Both sets of my grandparents were born in Canada. We’ve got Irish and French, French and Irish, and Huron (Americans say Indian, Canadians say First Nations), and God only knows what blood flowing though our veins, my big brother and me and my little sister. Mom was born in Saskatchewan, and my dad’s parents, (residents of historic Amherstberg, Ontario), just happened to be visiting Detroit, Michigan the day he was born. So, for all intents and purposes, I’m infused with Canadianess, although I’m American born and bred.
Man, they really did a terrific job with the opening night of those Olympics up in beautiful Vancouver British Columbia! I’m not about to launch into some blow-by-blow description. But, right out of the chute, when I heard a deep timbered voice from way on high begin to speak I looked at The Husband and I said, “Hey that’s Donald Sutherland. Cool, he’s a perfect choice.”
I’ll cut right to the chase, that little dude flying around over the surreal prairie like Peter Pan on crack was amazing! And with Joni Mitchell’s later version of Both Sides Now playing to boot. I swooned. Thank God I was in a recliner!
As if that wasn’t enough, I thought I had died on the spot and had been instantly transported straight up to heaven while listening to KD Lang’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Who sings like that? Holy crap. She is beyond fantastic. I am in awe, I don’t care if she forgot to wear shoes again, or not.
I won’t start in on how many talented individuals hail from Canada. HELLO! Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Alice Munro, Neil Young, Margaret Atwood, Mike Myers! Anyway, I’ll save all that for another time. This is meant to be a short post and I could go on all night long because so many truly talented people are Canadians.
I have all these memories and impressions and feelings about Canada all bottled up inside me. One of these days I’ll do something with all that. I really will. Until then, all I can say is: sit back and enjoy the show (The Olympics). And if you get the chance, do yourself a favor and get your butt to Canada.
All Rights Reserved. © 2009 by Elizabeth Bradley.
21 comments:
Gonna have to go find me some KD Lang music today. I love her voice. I've only been into Canada once. Would love to go again for a longer visit. How odd is that, that the US and Canada are linked by border and I've only been there once? It's probably partly because Canada is so close and yet so far away. I live close to the Mexico border and have been there often.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I DO want to visit Canada one day. My husband worked there for several months and brought along some Cajun seasoning to "show 'em how to cook," and a friendly eatery even begin having Cajun Night at his establishment. With a lineage about as varied as yours, it'd be nice to see where our Acadian ancestors came from.
PS KD Lang really does have an extraordinary voice, doesn't she?
Well my butt already is in Canada, thank you! :)
Yes, kd was amazing but I hadn't seen her perform in a long time and she looked quite different to me. Larger, for one. For the first minute or so of Leonard's song I wondered who the guy was with the angelic voice. Then it suddenly hit me that it was kd. Yeah, I felt dumb, eh? ;)
We didn't watch but now I wish we had. k. d. lang is one of my favorites. It would have been worth it just to hear her sing.
I haven't been to Canada in twenty years, and I swear I forgot how beautiful it was, is. I cannot wait to go back, playing KD Lang all the way. Love the depth of her voice. And every time I see that cover of JM, can't help but think of Sylvia Plath. It's just as I imagine her to be, thinking of prose.
I went to sleep before the Hallelujah. So now I need to look it up on itunes. It was great! I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics!
Yah, we say Zed, eh? I was totally blown away last night - with pride and just over the top jingoism. I really try not to be so a-busting with it but how could a Canadian help it last night. Ashley MacIsaac fiddling like a devil, Micha singing the anthem, Rick Hansen and the Great One and Terry Fox's mother and oh the amazingly awesome orca's swimming into the stadium. I nearly lost my mind. I am not a sporty person but the opening ceremonies are the only time we see such spectacle and over the top or not - I LOVE IT!
And for all you blog pals of mine - come on up - Canada is awesome!
As a Canadian, I 2nd the invite - come on up & visit - you'll love it :)
KD Lang was completely incredible. Her voice is straight from the angels.
KD Lang mom, really.
My daughter just got back from visiting some friends in Canada. She absolutely loved Montreal or was this trip to Toronto - I can't remember as she has friends from all over the country. Either way, she loves Canada and insists I absolutely need to go. How could I ignore all that enthusiasm. I've added Canada to my Bucket List! Linda
I have been to Canada several times and loved it, but it's been a long time. Hope I get to go back sometime. I couldn't get into the opening ceremonies last night, don't know why, but I agree there was some amazing talent
I'm with Jan; I was bursting with pride! I'm going to the outdoor cauldron tomorrow; how wonderful that it's only an hour away.
woo hoo. as a Canadian and proud of it....this post has me cheering. ☺ sarah
I have lived in the burbs of Hockeytown (Detroit) all my life except for my 20s, so Canada is close to my heart. I'm so excited about these Olympics!!!
I'm with you, Elizabeth, I LOVED that boy flying over the prairies! I thought nothing could top the fiddlers, but he did! And you're right about Donald Sutherland, too; perfect choice! Also, I'm a huge Cohen fan, though not so much a k.d. fan. I know, for me that's wrong on so many levels, but there it is.
Go Canada! Go USA! Oh, and... I love both teams hats! I want one!
Elizabeth,
I love KD Lang's singing-there is something so unique in the way she sings:). I would love to visit Canada someday, especially Victoria and Van Couver:).
Blessings,
Kim
Am so sorry that I missed the opening! Sure sounds exciting! I would love to visit Vancouver, someday. (in the summer, of course) Happy Valentine's Day!
I love KD Lang been a fan for years.
My son emigrated to Vancouver 2008, he married his girl in 2009 and they have now settled in Canada. They are so thrilled as the Olympic torch stopped outside their house! They went to the opening ceremony and now feel part of history in their new home. When they have grandchildren the tree will be: French origin, Channel Isle French,Romany English and pure blood English and Canadian.
Interesting post.
Thank-you Elizabeth, for your kind comments regarding Canada.
It's wonderful to read such positive coments about my "home and native land".
I thought the opening ceremony got Canada just right! Not perfect, but amazingly beautiful, diverse, usually polite, and yep, we do say "Zed".
I love kd lang too!
I live just outside Vancouver, so am really enjoying having the world's eyes on us. I hope we put on a great Olympics for all the athletes and audience to enjoy.
I've been off the air for a while Elizabeth and came back just at the perfect time. What a wonderful post about Canada - I am so proud to have been granted residency there and we leave France in summer with lots of butterflies fluttering in tummies. You have given me the boost I needed. Thank you so much for your wonderful blog as always.
I live close to the Mexico border and have been there often.
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