Fun in The Soo, Ontario, by Margaret Ullrich, part 10, Transplanting

Last night was cloudy.

We couldn't even see the full moon.

Even though it was cloudy, it was still light by the time we went to bed.

When we awoke the sky was darker than when we had gone to bed.

By 8:00 a.m. the rains came.

It poured until 1:00 p.m.

On the one hand it was a relief.

On the other, we knew it was going to be even muggier.

Well, nothing's perfect.

The Mama Robin was safe in her nest.

The leaves provided cover and the nest stayed on the grapevine.

Outside of some specials on television tonight, July 4 is just another day.

To be honest, July 4 always was just another day to me.

I was born in Malta in 1950.

So, I was born a British subject.

Even if Pop had paid the $10 to have me naturalized 

- which he did not do since he figured he had more important things to buy - 

I'd have been a second-rate American citizen.

To be a proper American one must have been born in America.

Just ask Donald Trump and U.S. President Obama.

Malta became independent in 1964.

Since I wasn't living there, I'm not sure if I became a Maltese citizen or not.

For quite a while now I've been a Canadian citizen.

So it's just as well Pop didn't waste his $10.

Canadians aren't as nasty with people who weren't born in their country.

They've actually set up a display in Ottawa to make note of the countries where Canadians had come from.

And Malta is among the countries that are so honored.

I know because I saw the plaque when we were in Ottawa.

Forty years ago we were enjoying a cool sunny morning in Sault Ste. Marie.

Or "The Soo" as it's nicknamed.

After showering, we caught up with some chores.

Paul refilled the trailer's gas tanks and exchanged our money.

I puttered in the kitchen and watched soap operas on our television.

As we weren't driving that day, we decided to see what "The Soo" was like.

"Hub of the Soo" was the city's slogan.

Paul kept singing "Hub of the Soo" to Figaro.

It was almost like an old fashioned date day for us.

We got burgers at Col. Sanders.

Not bad.

We were getting used to more greenery than meat in a burger.

We browsed the stores.

We were surprised to find there was a Woolco.

After dinner, we went to the movies.

The theater was small, but clean.

We saw Mary, Queen of Scots, with Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson.

The history was a bit off, but it was an enjoyable movie.

The movie let out at 11:30 p.m.

There weren't any street lights.

There must have been a new moon, because it was pitch black.

That was quite a ride home for a couple from New York.

We didn't know nights could get that dark.

All in all, it was one of my best July 4 holidays.

Thank you, Canada!!