Posted on June 22, 2020 under Monday Morning Musings with 2 comments

 

Halifax Public Gardens

 

 

“There’s a reason that I love this town.”

I Love This Town – Joel Plaskett

After weeks (months) of writing about serious matters like Black Lives Matters and Coronavirus, I am taking a breather, literally and figuratively. Despite the easing of restrictions in Nova Scotia, a welcome relief, things are far from normal. Being able to get outside in the fine weather is probably the best medicine. Most of us are still spending an inordinate amount of time in our homes.

So when I got the chance for a road trip to Halifax to drop off a vehicle at the airport for a family member coming to the province, I jumped at the chance to get out of town and spend some time in one of my favourite cities, Halifax.

After a brief stop at the airport, my son and I drove into the city, crossing the MacDonald Bridge, a bridge I had run across numerous times taking part in the Bluenose Marathon runs. You wouldn’t notice this in a car, but the bridge has some serious elevation changes.

I was deposited at The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse on the corner of Prince and Granville. It was a very hot day, but I was fortunate to get a table in the shade on one of the outdoor patios. I spent a pleasant hour hanging out with my sister as we got caught up on the news. The beer was cold, there was a lovely warm breeze, and physical distancing was in evidence.

We took a stroll down to the waterfront. We entered the waterfront area near Stayners, a local watering hole and venue for live music, and sadly, a casualty of the pandemic. We headed north along the promenade and it was eerily quiet. If this were any other time, you would be fighting massive crowds. We retraced our steps and went back into the heart of the city doing a mini walking tour. There were small groups of people here and there, but the usual hustle and bustle of the city was missing. A case in point, my sister had no trouble finding a parking spot in the downtown core.

We said our goodbyes and I headed back down to the waterfront, this time walking in a southerly direction. Not surprisingly, this part of the waterfront was busier, a relative term. Most of the food stalls and restaurants were open but very few of the souvenir stands, small businesses, or the Visitor Information Centre. I wandered into the Map Store hoping to secure a large wall map for my classroom in northern Quebec. I was greeted warmly by two staff members who seemed overjoyed to see a customer. Not surprisingly, their business has suffered greatly only re-opening recently. With travel anywhere in the world quite restricted, maps are yet another casualty of the pandemic. Staycations are likely to be popular this summer.

I grabbed some tasty home cut fries and sat at a table, people-watching. The harbour was quite busy with several pleasure crafts and sailboats plying the waters. There were small clusters of people here and there and everyone seemed to be smiling – and why wouldn’t they! It was one of those truly glorious afternoons.

I wandered up Spring Garden Road heading towards the Public Gardens.I love this street. It has always had a vibe since I started coming to Halifax almost 60 years ago. There were a lot of pedestrians and vehicular traffic. If you didn’t know better, you might have thought that this was just another typical day in the city. It was a good feeling. Anything resembling normal these days is cherished.

After all of this walking (and the salty cut fries!) I was ready for another brew. Seeking an outdoor venue, I entered Stillwell Beer Gardens. The tables were safely spaced, with umbrellas to ward off the heat of the afternoon. I was wearing a wide brimmed hat and carrying a large wall map of the world. I admit that I must have looked even nerdier than usual. I opted for an IPA called Two Crows after which I took flight for the Public Gardens just a few paces away.

I love the Public Gardens. It is a serene and beautiful space in the heart of Halifax. I took a bench and sat, watching young people taking selfies, and old people pacing slowly,consuming nature’s beauty- the youth thinking about days to come and the elderly thinking about days past. I am often hit with bouts of nostalgia at times like this. I don’t want to be young again and I don’t want to grow old. This is a conundrum that many seniors deal with on a fairly regular basis. At least I do.

I walk through the gardens taking pictures, but photos really don’t do justice. You have to be present, taking in all the sensory stimulation, to truly appreciate these magnificent grounds.

There’s a reason I love this town.

Have a great week.

P.S. Some people believe that there is “no cure for stupid”. I disagree. The cure for stupid is being smart. Just over two weeks ago, our community held a peace rally for Black Lives Matter. Many people like me were leery about attending but decided that we had to attend. This unleashed vitriol on social media. According to reports, there hasn’t been a single case of Covid-19 arising from the event. The organizers took great care and caution as did the 4,000 who took part.

 

Posted on June 18, 2020 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

 

Supporting the arts

 

The short- term effects of Covid-19 are everywhere. The entire country (world) was shut down for months. People were thrown out of work, schools were closed, and the economy ground to a halt. Almost everyone except essential workers like health care workers, service sector employees, and in our province of Nova Scotia, liquor store employees, were encouraged to stay home. (See my P.S. at the bottom of the page) Governments opened up the taps out of necessity, providing emergency funding to individuals and businesses to keep the economy afloat.

Hundreds of thousands of people have died worldwide.

