Literally do you think regardless of how you do it but.........can you dance? (It really is as basic as that)....hope you can and you certainly can groove. Yes in all languages.

Who’s Opinion Matters?

I have observed that society in general always seems to honor its living conformists and its dead troublemakers. All those who have ever made a difference in any profession have listened to the inner music they heard and proceeded independent of the opinions of others. That was certainly true of one of my favorite nonconformists, Robert Giordano, who walked to the beat of a different drum and followed the beliefs of his

conscience. He knew that the beat you hear within yourself is your connection to your soul’s purpose. An important teacher of mine in many ways always counseled that it was necessary for the self-actualized individual to be “independent of the good opinion of others.” Walk with in your own mind. Listen to the voice you hear, and the drumbeat only you can feel, and honor it, while honoring it in those you love as well. It is the ultimate act of unconditional love. In being true to your inner calling, you may ruffle some feathers but you’ll have the peace and satisfaction of knowing that you fulfilled your divine purpose and encouraged others to do the same. Another brilliant nonconformist, Dr. Seuss, is credited with saying,

 

“Be what you are and say what you feel, because those who will mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

 

A Financial Fiasco

As we begin this short work week and the last week of May, investors and borrowers alike are wondering what is going to happen with interest rates in June.

Popular belief has it that they will start rising but the world’s financial situation still appears to be so volatile that we, the great unwashed, can only scratch our heads and wonder. The problems in Europe and the Greek crisis in particular, triggered a massive $1 Trillion bailout to stabilize things but no one seems to know if it will work. Then last week Germany’s financial supervisory authority, the Bundesanstalt Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (trying saying THAT three times fast….or even once!), announced a ban on something called “naked short selling” in the credit default swap market which caught other countries off guard and has evoked criticism. I can’t say if it was a good thing or not because I’d never heard of naked short selling before. Investors sell short by selling borrowed securities in hopes of buying them back later at lower cost (can you spell “g r e e d”?). The more controversial naked selling involves selling securities before ensuring they can be borrowed. You heard right. And we wonder why the world is in such a financial mess.

I have that feeling :)

Yesterday the porch was painted in the morning then in the evening. It was actually fun within the evening as we were singing and the first coat is on and the second one well - I think it's going to have to wait. When arriving in for the evening and just sitting I knew there was something wrong. If anyone has every has an entire cap on one of there teeth done. Just imagine this.................you feel a jiggling within your mouth it's 11 at night. Then you look in the mirror and realize that the entire crown is sliding up and down. What do you do? You just enjoy water and food by way of a straw and then wait till the long weekend here is over meanwhile it's going up to 31c here. 

Now there is something very wrong with this picture! :)

Picture Perfect - Under My Nose

A little late here with this post with regards to a picture for the theme which is under my nose. So I thought I would post this one but when I first read the picture I thought of food, the Rolling Stones, and yeah my nose! However recently what was under my nose was ``the catch of the day``. We went fishing within this man made lake here Quebec and this is my submission.

Now when all was done with fishing yesterday I when I saw what was being done to these Trout and the smell I definitely knew what was under my nose. So here is my picture it`s anything but typical. But believe you me you could smell right under your nose this. :)

 

A wise man once said never look into the eyes of a dead fish as you will have fishy things that happen to you. Now I looked away as fast as I could but you could certainly smell this right under your nose.

Picture Perfect if you wish to look at the blog group is right here:

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/312/Picture_Perfect_Under_Your_Nose_Theme

 

A Saturday of Fishing at Nature Center of LaValle 030.AVI

This was most interesting as before leaving this place within Laval or Lavalle that we went fishing at. We all were leaving and while leaving I couldn't help but get a video of this as I thought it was rather funny. Rochelle had suggested that I take a look at this area near the pond and while leaving one could not resist capturing these two and one definately was looking for food while the other was just there.

Fishing as well as nature at it`s funniest but yet at it best.

A Saturday of Fishing at Nature Center of Laval 013.AVI

Now this was something to see. They prep the fish that were caught and it is something.

A Fishing Saturday

Well from this morning till mid afternoon I ended up in an area called The Center of Nature of Laval. I can honestly say that it`s been some time since I have fished. And here at this place I literally caught three. It`s a man made lake that during the summer they always fill up the man made lake with trout for most especially for this one family weekend.


