It boggles the mind (well, at least it boggles mine) that another month of staying at home, social distancing, obsessive hand washing and donning face masks to go to the grocery store have passed since my last blog post.
In some ways those four weeks feel like an eternity, in others, they passed as quickly as a blink of an eye at hyper speed. Yet, it's the subtle day-to-day changes that have made the biggest impact upon me this year and pandemic aside, the transition from spring to not-quite-summer has been spectacular.
A sure sign of spring is the appearance of trilliums and dog-tooth violets. Seeing them always reminds me of my childhood when day after day each spring I'd return home with bouquets of both flowers - along with some lilacs if I was lucky!
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| Dog tooth violets |
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| Swamp marigolds |
When restrictions limiting access to some public spaces were lifted last month John and I resumed our evening walks in the National Military Cemetery and it could not have come at a better time. Not only did I miss its serenity, but we were just in time to savour the tulips, lilacs and forsythia and other springtime flowers.
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| Apple blossoms |
During our walks here we've also been privy to some amazing wildlife - more than we normally see in northern Ontario, actually. Along with the usual abundance of squirrels we've seen ground hogs, a porcupine, coyote, numerous varieties of birds and last evening we hit the jackpot when two pileated woodpeckers danced multiple times around a tree trunk. We stopped, not wanting to disturb them, but after five minutes decided to continue along our way. They ignored us and continued whatever it was they were up to! Last, but not least, we've been watching this family of ducklings - there are at least eight in total.
A pair of Canadian geese reside in the green space beside our condo. And if all this wildlife isn't enough to convince us that spring is finally here the fountains have been turned on.
Meanwhile, most days begin with John's morning ride on the bike paths that run parallel to the Ottawa River. He's been enjoying every minute of it - which is a very good thing considering he's peddling anywhere from two to three hours each day.
Some weekdays he's fortunate to have the path pretty much to himself...
Weekends, however, he has to share!
With all that congestion it's a good thing the path is equipped at various intervals to handle the occasional breakdown.
The Ottawa River is beautiful at any time of year and springtime is no exception.
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| Aviation Museum |
I'm not surprised. Just look at this gorgeous beach.
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| Petrie Island |
In between Orleans and Ottawa he spotted these little gardens and knew I'd appreciate their beauty (even if I don't have a green thumb myself).
To celebrate my 70th birthday John created a delicious and memorable feast of Manitoulin Island Trout, Quebec fiddleheads, baby eggplant (buried beneath Mozzarella cheese and Ontario tomato) and cubed butternut squash.
Y.U.U.U.M.M.M.M! 💖💝
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all my amazing friends and family members who reached out and sent cards, e-cards, phoned, Skyped, emailed etc. It means so very, very much and you made this milestone birthday all the more special. 💝 HUGS!
My birthday wasn't the only dramatic event, however. We've also had some dramatic (and changeable) weather as well. For instance, in late May the mercury reached 34C. A week later it registered in the low teens.
As restrictions are being eased in stages across Canada and now in Ontario we're all learning how to live with Covid-19 as part and parcel of our "new normal". Yes, John and I miss spending time with family and friends, but we've so much to be grateful for. Hoping you feel the same way. Until next time stay safe.
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