Canada, As I See It

The Stanley Cup. You may recognize the name, and even know what it is, and who it is awarded to. But did you know that today is the 132nd anniversary of the first time that the cup was awarded?   Join me as I look into the history of the most recognizable trophy in the history of professional sports.   Find out more about the cup, and see photos of it's literal growth through the years: https://ww...

February 15, 1965 That was the day, 60 years ago that the newly-christened Canadian Flag, “The Maple Leaf” was flown for the first time on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa Ontario.   Join me as I look into the history of one of the most recognizable flags in the world.   Check out the ceremony that took place on that day here: https://www.nfb.ca/film/february_15_1965_raising_canadas_new_flag/   Find out...

Numbers can be large – 20 trillion. Numbers can be small – 1 Numbers can be scary – a lot of buildings used to avoid “having” a 13th floor. And numbers can be funny. What number is funny? Three. Three is a number often used in comedy circles...or comedy triangles, or even comedy tetrahedrons.   Join me as I look into “the rule of three”, and a Canadian connection to comedy (like there isn't one).....

This week is just filled with alliterative Canadian facts, tangents and humour. Join me as we begin to ramp up to my birthday month, and throw out a whole bunch of funny spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to...

This week, a subject near to my heart...the pursuit of all things trivial. Or perhaps I should just say, Trivial Pursuit.   When this game came out, I fell in love. I thought...”finally, a game that wasn't Monopoly”, It has grown to be popular the world over, and often the definitive answer to, “who did what and when?” This week, I have another friend introducing the podcast: Steve. Steve is a fel...

You may be thinking, what does Winnie The Pooh have to do with Canada? Well, after talking about both sides of my family over the last month or so – I'm here to give you Pooh's lineage – and to do so, I have invited my wife Caroline to help dig into it. Join us as we look into HIS family tree! I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (who...

Today class, please turn your textbooks to the page on Canadian Elections. We will likely be experiencing one, and that is just that, an experience, before we hit summer. Here is what you have to expect over the next few weeks, and how it works.   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcas...

And now, you are about to get the REST of the story. Last week, I spoke of my mother's side of the family – this week, it's my father's side. And, although not as deep in data – it does have quite a few stories and tangents. Of COURSE it has tangents – do you forget who you are listening to? After hearing today's podcast, you'll have a deeper understanding of how and why I have such a desire to ta...

You might recognize the name featured on this week's show. You may know it from television. You may know it from history. You may know it from...me...   Here is just a taste of the family that made me...me...   Check out more at https://mifflin.ca   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podc...

This episode is about Canada's largest province. We took a bus tour to Québec to experience some of their European Christmas markets. It was a wonderful experience, and I would absolutely encourage you to check it out. And, as an added bonus, there's a bit of a history lesson. The best part? There is no exam after the show.   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app...

When my wife Caroline was just out of college, and looking for a job, her mother said to "aim high". It didn't take long before she returned home with a job offer from the CN Tower restaurant, the "Top of Toronto". Caroline turned to her mother and said..."is this high enough for you?" True story. To this day, it remains the definitive landmark on the City of Toronto lakeshore, and a place I drive...

The joint is jumping around here this week. We've got Greeting Card shows, Cookie Exchanges, family get-togethers, and of course those pesky little things we call our day-to-day jobs. So this week, what better than to talk about than a Canadian invention, Jolly Jumpers!   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you u...

New month. New voices. Catching up. Chatting with friends. Bundling up, because it's colder! And since it's colder, let's talk about Frozen Foods!   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on. I encourage you to contact me at AsISeeIt@whorp...

I'm not going to say much about this week's podcast. Suffice to say, you're just going to have to listen! It will all come together in the end.   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on. I encourage you to contact me at AsISeeIt@whorpole...

It's Grey Cup Sunday – and so what more fitting than to talk about the CFL? Tune in and listen to a guy who doesn't have a sports-related bone in his body, talk about football! The show is recorded this week – but hope to get back to doing another live show soon. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of...

This isn't live anymore, but it was on Sunday Nov 10 at 11am. Here it is, warts and all. And yes, I get it, the title really doesn't have anything to do with what I talked about (other than the random stuff - but that's just me, and you knew that when you signed up for this)!   Let me know if you'd like to hear more live shows.  Who knows? Maybe it can become a regular (or at least a more frequent...

So many things going on this week. We've made the switch back to standard time, which means we've miraculously gained an hour of sleep (which we will all lose again on March 9th next year). This show completes one year of me doing this podcast. Next week, we celebrate. I take on three subjects this week – you'll just have to listen to find out what they are.   And once again, I've got Andy introdu...

I don't think that you even have to be Canadian to know what today's subject is about.   There ARE plenty of ways that CBC could be interpreted... If you're a doctor, it's a Complete Blood Count If you're a student, it's the Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington and if you're a mechanic, it is Cornering Brake Control.   But you would most likely figure that it would be the broadcast network...

This week, I’m talking about, not only a Canadian first, but something that started a whole industry. Pablum seems like a nondescript name, but the idea was something that makes me think, “why hadn’t anyone thought of this before?” These days, baby formula is kept under lock and key at a lot of retailers. So, it's kind of a big thing, eh? Find out how it all started on this week’s podcast.   https...

I don't think the person this week, needs much, if any explanation. Terry Fox. I think he had to be the first person of my generation that I remember who “made a mark”. Sure, there were other “events” that created headlines, etc - but this was a person who chose to do something, and who caught the attention of millions of people, just so that he could help other people.   If you would like to lear...

Numbers. Sometimes they just don't add up.   And sometimes they just weren't meant to – sometimes a number is just a number.   This week, I have a whole bucket-full for you to listen to me talk about.   In the right order, they could be winning lottery numbers! You're welcome.   I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or d...

And now that we've been firmly back in Canada for a week, it was only right that the weariness that we gained on the trip, should now catch up to us. Join me this week, as I recuperate from a cold, for an “extra-low” voice edition of Canada, as I see it.   This week I'm looking at Orange Shirt Day, also known as the Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I mention a couple of addresses in the pod.   If...

On this first day of fall, the Autumnal Equinox, the day that the Sun crosses what we call the celestial equator, an imaginary extension of Earth's equator into space...I'm going to look at something that is man-made – something we use to help mark the smaller bits of our seasons, our months, our weeks...even our days...the concept known as Standard Time.   If YOU want to be a part of MY podcast,...

As Robert Burns said, “The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry.” He wrote that in 1785, but it could have as easily been written after watching us trying to get across the border a couple of weeks ago!   The trip to see my kids and grandkids and celebrate the wedding of one of my daughters was actually though a great success, and we had a wonderful time. While it was unfolding though, m...

We're a few weeks before the autumnal equinox, so I'm just getting this subject in before the horn sounds...lawn sprinklers.   It's also a special time for my family.   Join me as I fill you in on how we got those automatic lawn waterers, and what has changed in my life. I'm getting a little thin on voices to introduce the show. I could really use some help! If YOU want to be a part of MY podcast,...