The company was was great Dan as well as his wife Rachelle are a story that is truly something significant. My friend and myself literally enjoyed this time. So the day was fishy and it went from raining then to being very warm actually very warm but it was a terrific day.

A very nice summer day. I did not catch the most fish, yet it was amazing to see how many were here and I certainly didn't catch the most fish but three fish are fine with me.


I can be a little fishy either way :)

A Easy Friday into the City and back Out 027.AVI

This was taken while going into this church that was right nearby a park and thereafter this was the time I was really finished with the day.

It was superb. So say the least I wish I would have bad it over which was right across as well that was the original place of the origins of CIRQUE DU SOLEIL yet that is for another day.

A Easy Friday into the City and back Out 027.AVI

A Easy Friday into the City and back Out 007.AVI

I have never went entirely on my own within the streets of Quebec. I had so much help and assistance with people from the transit that took the time to actually write down how to get downtown as well as how to find my place around. Did I enjoy it, I loved it.

Yet as soon as I was eight blocks within the downtown, I came across several people that were here from other countries as well as from within Quebec. The proper manner to get this right directions is to ask with a respect in French first, then a few not all as most are predominately english they will give you the right direction yet which is left and which is right :)

There was a Mexican that was here ironically I was a little lost on the subway and the person literally showed me the way to return coupled with a student that lives here in Quebec and was all to happy as well to give me the right directions.

To ask works, in a great way.

An Easy going time within the Morning

It was a most interesting time from a transit to the subway to right down town in Montreal. The weather here is perfect and it still does amaze me.


Now I am not up on taking buses or otherwise this was the first time that I literally enjoy the time from 8am through till midday.

Not My Write yet a very good One...

I always do my own writes yet there is substance within this one. As I believe everyone has there own boundaries as well as we gain by way of what we come to know it`s a long weekend here coming up again I have some one more thing that is arriving yet. Yet it shall hopefully tomorrow. Healthy barriers will give way to that very necessary freedom to pursue your development apart from those whose approval you seek out.

As relationships evolve, lives gradually become entwined. We tend to have a great deal in common with the people who attract us, and our regard for them compels us to trust their judgment. While our lives may seem to run together so smoothly that the line dividing them cannot be seen, we remain separate beings. To disregard these barriers is to sacrifice independence. It is our respect for the fact that our lives exist independently of the lives of others that allows us to set emotional and physical boundaries, to explore our interests and capabilities even when people close to us do not understand our partialities, and to agree to disagree. Maintaining healthy barriers is a matter of recognizing the point at which our principles and those of our loved ones and peers no longer overlap.

Human beings must relentlessly fight the temptation to follow the crowd. Naturally, we want to be liked, accepted, and admired, and it often seems that the easiest way to win approval is to ally ourselves with others. When we assume that our standards are the same as those of the people close to us without first examining our own intentions, we do ourselves a disservice. The barriers that exist between us are a reminder that our paths in life will be unique, and we must each accept that "I" and "we" can coexist peacefully. Our reactions, our likes and dislikes, our loves, our goals, and our dreams may or may not align with those of others, but we should neither ask others to embrace what we hold dear nor feel compelled to embrace what they hold dear.

As you learn to define yourself as an emotionally and intellectually distinct individual, you will grow to appreciate your autonomy. However much you enjoy the associations that bind you to others and provide you with a sense of identity, your concept of self will ultimately originate in your own soul. The healthy barriers that tell you where you end and the people around you begin will give you the freedom to pursue your development apart from those whose approval you might otherwise be tempted to seek out. Others will continue to play a role in your existence, but their values will not direct its course, and the relationships you share will remain marvelously balanced and harmonious as a result.

I thought it was a decent write and worth the share.

 

It`s a long weekend coming up here one which is called Victoria Day.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Day

It`s really not wroth it...as I have seen it within it`s full The best measure to obtaining life is usage of what is good and the dynamics that enlighten one.

Oh Yeah...

I have been waiting for a few things to be sent and I am so glad that they finally arrived.

Picture Perfect ~ 'Cuisine'

The theme this week is

C U I S I N E

Cuisine (from French "cooking; culinary art; kitchen"; ultimately from Latin coquere, "to cook") is a specific set of cooking traditions and practices, often associated with a specific culture. It is often named after the region or place where its underlining culture is present. A cuisine is primarily influenced by the ingredients that are available locally or through trade. Religious food laws can also exercise a strong influence on cuisine.

