when Tara’s voice drifted through the air.I had barely heard the phone ringing through the black cloud of my grief. “Hope you are out and about, sis. You’ll get through this, I know you will. Call me when you get home. Love you lots!” Her voice was, as always, clear. Out and about. Would I ever go out again? I sat up and trudged overto the window. Pulling back the curtains, I saw that there was still daylight outside. Tara would not be impressed with her sister. I had to call her back before she called again. And just what would I say? Iforced myselfto focus on what I saw through the window. It was a sunny day and people around me were getting on with their lives. Zoe, the 12-year-old girl who lived four houses down, was skipping down the street with her golden retriever puppy, which probably meantthatit was between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. A carefree girl and a full-of-life puppy enjoying a beautiful day while a morose “curtain-twitcher” spied on them. Ireread the “Looking Ahead” list in the leather notebook while I spooned chicken noodle soup into my mouth. It was a simple list. “Just a starting point,” Tara had said. Condensed to its basics, the list instructed me to read, write, walk and enjoy nature every day.I was also prompted to stretch my mind with new experiences, workshops and classes. Also, to try things thatI had always wanted to do, and some that I hadn’t everthought about. There was a stack of brochures next to the journal.Time to call my sister back. “Oh, it’s great to hear your voice, Kay. I was starting to get worried,” Tara said. “How are you? I’m in no hurry, so take your time.You need to talk.” We talked for 20 minutes.Itold herI was writing, reading poetry, gardening and thinking about what Ireally wanted out of life. “I’m also signing up for a Spanish for Travellers course,” I told her. “I saw it was one ofthe brochures you picked up for me.” “That’s excellent, Kay.It’s a beautiful language.” As usual, there were more women than men in the class, but Brad, in his 20s, who was preparing for South American travel, and Robert, a divorced semi-retired geologist, didn’t seem to mind. At our final class, we all exchanged phone numbers and emails, agreeing to meet for coffee once a week to practise. Robert and I were regulars.I missed ourtalks when he went out of town for three weeks and was startled to hear his voice on my message machine one morning. “Qué pasa? Kay, it’s Robert. Just back. Came across something that you might be interested in. It’s called Starry Nights and it starts this Friday night. People with binoculars and telescopes look atthe heavens. Call me if you’re interested.” I picked up the phone and dialed Robert’s number. Time to check out the stars in the night sky. Q ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCKPHOTO FEELING INSPIRED? If you are a writing enthusiast looking for an appreciative audience, why not share your fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry with the Our Canada community? 51
I n search of a new adventure, my wife, Shailyn, and I bid farewellto the hustle and bustle of city living to embrace the enchanting allure of Prescott, —a charming town nestled in the heart of Ontario. We leftthe constant buzz and round-the-clock accessibility oflife in Kingston, Ont.,for the tranquility of a smalltown. This change evoked within us a mixture of emotions.While we craved a quieter and more intimate community, we couldn’t help butfret about potential inconveniences. Our spontaneous late-nighttrips to the grocery store and impromptu shopping adventures would become things ofthe past.The previously boundless choices for dining and entertainment would now be constrained. However, as we settled into our new home in Prescott, our worries quickly faded away. Community Care Rightfrom the start, we were captivated by the kind and hospitable demeanour ofthe locals.Travelling on footto our first chiropractic appointment, we entered a cozy building and were greeted by the aroma of a cinnamon and cranberry-scented candle.To our surprise,the chiropractor happened to be the town mayor as well. He and his staff welcomed us so warmly that we instantly Captivated by Kindness With a baby on the way, this couple decided to leap from city life to small-town living by Joel Cummings, Prescott, Ont. MY HOMETOWN 52 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
