Spent a great American Thanksgiving weekend. Hard not to love a holiday that is dedicated to family, eating, and football. Did plenty of all three.

My kids visited us in Ottawa. They are having fun getting used to the new house. My daughter’s dog Max thinks he has gone to dog heaven. Lots of chairs to sleep on. A big yard. Too many treats. We also had a visit from my sister and her family. In addition to eating and football we took them on tours of Ottawa: Byward Market, Rideau Hall, Parliament Hill, etc. They loved it. My sister’s husband and his family are from Louisiana where the tradition is that Thanksgiving turkeys are deep fried with lots of Cajun spices. To make sure we partook adequately of the tradition, they fried us three turkeys. Fortunately we had the Marines over for dinner. So nothing went to waste.

Thanksgiving – in Canada and the US – is a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. For my family and me we have so much – our heath, our happiness, and the chance to represent our country here in Canada. It is also a time to think about those who are less fortunate. As usual, President Obama said it best in his Thanksgiving message:

“[Thanksgiving] is a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.
The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.
We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.
So when we gather [on Thanksgiving], let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.’
DJ