Erin's Journals

Just a thought… Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck. [Dalai Lama]

I hope your week is going well; we’re seeing humidex readings projected to be in the upper thirties this week for Southern Ontario and I heard from a reader in Newfoundland who says they’re getting 21C and enjoying every minute of it. Here on the opposite end of the country, it’s been rainy and in the teens. Let’s just say that when every day is an iffy hair day, a little water from the sky doesn’t make much of a difference.

Molly dons her raincoat for our outings; she still seems to be missing the warmth of her coat when we’re keeping our house in the upper teens temperature-wise (Mommy’s working out, plus those “power surges” that nature is inflicting on her). But it takes me to our grooming outing last Friday and a couple of hairy incidents, if you will.

Rob used an early call time to the groomer’s as an excuse to make a long-awaited trip to Costco. But that ended up being a bust: when he saw the long lineup outside at 9:45 am he just kept on driving. Like so many of us, h­e’s not comfortable out with other people right now, even though he – and every other Costco shopper except the odd one who equates “freedom” with not following protocol or has a legitimate reason not to wear one – has and wears a mask.

But there’s the other Rob-rub: he loves to meander when he goes to Costco, and I don’t think he’s alone. Does anyone ever come out with exactly the five things that were on his or her list? Knowing that people would be waiting to get in meant he wouldn’t feel comfortable taking his time. So, even though we had a couple of items from friends’ wish lists, he decided not to bother. I don’t blame him (and neither did our friends).

As for when is the best time to visit Costco, well, that’s a mystery. One of the aforementioned friends said that her pal in Ontario went to the store early, trying to beat the expected lineup. She managed to be among the first in the store, but they had to queue up starting at 7:15 to wait for the doors to open nearly three hours later. I can’t think of one thing I need badly enough to line up that long in the cold (which we’re told it was). I guess that makes us lucky that we don’t need to hunt the bargains as diligently as others do.

After picking up Molly together, I was so thrilled to be out for a car ride (resisting the temptation to stick my head out the window) that we went into Sidney and did a slow drive-by at our own hair salon. As we peered in the window, we saw our stylist. I jumped out of the car and waved at her (yes, it was like I was on a day pass) and she came out. We resisted the urge to hug, but made appointments for late in June.

As we chatted, Jude commented on how well we looked and remarked that I have lost a lot of weight. While I haven’t lost a lot, I have taken up getting 10-12,000 steps a day via the exercise bike (with my Fitbit tucked in my sock) and walks around the neighbourhood. I was in the process of starting up a serious dietary regimen to get into a special dress for the Broadcasting Hall of Fame induction, but of course that was derailed.

However, always looking for a project these days, I upped my activity instead. My weekly Fitbit progress email is something I anticipate with an excitement that is akin only to watching for a letter saying we’re getting a tax refund (which we are not). But, look, it’s something to look forward to, right? And that’s something I think we’re all searching for these days.

I know of at least two people close to me who’ve lost over 20 pounds during the pandemic, using it as an excuse to cook healthily at home and resist the drive-thru temptations. For many of us, boredom eating in the evenings is our biggest downfall, but not for these two. So you see, there’s hope for us all.

Besides, I think my longish hair is what led Jude to make that comment. After all, which of these two beauties looks thinner?

Yep. I thought so.

A few more shopping thoughts tomorrow – and I’ll be interested in reading your perspective. Take good care. Stay cool, stay safe, stay sane.

Just a thought… We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. [Joseph Campbell]

Well, I hope that you enjoyed the weekend. For journal visitors here from Southern Ontario I know there was a lot of gardening, walking and mostly responsible outdoor activity going on. I did see the disappointing pictures from Trinity Bellwoods Park.

As many people posted their anger on social media, there were responses disputing the need for social distancing. I’m not even entering that debate; I foresee a time when we’ll get deeper into the “I’m right, you’re wrong” fray. Not today, Twitter, Insta, FB etc.. Not today.

Here on Vancouver Island (not in the city of Vancouver but on the island, just north of BC’s capital of Victoria) it was a bit chilly and unsettled with temperatures in the teens – cool enough to make our newly-groomed Molly Malone shiver, even in the house. So we put a little shirt on her.

