know exactly what his theological beliefs are, and at a guess I'd say there are likely many differences between his ideologies and mine, but I loved what he said about nature.

I don't call myself an environmentalist in any way, and I definitely don't agree with what I would call extremists, because we don't and shouldn't worship the earth or its creatures. But I also believe that since humans are meant to steward the earth, we do need to manage its resources wisely and make sure to not do harm to God's creation. God gave Adam and Eve a beautiful world to care for, to populate, and to bless; and it's because of sin that God's world began to experience death and ruin. So it's really our responsibility to partner with God to care for his world as best we can.

The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

~Genesis 2:15~

The earth suffers for the sins of its people,

for they have twisted God's instructions,

violated his laws,

and broken his everlasting covenant.

~Isaiah 24:5~

Preserving and enjoying the beauty of the natural world is our part of our mandate, and should be something we do with a heart of gratitude and worship to the Creator. Because I do think that God has put something in our hearts that is drawn to nature and therefore to God. We were meant to be in the Garden.

When I originally wrote this piece, I wanted to add some quotes and a brief bit of research into the people who led the way in establishing our system of national parks and nature conservancies. The first name that came to mind at that point was John Muir.

John Muir was passionate about nature, and his advocacy was instrumental in establishing the National Park Service, and the modern conservation movement. He believed wild spaces should be accessible for everyone, not just the elites. He was a relentless traveler, explorer and naturalist, and a prolific writer about these adventures. His articles and books inspired interest in the natural world, and in 1890 led to Yosemite being set aside as a national park. He was also influential in establishing Sequoia, Mount Rainier, and Grand Canyon as national parks. And of course, there's the John Muir National Historic Site dedicated to him and his work. 

Quotes from John Muir:

Wilderness is a necessity . . . there must be places for human beings to satisfy their souls.

Look! Nature is overflowing with the grandeur of God!

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

Hiking - I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them."

I love that, and I didn't know that was the origin of the word 'saunter'. I'm going to try to use that word whenever suitable from now on!

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.

Well, I'd say that God CAN save the trees, but the point is that it's kind of our job to look after them, isn't it?

President Theodore Roosevelt, who worked with John Muir to make the first National Parks a reality, was also known for his love of nature. He was known as the 'conservation president' and used his authority to protect wildlife and public land. Under his leadership the United States Forest Service was established, along with 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves. The federal bird reserves have since become national wildlife refuges and today are managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Park Service wasn't created until after Roosevelt left office, but his administration had helped create 23 of the 35 sites that the new Service would manage. 

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Conservation means development as much as it does protection. I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that come after us. ~Theodore Roosevelt

John James Audubon was best known for his contributions to ornithology, as his collection of over four hundred life size prints of birds was, and still is, a standard when it comes to depicting and describing birds. His personal life is a much more complicated grab bag of what we'd call good and bad, but his name was chosen for the Audubon Society by its founder, George Bird Grinnell after being tutored by Audubon's widow, in recognition of Audubon's contributions to wildlife art and natural history.

Never give up listening to the sounds of birds. ~John James Audubon

A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children. ~John James Audubon

Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand. ~Henry David Thoreau

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

And I wanted to include this clever, but very sad, bit by George Carlin. We don't want America to be known this way, and that's why conservation and preservation of natural spaces and resources is so important.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.

~Psalm 36:6~

This post is adapted from the original Five Minute Friday - Preserve, which first appeared on A Fresh Cup of Coffee in September 2024

See my related post: A Wildlife Refuge PhotoJournal

Sources for this section include: NPS John Muir National Historic Site; Audubon Society; NPS Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2024 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

From the High School Lesson Book - Labor Day

In the United States and Canada, Labor Day (or Labour Day in Canada) is on the first Monday in September. It's been a national holiday since 1894 and was originally a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. Most other national holidays mark a significant historical event, usually associated with an armed conflict, but Labor Day isn't tied to any specific person or event, and has no religious background either.

All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation. ~Samuel Gompers

The first Labor Day celebration was on Tuesday, September 5th, 1882. The Central Labor Union selected this day and planned a demonstration and picnic in New York City. In 1884 the first Monday of September was established as the date for an annual celebration, and the Central Labor Union urged other cities to set aside this 'workingman's holiday'. 

Industry had been growing since the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s and the working conditions were not always safe or wages fair. Labor unions formed to try and address these issues, and were becoming more vocal in doing so. They began organizing strikes, rallies, and protests, and unfortunately some of these turned violent.

