No, definitely NOT retired

Although if questioned as to my plans for contracts, as in.....you just got back, when are you heading out again? I reassure people that I've worked 12 weeks in 2022 so am finished for this year but....am definitely NOT retired yet. It is a surprising statement from someone anticipating their 66th birthday this month but, I approach each rotation with the idea that 'this may be my last northern trip' and at some point, I ask the question of myself "am I ready to NEVER see another mother carrying her baby in an amauti, or not ever watch black haired, brown eyed giggling kids playing with a puppy, never sort out all the well child immunizations, surveillance, even STIs in a community and feel I've made a difference by having done the best job I can? Even the struggle to learn new names in each community, spelling and an attempt at pronunciation...Tatatuapik, Oyukuluk, Attagutsiak, Iqaqrialu, Akpaliapik, Kigutikakjuk, Akpaliapik...the answer at some point is....you'd miss this old nurse, don't give it up just yet. And I mean....taking a for real dogsled trip out on the ice for a fraction of the tourist cost? Priceless. 

A dogsled run ahhhh

I read an article about successful retirement and the gist was....you're not ready if you still receive a sense of purpose from your work. I've made the modification from community health nurse to public health (perhaps homecare...haven't ruled it out) which removes the on call, long nights waiting for the medevac team, need to keep current with SO many different focuses and...just generally more responsibility. When public health nursing in a pandemic sounds better than community health nurse....you know you're past it. So....I have given availability for November 1 to December 14 for a PHN contract in Baffin region and settled on Sanirajak (previously called Hall Beach). I have never been, but have only heard good things about it. And now I'm doing a bit of research I see that it's a wildlife viewing bonanza so getting excited. Today while grocery shopping in Yarmouth I encountered an RCMP wife/LPN who I worked with in Pond Inlet when they were posted there and I did Homecare a few springs ago. She is working casual in ER/Ambulatory Care in the hospital I trained in and we lamented the deterioration of the healthcare system and compared notes on northern nursing. It was a great catchup and as I said to her....I feel like I have to excuse my working still at my age and she said I'd much rather work with someone with decades of experience versus months. Made this old nurses' day. 

I was running my errands Friday morning as I picked up my glasses from the optician. Not much of a prescription change but....I lost my glasses somewhere here on the property and they have disappeared into a Bermuda Triangle apparently. My spare glasses were heavy, two prescriptions ago and lacked sunglasses to clip on as I had separate bifocal sunglasses (which I managed to lose the arm off in the arctic this spring) so I was  jamming a pair of sunglasses someone left in my house over the top like some kind of post eye surgery patient. I'm pleased with my lightweight progressive bifocal lenses and clip on shades. Took a bit of getting used to with the slight change in strength as I figured out just which way to tilt my head for clearest vision. I'd gotten the new prescription last fall but delayed filling it until sorting out the 'pre glaucoma' exams/treatment with the ophthalmologist. I've settled into the eye drops and one side effect is thicker longer eye lashes so no longer have to invest in mascara. Have been pleased the drops lowered my intraocular pressure and it's not much of a lifestyle change to put them in nightly....thankfully it was only the first few weeks in January they caused red irritated eyes and made me look like a stoner. 

I made a journey to the Hyundai car dealership where I've ordered my next vehicle....a 2023 Kona EV (electric vehicle). Originally it looked like an 18 month wait as there are supply chain issues worldwide but...when I visited end of June I was pleased to discover they would be receiving orders the end of July so quickly put a deposit and have been waiting since with various possible arrival dates given each time I've called. The car is coming from Korea via ship to Vancouver and across Canada to the compound in Saint John, NB. I am unclear of exactly where it is at present but it does have a VIN # so at least isn't still in Asia. Today I made an in person visit to the Sales Manager and stated I wouldn't be leaving until an approximate date could be given. The good news is the timing is now being measured in weeks vs months. There is no urgency as my present car (2013 Dodge Dart) is perfectly fine but I do need to plan with my busy social calendar. I have ordered a charging station for the house and so the brother-in-law electrician will need to install a 220 plug for it....the greatest challenge being arranging for the wire to exit our thick concrete walls so likely another overhead crawl in the attic for one of the son-in-laws to run the wire. The overnight charging is a nice feature for someone living 25+ minutes from a gas station and the charging can be set on a timer to the off peak rate time of day we are set up for. The range of the Kona is 400+ km per charge so manageable even with the emerging infrastructure in NS. The various programs for the car (including remote starter) are through a program in your smartphone. The salesman told me that as long as I had a wi-fi signal I could start the car from Nunavut if I wished. Not gonna happen I assured him. I will be on a steep learning curve for heated steering wheel etc. Looking forward to being more environmentally accountable. 

I managed to get some summer road trips in with the two oldest grandchildren as I'd promised the grandson a trip to Fortress Louisbourg to celebrate his graduation from elementary school...still can't believe that he's in Jr High. We also enjoyed the Glace Bay Miners Museum tour and Two Rivers Wildlife Park, two of my girlfriends squeezed in a visit with us, hotel swimming pool, junkfood and eating out were a real treat especially for the six year old granddaughter. We stopped at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton to break up the return home and it's a great spot for kids. They're both great little travellers and we had so much fun we planned an end of summer trip as well. We started out in Bridgewater/Lunenburg with an overnight stay for swimming/water slide and supper at Swiss Chalet then I headed out to my rheumatologist appointment in the a.m. and their grandfather took the kids to the Fisheries Museum. We switched booster seat, Grawmp exited home and we headed off to New Brunswick. Made it to Fredericton for a late supper, swim and in to bed. The next morning we headed out to Florenceville/Bristol, toured Potato World, had a great lunch then visited with friends. Back to the city in time to do a little shopping at Chapters (Pat le Chat for missy and a wrestling magazine for mister) and various best sellers for me...I mean when you can't decide, just buy both with your Plum rewards credit. Swimming again and a good sleep. The next day we were at Kings Landing when they opened the gates and they closed them behind us as we left. I had visited in 1985 but a lot of expansion has been done. It's a wonderfully interactive spot with great interpreters and the kids had a fantastic day. We finished up by meeting a girlfriend for supper at a local restaurant and a good catchup visit then back for a final swim. It was a long travel day home but we stopped for a picnic lunch and photo op at the 'big blueberry' in Oxford and then to drop the two junior travellers off. Big plans to take the train to Quebec City next summer.....we'll see. 

