Canada, As I See It

You must have noticed that practically every other person wandering the streets is wearing a very colourful jersey, or has their country's flag flying from their car – or the latest thing – shaped flags draped on the hood of their car... If not, you need to get out and experience the phenomenon that is currently taking over cities all across the country – and that is the phenomenon of the World Cu...

You've heard the “before and after”... This week WE (yes, Caroline joins me this week) tell you about our week on the Disney Dream.   To be clear, this is not a paid sponsorship (though wouldn't it be nice if it were?) - this is just our view of what we experienced while cruising from Spain to Italy and back.   Perhaps this can give you an idea of what it's like to sail on a ship captained by Mick...

We were now firmly settled in Europe. You know, some of the biggest stress about this whole thing wasn't what would happen during our vacation, but making sure that we actually made it to the cruise port in time! The ship would not wait for us!   This week, I give you the story about where we visited during our cruise. And, everything was JUST so spectacular, and impressive as I had imagined it wo...

And here's the reveal. We took a big trip. A trip that will require a couple of weeks to detail.   Join me, as I tell you about our arrival at the first location on our European Vacation. (I know, you can just hear the music...can't you?)   Check out the links at my site: whorpole.ca     *****   If you would like to be a part of my podcast, please send me a recording of you saying, “This podcast i...

There's a unique way that Canadians see things. Every country has their “way” - that's how it all works - but due to our proximity to the USA, we are influenced by how they do things. It's not even a choice – but a result our lives and families being so closely intertwined. Today, I look at why that might be. AND, I let you in on the secret that I've been teasing about.   Check out the links at my...

Road Trips.   Short and sweet this week. Well, this explanation part is short. It's spring, and it's time to get out on the road, and enjoy the beautiful land that you live in. For us, it's Southern Ontario, and this week, I'm telling you about one of the options that can help you with that exploration.   Check out the links at my site: whorpole.ca     *****   If you would like to be a part of my...

Diners. You wouldn't think that Toronto would have many of them. Where would they put them? Well, unfortunately – there is room for one more.   Today, I take a look at Canadian Diners – but the trigger for this week's topic is the closing of one of the city's longest surviving restaurants – The Patrician Grill. I have a link at my website for a news story which was recorded on the day that we dine...

Ah, the life of a Canadian kid.   The light starts dropping at 4pm. Dinner is had by 6pm, and you REALLY hope it wasn't going to be poached fish in milk, or liver and onions...   There was just time to watch a bit of TV, and maybe get your homework done, before the game started at 8. You didn't know it at the time, but you were listening to history being made. The “scintillating saves”, the “Savar...

This is a musical week. I talk about a gentleman who wrote the song that brings pride to every Canadian who sings it, and a gentleman who wrote music that we all know...whether we know it or not...and had the best.singing.voice.ever.   Calixa Lavallée and Leonard Cohen. I just realized that their initials are the same...but reversed. I didn't plan that...honestly. Calixa and Cohen – sounds like a...

This week, my stream-of-consciousness gene kicks in. It all started with “one little spark of inspiration”, and a name, and I was off.   A little nod to a new podcast I'm listening to now – Dropping Names. One thing led to another, and boom, I have a podcast.   AND, a proposal for a Canadian version of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”... The Garber Effect. Let me know what you think!   *****   I'm sti...

Every once in a while, I check on the numbers of the podcast. So, we're looking at those.   AND, I submit to you a theory that I have that looks at a potential perfect storm that could happen, when it comes to all of Toronto's professional sports teams.   AND, an update on the Blue Jays game that I reference on the pod – oh boy, what a game. Reminiscent of a bit of the world series run – the Blue...

Today, I'm talking about the Montréal Canadiens, the NHL team. It's been a bit of a crazy week for me – I'll tell you more in the podcast.   And to answer the question that I started in the podcast – Montréal did, in fact beat the New York Islanders, 7-3.   Check out “not me”, not watching the Canadiens playing “last night” on TV, on my Instagram feed - https://www.instagram.com/firesidechatcoc/ I...

Today's podcast is not about my mother.   Well, that's because her name was Shirley, and well, she would never have used that phrase.   No, today I am speaking about a Canadian who worked his way up through the entertainment trenches to arguably achieve his greatest success in his later years.   Today, I take a look at the life of Leslie William Nielsen.   *****   I'm still looking for your storie...

My voice is almost back. I'd say it's at 75% I'm calling on my buddy Ryan to help out again, but I'll be there too!   This week, it's all about comfortability. Just taking it easy with what I know.   Hockey and movies.   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU wa...

My colds are like leap years. I get one a year, and every four years, I get a doozy. This isn't a leap year though – I guess I'm on a Winter Olympic schedule...   This week, I enlisted the help of some AI, both on the writing-side and the recording-side.   I will not be changing to this method for the podcast, this is just to give my voice a rest.   Just for funsies, I also asked Google AI to crea...

It's the last day of the Winter Olympics. There's also snow on the ground. And sometimes, I get to stay at home. Wishful memories of when I was young. Today, I look at a few “cooler” Canadian things...   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU want to be a part o...

I've gotten to the point with this podcast where I actually have to check back as to whether I have spoken about some things before. Today is one of those days – and the reason why this week's episode is not called Flag Day. That was episode #69. If I had played the long game, I'd have waited until THIS year, so that I could actually talk about it on the day... Tomorrow is also Family Day, which I...

Love it or hate it, Canada Post has a very detailed system to ensure that each letter and parcel that is entrusted to them, gets to the location that it was addressed to. Today, I look at the Postal Code. Why it was designed, and how it does what it needs to do.     I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to...

Time is an evil mistress. She ticks by – giving you memories that cause you to pause and smile – but then pulls the rug out from under you, and letting you know that she is finite.   I have done a couple of these before, one for Norman Jewison and one for Donald Sutherland.   Today, I look back at the life of Canada's Comedienne Extraordinaire...Catherine O'Hara.     I'm still looking for your sto...

Canada is a young country. There are some around the world where you can pick any date of the year, and see that something significant happened on it. Not so much, up here. This week however, there were several things – and that's what I'm looking at. And one touches on the heaviest subject I have ever spoken about on this podcast. Oh, and I'll also talk about one of the most recognisable animals...

Today, I go WAY back. Back to the summer of love. Back to when the world was in Black and White...no, not really.   Today, I recall my first memories, and the world I came to know as Canada.   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU want to be a part of MY podcas...

Today's subject has been presented to you in the form of a question. He was the host of what is still one of my favourite television shows. And, he is, of course, Canadian.   Who is he? Well, his name is in the question, but check out this episode, and find out more about him!   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I...

Her family became quite famous. All due to her and her four identical sisters.   This week, I look at the passing of the last of the Dionne Quintuplets.   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at the SAME address you can use, if YOU want to be a part of MY podcast. For that, please send me a recordin...

Surprise!   Even I thought I was done for the season, but Caroline convinced me to test my Canadian Christmas knowledge.   This show is “live-to-tape”. I didn't make any edits, but I did add a few sound effects into the mix. Play along with us, and see how many questions you can answer correctly!   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a f...

For me, this is the Christmas season. What is it for you? Or IS it anything for you?   This week, is a little more personal. I'm talking about what this season is like for me. I let the tangent machine loose, and I talk about what I do at this time of year.   I'm still looking for your stories of your home province – please send them to me (audio file or a few paragraphs that I can read) to me at...