[Quiet Man Cometh]

I'm never sure what to say about cultural background really, I suppose because the notion of "Canadian" culture seems somewhat odd. Not really sure what it would be. I think a lot of people in Canada tend to think of themselves as being whatever their background is outside of Canada, since the country as it is now was largely built around immigration and meetings between the Native populations and European immigrants. My mother is very keen on identifying herself as Canadian though, and considers our family to be traditional Canadians, given our own family history and heritage is tied in with the history of the country.

I'd like to see more of the county, particularly out East since I haven't been there yet. My mother's family came from the Maritimes, specifically New Brunswick where her parents settled. My Dad from the prairies, his parents meeting in Calgary and him growing up in rural towns in Alberta and BC. My sister and I were born here on the West Coast. Geographically speaking we cover most of the country, though the bulk of my family has now made it over to BC. My great grandfather was an Anglican minister in New Brunswick and he is still remembered over there. My aunt went to visit and the community where he had lived held a welcome for her. I'd like to go see it myself one of these days.

I've been sorting through old books of my mothers, and it's been interesting to see the stuff that has come out of it. I've discovered books beloning to a man previously known only as "Bill" who turned out to be the soldier my great grandmother has married and my grandfather's stepfather. My mom had met him as well and he left some stamps for myself and my sister when we were very young. I also found a Danish copy of the Book of Common Prayer which I assumed had been my Danish grandmother's, but it actually was a gift to my mom's mother, as her father (the minister) worked with a community that was made up of Danish immigrants, the area called "New Denmark." I also found a book of children's stories of my dad's and uncle's that they got from their grandmother. Their Danish grandmother used to make pastries and tell them stories about 'Big Klaus and Little Klaus" that they loved to hear. (Their English grandmother used to insist they come down for breakfast every morning dressed in corduroys and bow ties. After breakfast they could get changed in jeans and go play).