A traditional cuisine is a coherent tradition of food preparation that rises from the daily lives and kitchens of a people over an extended period of time in a specific region of a country and which has notable distinctions from the cuisine of the country as a whole. Yes this is the first of several morning courses that I prepare within the morning as it does take time in the making. One has to nurture coffee or cafe au lait and then what comes next...maybe I may place another on upon my return this later. Cuisine is something that is an art. At 5 in the morning this is how I do get my start. Yet one has to know exactly the right ingredients to ensure that the tastes is good as they say in french - Cèst bon. It`s my own morning karma meal, you add 5% cream, a tad of honey, and let the grains of the beans rise to a temperature of hot! :). Then leave it to be and sit back and relax and get prepared to make the real course for the day. History illustrates that most of the best cooks within the world often started the first course behind in the kitchin with this very preperation. And the flavour is pending what you wish it to be. Thereafter followed by what comes after. Yes it`s simple yet its very enjoyable and has been prepared in most every country by many people each and every year. How I start my own cuisine is first with the preperation of this very concoction. It`s not that easy yet one or two cups and it`s a commencing of the day.

To go to visit Picture Perfect the location is here:

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/311/Picture_Perfect_Cuisine

 

Question for the Weekend - How do you vision companionship which tends to lead into love...

Where there is a will there is a way...

I think it`s fair to say that I do find that things are worth the making between two people. One never just throws in the towel. As two people people may start of in all different manners. Yeah I remember this saying of if it jells. The key is within listening and at the same time you give it your all. Yet perhaps I have been single for some time and yet a very decent one that is within my life here. Is someone that I find to be a friend and things still are moving slowly more so by my own part. I have found that there is a compromise as well as it takes two and well for the most part it has its ups and downs yet I enjoy all the things in which I love to do. So we are still going slowly. Maybe I am going slowly however it is what it is and no two people are alike and there is that self time that one enjoys in having. I have looked at things from my own angle and find that sometimes it can be trying yet I am not one to jump and leave someone. It`s not my way and my hopes are that for the next two weeks that we can work things out. I have a few friends on here that are much like myself that are married and they find that time to write something and enjoy the end of the day. Men. We men are all different. I have often said that there are boys, men, and gentlemen. I still believe in that and I am certainly not one to look to control things. As I have found with this friend of mine that is not on my blog yet is within each and everyday of my life that we are within an impass. I hope a good one. I don`t wish to take much time with this but maybe I am an idealist yet there is something to not throwing in the towel on someone that is within your life. You start off as friends and when both can learn or come to some reason of compromise and the understanding of the other one and that it`s not the past - then there is that chance. That very chance of something. Something that may very well lead into something good. Yet it does take two. Finally I have arrangements to get what was intended sent over to me from my home. So it`s been a busy weekend, yet one that between two people will require a little help. I appreciate your privacy with this as I am not down. I just feel that my hopes are that for a little more that things will and shall work out. As I think we tend to get to a certain age and we are used to doing things within our own manner and way. Just a little time and my hopes are that it shall begin to work out in a good manner. As mentioned this is a long ago friend that I regard highly as she is precious within her own way. If that was not the case I would not be here any longer but I do believe that all good things do have there own way of working out. I do hope that this is treated well by friends. Things just take some time, some a little longer than others. Yet where there is a will there is a way when two people can perhaps take that time out and render things back in a good manner. So my own hopes are that there is something that can be rendered in the manner that there were hopes with as we intended them to be. It`s just going to take a some from my part as well as hers. It`s proven that two people can work things out if they wish too and I certainly do. I am not one nor is she to be walking on eggshells. As there is something abundant in what can be. Love is not easy, nor is friendship - yet validity lays within the manner of what we do and how we do things for each other.

Between two it`s more worth the regard of knowing the other and as well the allowance to blend. No one is every completely right and yet it takes that render of compromise....and then it renders the best within two.

 

Yeah

 

 

A Rainbow of Abundance

Early within the morning there were two very nice people that had a garage sale. Needless to say, I enjoy the dialogue with these two people. How we do find at this time that garage sales are something that come within spring.