Summer visits to several friends in the valley, a local retired nurses luncheon and then my Class of 76 get together in Digby were all great chances to reconnect. I 'did lunch' with a friend at a new eatery in town called the Emerald Light which is a lovely spot. Lots of warm afternoons spent by the pool (or in it with the grandkids) as we've had a warm, dry summer. The shore captain completed a gazebo enclosure (using the windows he salvaged from a reno he assisted his sister with a few years back) around the hot tub I found when I returned home in June. It's lovely but the cool ocean breeze when you emerge from the 105f soak needed some buffering. I think we now have a three season room and I've put a padded lawn chair in the corner to make it a reading room with the chill being taken off by the automatic heater. Some 'summer list' items didn't get completed....I'd love to do a pasta making class in Granville Ferry, have some more friend visits to do and never made it to Tatamagouche for a get together with a northern friend home on a visit. I have been dealing with lots of produce from the gentleman farmer and have made pickled beets and beans, zucchini pickles, salsa and lots of fresh veggies for various recipes such as fresh tomato soup, pizza sauce, and lots and lots of tomato sandwiches - who knew that a grilled cheese sandwich with embedded tomato slice was so tasty?. Ahhh

The RN daughter has returned to her nursing job after an extended maternity leave and is working 50% (although any working mother can tell you that is the outside the house job only) meaning six shifts per month with the very busy 15 month old Violet managing well. She is a smiley, easy going, very independent toddler who loves to chase the cats, dance and eats constantly. Petite like her mother was (is) Violet spent the weekend here as the weather (of course) was originally good for halibut fishing (which her hubby is on a steep learning curve for) and hoped to make a test trip, but changed at the last minute. The usual nurse/fisherman challenges of weekend and night shift childcare have not eased in the decades since we navigated those challenges. In fact, likely worse as there do not appear to be as many teenagers babysitting nowadays. I'm getting my days in that I can now as my social/work schedule will not allow for much assistance this fall what with cruise this month, two weeks in England (London and southwest) for two weeks, exploring London with tea at the Ritz, west end theatre and plans to show my gf (who has never been across the pond) the best of London then hitting all the highlights from Stonehenge to Canterbury while we stay in Chichester. The only requirement to be my travel partner is the no checked bags rule which resulted in my gf making a pilgrimage to MEC for a backpack and LLBean for travel packing cubes....ahhh we got this. 

So as last minute prep for the first girls vacation is underway. We are Bermuda bound on the Norwegian Getaway out of New York City this week. What can I say? It was a sale to entice people to cruise again and....it worked. We got a minisuite with balcony for less than the cost of an inside cabin previously. We fly Wed, embark Thurs, sea day Fri (likely rough post Hurricane Fiona but neither of us are prone to sea sickness) and Bermuda Sat/Sun, sea day Mon and back to New York on Tues with supper booked at an Italian restaurant and tickets to Wicked on Broadway that night, fly home Wed. Have a long list of possibilities - neither of us having been to Bermuda - which we likely will only tick a few off the list. My travel partner has not been to New York so we have plans to explore there pre and post cruise and add to the experience. It's a first cruise for my gf as well so lots of fun to be had. We have to do covid tests to enter Bermuda so Tuesday we have booked a 4 p.m. appointment at the local drug store for the rapid test certified by the pharmacist which is within the 48 hrs of embarkation requirement. Found my passport, have all the insurance and cruise documents printed, the proof of vaccination ready to upload to the ArriveCan app and we're getting excited. When you're biggest issue is fitting in appointments for hair cut, spa day and covid test....it's all first world problems. Those 11 days at home before heading out on the next trip with another gf are going to be busy...stay tuned for the UK next. 

Retirement? Who Does That?

Well....not retired yet and....not going to be (at least until June) as I've booked in for a spring Public Health Nurse contract returning to Arctic Bay. I feel the need to see the community in the sunshine and April 27 to June 8th is a wonderful time to be in the high arctic. Several of the casuals from this winter will be returning as well. Everyone is in a good mood and prepping to get 'out on the land' camping and looking forward to the short northern summer, 24 hour daylight, there is still snow (no bugs, easy to get around, no dusty roads) but the temperatures are comfortable. And by the time I return home the cabana boy will have the pool operational. That will total 12 weeks of paid employment for 2022 and I'm good with that. Will I reregister for next year? Not sure yet. It's feeling like I'm getting closer to that retirement planning one day at a time title though. I thoroughly enjoyed my rotation this time (it was a much better experience than last winter) if I had chosen to go out as a final contract, it would have been great memories. Lovely community, good coworkers and even a fun northern social life (example naan pizza with sour cream, arctic char, red onion and mushrooms with cheese...yum). I was doing well child immunization to catch up the overdue little ones. As a point of reference...Nunavut has 20 immunizations from birth to age four and Nova Scotia has 14 for the same period, simply due to risk factors of lifestyles. There were over 100 overdue when I arrived and only 16 (really tough to get in) when I exited so....was pleased with that measurement. The nurse in charge is retiring this month and really wanted the list to be caught up. She was pleased and made angel food cake, strawberries and whipped topping for a treat on my last day with a lovely card. So nice to be appreciated. I also chased down a few STIs (will be worse when the mines open up again this spring with the dorms) and one latent TB on DOT (directly observed therapy) 3HP treatment which is a combo of TB drugs given weekly x 12 so that only three months of compliance is required vs the previous daily meds for nine months. My replacement was delayed in Pond Inlet for a couple of weeks so only a bit of a gap. She'll be there when I return. It will be nice to have a couple of days together for the handover. There was only a first case of covid in the community the last week I was there and at present still listing as only one active....hoping they can hold it down. 

Noon from my office window

Arctic Bay on my walk from work

View from hill top

Ahhh here comes the sun

Dog team on the sea ice

I have been working through a long list of library book holds which all seem to come due at the same time. Have enjoyed What Strange Paradise, Before I Let you Go, Reckless Girls, It Ends with Us, Verity, Rock Paper Scissors, The Strangers, The Things You Save in a Fire, The Winter Wives, The Secret of Snow, The Charm Bracelet, The Sanatorium, Sooley, Lethal, and also read "Indian" in the Cabinet which was okaaay but didn't meet my expectations.  Lots of time living the single life to read, listen to podcasts, crochet (did a lap throw for the LPN) catch up on the news (when I could bear to look at it) and watch a few movies I'd downloaded from Netflix.

Trying to get caught up on my TBR (to be read) list before I am hanging out with the youngest grandson for the next few weeks. His Dad leaves in the morning for a visit with his family in Cuba and it's too early (both post transplant and pandemic) for Juan to travel. I am heading to an appointment along the way and then in to the city for a couple of days, returning here after he has blood drawn on Thursday. His Mom will work during the week and join us on weekends. It'll be good to spend some time with him as he is changing quickly.  The youngest granddaughter at 8 mo is now sitting up, creeping, standing with help and eating everything! She is petite like her mother was (is) and very busy. 

