First, I am taking liberties with my self-imposed intention of only publishing two posts per week because, after all, the Olympics only happens once every four years, (give or take a year).
We all know that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, just like so many other sports events, were tainted by the COVID pandemic. After rescheduling the Olympic Games, COVID protocol will be enforced, so there will be no spectators allowed and when the medals are presented, they’ll just hand them on a tray to the winner to put around their own neck. Yep, COVID has taken a lot of the pizazz out of this event.
To be honest, I’m not a big sports fan. Back in the day I liked watching the professional figure skaters at the Winter Olympics, especially in the era of the “two Brians” (Brian Orser and Brian Boitano) and Scott Hamilton or Kristi Yamaguchi and Nancy Kerrigan. My parents never watched sports live or on TV and I had no siblings that might have participated in athletics in school. I was exposed to a little wrestling and hockey when we’d go to Toronto to visit my grandparents when I was a little nipper. We’d arrive and there they sat, eyes glued to the B&W television, engrossed in a sports event at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. Sometimes greats like Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant were on the wrestling card, or, like good, hockey-loving Canadians, they’d be rootin’ for their Leafs playing at the same venue.
As for sports, I’ve never played any, unless I can count walking as a sport? I know I fail bigtime for swimming. I never learned to swim, so if I tried to do so, I might look like this flailing Ring-Billed Seagull.
I don’t think the Olympics has a category for this, do you?
I’ve been collecting some funny shots of Canada Geese this Summer and when organizing my photos recently, I decided they might make a blog-worthy Olympics post. Sadly, I don’t have any photos of geese wearing bathing caps for these swimming events.
The Olympics begin July 23rd and by now Canada Geese Olympic hopefuls from all over the world have gathered.
There are no participants in water polo, but what do you think about these categories?
(And they remembered to practice social distancing too!)
(Maybe not a graceful move, but hey, if it qualifies, go for it!)
(Look at those powerful legs for plowing through the water.)
(Hmm, those chest muscles look pretty powerful – were steroids used?)
Not everyone will go home a medal winner of course and there will be mixed reactions and disappointment for failing self and country.
(Olympics photos from Olympics.com; Ralph Waldo Emerson quote from Pinterest)
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Very clever! I’m a bigger fan of winter Olympics but I’m sure I’ll catch some of it. I’m hoping that it goes off without people getting ill.
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Thank you Kate. I like the Winter sports better. My mom and I used to follow the figure skaters when they did all their competitions to get to the national championship trials. I think it was on ABC Sports on Saturday afternoons at the time. I heard today that there were 71 athletes tested positive and there was mention that if there were more, the Olympics may be cancelled.
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That’s sad. I would have thought that most if not all athletes would have been vaccinated.
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They said only 80% of all athletes were vaccinated. Some had no vaccines available in their country. I would have arrived earlier from abroad to ensure I could get at least one dose of the vaccine.
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I would think that the Olympic committee would work to make them available although I hear many of our professional athletes did not get the vaccine. People be nuts.
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I agree – I wasn’t aware U.S. athletes didn’t all get it. Yes, people be nuts. In close quarters and likely unmasked during competition.
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Cute post! We are not sports fans, either, though we participate in a few. Watching other people just doesn’t “do it” for us. That said, the Olympics can be entertaining in small doses.
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Thanks Eileen. I know some people are pretty absorbed in the Olympics and it is rough with the time difference. I never heard much about the Tour de France this year.
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Miss Linda………………………….you have such a clever mind…………………..to think of comparing the sports with the geese…………………………….I can’t help thinking of Mrs Meany all by herself……………………she stays with the ducks and isn’t aggressive……………………….Good for you on limiting yourself to two blogs a week…………………………………you go Canadian girl!
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Thank you Ann Marie – you will make my head swell. I was trying to ensure I do some funny posts to merit using “Whimsy” in my blog title. 🙂 I had so many oddball geese photos, I figured it was a chance to use them. Mrs. Meany lost everything this year … and the sad thing is, she lost it due to mankind, not nature. Mankind stole her eggs, then her mate … it would have been better they removed the entire family, but no, that would have been the kind and humane thing to do. Splitting them up and leaving Mrs. Meany at the pond was not very nice at all. Yes, I cannot keep up anymore Ann Marie and as I write this comment, there is a storm beginning and I might be shutting down the computer, making me even more behind.
