OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON

By Debbie Bulloch



The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics are about to end. I have previously written about the wonderful and inspired performance of all the athletes who have competed in these games.

The other night, however, while watching the short-track ice races I was deeply offended by the comments of one American athlete. American Apolo Anton Ohno will soon go down in history as the greatest short-track skater. His comments last night did nothing for his reputation with a needless and baseless swipe at a celebrating host nation.

“You know, it is the head Canadian referee [Michel Verrault] out there,” said Ohno, with a smirk and a shrug. “And there were two Canadians in the race.”

Ohno is a tough competitor; I can certainly understand that, in the heat of competition, people sometimes say foolish things. Nevertheless, Ohno’s baseless accusations (I watched the race and I watched the many replays of the “bump” and I agree with the ruling by the Canadian judge) needlessly offended a nation that has been a steadfast ally and friend from the moment of our nation’s birth.

Let us flash back for a moment, to the morning of September 11, 2001. America had just been the victim of a cowardly, terrorist attack. Over 3,000 people laid dead or dying among the rubble of buildings in New York and Washington, D.C. Chaos, confusion and anger followed the realization that America was under attack.

In what was perhaps the darkest moment of our Nation’s history, one people stood next to us, shoulder to shoulder, to help us confront our enemy. In the hours following the attack, and for many days and weeks after that, Canadians reached across our common border and held us in their arms.

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks, Transport Canada created a plan, called Operation Yellow Ribbon, to handle the diversion of civilian airline flights grounded by the attacks. The operation started after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all aircraft across the United States and re-routed incoming international flights to airports in Canada.

One particular town in Canada went far and above the call of duty. Gander is a small Canadian town with a population of about 9,000 residents. It is located in the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Well before the 9/11 attacks, Gander already had a place in history, especially aviation history. In 1935, Gander was chosen for the construction of an airport because of its location close to the northeast tip of the North American continent. During World War II, as many as 10,000 Canadian, British and American military personnel resided in Gander. The area became a strategic post for the Royal Air Force Air Ferry Command, with approximately 20,000 American and Canadian built fighters and bombers stopping at Gander en route to Europe. Without the support of towns like Gander, the Allied fight against Germany may not have succeeded.

After the Second World War, Gander became a refueling stop for transatlantic flights. Gander eventually earned the name of "Cross-roads of the world," as nearly all overseas flights had to stop there before crossing the Atlantic.

Gander’s finest moment, however, came in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In the hours and days following 9/11, the people of Gander opened their hearts and doors to welcome air travelers, most of them Americans, who had been left stranded by the closure of all civilian airports in the USA.

For nearly a week, the people of Gander welcomed, housed, fed, and clothed thousands of air travelers. The influx of travelers nearly doubled the size of the town. Unable to provide hotel accommodations for so many stranded travelers, the people of Gander opened their homes and took them in. Travelers slept and ate in the home of the Canadian citizens of Gander. When travelers needed prescription medicines (all their luggage had been confiscated for security reasons), the owners of the two pharmacies in town opened the doors to their stores and told their guest to take anything they need – at no charge. When the stranded travelers needed clothing, the people of Gander organized an impromptu clothes drive and collected clothing for their “guests.”

For all their generosity and kindness, the people of Gander refused to accept one single penny of payment. It should be noted that Newfoundland, and especially Gander, is not a wealthy area. The people of Gander are hard working people who are not economically well off. Because of their generosity, however, in one magical moment in time, the people of Gander became the richest people in the world.

Public efforts to help those affected by Operation Yellow Ribbon led to positive remarks on the subject by people such as former Canadian Prime Minister Chrétien and his wife, Aline; the United States ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci; Collenette; Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul; and in the provinces, premiers, and lieutenant governors. Airports involved in the effort received messages of thanks from passengers, airlines, residents who took in the passengers, and staff at U.S. immigration and U.S. customs. Edmonton International Airport also received a child passenger's drawing of the diverted flights on the ground there, published on page 14 of their 2001 annual report.

On September 11, 2002, about 2,500 people gathered at Gander International Airport for Canada's memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the attacks. In an address to the gathered crowd, Prime Minister Chrétien said, "9/11 will live long in memory as a day of terror and grief. But thanks to the countless acts of kindness and compassion done for those stranded visitors here in Gander and right across Canada it will live forever in memory as a day of comfort and of healing."

In closing, Chretien said, "You did yourselves proud, ladies and gentlemen, and you did Canada proud."

Chretien was only partially right in his remarks; the people of Gander did Canada proud. But the people of Gander also did rest of the world proud. That is exactly what we have come to expect from our Canadian brothers and sisters.

