Alberta?

We know Alberta is Conservative.  The Conservatives gained support but did not elect enough members of parliament to win government.  

From BBC:

The threat to Canada's sovereignty from US President Donald Trump has dominated the election, but the country also faces a challenge from within. Some western Canadians, fed up with a decade of Liberal rule, are openly calling for separation.

Standing in front of a crowd of about 100 squeezed into a small event hall in the city of Lethbridge, Dennis Modry is asking locals about Alberta's future.

Who thinks Alberta should have a bigger role in Canada, he asks? A dozen or so raise their hands.

Who thinks the province should push for a split from Canada and form its own nation? About half the crowd raise their hands.

"How many people would like Alberta to join the US?" Another show of support from half the crowd.

Mr Modry, a retired heart surgeon, is a co-leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a grassroots organisation pushing for an independence referendum.

The possibility of a split has long been a talking point in this conservative-leaning province. But two factors have given it new momentum: Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st US state, and the subsequent boost that has given the Liberal Party in the polls ahead of Monday's federal election.

Mr Modry told the BBC the separatist movement has grown in recent months - driven in part, he believes, by the president's rhetoric.

"We're not interested in that", he said. "We're interested in Alberta sovereignty.

And then I find this:

https://albertaprosperityproject.com/about-us/

A Mari usque ad Mare    if you don't read French, this is our official motto:    From Sea to Sea

Election is over!

It was a short time between when the election was called until the election.  Let's hope the hate speech on social media stops in all parties!  I am disgusted with reading it, no matter who it was.  Why is there such hate?  Is it because you are anonymous?  

We are going to Ottawa in June.  I read parliament will reconvene when we are there.  I couldn't get a tour on the Monday but thankfully we are there on Sunday so I've got my ticket.  I've been twice but Cec has never seen Parliament.  

Let the 25th session of Parliament begin!

World Red Hat Day!

April 25th was World Red Hat day.  We celebrated again this year at Mulberry Parc residences in Burnaby.  They have invited us three years in a row to celebrate.  They put on a beautiful lunch every year and Friday was no exception.  It was an Afternoon Tea and the sandwiches, scones and desserts were delicious.  We started with either sparkling juice or wine!

There were two long tables
We were all given a red fan

In the fall of 1997, Sue Ellen Cooper, an artist from Fullerton, California, bought a red hat on a trip to Tucson, Arizona.  Cooper then bought another red hat and gave it to a friend as a birthday gift.  Cooper was inspired by the Jenny Joseph poem, "Warning" which was popularized by a Readers Digest article written by Liz Carpenter.  Here is the poem that started it all:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me

And I shall spend my pension on Brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth

American's visiting Canada to show their support to us!

Nanaimo resident Todd Maffin made a video on TikTok asking Americans to come for a visit on April 26, to show their support for Canadians.

The Americans who showed up were heartened by the fact so many Canadians came to greet them and make them feel welcome, he said. “We may not agree with what’s happening geopolitically, but there’s still that friendship bond across the border.

Here is the CBC news report:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/nanaimo-infusion-tod-maffin-1.7519638

What a fantastic idea of Todd Maffin!  We still 💖LOVE ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS. 💖

When your vacation has an unexpected event

My friend Jason booked a trip to Rome a while ago.  He left eight days ago and was so happy to be in Rome for Easter Sunday.  He was on the last tour of the Vatican before J.D. Vance, Vice President of the USA arrived.  All the people on later tours were cancelled so J.D. Vance could get a visit!  😒

I'm sure you've heard the Pope sadly passed away that evening.

Jason is staying in this hotel:

His hotel is circled in yellow.  The Basilica where the pope's burial will be is one block away from his hotel.  300,000 to 400,000 people are expected to view the procession.  It's been quite a trip for Jason and it's just begun!

Update, from Jason at 11 AM our time:   

Did not expect this before arriving in Italy… literally felt like a private exclusive tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill!

No people

For the gals

 

I couldn't resist this one:

Whales in the Salish Sea

About 20 years ago my cousins came for a visit from the UK. We lived in Steveston and we went on a whale watch from Steveston. It was the first week in October and the whales were feeding on fish from the Fraser River. We got to the mouth of the Fraser River and saw approximately 80 whales! One leaped out of the water by our boat and then appeared out of the water on the other side! Even the operators of the whale watch said it was one of the best viewings they'd seen. I found this site of whales in the Salish Sea. If you are going to Alaska or just sailing around the Salish Sea, you may enjoy this:

The Salish Sea is home to a wide variety of cetaceans, several of which can be seen throughout the entire year. Scroll down to learn more about some of the cetaceans we see most frequently on our whale and wildlife tours.