Thereafter it was off to the shopping center that is nearby and getting some other things as I was not all prepared for the change of climates and arrived here within Quebec without as much as I have back at home within the west.

Then around the the a portion around the rural side of this easter part of Montreal. And seeing another area. Which upon returning we stopped over to this college which was truly something significant.

Then the best scene was in turning to the best area of real estate on the river front and there was another Church that one could not resist. This Saturday was truly a day of plenty. Plenty grooves into abundance and this is why I thought I would name it as such.

Save the Last Dance For Me - A great Weekend to you...

 

"Save The Last Dance For Me"

You can dance-every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye,let him hold you tight
You can smile-every smile for the man
Who held your hand neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me

Oh I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine,go and have your fun
Laugh and sing,but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me

Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never never let you go
I love you oh so much

You can dance,go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home,you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me

'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling,save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me.

 

Latin Sayings :)

It may surprise you to know that I was immersed in spanish as well. As well, I learned french a long time ago and it`s coming back.  I don’t remember why I did that exactly but it was probably an elective and languages were easier for me than the pure sciences like chemistry.
While it’s true that in my adult life no one has ever asked me to decline a noun, there are many Latin phrases that we use today. Certainly not “Ad nauseum” (to a sickening extent) but definitely “Ad infinitum” (without limit). I like to say “Cogito ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). I sing “A cappella” (unaccompanied) in the shower (probably ad nauseum). I have visited my “Alma Mater” (one’s old school, literally, “bounteous mother”). Some of us have an “Alter ego” (alternate self) and we all like to “Carpe diem” (seize the day; also means enjoy the day…pluck it when it’s ripe). It’s wise to heed the phrase “Caveat emptor”, which means let the buyer beware. We’ve all been in an “In camera” (private chamber) meeting to discuss the “Status quo” (current state of affairs) and make sure we’re on “Terra firma” (firm ground).  It is “defacto” (in reality), “Modus operendi” ( the mode of operating) for most Boards of Directors. I see by the clock that “Tempus fugit” (time flees) so “Ipso facto” (by that very fact) before you say ‘Quo vadis” (where are you going), I will simply say, “Veni vidi vici” (I came; I saw; I conquered) and depart before this becomes “Ad absurdum” (to the point of absurdity). Have a great friday and remember, “Non illegitimus carborundum”.

Within the City - Quebec 097.AVI

This was done after taking many pictures within Montreal and I was doing my own summary of while taking the escalator up from the subway.

Visual Renderings

Ironically this was taken within Edmonton, Alberta almost exactly at the same time. Now Edmonton is 3400 miles west from Montreal, Quebec.

Vantages without Definition

There are several on here some that were taken earlier and never placed on to ones of recent. The wetlands are something I have seen them before in different parts Canada as well as eastern US. Seems that for the most part that is why ``Ducks Unlimited`` came into being as well as some advocates that preserve our nature.

There a few others taken very early within the morning. Here it`s different in getting a morning sunrise as it is far to far to get to that end of the city but perhaps we shall.

Then there are a few other old pictures - well within this past two weeks.

Just a Thought....

Now where did time fly... the last I was on here was during Mother`s Day and I certain did make a call to my mother the foundation of families as I see it are mothers. So that is that and I am not sure about you but the weather has been slowly getting milder - yet it`s certainly taking it`s time. So here it`s one day leading into another. Seems it was just yesterday that we were posting some of the things that we posted a years ago yet in a way it`s changed.

I am certainly not up on all the news however that all comes with good time. Then there is the worlds economy as we are coming to be more entwined and when one country sneezes seemingly everyone is catching a cold. The North American stock markets took a gut wrenching nosedive recently jittery traders dumping commodity related shares in a hurry as wild fears shot through the investing community that European debt problems could derail the global recovery”. Great. I watch the international news and see Greeks rioting in the streets protesting their government’s austerity measures intended to get the country back on track. We’re told that 80% of Greek citizens refuse to pay taxes which, along with generous vacation and early retirement benefits one could only dream about, is partly what got that country into the mess it’s in today. I don’t get it.