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Most amusing, Linda. Who else would think of goose Olympics??
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Glad you liked it Anne. I am trying to ensure I do some amusing posts to keep using “Whimsy” in my blog title. I have photos all over the place … I was organized somewhat on my walks, yet sometimes I have photos left over. This time I put them to good use. The geese may be the only ones there at the rate the COVID cases are going … 71 at last count.
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Our COVID rates must be low, because no one is talking about them now. I hope yours go down soon.
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Thanks Anne – I actually never stopped wearing my mask in public, even at the Park. When they finally lifted all restrictions indoors, the Delta variant was starting to create a lot of hospitalization and deaths too, so I kept it in place. I am concerned. Did you hear there are multiple persons at the White House, all fully vaccinated, that have tested positive for COVID?
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No, I didn’t hear about COVID in the White House.
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It was just yesterday it was reported. They said it was mild cases for all the people who tested positive, but worrisome as all had been fully vaccinated. Also, since everyone is fully vaccinated who works at the White House, they no longer mask up indoors.
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Ha! I like your Canada Goose Olympics even more than the ones in Tokyo. Our friends are huge Olympics fans. they are having an opening night party. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we will be in Colorado this Friday, so we will miss it.
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Thank you Laurie – I figured they might be more entertaining given the rigid conditions in place this year … if it happens. Today I heard 71 athletes have tested positive for COVID and if there were many more, they might cancel. I don’t see that happening though do you? I didn’t know you were going to Colorado too. I knew you were going to resume your posting on July 11th … guess you’re extending your blog pause due to this upcoming trip. Is it a surprise trip like last year? Your Summer is speeding by visiting family and friends and it’s not even the biggest trip in late September!
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Yes, I am extending my blog pause due to the Colorado trip. We want to be there for our grandson’s 6th birthday on the 31st. We are home for a week after Colorado, then off to Alaska! It is not a surprise. My grandson called me on Sunday and told me he is counting the days until we get there. I am too! 🙂
I can’t imagine them canceling the Olympics. The athletes have all traveled to Japan, the preparations have all been made, the accommodations are all set. It seems like a huge undertaking to call off at this point, but you never know. I read that as of today, Americans are not allowed to go to England. That may change before October, but things seem to be going in the wrong direction.
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I thought Atti’s birthday was in July, but not sure. He is already excited – how nice for all of you. I forgot (or didn’t realize) you were going to Alaska. That is one place I always wanted to go and wish I’d done that cruise instead of the Panama Canal Cruise. I did hear about England and Americans, mentioned in conjunction with opening the Canadian border, but it could change as the UK finally ceased the last COVID-related restrictions Sunday or Monday. Fingers crossed your marathon and Ireland plans can go as scheduled.
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Enjoyed your post. Good to see Canada doing so well in every event!
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Thanks Margy. I have to come up with the occasional whimsical post to keep using that word in “Whimsy” in my blog title. Canada does not only do well in hockey as people discovered in this post. 🙂
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Clever post. I like your take on the Olympics, with photos to enhance the experience. Nothing like getting the inside scoop on the Canada Geese Olympic hopefuls! I’ve never been taken with the Summer Olympics, but will watch bits and pieces of the coverage of the Winter Olympics.
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Thanks Ally. I am fulfilling my quota of whimsical posts to keep “Whimsy” in my blog title. 🙂 I believe I scooped the news media on the aquatic events just for my fellow bloggers. I’ve never watched any of the Summer Olympics to date, but do enjoy the figure skating and an occasional peek at the luge events, just to cringe and wring my hands as they negotiate the hairpin turns.
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I admire your imagination and creativity, Linda! Such a fun post!
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Thanks Rebecca … I want to ensure I keep the “whimsy” part of my blog title accurate. 🙂
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and you get the Gold for creativity Linda!
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Thanks Wayne – though the Canada Geese steal the peanuts and sunflower seeds from my squirrels and songbirds, they are also fun to watch and take pictures of with their many antics and moods. 🙂
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bigger animals tend to bully smaller ones
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Unfortunately … sigh. The Canada Geese at Council Point Park are still MIA while they await their flight feathers to grow in. They are at the shoreline parks where they can hang out in the water all day long, safe from predators.