Although I'd like to be packing for a trip nearer the equator, it's just too soon for me. A friend and I have discussed/planned/given up on a trip to Ireland several times per year, beginning in spring 2020. Maybe this fall we tell ourselves. And then.....that crazy Russian dictator decides to invade Ukraine. As a meme I saw said....I didn't think the world had to replay the entire 20th century in the past two years. Sigh. It will take a while to get used to some of the changes (masks, distancing, documentation, increased cost) that are likely going to stay with us for some time. The biggest issue is convincing myself that it is worth it to get out there again. It's really not much fun with the domestic travel required for commuting to work....masks, proof of vaccine documents, reduced services, limited flight schedules and sudden changes due to crew shortages....as well as the usual weather/mechanical related challenges. 

Domestic travel is still being planned though. We are traveling to Toronto the first week of April where we will enjoy the hockey tickets we won to see the Montreal Canadiens play the Toronto Maple Leafs. Airfare was included and so we just have to cover food and lodging. Booked in downtown and the travel partner sprang for tickets to see the Raptors play a couple of games. Coincidentally a young nurse who works in Arctic Bay will be out in Scarborough/York area visiting her family (dim sun chefs) while we're in the city and we've arranged to get together for the day. She's instructed us to bring a cooler to bring home some of the frozen dim sun they create for restaurants. Will be a nice diversion. As well, after mentioning a plan to travel to Prince Albert this fall to visit with a buddy for duck/goose hunting the shore captain was thrilled that the buddy had a line on a guided snow goose hunt end of October. They are both excited....more fun to have a friend to play with. Since I have a companion voucher expiring and some West Jet travel bank and $ from pandemic refunds there has been some discussion of how far the voucher will take us. As in one ticket paid and one just pays taxes and fees so....Whitehorse/Dawson City are on the table. Just checking to see if the tourism venues are still open mid September and take a closer look. Would be the final territory in Canada to tick Yukon off my list if so and might be more attainable than Europe at this rate. As my travel partner said....that Balkan cruise in to St Petersburg you had in mind might not be manageable in your travel lifetime now...sigh. 

Have been home for two weeks and enjoyed some visits, video chats and phone calls with friends and family. Got my bags unpacked - not difficult as I stored my northern and work gear with one of the indeterminate nurses so I didn't have to schlep it 3500 km each way. Had an afternoon visit with a former coworker (lab tech heading to Iqaluit as a casual) about outfitting for the arctic. Exciting when just starting out! Now I'm working on a crochet project to keep my hands busy, sewed some masks to send to Cuba, have been baking for the long term room mate and enjoying some nice meals which make me appreciative of the dishwasher. We even got out for lunch in town....it's what (almost) retired folks do. The milder temperatures here have led to some walks to the community mailbox and visits with neighbours. Hoping to take in the craft classes being offered this month by the recreation department - not sure his Grawmp is up to chasing an active toddler but we'll work something out. 

So.....expect the...I'm packing my food update in about six weeks as unretirement continues. Later. 

Hellooooo 2022

If I were counting....which Blogspot is apparently...this is post number 800! Imagine that. Who would've thought such a milestone would be reached, especially since I've been very sparse in my updates. Here we are welcoming in a new year, marking the second anniversary of a global pandemic and struggling with a major outbreak of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. 2021 was an intense year for our family with fantastic outcomes during challenging times so glad that's behind us. 

Considering the title of 'retirement planning' and that I am actually receiving and spending pensions as a senior....it would be reasonable to conclude that retirement is imminent. Is it? I have given myself a final contract to see if I am ready to wrap up a 45 year nursing career. And you know....just before the holidays when I signed my CSA (contract) to do six weeks of Public Health Nurse in Arctic Bay......I was as excited as ten years ago when I agreed to the first Nunavut gig. I've even caught myself musing that if all goes 

7 hrs flying time from NS

well, I might consider a spring contract to actually see the community in the daylight. I received a lovely email from the boss warmly welcoming me to the team and it supported all the positives I've heard regarding the longest serving nurse in charge with GN. It will be a busy time as there will be lots of vaccinations to do, there are almost 200 active cases of the virus in Nunavut (although as of today none in Arctic Bay), the communities are in lockdown with travel restrictions, no gathering and no school. I do not believe in regrets, only lessons and I suspect that there are some to be learned walking into this healthcare storm. Oh well, not ready to give it up just yet. And my goal this year is to finish on a high note after last winter's disappointing debacle with interpersonal/professional angst. That was not the way I want to end a 4.5 decade career. 

It will never be the work that causes me to do more than just plan to retire, but actually walk away....it will be the packing/travel. Especially in these times of cancelled flights and reduced schedules, difficulty sourcing food on the commute, N95 masks and risk of exposures along the way. I did my grocery shopping on Thursday and have over the past few days managed to organize my

$300 right here

knapsack and two rolling duffels full of cold weather gear, food and

Stuffed into LLBean bags

clothes. The shore captain stood on the scales with the bags and I still have 10 pounds remaining so lots of wiggle room. Over the years I have become more specific in what I schlep north....less clothes, specific foods, walking poles, kamiks, down filled throw, warm socks, ebooks on my phone, earbuds, my journal, UV light, a crochet project or two. My minimalist life for six weeks is remarkably freeing. Of course it is much more fun to pack the backpack for a couple of months in Cuba but....again this year, it is not to be. 

In the run up to planned absence, I fitted in appointments to physio/prolotherapy to sort out my back/shoulder ahhh, regular dental checkup (no I'll wait until next year to have those 'routine' expensive xrays) and a Dr appointment to meet our new family physician who I'd only had a phone appointment with. An over qualified GP, previously an orthopaedic surgeon/professor in Nigeria, he was thorough, personable and not likely to stay long term as he shared his wife is requalifying as a dentist and was a professor previously as well. So, although we need dentists in our area....professors are located in the city. We discussed my routine bloodwork and I was shocked to find my cholesterol/triglycerides were moderately elevated. We reviewed diet and I assured him that I have already made lots of health healthy choices over the years as in using olive oil, not much red meat, fry very little, lots of veggies, very little processed foods or snacks. I promised to shop more carefully for dairy and he said "I think you need an air fryer" :) I indignantly protested that my husband is someone who eats large bags of chips in his recliner and loves all kinds of junk food, loves bacon and eggs daily, must have gravy on everything, protests against low fat milk, and his bloodwork was ok? His physician confidentiality was good as he refused to discuss hubby's results but he could use an update on feminist language when he said "well you do the cooking" hmmm.  He of course had questioned me on family hx (yes strong cardiac history) reminded me of my hypertension and said "you can't walk away from your genes" so we agreed that I'd do the dietary changes and reassess in six months. Imparted more urgency to the northern grocery provisioning as low sodium, low cholesterol/saturated fat foods are not the north of 60 norm. Flaxseed meal, whey powder, low fat snacks (Swedish berries have 0 fat) and a slight tweaking of the grocery list with lots of label reading made the outfitting even more drawn out. It's just the initial changes that take some time, and of course factoring in that I will likely be restricted from shopping the first two weeks as there is a 14 days self isolation requirement for those without covid booster shots. I had my third dose of Pfizer on December 30th but it will only be eight days upon arrival in territory....we shall see. Worse things than not being able to go to the Northern Store. 

