Notes from the isle 2023

For the next two weeks, Prince Edward Island is hosting the Canada Winter Games. The games highlight the best of the country’s young talent in twenty sports, such a skiing and gymnastics. Communities around the province are hosting the competitions in wonderful facilities brought to or improved in those areas in preparation for the games. For its geographic size and population, this little province has top notch sport venues. We have facilities here which some areas of the country can only dream of. We hope to take in some of the competitions later this week with our family since school is closed during the games. Our grandchildren are excited to see some of the competitions and my husband and I are happy to share the experience with them.

We recently looked at some condos for sale in our area. While we enjoy our home, the snow, after the plow has cleared the driveway, is becoming too much for us. We liked the condos but aren’t ready to leave the house yet. That time will come and at least we are thinking about it now.

Meanwhile I have begun getting rid of things I don’t use any more. I had items used for flower arranging, such as floral foam and candle holders. I offered everything free on-line but no takers came forward. Now the landfill is getting them. In addition, I am trading some books at a wonderful second hand bookstore in the community and will make the store a “must stop by” place in the future.

My husband and I each had the latest Covid shot last month and the flu shot in November. We hope to travel this year but travel plans now feel tentative, especially after having had to cancel a family trip the night before we were scheduled to leave three years ago. Thank you Covid! A change of scenery would be lovely this year since the last three years we have stayed close to home. 

We rented Britbox for a few months this winter. I really enjoyed the detective series and was impressed with the scarcity of guns as weapons in the programs. I especially enjoyed the series Shetland and replayed some scenes several times to understand the Scottish accents. An episode or two was a great way to spend a winter evening. 

I was reminded of 1979, when my husband and I went on a camping vacation with his parents and another couple. We left Newfoundland and travelled around the Maritimes of eastern Canada and into Maine.

We saw a police officer directing traffic at an intersection in rural Maine. He had a gun strapped to his hip which I had never seen before. At that time, the local police, the Newfoundland Constabulary, at home did not carry guns. I was shocked to see one in such a location even on a police officer. All these years later, I still remember the shock of that sight. Even today, guns are not as common in Canada as they are in the United States. 

Finally, this has been an unusual winter, warmer than normal, with only two cold days with windchill in the -40s. Our temperatures, even at night, haven’t been bitterly cold. What does this mean for the future for the children? One can only wonder!

The photos included in this post I took on milder days last week. As daylight increases and the sun strengthens, I have a spring in my step as meteorological spring approaches.