Let Freedom Ring!!

I’m sure I spent more time looking for a picture of an American flag that I took during one of the two times I was in the United States than it will take me to write this blog post.  I know when we were in Kissimmee last summer, we drove by this huge American flag so many times.  I never did get a picture of it.  But, I felt it was important to display both of our country’s flags side by side in my blog post today.  After all, we are friends and neighbours.  Even if Donald Trump does become President and build a wall (and that’s all I will say about US politics.  LOL).

I’m back to work today but I did enjoy my long weekend off.  We didn’t do much but spend some quiet, quality time together in our travel trailer.  My mother-in-law came along too and slept in the cabin right along side.  She spent most of her time relaxing in the sun and/or reading.  She had had a bone broke in her foot and had just gotten her cast off the day before we left.  We all enjoyed our family time without wi-fi  and rather sketchy cell service.  Although the kids did manage to check Twitter and Instagram to keep them sane.  Ok, so I checked mine too.  People may have wanted to know how I was enjoying my weekend!!  LOL

I did some reading, and took a few pictures(while dodging the flies).  As I write this, I am still trying, very hard, not to scratch.  We also went for rides on side by side for some fresh air and beautiful scenery, played Trouble, and just hung out together.  There were lots of clouds.  Clouds in the sky.  Clouds of dust.  And clouds of flies!

Beaumont-Hamel

Here in Canada we celebrated Canada’s Birthday on July 1st.  That date also is significant as a day of remembrance for people here in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel in France, which was part of a larger  battle the Battle of the Somme .  It was 100 years ago on July 1st, 1916 (Memorial Day) when most of the Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out. On this date, these 780 soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment went “over the top,” only to be cut down by enemy fire.  The next day, only 68 men were present for roll call.  Over 700 men were either wounded or killed.  The population in Newfoundland at that time was only 240,000.  So you can imagine the devastating effects this had.  You can click on the link above if you would like to read a little more about this.

Proud Newfoundlander and Canadian.

The title of this blog post is two versions of a song by Lee Greenwood.  The original of course is God Bless the USA.  I was very happy when I heard he also had a Canadian version, God Bless You Canada.  Both of these songs bring a tear to my eye and gives me chills, no matter how many times I hear them. I’m not asking anyone to believe in my God or any God for that matter. It just makes me realize how lucky we are.  The ones born here in Canada and the ones that have made their way here from other countries.  It makes me proud to be a Canadian today and every day.

No matter what the weather is like, we have to enjoy it because there are only so many weekends of summer until the kids are back in school.  Here in Newfoundland the weather is very unpredictable.  One day you may have all the windows wide open and a fan going; like we did on Saturday.  The next day you may be tempted to turn on the heat; like we were yesterday when we got home.

So, wherever you are today, I hope you enjoyed my little version of who I am and what’s going on in my neck of the woods.  I would love to hear how your summer is going no matter where in the world you are.  I have seen some beautiful pictures of places I will probably never get to, on Instagram.  You can check me out there.  Come back again soon to take a look at the view from where I am…