Paying Tribute
03 July 2021 | Day 7 to Azores
Saturday 3 July 2021
Wind has eased to the point of death, but we continue to sail. It's backed a bit so able to stay in helpful current. Velocity not forecast to pick up again until after midnight. Sea not bad, but sails occasionally flog on a roll. Not hard, but not good. If we head more toward wind to help, angle goes to hell and we lose current. Anyway boat rolls more at higher angle due wave direction. What's a mother to do?
July first and fourth are anniversaries, Canada and US. Happy birthdays guys. Make a wish and blow out the candles... OK, not that wish. Shame on you. Something nice.
On America's first several birthdays it was at war with Canada, but we're friends now, sort of. May depend on which side of the border you find yourself. For example:
***Canadians
"Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, while Canadians are malevolently well informed about the United States."
- J. Bartlett Brebner
***Americans
"Very little is known of the Canadian country since it is rarely visited by anyone but the Queen and illiterate sport fishermen."
- P. J. O'Rourke
As far as can be determined, except in Quebec, Canadians are very nice. At least that's their PR and my experience with them, but you've got to suppose there are a few who are unpleasant. They don't have guns so have to make do with knives and bats and such. Their health care system may turn some of them ill-tempered because it's rationed by making people wait for diagnostics and treatment for months or years. Well, I mean, all of them were eventually going to die anyway, so what's the beef? The majority of Canadians say that's OK because it's free. Perhaps they don't pay taxes. Those with money can go to America (or India or South Africa, etc.) and get treated immediately. They're probably out of sorts too for having to pay twice. Anyway, Americans like Canadians and get to see them regularly as they all come to Arizona or Florida for the winter. They're never grumpy then.
- Later
Wind returns. We praise benevolent god Aeolus and will, when it's available, sacrifice a pint of Guinness by tossing it into the air... or somewhere. We loyal subjects are thus able to stay above adverse current and outrun mean god Aeolus, bringer of gales.
Jack & Jan