Queen Victoria Day Weekend is Here!

As a child, I used to think this was called, "Firecracker Day". The best part was that we got the Monday off from school and the last of the fireworks was always, "The Burning of The Old Schoolhouse"!

Back then, you were allowed to have your own display and everyone on our street would pool their fireworks and gather in one neighbour's backyard. Sometimes it was rather cold which necessitated huddling with your friends, sisters, or mothers under your favourite blankies! We'd often already put on our pajamas. Everyone would feel all cuddly and close. Of course, there would be hot chocolate and marshmallows afterwards! And if it was hot, there'd be lemonade and chocolate chip cookies for certain! Oh, and bug spray FOR EARLY BLACK FLIES AND MOSQUITOES!

We would all ooh and ahh after each one was set off, sending colourful stars and sprays high up into the sky. One called, "The Spiral" would be set in our apple tree and make wonderful whirring noises! And then, the finale, the old fashioned pioneer schoolhouse would be lit. We would be silent in our own thoughts of how great the weekend and evening had been, savouring this precious family time of our childhood. Slowly, we'd realize that bedtime was imminent as was school the following day.

Now, as adults without kids or cottage, we seldom even see the fireworks in the next town. It means planting our gardens, hanging baskets, and window boxes full of our favourite colourful flowers. We may take time out to share a bbq dinner with friends. There are several garage sales to visit to open the season. It will be nice to have a long weekend and we shall enjoy it as the Gateway to Summer.

But somewhere in the recesses of my childhood memory, I shall still be huddling under my blankie, quietly watching the glowing embers of The Burning Schoolhouse.

Mother of Invention, picking out which jammies to wear!