stars and stripes | 365 And Counting

… because I know it’s not really any of my business, me being a Canadian and all, but I’m just too sad, and too shocked, to keep it to myself. What in the world is going on? This isn’t the America I grew up loving. This isn’t the America I grew up envying. This isn’t the America I wished Canada would be more like. This isn’t the America where I wished I could live.

What the bloody hell!

Before ya’all get all up in arms (trust me, no pun intended), I know there are plenty of good guys in the U.S. I truly believe there are more good guys than bad guys. But I’ve gotta tell you, from where I’m sitting it looks like the bad guys are winning.

You elected a black President. Twice. Once by an absolute landslide. But from the instant that man moved into the White House, probably before his personal belongings were even unpacked, Continue reading →

Yesterday was Independence Day in the U.S. In fact, it was on July 4, 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was apparently signed. I say “apparently” because the date has been disputed for years and years and years and years. And years and years.

All that matters is, regardless of the day, the U.S. was no longer under British rule.

I’ve always enjoyed the celebrations. I like the patriotism. The pomp. The parades. The fireworks. The partying. The hotdogs. The beer. All of it.

From the time I was nine, I went to a summer camp in Vermont. In Poultney, Vermont to be precise. A pretty, little town, on Lake Champlain. Not far from Montreal. Maybe a couple of hours, max.

Camp Kinni Kinnic. An all-girls camp, it was owned by a judge of the juvenile court. Aunt Jeanette, as we affectionately called her. Her full name was Jeanette Brill. She had a son, Herbert, who took it over when she Continue reading →