Although the increasing cases and thus restrictions in our province have limited some of our activities....we enjoyed the holidays. Last Christmas was a very uncertain time with a grandson on the liver transplant list and his auntie being assessed as a donor. This year brought a very well, active toddler who was excited to open gifts and into everything. The youngest granddaughter was impressed with the lights and activity and even investigated a few packages. What a difference a year makes. We enjoyed a quiet New Years Eve at home, fired up the sauna and then watched a Netflix movie (Escape from Pretoria) which was well done. Managed to hear some fireworks at midnight from the neighbouring community and drifted off to 2022...ahhh

Have been reading lots of great books....thanks in large part to the Friends & Fiction group with suggestions, author interviews etc. I'm reading Not a Happy Family at present....very good. For the debut author category of the F&F challenge I just finished The Kindest Lie which was a great read dealing with several tough subjects. The House on Vesper Sands (although highly recommended) was just ok in my opinion but it was sort of a fantasy and not really my genre. The Nanny was a great thriller and The Girl with the Louding Voice was a wonderful book set in Nigeria. I really enjoyed Call Your Daughter Home as it was a southern historical novel. So many great books all waiting to be read. Oh and if you're wondering about something to watch on Netflix....don't miss The Unforgivable....Sandra Bullock's best work. I took in Belfast at the theatre as well and it'll likely make its way to home screens soon - highly recommend it. 

I have been filling the fridge and freezer with food and it will be a while before the life partner has to cook for himself. Tomorrow I must un-Christmas the house. It is a bit earlier than I'd really like to but....if I don't want to see it in February it is time. Plan is for the youngest grandchild to visit.....Violet will change the most of the five of them before I see her again. Until February.....stay well

It is summer/fall

Although the calendar tells me that we are moving through October, the weather is very September like....we are experiencing an autumn slide with warm days and only cool not frosty nights. The garden/greenhouse is continuing to yield its bounty without additional heaters...yet. Because, even with climate change, all good things must come to an end...even Indian summer (likely a politically incorrect term now). Speaking of which...am wondering what the official name for Cape Negro (island, harbour and community) are now. Originally named in the 1600s by French settlers for the large black rocks (Cap Negre en francais) which were a navigation feature in the harbour, the name became anglicized and now... 

offensive although no connection to race. I recently learned however on a 'lantern walk' of the local historical district that there was a large African Canadian settlement behind the elementary school I attended, although there were old cellars and orchards behind the school grounds, I had never heard of a black settlement. The New England Planters who settled our area, being given the land grants following the 1756 expulsion of the Acadiens, raised large families and were hardy settlers. Thus many of us trace our roots back to the Mayflower and continue with northeastern USA connections. Fifty year old information from the 1960s included in the walk was unsettlingly familiar to this participant...how can that be? Why yes, I recall the bicentennial of the Old Meeting House in 1965, of course I remember when this building was the CIBC, why yes that was the telephone office when we had party lines. Yes, our number was 131-5 as in ring 5 (where 5 shot rings was our cue to lift the receiver) and then 206-3 (ring 3) when we got 'semi private' lines with less sharing and hearing of rings.  You know you're getting along in years when....

Pound salad

I took a run to Cape Breton to visit with a buddy I hadn't seen for over two years what with pandemic and life getting in the way. Stopped for a visit with the city kids overnight and left early morning to make it in time for lunch. Well first we had plans to have a glass of wine on my friend's small back deck and as we were putting the shade umbrella through the glass topped table....it shattered! Similar to a vehicle windshield blowing out. Noticed a slice on my friend's leg and had to improvise a butterfly and bandage on her shin. Quite the cleanup - a box of glass shards when swept. Off to have lunch with my hostess and the former nurse in charge from my winter contract at the Black Spoon Bistro in North Sydney, should you find yourself in that area it is a good spot. We did a day trip 'north of Smokey' to take in the Cabot Trail with its fall foliage, lovely gift shops, restaurants and various attractions including the gondola at Cape Smokey. The opaque fog didn't dampen our enthusiasm for the spot and Destination Cape Smokey will be a wonderful spot for skiing this winter, a hike, mountain biking and more eventually. The eight minute gondola ride is very smooth, immaculately clean and sterilized with UV light after each occupant. We enjoyed a full day and home to relax. Saturday with an early morning power outage (forgot how spoiled we are with the on demand generator and propane) meant Robin's drive thru for tea and some local exploring at the ferry dock then some shopping. We managed to score a table at The Lobster Trap and Moore and although I can't find a link for you it is searchable. The young chef is a bit of despot (think the soup nazi on Seinfeld) but the food, wine list, setting and service were amazing and worth the gauntlet my friend had to run to reserve us seats. I had pound salad seen here above on the right and it was unusual but completely delicious. Sunday I headed back in a downpour to the city and took a friend out to celebrate her new job. She's an OHN for EMC the provincial emergency health services provider and they are lucky to have her. 

I enjoyed a lovely birthday weekend with the oldest (also birthday celeb) and youngest daughter, youngest grandson and granddaughter in a cabin in Urbania along Rte 215, it's called Shubenacadie River Rafting Resort. We had a rustic cozy two bedroom cottage with pullout sofa so all had our own space. Enjoyed lots of good food, drinks and walks to check out the facilities. There was even a daily visit from the resident golden retriever who woofed and clearly was used to treats. No problem to decide we will book a summer group excursion in the 5 bedroom chalet during extreme tides for river rafting - I will keep the little ones. The drive across country saw us making our way through Cogmagun and Burlington - spots I hadn't visited for decades. Staycations have become the norm but are not without their small pleasures. Speaking of which, and no I don't have affiliated links here, I received a shipment of lip gloss from Moody Bee which is a company in BC with free shipping and great flavours....I mean key lime pie, london fog, banana cream...what is not to like? Reasonably priced, long lasting and not greasy. Highly recommend.

