A Life of Leisure

When There Was Time to Relax

Though leisure time was limited, Canadians always knew how to make the most of it, and there was never a shortage of things to do, if you were so inclined.  One of the most popular pastimes; aside from Bees, Weddings, Funerals and Dances; was traveling and family 'excursions' . As soon as the farm chores were up to date, it was time for 'a visit' and no invitation was needed or expected.   According to The Backwoods of Canada by C.P. Traill; published in London in 1836:

"They are not very social in their daily habits to which, indeed, the almost impassable state of the roads oppose great obstacles; but they are fond of large parties, and, in favorable season, five or six families often unite, and, without any notice, arrive to visit another at the distance of ten or twelve miles. Such an arrival would not always be very opportune in an English household; but, in this land of plenty, the flour-barrel, the pork-tub, and the fowl house, afford at all times materials for meeting such an emergency, and the board is soon spread with a plentiful meal".

But; if you couldn't afford to be away from home that long, there was always a game on; a hill to slide down, or stream to fish, to while away the hours until the next chore needed to be looked after.

To Bee or Not to Bee - A Question of Co-operation

The Centre For Gossip and Conjecture - The General Store

Sleeping Under the Stars - Camping and Camp Meetings

Where Everybody Knows Your Name - The Local Pub

Social Butterfly or Moth to Flame- Fulfilling Social Obligation

What If I Galop When I Should Have Deux Temps? - Dances and Balls

You Can Bet Your Buffalo Robe - The Sporting Life I'll Wager

The Mourning After - Funerals, the Great Canadian Pastime

Cause For Celebration -  Special Days For Canadians

A Lot to Brag About - Tourism Canada

The Family Excursion - Visiting and Travel

Have Gun Will Travel - A Hunting We Will Go

Don't Look Now But is That the Minister? - The Canadian Wedding

Hook, Line and Sinker - Gone Fishin'

Splendour in the Grass - We're Going to Have a Picnic

A Pretty Girl and Her Silver Sandals - Making the Most of a Canadian Winter

Rounds, Forfeits and Singing a Merry Tune - An Enjoyable Evening at Home

Under the Big Top - Circuses and Sideshows

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