Dan Simmons : a View on Canada’s Future

Dan Simmons : a View on Canada’s Future

What is coming:

Dan Simmons, Flashback, (Reagan Arthur Book, Little Brown and Company, © 2011 Dan Simmpons), p. 354:

Nick surfed and saw the image so often shown on TV of the sickle – “crescent moon” was the way proud Global Caliphate leaders always described it – of Muslim Cultural and overt political dominance that spread from the Meadeast through Eurasia and Eastern and Western Europe to the North, down and east through Africa in the South.

The other crescent swept from Indonesia through much of the Pacific regions – coexisting with great tension alongside Nippon’s new South-East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

The larger European crescent swept through what had been the United Kingdom and across the Polar regions, the tip of the scythe now deeply embedded in Canada.

The Canadians had been willing, almost eager – to “share the wealth” of their Northern part of the continent.

Illustration: Elena

Their religious creed of state-enforced multiculturalism and diversity – long having replaced Christianity in Canada – had, in less than two generations, produced a single minority-driven theocratic culture which eliminated all diversity in its realms.

… The remnants of the white Canadian culture up there, despite still being numerically in the majority, more or less got by an isolated cantons – almost reservations.

Even though Muslims constituted slightly less than 40% of the total population,, sharia was now the primary law of Canada, and most of the whites there – both English and French speaking – had meekly accepted their roles as Dhimmis. They had built the 3,800-mile border fence between Canada and the U.S. – erected to keep fleeing Americans out – in less than eighteen months.

Wherever the Caliphate rule had come in contact with the formerly pampered First Nations – the Indians and Eskimos treated with such extravagant political correctness in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries by the English and French-speaking white Canadian majorities – those native peoples who wouldn’t convert had been eradicated by their new Muslim rulers, mostly through starvation via the simple act by their new provincial masters of shutting off food supplies. The so-called First Nations had lost their skill of feeding themselves through hunting and fishing.

St. Michel's Cathedral of Toronto

St.Michael’s Cathedral of Toronto

St. Michael’s Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, one of the oldest churches in the city. Itwas built by William Thomas from 1845–1848 and at the time was primarily financed by Irish immigrants.

On May 8, 1845, Bishop Power laid the cathedral’s cornerstone, and dedicated his cathedral and city to St. Michael. In the cornerstone, some fragments of a stone pillar of the old Norman York Minster Cathedral in England and some small pieces of the oak roof of that same cathedral were sealed. St. Michael’s is a 19th century interpretation of the Minster’s 14th century English Gothic style. The connection with York Minster is appropriate, since Toronto’s English name had been York.

The cathedral is home to Canada’s largest English Catholic diocese. The current archbishop is Thomas Christopher Collins, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 16 December 2006, replacing Aloysius Matthew Cardinal Ambrozic. Cardinal Ambrozic retired after 16 years as Archbishop of Toronto.

St.Michael’s Cathedral of Toronto. Photo: Megan (Elena)

St. Michael’s Cathedral, situated in the heart of Toronto’s MegaCity, stands at the corners of Bond and Shuter streets, just two blocks east of Yonge Street, one north of Queen and one south of Dundas. Today’s Cathedral feeds the hungry, gives shelter to the homeless and continues to nourish the spiritual life and well being of the many who enter through its gates. Through such outreach programs as St. Vincent de Paul, Out-of-the-Cold, the CWL, Legion of Mary and through spiritual growth and renewal programs like RCIA, Bible Study, The Eucharistic Vigil of Adoration, Jubilee Study and Prayer evenings, and daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Michael’s Cathedral ministers both to a burgeoning downtown population and to the whole of the Archdiocese who come throughout the year to celebrate and worship.

As Mother Church of the Archdiocese, St. Michael’s Cathedral hosts a number of celebrations each year presided over by our Archbishop, Thomas Collins. During Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, Lent and particularly during Holy Week and Easter, the Cathedral draws many thousands to worship. Diocesan ordinations take place at the Cathedral in May and in September there is a splendid Mass for the opening of the Court called The Red Mass; while the traditional Irish feast of St. Patrick continues to be celebrated with music, dignitaries and the blessing of the shamrock. The world renowned St. Michael’s Choir School has its home at the Cathedral providing glorious music and attracting international visitors and acclaim. The Cathedral serves a multicultural City. Its parishioners come from diverse cultural, linguistic, political and financial situations. Both the very poor and the very rich find a home at the Cathedral. In some ways, this is much as it was at the start.