Killer Whales (Orcas)

Length: 17-30 ft. (5.1-9.5m)
Weight: 7,000-22,000 lbs. (3,100-10,000 kg)
Lifespan: Up to 80-90+ years for females, 30-50+ years for males
Diet: Varied based on subspecies/ecotype
Presence: Year-round

The Pacific Northwest is one of the best places on earth to see killer whales, also known as orcas. While many whale species migrate from cold water in the summer to warm water in the winter, killer whales don’t make such migrations and can be seen in the Salish Sea throughout the year. Two subspecies of killer whale are seen here regularly - Bigg’s, or mammal-eating killer whales fish-eating “resident” killer whales. As salmon populations decline, sightings the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population have become less frequent and more unpredictable. In contrast, with a stable supply of seals, sea lions, and porpoises for Bigg’s killer whales to feed on, their population is booming, with more than 120 calves born in the last decade. PWWA tours do not focus on endangered Southern Residents, and you should not expect to see them on a Salish Sea whale watching tour. You can, however, learn more about Southern Residents here.

Humpback Whales

Length: 40-50 ft. (12.2-15.2m)
Weight: 50,000-80,000 lbs. (22,680-36,280kg)
Lifespan: 70+ years
Diet: Krill, small bait fish
Presence: Sightings possible year-round, peak April through November

Extirpated from the Salish Sea by commercial whaling in the early 1900’s, humpback whales have experienced a tremendous recovery in recent years. There are now more than 500 humpback whales in the Salish Sea catalog, identified by the unique markings on their tails. While they are one of the largest creatures we find in the Salish Sea at nearly 50 feet in length, they feed on some of the smallest. Each humpback will feast on about 2,000 pounds of baitfish or krill each day. Humpback whales are a migratory species, spending winter months in warmer places like Hawai'i, Mexico, or Central America.

Gray Whales

Length: 40-46 ft. (12-14.1m)
Weight: 60,000-80,000 lbs. (27,215-36,280kg)
Lifespan: 70+ years
Diet: Ghost shrimp, benthic amphipods
Presence: Sightings possible year-round, peak February through May

Gray whales are another large migratory species, traveling between the Arctic in the summer and the Baja Peninsula of Mexico in the winter. During this long journey, gray whales eat very little and will lose up to a third of their body weight. The Salish Sea serves as a valuable pit stop for gray whales as they make their journey north. Spring and early summer are the best months to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants, especially in Puget Sound where they feast on ghost shrimp. Many of the gray whales seen here have been returning year after year since the 1990’s!

Minke whales

Length: 26-33 ft. (7.92-10m)
Weight: Up to 20,000 lbs. (9,070kg)
Lifespan: 50-60+ years
Diet: Krill, small bait fish
Presence: Sightings possible year-round, peak May through September

Minke whales (pronounced min-key) are as mysterious as they are endearing. It was not until quite recently that researchers began to dive into the lives of these small baleen whales. Drawn to the region by an abundance of small bait fish in the spring and summer, minke whales are often found lunging up toward the surface through tight schools of fish called baitballs. While not known to be as social as other types of whales, when the food is plentiful, it’s not unusual to see several whales feeding together while flocks of seabirds join in on the action.

Harbor porpoise

Length: Up to 6 ft. (1.9m)
Weight: Up to 200 lbs. (90kg)
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
Diet: Fish
Presence: Year-round

Harbor porpoise are the hummingbirds of the Salish Sea - they need to eat almost constantly to keep up with their quick metabolisms. A single harbor porpoise can eat hundreds of small bait fish, like sardines or anchovies, per hour. While their small size and shy nature can make them difficult to spot, harbor porpoise are one of the most plentiful marine mammals in the region. On a calm day, you can easily see their triangular dorsal fins break the surface and even hear a “puff” as they exhale, giving rise to their nickname, the “puffing pig”.

Dall’s porpoise

Length: Up to 7.5 ft. (2.3m)
Weight: Up to 270 lbs. (123kg)
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Diet: Fish and squid
Presence: Year-round

Dall’s porpoise are among the fastest marine mammals on earth. These speed demons have been clocked at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour! Unlike their shy cousins, Dall’s porpoises will occasionally approach vessels to play in the wake. With their striking black and white coloration, Dall’s porpoise are occasionally mistaken for young killer whales, but they are a in fact a fascinating species of their own. Porpoises differ from dolphins in a few ways, most notably by having a shorter and stockier physique and flat, spade-shaped teeth compared to a dolphin’s more pointed, cone-shaped teeth.

Pacific white-sided dolphin

Length: Up to 8 ft. (2.5m)
Weight: Up to 300 lbs. (136kg)
Lifespan: Up to 40 years
Diet: Fish and squid
Presence: Sightings can be year-round, more likely in the northern Salish Sea

Pacific white-sided dolphins are commonly referred to as “Lags” after their scientific name, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens. While sightings of these beautiful dolphins are rare throughout much of the Salish Sea, when we are lucky enough to spot these acrobatic cetaceans, it’s always a treat.