We continue to deal with the fall harvest. Today I am roasting tomatoes for sauce to freeze, have researched a recipe for carrot jam (original recipe from Victorian times) and dried some herbs. Yesterday I made bread, buns and crust so we had fresh margarita pizza with the tomatoes, basil and sauce coming from the onsite garden. The gardener even pickled peppers....not my thing, but he was pleased. Lots of beans blanched and frozen, potatoes, onion and garlic drying with tomatoes, egg plants, zucchini and cucumbers still continuing. Will be sad to have to do buy the commercial stuff again. 

We took in the latest James Bond movie recently in 3D and it didn't disappoint, last one for Daniel Craig...sigh. The special effects, music and fast pace are best viewed on the big screen. The previews for Belfast look good as well. Almost felt like normal times to return to a movie theatre again, albeit a matinee with a sparse crowd. The senior discount was a nice touch too. We'll be back Cineplex. 

Yesterday, very quietly, our Canadian government removed the disclaimer from the Foreign Affairs website instructing Canadians not to travel - this means that travel insurance will be honoured now and return to the country is more straight forward. The 'do not travel on cruise ships' statement is still there, but we 'may' be edging ever so slowly towards a bit of fun in the sun by March if all goes well. On the home front, we are slowly moving towards 'living with Covid' times which will likely include mask wearing indoors, some gathering limits, proof of vaccine required, likely additional vaccines and regular testing. Sigh...whatever it takes at this point. 

The unvaccinated skeptics boggle my mind (quoting Dr Anthony Fauci) here CBC podcast....problem-science-skepticism as they feel their world getting smaller and push back. I have unfriended and blocked many who make unscientific statements, but they are able to comment on public posts. Last night as I attempted to register for the local Recreation Department craft sessions (where proof of vaccination of course is required) the nonbelievers were out in full force posting completely untrue information about deaths from vaccination etc. With your decisions come consequences and the problem with this situation is that those who chose not to vaccinate feel they should continue to live life as they usually do. Sorry, not sorry....not happening. It is exhausting to witness such stupidity and annoying as these people have never nor ever will attend the craft group. And yes I applaud the federal decision to allow only vaccinated travellers/staff on airplanes, trains and ships. On my commute to work it will feel great to know that all of us onboard are vaccinated. However, for professionals who understand research, science and should be setting an example such as healthcare employees, teachers, childcare workers etc. I am completely out of patience. As the end of November provincial deadline for full vaccination inches closer (defined as two shots and 14 days after the final one) if an employee has not already begun the process....there will be some unpaid leave scheduled. I am more concerned about the risk of unvaccinated workers with vulnerable populations than I am about staff shortages....working 'short' is not a new concept to a nurse. Sigh.

Speaking of nurses....I am heading to a local theatre production of Steel Magnolias this evening and pleased to be sharing the experience with two other retired nurses. One of life's small pleasures.  As is the library book Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy which I'm reading on my Libby app and the various crochet projects I have on the go. My assistance as plumber's apprentice....not so much. The roommate may wear Carhartts and use salty language but he is not a certified plumber, not to mention that the tradespeople you pay, clean up after themselves. There is a small leak......perhaps from the fittings on the tank? Various trips to the workshop, colourful metaphors and piles of wet towels, t-shirts, tools, fittings and trash can full of paper towel, but no plumber p. Are we gaining?

As the brief summer slips away....

It's the middle of September! This brief summer (as they usually are) is slipping  away. The weather was great in June, July was kind of iffy and August tortuous. Very high humidity....either foggy and cool or cloudy and muggy....not much sun. Pretty regular showers so not much watering required in the garden but some intense thunder and lightening storms causing local damage. This month we've been enjoying the pool even on the cool days as the heat pump makes the swim (not the wet dash) fun. Makes it tough to plan outings as the weather forecast can be....sunny, cloudy, windy, showers, fog all in one day. 

I managed a trip to the wild blueberry u-pick and purchased a box of picked berries as well and my sister-in-law gifted us a huge bowl of the high bush blueberries as she enjoys the picking but would rather not freeze them. Lots of beans and peas blanched and frozen, have pickled beets, made two batches of zucchini pickles, 13 jars of salsa and some pizza sauce, have frozen tomato jam as well as roasted tomatoes while the gentleman farmer has canned tomatoes for later sauce. We've been eating stewed tomatoes with poached eggs for breakfast and tomato sandwiches for lunch for a while and I gift produce every chance I have. When there are 51 tomato plants (yes you read that correctly) the red things are harvested by the box. This is not accounting for cucumbers, zucchinis, peppers etc. I've shredded and frozen zucchini, made filling for squares to freeze and packaged rhubarb, As I said to the resident farmer "I did not sign on for this with your newest obsession". Next year is going to be less Homesteading 101 or I'm  going to have to travel more. 

We did a day trip circling the end of the province to visit a former coworker who was having a garden party to show off the pandemic projects of pond, addition to their hippie house (the west wing) combined workshop and hooking studio and grounds. Good to see him so happy and settled as I hadn't connected in person for two years. Eclectic gathering of neighbours, retired nurses and friends. We moved along to the 'french shore' and stopped for supper at Cuisine Robicheau which has become a victim of its own success. We had a lovely table on the deck looking over St Mary's Bay and the waitress was great but....there was no rappie pie, the caesar salad dressing was weirdly sweet and the pies were from a bakery. Disappointing. A stop at Canadian Tire along the way to purchase a wood chipper (to grind up rockweed for the garden) found it to be half price...yeehaw! A splendid day.  

