Spring around here

These days, my husband and I are on the boardwalk any day the weather permits. Since we are not seeing our grandchildren, family or friends, except via technology, the outdoors and exercise are more important than ever.

Since pandemic isolation keeps us physically away from others, keeping up with fellow bloggers is important too. The signs of spring in your blogs are spectacular as bulbs erupt and bloom and trees blossom. Even the autumn looks of Australia and New Zealand are filled with colour. As we walk here, we look for signs of spring around us, though they don’t involve colour. Here, disappearing ice and snow signal spring. These photos were taken just over a week in time. They show the melting ice, shifting and thinning sea ice and melting snow. 

From the bridge, looking out to the harbour, 

the snow covered ice gave way to clear ice 

which then melted.

When it’s windy, the sea ice moves around. The Northumberland Strait 

which was full of ice a few days ago is now open, with ice predominantly along the shoreline of the island.

Along the walkway, 

the snow is disappearing as well.

While there aren’t any blossoms or blooms, our time in the spring air as the temperature rises gives us hope for the colour to come and the end of the pandemic.

Meanwhile

People across the planet are faced with the reality of the Covid 19 pandemic. Canada, with the rest of the world, is grappling with how to control the rate of infection so as not to overburden the health care system. Here on Prince Edward Island, returning March break vacationers have been urged to self isolate. The three infected people here returned from vacations.

Meanwhile, along the boardwalk, the animals are going about their business as usual. The blue jays are watching every move as walkers often leave peanuts for them. They provide colour among the trees.

A huge murder of crows enjoyed the boardwalk this past winter. Only a few were visible this day but this one was quite loud. It sounded like it was scolding us.

The red squirrels were active. This acrobatic one managed to retrieve seeds from the hanging feeder.

We’d had snow which clung to some of the trees and as the day progressed, water ran down the tree trunks. We watched several minutes as this squirrel licked the water from the trees.

Now that much of human activity has ground to a halt, pollution levels over large cities have decreased tremendously. Is this virus showing us the path forward for the health of the planet? Pandemic for humans means the earth gets a breather.

An anti-viral tale

Time at home has never been a problem for me or my husband. Since we retired, there have been times in the winter when I haven’t gone outside for more than two weeks. I hate the cold biting winds and staying inside is an option when the treadmill provides exercise. My husband is the same. Our introverted selves are happy at home.

Every winter, I only buy groceries every two weeks or more. By the time I go for groceries, every fruit and veg in the house has been used. We waste little. I bought groceries early last Saturday morning when there were few people in the store. To avoid the flu every year, I have learned not to touch my face so I don’t find it difficult any more. Much hand washing followed though and I washed anything I touched when I came in the house. We have groceries for a few weeks at least.

A parcel arrived and I washed down the box and its contents. Mail gets the same going over and is left to air dry.

There are two confirmed cases of Covid 19 on Prince Edward Island, a person returned from a cruise and another from a trip to the U.K. Their contacts have been isolated and over two hundred people tested. We have had contact with our daughter and the kids and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future.

The kids are out of school for March break and schools are closed for an additional two weeks. Our daughter keeps a schedule of school work, chores, time outdoors, puzzles and games with them. For now, they are excited about their confinement. Who knows how long that will last? Teachers will have academic information for parents on-line next week as well.

I was out yesterday to help a friend in Emergency at the hospital for an issue unrelated to Covid. There was a hand wash station inside the doors as well as masks at the entrance to the area. A nurse in protective garb questioned me before I was allowed any further. To say I was nervous there is an understatement. We owe a huge debt to the men and women who go to work and risk their own health and that of their families every day during this crisis.

We will walk along the boardwalk for some fresh air. It is possible to stay away from fellow walkers there since the area is never crowded. The time in nature is better than a walk in the neighbourhood. However for me, either is better than the treadmill.

How are social distancing and isolation going for you? 

Change of plans

Travel is a thing of the past for my husband and I. Once avid world travellers, it has been six years since we took out the passports to go abroad. That changed last week as we packed the old suitcases and with renewed passports, planned to travel with our daughter and the grandkids. Friday was the departure date. That was until Thursday night when closures and travel advisories changed our plans. The Covid 19 virus hit the travel industry.