feltlike cherished members of the community. Not only did they provide exceptional care, butthey also shared with us the latest happenings around town. Their attentive and caring nature served as our first glimpse ofthe close-knit and interconnected spiritthatthrives in Prescott. Fabulous Finds We quickly found some local tennis courts that offer a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River. Playing tennis as a couple has become a great way for us to stay active in our new hometown; my wife finds it particularly enjoyable. We are expecting our first child and are very excited about ourlittle one on the way—and tennis is yet anotherreminder of the beauty and fun Prescott offers us as a growing family. Continuing to explore the town, we stumbled upon Bobby’s Restaurant, a hidden gem that introduced us to a delectable delight called breakfast poutine. Trust us, it’s as delicious as it sounds! The combination of flavours and textures was so perfect that Bobby’s has become our go-to destination for brunch! Discoveries such as this one have served as affirmation that our decision to relocate was indeed the perfect choice for us. Moving also brought unexpected changes that I had failed to account for. As my hair grew to overgrown, Irealized I needed to find a new barber. After visiting Millar’s Barber Shop, I was impressed. Millar’s is devoid of loud music, intrusive TV screens, fancy online-booking software and text message reminders. Instead, I met Bob, a seasoned barber with decades of experience. Not only is he a master of his craft, but he is a skilled conversationalist. With each deft movement of his hands, Bob shared captivating tales about his life and imparted invaluable insights that fostered my sense of belonging in the community. These personal exchanges served as a reminder of the importance of human connection. And these connections are treasures that seem to flourish effortlessly in the tightknit fabric of a small town. Happy Home Our move from the city has led us to make wonderful discoveries. Although things may close a little earlier and life moves at a more relaxed pace, we have come to appreciate the simple pleasures and genuine connections that Prescott offers. This town has quickly become our new home, and as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our baby, we are comforted knowing our child will grow up surrounded by the beauty, warmth and community spirit that defines this charming place. Q Clockwise from top left: Joel’s favourite view of the St. Lawrence River, from RiverWalk Park; breakfast poutine at Bobby’s Restaurant; Joel and Shailyn are all smiles in their new hometown. 53
Wool to the Rescue Knitting and crocheting became a saving grace during a difficult time by Louise McGorman, Abbotsford, B.C. I have always had a love affair with wool. For many years, I never passed a craft store without stopping to buy a ball ortwo of yarn, even though I didn’t always have a specific project in mind. Just walking up and down the aisles of wool and looking at the array of fabulous colours was comparable to eating a big slice of the most decadent dessert. Soon I had drawers filled with wool. Life was busy, with work and family, and left little time for personal hobbies. Periodically, I’d open my drawers of wool and gaze longingly at my hoard with the promise thatI would do something with all this yarn— some day, when I had the time. That old adage “Be careful what you wish for” came to pass. Suddenly, without warning,I came down with a debilitating illness, and forthe next several months Ifound it impossible to do anything thatrequired even the smallest amount of physical exertion. Just the effort of walking across the room or climbing the stairs left me exhausted. The one thing I could do, however, was sit and knit. While I underwent a slow recovery,I spent many hours with CRAFTY CANADIANS 54 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
my knitting needles and crochet hooks.I created afghans, vests, chair covers, slippers and other items. By the time Ifully recovered from my illness,I had a large stack of finished articles. Because I was unable to make use of so many woolen items, my friends and family became the recipients of my work and graciously accepted my humble offerings. To this day, although I no longer hoard wool like I once did,I still get a thrill when I walk down an aisle and see all kinds of wool. And I’ll always be grateful for a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles that helped me through a rough patch in my life. Q Pictured are some of Louise’s lovely handmade items, including a vest that she is sporting (left). 55
