Corner Gas

Try watching this Canadian sit-com. It’ll make ya smile)

We found Corner Gas! And guess where?  Off the beaten path in of all places, Erickson, Manitoba. 

We pulled into Corner Gas at an angle. Just enough room to squeeze in. Full service at no extra cost. I walked inside, met by a fiercely cheerful woman with a mischievous grin. She’d seen us pull in and was waiting. “That’s a real nice little guy you got there, eh?”  Her smile broadenened even more and ended with a chuckle. She enjoyed her play with words so much she walked outside to try it out with Steve. We all smiled and chuckled. 

Steve’s relatives settled in South Dakota, but his great-grandmother was an indigenous healer from a French community somewhere east of Manitoba. They, like many others traveled across the border to claim land in the Dakota grasslands. 40 acres if you stayed 5 years and planted trees. They lived in caves dug into mounds. The only protection from strong winds and bitterly cold winters. Steve built his first home for less than $20 with a plan from Mother Earth News. It had a dirt floor. He loved it. They say the acorn doesn’t fall too far from the tree!

Well anyway, Corner Gas was situated opposite The Iris Cafe. We just had to mosey over there for a cup of tea and slice of fresh-baked banana bread. 

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day. There I go thinking in lyrics again.