Yes, our visit to a new groomer paid off handsomely. She’s clean and trimmed and we are so grateful!

Speaking of grateful, we heard from some folks in other parts of Canada who saw in the news that a tornado touched down in our area last week. The EF0 tornado (the lowest on the scale) packed winds of between 90-130 km and plucked a trampoline from its yard and sent it flying. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The storm hit Saanich, near where my aunt and uncle live and about 20 km from us; while my relatives experienced hail, we had nothing to speak of, luckily. (The tall metal heron on our deck didn’t even quiver and that’s usually our warning to bring it inside before it topples.)

So, here in North Saanich, it was just a breezy, damp, grey day. But let me tell you what a rarity that weather event was: a tornado hasn’t struck lower Vancouver Island since 1966!

Oh, and this makes us lucky too: our daughter-in-law in Ottawa sent a photo of a little summer outfit that she ordered for baby Jane. A little wink to us – the grandbananas – and we love it.

It truly is the little things that make our hearts soar instead of sore these days. Seeing Colin in his newly-ordered cloth mask, watching video of him making her squeal with laughter by dancing for and playing with her. Staying “in the moment” with thoughts of things that make us happy instead of wondering when we can see, hug and hold our loved ones again. Because regardless of how many people gather in parks or garage parties wherever you are, we’re just not ready yet.

Most of our lives are about how we react to what is happening to us. Our thoughts are our own and we are in control of them, and so little else. All we can do it wait. And wait we will.

Back with you here tomorrow.

Just a thought… It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]

It’s haircut day! No, not for me; my in-house stylist took his beard trimmer to my bangs several weeks ago and it seems to be holding up while I wait for the line at my salon here in Sidney to stop ringing busy. I can wait. I won’t even go for highlights; “Just a cut ma’am.” I’ll bide my time but, honestly, once I get in the chair I may tell Jude just to cut it all off. Thankfully, like most good stylists, she’s also a pretty good judge of what I shouldn’t do.

While I wait – something we’ve all gotten good at – at long last, Molly is getting groomed. We had an appointment for last week with a mobile unit; seemed to be the perfect work-around while COVID-19 worries abound. Then we heard from the woman running the business that things were so slow, she wasn’t going to be able to make it. I responded that I didn’t quite get it, but we’d look elsewhere. What else can we do, right? I respect anyone’s reasons for not wanting to do something these days.

Our usual groomer (we find Petsmart in Victoria to be reliable and easy to book online) wasn’t open for business, so I got a recommendation from my aunt. And wonder of wonders, we made an appointment for today at a spot much closer to home. I do love to support local businesses – especially these days.

The biggest problem has been Molly’s nails. The last time she went to be trimmed was more months ago than we can count, and her nails are now so long that she’s having trouble getting a grip on our hardwood floors. Like a party girl in stilettos on a slick tile floor, her feet are sliding out from under her. She’s fine on carpet, our bed, couch, and so on, but at her senior age, we don’t like our Bambi-on-ice risking pulling anything except our heartstrings.

So here’s the before picture, which I took the other day while she was sleeping. This is fairly new for us, her having her tongue out. She’s not missing teeth, she has just started to do this. Some dogs do it their entire lives. We think it’s adorable and probably just comes with age. That, or she’s expressing what she thinks of us being around 24/7.

Which reminds me of a question someone posted online. When everyone goes back to work, will dogs wonder if they’ve done something wrong? Hmmmm….

We’ll post an “after” shot for you here on Monday. Goodness, our girl needs some attention.

Okay – I promised you a video today. If you’re like me, friends send you memes and movies that have touched them during the pandemic. To me, this is just about perfect: it’s a familiar and popular song (Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time”) with the lyrics reworked ever so slightly. And it’s done by the Phoenix Chamber Choir out of Vancouver. From Burnabynow.com: “Singers (choir members and alumni) recorded their individual parts at home in their own spaces, accompanied by a ‘click track,’ and then sent in the videos for editing and compilation.”

Here you go – the finished product – which I promise will lighten your heart for today. Thank you for sharing a bit of your week with me and I’ll be back with you here on Monday.