Our flight and reservations were booked early last October. This virus wasn’t on anyone’s radar at that time. Our daughter decided she wouldn’t tell the kids about the trip until the morning we left. It would be a huge surprise. Suitcases were readied without their knowledge. I had prepared a scavenger hunt for them for Friday morning, with clues as to where we were going. Our daughter had everything in place Thursday night, ready for the kids. It was not to be.

It was fortunate they didn’t know about the trip because I wouldn’t want them to be one half as devastated as our daughter was. However, at the same time, my husband and I, both in our sixties, had the viral news foremost in our minds all along. It is hard to describe the mixed feelings we had about the prospect of travel at this time. Things worked out for the best obviously.

We managed to recoup the total cost of the trip. The hotel was not an issue. Air Canada gave us a refund instead of another flight because of a mistake they made with our booking. We were very fortunate. How could we plan another trip when it is impossible to know how long this virus will be a threat? 

We hope to survive the onslaught of the virus and travel with our family at a future date.

 

Out of the ice

My usual poetry is rhyming verse for the grandkids. They love scavenger hunts and I write the rhyming clues which result in giggles and scurrying. Inspired by the Confederation Bridge, I wrote this poem about my winter experience of the bridge. No rhymes involved.

It rises out of the ice and snow

Which blankets the Northumberland Strait...

Thirteen kilometres of defiance.

Ingenuity and design determined

How to span the distance

And withstand nature’s icy breath.

We stand and watch as vehicles

Traverse the distance on this winter day...

Concrete defying winter’s embrace.

Arches are reminiscent of Roman aqueducts,

 

But traffic flows here above the water

As sons and daughters come home to visit.

Economics keeps traffic moving too 

Though nature can stop everything

When the weather dictates.

Soon ships will travel through the arches.

Then tourists will join the regular traffic

As those who watch continue to marvel at its beauty.

Around the countryside

With my husband at the wheel, I was able to take in the countryside during our recent drive west of our home. Several items caught my eye along the way and the mid morning country roads in winter made it easy to stop, easier than it often is anyway.

This sign on a pole high above a scrap yard was an anomaly. 

This island province of Prince Edward doesn’t have moose unlike our home province, Newfoundland, where introduced moose thrived. In Newfoundland, moose and vehicular accidents are common and the reason we rarely drove on the highway at night. No such worry here so this sign reminds us of home. 

The owl statue on top of the pole is a deterrent to other birds but only works for a limited time. I didn’t notice the owl until I looked at the photo at home.

Overlooking a scrap yard, a tow truck has a jeep in tow. 

Both have seen better days and will spend the last of them here. A crow is along for this last ride.

I have never seen a two story gazebo. The view of the ocean must be spectacular from the top deck.

Most of us don’t keep one of these by the shed.

This old barn has seen better days. Farm equipment, animals, hay all may have had their time here. I wonder what is in there now?

The sound of the running water was a peaceful end to a winter drive.

Foxy

It looked as if there was a Golden Retriever on the road ahead, similar to Georgie, the golden grand-dog in the back seat. However, it is unusual to see dogs on the roads in Prince Edward Island. We slowed down on this country road about fifteen minutes from home and as we drew near, we realized it was a fox. Since it was green bin day and the temperature was mild, the compost bins probably enticed this beauty to the road for a sniff and a look around.

The small Red Fox ran down over the embankment when Georgie started to bark. Then it stopped and watched as I put down the window and took some photos. 

Georgie couldn’t see it from her position and stopped barking. The fox stayed there for a few minutes before it headed into the woods.

There are foxes in our area and they hunt in the neighbourhood at night. We’ve caught them on the doorbell camera a few times crossing the front walkway. When Georgie visits, she always follows the tracks around the house, sniffing as she goes. Sometimes she wakes in the middle of the night and wants to go fox hunting but we’ve banned it in our yard. Georgie, like us, admires them from afar but is much louder about it.