2021! For some reason I can’t get over how futuristic that sounds. So far this year has been pretty similar to most of last year though, so not very exciting. I have been trying to come up with a topic for this post for a couple of weeks and not getting anywhere. I think I’m at the point in this pandemic where I’m just drifting along until something changes.
Since Christmastime, we’ve been working slow and steady on our ‘house deficiency list’. The majority of the list is related to patching, sanding and painting trim. It’s not difficult stuff, but it’s no fun. What is fun though, is seeing rooms actually start to look finished after all this time.
At this point, I can call the front entry and spare bedroom complete. The living room is pretty close; painting windowsills is a real challenge in this house because of Gilly, but they’re getting done in bits and pieces. We’re currently working on trim and a bit of drywall in the bathroom, hallway (that designation is a bit of a stretch since it’s only about 6 feet of space, but that’s what I’m calling it) and our bedroom. Those rooms could be done in a couple of weekends and that just leaves the kitchen. If we stay on track, we should be able to finish everything by the spring, as planned.
At the beginning of January, I started a 30 day yoga challenge. I’ve decided to aim for just weekdays, so it will take me 6 weeks instead of a month, but it’s working well and I’m only one day behind my self-imposed schedule. Having the weekends available as catch up days is helpful.
I started the online Indigenous Canada course at the beginning of the year and am doing one module per week. I just finished Week 5, which was about residential schools and the intergeneration trauma they caused for Indigenous communities. The course really just skims the surface of most of the topics, but it does a good job of providing a sense of the impact of historical events and how they relate to issues of today. There’s a lot to take in.
Speaking of historical events, on January 20th I watched the Presidential Inauguration for the first time ever. Previously I had never been invested enough in American politics to bother, but I’m really hoping that this is a turning point. Aside from the obvious change from a lunatic to a normal person, I find it hard to get enthusiastic about another old white guy in charge, but I am quite excited about there being a Madam Vice President. I found the ceremony surprisingly emotional, especially considering I don’t even live in the US. I have hope that some positive changes are happening.
Last weekend we did something a bit different: Axe Throwing. My sister had given us a gift certificate for Urban Axe Throwing for Christmas, so we booked the first activity we’ve participated in together in almost a year. I’ve been going to pottery classes, and Michel’s been going mountain biking, but other than that we’ve pretty much been at home. (I might be forgetting something, of course; it’s all becoming a bit of a blur.) Neither of us is likely to take up axe throwing as an ongoing hobby, but it was an interesting way to spend an hour.
As far as COVID-safe activities go, I would say it’s pretty good. The location is a large industrial space with lanes separated by chain link fences. Everyone wears masks and you’re limited to interacting with your own party, aside from a brief overview and demo by the staff.
After axe throwing we used the second part of our gift to go to Earl’s for an early dinner. This was our first time in a restaurant since we were on the island last fall. There was nothing wrong with the meal, but we decided we’re happy to continue getting take-out for the foreseeable future. Eating in a public place is just not the same carefree experience that it used to be, though the staff did seem like they were trying extra hard to be friendly and welcoming.
The final thing we did in January was something that has been on my to-do list for a couple of years: we made wills. We opted to do it ourselves using Willful, which is an online program. (And I now have a referral code. If you want it, let me know!) Once you fill in all the info, you have to print everything out and sign it for it to be valid. This part needs 2 witnesses, so I messaged our neighbours to ask if they would assist and as it turns out, they had made wills earlier in the year and never got around to that part, so they needed witnesses too. Perfect.
It was probably one of the stranger ‘social’ activities of the past year, but we spent an enjoyable hour under a canopy in the backyard, chatting and signing in our masks. Plus I got to check something off my list, which is always satisfying.
Now it’s February and we’re just going to keep doing as we’ve been doing. I have pretty much given up on trying to anticipate when we’ll be able to get back to a more normal social life, but I am looking forward to spring. I have a lot of garden and yard related things I want to get going on, and I am excited to start the process of turning our garage into a studio space. That will likely be a very drawn out project due to lack of funds, but it will give me time to source a lot of used and reclaimed items, which should be fun.
Dancing In Irreverence 