One can only imagine what would happen to any countries finances if only 20% got around to paying our taxes while everyone else thumbed their noses at the government. And then, as I indicated, Greece’s self inflicted problems can possibly drag us down too. Something is inherently wrong here. But seemingly there is always a trick down effect as well as a tickle up effect when it comes to economics. I have nothing against Greece but as mention it`s something.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/05/10/f-rfa-macdonald.html

 

 

Wishing all my friends whom are mothers a very Happy Mothers Day...

What a cold and wet day to say the least....laundry, groceries, cleaning indoors and looking at the eavesdrop yet again it`s going to rain again. I have never seen it so damp at this time of the year.

The Birds and the Bees

Do you remember the times when moms and dads were quite shy about such things within family matters specifically teaching us about the Birds and the Bees. Mine certainly were. Without a doubt. Somehow I vaguely recall my dad handing me a book on the subject when I was 12 with his eyes lowered and mumbling something about it was time I read up on changes that will happen during puberty. I think he wanted to get out of my room as fast as possible and when he did there was my older brother having a hoot of a time and then saying, ``lets go for a run```. He had no qualms with it and well I was all to embarrassed to look at my parents for one week as I thought there was a stork or something that just happened. But to think that ..............ok, lets not go there.  Within the province of Ontario the government may be in a bit of hot water regarding proposed changes to the school sex education curriculum that will see sexual orientation discussed as early as grade 3. Both Christian and Muslim groups in that province are uniting against such a thing and from the little I know of what the government is proposing be taught to kids as young as 8....I think I wouldn’t be too happy either if I still had a child that young. Mind you on the other hand if I was 8 and within that classroom I would suppose I would be a little confused to say the least. Ontario’s sex education curriculum actually sits in the middle of the pack as far as content goes in sex education across all ten provinces but it is the explicit language and attention to detail that sets Ontario apart. At least their Education Minister says that parents can ask to have their children removed from the classroom if they object to the content of the classes. I don’t know why they can’t just use common sense in the first place so they don’t have to worry about that happening.

Easy - Lionel Richie

"Easy"

Know it sounds funny
But I just can't stand the pain
Girl I'm leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know I've done all I can
You see I begged, stole
And I borrowed

Ooh, that's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning

Why in the world
Would anybody put chains on me?
I've paid my dues to make it
Ever body wants me to be
What they want me to be
I'm not happy when I try to fake it!
No!

Ooh,that's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning

I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me, babe!

That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like sunday morning
Because I'm easy
Easy like sunday morning
Because I'm easy
Easy like sunday morning

 

Have you heard of Chinglish?

The word refers to spoken or written English that shows the influence of Chinese language or culture. I understand that translating Chinese ideas into English is difficult for the hundreds of millions of people in China who either speak English or are learning it. Spoken phrases and in particular signs in Chinglish often evoke laughter from Westerners but we might want to think of it as the continuing globalization of our language. Have you ever bumped into someone you haven’t seen in a while and said, “Long time no see”? That’s Chinglish. The powers that be tried to clean up English signage for the 2008 Olympics. They replaced 400,000 street signs in Beijing so you would be directed to the Dongda Proctology Hospital instead of the Dongda Anus Hospital and to Minorities Park instead of Racist Park. Some 1300 restaurant menu items were changed so we wouldn’t be faced with “fried enema” and “monolithic tree mushroom stem squid”. Those who needed to purchase “roomier” clothing found that extra-large sizes sometimes came in “fatso” and “lard bucket” categories. Now, Expo 2010 has opened in Shanghai and once again officials have done their best to clean things up for the roughly 70 million expected visitors. The Shanghai Commission for the Management of Language Use so far has fixed thousands of signs, rewritten placards and helped hundreds of restaurants reword menu items. That means we won’t see the sign, “The Little Grass is Sleeping, Please Don’t Disturb It”, which I rather like as a stylish and gentle version of “Keep Off the Grass”.

