It has been said that to be Canadian, you must like three things: hockey, Tim Hortons coffee (they dropped the apostrophe years ago) and maple syrup.
First, yes, I like maple syrup – in small quantities.
As for Timmy’s well, maybe I drank too much of it when I drove a cab nights, for I now find it bitter. I usually order tea when I’m there.
As for hockey, that’s what prompted this posting. If you live anywhere in North America, by now you must be aware the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association finally settled their long lock-out/strike. The Toronto Maple Leafs, as they have done in the past, are hand delivering packages to some of the seasons ticket holders, using present and former players for the purpose.
This afternoon I was distracted by the sound of slamming doors outside my apartment window. When I checked, I saw a Purolator Courier truck with someone wearing a Leafs’ jersey in the right front seat and beside it a van from one of the local television stations. The van was in the process of disgorging a camera man and commentator. Apparently someone in the office next door was about to get their Leafs’ seasons tickets. I watched for a short time and saw the passenger get out of the truck carrying a Purolator package. I’m on the second floor so couldn’t really make out much more than the fact the obviously former player was losing his hair. My first thought was “who’s the bald guy?” It wasn’t until he turned around that I recognized Wendell Clark, one of the gods of Leaf Nation.
So why didn’t I recognize Wendell? Mainly because I haven’t really followed hockey since the league expanded beyond the “original six”. That was, I believe, 1967, which coincidentally is the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup.
Which brings up the question: Am I really Canadian when I don’t like hockey or Tim Hortons, but do like maple syrup? In my opinion, one out of three ain’t bad.
Enjoy your day and remember to hug an artist – we need love too.
Cat.
Catseyeview 