Poorly paid labor is inefficient labor, the world over. ~Henry George

Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. ~Abraham Lincoln

In the spring of 1894, the American Railroad Union called for a boycott of Pullman cars, which crippled railway traffic. To break the strike, the government sent troops to Chicago, leading to riots, violence, and the deaths of a dozen railway workers. After this, in a move to quell further unrest, President Grover Cleveland suggested making Labor Day a national holiday and then signed the legislation making it so. 

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. ~Albert Einstein

For most Americans, the Labor Day long weekend is considered the end of the summer season, and the beginning of a new school year and football season. Many will host or attend a cookout. Ironically, since it's a big retail sales date, a lot of retail workers may actually be spending more time at work this weekend rather than getting the day off! So maybe if you're shopping or dining out today, be extra kind to those workers!

Hard work should be rewarded by good food. ~Ken Follett

If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend. ~Doug Larson

Incidentally, in Europe and Asia, Labour Day is at the beginning of May.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. ~Confucius

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our work keeps the world going, in a sense. It keeps us going as a society and as people. We may be grumpy about having to go to our jobs when we don't feel like it, be tired and just wish we could be lazy, and feel weighed down by the responsibilities we have as part of our work. We can have lousy attitudes about going to a job and about all the work we have to do just to keep our homes and families functioning. And of course we need to take a break and rest regularly! In fact, God established a pattern of creative work and rest from the beginning, and commanded his people to observe that rhythm in order to keep work and rest in proper balance. 

You are to labor six days but you must rest on the seventh day; you must even rest during plowing and harvesting times.

~Exodus 34:21~

But God intended for us to do the work of looking after the world and participating in the creative work of managing and tending all of creation. And intended that we would find joy and blessing in doing it. So as much as we might grumble about work, most people find that they get bored and must find something productive to do even if they don't need to go out and get that paycheck. Maybe a day like Labor Day is a good opportunity for us to get our work back into balance!

How happy is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

You will surely eat

what your hands have worked for.

You will be happy,

and it will go well for you.

~Psalm 128:1-2~

Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

~Ecclesiastes 5:18-20~

*************************

This post appears first on A Fresh Cup of Coffee as W.Q. - Labor Day

Sources for this post include: Office Holidays, History

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2024 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/ 

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Canada Day

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from HS Coffee Break helps fuel this blog. 

Happy Canada Day!

On this Canada Day, I have a brief history to share, along with a few quotes about Canada Day.

On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act united the three colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (now the two provinces of Ontario and Quebec) into a single country within the British Empire. This Act of Parliament was known as the Constitution Act, and it granted Canada substantial freedom from England, although it remained a part of the British Commonwealth, and most Canadians of the time still thought of themselves as British citizens. The Dominion of Canada became a kingdom in its own right, although the British Parliament maintained some rights of limited political control. The first official celebration of Dominion Day marking this occasion was held in 1917, on Canada's 50th birthday. The centennial, in 1967, was the first truly widespread celebration of the birthday.

The national anthem, O Canada, was established on July 1, 1980.

O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,

The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

A few years ago, the third line was changed to "true patriot love in all of us command," but it doesn't quite come naturally to me yet!

Canada received full and complete independence from Great Britain on July 1, 1982, and later that year, the name Dominion Day was officially changed to Canada Day.

Our hopes are high. Our faith in the people is great. Our courage is strong. And our dreams for this beautiful country will never die. ~Pierre Trudeau

Canada is the homeland of equality, justice and tolerance. ~Kim Campbell

I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind. ~John Diefenbaker

Whether we agree politically with these former Prime Ministers or not, they said the right things on occasion, which I suppose is probably true of most politicians. Here's what a British Prime Minster had to say about Canada:

There are no limits to the majestic future which lies before the mighty expanse of Canada with its virile, aspiring, cultured, and generous-hearted people. ~Winston Churchill

I hope he's right. I hope Canadians value their freedom and all the advantages they enjoy and fight to keep those freedoms.

Canadians have an abiding interest in surprising those Americans who have historically made little effort to learn about their neighbour to the North. ~Peter Jennings

I have actually found that to be true, especially when we first moved to the USA and were surprised at how much we had to explain about Canada.

Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain. ~Pierre Trudeau

Hysterically funny, amazingly talented people. That's what I think of when I think of Canada. That, and cold beer. And mountains. ~Richard Patrick

You forgot hockey and curling!

Here are some links to my past articles with background on a few Canadian treats we enjoy, and the recipes:

Canada Day Butter Tarts

Eating the Americas - Poutine.

Eating the Americas - Nanaimo Bars.

French-Canadian Tourtiere

This post is based on this earlier article: Canada Day 2019.

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to HS Coffee Break by email 

 ©2006-2024 HS Coffee Break. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kympossibleblog.blogspot.com/

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.