When I was a kid growing up in Saskatchewan, card playing was a big source of entertainment for young and old. On Sunday afternoons, and evenings after supper when the dishes were done, out came the cards, and the adults (parents and friends) would start playing. One ofthe men usually kept score on a piece of scrap paper.The dads usually played againstthe moms.The cards were used untilthey were worn out, and then one day, a brand-new deck would appear. Thatwas followed by comments such as,“They’re too slippery,” but the newcardswere soon accepted as the handswere played. We kids would get an old deck and start our own game.There was no television or computers to distract us, so it was great entertainment.There was not much else to do on the Prairies when the temperatures were 30-below! Years later, having a home of my own,the tradition continued; it seemed the naturalthing to do. Even when you were alone and bored,there was always Solitaire. Moving to Kamloops,B.C., a few years later, card playingwas not as frequent, but my interestin decks of playing cards neverwaned. Itwasn’t until 1991 on a trip to Charlottetowntowatchourdaughter curlin theCanadaWinter COLLECTORS All Hands On Deck! A passion for cards was instilled in this avid collector from a young age by Ted Kowalsky, Kamloops, B.C. Ted’s extensive collection contains more than 2,000 unopened decks of playing cards! 56 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
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Games thatI purchased a pair of commemorative decks and decided I should start collecting and displaying them.That was then, and more then 2,000 unopened decks later, here we are. Having travelled a fair amount,I have a tendency to pick up decks from various countries around the world, including Hungary, Germany,Austria,Italy,Taiwan andVietnam.Decks from Costa Rica, Panama andAruba are also in my collection.And on a trip with a close friend to the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge ceremonies,I brought back 72 decks from England, France, Belgium and Holland. I find I am my own biggest supplier, but a dearfriend has given me countless decks from his many travels. Aware of my passion, otherfriends and acquaintances will often bring me a deck ortwo, as well. Over the years,I have had hundreds of doubles, which I give away to anyone who is interested. I am frequently asked,“What is yourfavourite deck?” butI hesitate to choose just one, as there are so many unique decks. ButI guess it would have to be the decks with the most sentimental value—the ones received as gifts from our kids. My unique collection, which features a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes as well as uncut decks, is displayed in holders I have designed and built myself. Itell myselfthatI will quit collecting—untilI discover a deck I don’t have. My wife, Maryanne, simply shakes her head with a smile, but she proudly shows them off as well. Having something that you love looking at and displaying for others to enjoy is whatI find mostrewarding. Q 58 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
About 430 miles (700 km) off the coast of Africa, due west of Morocco and surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean lies the wine-kissed island of Madeira. Though it’s physically closest to Africa, it has a European heart. Madeira was first settled by the Portuguese beginning in 1418 and is now an autonomous region of Portugal, with the culture entrenched in everyday life, including Portuguese as its official language. There is definitely a Mediterranean-island feelto Madeira. “Sunny and subtropical” best describes Madeira, with its lush gardens and swaying palm trees. It is regularly voted one of the top island destinations in the world. With flight times under five hours from most European capitals,itreceives approximately 1.8 million visitors a year, with about 500,000ofthat groupfromcruise ships.But what makes the “Pearl of the Atlantic” so special?Thatis what we hoped to discover. The subtropical climate is a majorfactor in Madeira’s popularity. In February (their winter), the temperature average is about 18°C and usually sunny. In their summer months, it is hotter and becomes a water-sportplaygroundforboaters, swimmers and divers. For a small island—about 450 square miles (1,200 km2 )—Madeira has a deep history and culture. The Funchal Cathedral, dedicated in 1517, is one of Madeira’s oldest buildings. Simple and unassuming from the exterior, the interior is decadent, with gold-gilded side altars, priceless artwork and religious artifacts. Two blocks away from the cathedral—and a great source if you wish to learn more aboutits history—is DESTINATIONS MAGICAL MADEIRA Exploring this brilliant archipelago of Portugal was a journey of discovery by Martin Ciesielski, Edmonton Above, from left: São Tiago Fortress, in Funchal; Monte Palace. 59
