Canada is grumpy today

Leave it to a hockey game to put an entire country in a bad mood. Seriously. Everyone is grumpy today...radio talk show hosts, sports writers, kids, the clerk at the grocery store...seems all these normally easy-going Canadians have a hockey stick up their....I won't say it. And to lose to the USA? Yikes. That's like the Chicago Bears losing to the Green Bay Packers. Let's just say we didn't go out of the house with any Team USA apparel today. If there's one thing we have learned after being here for a year and a half -- it's that Canadians are easy-going about anything but hockey.

After last night's game, Canadians are just mad. One sports reporter said, "the only thing the Team Canada put IN the goal was Crosby," referring to a shot when he ended up sliding in the goal instead of the puck. 

At least we got to see the game on half a dozen channels and in English or French. We heard that in the U.S. the game was only available on MSNBC? Certainly after yesterday they'll rethink that plan. There's still hope for another Miracle on Ice, but it's safe to say if the U.S. and Canada meet up again, it might be a whole new hockey game. 

A Montreal Saint

The New Orleans Saints have not recruited a new player from Montreal. But, the Pope has made a Montrealer a, dare we say, real Saint?  Brother Andre, a significant figure in the Roman Catholic French community of Montreal, was one of five new Saints announced by the Vatican today. The "vetting" process has taken almost 100. John McCain probably wishes his people had done that kind of vetting.

Brother Andre (Alfred Bessette) was responsible for the creation of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal. What started as a small, wood chapel in the very early 1900s has grown to a magnificent building today. Brother Andre, who died in 1937, came from humble beginnings, was illiterate and had the reputation of being a miracle worker. He was a lay brother. To this day it is not uncommon to find crutches, wheelchairs and other medical equipment placed outside the church. When he died in 1937 it was estimated that over one million devout Montrealers stood in line to pay their respects.

Photos of St. Joseph's are common in most Montreal tourism materials. Kish had just visited the Oratory on Wednesday and had a chance to see the display of Brother Andre's heart in a "box." Yes, the real heart is preserved and on display. It's behind glass and roped off since sometime in the mid 1970s it was stolen and then mysteriously returned a couple of years later. Kish was a little freaked out to even take a photo, which doesn't happen that often.

Outside his tomb is a large room full of lit candles which is not that uncommon in Catholic churches, especially in Europe. What was unusual was the sheer number of candles. Hundreds of them, so many that when you walked in the room you could feel the heat. It was overwhelming and clearly people come to light candles for those who are sick.

St. Joseph's Oratory is really a beautiful building and a nice tribute to the man who has finally become a saint. The official canonization and Montreal festivities will take place in October. It is cool to be living here in Montreal when a Saint is named. We're not sure if we'll try and go to any of the events. You never know, miracles do happen.

Curling is hot

We have the opportunity to watch a lot of curling on Canadian Television (CTV) and The Sports Network (TSN) almost 24/7 as part of the Olympics coverage. While our friends "down south" watch profiles of Shaun White over and over again, we see the early rounds of curling, the biathalon and the discussion about whether or not there was enough French at the opening ceremonies. Paul came home yesterday and said "have you seen some of those curler chicks? They're hot." Ummm....never quite looked at it that way. But, we've never had the chance to watch so, so, much curling. Curling is a popular sport in Canada. It's sort of like bowling in Wisconsin. There are curling clubs everywhere in Montreal. We have to admit, we have yet to try it, but the ongoing coverage of the sport has us intrigued. 

Kish thought the clothes were hot. These hot dudes are sure to bring some attention to the sport.

Today in Canada

Canada is celebrating today and especially in Montreal. Mens Mogels skier Alexandre Bilodeau is from a suburb of Montreal and practices less than an hour from our house. While he's a great skier, we're more impressed with Alexandre as a person and a sibling of someone with special needs. Hearing him talk about his brother is both inspiring and humbling. Congratulations to Canada.

Today is a busy day for all of Canada. As it was written in the Montreal Gazette..."It's Flag Day* in Canada,  Family Day** in Saskatchewan and Ontario, Louis Riel** Day in Manitoba, Islander Day** in Prince Edward Island and Presidents' Day*** in the United States. Here in Quebec, it's Monday.****

* Flag Day -- February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. It marks the day in 1965 when the red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa hundreds of communities across Canada. Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty King George V. Quebec could care less.

**Family Day, Louis Riel and Islander Day -- Nearly 60% of Canadians have a statutory holiday on the third Monday of February, thereby coinciding with the US holiday Presidents' day. The holiday is called "Family Day" in most provinces, and "Louis Riel Day" and "Islander Day" in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, respectively; there is no federally-established Family Day.

*** Presidents' Day -- our American friends and family know this as that random day off in February, ideal for quick trips to Florida or skiing.

****The day after Sunday.

Are you ready for the Olympics?

We are ready. We have no choice. Olympic fever is everywhere. The clip below is from one of our favorite shows, This Hour has 22 Minutes, on Canadian TV. Canada has put all its pucks in the goal in hopes of the Canadian Hockey team bringing home the gold. What are the chances of the US and Canada meeting in the final?