Yesterday

Yesterday I was taken by so many things the flavor if you will of this city. From churches to areas that were within the metro area of this city. And people are so different yes I can say that Quebec is different in comparison to many of the other parts of Canada. Yet there still is that slogan that all within are equal. However history illustrates otherwise. Cultures and the diversity are something that at this stage of my life I have come to see nearly everything within Canada. I still maintain that Montreal is a European flavor of New York. There were so many things that certainly reminded me of this and yet there are places within Canada that do have a commonality as well I would tend to suppose that in other areas and countries as well. I have always found this all to significant. Most that live in one place are a tourist, I like to emerge within the culture as I have always within my own speed and cadence. I have found recently that my spanish is far better than my French however for the most part all within Quebec seem to have no reservations with one that speaks english. It`s just really nice. Yesterday was the first time that I had the opportunity to really see so much in a period of three hours and it was something that one side of my still is within the west and another is slowly beginning emerge...Here there are truly some places that you can`t take pictures and then there are some that it`s truly open to everyone. There have been several times that I have thought of NY, yet this seems to have the big apple with a nice European twist.

Within the City - Quebec 085.AVI

This is a crept within the Nortre Dame Basilica. Truly amazing, I am not sure if this is a declared saint or otherwise. Yet I place my camera into the room to be able to illustrate this area.

A Culture Tour of Montreal

Or shall I say a portion of it. There are pictures here that were taken within on shopping centre in which I had met with the staff as well and then on a day off it was out to down town a part of Montreal that is within the university area and hosts some very interesting areas for one to see.

This is really the first time I was within the heart of downtown. From the Notre Dame Bascillica - to two other churches as they were just within the local. However when you enter them it was truly something to see.

Then the subway system here and the Standard Trust Building which is owned by a famous family called the Betall Family. There was so much happening within the city that within just this section I was able to get a few pictures. Smiling a few. Well I guess there is plenty on this camera not to mention another.

What facinated me the most was this one church and the art work. It`s not as large as the Notre Dame Bascilica yet the art on the walls was breathtaking you would have thought that Picasso was there literally.

Montreal City....its very hard to define as there is so much intertwined.

Montreal's Notre Dame Basilica.AVI

There is a history to these churches. This is truly an amazing place. I will write more as this was the oldest church within Montreal.
The very last time I was within a basilica was in Edmonton, Alberta. However this was truly amazing the architecture and some of the things that unfolded.
I have always found churches and places of worship to be something very interesting as they are works of art.

A Time in History

Twenty short years after the Great War, Europe again stood on the brink of a mighty upheaval in the summer of 1939. Clouds of war were on the horizon, and Canada would again be called into the fight. By the time the Second World War ended six years later, more than 1.1 million Canadians and Newfoundlanders from a population of about 11 million would serve in the military.

The human toll would be immense: 45,000 Canadian soldiers would die and another 54,000 would be wounded.Their sacrifices at Dieppe, on the beaches of Normandy, in the Italian campaign would help Canada emerge from the war years with a new-found clout and respect on the world stage.

Dawn of war
The fighting began with the German attack on Poland early on Sept. 1, 1939. Britain and France declared war on Germany shortly after and, while Canada was not drawn in automatically, there were few doubts the country would follow suit a week later.
Canada's military was ill-equipped at the war's outbreak, with a small army and outdated weaponry, but defences were quickly bolstered, and thousands of volunteers signed up for the overseas campaign.

The first Canadian troops departed for Europe at the end of 1939. Note the date...

Canadian pilots fought side-by-side with the British air force in repelling the German Luftwaffe's attacks on the U.K. in the summer of 1940. The Royal Canadian Air Force engaged in direct combat with enemy planes for the first time in the war.
Repelled in the Battle of Britain, the Germans turned to night bombing of London and other cities. During the Blitz, which lasted until May 1941, the British buckled but did not break.
Canada also waged war at sea, doing battle with German U-boats that were attacking convoy ships. The German boats even breached Canadian waters, sinking 23 ships in the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
More than 3,000 Canadian sailors and merchant seaman died in fighting on the Atlantic Ocean during the war years. The navy, which had just six destroyers and a few smaller ships when the war began, was among the world's largest military fleets by 1945.

'A date that will live in infamy'
The attack on Pearl Harbor — which saw Japanese planes bomb the American naval fleet moored in Hawaii — drew the Allied forces into a Pacific theatre of war.
Canadian forces saw direct combat with the Japanese almost immediately at the Battle of Hong Kong, which began on Dec. 8, 1941. The Canadians were all volunteers and far from battle-ready, having arrived just three weeks earlier.
The colony surrendered on Christmas Day, and the surviving Canadian, British and Indian soldiers became prisoners of war.
The Japanese sent 1,685 captured Canadian soldiers to four prisoner of war camps. By the time Hong Kong was liberated in 1945, more than 550 of them had died.

