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.

COME FOR A RIDE WITH ME!

I read this the other day: "A fool always wants to shorten space and time. A wise man wants to lengthen both." I can get in my car or, I can hop on my bike, extend the time it takes me to get to work and take in all the sights and sounds that come with the journey.

So come for a ride with me!

My bike tic-tic-tics quietly as I wheel it through the back yard and slide the gate open. A quick hop on and the tic-tic-tic turns into a gentle constant whirring. I make my own breeze. The air is morning fresh. I can hear the robins, the black birds, the chipping sparrow's sewing-machine song. 

I come to this walkway:

In the mornings it is lined with purple flowers all cheering me on! I click, click into 5th gear. By the time I return in the afternoon, all the flowers have closed up hiding from the summer heat. No cheer squad left. 

I pass a couple women chatting. The older one's voice sounds gravelly; like she has spent years smoking cigarettes and drinking whiskey. 

There are numerous dogs on walks - little ones, hairy ones, big ones. They all look pretty happy, assorted-sized tongues hanging out, and a few sniffing around picking up on the latest dog news. 

I head down the hill and give this year's hill cry. WoHOO! I say it not too loud, but loud enough to exalt in the pick up of speed. 

In the middle of town the smells are greasier, and I keep on alert. I know if take on one of these metal monsters, the odds are against me, it is not a fair fight. I have to bike on the defensive. The metal monsters rumble and growl around and behind me. And then they whoosh by. 

Now it's up the hill - my heart starts pumping and I hope it can hold up. It is getting on, much like the rest of my body!

I pass a young woman as she is jogging. Her step so light I can't hear it; her long black pony tail swings rhythmically back and forth. She's vital and beautiful and gives no indication to me that any of her joints ache, like my right knee is. 

Getting onto the long flat stretch now. I've got my second wind and my bike is purring as I click into 7th gear.

There is not nearly as much traffic on the roads these days. But yet, there are lots of dead squirrels still, some nothing left but flat pieces of fluff. I navigate around them, along with a variety of hubris: rocks, sticks, cigarette butts, an old Tim Horton's coffee cup. 

I turn into the parking lot at work and coast, gearing down to 4th. Tic-tic-tic-  - tic  -  tic -   tic. I slow down, swing my leg over and hop off. 

Rides over - thanks for coming with me!

CELEBRATING THE SIMPLE PLEASURES OF LIFE

Well, here we are, smack in the middle of 2020. What a year this is, and we are only halfway through. For me, today is Canada Day, a national holiday celebrating how great this country is. 

So, I'm not going to dwell on the obvious; but let's enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Like fresh produce!

Asparagus and radishes!

Why not get up early, beat the summer heat and pick yourself some sun-warmed strawberries?

Maybe spend some time by the water and listen to the lullaby of wind and waves.

One of my favourite simple pleasures is spending time with family. My Little Prince Soren changes daily and is always a great source of joy. We took him down to enjoy a fresh croissant at L'auberge

 This is Soren enjoying the simple pleasure of a fresh croissant!

If you are Canadian I wish you all Happy Canada Day! 

And Canadian or not, I wish you simple pleasures of Life!

LOVE IN THE TIME OF COVID

We've been watching a pair of doves care for their babies  in the backyard. They built their nest precariously in the crook of a tree close to our deck. Doves have two babies at a time and are generally monogamous. Look closely - you can see the two little ones tucked in with Mom (or Dad). We watched as they have switched off on nest duty, fed them and did their best to keep them safe from squirrels and other birds swooping around. A pandemic makes no difference to them. It is still a difficult job raising a family.

My son and his wife are soon-to-be first time parents! 

They have been maneuvering the risky business of pregnancy during a pandemic. As well, Carolyn works in health care. This is love in the time of COVID-19. They have had to be extra careful, with no celebrations and buying what they needed to build their  nest on line. 

We had planned to fly out to B.C. to meet the baby soon after the birth. But we have decided to postpone for now, not wanting to risk a flight and bringing something into their home with a newborn. My heart is aching to meet this new Little Prince and to spend some time Adrian and Carolyn. But this is love in the time of COVID - distant, virtual, untouchable. 

I know the path ahead is still a long one. That we have not conquered this virus yet. But we are making progress! 

Love can not be stopped by a pandemic. It is still patient and kind, it does not envy or boast; it is not proud or rude. It is not self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trust, hopes and perseveres. (1 Cor. 13)

We are living in difficult times. Let's continue to Love in this time of COVID.

MARCO.....POLO

I love when the Forget-Me-Nots show up each spring in the garden. But this year, they were getting carried away and taking liberties. 

I was trying to find a few other plants that were getting lost in the blue riot. It was like a game of Marco Polo.  

Me searching through the blue mass: "MARCO"
Struggling Echinacea: "Polo!"
I stripped half the party out to let echinacea breathe.

Then I thought I would see what's happening in the back yard. I had moved my strawberry plant into a pot to be safe from Mr. Bunny. 

Me looking for any signs of berries: "MARCO!"

Baby Strawberries: "POLO!"

My Mom was showing me some old pics and this one was in the bunch:

My 9th birthday. A flourescent light exploded in the kitchen (random) all over my cake and spaghetti sauce that had been simmering on the stove. I'm extraordinarily happy considering my birthday dinner was ruined and quick replacements had to be found. But where is that smiling, innocent little girl gone? Is she still around?

Me: "Marco?"

A small little voice inside replied: "Polo"

Some things that are hiding in these pandemic days can still be found. Some seem lost forever. 

How about shaking hands, hugs, road trips, concerts and big celebrations. 

Me: "MARCO!"........

What happened to the busy office buzz and raucous laughter in the kitchen at lunch?

"MARCO!"........

We are slowly, slowly coming out of this full-stop pandemic time. Some things will never be the same. Some things may even be better. And some things will come back, feel familiar and be greatly welcomed.

"Polo"