St. Michael’s Cathedral was consecrated on September 19, 1848, more than 150 years ago. The cornerstone had been laid on May 8, 1845 by Bishop Michael Power, the first Bishop of Toronto, who contracted Typhus and died on October 1, 1847 having ministered to the sick and dying among the great influx of Irish famine immigrants. Bishop Power’s own financial resources together with the Sunday penny collections of the Irish immigrants, a clerical tax, donations from across the diocese, generous contributions from Europe, especially France and Vienna, as well as the benefices of financial benefactors such as The Hon. John Elmsley and Samuel G. Lynn Esq., both Anglican converts, all contributed to purchasing the land and seeing the Cathedral through to a debt free consecration.

The building, designed by the architect William Thomas, is patterned on that of the fourteenth century gothic York Minster in England. The great stained glass “crucifixion” over the sanctuary, a masterpiece of the noted French artist Thevenot, was donated by the Most Reverend Armand-Francois-Marie Count de Charbonnel, second Bishop of Toronto and was installed in 1858. To this day the Cathedral houses splendid art, stained glass windows and magnificent gold chalices. High above the main altar hangs the Red Hat of His Eminence James C. Cardinal MacGuigan, who served as the first Cardinal of Toronto from 1946 to 1974. Within the Rectory of the Cathedral is kept the throne used by Pope John Paul II who celebrated Mass in the Cathedral in 1984 during the episcopate of Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter.

What is most important however, is that from its founding until today, St. Michael’s Cathedral has stood in the heart of Toronto serving the people of God, poor and rich alike, English, Irish and multicultural. The fundamental mission of the Cathedral is to be a place of prayer and worship with a special commitment to the preaching of the Word and service to and with poor persons. Today, the Cathedral serves as a heart of worship to the nation.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden

Part of Montreal Botanical Garden

A Japanese garden is a special place, one whose harmony and peacefulness make it ideally suited to contemplation and meditation. This contemporary garden, designed by Ken Nakajama, is inspired by the traditional art of Japanese landscaping. Stone, water and plants combine to produce a pure, simple environment in which every element is imbued with symbolism.

Its sinuous lines create a pervading sense of harmony, offering many different vistas and the certainty of new discoveries.

The attentive care that such a garden requires is simply a way of celebrating the beauty of nature, for which the Japanese have profound respect.

Peace Bell. Photo: Elena

From Soân to Sikiya

The summer pavilions in Japanese gardens are an invitation to meditation and contemplation. They are placed strategically to give a pleasing view of the garden. Their structure range from very simple to elaborate depending on their use.

Originally a Soân was modest shelter covered with grass or thatch, set far away from city noises, where poets and aesthets would retire to regain contact with nature. The Sukiya is a closed pavilion used for the tea ceremonies.

The Japanese Garden, created with the support of the governments of Japan, Canada and Quebec, the City of Montreal and several Japanese companies, opened on June 28, 1988.

Iris (Airisu) : Irises are important members of this garden. They flower from late May to mid-July, in soft tones of pink, blue and white. Many species of iris are represented in the garden, including Iris ensata or Hana-Shobu, remarkable for its huge flowers. The delicacy and graceful bearing of this plant are perfect examples of the quest for simple and refined beauty in Japanese art.

The pond in the Japanese Garden. Photo by Elena

The Japanese Pavilion

The Japanese Pavilion of Montreal Botanical Garden blends smoothly into the garden and, like its surroundings, reflects the artistic ideals of Japanese culture, or Shibui : simple and refined beauty. Its Sukiya style, a synthesis of classi and contemporary styles, recells a traditional Japanese home.

The Japanese Pavilion has a number of rooms, an exhibition room, an art gallery and a tea room There are an outdoor bonsai garden, a Zen Garden and a Tea Garden, as well.

The goal of the Pavilion is to celebrate Japanese culture and art. The site was created under the direction of architect Hisato Hiraoko, and opened on June 22, 1989.

This pavilion has the following halls: Nomura Art Galery, Multipurpose Hall, Bonsaï Garden, Zen Garden, Toyota Hall, Tea Room, Tea Garden and Administration office.

General view of the Japanese Garden. Photo by Elena

Ramezay Castle: Governor's Garden

Governor’s Garden

Step into History: A Garden in the Style of New France

Imagine this Montreal`s garden two times wider and four times longer. This will give you an idea of the space it occupied in the 18th century. Its current lay-out is based on the gardens of the dignitaries in New France, with a vegetable garden, an ornamental garden and an orchard in three equal sections.

The delicacies of the beautiful season: Fruits were highly valued in New France and many species successfully adapted to the Montreal region. The orchard became a source of delicacies.

