I did a quick search of this RadBlog and discovered that I have never written about Canadian Thanksgiving, which is a travesty because I love Canada and I try to be thankful whenever possible.  According to the internet, it was long ago that the Governor General of Canada said to his fellow Canadians (and the world), that Canadian Thanksgiving is to be “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.”

Here are ten reasons I’m thankful for Canada:

1. I grew up in Detroit at a time when Cable was just beginning to find its way to our 19″ GoldStar TV.  Until then we spent time watching channel 2 (CBS), 4 (NBC), 7 (ABC) and — a geographic feature of Metro Detroit — channel 9 (CBC Windsor).  I watched more Canadian children’s programming than US, and I think I’m better for it.  There’s no doubt I learned hospitality from The Friendly Giant, problem solving from Today’s Special, and patience for the absurd from Mr. Dressup.
2. The last letter of the alphabet is Zed, sung like this: QRS, TUV, W, X, Y, and Zed.  They call it Zed.  It rhymes with red and is pronounced Zed.
3. The Metric System.  Why can’t we accept it in the US?  Because the metric system makes sense and it’s too simple, that’s why.  Of course a mile is 5,280 feet, because George Washington had the… and horses could only travel on land, except it was called maize, and since butter had to be churned…  The imperial system defies logic.
4. All-Dressed Chips.  Every flavor crammed into one bag of potato chips.  Explosively delicious yet unavailable without a prescription here in the states.
5. Canadian border agents, while still tough and wildly effective at protecting their land, still seem quite a bit more cordial than their US counterpart.  Just my experience.
6. The ubiquitous “u” makes for rounder words.  Colour, Flavour, and the rest.  I favour the extra u and request it whenever possible.
7. During my time at Spring Arbour University, I got to know some  wonderful Canadians, both students and professors.  Some of my favourite friends.  Still are.  The Canadians I’ve known and worked with through the years have always shown the kind of intelligence+chill that I deeply love and appreciate.  I know I’m speaking in generalities here, but I’ve yet to encounter someone from Canada that I didn’t like.  If anything, I’m drawn to them because of my upbringing (see #1).
8. The geography of Canada holds such variety.  Quebec and Vancouver, the prairies of Saskatchewan and the city of Saskatoon, complex Toronto and simply undiscovered land.  Is sasquatch real?  If so, I’d like to think the family reunion is held annually in Yukon Territory.
9. Typical sentence with specific Canadian terms = “Please pass the cutlery so I might enjoy this wonderful Kraft Dinner.  Afterwards, I’ll put on my toque and bunnyhug, tie up my runners, and run over to pay my hydro bill before they shut us down and all I have to keep warm is my housecoat.”   Translation = “Canada sure is awesome.”
10. It’s the people.  Alex, Janice, Glenn, Adam, Rebecca, Angela, Grandpa Jones, and everyone else I’ve met who lived and/or lives there.

Happy TG!