Happy Place Meditation & A Modest Proposal

 I love California.

We've vacationed there maybe 20 times, mostly to get away from Pre-Spring. It has everything: nice people, great weather, great food and wine, wonderful scenery, lots to see and do.

When I do my Happy Place Meditation, there are two California places I visualize.

The first doesn't exist anymore because of redevelopment. Upstart Crow was one of my favourite places to sit with a cup of coffee (and sometimes a piece of chocolate cake) to write.

Upstart Crow Cafe and Bookshop, San Diego

The second one is the view from the parking lot of Coit Tower, overlooking San Francisco Bay. I could see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, and if I moved over a bit I could look down and see cars zigzagging down twisty Lombard Street. If I was lucky, I could see sailboats. Ahh...instant relaxation!

Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay from Coit Tower

WARNING: POLITICAL COMMENT AHEAD

A Modest Proposal

A political leader from the United States has proposed that Canada become the 51st state and is applying economic pressure to get his greedy hands on us. This is absolutely not going to happen, no matter what.

(Also, he's ignoring the fact that we aren't one big clump of people. Ontario is five times the size of Texas. We are 10 provinces plus some territories occupied by Indigenous people. Therefore, we would become at least 10 states with 20 senators--all of whom would dominate the Senate and stop anything he wanted to legislate.)

But I digress.

If there are any changes to be made--not that we need any--here's one I could get behind.

I suggest that California join us as the 11th province.

"Cana-Cali" (or "Cali-Cana"--I'm not picky)

could share our natural resources, energy, and great health care

and we could enjoy its weather, wine, and fresh produce

all tariff-free.