Some good news

 

I don't know what's motivating voters, but it's so nice to see.  Pierre Poilievre was in Surrey on Sunday.  He went to the Easter service at Star of Sea Church.  Jagmeet Singh was in town on the weekend also and tonight Mark Carney has a rally in Cloverdale, where I live.  I'm not going  They aren't saying where it is.  You register and I guess they send you an email.  All three leaders visiting the west coast.  Maybe this election our votes will count.

I love a bargain!

I love turkey dinner.  We always have turkey for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.  I went shopping on Boxing Day (December 26) to pick up a few things last December.  Save-On Foods had their Canada Grade A fresh turkeys for $0.99 a lb!  I picked up one, froze it and we had it on Sunday.

Yesterday I went back to Save-On and they had fresh turkeys, formerly $4.99 a lb. for $0.99 a lb.  I got a 21 lb. turkey.  On Saturday, I would have paid $104.79.  I paid $20.79!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful family Easter Dinner.  Thanks to Cheryl for always making a lovely meal.  It's fun to listen to the teenagers and twenties talk about what they are up to.  Another term of university is almost done for Lexie and Sid.  Lexie is going into third year and Sid is taking a co-op year!  Ciara has completed a year at BCIT in the women's trades.  She's chosen plumbing and is doing an apprenticeship. She will return to BCIT when she completes her hours.  Declan graduates from high school this year.  He's been accepted at SFU in Political Science.  

Please vote! Advance polls are open

Every one of these idiots will vote. Their heads are filled with disinformation and they are spinning with rage. They are highly motivated. The race is close.

DO NOT SIT HOME AND ALLOW THEM TO PICK THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER

Advance polling stations are open now from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m until Monday night. Check your voter information card or use the Voter Information Service to find your polling station.

Everyone in our line to get into the voting place was happy to be able to vote and no one complained about the wait.  One man had two daughters who were playing and running around.  One of the little girls scraped her knee.  People came forward with bandages and wipes.  She wasn't hurt.  A lovely bunch of neighbours who are all voting!  Great to see.

From Elections Canada:

Elections Canada has announced preliminary estimates that show nearly two million electors voted Friday, the first day of advance polls.

Representatives of the non-partisan agency said that's a record turnout.

Federal Election 2025

 

I've voted in every election ever since I was able to vote.  I've never had to wait outside.  Yesterday was a nice day.  My next door neighbour waited two hours to vote earlier in the day.  We decided to wait until after dinner.  The weather was warm and sunny.  The line wasn't too long and they told us it would be 45 minutes.  

I worked the 2019 election advanced poll.  Each poll had a District Returning Officer (looked after the ballots) and a polling clerk (does all the paperwork).  Last night we had one poor lady doing both jobs.  Every polling station had one worker, not two.  No wonder the lines were so long.

My friend in Parksville waited an hour and a half.  She said they only had one person doing both jobs too.

I was thinking there were huge numbers of people voting.  Now I know it's half the staff.  I feel very sorry for those election workers and I hope everyone is nice to them.  Working an election is long hours with little breaks.  Let's hope the long lines don't stop people from voting.  If you are handicapped or need a chair, they are available.    

Decorating Easter Eggs

If you are decorating Easter Eggs, no need to go out and buy expensive items, here are things you have in your kitchen or easy to get:

• For green eggs: 1 teaspoon matcha powder in 1 cup water
• For blue eggs: 1 cup chopped purple cabbage in 1 cup water
• For purple eggs: 1 cup red onion skins in 1 cup water
• For pink eggs: 1 cup shredded beets in 1 cup water
• For yellow eggs: 2 tablespoons turmeric in 1 cup water
• For orange eggs: 1 cup yellow onion skins in 1 cup water OR ½ cup marigold petals in 1 cup water

It's tulip time in the Fraser Valley

Harrison Tulip Festival blossoming fields on Seabird Island, just east of Agassiz British Columbia Canada

For those who don’t know about Canada

1. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area.

2. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with over 243,000 kilometers of shoreline.

3. Canada has more lakes than any other country, with over 2 million lakes covering about 8% of its land area.

4. The country's name comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata," meaning "village" or "settlement."

5. Canada is home to the world's oldest known rock, the Acasta Gneiss, which is approximately 4.01 billion years old.

6. The country has six time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

7. Canada is home to the world's longest street, the Trans-Canada Highway, which spans over 7,800 kilometers.

8. The country has a vast array of wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and beavers.

9. Canada is the world's largest producer of maple syrup, accounting for over 70% of global production.

10. The country has a diverse population, with over 20% of Canadians being foreign-born.

11. Canada has two official languages: English and French.

12. The country is home to the world's largest freshwater island, Manitoulin Island, located in Lake Huron.

13. Canada has a strong reputation for its natural beauty, with many famous attractions like Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.

14. The country has a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals.

15. Canada is known for its friendly and welcoming people, with a high standard of living and a strong social safety net.