Oh Canada...

The topic of conversation around our backyard fire pit this Canada Day was "You know you are Canadian when..." Here are some of the answers:

You Know You Are Canadian When...

1) You have de-iced your car door locks using a lighter.
2) You have opened a beer bottle with that same lighter.
3) You know how to light a fire pretty much anywhere, with limited supplies.
4) You know how to paddle a canoe.
5) You have thrown at least one curling rock in your life.
6) You have caught at least one fish.
7) You have visited "The Largest ____" Fill in: Pasanka Egg, UFO, Lobster, etc... http://www.bigthings.ca/
8) You know the bird call from the Hinterland Who's Who.
http://www.hww.ca/index_e.asp
9) You can sing, or at least hum, the entire Log Driver's Waltz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekqsHP9Sck
10) The Hockey Night in Canada theme song still gives you a thrill, even if you don't watch hockey.
11) You know at least one person who has held the Stanley Cup.
12) You know what a Double Double is, and you would like one please...
13) You have watched at least one episode of the following, usually due to a lack of cable TV: The Tommy Hunter Show, Rita McNeil & Friends, Hee-Haw, The Beachcombers, or Stompin Tom Connors. The Littlest Hobo was also mentioned, but many felt they watched that voluntarily.
14) You can sing along to the Irish Rovers because somehow all of the words of 'Wasn't That a Party' have crept into the recesses of your subconscious and refuse to leave.
15) Ditto for 'The Rodeo Song"...
16) That no matter where you go in this great land of ours, there are always strong opinions about the weather and the state of the roads.
17) You understand that beavers are mighty creatures.
18) You have shoveled twice in the same day.
19) No matter the flavor of your politics, everyone thinks Louis Riel kicked ass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
20) You have uttered the phrase "I hate white rabbits" to keep away the smoke.

As we neared the end of our list, we were forced to admit how regional ours was. We wondered what Lincoln's friend James' list would look like. His parents are from Vietnam, he was born in Canada. Or my sister Gayle's list, and her family in Québec. Or Shivani's. Or Ayala's. While there are moments where one can feel with strong conviction one's own 'Canadianness,' it is elusive as to what actually makes up this identity. I'm not sure why, but I like this. I like that there can be so many definitions to one single word: Canadian. I feel an immeasurable amount of pride in my country, and to be Canadian.

Happy Canada Day everyone.