Thanks Vicki

I'm still not sure on all the history behind it, but tomorrow is Victoria Day here in Canada. All that I do know for sure is that we get a three day weekend! Doing a quick Wikipedia search on the subject, this is what I've found out about this added holiday.

Victoria Day (French: Fête de la Reine) is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24 in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's birthday.

While Victoria Day is often thought of as a purely Canadian event, it is also celebrated in some parts of Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh and Dundee, as well as in the Cayman Islands, where it is also a public holiday.

Thank you Vicki and Hail To The Queen.

What are the Chances???

How crazy is this?!?!?! For those unaware, my name is Heather Renee. I couldn't believe my eyes when Ray pointed out this intersection in Myrtle Beach. I immediately knew that it was a photo opportunity that could not be passed. Definitely blog worthy, DEFINITELY! Being at the corner of Heather Lane and Renee Dr, I felt like I must be at the nexus of the universe.

Yay 4 VACAY!!!

You may (or may not for that matter) have been wondering what kind of wild & crazy adventures Miss Charlie has been up to since there hasn't been a new post in over a week. Well, Ray and I were able to get in a mini-vacation this past week down South in Myrtle Beach (most Canadians around these parts tend to think down south means Maine). 6 sun-filled days and 5 glorious nights was just what the doctor ordered after the winter we both endured. The biggest decisions that had to be made was whether to eat at Miyabi Japanese Steak House or the Giant Crab. The picture above was taken on the balcony of the 7th story condo we stayed in...great view, eh! The shopping there as was quite fantastic; we went to the new Grand Coastal Mall, 2 Outlet malls, Broadway at the Beach and even some strip malls. I'm pretty sure that we went shopping everyday and were both able to find some really great deals. The trip was extra special because my parents & older sister were able to meet us in Myrtle Beach as well - so Ray was finally able to meet some of my family.

We took daily hour to two hour walks along the beach and came across all kinds of wildlife as you will see in the next few pictures. There were so many washed up jelly fish as pictured below. You really had to watch out were you were walking, unless you wanted someone to have to pee on you...personally I'm not into that sort of thing.


My Dad was able to get this great shot of the osprey that was flying around looking for some prey. You should have seen how quick his reaction time was from the time we spotted the bird to the time he showed us the picture - it was literally a matter of seconds.


My sister Suzanne and her husband JD came across this little crab on the beach. He was nearly dead and a little boy & his mom picked him up and put him back in the ocean. My money says that he didn't make it...poor guy.


We also came across this family of ducks & ducklings. Super cute. The momma duck was ultra protective of the little ones. When we got close to get the shot, she poofed out her feathers to make herself as big as possible. If I could've picked one of the little ones up and put it in my pocket I would have!!!

A Tribute To Hockey

This past week we were invited by a wonderful Moncton couple to their home for an OUTSTANDING home cooked dinner and a tour of a shrine to hockey, which both were nothing short of amazing. Hockey historian, Ron Leger, has been collecting hockey memorabilia since roughly World War II (1941 or so). The picture above is a picture leading down to the basement.

His basement is a mini Hockey Hall of Fame equipped with a guest book dating back to 1974 with many big names (Don Cherry & Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada, Bobby Hull, Boom Boom Geffrion and Ray Delia to name a few) in hockey stopping in for a visit. Mr. Leger's goal is to collect a photo of every player to ever play in the NHL.

Miraculously, he has been able to retain and archive all that he has acquired! My favorite and most fascinating part of the museum (for me) was the display that started the entire collection. When Ron was a boy the comics of the newspaper had an offer to send in box tops from Quaker Oats and you get three gifts. He has the paper from 1945 in pristine condition along with the 3 gifts in mint condition! You might be wondering about the wooden sleigh on the table, well back in 45 that is how the mail got delivered during hockey season in Canada!!! I was totally blown away.

A Little Canadian Humor, Eh!

Forget Rednecks, here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Canucks! (It's funny but I find them to be soooo true!)

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May,
You may live in Canada.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
You may live in Canada.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
You may live in Canada.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number,
You may live in Canada.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere South of Maine for the weekend,
You may live in Canada.

If you can dive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
You may live in Canada.

If you install security lights on your house & garage, but leave both unlocked,
You may live in Canada.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
You may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
You may live in Canada.

If the speed limit on the highway is 80 km -- You're going 90 and everybody is passing you,
You may live in Canada.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
You may live in Canada.

If you know all 4 seasons: Almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction,
You may live in Canada.

If you find 2 degrees (36F) 'a little chilly',
You may live in Canada.

Spring Has Sprung...

Or so these crazy Canadians think! This is the site of the pond hockey tournament that we attended in February, but oh has the scene changed. Ahh, the sights and sounds of spring. Ducks a quacking, Canadians Eh'ing, everyone has a bounce in their step with the 55 degree weather. People here are crazy, I still can't believe that at the park we saw a number of folks in shorts & t-shirts (I even spotted a woman in a tank top - she should've saved that for a day when she is a bit more pigmented...good thing I was wearing my sun glasses). I love the picture above, quite classic here. Check out the person sitting on the stoop, yes folks, he is holding a cup of Tim Horton's! Now look closer to the water - that's right - he is one of the crazies wearing shorts & a t-shirt. I have to say that it was a breath of fresh air to be able to go outside without my winter gear...but it's a long way off to be busting out my summer wardrobe...I'm just glad & relieved that Spring is here with promises of warmer days to come.

While at the park, we busted out the camera to see if we could get some shots that were worthy of the blog (yes, those are hard to come by). Ray was a big fan of the picture of this little guy - based on pictures that he has of himself as a kid, it could've been him 35 years ago...I'm sure Ray's mom would agree. He looks like he's got some trouble to find.

We got a nice National Geographic worthy picture of our beautiful Canadian wildlife with the mallard shot. Ray is fascinated by all the wild fowl that hangs out in our backyard...we have pheasants, mallards, woodpeckers, ravens, and FINALLY robins! Yesterday I saw the first baby bird of the season. Yay for Spring!

Peacock...Not So Much

First off, the picture above is not a picture of "my" peacock, but a similar looking bird that I found on a quick search of the internet. Here's the deal. When I first moved here in October, I was on the phone speaking with my friend Wendy (hi!). I was looking out the back door and saw this large, colorful bird standing in our backyard. I freaked out a bit because I had never seen anything quite like it before. I started describing it to Wendy...I was about 2.5 feet tall, had a bright green/blue head, very colorful feathers, and a lot of colorful feathers on the back side. After careful deliberation we determined that it must be a peacock. I asked around to native of the area and they said that yes, peacocks have been sighted here. Yay! I had seen my first wild peacock in my own backyard!!! "Not so fast Charlie." A few weeks back (when the thaw started) Ray started asking me about my peacock "sighting" as he had seen a bird in the backyard that sounded quite similar. Yep, green/blue head, colorful feathers, about 2.5 feet tall - he laughed and said that it definitely was not a peacock, but a male pheasant. How disappointing - a peacock sounds MUCH more exciting & exotic. Apparently he lives in the brush behind our place because you can hear him when we take the dogs out. Who knew??? Peacocks & pheasants must be related - I'm convinced.