Two Lanes

  After spending a few days with John in the country, the kids and I are back home. It was only a two hour drive but when 75% of the drive is on two lane highway it can seem a looooonnnnng drive. 

  At first it wasn't bad. We were the only car it seemed. Then a few four way stops and we could see a few others. By the time we hit the highway there was a line. Then it got longer and longer. With no passing zones insight.

  Of course the construction doesn't help. I'm all for fixing the roads but why do they need to shut down 3 kms of road to fix 10 meters of pavement??? I don't understand but at least the workers are safe.

  By the time we hit divided highway the road was very congested. It's expensive I know but all main roads should be four lanes. I'm sure it would mean less accidents. It is very frustrating to be behind someone who is doing 20 kms under the speed limit. Of course as soon as they see the passing lane they could win an Indy race! 

  Even on that short drive, I saw some people take risks that four lanes would have avoided. And on a Tuesday morning not a busy long weekend. 

  Luckily I'm never in that much of a hurry.

  Ang

  
  

No Service No Tip

  After years in the service industry I know a thing or two about bad service. Sometimes I was even the one giving it! We all have bad days where we are "off" and the reality is the customer pays the price. But last night we got no service and attitude.

  Let me start by saying I HATE how a lot of franchise restaurants have a "look". It doesn't matter whether the server is any good as long as they fit in the mold. Our server fit the profile but had not the slightest clue what she was doing. That was evident in not just our service, but the tables around us.

  Now that I think about it that last statement isn't true. The table of three men beside us got very good service. The families and tables of women...not so much. Maybe she was smarter than I gave her credit for. Out of four tables though I would say she got a good tip from one, none from two and maybe a small tip from the other. Not good percentages.

  John tells me often that I expect more when dining out. That's probably true but I'm not unrealistic. A smile or at least not a snarl. Food arriving all at the same time....my biggest pet peeve of all and Nova Scotia taverns are notorious for it. But last night it was him who commented first. And since he paid the bill and didn't tip that says it all. He always tips.

  Good service means you go home with more cash. Period. You can't live on what a server is paid. And no matter what you look like or what mold you fit into, you need to do what you are paid to do. Serve the customers.

  That girl must pray for a restaurant full of single men.

  Ang

***I'm not saying all men will tip based on looks but.....***

  

  

Rural Times

  We are spending a few days with John in rural Ontario. I say rural but there are 16,000 people here. I'm such a city girl this feels very rural.

  The day started off very well with a beautiful walk on the beach. It's a lake so the water is clean, clear and cold. Well cold for the first few minutes anyway. Little fish everywhere. The sun was shining and there was a nice cool breeze. It doesn't get much better than that!

  Back to the hotel for lunch and a swim in the pool. The water is colder than the lake but you get used to it. No one else is around so we have the entire pool to ourselves. The boys practice jumping in and seeing who can make the bigger splash. Alex wins easily since he has a foot and fifty pounds on Riley.

  After lunch we hit the huge park across the street from our hotel. It  has a splash pad, play structure, bike park and a mini putt! A child's dream. There is plenty of shade and the breeze from this morning was still blowing. It was nice to sit and watch the boys get some fresh air and Riley to make new friends.

  John's work day is almost over. He will want to relax and chill tonight. Maybe a swim. The boys and I will plan another great day tomorrow before we head home. Can't leave the fish alone for too long.

  Ang

#Black Lives Matter

   I just read the most interesting article about Black Lives Matter and why people need to stop saying "All lives matter". In light of the events over the past few days I can't think of a better time to pass on the info I read.

  First off I am not a black man living in the U.S.. There is no possible way I can know the nervousness they live with. When they are driving to work. Going to get milk at the corner store. Taking a walk on a warm summers evening. Things that we, translation...white people... don't normally even think twice about.

  Secondly let me say I am a huge supporter of the police. We owe so much to these men and women who risk their lives every single day to keep us safe. But there are good cops who are honest, fair and decent. And some, a very small minority, who are dishonest, violent and racist. Just like there are bad black men, there are bad cops. This is real life not what we idealize as real life.

  So far in 2016, based on a tally by the Washington Post, the police have killed at least 136 black people. Let that number sink in. A black man between the ages of 15 -34 is nine times more likely to be killed by police than any other age or race group. Why is that? Does it have to be race related? Of course it doesn't.....but what other reason could it possibly be? Nine times is a huge margin.

  When we respond to the slogan Black Lives Matter with "All lives matter" we miss the point. No other group of people are victimized by the police as often, or most importantly, as fatally, as young black men. That's why the words are necessary. Reread the last paragraph if you don't believe it.

  Yes we all agree all lives matter. Of course we do. That's not the issue. We need to showcase how often it seems that black lives don't. Plain and simple. Especially to the bad police I talked about before. Let me reiterate that....to the BAD police.

