The Canada Appreciation Thread

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I really never bought US wine (we already drink mostly Canadian and Australian wines) but lots of Canadians did. Imports to Canada, the largest market for US wine, has plummeted to put it mildly…

Lots of other countries are importing less, and a few importing more. I guess we’ll see if this new deal comes together and we get back to something resembling normal on the trade front. Hoping for the best, but not optimistic…
 
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And we Australians are happy to sell Canadians more wine...
 
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I would have thought, of all places, France would be the least excited about US wine. What's going on there?
 
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I would have thought, of all places, France would be the least excited about US wine. What's going on there?
Yeah, the first time I saw this chart I thought the same, but although it's a big increase, it's a small actual, amount. But it is odd in some ways...
 
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Related: I love your new avatar @Archer. I'm hoping we can soon get back on a timeline that includes less jingoism and corruption and more mutually beneficial trade.
 
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We live in the centre of Sonoma County wine country and are seeing the effects of a perfect storm lashing the wine industry. Worldwide and nationwide wine consumption had already been declining over the past three years, resulting in the closure or consolidation of many smaller producers during the past two years. Then came the tariffs. Now immigration agents are chasing workers through the vineyards.
 
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We live in the centre of Sonoma County wine country and are seeing the effects of a perfect storm lashing the wine industry. Worldwide and nationwide wine consumption had already been declining over the past three years, resulting in the closure or consolidation of many smaller producers during the past two years. Then came the tariffs. Now immigration agents are chasing workers through the vineyards.
So much winning! 🤦

Honestly all this is hurting so many people who are just trying to make a living. We have had consolidation in the wine industry here as well. Luckily one of our favourite producers that was swallowed up has been able to retain their autonomy, so the product hasn't become more generic, which is always the risk when this sort of thing happens.

Up here we are coping the best we can - we are seeking trade with other countries, seeking closer military alliances with Europe and their rearming program, and we are slashing a lot of internal trade barriers - that should make it easier for me here in Ontario to get wine from British Columbia for example. Trying to find the small silver linings where I can...
 
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Trying to find the small silver linings where I can...
Not only the wine industry up there. Another year. Another no Stanley Cup. The last team from Trump’s 51st state to win the Cup was the Canadiens in 1993.
 
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I didn't know whether to post this in the joke thread or here.................

I hope the Candadian Defence Force don't see this, it could cause a nation-wide shortages of oranges.

 
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Current reigning MVP's in the NHL, MLB, and the NBA...



All Canadians...
 
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I used to vacation a lot in Canada made some friends with cigar store owners. I was there on a quicker work trip as Canada had a program going for addicts who needs to use opiates post surgery. They can be treated and tapered in what looked like a very nice hotel like setting. I think the program has been expanded for opiate addicts to use “safely”. I won’t go into detail as it’s another’s country’s program and they can do as they see fit as far as I’m concerned we were just looking at the medical part.

Anyway I was once an avid cigar smoker. I traded some of my precious for watches but was recently hooked up with another rare load including my once favorite partagas series D limited with tobacco aged since 2003. Makes me sing Oh Canada. The packages often include Cuban coffee which I enjoy and makes me think of sitting in an outside cafe in Montreal watching the hustle and bustle as I vacationed.
 
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Thanks for everyone who suggested dino activities for my family!

We are just wrapping up a great vacation - we spent a couple days in the Drumheller area going to the Royal Tyrell Museum and went on a kid-friendly fossil hunting hike in Dinosaur Provincial Park.



Then, we did all the touristy stuff in Banff.



Overall, it was a great trip. This was the 3rd Canadian vacation that I've done by riding on my wife's coattails. Now, she just needs to find another arts residency to apply to in another part of Canada.

Edit: forgot to include a watch pic. Mostly just wore the X-33 and a Seiko 5126 the whole time.

 
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Then, we did all the touristy stuff in Banff.
Ah yes the glacier thing - we did that back in 1989 on our honeymoon. I'm quite sure the glacier has receded significantly from back then.

Glad you had a good trip!
 
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Ah yes the glacier thing - we did that back in 1989 on our honeymoon. I'm quite sure the glacier has receded significantly from back then.

Glad you had a good trip!

The glacier tour was a highlight, but also was tempered by knowing how quickly it is receding. The current estimate is that the Athabasca Glacier will gone in ~40-50 years.

I did try drinking the runoff that's been locked in the glacier for ~100K+ years. It tasted just like super old ice from the back of the freezer.
 
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Almost forgot another Canadian hero. I’ve been to the Musee Gilles Villeneuve in Quebec.

 
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I did try drinking the runoff that's been locked in the glacier for ~100K+ years. It tasted just like super old ice from the back of the freezer.
Be careful there! Drinking glacier runoff is how Ötzi got to look like this.....

 
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Be careful there! Drinking glacier runoff is how Ötzi got to look like this.....


I thought it was the arrow wound?

I did briefly weight the odds of getting some recently unthawed ancient parasite. I'll keep y'all updated.
 
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I did briefly weight the odds of getting some recently unthawed ancient parasite. I'll keep y'all updated.
Back in the day, they said "Take a sip but don't drink too much!"

Mine was a very small sip indeed...