theMuseumofSacredArt.Many othermuseums and palaces are within walking distance of downtownFunchal. Funchal, Madeira’s capital city, is small, compact and hilly, housing 105,000 of Madeira’s 250,000 citizens. It is very walkable, with its seaside promenade stretching from the São Tiago Fortress to the Lido outdoor pools. Complete with a marina, flower gardens, rocky beaches and cafés, this is the place to go for a sunny afternoonstroll.Stop for abeer, glass ofMadeirawine or a creamy gelato and slowly countthe soft waves. To reach Madeira’s most popular destination, the 84,000-square yard (70,000 m2 ) Monte Palace museum and tropical garden, the best option is the cable car from Funchal.The ride is breathtaking, with views of Funchal’s tile rooftops and the endless Atlantic Ocean. Built on a south-facing slope, the garden has switchback trails winding through Japanese and Chinese gardens, a swan mini-lake, koi ponds, stone retaining walls decorated with historic Portuguese tiles, African sculptures, life-sized clay figurines, two indoor galleries and, of course, thousands of plants from around the world. Itisconsideredoneofthemostbeautifulbotanical gardens in the world, and that claim is modest. You can later take a basket-toboggan ride—on traditional wicker-basket sledges guidedby tworunners—backdownhilltoFunchal if you feel adventurous! Across the valley is the Madeira Botanical Garden, also accessible by cable car or bus. Although quite a bit smaller than the Monte Palace garden, it also has a steep south-facing slope and switchback trails. It is like a mini Garden of Eden. You are surrounded by flora from all parts of the globe, fountains, an amphitheatre, choreographed gardens, topiary and the bluest cactus plants Ihave ever seen.Evidently,theplants find the south sun, temperate climate, volcanic soil and the 25 inches (635 mm) of annual rain to be the perfect combination to flourish. The soil is also ideal for growing grapes. Cultivated on the terraced mountains of Madeira’s interior, these grapes are the source of area’s renowned wine industry. No trip to Madeira is complete without a taste of these delicious full-bodied Portlike wines. In fact, I suspect they are the main reason many tourists visit Madeira! The wine sampling at D’Oliveiras (estabAbove from left: Madeira Botanical Garden; a traditional thatched-roof house in Santana; an entry in the Art of Open Doors project; the village of São Vicente’s tile rooftops. ALL PHOTOS: MARTIN AND JANICE CIESIELSKI 60 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
lished 1850), with its wooden wine barrels and beams, was full of Old World charm. For art lovers, there is the Art of Open Doors project. At one time Funchal’s Zona Velha (Old Town), in the city’s historic downtown,was decrepit and forgotten. One resident photographer began a project in which fellow local artists painted doors on Rua Santa Maria and nearby streets in the district. With roughly 200 doors currently transformed,whatwas once avoided is now an artistic success and among the trendiest tourist stops—the district is once again alive. The doors are an external gallery of fantasy, surrealism, portraits and clever surprises. Exploring the cobblestoned Rua Santa Maria with my camera in hand became my favourite early-morning walk. JOURNEYING BEYOND Madeira’s mountainous interior reveals a maze of switchback roads, hairpin turns and over 150 tunnels. Madeirans use every square inch of arable land: it’s heavily terraced, mostly with bananas and grapes. Aptly named, Madeira means “wood” in Portuguese: the area’s deep-green forests criss-cross with hundreds of miles of levadas (open-air canals). These centuries-old canals were hand dug to bring water from the island’s wet north to its dry south. While still functional, today they are a mecca for European hikers. Our various bus tours throughoutthe island brought us to many interesting destinations: small villages with their essential churches and plazas;the town of Santana’s traditional straw-roofedMadeiran houses; and the seawater-filled natural pools ofthe summerresort Porto Moniz. But overall, what did we discover about Madeira? Its popularity comes from being able to appeal to all of the senses. Our taste buds were tantalized by wines and foods like the national dish of black scabbard fish; the busy mercado (market) was filled with smells of fresh fish and fragrant flowers; on weekends, fado (Portuguese blues) delighted our ears; our hands felt the Madeiran craftsmanship of leather and cork merchandise; and visions of the painted doors, artwork and palaces from Madeira’s golden era brought my thoughts to a happy place. Is it true that sunny memories are the best memories? Q 61