Just a thought… No connection can ever be broken if love holds tight at both ends. [Shannon L. Alder]

Welcome in! You know, after this week’s journals, I said to Rob, “I need to lighten things up today.” So, let’s see…what’s funny? Not a lot, frankly, though I hope you’ve seen the Jerry Seinfeld Netflix special 23 Hours to Kill.

But we find joy in the little things: the Facetime with Colin in Ottawa, who’s already planning his outdoor activities with the warmer weather in the forecast. It looks as if Southern Ontario is jumping from winter to summer again this year. Oh, how we used to anticipate our first walk across the Bloor Viaduct to dine outside on the Danforth! How different it’s sure to be in the months to come.

Our walks are far less eventful and boisterous these days, with the aims of either satisfying Molly or adding steps to my FitBit. Tuesday we walked along the ocean shores down in Sidney. Above us there were eagles and seagulls and there was a lone sailboat on the water, but not much else. Still, it made for a beautiful view and a change of scenery from our usual neighbourhood walks, as bloom-filled as they are.

We sent a quick video to Colin and his family and Brooke videoed him watching our message to them. When I said “Do you see that?” he answered “yes!” everytime he watched it and even ended one viewing with “I love you Grama and Grandad.” It doesn’t get better than this – at least for now.

Our walk culminated in a balcony-to-driveway visit with our friends in town there. It made our hearts sing just to see them face-to-face, to find out that there’s nothing new in their lives either (which we knew anyway, since we’re in touch daily) but that they’re healthy and safe.

As every single event on our calendar is crossed off (the Broadcasting Hall of Fame ceremonies, which were to take place today in Toronto, were rescheduled for September, and then scrapped until next year) we try hard not to think about when next we’ll be flying east to hold the people we love in our arms. And in the meantime, we continue to thank heavens that they’re all safe and healthy.

So…I’ve been on deer watch. On the weekend, while I was editing in bed, Rob spotted a fawn – actually it was already spotted – and by the time he told me about it, the little dear deer had already moved on. I almost wish he hadn’t told me: every time I’m near that side of the house I’m peering out like ol’ Mrs. Kravitz through her curtains on Bewitched. “Abner! Abner! He’s back!!!”

I don’t leave the house without my iPhone in case I see the little sweetie lying somewhere waiting for its mommy’s return. No sighting yet, but when I see him or her, I’ll share the baby I call “Fawnzie” with you.

Yesterday I did observe a couple of more mature deer practising social distancing on the grass below our windows. Sure, they may have ticks, but these beauties aren’t going to catch COVID-19 from each other!

So, on that note, I’ll sign off for today. Tomorrow I have for you Vendredi Video (again, maybe I’m stretching a bit with that!). It gave me goosebumps. Beautiful and Canadian, to boot!

Have a gentle Thursday and we’ll chat soon.

Just a thought… What we see depends mainly on what we look for. [John Lubbock]

Hello! And off the top, if you missed yesterday’s journal because you usually come here through the link I post daily on my Facebook page, you can find it here. Don’t miss the eagle cameo at the end. I missed one little click while posting in advance to FB and so the post didn’t show up. I think you’ll find it thought-provoking as many did. I may do a follow-up on your perspectives in days to come.

But today, I would like to give someone else’s thoughts a spotlight. I saw this the other day and in light of news Tuesday of Ontario cancelling public school classes for the remainder of this screwy school year, I wanted to share it. It was written by Jaime Ragsdale on a website called altogethermostly.com. A different way to turn the prism and see new light.

What if instead of falling “behind” this group of kids is advanced because of this? Let’s talk about helping our kids during social distancing.

Hear me out.

What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.

What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own garden and sitting near a window in the quiet. What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?

What if this generation is the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well-run home?

What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less? What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home.

What if they learn the difference between want and need?

What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?

What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?

What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life. What if he or she truly learn what really matters in this life? Let’s talk about helping our kids during social distancing

What if they are ahead?

Thank you for coming by and sharing in these daily “chats” we’re having. I’ve a lovely performance for you here on Friday (Video Vendredi – is that too much of a stretch?). Let’s just get through one day at a time and I’ll be back with you tomorrow! ￰