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That was such a fun read! We’re not big sports fans but love your take on the Olympics just as we have always preferred the Puppy Bowl to the Super Bowl. 🙂
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Thanks Ruth – I have watched portions of the Puppy Bowl and it is very sweet. Animal antics over people antics always wins in my opinion!
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I have very mixed feelings about the Olympics. On the one hand it’s amazing to see what the physical body is capable of doing, but on the other hand I dislike the whole idea of competition. (I even prefer cooperative board games.) And with the coronavirus still lurking around it seems ill-advised to me to go ahead with the games. I’m loving your Canada geese pictures! They look so dignified until they start diving. 🙂
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Yes, that is true Barbara. Back when I watched the figure skating, there was some contentiousness between the top performers and it was here, in Detroit, where Tonya Harding’s pals whacked Nancy Kerrigan in the knee … nice sportsmanlike behavior there. I’ve wondered for weeks if it would just cancel for good due to COVID and now the Delta variant rearing its ugly head. I thought they may cancel and it’s not Friday and the official opening ceremonies, but some games were being played today which I don’t understand in the least. Those Canada geese are regal looking – for sure their dignity is shot once they dive. I had a similar photo of a Mute Swan diving but decided to keep it just the Goose Olympics. 🙂
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What happened with Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan shows where competition can lead, in my mind, especially when jealousy fills someone up and being a good sport hasn’t been taught or learned. Hopefully the current Olympic athletes will be more gracious about their wins and losses.
I didn’t get any pictures but you might appreciate this story. A couple of weeks ago we had to stop the car for a large flock of Canada geese and their half-grown goslings, crossing the road. A large one brought up the rear and then stopped half way across, stretched his neck up high and glared at us. “Yes, what is your problem?” I asked. And then, suddenly, a young straggler appeared and hurried across the road. Only then did the dutiful crossing guard follow him and continue on. 🙂 We had such a good laugh!
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Yes, that scenario was one of the worst examples of unsportsmanlike behavior ever. Tonya Harding always claimed she had no clue about it … I never believed her though. I do appreciate that story you witnessed with the goslings. I can picture the glare by the dutiful crossing guard watching over its sibling. The young geese are pretty good at showing their anger and it always makes me laugh when they mimic their parents when a human is on the pathway. The parents hiss and flap their wings, so the goslings hiss and flap their stubby wings too. One day I expect to see them stomping a webbed foot, much like a child would when throwing a temper tantrum. I was just in touch with Matt at the Duck Sanctuary (via Facebook Messenger) and they are finalizing arrangements for the last duckling to join the Sanctuary. Interestingly, Matt said that Mama Duck would not necessarily know how many ducklings she had and that as long as some were following her, she thought they were all there. Hmm. It still turned out okay as the last duckling will have a home with its own kind. Mama has one less duckling to raise. 🙂
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Who knows? That little duckling might have a better life at the sanctuary than he might have had in the wild. 🙂 I’m so happy and relieved to hear that the sanctuary will accept him.
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This is true Barbara. Life in the wild is dangerous and with climate change making for dangerously hot conditions, water surfaces with algae bloom on them and the usual predators, that duckling will live a good life at the Sanctuary with other ducks. I’d say it is a lucky duck(ling).
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Yes, the animals are the winners in Olympics to me. Their flying and swimming skills are unmatched. I can not swim either, never like being in the water. Wonderful photos, I have not seen but a couple of geese this year. So nice to see them all in your photos.
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They sure are the winners Sandra and they do it all without being judgemental (unlike humans)
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Aw, I’m smiling, thanks for sharing such a delightful and fun twist to the Olympics. Great photos too.
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Glad to give you a smile Shelley. Glad you liked the photos too.
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You always make me smile, Linda! xoxo
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Thank you Shelley – you made my day. 🙂
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😊
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Very creative Linda and I love the categories and the shots! Well done!
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Thanks Joni – glad you liked it! When I looked at the aquatic events, I figured they were close enough to my photos to have some fun with them.
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It was a fun post!
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Glad you liked it Joni. It was fun to write. Keeping the “whimsy” in my blog title.
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Linda you always make me laugh!
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Glad to give you a laugh Diane – the geese took this competition very seriously, refusing to pose in bathing caps as they thought they would lose their credibility. 🙂
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