We also had a 'staycation' where we booked an AirBnB house outside of Berwick in the Annapolis Valley and two of the daughters with family (youngest grandkids and spouses) joined us. We started out at Oaklawn Farm Zoo which was a family fav three decades ago. It was more polished than I recalled but checking out the 1984 opening date I realized that it was pretty basic 'back in the day' and the 35+ years have included lots of additions, landscaping, signage etc. It was a sunny, breezy day and lots of critters so a good visit. There were groupings of picnic tables throughout the grounds and an annual pass of $30 would encourage it as a local destination. The youngest grandson was not the least timid and even reached in to check out the goat's horns....reminiscent of his auntie from the previous generation. We stopped at Jonny's Cookhouse and Ice Cream Shop and it was a great lunch spot which has earned its 4.8 rating...busy but efficient, good food and even an ice cream cone cutout for a family pose....what is not to like? Harbourville is a small fishing/vacation community with rustic summer homes and Bay of Fundy tides visible with the boats at the wharf. The house we rented was 'rustic' but large as a previous bed & breakfast so lots of room for the entire family with a great deck out the back. We brought lots (too much in the end) food for some great meals, got out to the lookoff at Canning (Cape Split was fogged in) and visited Luckett's Vineyard for a wine tasting and Horton Ridge Malt & Grain for a beer/cider tasting as well. We were even able to fit in a Frenchy's shop on a rainy morning. The grandkids both had checkups (already time for Violet's two month immunization!) on the day of departure and very cooperatively slept their way home on the ride. We took our time and explored some backroads, Margaretsville and finally made our way to an heirloom seed company near Middleton where the gentleman farmer had ordered seeds from last winter. Revival Seeds is a beautiful organic farm with a father/daughter management team (she having done a BBA at Acadia and organic farm certificate with Dal/NSAC). Lots of teaching, checked out the goats and chickens, toured the gardens and planned a winter order. Back across the province again with a quick stop for pool shock and we were home in time for a swim. I'm guessing that travel will be in staycations either within our province or at least eastern Canada for a while as the infection control experts are predicting that Nov/Dec of 2022 yep you read that right....next year...will be the earliest to consider international travels...sigh

I was surprised on Wednesday to get a covid screening call from the oncologist's office for a Friday checkup as I hadn't received an appointment letter. When the annual letter didn't arrive, I'd called in August and a lengthy voicemail advised that due to the pandemic they were 6 months behind in bookings, some were emergency only, one specialist was 22 months delayed, don't leave a message as it would be days before anyone returned the call. Since I was a routine checkup, I settled myself to being seen in the spring and hadn't thought of it again. When I clarified that I'd not been notified of the clinic visit so it was good the screening call came the clerk said "you'd have been a no show" and I agreed that since I wasn't clairvoyant this would be the case. And we wonder why the new premier has fired the CEO and entire board of the provincial health authority stating inefficiencies! So, Friday saw a quick run to the city, usual wait of an hour then visit with nurse, resident and finally the gyneoncologist surgeon. Since I'd reached the five year survival mark I was cleared for no further followup. As Dr Bentley said with a grin "always good to see leiomyosarcomas doing well" meaning since it is a such a rare, aggressive cancer and in my case a 36% five year survival prognosis. As I said while doing chemo "someone had to be in that 1/3 and it might as well be me". A great feeling to be 'beating the odds' every day. And most certainly relieved to not be undergoing treatments in a pandemic!

Half Moons lighthouse

Blanche 

The labour day weekend was for visiting and our city kids and grandson came to stay. Since our son in law has finally gotten his drivers license and insurance he is able to chauffeur the family which makes the commute less stressful.  He was instructed in the finer points of ride on lawnmower, whippersnipper, tree cutting and rope splicing...gotta keep him busy. We enjoyed the pool, had a BBQ with four generations, managed a boat trip out to a local lighthouse which I have wanted to visit for decades after looking at it out the window....cannot imagine raising a family there...and a visit from a colleague, her son and pups who were on a hiking tour, lots of great meals and roasted marshmallows. The change in the air to fall is....disconcerting. I am one who clings to the summer weather, not eagerly anticipating fall...sigh. The pool days are likely numbered as the leaves are beginning to change colour. Need to create a new pumpkin hat for the youngest grandson as he passed on the original cap to his cousin. Soon time to think about Hallowe'en costumes....

Tuesday saw our oldest grandson head off to grade six and our oldest granddaughter begin grade primary. The pre-primary year had prepared her for the bus and school routine so a smooth transition into the french immersion program. Her 5th birthday was Friday so we headed down for a small family celebration of pizza and cake with the cousins. 

I had given some thought to trying on a short (two week) public health contract the first couple of weeks of October but the logistics weren't manageable. I've got an appointment October 20th which I need to keep and I'm unsure of the screening questions re: out of province travel as well as the hassles of flight connections. The airlines are scheduling flights without sufficient staff called back and so there are many cancellations, missed connections, long layovers and....flying through Alberta is a real hassle with their complete lack of public health restrictions thus widespread outbreaks and multiple exposures noted on flights. I guess since I'm still looking forward to/planning contracts I'm not really in retirement mode yet despite the government sending me a cheque next month. 

Nova Scotia is heading to Step 5 of our pandemic plan on September 15th as we're reaching our 75% of population fully vaccinated. This will mean no gathering limits and optional (but encouraged) use of masks. The introduction of a provincial vaccine policy requiring proof of full vaccination for entry to restaurants, bars, movies, performances, arenas, fitness centres etc. has stirred up (from the vocal minority) a backlash referencing fearmongering, conspiracy theories, denial of charter rights and freedoms, and even nazis etc. Spelling and grammar deficits let alone lack of comprehension of science obvious in the social media posts. I have been 'defriending' with abandon. Seriously people....what would you do if you have actually faced a serious health challenge such as a battle with a cancer or a grandchild with a life threatening illness? Get a grip! Sadly there are a good number of parents included in this lot...some with children who are at risk... for example a type 1 diabetic...common sense is not all that common. I am most annoyed at the lack of respect for healthcare professionals who are struggling at work with shortages and increased workload yet have to listen to this crap. Lots of anger lately directed towards the new conservative premier who was expected to deny the vaccine passport but he has become decidedly more mainstream post election. Glad he's holding tough. 

Friends and Fiction by the fire

Have been working through some good reads this summer, a number have been sourced from the Friends and Fiction webcasts, Writers Block podcast or the FB page for Friends and Fiction. The Wednesday night webcast is always on YouTube which is better to replay at leisure. The podcast lends itself to mindless domestic chores. Recent reads include We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (reminded me of This Tender Land by Kent Kruger - both excellent) American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins (well written but tough read) Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (had resisted this author after an earlier bestseller turned me off but this one is great), The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (really good) No Relation by Terry Fallis (never disappoints) Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (bit of a struggle but finished it), The Guncle by Steven Rowley (LOL and highly recommend) The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister (managed to finish but not my fav). I've just finished The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull (great historical fiction of the 30s) and am starting The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. Have restrained myself from putting more holds on library titles as my downloaded list is growing.....

Well, time to start making a locally (from the yard) sourced supper of veggies, fish and apple crisp from the tree out front. Stay safe and well!

What it's July already?

As I reviewed my last post I realized....it's already July. And not the first week of either. The past few weeks have really sped by. June was warm and sunny and great days spent by the pool but July not so much. It's been cool, foggy, rainy, windy, humid...you name it. Hard to plan any outdoor leisure activities. 

