NEW BOOK #3 In the US, more than 2,000 children remain separated from their parents as of July 5, 2018

The policy of separating immigrant children from their parents is most disturbing.

Even though this policy was abandoned by Executive order on June 20, there was no provision in place to reunite the affected families. In the US, more than 2,000 children remain separated from their parents as of July 5, 2018. The National Public Radio reported on June 15, that the American Academy of Pediatricians says separating children from their parents can cause trauma severe enough to limit brain development. They condemned the policy as “government sanctioned child abuse”, according to the Globe and Mail editorial of June 19, 2018.

As in my last blog, I looked for historical precedence for this particular behaviour.

I found a possible explanation in the response to the slave trade in research by Du Bois. When the slave trade was of least financial advantage in 1774 and 1804, it might have been possible to exert moral persuasion to eliminate it, but, “A fatal spirit of temporizing, however, seized the nation at these points; and although the slave-trade was, largely for political reasons, forbidden, slavery was left untouched. Beyond this point, as years rolled by, it was found well-nigh impossible to rouse the moral sense of the nation. Even in the matter of enforcing its own laws and co-operating with the civilized world, a lethargy seized the country.” (The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America, by W. E. B. Du Bois)

By the Way: I wonder if this is what President Trump and Kelly, his Chief of Staff, were banking on when planning this policy, that the moral sense of the nation is asleep.

NEW BOOK #2 - SEPARATING FAMILIES A THROWBACK TO THE 17th CENTURY

Different Strokes: Answers to the Perplexing Differences Between Americans and Canadians is the product of the theory, investigation and subsequent proof. The answers emerge from the beginnings of each country. Knowing this helps to explain what we see and read in current events.

It is shocking to see children separated from their parents now, when we know how damaging and traumatic it can be in the long run.  Indigenous people in Canada and the Canadian government are still dealing with the emotional fallout from First Nation, Inuit and Métis children sent to residential schools.

In America the separation of children from their parents was a regular occurrence during the era of slavery. The Slavery Code of 1698 in the southern states was a carry over from the one in Barbados, where the American southern planters originated. It was the most brutal slavery code at the time.  This punitive code was not universal; slave owners in Virginia were much more humane in their dealings with their slaves.

Punishment has also been a common theme in America. When the republic was formed in 1776, anyone who was not with the republic was considered a traitor. Land was confiscated and Loyalists were persecuted. That is why 50,000 Loyalists left to go to England, the Caribbean Islands and the majority to Canada.

Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist, resigned from his position because of the child-separation policy. (Mason, Gary, The Warning…Op Ed column, Globe and Mail, June 22/18) Schmidt compared this policy to some of the worst abuses to humanity in the country’s history. “It is connected by the same evil that separated families during slavery and dislocated tribes and broke Native American families.”

Now there is a president in America who is impulsive, demeans people from Mexico and other Central American countries, plays to his base and has no concern for the chaos he is causing in their lives. He is carrying on some of the most inhumane actions perpetrated in the past in America.

By the Way: There has been a huge outcry against his actions because the majority of Americans has moved on from that inhumane behaviour or would never have acted that way in the first place.

NEW BOOK BLOG #1

After writing four books about Canadian explorers, the Explorer Chronicles Series consisting of Samuel de Champlain (Eng. And Fr.); The Vikings, Cabot and Cartier; Explorers of the Pacific Northwest and La Salle and The Rise of New France, and reading scads of research material, I have been thinking about what I have learned.

People travel, people are curious, people are drawn by novelty, and people want to make money by trading their goods for other goods of value. These desires drove the explorers to find new places and it drove their sponsors to invest in their travels.

Being a curious person myself, I started to ask questions about my country, Canada, and our nearest neighbour, United States of America. Why are we characterized so differently? Why are we so different in character?

Having been trained in university in science, I ask questions and I want answers. But first my job in answering my question is to have a theory. The answer is in the beginnings of each country.

The book I am writing now is the product of the theory, investigation and subsequent proof.

By the Way: the new book is titled, Different Strokes: Answers to the Perplexing Differences Between Americans and Canadians

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A Sunday in the Country

We decided to take a Sunday drive on the back roads of Oxford and Norfolk Counties. Having lived in Woodstock for only four years, so we're still looking for interesting places to go. We headed south to Port Dover on Lake Erie. David's had been recommended for lunch. What a beautiful view to go along with and excellent lunch.

Wine tasting came next on our list. Burning Kiln Vineyard near Turkey Point was the destination.

The land was originally used to grow tobacco, but now is covered with grape vines.

There was a patio with bright red umbrellas and the food was supplied by David's! Who knew?
We've filed that info away for a later date to come with friends for lunch with good wines and music on the patio some Sunday later in the summer.

By the Way: the weather was superb and the drive proved to be another great adventure.

Woodstock Choralaires present HMS Pinafore

This is not exactly travel, but still a great experience I'd like to share.

I was in the unusual circumstance of being a member of the Woodstock Choralaires but not being able to be in the chorus for the Saturday night performance of HMS Pinafore.  What a show!  I was overwhelmed with delight seeing and hearing the whole production.  Gilbert's brilliant lyrics and Sullivan's sumptuous tunes transported me to a tuneful nirvana.

The entire production was put together expertly.  An orchestra of 11 fine musicians, professional singers sang the leading parts, the chorus filled the hall with the most wonderful rich choral sound, and all directed by our rigorous and tireless director.