Stuck on You! I began collecting fridge magnets when my daughters were young as they loved to read them while eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some ofthe magnets were of places they’d seen and done. One time,Itook a train trip to St. Catharines, Ont.,to visit a friend and while visiting NiagaraFalls,I couldn’tleave without picking up another one to rememberthe trip. Of course,that was only the beginning, as Ithen headed to Winnipeg and discovered one aboutthe story ofWinnie the Pooh.I am atthe point where I am now running out offridge door space so have begun sticking them to the freezer door. Some of my favourites are about grandmas (as I am now a grandmother myself);they include “Grandma GoneWild”,“My Grandchild’s Masterpiece”,“IfI had known grandchildren are so much fun,I would have had them first” and “There’s No Place Like Home Except Grandma’s.” Other magnets focus on household humour, such as “You can touch the dust, but please do not write in it” or“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” I have so many thatI could go on and on butjust knowing they are there for a morning chuckle or afternoon teatime reading is the highlight of my day.The nice thing is thatthere is no maintenance on these items, atleast not to the extent my spoon collection requires—I keep those hidden so I don’t have to polish them! Anne Jarvis, Victoria An X-Rated Tale? My niece took her five-year-old son with her when she went shopping for a new pair of slacks. She took a pairinto the fitting room but as she had recently gained some weight, she needed a larger size. She quietly asked her son to go back to the rack and find a pair with one more “X” than the pair she had with her. She asked him to go quietly and quickly so as to not draw any attention to them. No sooner had he left the fitting room than at the top of his lungs, he called out, “Mom, how many Xs did you say you need?” So much for being discreet! Joan Stewart, Edmonton FUNNY STUFF CAPTION CORNER “Love just chillin’ in my pumpkin patch...” Thanks to Brenda Doherty of Ariss, Ont., for sharing this amusing pic! Can you come up with a better caption for it than we did? Join the fun on our Facebook page and share your witty one-liners there. And remember to send your Caption Corner pics to us at ourcanada.ca! Editor’s Note: David S. Mitchell’s book Trivia Fusion: Connect the Thoughts: Meet Your Trivia Match with 555 Pop Culture Challenges! is now available on www.amazon.ca 62 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
Trivia Tidbits Spotlight on SCTV! 16. What fictitious town was home to local television station SCTV in the sketch-comedy show of the same name? 17.Who portrayed the characters JohnnyLaRue,Dr.Tongue andMayorTommyShanks? 18. Played by JoeFlaherty, what was the name of SCTV’s scheming owner and president? 19.What type of music did the Shmenge Brothers play? 20.Who portrayed the charactersEdith Prickley,EdnaBoil and Mojo? Trivia questions courtesy of David S. Mitchell © 2023 Match wits with trivia-wizard David S. Mitchell of Montreal! Trio Teasers 1. Who wrote the lyrics forthe popular 1969 song “My Way?” a) Ian Tyson b) Gordon Lightfoot c) Paul Anka 2. Which of these three Canadian hockey teams has won a Stanley Cup? a) Calgary Flames b) Winnipeg Jets c) Vancouver Canucks 3.What was PierreTrudeau’s last yearin office asCanada’s prime minister? a) 1983 b) 1984 c) 1985 4.Which writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013? a) MargaretAtwood b) Michael Ondaatje c)Alice Munro 5.ThefirstCanadianYMCAwas founded in 1851 in which city? a) Montreal b)Toronto c)Winnipeg Canadian Connections Sample challenge: Neil Young band meets iconic Alex Colville painting Answer: Crazy Horse and Train 6.“The Power of Love” singer meets a former NHL defencemanwhoplayedforthree differentCanadian teams ANSWERS 7. The Stone Angel author meets director Xavier Dolan’s third feature film 8.FormerCanadian prime minister meets the country’s current constitutional monarch 9.A prolific composer, songwriter, pianist and producer meets a legendary hockey radio broadcaster 10.Former ambassador best known for his role in the 1979 “Canadian Caper” meets Alberta-born NHL player who spentthe first six years of his career with the Oilers 2022 Walk of Fame Inductees 11. This actress garnered several awards for hertourde-force performance on the television show Orphan Black. 