This week I provided some crochet classes for a student who quickly picked up the craft. We agreed that crocheting is fast and interesting enough to keep our interest. We have arranged for a followup session after some self study as there is pattern reading and more to be conquered. At present I am working my way through a sofa for the cats....they are spoiled kitties. 

I also spent some time with our newest (fifth) grandchild.....a second granddaughter Violet Glee whoarrived June 29th weighing 6lb 50z. She's petite as her mother with the same big eyes and lots of hair, a good eater and sleeper as she was. She's gaining well and getting more alert daily, a great snuggler. I did the math and realized the last four grandchildren are approximately the ages of our four kids....four in four and a half years. As the latest mother said "that's just crazy!" and she's right - how did we ever do it? It's amazing how the fifth grandbaby is as exciting as the previous four. 

The toddler grandson (after a couple of hospitalizations in June with increased liver enzymes, liver biopsy showing inflamed liver requiring IV steroids then the following week a fever) now continues to be a chubby, cheerful, busy boy who is almost walking. He has been cutting teeth in multiples and now has back to his molars through. Toddlers are fun but....busy! As Cubans say...he is a terremoto (literal translation earthquake). 

Since our public health restrictions have been eased into level 4....I've been enjoying Frenchy's shopping for the grandkids and have been expanding their wardrobes nicely. This is a good time of year to buy snowsuits for the school aged and tights with ruffled bum for the baby because when you want them in the winter, there won't be any. I stopped in two stores on my way to the city last week and the cultural differences were large. In Liverpool, I was offered a large reusable shopping bag (our province no longer allows plastic bags with purchases) for my order and someone held the door for me. In Bridgewater I struggled with an armful of purchases (can never remember my reusable bag) and outside the exit, dropped several balls of yarn which I'd bought to crochet hats for the shelter. By the time I stuffed my goodies in the trunk of my car and retraced my steps.....the yarn had disappeared. To whoever felt the need to take two 75 cent balls of yarn....I hope you enjoy them! 

Knowing when it's time to retire is something that many people (including all my other nursing school classmates) tell me is something you 'just know'. I'm guessing that I'm 'not there' yet as I am still looking forward to northern contracts. I had originally thought of heading up this fall as it's more fun to deal with early arctic winter (comparable to east coast regular winter) than the real deal but....have some plans to hang out with the grandkids and am still getting my head wrapped around all the shenanigans from last winter. I miss the north, feel as if I still have something to offer and would like to experience at least one more beautiful arctic community before the old age pension makes wage earning a tax grab. Although I've applied for various pandemic related gigs - PHAC, NS Health, NS Pharmacists, Red Cross etc. for screening or immunization centres - several inquiries but no bites. That's fine with me but....don't whine about nursing shortages, reassignment of staff, workload pressures etc when you're really just disclosing that the healthcare system is a mess due to total inability to organize itself. The pandemic has simply accentuated a decades old problem - if you treat nurses badly they will leave, they have options. The staffing agencies have a 20K bonus for any Nunavut contract between July 21 to Aug 31 this year. This is in addition to the already high wages and bonuses. With no requirement to isolate inter provincially or territorially now there should be a better uptake but....the flights are still reduced and travel is a hassle....so many reasons to not be a travel nurse....

I hesitated earlier and....the dates in the community I was looking at disappeared because the new Government of Nunavut rule is that GN casuals are given 72 hours and then the post goes to agency. So,when the winter list was distributed this week, it didn't take me long to give availability for six weeks in January/February doing Public Health in Arctic Bay. PH means mostly office work vs Homecare which is home visits in the dark at - 56c with questionable vehicles so an easy decision. When I offered my dates the Executive Director asked if I'd done Public Health or only Homecare with them in Baffin, stating if not PH, then I'd need to do an interview. I quickly educated him that I'd done PH in Clyde River and had recently done PH in Kitikmeot. Bear in mind that after 72 hours this post is being turned over to an agency who may provide a nurse with very limited PH experience....sigh....you know the government rule - always treat your casuals worse than the agency you're paying double. He blinked first so I'm in the schedule for January 5 to February 18 with the option to extend if international travel isn't an option. If I can't go somewhere warm this year, I might as well earn some cash and once you are settled in your northern spot, it's easier to stay that return. 

The end goal is for a March Break family vacation to Cuba which will involve the toddler grandson meeting his Cuban family. Whether this will be possible with the pandemic (Cuba is currently experiencing a surge with schools being turned into isolation hospitals, university students providing services, healthcare professionals being recalled from other countries etc) in part due to the lack of syringes and supplies to make the vaccines they have developed. A 60+ year old blockade by the USA is not helping their current situation. There is widespread unrest in the country, driven in part by ex-pats who are funding vandalism and violence in Cuba. Each news article I view, or each chat with a Cuban friend,  causes me to feel my March vacation becoming less of a reality and of course to worry about the friends/family there. 

We are in the final planning stages for a pig roast on the weekend. The local farmer who provides the pig was texting as to dimensions as our mechanical grill is less than 6 ft long and we can usually handle about a 60 lb pig. The shore captain texted (thinking it was funny) that a 54 inch pig would be fine and the immediate reply was "are you sure about the size? a 54 in pig would weigh about 200 lbs?" Mister quickly recanted. As I said to him.....you may be a gardener but you clearly aren't a farmer yet. Our Cuban son in law will be an asset to assist with the roasting but as he said....a machine to turn your pig...it isn't so hard. Agreed we are spoiled. Fingers crossed for no precipitation. Plan B with rain/wind is to clean out all the 'toys' from the storage shipping container and roast the pig inside. We are at the mercy of the weather as per usual. 

The oldest grandson is here for the week while attending day camp. Due to pandemic restrictions the sessions are divided into morning or afternoon groups so a chance to sleep in for the houseguest. Soon time to make the blueberry waffles I promised for breakfast. Stay safe and make sure you're fully vaccinated. 

Third Time's a Charm

As I type this update, in our province we are currently involved in a 'circuit breaker' lockdown for the third wave of the pandemic. Today the province announced one death and 64 new cases (stats which in some provinces/countries would be envied) with 975 active cases of which 74 are patients in hospital, 21 in ICU. Although we have administered almost half a million doses of vaccine, there is community spread in both of our cities, schools and all non essential services are closed and movement is restricted to own municipality. We've been here before and know what to expect...but there is a bit of unquietness about it as well as despair. When restrictions were imposed three weeks ago, it was familiar territory and we slipped back into the less frequent essential only grocery runs, no personal appointments for haircuts or esthetician and household entertainment of reading, watching the waterfowl and wildlife in front of us, Netflix, crafts and gardening...who are we kidding? Decision is not by pandemic but age and rural location. To prioritize what I miss it would be:

1. Seeing the grandkids

2. Shopping at Frenchy's

3. Haircut/esthetician appointment

Clearly I write from a position of privilege as evidenced from my sunset watching photo.