Director, Doug Shippey after the show

Everyone was having a great time: the orchestra, lead singers, chorus and audience were happy - enchanted by the rather ridiculous but completely charming story told in lyrics and music that are fresh and captivating still today.

The Orchestra rehearsing with Josephine (Janelle Murray)

This is not an opera of angst and conflict but about the foibles and absurdities in ourselves and the leaders of our time.  Many years ago when I was young and impressionable I read this graffiti on the restroom wall at the Isabella Hotel in Toronto, " Don't adjust your mind, the fault is with reality."  Gilbert and Sullivan were right on the mark for this sentiment.  They took the realities of their time and lampooned them.  Amazingly, the situations hold up well after a century.

The libretto lends itself to augmentation so that lyrics and dialogue can be added to reflect current times.  Josephine, the female lead, weighs the choice between marrying the admiral or the sailor by comparing her shopping options: Holt Renfrew vs. Wal-Mart.   The Admiral of the Queen's Navy gives instruction on how to rise in government.  In G&S times that depended on class, now it seems, it depends on being part of la famille Trudeau.

The Sailors of HMS Pinafore

To make HMS Pinafore joyous and amusing, a thoroughly dazzling experience, took incredible amounts of energy, quickness of mind and plain hard work.  Set, costumes, props, directions, management, and none of these have to do with the music and lyrics, which are both challenging.  It was all too easy to go gaily tripping over the words in the patter songs.

Admiral Porter's Sisters, Cousins and Aunts

The fact that the production looked relaxed with all the cast enjoying the performance indicates the amount of work, attention to detail and dedication that was expended.

So to be thoroughly entertained, charmed and delighted, treat yourself to a Gilbert and Sullivan opera now and again and do come to the Woodstock Choralaires' concerts and productions in the future for an enjoyable and sparkling choral experience.

By The Way:  A Bonus - Gilbert and Sullivan tunes stay with you, so you will hum them for days after the performance.

Back to California - La Jolla

Once again I am continuing my  love affair with California.  This year we decided to spend a few days in La Jolla in the north end of San Diego before we headed up to the Central Coast. 

Clear skies on the flight to LAX afforded spectacular views of the mountains and canyons in New Mexico and Arizona.

This year we planned to stay for almost 2 months so we picked our car up outside the airport, which saved on the cost.  We took the San Diego Freeway (405) south to Irvine to pick up Hwy 5, which follows the coast.  Of course California captivates me with the first row of palm trees and then it just gets better.

The coastal communities vary from the typical beach type with and eclectic mixture of low rise adobe and clapboard buildings to the higher end towns with beautiful architecture and lovely shops.  We stopped in Oceanside for lunch at the Hill Street Cafe and Gallery and had good food and a stimulating conversation with the owner about the native history of the area 10,000 years ago.

La Jolla  is an upscale part of San Diego with beautiful homes, good restaurants and the beach just down the road from our hotel.  We started our first morning at Ellen Browning Sports Park for a walk in the sun and to see the harbour seals.  There were about 50 sleeping on the rocks across the bay, a few swimming in the ocean feeding in the shallows. One lazy but playful fellow was lying on a smooth rock then he would slide off when a wave washed over him, haul himself back up and do it again.

Groups of human swimmers looked as if they were training for a triathlon by swimming out into the bay and around buoys, then back to the beach. They must be very tough because they were only wearing bathing suits even though the water temperature was around 60º F (16ºC).

This beautiful old park has gardens and a classic building housing the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club.

 At another park by the sea, we watched pelicans gliding just above the undulations of the ocean, exquisite performance and this magnificent specimen sight seeing just like us.

How wonderful to sit outside in the February sun and drink coffee and watch the passing scene at Pacific Beach.

By The Way: When you go to La Jolla, or anywhere in southern California, go to an authentic Mexican restaurant and treat yourselves to guacamole made right at your table.  Fantastic!

Ports of Call on the Queen Victoria

Lift bridge over the inside waterway in Fort Lauderdale

Going south away from the Canadian winter becomes more imperative with each passing year.  This year we are cruising out of Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal aboard Cunard Line's Queen Victoria.  Even sitting on a bench at Port Everglades, the cruise port, is a treat because the air is soft and breezy with palm trees in view, the symbol of warmth and invitation for me and no jacket required.  Fantastic after having to wear boots, down jacket, scarf and aviator cap with the ear flaps down very time I ventured outside.

As I've mentioned before, I always like to read a novel that takes place where I am traveling.  I picked up one by John D. MacDonald.  His hero is a feisty roustabout Robin Hood type named Travis McGee, who gets money back from scam artists and returns it to the rightful owner.  I had read several in the series some years ago when I was going to a friend's cottage in Haliburton that had a collection of MacDonald's books.  It was a rollicking read and took place in Fort Lauderdale very close to where the Queen Vic was moored.

 

A freighter leaving Port Everglades for the Atlantic Ocean

Queen Victoria docked in Aruba

After two days at sea we docked in Aruba,  practically a desert island with a consistent temperature of 29ºC or 84ºF and  a constant breeze.  The capital city, Orangested, is quaint with an obvious Dutch heritage evidenced by the gingerbread house style buildings.  It has become a popular resort destination because the weather is always sunny and predictable.

When we sailed out of Aruba in the early evening heading to the Panama Canal we could see a dozen ships on the  horizon all sailing to or from the canal.








By the Way -  Make sure you pack Gravol for a cruise.  When the wind direction makes the ship roll it can play havoc with your balance, i.e. seasick.