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Sunday 19 February 2023

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.





30 comments:

Boud said...

Enjoy the games. I can't blame you for thinking about living where someone else shovels your snow. If you can tolerate the rules of condo associations and find a friendly neighborhood, it's a great option.

DJan said...

I love brooding feel of these pictures, and I do hope you will share some pictures of the games that you will attend. :-)

Liz Hinds said...

It's a big decision to move especially when you are surrounded by so much beauty. I hope you and the grandchildren get to see some events. It must be exciting.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I need to get my next Covid booster in March. Friends of mine subscribe to BritBox and love it too.

John's Island said...

“Even today, guns are not as common in Canada as they are in the United States.” That is just one of the good reasons I’ve often thought of moving to Canada. Another is that all of your citizens seem to get along a little better than we do down here in the States. I just recently read that your government has outlawed sales of property to foreign entities for two years starting January 1, 2023. I guess that means I can’t come up and buy a condo but maybe I could still rent one. Island Musings has me dreaming. 😊 Wonderful photos, as always. John

Bill said...

Enjoy the games, they'll be fun to watch. Great photos today, have a wonderful week.

Hena Tayeb said...

Far too many things to worry about.. the obsession with guns.. the future of our children.. the moderate weather we are having also causing concern for the future.

photowannabe said...

I do hope you can attend some of the games. We loved attending summer games in Finland and in Montreal.
Love the moody snowy photos of your area. Beautiful to me, but I don't have to shovel any snow.
You are wise to start downsizing and getting rid of things. It does make leaving a bit easier.
We're not ready to leave our home yet, but the horrendous property taxes may force us to make that decision. Fixed incomes make it difficult to live in California..any where in the state!
Sue

Red said...

We hosted the Canada winter games in 2019 I think. There a lot of work in the preparation but there's lots of buzz in the community. There are some very good facilities left after the games are over. I didn't volunteer this time .

Lorrie said...

PEI will do a great job of hosting the Winter Games with the renowned hospitality of its people. I enjoy the British mysteries for their lack of guns, too, and Shetland was a favourite. I hope you get to travel a little now. It seems things are easing and fewer people are getting sick.

Joanne Noragon said...

Good for you, looking at new arrangements before you need them!

JudithK said...

Ha. As a person living in Texas, I have to put on closed captioning for most of the Brit shows, especially the Scottish ones. Though warmer, it seems your winter has been long for you. Oddly enough same thing is true here....I'm quite ready for some springtime. As usual, thanks for your beautiful photos.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Have fun at the games!

Helen said...

I hope the weather behaves for the games. So much anticipation and preparation.
These images are wonderfully moody and wintry. For this Aussie who lives in the tropics, it doesn't look at all mild! Incredibly chilly in fact. So glad you can be out and about enjoying the snowy vistas.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
It is exciting to have the Canada winter games so close by. I am not a fan of guns, I wish they were not so easy for people to buy. Why do they need an assault rifle used in war? Hubby and I downsized a lot back in 2016, when we moved to Florida for just 6 months. My hubby calls that a fake move, I am glad we did not sell our house here. I am thinking about BritBox, I have Acorn.
Your winter landscape photos are beautiful. Wishing you a great day!

Pam said...

I have never been a fan of guns but the way the world is getting and the fact I live alone, travel alone, out and about alone, I have considered getting a carry permit. Just so many scary people out there these days. Since Nashville has grown so much in the last few yrs, so has our crime. I hate it, I hate haivng to be on guard when I am out. Thank you totally for the comment about me inspiring you. I have others who tell me the same but it is just me trying to push through life in daily pain. Thank you again.

William Kendall said...

Moody shots.

Anita said...

Oh Marie such beautiful photoes!As you ,we also have a long winter this year
Mostly slush snow and stormsBut it is good to be out no matter how the weather is and like this wonderful photoes, comes out of it.Hope you save your pictures
Wish you happy days!

Rhodesia said...

COVID has such a lot to answer for. Our main reason for making this holiday of ours a long one. We are getting older and travel is not getting easier. We have now had 5 vaccines and hope that we have some immunity. My husband has peripheral neuropathy and walking is getting more and more difficult. Make hay while one can!!
Lovely set of photos. Cheers Diane

Catarina said...

I would love to be there at this time to be able to watch some games. How exciting for the community!

Hope all your plans become reality.

Spring is just around the corner... : )

I have seen a few episodes of Shetland. Will watch a few more now that you have mentioned it.

Sherry's Pickings said...

I've been de-cluttering too but i keep buying books and artworks. I have to stop!:) And we have also been thinking of moving to a townhouse in the neighbourhood but not yet ...
Snow - oh my, if only... we are still sweltering here.

Debbie said...

the canada winter games sound exciting. we went to the summer olympics in atlanta, i think that was 1996. it was amazing, something i will never forget!!

i did not know what britbox was until you explained it, maybe it is like apple t.v. i have been cleaning and decluttering as well, but it is so hard to get rid of some things that have special meaning to me, they don't to others!!

our winter has been incredibly warm, i'm sure you know that from reading my posts!! as for guns, i'm not sure how i feel...i guess i have mixed emotions!!

beautiful images today!!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I also been get rid of things. I got to many items.
Coffee is on and stay safe

DUTA said...

Declutter and downsizing are constantly on my mind. Not easy matters!
Wishing you a great time with family at the Winter Games, and plans for some exciting travel during the year!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

My husband was significantly older than me (he was my university professor), so I knew that we would have to leave our house on an acre of land before either of us were ready. There are days when I really miss that garden, on the other hand, nothing beats having lawn care done and snow plowed. It’s not an easy decision. I wish you luck with yours.

Maebeme said...

Love the photos!

We've got the Saskatchewan Winter Games on now here in Regina. It seems odd to me that they are on at the same time as the Canada Winter games. I'll have to do some research on who is representing the province this year.

Leaving behind the work of a bigger house for a condo sounds like a good plan for the future.

Pam said...

I have thought about a condo, but I don't want a monthly fee and I love my space. Not feeling like I am on top of someone else. But we all have to find something that fits us.

Lea said...

I could not live with that much snow, but I sure do enjoy seeing your photos of it!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Glenda Beall said...

I like Shetland and also enjoy the shows with no guns. I often wish I could move to Canada because the USA is such a violent country now. Everyone has a gun - some to kill with and some for protection from killers. I don't know where it will all end. Love your photos as usual. Like you, I will be going back to decluttering when I get back to NC. I hate it, but it must be done. Eventually, I will probably live full-time with my sister.

baili said...

I think having such excellent games near by provide perfect entertainment during cold season.

I am happy for you Marie that this will also be a great opportunity to spend time with grandchildren :)

I am also happy that after three years you are ready to travel :)

Either I remember my first raw exposure to guns and lots of them. It was when I joined as eleven years girl to many village families who were going to visit a shrine situated in higher par of mountains. When after several hours we reached we found that territory does not come under the management of pakistani government. People seemed raw and wild. And most shockingly guns were being sold on common shops like other groceries. Oh myb
Later territory aligned with pakistan and things changed slowly