Life, in general, felt different this summer. We had to rethink how we did things, where we went and who was in our bubble. It felt strange not to spend time with friends freely.
When the weather was poor, The Hubs and I spent Sunday afternoons driving around the countryside enjoying the view and taking pictures. I photographed abandoned buildings, fence posts, wheat fields and random bales of hay. If nothing else, these excursions got me out of the house and passed the day. I can now say that I've been to and photographed every country school in the municipality. This quiet time allowed us to stop and look at the scenery differently, with greater appreciation. Unintentionally, we learned a few things about the area where we live.
CTV Photo of the Day 9/22/2020
Thank goodness we were able to spend time boating on the beautiful lakes of central Saskatchewan. We caught a few fish and ate our fill. Watching meat grill on the barbecue became an even bigger form of entertainment than it was before. We also had a couple campfires in the backyard. It's a struggle for us to use the fire pit in the evening, though, as we're getting old, and we can't stay up that late. I will regret that decision when I look out my window in January and know it is now under a snowbank.
The Hubs and son-in-law cooking hotdogs.
We ventured out on two camping trips. We thought about cancelling, but we decided to go ahead, and I'm so glad we did. In early June, The Hubs and I went solo to Cowan Lake. In late July our immediate family went to Emma Lake. We followed COVID guidelines and stayed in our bubble. The June trip saw cold temperatures, wind and rain, but the July trip was smoking hot. One out of two isn't bad.
Cowan Lake
We will be better prepared next time - new rain gear.
It was slightly unnerving staying at rental properties; we felt the need to re-clean counters, tables, light switches, silverware and doorknobs. We took the kids to the beach in the evening when it was deserted and spent the rest of the time at the cabin or on the boat. I didn't even tour the area around Emma Lake to see what goodies I could find. I missed visiting little shops, galleries and restaurants.
The girls loved it when their uncle swam with them at Emma Lake.
Emma Lake, SK
I noticed people didn't talk to strangers as much, and the kids had to stay away from the parks. That was a difficult concept for them to understand. Previously we stood in line to buy ice cream and walked along crowded boardwalks, not giving our proximity to other people much thought. Public washrooms were hard to come by this summer, not that I really wanted to go in one anyway.
Everyone looked at everyone else with the suspicious Corona side-eye. I looked at them that way and then realized they were looking back at me the same way. Some people used hand sanitizer and wore masks religiously, while others seemed oblivious to the pandemic. I was a frequent user of public transportation to travel around the province before COVID-19 hit, but I haven't used it since February.
Gardens sprang up around the village, and existing ones got larger. The local greenhouse sold out. People who usually wouldn't buy plants knew they would be at home more this summer to care for them. In times of high anxiety, there's something about plants that is calming to people. Weeding, watering and grass cutting kept us busy.
This summer, a lot of families stayed in their backyards instead of going to public areas. Swing sets, sandboxes, pools, hot tubs, trampolines and bouncy castles sold like hotcakes. People found solace in the outdoors, and camping gear flew off store shelves.
The granddaughters came to visit with their castle in tow. It looked like the circus had come to the village. With his daddy close behind, our grandson took his cousin for a ride in his miniature truck. It was good to have our family together under our roof.
With my daughter
Daughter-in-law & daughter
People used to being on the go realized sitting in their backyard with a cold beverage wasn't so bad. When you have small kids, it is sometimes less stressful and cheaper to turn the sprinkler on and spend time with them at home. Going to the spray park or the zoo sounds like fun in theory, but it can be a harrowing experience.
Last summer, in my post, Siblings, Peaches and Wine, I shared the story of a trip I took. I flew to Calgary and travelled from there to British Columbia with my brother, his wife and my niece. The plane from Saskatoon to Calgary was packed with summer revilers. We moved about freely, staying at rentals, hotels and resorts. We enjoyed the beaches, floated down a river channel, and visited wineries, gardens and coffee shops. I never imagined this summer would be so different. I think about those tourist areas and wondered how they have weathered the financial loss of a pandemic summer.
We were invited to three weddings this year. One was downsized, one was postponed for a year, and we attended one outdoor ceremony. Our daughter was a bridesmaid, and the littlest granddaughter was a flower girl. I was glad we got to see the bridal party in their finery.
In cities like Saskatoon, events such as Folkfest, The Fringe, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and concerts were cancelled. Usually, at this time of year, Rough Rider football fever is heating up in Saskatchewan, but all is quiet.
This has been a difficult time for my mom and others in long-term care facilities. My brothers and their wives came to Saskatchewan to visit mom but were restricted to outdoor visits. Mom doesn't like to go outside; if she feels even the slightest breeze, she's done, so they only saw her briefly or talked to her through a window.
Daily COVID updates remain in our news feeds. Many people are still working from home. There has been a great deal of anxiety surrounding staff and students returning to school. Some children returned while others are taking classes from home.
Looking back through the pictures I took over the summer, I see that we were wearing heavy coats in almost every photo in June. Once again, it felt like summer came to a screeching halt in the middle of August. Hopefully, there are some nice days still to come.
As we enter into autumn, we are all pondering what direction the pandemic will take us. So far, our family has remained healthy, and I pray that continues. It is harder to notice those who are struggling when we are staying in our bubble. It is great if your bubble includes family and friends. Imagine, though, if you were alone in your bubble. Stay safe, everyone, and look out for each other..
One way or the other, life goes on.
Side note: the chunk of hair that I accidentally took out of the back of The Hubs’ head, with the shaver, has grown back. He recovered nicely. Cutting hair; another thing that looks way easier than it actually is.
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