A toast to Louis Varland

Louis Varland is having a stellar season.  Lights Out Louis recorded his 32nd save of 2026 yesterday as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians by a score of 6-3.  The Blue Jays' closer has a sparkling ERA of 1.16, the lowest among all Major League relievers this year.  He could arguably become the team's best closer since Tom "The Terminator" Henke.  This is only Louis' first season as a closer, so in order to rank up there with Henke, he will have to prove himself in the years to come.  He will have to continue his dominance and show that this season is not an aberration, that he is the real deal.  

Louis Dennis Varland was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on December 9, 1997, and was named after his uncle.  He played college baseball at the Concordia University, Sant Paul, and was selected by his hometown Minnesota Twins in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.  On July 31, 2025, the Twins sent Varland and Ty France to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Alan Roden  and Kendry Rojas.  Many Minnesota fans were unhappy about the trade because Louis was a popular and affordable hometown player.

Louis was used as a reliever by the Blue Jays in 2025 because Jeff Hoffman was considered the team's closer.  During the 2025 playoffs, Louis appeared in 15 games in relief, setting a new MLB postseason record by a pitcher.  In the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Jays were defeated in the 11th inning of the seventh game by a score of 5-4.  Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, Hoffman had allowed a game-tying home run by Miguel Rohas in the nineth inning.  

It's a moot point and it's hypothetical, but I still can't help but wonder what would have happened if Louis had pitched that 9th inning instead of Jeff Hoffman.  The Jays likely would have won the World Series.  But it was not to be.  They lost to L.A. in a heartbreaking fashion.  Louis did not begin closing games until April of 2026, due to Hoffman's inconsistency.  

Louis married his wife Madeline "Mattie" Varland in the 2024 offseason.  Maddie is a dentist.  According Louis' official MLB biography,. Maddie's father played for the Montreal Canadiens.  I found that interesting.  However, I couldn't find any further details online.  I don't know his name and I don't know whether he played in the National Hockey League or for an affiliate in the Canadiens' system.  

Lous' brother, Gus Varland. is also a pitcher in the major leagues.  Gus plays for the Washington Nationals.

- Joanne

Photos at the Canadian National Exhibition 2026

I've been attending the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), known by locals as "the EX," all my life.  It's changed during the years.  It used to be the place which introduced new technology, the latest in appliances etc.  There used to be all kinds of free samples.  Those days are over.  However, I still enjoy going.  It's a tradition.  It always ends on Labour Day.  As a child, it always meant one more summer pleasure before the new school year.

Here are some pictures of  flower art during my visit to the Ex on August 27, 2026.  They were taken in the Enercare Centre.

Below is a photo of Slovenian dancers at the Spotlight Stage in the Enercare Centre.

- Joanne

The Blue Jays and their woes

What a disappointing season for the Toronto Blue Jays!  Back in April, I was looking forward to the Blue Jays making another run at a World Series victory, or at least giving a good account of themselves in the playoffs. It's almost September now and my World Series dreams have vanished completely.  My wildcard playoff hopes are also fading rapidly.  With every loss, Toronto is digging itself  deeper and deeper into a hole.

Last night, the Blue Jays were crushed 13-2 by the Kanas City Royals.  The home crowd booed their team.  Even manager John Schneider admitted that the crowd  had the right to boo, and he acknowledged his team's poor performance.  The Jays have been drawing about 42,000 for every home game.  They have received a great deal of loyalty and support. The fans have every reason to boo.  You can be sure that attendance will go way down if this continues, especially if there is an MLB lockout in 2027.  

Blue Jay fans just want to see their team compete.  They don't always have to win, but their performance should not be so lacklustre.  All season, the Jays have teased us.  Just as they near the .500 mark, they start slumping again.  After the trade deadline, the injection of new players such aa Brett Bateman and Charles McAdoo seemed to add new life and spirit to the team.  Alas, it doesn't seem to have lasted.