Cheers from the beach house

I do not have to put myself at risk to work a minimum wage frontline retail job. In fact, I'm not struggling as an RN in the pandemic trenches where redeployment is routine, exhaustion is the descriptor and another summer looms without relief of the workload. Although I haven't heard a peep from the provincial health authority (their dysfunction a reminder of the reason I haven't worked in my home province for nine years) there are frequent pleas from northern territories begging for staff. I have no plans to give up whatever summer we manage to eke out here and the closest I come to planning is perhaps contemplating a fall contract in Nunavut.... have always wanted to see Arctic Bay. With my 'pension birthday' being celebrated in September, the focus changes to work as recreation vs monetary gain...I'm not volunteering yet, but do I really want to return most of my additional salary in income tax? Not regularly. And then there is the dilemma of becoming a plague pilgrim as rotational workers returning to the province have come to be seen despite being PCR tested three times and doing a modified 14 day self isolation. This in addition to applying for entrance to the northern territories, the 'unfun' travel required to get there (limited flights so more and longer layovers, food services not available in airports or hotels) and self isolation required upon northern arrival. First world problems. Like the social media post where a lady stated she was looking forward to eating supper with someone other than her husband. No comment. Even if the one in this house barbecued the ribs last night to go with the potato salad I'd made. The supper entertainment was a virtual tour of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, at the link below:

heygo.com

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

I've already enjoyed Machu Picchu, Warwick and Matlock Bath UK, Dubrovnik, and a national park near Nairobi as well as a community development slum tour there in the past few weeks. It's odd to be visiting some (previously) usually busy tourist spots which are now deserted. Makes for good viewing but a contrast with 'over tourism' of the past and has changed outcomes. For example...prepandemic the Sagrada Familia collected 50 million euros annually in entrance fees and thus construction which was slated for completion in 2026 is now unknown. The tours are available in French, Spanish, German and Portugese as well and cover a wide range of topics. They're a bit more interesting than just watching a travel show and thinking....when will we ever be able to travel? 

Although in our province, we are vaccinating at a rate of over 20,000 per day and the vaccine supply is assured so we're on track for our second shot, this is going to take time.  We're booked for our second dose in  mid August, although there is some discussion of moving the date slightly forward. The national goal is 75% of us to have had our first dose before we open our borders and we're now at 50%. At present, leaving/returning to Canada is complicated, involving testing within 72 hours, vaccination certification, quarantine hotels and 14 day self isolation. This is in addition to perhaps finding yourself in a foreign country when the epidemiology changes and borders close stranding you in quarantine of their arrangement, inability to access many areas/services, the scarcity and increased cost of flights, additional screening measures, need to wear a mask for extended periods and increased risk of becoming exposed to the virus while traveling. For over a year there has been a complete lack of travel insurance due to the travel advisory on Canada's Foreign Affairs website advising against all non essential travel outside of Canada as well as avoiding all cruise ship travel outside of Canada. The greatest wild card in this game....variants of the virus. At present the vaccines are effective, but this doesn't dismiss a  future need for boosters, different vaccines etc. Both Air Canada and Air Transaat have (with government bailout) refunded our return flights from over a year ago and WestJet has extended the expiry of companion vouchers so clearly the airline understand this is lengthy. In the meantime....the pool guy is cleaning out the winter's organic leavings and soon we shall enjoy water therapy. 

I've been 'shopping my stash' and have done a couple of shawls which were well received. Just finished a baby bear hat for a neighbour's first grandchild due in September. The main ongoing project is a bedspread for the middle grandson which will go on his 'big boy' bed when he moves over from the crib. It's a simple V stitch repeat so I'm able to enjoy movies or webcasts without counting or paying attention to a pattern. It's growing so not a portable project but that's less of an issue in lockdown anyway. I have plans to do a cat couch - which will likely result in three of them as these felines don't share well and multiple balls of scrap to make into a big basket. We shall see. 

I've been enjoying the Friends and Fiction sessions and have found a list of new authors to read. Have sampled books from four of the original five writers and although they're all quite different, all good. I've just finished The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel in two days using the Libby app from my library to download the ebook and that meant no housework then a big ugly cry during the day... yes, it was that good. My library holds continue to arrive randomly, the symbol on the edge of my phone screen scheduling the order of consumption of my TBR (to be read) list as well as the temptation of those daily email free offers on BookBub, Freebooksy, The Fussy Librarian and sometimes Bargain Booksy.  Life in the slow lane requires a good read or twenty. Although I've amassed a collection of audiobooks I've chosen to reserve those for boring household jobs such as cleaning out my closet (done and not much work if you haven't worn 'going out' clothes for over a year) or enjoying the sun on the deck where bright sunlight on the screen interferes with ebooks. I encouraged the shore captain/gentleman farmer to enjoy a collection of lectures on Vikings and gifted him the series on Chirp. He is now enjoying a wine region series while he transplants his zucchini. Better to be educated than bored.  

Podcasts (mostly audio, but a few video) are my friend whether it be Daily Ted Talks, CBC Listen, or just subscribed channels for crafts. And as strange as it sounds to say listening/watching a crocheting podcast is satisfying...crochet being a tactile activity....there are all sorts of new yarns, accessories and techniques shared. Lots of ways to enhance your cro-jo as in crochet motivation. I've offered crochet lessons to a friend but that in person activity shall have to wait for in person visiting. 

The walk to the mailbox is about half an hour and the weather has been mostly sunny with a bit of breeze to keep the bugs away so there's a daily outing. Lots of wildlife to see along the route with deer, bunnies, porcupine and neighbours dogs...thankfully no bears, although there have been local sitings. Very little traffic with the travel restrictions and lots of memories of walks over the past 35 years with various combinations of offspring/grandkids. 

The in house garden has been yielding greens for about a month, we've had our first early zucchini and I used the dehydrator to dry a batch of oregano already. Lots of healthy looking plants in the two greenhouses and the compound (which has so far excluded the deer) is planted with potatoes and more. When the resident farmer was complaining that the garden was getting to be 'almost like work' I reminded him that if he wasn't continually expanding his grow op as fiercely as if he were Amazon or Microsoft it would be less onerous. I convinced him to give some transplants to his sister because the more you have, the more you have to freeze/can/dry/find a place to store and we're still working our way through last year's bounty. 

The long weekend is usually the beginning of camping/cottage season but mid June is the target now for our six week restrictions. The projects list is lengthy...let's see what a dent I can put it in before then.