I know this sounds like a contradiction in terms, but what else do you call people who are applying for permanent visas in Canada while retaining American citizenship? Melissa asked me to post about life in Canada and I was trying to think of something distinctive to title my posts. Really, though, I hope other Canadians will also take up on this idea. I was surprised to hear from several people on the Countryside forum who were considering immigrating to Canada and were asking me quite a few specific questions. People are interested in Canada, what it's like up here, how it's different from the U.S., etc. So, if you're Canadian, please give your input on anything I write here, and add your own ideas.

We are located in the eastern section of Ontario, sort of between Ottawa and Cornwall, but closer to Cornwall. (Cornwall is on the St. Lawrence River, across from Massena, NY.) We have been in Canada for 13 months and definitely feel at home here. I love the climate, which is similar to northern NY and the New England states. For a long time I have wanted to live in Canada, especially Ontario, so when the Lord opened up a church for my husband to pastor in Cornwall, I was excited. You can read a little more about me and my family by reading my post on the thread where we all introduced ourselves. Or, if you really want more specifics, you can go to the Countryside forum, dig into the archives in the category "Homesteading (General)" and go down 25-30 posts to "Introducing Me".

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate our second Canadian Thanksgiving. This is one Canadian holiday I really enjoy, because the great history of Thanksgiving is not swallowed up by Christmas. Also, we have been invited, for the second time, to enjoy Thanksgiving at a beautiful provincial park with several other families for an outdoor feast. Last year the weather was drizzly/snowy with temps in the low to mid 30s (Fahrenheit; Celsius is something we're still getting used to). We still enjoyed ourselves around a roaring campfire the men built while the children went fishing. This year promises to be sunny and slightly warmer. I am looking forward to hiking through the woods with some of the children instead of huddling around a fire. There will be at least 30 people gathered, of whom 20 will be under age 18. There will be some girls my daughter's age, so she is really looking forward to it. (With four brothers and only boys in her Sunday school class, she misses female companionship.)

The colors this fall are gorgeous. We have been having freezing nights followed by warm, sunny days, just perfect for creating brilliant color in the trees. Our yard is a glowing carpet of yellow and red and orange with green grass still poking through. We don't have many squirrels here at our house, since we don't have any nut trees, but we see a lot of them in town. I have seen more black squirrels here than I have ever seen, also a lot of redwing blackbirds. Most of the geese are gone now, but I love hearing them clamour overhead. "...the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth...let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him" (Psalm 33:5-8).

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), October 07, 2001

Answers

Thanks Cathy, that was just wonderful I will look forward to more. With you and Hoot to inspire us, we should have a lot to think about this winter!! I am thankful for good people who are working hard to make this forum such a great success already, in my mind.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), October 07, 2001.

I'm an American Canadian, too, kind of. Canadian parents, my dad was in the US Navy in the 60's, so I was born at a MI air force base (med coverage, but close to Canadian home). Spent the first 2 years of life in Norfolk, VA, where my dad was stationed. Mom said cooking turkey at Christmas was horrible, it was so hot. Turkey, then hit the beach! Anyway, by '68 we were back in the Great White North. Hello snow!

I've heard a comedian say that Canadians are just unarmed Americans with health care. I think that sums it up pretty well! We are big news hounds, talk incessantly about the weather, and (from my experience) a little more reserved personality-wise than Americans. In high school we were taught that the US is a melting pot, whereas Canada is a mosaic. People have not assimilated so much here, I think. Travelling this country you'll find things very regional, as far as culture goes. You'll also find pockets in smaller cities and towns that have different cultures. My own home area holds a large Italian population, and fairly substanstantial Ukranian, Polish, and Finnish populations. Fast food restaurants don't do too well there, with all of the wonderful cuisine brought in over the last hundred years from these cultures. But I digress... must now look for food.

-- Rheba (rhebabeall@hotmail.com), October 08, 2001.

I am an Atlantic Canadian and Maritimer. This means that I was born and raised on the East Coast of Canada. The Maritimes is that group of provinces consisting of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. When the Atlantic Provinces or East Coast is referred to you can add Newfoundland. Don't ask me why..maybe because Newfoundland didn't join Canada until the mid 1900's? Anyhoo, that is my perspective on the world..a maritimer in the Maritimes married to a French Canadian in the year 2001. I would say we are much more Americanised than the US is Canadianized and I can't say thats a good thing. Makes for some good jokes though (ie Talking To Americans segment on This Hour Has 22 Minutes). The personality of Canada varies with the area you are in. Here in the Maritimes things are pretty laid back and we don't get our knickers in a perma-twist the way..say..Upper Canadians.. tend to. Upper Canada refers to Ontario. I find that Ontarians much more in sync with America. We have had an Ontario family move in here last year and the husband is still very up tight and high strung but his darlin' wife (her parents are maritimers)is very low key and laid back. I don't much agree with the comedians comments about Canadians being unarmed Americans with healthcare..but I think that applies to some Canadians. Life in Canada is good and peaceful though far from perfect. Gov't cuts have resulted in services suffering. Employment is not the highest. The provinces are often known as Have's and Have Nots (the western provinces are usually better off financially). We joke about our national emblems and how passive they are (nothing warlike or predatory about a beaver or a moose is there??)but they have their nobility just as an Eagle does and I think they are symbolic of Canadians..industrious and somewhat withdrawn but nice once you get to know us. What do you really want to know about life in Canada? Anything specific?

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), October 09, 2001.