Apolo Ohno ought to go back to his history books and re- read the chapter on Operation Yellow Ribbon. Perhaps then, he will understand why Canadians are our natural brothers and sisters and why he ought to rejoice in their accomplishments as if they were his own.

AND THE STORMS KEEP ROLLING IN...

By Debbie Bulloch



The National Weather Service is predicting a cold and wet weekend for Southern California.

My current mood already matches the coming storm.

Here are a couple of songs for quiet reflection on a rainy weekend.









DIDO – Thank you



SIMON AND GARFUNKEL – The Dangling Conversation

CANADIAN SKATER'S COURAGEOUS PERFORMANCE

By Debbie Bulloch



Every four years we are treated to the grand spectacle of the Olympics. According to legend, the ancient Olympic Games were started by Heracles (the Roman Hercules). The ancient Olympic Games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years. Finally, in the year 393 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the games because they were “too pagan.”

Fast forward 1500 years later when a young Frenchman, named Pierre de Coubertin, began the movement to revive the Modern Olympics. Inspired by what he believed to be a lack of “vigor” among French soldiers, de Coubertin (better known as “le Renovateur”) founded the Union des Societes Francaises de Sports Athletiques (USFSA). Eventually, the USFSA became the driving force for the restoration of the Olympic Games.

Watching the Olympic Games (Winter and Summer) is like looking into a window where we can see the whole spectrum of the human drama parade right before our very eyes. The fields of athletic competition test, as no other endeavor can the power, the resilience, and the beauty of the human species.

This year’s Vancouver’s Winter Olympics are no different. Even before the opening ceremonies, we witnessed in horror the tragic and sudden death of a young man on a training run in the luge. Seconds after launching from the starting gate, we saw his body fly through the air, striking a support beam and then landing lifelessly on the ground.

So far, the highlight of these winter Olympic Games was the personally courageous performance by Canadian ice skater Joannie Rochette.



Joannie Rochette is a young French-Canadian ice skater. She was born and raised in the small town of Ile-Dupas, in French-speaking Quebec, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. According to Joannie’s bio, the town of Ile-Dupas is best known for duck hunting and for an annual tractor-pulling contest – not an auspicious birthplace for a future world ice skating champion.

Joannie is an only child. From an early age, Joannie’s parents, Therese and Normand Rochette, worked hard to help their daughter realize her dream of achieving Olympic gold. Then, in a tragic twist of fate, Joannie’s mom died of a massive heart attack just 48 hours prior to Joannie’s turn to skate – Therese was only 55.

Most, if not all, of us have experienced deep personal losses. Losses that are so heart rending to make us run into a dark corner and crumble unto our knees, leaving us to doubt whether we will be able to ever stand up again and face the sun.

No event is as devastating to a child as the loss of a parent – the very cornerstone of a child’s life. So no one would have blamed Joannie if, after getting the news of her mother’s sudden death, she had packed her ice skates and gone home to mourn.

Standing as tall as a giant, the diminutive skater [she stands 5’2” (1.6m) tall and weighs 112 pounds (50.80 kg)], Joannie took to the ice Tuesday night she skated with the heart of a lion and the grace of an angel.

Without her mom sitting on the stands, Joannie was left without her biggest cheerleader. Or was she?

Cheering her on were her loving fans, Canadians who waved banners reading “GO – JO.” The melting pot of nationalities that packed the ice skating arena lustily roared their approval and in one magical moment Joannie transcended national borders. She ceased to be a Canadian ice skating champion and, instead, became everyone’s daughter. With her skates’ blades cutting across the ice, propelling her from one jump to the next, Joannie was no longer a motherless child – on that night and at that moment Joannie had a thousand mothers in the arena and millions more moms (myself included) watching on television.

At the end of her performance, when Joannie collapsed in tears, we all cried with her. Mrs. Rochette, who was surely watching her daughter from up above, must have also been crying – tears of joy and happiness.

At the end of Tuesday’s performance, Joannie was in third place, behind the favorites from South Korea and Japan. The women’s figure skating finals are scheduled for Thursday night. No one knows how Joannie will perform or what her final standing will be.

But if Joannie’s mother in Heaven has her way and all of Joannie’s mom here on Earth have our way, angels will be by Joannie’s side lifting her up through every jump, cushioning every landing and propelling her skates across the Canadian ice.

Citius, Altius, Fortius – Faster, Higher, Stronger

To read more about Joannie’s story of tragedy and triumph, click here:

Rochette wins hearts with Olympic skate

And here:

Rochette’s Brave Performance

EDITOR’S NOTE: The city of Vancouver has gone out of its way to extend the welcome mat to visitors to this winter’s Olympic Games. Their efforts include the publication of a booklet to help foreign visitors figure out the nuances of Canadian culture. "Canadians are polite and apologetic," says the booklet. The booklet then adds, "Don't be surprised if someone apologizes to you even if you were the one at fault. It's our natural reaction, sorry about that."

