RELAXING BEFORE STACKING
The social distancing aspect of the virus has not been for us, too huge a deal. Most likely because we live in the boonies and besides, we aren’t much for events, get-togethers or glad-handing in any organized way.
GEESE FAMILY OUT FOR A FLOAT
We did do some research and learned that the beasts and the birds around here aren’t contagious to us nor us to them. So we’re all still in each others’ faces. The squirrels and birds are still nose to beak to nose with me while I fill the feeder, the mice are still living in our power box, the hummingbirds still buzz our windows and my beer glasses, the coyotes, fishers and other critters are, sadly, still eating our neighbour’s cats and I was recently told, just before I went swimming in the ocean, that the Great White Sharks are loosening their human to shark social distancing restrictions around here.
CLOUDS KISSING IN A POND
Of course we have to go to town. Population eight hundred. We have to eat and there’s the mask requirement thing, the arrows, the size four to size eight shoe imprints on the floors, the clerks all looking like ticket sellers and nobody being able to tell who’s the robber and who’s the robberee and the constant hand spraying. I’m risking alcoholism with the amount of alcohol I’m applying to my hands. I also orally imbibe.
HIKER ENJOYING HEMLOCK FOREST NEAR NORTH FALLS
I’ve ended up in some interesting places by simply following the arrows. One day I walked two full circuits of a grocery store parking lot before I realized the fat white arrow with the point curving away from the front door was only meant for motorized vehicles. Just kidding here, but the amount of shuffling and dressing myself up for the two metre review has been phenomenal.
STRANGE WHITE BLOBS BY SHUBENACADIE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL LANEWAY
I have, however, noticed that we humans can adapt to almost anything and there’s lots of humour to go around. For example, I was in a short line-up outside the NSLCB. The man in front of me, who was wearing a cloth mask, said, “The last time I wore a mask I spent three years in Dorchester.” Hardy har.
SUE AND HANNAH WALKING TO BADDECK RIVER
And the mask thing and wearing glasses is a sweaty, misty-glassed conundrum and my eyes are tending towards permanent cock-eyedness. When I’m inside a store, my damn glasses steam up and before long I begin to feel as if I’m on a ship in a gale on the high seas, with the doubling or tripling of everything on the shelves as if I’m in some kind of shopper’s Noah’s Ark. And when I walk out of the store and look for my truck I have to decide which one is the real truck and which one is the mask induced dizzy copy of my truck. I’m rich.
I've also learned that all those people who are shy or don't particularly like to talk to people can now hide behind their masks. They can use the excuse that they don’t recognize anyone. It takes the edge off the old Cape Breton friendliness thing.
I've also learned that all those people who are shy or don't particularly like to talk to people can now hide behind their masks. They can use the excuse that they don’t recognize anyone. It takes the edge off the old Cape Breton friendliness thing.
BADDECK RIVER
However, if a person does stop the requisite two meters from me and then says, “Hello, nice day,” and he’s looking at a twelve pack of three ply toilet paper, the first thing I do is check to see if he’s wearing glasses. If he is, then I suspect it’s probably me he’s talking to.
CORMORANTS ON CHETICAMP ISLAND
And, as I nervously try to follow all the rules at the checkout counter and happen to drop some money on the floor, well you know what it’s like. I practically have to dial up Colombo and get him to find my money because the mask kills about half my eyeball-to-floor vision.
Also, at first I thought the make-up industry would be sad about masks. I worry about weird things. Anyway, the masks can cover so many facial flaws. So who needs so much makeup? Then I began to notice foreheads. They reveal a lot besides age. Frowns stick out like a turkey’s neck and the pandemic is giving people many reasons to frown. I figure we’ll soon be seeing commercials for forehead conditioners, forehead botox shots and forehead makeup.
Also, at first I thought the make-up industry would be sad about masks. I worry about weird things. Anyway, the masks can cover so many facial flaws. So who needs so much makeup? Then I began to notice foreheads. They reveal a lot besides age. Frowns stick out like a turkey’s neck and the pandemic is giving people many reasons to frown. I figure we’ll soon be seeing commercials for forehead conditioners, forehead botox shots and forehead makeup.
CHETICAMP ISLAND ROCK CRITTER GHOSTS
However, being able to look up at the sky and know that the blue was probably a little bluer was a wonderful feeling. A positive amongst the sad effects of the pandemic.
WEE ANGELS AT REMOTE CHETICAMP ISLAND GRAVEYARD
Apparently, I’m better off than many people when it comes to coping. I listened to a psychologist give tips on how to deal with anxiety caused by the pandemic. He said that those who have lived a life with some anxiety have learned coping skills and may be able to use those skills to cope with good old COVID.
EAGLE PERCHED ON CHETICAMP ISLAND
Thank god for small miracles because being a fish in so many wrong ponds has filled my tool box with corona anxiety crushers. As my mother used to say, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
EAGLE LANDING ON CHETICAMP ISLAND
I am however adding stress to stress by watching too much of that horribly sad and addictive reality show called “American Politics”.
COLOURFUL HIKER ON CHETICAMP ISLAND
And one more photograph.
our laneway in early morning light