Yes, the Jays have had a lot of injuries, especially to starting pitchers.  However, I never expected the magical 2025 season to turn into a forgettable 2026 season.  I never expected them to be in last place in the American East Division on August 28th with 65 wins and 70 losses.  I never expected Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to only have 7 home runs (none at home in the dome).  This is the most frustrating Blue Jay team in years, and Vladdy is at the core of the frustration.  This whole season has been one gigantic struggle for him.  Vladdy should have gotten out of his slump by now.  Something needs to change.  Why hasn't he been moved down in the batting order?  By the way, isn't it about time he stopped dousing his fellow Jays with Gatorade  It's getting tiresome.

I have seen enough of bullpen days.  Th Blue Jays may end up winning bullpen games that way, but the cost is far too high.  They wear out an already exhausted bullpen, especially when the starters seldom last past 5 innings. The situation was so bad last night that a position player, Myles Straw, had to take the mound to get out of the 8th inning.  

I am also sick and tired of the Jays leaving runners on the bases.  They rarely hit well in the clutch.  It's so frustrating to see a fair amount of hits and nothing to show for them.  Where is hitting coach David Popkins?  Shouldn't he bear some responsibility for the lack of clutch hitting and power hitting.

So, yes, I am in agreement with John Schneider.  The Blue Jays deserved to be booed lustily last night.

- Joanne

Why Canada had to say NO to the U.S. trade deal

 

"They asked too much and offered too little."

- Prime Minister Mark Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney

"The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries ... would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state." 

David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

Premier David Eby

Canada was absolutely right to suspend trade talks with the United States under the Trump regime.  No deal is better than a bad deal.  The time has come for Canadians to draw a line in the sand.  Canada is being asked to relinquish its sovereignty.  We can never do that.  We cannot sell our soul.  We cannot be bullied any long.  This situation  is highly regrettable, a real tragedy.  Most Americans do not have ill feelings toward Canada.  Canadians and Americans live in close proximity to each other and most of us have friends and relatives who reside on either side of the border.

Until Trump came along, American and Canadians supported each other, and we were infinitely better for it.  This September 11th will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  During that terrible time, Canadians in Gander, Newfoundland showed hospitality to stranded American travellers.

Donald Trump and his supporters do not regard Canada as not a real country.  Well, I've got news for them.  Canada is real country with many differences from the United States.  We are a proud nation with our own history and our own political and social customs.  

The Trump administration has treated its northern neighbour with contempt and disrespect.  It wants to control us.  How can we make a deal with an unstable leader such as Donald Trump.  He is erratic and volatile.  He enjoys causing chaos.  He can change his mind at the drop of a hat.  That's why Prime Minister Carney stated that sometimes the U.S. signature is written in pencil.  

Donald Trump claimed on his social platform Truth Social (actually Lies Social) that "Canada wants the benefit of being a State, without being one!!!"  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Canadians don't want to be swallowed up by the United States.  We believe we should have a say in our own destiny and our own future.  Has Trump ever thought to ask the people of Canada what they want?  No, he has not!  Why!  Because he is a tinpot dictator who wants to stomp over anyone who stands in the way of his desires.  

As someone who has lived in Canada all my life, I can confidently guarantee that the vast majority of Canadian do not wish to live in Trump's so-called 51st state.  Here's a sample of what Trump would do to Canada if he had the opportunity.  He would abolish the Canada Health Act.  There would be no more universal health care.  The French language in Quebec would also be abolished.  That would really sit well with  francophones in that province, wouldn't it?  He'd also weaken gun laws and there would be more mass shootings  Then he'd persecute undocumented immigrants.  Of course, there would be more tax breaks for the wealthiest Canadians.  Forget about social programs and environmental protections.

No, Donald Trump.  Canada cannot make any more concessions.  Canadians will have to face hardships due to your infernal tariffs, but you have given us no real choice.  It is sad that Americans will also pay a price for Trump's tariff folly.  Fortunately, the U.S. midterm elections are coming up in November.  It will be a great opportunity for Americans to demonstrate how unhappy they are with inflation, ICE, and the war in Iran.  Democratic victories in the House of Representatives and the Senate will weaken Trump's position.

The more Canada concedes, the more Trump will demand.  That is why we cannot accept his unfair deal.  That is why we will remain the true north strong and free.

- Joanne