12.This band forever changed the Canadian rock-music landscape in 1989 with the hits “Blow at HighDough” and “New Orleans Is Sinking.” 13.This journalist was one of the first hosts ofCBCRadio’s As It Happens and a mainstay onCBC-TV’sThe Journal. 14. Known asTheBigTrain, this prolific athlete won both a GreyCup and StanleyCup, and in 1949 became a member of Parliament. 15.This founder andCEO ofretail giantIndigo is also the co-founder of Kobo. aknAl uaP)c. 1 se mal Fyragl a C) a. 2 4891 ) b. 3 or nu Mecil A)c. 4 l aert no M) a. 5 f uenahPnoi Denil e C. 6 ecner uaLt eragra M. 7 sya wynA ei znekca MnoyL mailli W. 8 III selrahCgni K tti we HretsoFdi va D. 9 ll a Hrol yaTne K. 01 ynal sa Manait aT. 11 pi Hyll aci gar TehT. 21 mur FarabraB. 31 rehcano Cl enoi L. 41 na msi e Rreht ae H. 51 elli vnol e M. 61 ydna CnhoJ. 71 orell aba Cyu G. 81 akl oP. 91 nitra Maer dnA. 02 63
Submit at ourcanada.ca or mail submission to: Our Canada, P.O. Box 975, STN Main Markham, Ont., L3P 0K7. Our Canada and More of Our Canada are unique publications in that they are written by and for Canadians just like you! Send us your stories and photos and you may see them published in a future issue. CONTRIBUTE TO OUR CANADA AND GET A FREE 1-YEAR GIFT SUBSCRIPTION UPON PUBLICATION! If your story or photo is published in Our Canada or More of Our Canada, you will receive a free, one-year gift subscription to the magazine. Already a subscriber? Have your gift subscription added to the end of your current subscription or pass it along to someone else. TEXT LENGTH From 500-1,000 words is ideal. Your story may be edited for length and style. PHOTOS For digital images, set your camera for the best picture quality and send us JPG files. For hard copy photos, send highquality prints—copies are preferable; we are not responsible for lost photos. By submitting stories or photos to Our Canada or More of Our Canada, you are confirming that you are a citizen, permanent resident or landed immigrant of Canada. RETURNS We can’t acknowledge submissions or return unused photos. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity, and may be reproduced in all print and electronic media. Upon publication, original submissions (text and photos) become the property of The Reader’s Digest Magazines Canada Limited and its affiliates. Our Country, Our Stories. Explore the place where ordinary Canadians share inspiring stories and stunning snapshots of life in the Great White North. The Our Canada e-newsletter delivers the very best to your inbox every Thursday. Subscribe for free at rd.ca/newsletter 64 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
PET CORNER ONLY IN CANADA! Maureen Springer of Cobden, Ont., writes: “This is Dolly—and yes, this chicken is a pet. She is five years old and a sister to Molly, Polly and Holly. They get along well and enjoy our granddaughter bringing sunflower seeds for them to snack on. The sisters are a busy group, laying eggs for us on the farm. We visit with them and also enjoy their eggs, which are farm fresh and so tasty—they make good omelettes and provide lots to bake with. Pets come in all sizes, shapes and varieties...in Canada, anyway! We encourage children to take care of pets—and also to learn where our food comes from on the farm.” Have a great shot of your family’s pet? Send it along and it may appear on this page! 65
STORYTIME Chippy and Friend When it comes to creating the perfect home, teamwork makes the dream work! by Wayne Ridgeway, Stayner, Ont.. Once upon a time, a cute little chipmunk named Chippy lived in the woodshed behind our house. He was a very adventurous critter, sometimes staying away overnight. One day, he returned home to find that his old friend Mindy the mink, who was long, with silky white fur, had taken up residence in his home. “It looks like you’re living here,” saidChippy. “The humans took the blocks of wood that made up my home, I had no place to go,” she responded. “I hope you don’t mind.” “Of course not,” he warmly responded, emptying out a stash of corn he had stuffed in his cheeks. “Where did you get those?” asked Mindy. “I found a chicken coop on the other side of the big building,”replied Chippy. “In the morning, I will show you where itis.” The next morning, they were woken by a loud banging noise. Mrs. Human was planting