Glo, if you are reading this: Mea culpa – I’m sorry.

KATE QUIGLEY - KANSA CITY'S DOG LADY

By Debbie Bulloch



Reading the newspaper, or watching the news, can often lead to depression, anger and frustration – or all three of them. Stories about wars, crimes, famine, and natural disasters are enough to make a person want to run from society to hide in a cave and never come out again. From time to time, however, I come across a story that re-affirms my faith on the kindness of people and reassures me that things might be all right after all.

One such story is the account of Kate Quigley’s daily mission to bring some measure of comfort into the lives of neglected and abused dogs. Kate Quigley, who is also known as the “dog lady” or simply “Miss Kate,” is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. For the last several years, “Miss Kate” has been hard at work to improve the lives of dogs and cats, many of whom live in some of the poorest and most crime-ridden areas of Kansas City.

Kate’s work is an example of what I like to refer to as the “power of one.” Too often we look at a problem and walk away from it because the problem is “too big” for one single person to fix. As Confucius reminds us, however, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.” We cannot solve all the world’s problems at once; but by taking action, one step at a time, we can be well on our personal journey of help and hope.

I encourage all of you to exercise your “power of one” to make changes that will make a difference in the lives of others – be it humans or animals.

To read more about Kate’s incredible journey to bring comfort to neglected inner city pets, go here: Dog Lady

If you wish to help homeless dogs find a loving home, go here: Help Dogs. This link is sponsored by Pedigree dog food.

Thanks for looking

BROWN PELICANS CONTINUE TO DIE

By Debbie Bulloch



This is an update to a story I brought to you last month. (Recent Storms Kill And Injure Pelicans)

California Brown Pelicans continue to die off and scientists are at a loss for an explanation for the die off. The pelicans, according to marine biologists, have some sort of substance on them that appears to be causing the feathers to lose insulation value, resulting in cold and hypothermic birds. Contaminated pelicans cannot float on the water so they simply sink. Additionally, the pelicans’ water soaked feathers make the birds heavier than usual making it harder for the birds to launch into flight.

Pelicans have been found in neighborhoods near beaches - they are often disoriented and hungry. Since mid-January the birds, many of them already dead, have been washing up on United States shores from southern California to southern Oregon.

Preliminary necropsy results show starvation has been a factor in the deaths. Scientists believe that there is a combination of factors that have worked to adversely impact on the pelicans. One of the factors involved, according to scientists, is this year’s El Niño. In addition to creating more frequent and violent storms, the weather patterns created by El Niño tend to drive the pelican's food sources into deeper than normal waters. Additionally, toxic run off from the recent storms may have contaminated the pelicans’ feather destroying their normal buoyancy.

Toxic runoff in California comes from farms, industry and municipal runoff, as well as soil erosion. Pollutants range from pieces of garbage to chemical pollutants and pathogens.

Sick and distressed Brown Pelicans have been reported all along the Unites States Pacific coast up to Oregon, where officials advised residents not to feed the starving birds. The Project Leader from the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex told reported that, "In one parking lot, there were people in cars surrounded by pelicans asking for food. We have never seen that before. These birds literally have lost all fear of humans."

The Brown Pelican is the only diving pelican. They feed on sardines, mackerel and anchovies. The California Brown Pelican was decimated by DDT back in the 1970s, forcing the government to place them on the endangered species list. Efforts to save the bird were successful, and last year the California Brown Pelican was removed from the endangered species list. (Pelicans Off The Endangered Species List)

PELICAN PATROL IN ACTION



If you wish to find out more about how to help brown pelicans, please go to the Pelican Project page from the International Bird Rescue Research Center.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 300th post on the Between Homes blog. It has been a pleasure writing and editing the blog. The last time that I “googled” the term “Between Homes” our blog came in at number 8, out of a total of 191,000,000 similar terms. Not bad for a little blog!

A big “thank you” goes to all of you who have contributed your comments and articles to the blog - and an especially HUGE thank you to all of you who make time to follow the blog.

Love you!

VALENTINE DAY (EVENING) HIKE

By Debbie Bulloch



This Sunday evening my daughter and I went on a hike.

We have not gone hiking since last summer. With temperature around 70 degrees Farenheit (around 21 Centigrade), Sunday evening was just perfect for a quick hike in one of our local trails.

Please come along in our hike!







Here is a picture of our objective: a rock formation called Lizard Rock.



Here is the trail leading up to Lizard Rock.



Here are some of the pastures along the way to Lizard Rock. The recent rains have turned the fields along the trail into a brilliant emerald green.



