THE FINE ART OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

 The term "social distancing" was basically nonexistent this time last year. Ah 2019....you seem an easy breezy fond memory to me now. But I digress...

According to Wikipedia, Social Distancing is:

"a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures intended to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by maintaining a physical distance between people and reducing the number of times people come into close contact with each other."

It occurred to me this is what we do every year when we go interior camping. Maybe not so much to prevent the spread of a contagious disease, but we definitely got the physical distance thing and reduction of close contact with people going on. 

Nothing but wind, water, woods and sky.

We had some of the best canoeing weather I've ever experienced.

When it wants to, Joe Perry Lake in Bon Echo Park can whip up a wind that makes for a very grumpy lake with frothy, angry whitecaps.

But not on this trip!

Turns out Lulu is no Lemon when it comes to camping. She is a very happy camper!

And a Beach Baby, but, not much of a swimmer!

What's social distancing (and camping) without roasted marshmallows???

I realize camping is not everyone's cup-of-tea. But if Social Distancing is the newest craze, I'll take it with a canoe in the Canadian woods!

WELCOME PRINCE CALEB!

A new Little Prince has arrived!

Allow me to introduce Caleb Theodore, born on July 23/20! He's pink, fat, bright and perfect. 

And my heart is full of gratefulness for this new addition to our family.  

I'm so very proud of my daughter-in-law and my son. They are smitten with this little babe and I know he is going to be lavished with love and raised well.

It's a little strange to see your "baby" holding his baby!

The bond between a mother and her son is unique and precious!

This will be a different grand-mothering experience for me; one that involves a lot of FaceTime and photos. 

I can't hold him, or smell him or kiss the bridge of his nose or his rosebud mouth. 

You see, Caleb is in Vancouver and I'm closer to the other side of Canada, in Ontario. Throw a pandemic into the mix and hopping on a plane just willy-nilly is a little difficult. 

Still, I'm so grateful.

Grateful for the safe arrival of Caleb. 

Grateful for new life and the blessing of another grandson

Grateful for technology that allows me to connect in a virtual way.

I was reading today in Chronicles 2:6 about King Solomon dedicating the Temple. Here is a man standing before his people and this beautiful temple. This was his Father King David's heartfelt desire to build. I can almost hear his voice crack as he acknowledges he was able to fulfil his father's wish. Not only his Father in heaven, but his earthly father's. 

He is overwhelmed with gratefulness. And God, who searches hearts, knows this man and the depth of his feeling.

 I haven't built any ornate temples gilded in gold lately..

But I do have this legacy. And for that, I'm grateful.

 

SENDING OUT SOME LOCAL LOVE

It's raining outside. A good, solid, steady rain applauding on my window. The dry, parched ground is soaking it in; this much needed love from above! 

Our economy is also dry and parched and in much need of some love - not from above (though I wouldn't turn my nose up at it), but local. 

Doors are cautiously opening with masks as protocol and sanitizing stations in place. The community begins to gather again and enjoy face to face connections. 

Where I live, my downtown has been working hard to safely draw people out. And I get the sense the goal is not so much to spend money, but to build our sense of community. A sense of connection,  belonging and a healthy culture. 

I biked downtown on Friday night to send out some local love. There were numerous places to sit outside for a drink and listen to local musicians like our homeboy troubadour Andy Forgie.

At one local shop, Kate's Kitchen, I snapped a pic of this lovely vignette outside. Inside I was smitten by a pair of blue and white china mugs now a part of my morning coffee routine.

Another one of my favourite haunts is Boretski's, a vintage store whose owner has a flair for decor.

These prisms are on display and add a sense of fun and whimsy

On Saturday night, we went for dinner with friends at Paulo's.

There is a lovely courtyard and the food is authentic and fresh. I enjoyed the Pasta Primavera

And a special dessert of meringue with gelato and a splash of espresso.

Now, how pretty is that??

COVID is a part of our life now, with its' risks, tragedies, confusion and confines. We are all adjusting in our own way. Let's send out some local love to rebuild our communities in this new world.