tomatoes in the garden, an annual event. “Oh boy,” said Chippy, “I hope the plants grow the smallred fruit they had last year, the big ones are too large to bring home.” Chippy was referring to cherry tomatoes. “Are they good?” asked Mindy. “You bet! Let’s go to the chicken coop for breakfast,” suggested Chippy. “But the humans…” began Mindy, but Chippy was gone, running between Mrs. Human’s feet and into the long grass “Oh!” exclaimed Mindy, and followed. They scurried through the long grass. Around the corner,they ran into all kinds of obstacles: oldtires, springs,fenders andlots of junk. Chippy maneuvered the obstacles with ease;Mindywas slower and more cautious, not wanting to get her white coat dirty.Things gotworse as therewereweeds and thistles to crawl through. Chippy stopped at the driveway, looking both ways fortractors or ATVs charging by. “The way is clear,” he said. Off went Chippy again. Reaching the chickencoop,Chippyclimbed up a piece of wood, through a hole in the floor and into the coop. Mindy had to squeeze through the hole, she was a bit bigger than Chippy. There was a huge bag of chicken mash with a hole at the bottom so feed had spilled out onto the floor. There was all kinds of grain, cornand seeds forthe taking. Chippy started filling his cheek pouches with corn, Mindy tried to gather what she could, but had to spit them out saying: “I can’t carry things like you do Chippy, what am I going to do?” “That’s okay,I can bring enough for both of us, you lead the way and watch for humans,” he responded. Off they went, over andunderthe obstacles,throughtheweeds and long grass. Suddenly, Mindy stopped, “It’s raining,” she said. “No,” replied Chippy, “Mrs. Human is watering the plants, follow me!” Off he went, leading the way back home to the woodshed. The next morning, they were about to set out on another expedition. Chippy stuck his head out ofthe woodpile to see if the way was clear. “Yippee,” he shouted, clapping his little front paws, ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCKPHOTO 66 Our Canada OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023
HERE ARE SOME OF THE FEATURES AND DEPARTMENTS WE’RE HOPING TO REPLENISH FOR UPCOMING ISSUES Send Us Your Stories &Photos STORYTIME Whetherit’s part of their mid-afternoon “quiet time” ortheir nightly tucking-in ritual, kids just love a good story. Here’s an opportunity to share that children’s tale you’ve been meaning to write! FUNNY STUFF Do you have a hilarious tale to tell? Ourfunny bone is just waiting to be tickled! Send along your side-splitting misadventures and knee-slapping anecdotes—everybody loves a good laugh, especially Our Canada readers! PASTIMES Are you a Collector of unusual things? Maybe you’re particularly Crafty or have a talent to Showcase? Wherever yourinterests lie—from scrapbooking to hiking, and all points in between—we hope you’ll tell us all about them—and send along plenty of eye-popping photos as well. WHEELS Have a passion for vintage cars and motorcycles? Or maybe high-performance vehicles, trucks or jeeps are more your speed. Even oddball junkers are welcome—whatever gets your motorrunning is of interest to us! If you have an idea you don’t see here, send it along as well! Submit your stories and photos at ourcanada.ca “Peanuts!” The humans had placed a row of peanuts along the edge of the garden. This became a daily event. Three months later, the plants in the garden had grown very tall and were bearing fruit. Chippy and Mindy’s daily diet was peanuts and nibbling on large tomatoes. They brought home smaller ones to have for an evening snack. One day, they were playing in the side garden underthe big leaves of the plants. They could play undetected by humans, although the big black dog would stick his nose into the garden to see what was happening. Suddenly, there was a loud noise and the ground beganto shake as large blocks of wood slid off a huge truck slamming againstthe pavement ofthe driveway. “Oh no,” saidChippy,“They are getting in more wood forthe winter,there goes our home!” “Butjustthink,” Mindy excitedly replied, “Now we can renovate!” Chippy and Mindy did justthat,they renovated their home, creating two levels and adding a spotfortheir supply of nuts, corn and dried tomatoes! Q 67
TILL NEXT TIME Gregory Dias of Mississauga, Ont., writes: “The contrast of the brightly coloured yellow and red maple leafs against the hood of a black car outside my house, caught my eye.” YOUR TURN: Do you have a parting shot to share? Submit online at ourcanada.ca or turn to page 64 for our address.