summer preview

As we are reading about Edmonton and looking into some of the facts about the city, of course the weather is a point of interest. I think that weather is pretty much important to everyone; no one is completely ambivalent about it, with a "whatever" attitude, or we wouldn't talk (or complain) about it so much.


Edmonton is quite far north, close in latitude to Moscow, Russia, so the temps aren't anything to look forward to, or are they? Dejan doesn't do well in the heat and actually prefers colder weather. I used to think that summer was my second favorite season, after spring, but in the last several years the heat is really getting to me. Cold weather isn't bad as long as there's snow to cover the ugly bear, and Canada seems to have no issues in the white fluff department. But their summers seemed to not have warms temps; only high 60's and into the 70's in July?

This summer in Idaho the weather has been untypically cool, with lots of rain and temps that don't soar as they usually do, into the 90's and even low 100's. It's been more like 70's, and it has been so enjoyable. It's as if the Lord is giving us a preview of the Edmonton summer temps. And after it was very hot and humid this past weekend, a reminder of the central European heat we lived in for about 4 years, it's made me thankful.

Celebrating the maple leaf

July 1st is the official celebration of Canada's existence since 1867. It used to be called Dominion Day, but is now Canada Day. As far as we read in our little culture book, it's basically celebrated in a manner similar to the U.S. Independence Day (4th of July): barbecue, get-togethers, fireworks.

The only obvious difference I can figure, aside from the calendar date, is that Canada wasn't formed by a revolution or war. I guess North Americans--whether they are Canadian or U.S. citizens--are similar in several national celebration habits. However, as patriotic as Americans are and have become even more so since 9/11, Canadians have always been quite patriotic. When I went on an outreach to British Columbia in 2001 there were maple leaf symbols everywhere. Even the McDonald's used the maple leaf in place of the apostrophe between the "d" and "s" on their sign!!

We were only able to take note of this holiday and did nothing further to celebrate it this year, not even wishing our Canadian friends here a "Happy Canada Day!". But I will say that I didn't buy any 4th of July decorations, since Lord willing, we will be in Canada by next summer!