That’s how the late, distinguished literary critic Edmund Wilson headlined an essay on Canada. Yes, Canada is a wondrous nation much loved by HG/BSK and HG/BSK’s children and grandchildren. BSK is Canadian, of course, born there and spent childhood years in Sarnia, Ontario (BSK was eight when BSK’s family moved to Mansfield, Ohio.) The Wonder Woman has dual citizenship. HG/BSK spend many months each year at an oceanfront home on Prince Edward Island, a serene, green, peaceful democratic province. On a sunny day yesterday, HG/BSK enjoyed hours at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival, an annual event featuring musicians (and step dancers) from PEI and other Maritime Provinces. The Festival runs for three days and focuses on (you guessed it) fiddle music that exemplifies the Irish, Scotch, French (yes,there are still Acadians on PEI) antecedents of PEI’s population. The event is very well organized with special attention given to the aged and infirm (like HG). The audience is appreciative and courteous (very Canadian). Lots of good food is available and folks make sure they clean up their area and dump plates,glasses, and eating utensils in trash cans. Unlike the United States, there is no apprehension a madman with an assault rifle will attack and kill. Since HG has a compelling interest in food, HG is delighted by the wonders of PEI food. Fish, of course. A wide variety of top flight oysters (large Malpeques are HG’s choice.) The best mussels (identified on restaurant menus in the USA and Canada). And, from the red soil earth: world famous mineral rich potatoes, sweet corn, yellow beans, strawberries, blueberries and much else. A gourmand like HG eats well in Canada. Best food city in the world is Vancouver, B.C. Fabulous Asian food. Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Filipino, Cambodian, Malaysian, etc. There’s the best sushi and tasty ramen. This only scratches the surface. The French are not neglected. A shop in Vancouver’s Public Market is Oyama. A French-Canadian operation, it features an encyclopedic variety of home made pates, terrines, sausages. There are also hams and cold cuts (their head cheese and jambon persille are standouts.) Plus French, Italian and other cheeses (in peak condition), condiments and seasonal specials (cassoulet in winter). O, Canada, indeed.
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