Bloody day at Dieppe
 
Behind enemy lines
Gustave Bieler was recruited by the British secret service at the age of 38. He parachuted into occupied France in 1942 with the goal of blending into French society and wreaking havoc among the Germans.
His daughter, Jacqueline Bieler, tells his story. Read a Q&A with the author of the book Out of Night and Fog: The Story of Major Guy Bieler, Special Operations Executive.
The raid on Dieppe in August 1942 was the Allies' first major combined operation of army, navy and air forces. It was seen as a test run for the eventual invasion of France — but became one of the darkest chapters in Canadian military history.
Almost 5,000 soldiers and officers from the 2nd Canadian Division joined the fight. Problems began before the men even reached the shore when a German convoy learned of the attack.
When the Allied forces hit the beach, they ran into a wall of machine-gun and mortar fire. Entire platoons were mowed down as they stepped out of their landing craft.
An estimated 907 Canadians were killed, and 1,946 became prisoners of war. No major objectives were accomplished, but some later believed that valuable lessons were learned that would be later applied on the beaches of Normandy.

The Italian campaign
The invasion of Sicily in July 1943 was, at the time, the largest amphibious invasion in history. The island fell quickly to the Allies, creating a base for an invasion of the Italian mainland.
The government of Benito Mussolini fell just two weeks later, but the Germans swept into power, turning from Italian ally to occupier.
After weeks of brutal fighting — sometimes hand-to-hand combat — the Canadians pushed German forces back to the medieval town of Ortona. By the end of December 1943, the Germans were forced to retreat, a victory won at the cost of more than 1,300 Canadian casualties.
At the height of the battle, 76,000 Canadian soldiers were fighting in Italy. They played a major role in the campaign's eventual success.

D-Day triumph
Operation Overlord, the long-planned Allied invasion also known as D-Day, brought the biggest armada in history to the shores of Normandy.
Five heavily fortified beaches were attacked on June 6, 1944. Canadian responsibility centred on Juno beach.
In the first six days of battle, about 3,000 Canadians were killed or wounded. Yet Canadian infantry pressed on, moving inland to capture enemy positions throughout June and July.
The war's direction had been decisively turned in the Allies' favour.

Liberation of Holland
After fighting key battles in Belgium and along the Rhine, the Allies began a final push to secure northwestern Europe and end the war.
Canadian moved through The Netherlands in early April 1945. It quickly became clear, however, that the dire hunger of Dutch citizens was a far more pressing need than driving out the Germans. Food drops for civilians were organized.

The Germans refused to surrender without a fight, though, and the liberation of Holland wasn't complete until the German surrender in May. About 7,600 Canadian servicemen died while fighting in Holland.
Because of Canada's role in liberation, a close affinity between the countries remains to this day. After the war, The Netherlands thanked Canada with a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs and still sends Canada 20,000 bulbs annually.

Victory in Europe
The news flash reached Canada at 9:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 7, 1945: "Germany has surrendered unconditionally." Celebrations in many places were already under way, after an Associated Press bulletin announcing the Allied victory earlier that morning.
The following day, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill went on the air to declare "Victory in Europe Day," soon shortened to VE-Day.
Official celebrations took place across Canada as jubilant crowds took to the streets in Toronto, Montreal and cities and towns all across the country.
In Halifax, the port city swelled by thousands of naval personnel, the revelry got out of hand. Mobs of sailors, fuelled by alcohol and tensions that had simmered during the war, smashed windows and looted stores in what become known at the VE-Day riots.

Legacy of war
A new world emerged after the defeat of Japanese forces in the Pacific in August 1945. Canada would participate in the newly created United Nations founded by Canadian. Thereafter all allied forces anxiously watched and waited as Cold War tensions rose between East and West.
Canadian forces had proved to the world their courage and valour on the battlefield and were afforded an expanded place in the new order.
Memories of the soldiers' sacrifices have not dimmed with time, as evidenced when Canadian officials and other world leaders came back to the beaches of Normandy in June 2009 for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landing.

"Our veterans ordinary Canadians who accomplished extraordinary things represent the best of Canada," Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson said on the occasion. "The freedoms we enjoy today are because of them, and we owe it to them to remember."