sephaar

[sephaar]

True North Strong:

Did you know;

Laura Secord is more than just chocolate!

Laura Secord was a Canadian woman involved in the War of 1812. She is known for having walked 20 miles (32 km) out of American-occupied territory in 1813 to warn British forces of an impending American attack.

After the American army invaded Upper Canada in May 1813, the U.S. controlled the area along the Niagara River from Fort George to Fort Erie.

Unsung in her lifetime, she has become an icon of Canadian patriotism since.

[sephaar]

I Am Canadian

When I was growing up, I knew someone who was very ‘patriotic’ about being Canadian. Even to the point where they would get very upset and defensive about someone saying “Zee” instead of “Zed” while saying the ABCs. “This is CANADA, it’s ZED!” I didn’t really ‘get’ it.

I didn’t have very strong feelings one way or the other about Canada as a whole. The flag was something we stood in front of to sing the anthem every morning at school, but I didn’t feel any strong attachment to it. It was just something we did.

When we were being taught about other countries and places around the world, I was able to understand that I was privileged and lucky to have been born in Canada – after all, “other people are starving, so you better eat everything on your plate!”

But I didn’t really *feel* “Canadian”.

I used to daydream and pretend that I was from “Somewhere Else”. I didn’t know where that might have been – but I was sure I was from There. Maybe I had been stolen and sold from Mexico or Spain … maybe I was found wandering in some jungle … maybe I came from that place with the wooden shoes and windmills … maybe, just maybe, I was from a different world entirely! … Wouldn’t that be something?

We moved around quite a lot, when I was little. I have been all over our country, but knew very little about it. What I did know was:

- we had to be careful in case Russia got mad. We practiced “duck-and-cover” under our desks just in case (Cold War)

- sometimes bears got into the garbage

- come home when the street lights come on

As I grew, we learned more about different wars and conflicts. We learned that Hitler is bad, that Canada is nice, and the United States is our friend.

Fast forward some years, looking back as an adult, I can say I have taken “being Canadian” mostly for granted. I still, for the most part, can’t say I ever felt very strongly “patriotic”. I had been in cadets, had learned about Canada’s involvement in wars, attended Remembrance Day memorials, and Canada Day parades, I sang along with the anthem at sporting events …

but for the most part, patriotism was seeing something on the news from elsewhere, or meeting someone from some other country that told us about some terrible thing still happening in their country, and saying, “Oh wow, I’m glad I was born in Canada!”

I’ve felt that vague sort of pride in Canada when I see on the news about how we’ve gone somewhere as peacekeepers, or when people talk about how nice and polite Canadians are (in general), or how we are welcomed pretty much anywhere when we travel. I feel glad to be from a country that’s known for it’s welcoming and helpful nature … but must admit, it still sort of bemused me when I’d see people being emphatically / emotionally patriotic.

I could say a whole lot more, but for the sake of making a long story just a little shorter, I’ll get to where I’m going with this.

With certain current events, I have seen Canadians pulling together and raising their voices like I haven’t seen before.

I’ve seen Canadians en masse stand up for others, I’ve seen Canadians gather in celebration, I’ve seen Canadians coming together to encourage causes they believe in (and / or their sport teams), I’ve seen Canadians mourn … I’ve never seen Canadians quite like this.

Canadians coming together as a whole to fight for *ourselves*.

Canadians standing up together, setting aside our own intermingled issues and squabbles provincially and putting country first.

Canadians speaking up loudly and firmly for our country’s individuality.

Pulling together as one, in spite of our own misgivings and differences of opinion, to say enough is enough. We can only be pushed so far. And I think I am starting to “get it” now. That feeling.

That sense of patriotic devotion and love for my country and its people. We are Canadian. And that means something. More than just hockey, and maple syrup, and saying sorry when someone bumps into us. We’re polite – not pushovers. You can step on our toes, but don’t dare step on our sovereignty. Although … I may still say ‘Zee’ sometimes while reciting the alphabet - I can't help it - it rhymes!

[sephaar]

Hook, Line, and Gnomer:

Something looks a bit fishy to me …

This little Codfather has a secret -

what could it be?

Sephaar’s Cirque du Crochet 🧶

facebook.com/by.Sephaar

@Sephaar (TT, IG, BSky, etc)

pattern by:

@arserendipitydesigns

[sephaar]

This sweet “crochet moment” popped up on my ‘FB Memories’ today, and I just thought I’d share. 🤗 🧶

Do you have any favourite “moments in crochet”?

[sephaar]

“Jelly Brain”

Crochet / hand crafted by me:

Sephaar’s Cirque du Crochet

facebook.com/by.Sephaar

@Sephaar on most socials

Pattern by: Cottontail and Whiskers

I took the liberty though, of adding wires to his dangly bits to make them pose-able, also I made the eyebrows able to move slightly , to allow him to have different expressions lolz

Eyes from: Darkside Crochet

The book he’s reading is by a friend of mine:

“Brains vs Coffee: the daily debate of the urban undead” by Ghoul Friday

Coffee mug by: Calamityware

[sephaar]

I started learning to crochet in 2013, primarily using YouTube tutorials because reading patterns was overwhelming. For a while, Mikey at "The Crochet Crowd" was my main tutor. (He's great for beginners, by the way!)

As I practiced, I began creating items that resembled something useful. I particularly enjoyed experimenting with different stitches to add texture, eventually mastering some overlay crochet techniques for blankets and covers. I even learned to create my own graphs to incorporate simple images into my projects.

Over time, I became more confident in reading patterns and deciphering all the symbols and acronyms. This opened up a whole new world! Ravelry became my go-to library, and I began collecting patterns - many of which were well beyond my skill set, but I thought, "Maybe one day!" I've come to realize that, even if I had unlimited materials and could crochet from sunup to sundown, I doubt I’d ever get through my collection! It seems that in crochet circles, the hobby is threefold: collecting patterns, hoarding yarn, and actually crocheting.

Recently, I’ve felt good enough to explore more intricate projects like amigurumi and soft sculpting.