  Please think twice before you change the slogan. There really is a valid reason for it.

  Ang
  

  

Small Town Pleasures

  All my adult life I have lived in a city. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of daily life. The ability to do most things at any hour of the day or night is very nice. In fact it's a dream of mine to live right downtown. With kids it's not very realistic but it's on our must do list.

  For the next few days though we are hanging out in a small town. And I have to admit there are some advantages I wasn't really aware of. Or if I was, I forgot about. We did live here for six months about eight years ago. Not long enough to have an opinion on the place but long enough to have missed my amenities.

  First off the price of houses is beyond compare. New homes at prices one income could afford. Older homes that are almost cheap. Of course there aren't as many job opportunities but even two lower income earners could own a beautiful home.

   We went for dinner...a chinese buffet. Now the last time we went to this type of restaurant it was for lunch and the cost was just under $90. No drinks. Alcoholic or otherwise. Very, very pricey. Tonight....$39 taxes in! And the food was great! Not the best I've ever had but better than my last outing...by far.

  And the traffic. There is none! Even the traffic lights are synced. You can go blocks without stopping. It's great! We went from one end of town to the other in under 15 minutes. Sometimes at home I can't turn left through several green lights. It's refreshing.

  While I may enjoy the peace and quiet I'm aware that if I want a pizza it better be before eleven and there isn't a shawarma place to be found. There are only two groceries and no specialty stores. FYI...they are already closed. I'm pretty sure there isn't Uber here either.

  I guess that means I won't be moving any time soon. But it sure is nice to visit.

  Ang

  

"One Nation"

  Friday was Canada's 149th birthday!!!! What a celebration it was. Part of the festivities was a speech by PM Trudeau talking about how great we are as a people, our freedoms, our liberties and our ability to welcome others.  A wonderful speech full of pride, hope and our own wonderfulness. Something that we, as a nation, could say...."yup that's us!" But not all of us.

  Martine Ouellet, who wants to be the leader of the Parti Quebecois, says the speech "insulted" the people of Quebec. What could possibly have been so offensive as to offend nearly 5 million people who live in the province? Here is the statement and I quote...." Today, we celebrate the day, exactly 149 years ago, when the people of this great land came together, and forged one nation, one country - Canada."

  Did I miss something? The offensive part obviously. Apparently the remark about "one nation" is wrong because Quebec is a "nation within Canada". Well perhaps Miss Ouellet he wasn't talking about your province. Maybe his entire speech was directed at the rest of the country. You know...the provinces and people who are proud to be Canadian. Perhaps he was directing it at those folks who, when asked where they are from, proudly say Canada....not Quebec.

   Historically the PQ is referred to as a sovereignist provincial party which seeks national sovereignty from Canada. Translation...not be part of Canada but with use of everything Canadian and the protection of Canada. The rest of the country calls them separatists and makes little or no distinction between them and the Bloc. Although they are separate entities.

  While I try very hard to be a reasonable person, if you know me well you can stop laughing now, this makes me very unreasonable. How dare you take our national holiday and try to turn it into hate. How dare you try to minimize the rest of the country on our day. How dare you speak for the people of Quebec when you are not even an elected official. Who do you think you are?

  Maybe this woman doesn't realize that if she becomes the leader of the PQ and does actually get elected, that it is the government of Canada that in part pays her salary. That the pension she will collect is funded by the people of Canada. That the healthcare, education and community services she enjoys every day are paid for in part by good tax paying Canadians.

  I have traveled to many different countries. My husband has been everywhere..and I do mean everywhere. And there is no better country in the world. Yes we have our problems but no other country comes close to us. But no other country in the world would tolerate, not one but two, political parties, who's main goal is to separate the country. None. 

  You should be thankful you live in my nation Miss Ouelett. I'm pretty sure the "nation of Quebec" will not let a political party thrive that has separation as it's goal.

  Ang
  

Cheque Please

  Well it's decided. John and I are going back into the rental business. I'm not sure why but we are ready to dip our toes back into the real estate game. Must be that damn Scott McGillivary show on HGTV.

  It's been ten years since we sold the last two houses. It was a challenge being so far away. We didn't have the best tenants at times and the rental company was a nightmare. But we learned a lot and made some money so I guess you could call it a success. Even if we didn't think that at the time.

  This time we will be close by. And fingers crossed we can find something brand new with no monthly fees. No work means less headaches. Well that's what it is supposed to mean. We will see about that.

  John has wanted to do this again for a few years but I was hesitating. It is me who does all the "work" involved and I really didn't enjoy chasing down cash or going to court to have people removed. No amount of vetting guarantees a cash-able rent cheque.

  Wish us luck. The search begins today.

  Ang