We are getting closer.



By the time we got to the top, the sun had begun to set, giving the sky a nice, orange glow.



After enjoying the beautiful vistas of nearby mountains, it was time to head back to the trailhead. We were two tired, but happy, hikers - there is nothing like a little physical exertion to help parent and child bond.

And finally…

In the past, I have delighted in bringing to you photographs of the waves crashing along the local beaches. The ocean’s power is an awesome sight to see and “feel.” There is, however, always an element of danger whenever man and sea meet.

These video shots, taken from Saturday’s surfing competition at Half Moon Bay (south of San Francisco) illustrate the power of “rogue” waves – and what happens when people fail to keep a proper distance from the crashing surf.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

By Debbie Bulloch



Today is Valentine’s Day, a day for lovers all over the world to share their passion for each other.

If your sweety is next to you, hold him (or her) tightly in your arms and tell him how much you love him, today and every day of the year.

If your sweety is far away, don’t let the miles get on the way – send him a big, warm virtual kiss and tell him how much better your life is for knowing him.

Finally, tell all the important people in your life, how much you love them and how wonderful life is now that they are in your world.

Here are four love songs to help you enjoy the day.

GERRY RAFFERTY – Right Down The Line



ALABAMA – Take Me Down Tonight



JEFFERSON STARSHIP – Miracles



LUIS MIGUEL – Sabor A Mi (This is my favorite Spanish love song.)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BRITISH ROCK - THE WHO

By Debbie Bulloch



Following the British “invasion” by The Beatles, a steady stream of English rock acts, including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, The Who and Cream, made their way to our shores.

Please join me in enjoying some of the best from The Who. If you like what you see and hear here, then please be sure to watch this Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIV – not only will you get to see great commercials, but you will also get to watch Roger Daltrey and The Who perform during the half-time show.

Enjoy!

THE WHO – Baba O’Riley (This song is used as the theme song for the very popular show CSI: New York)



THE WHO – Behind Blue Eyes



THE WHO – Who Are You?



THE WHO – Pinball Wizard



THE WHO – I Can See For Miles

IT'S OFFICIAL - SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!

By Debbie Bulloch



The Prognosticator of Prognosticators, Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous groundhog has seen his shadow. So, six more weeks of winter.











For those of you who do not know who Punxsutawney Phil is, or what Groundhog Day is, here is a brief description (from the Wikipaedia).

Enjoy!

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2. It is held in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. The holiday also bears some similarities to the medieval Catholic holiday of Candlemas. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication.

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spoken, put into a bowl in the center of the table.

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as high as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County, the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County, the Sinnamahoning Valley and Bucks County. Outside of Pennsylvania, notable celebrations occur in the Frederick and Hagerstown areas of Maryland, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Woodstock, Illinois, and among the Amish populations of over twenty states and Canada. The University of Dallas in Irving, Texas has taken Groundhog Day as its official university holiday and organizes a large-scale celebration every year in honor of the Groundhog.

HERE IS LOOKING AT YOU KID!

By Debbie Bulloch



I make no secret of the fact that I am an unabashed romantic. Alas, we seem to live in an era when romanticism appears to be dead – or at least terminally ill and on life support. Let me then take you with me to a time and place when men were noble and heroic and women were both soft and also incredibly strong.

The time is 1942, and the place is Casablanca, in Vichy-controlled Morocco. The men are Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an outwardly cynical American expatriate living in Casablanca. Rick owns and runs "Rick's Café Américain", an upscale nightclub and gambling den that attracts a mixed clientele. In spite of his rough exterior, Rick has a big and generous heart.

The other man is Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a fugitive Czech Resistance leader long sought by the Nazis. Victor is legendary as an "anti-Nazi underground hero" who is in Casablanca, a safe-haven from the Nazis. The Nazis fear Victor’s courage and strength.

Caught between these two bigger-than-life men, is the beautiful Ilsa Lund (played by Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman). She is the Norwegian wife of Victor Laszlo. Ilsa is at times vulnerable (especially when her heart is torn between the two men she loves). Ilsa, however, can also be incredibly tough - willing to stand up to the Nazis.

“Casablanca” is my all-time favorite movie – watching it takes me back to a time when men were men and women were glad of it. The movie won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its characters, dialogue, and music have become iconic; in the years since it debuted, “Casablanca” has grown in popularity to the point that it now consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films of all time.

Here are some scenes from “Casablanca” – enjoy!

CASABLANCA – Play it, Sam (As Time Goes By)



Embedding was not allowed for the following clips – you need to click on the link to view the video.

CASABLANCA - La Marseillaise (Long version.)

CASABLANCA - La Marseillaise (Short version.)

CASABLANCA – Here Is Looking At you Kid (End of movie.)