Flower to decorate and heal: With its beautifully symmetrical parterre, the ornamental garden must be pleasing to the mind. The colours and scents of its flowers and aromatic and medicinal plants delight the senses.

An orderly garden: Flowers, fruit and vegetables grow side by side in this French-style garden, in the agricultural and ornamental tradition of the 18th century. In New France, the garden played an essential role in nutrition.

Historic Site of Ramezay Castle (Château Ramezay). Photo by Elena

Claude de Ramezay, Governor of Montreal, had this prestigious manor erected in 1705. The Château was built by Pierre Couturier as a residence for the Governor. The Compagnie des Indes occidentales, which owned it from 1745 to 1763, had it rebuilt and enlarged in 1756 after plans by Paul Tessier dit Lavigne. It was the Montreal residence of the Governors General, 1773-1844, and was occupied by American invaders in 1775-1776.

In 1839 the Château housed the Executive Council and after 1839 other government offices, courts of law and schools. In 1895 it became the headquarters and museum of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal.

Transformed into a museum in 1895, the Château Ramezay now presents the history of Montreal through its magnificent collection and its garden.

(Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada)

Squash

Squash

From ludicrous winners of giant pumpkin contests at county fairs to a carriage for Cinderella, squash are often at the heart of our imagination. In reality, they are part of larger family called Cucurbitaceae. There are, in fact, hundreds of kinds of squash of all colours, shapes and sizes. Despite their many properties and uses, they remain underutilized. Precious reserves of water and food for humans and animals alike, they are cultivated the world over and now enjoy renewed popular interest.

Exchanges between the Amerindians and the French: The discovery of the New World led to the introduction of new food plants in Europe, and squash was among them. Like corn and green beans, squash is one of the main vegetables in the Iroquois diet.

These plants have been grown in North America for more than 5,000 years. In the 18th century, squash were most often grown by the first colonists because they were easy to cultivate, as well they were tasty and hardy.

Photo by Elena

Squash were known so long ago, our parents were not even born yet. Even our great-great-great-great-grandparents were not born yet. Amerindians were growing squash more than 5,000 years ago. Today they can be found around the world and their family has hundreds of different kinds.

Squash are not just used in cooking. Some dried squash are made into musical instruments. In Africa and Asia, instruments like the balaphon, kora, sitar or shakers are made with calabash.

Did you know that squash can be eaten raw, cooked, pureed, stuffed, and even as desert. Squash are very good in pies, cakes, fruit jellies.

Summer Squash and Winter Squash

Tricks of the Trade with Squash: How to choose a good winter squash: The best winter squash are heavy and firm, without blemishes or scratches, and have a solidly attached peduncle.

How to preserve squash: Winter squash can keep for several months in a cool dry place. Once you have begun eating it, it can keep several days if well wrapped. It you want to freeze it, you should cook it beforehand.

Preserving summer squash is different from conserving winter squash. The former do not keep as long as winter squash. Summer squash, such as zucchini and pattypan, have an edible peel. They are harvested two to seven days after flowering and do not keep for more than a few days. On the other hand, winter squash are harvested at full maturity. Their peel is very hard, inedible and difficult to pierce. It preserves the squash for 30 to 180 days, depending on the variety. The flesh of winter squash is sweeter than that of summer squash and becomes soft when cooked.

Tidbit: Amerindians stored squash in their homes to preserve and protect them from freezing in winter.

How to cook squash: Steaming pieces of squash in a pressure cooker for 30 40 minutes is recommended. Once cooked, the peel separates from the flesh. The squash can be cooked more quickly in a microwave oven. Cut the squash in two, remove the seeds, wrap the halves in plastic wrap, leaving a space for air, and cook at high power for ten to fifteen minutes to make the flesh as tender as possible.

Pick a peck of Pumpkins

A multipurpose Gourd: The main use of gourds is the manufacture of containers. Available in various shapes and sizes, dried and hollowed gourds can be fashioned into many culinary objects, works of art and musical instruments.

The shekere is the best-known musical instrument made from a calabash gourd. Of African origin, it has spread around the world via Brazilian music. Another instrument made from a calabash is the kora, a string instrument. Richly decorated, it is an object of pride for its owner. It is passed on from generation to generation.

Historical tidbit: In the Middle ages, a calabash gourd was indispensable to the pilgrim in the road to St-Jacques de Compostelle, in Spain. Indeed, it is part of the iconography of this pilgrim, along with a walking stick and a bag. This, with those to Rome and Jerusalem, was one of the three great Christian pilgrimages.

Stroll through the Governor’s garden to discover all of their mysteries.