I rarely engage in social or political commentary in this space for obvious reasons. I’m a chicken! The few times that I have delved into shark infested waters, I have occasionally surfaced missing a limb or two.

One of the Canadian government’s support programs is called the CERB – the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. It has provided an $8,000 benefit ($2,000×4 months) for people who qualify. It has been a crucial form of income for millions of Canadians thrown out of work during the pandemic. It has also become a lightning rod as it appears that many people who were not entitled to the money, have taken advantage of the program. Others have criticized the plan as being a disincentive for people to work.

Acerbic is defined as” language or actions which are hostile or sharp”. I believe that there is a new definition: a CERB ic – someone who is opposed to government subsidies.

It’s hard to pinpoint any one sector of the economy that has been hit harder than another, but few can argue that those making their living in the entertainment industry are amongst those people. Artists, musicians, dancers, comedians, and actors have always had a tough gig. Making a living in good times can be precarious at best. This is nothing new. For centuries, the artistic community has struggled for survival.

It can be argued that a community, a province, or a country is defined by its culture. In our part of the world, music is as important as oxygen. Live theatre, dance and art define who we are. They keep our history alive and relevant.

Right now, it appears that this might be one of the last sectors of the economy to get back to any semblance of normalcy. It is hard to imagine a pub packed with enthusiastic patrons singing Barrett’s Privateers and yelling “sociable”. Health experts are even warning people not to sing as this activity can spread droplets. Hard to make a living as a musician if singing is verboten! Ditto for concerts, plays and other cultural events where the public meets in close proximity.

Many countries have stepped up to the plate, recognizing the immense importance of this sector of the economy. New Zealand, which in the eyes of many, has handled Covid-19 as well as any in the world, is showing leadership when it comes to supporting those in the arts community with robust funding and supports. https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/

It would appear that our Prime Minister was eavesdropping on me as I wrote this piece. Two days ago, he announced that the CERB was being extended for at least another two months. There are many people, like musicians who simply can’t find other work and need this support until conditions improve.

I hope all levels of government will continue to support the arts community during these most unusual times.

That’s the tune I’m singing today.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. I was listening to “Q” on CBC radio yesterday morning. Tom Power was interviewing a professional wrestler with WWE. It was in the morning. I wasn’t drinking or trying experimental drugs. The wrestler informed the host that WWE has been deemed an “essential service” in Florida during the pandemic. This is the end of civilization as we know it.

 

Posted on June 15, 2020 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

 

A walk on the wild side

 

“I love walking because it clears your mind, enriches the soul, takes away stress, and opens your eyes to a whole new world.” Claudette Dudley.

I have used this space on more than one occasion to trumpet the merits of walking. While I can’t offer any new insights into this healthy pursuit, I believe that now, more than ever, people who have the gift of good health, might consider walking as good medicine during a pandemic.

I’m not about to suggest that you walk for hours at a time. Short walks in your own neighborhood might be a great place to start. Most experts suggest that new habits can be formed in 21 days. I know that I have developed some bad habits during these self-isolating times. It didn’t take me 21 days to resume my sugar addiction. I will confess that I have done my share to keep profits healthy at the NSLC!

I have accepted the fact that things aren’t going to return to normal any time soon, so I think we all need to hit the re-set button and figure out a plan for the next six months to a year. Healthy living is my number one priority.

It’s not like I have been sitting around on my arse for the past 2.5 months. I have kept my mind active writing a new book and doing 50 “live” Facebook shows but these were temporary diversions. I am one of the very lucky ones. At the end of July, I will return to the north to continue my education under the guise of teaching. Many people face uncertainty in the labour market.

I have walked or hiked almost every day since I ended my 14 -day self-isolation back in April. I have still managed to gain weight. This is an equation I plan to reverse.

Of all the walking I’ve done, my hikes with my son in the woods have been the most enjoyable. Once you step inside a forest, it is like entering a magical kingdom. It is particularly so at this time of the year with all the flora sprouting forth daily. I never realized how many different shades of green existed.

Pete and I chat on the trails but most of the time is spent in silence taking in the wonders of nature. All of one’s senses are on high alert. The smells are delectable. If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds chirping and the wind rustling the leaves. Invariably you find a small brook or stream running down the mountain with its cheerful gurgling urging you to stop and listen. The golden rays of the sun part the trees creating interesting lighting. Strawberry blossoms are plentiful.

As an older person with some creaky joints, most of my attention is focused on the path in front of me, trying to avoid tangled roots or indentations in the terrain… a metaphor for the pandemic.

I routinely have a song playing incessant loops in my head.

As you climb further and further, you can hear and feel the beating of your heart. You realize that you are alive and well, and incredibly blessed. Eventually, you reach the apex of your journey and make your descent back to reality.

Walking indeed clears the mind and is a great stress reliever. Your body will love you for it too.

Put your best foot forward.

Today might be a good day to start.

Have a great week.