Dimwitted Canadians sometimes ask me, ‘Kathy, why don’t you just move to Texas…?’

Well, there’s this, outta Houston:

(I love how, even when they’re trying to sound adorable and/or helpful, Muslims always come across like they’re issuing a threat. It’s like when hyper-Christians intone, “I’ll pray for you…”)

Yesterday at the HEB, as I navigated my shopping cart I turned a corner and nearly crashed into a portly gentleman pushing a cart. During the ensuing pause, as each of us determined who was going next he looked at me and said to the woman with him, “What is today, Muslim day? Everywhere I go I see them.” He looked at me and I smiled at him and he moved on without saying a word directly to me.

Sir, every day is Muslim day. We are around you every day even if our shopping carts don’t nearly collide, even if you can’t identify us by scarves or kufis. Although efforts are being made to vilify us and our way of life and traditions, we are here every day. Even though nearly 40% of Americans have a negative view of our religion, we are here every day. I suggest you get used to it. Every day is Muslim day.