And six months later...part 2

part 2...

Then came August and the Covid-19 virus and all its awful implications were now firmly ingrained into our every thought and deed. We went nowhere without our masks and avoided people as much as possible, and when not, keeping our six feet distance. We were still safe on our mountain as the virus swept through the rest of the country but our borders remained closed and each month that passed the opening date was pushed further back. It seemed the USA remained the pariah of the world. We were still keeping the numbers of infected down in our area as the population diligently followed the health guidelines but who knew how long it would last. Planning to keep our big truck for at least another five years we had it painted earlier in the month and were very pleased with the results. Shortly afterwards we planned a trip to the Saguenay region, north of Quebec City, to look at a 28 foot pleasure craft that had caught my eye on Kijiji. I loaded the camper on the back of the truck and off we went, glad for a break and a change of scenery. We spent two days at a campground in Jonquière on Lac Kénogami, took the plunge and made an offer. Towing it home was a white knuckle drive in rain and traffic, then a night stopover in the Laurentides Wildlife Preserve. Co-owner Phil and kids came up to check it out at the boat and RV dealer in Megantic where we had left it for some minor maintenance and inspection. While here we all took a day trip up to the top of Mont Megantic to visit the Observatory (due to Covid-19 it was closed) and watch some para gliders. The following weekend we took the boat out for the first time on Lac Megantic, our closest and biggest lake, 10 miles long and 2 miles across. It was a beautiful day and everyone was thrilled. At the end of the month Marie and I drove to Embrun, Ontario to celebrate early birthdays for Damien and Declan. Christina had only invited a very few close neighbors so we all felt comfortable in their company.

August, our new old F250

August, the marina in Jonquière

August, our new Sunray, Laurentides Wildlife Preserve

August, campfire and marshmallows

August, Amy checking out Marie's tomato plants

August visit to Mont Megantic Observatory

August, first attempt to put the boat in Lac Megantic

August, cruising on the lake

August, two sweeties at the lake

August, Commodore Phil

August, visiting Aaron and his rabbits

August, William and Patsy

August, birthday boy Declan

August, cuddling up with Grandpapa

August, happy mom with birthday boys Damien and Declan

September on the mountain was hot and dry and it was the first time I had seen our pond completely dry up. Our frog population disappeared and we wouldn't see them now until spring. I eventually finished staining the siding for the garage and waited a few more days before our contractors began installing it.  I received my Pleasure Craft Operators Card in the mail after successfully writing and passing the National Boating course and test online with 84%. I was now ready to sail around the world! Phil came up early in the month to spend a few days sailing and to sleep on board the boat with the family. The following weekend he bought up a small inflatable tender which we tried out with Amy and William on the lake, much to everyone's fun. We managed to empty the black water tank at the marina before our planned trip to Sherbrooke where we would get the boat winterized and shrink wrapped. In the meantime we had a parking area made at our lake property where we would be storing it for the winter. Winter was far from our minds though as the weather stayed warm and our tomato plants were still providing us their delicious fruit. By now the leaves were in full colour across the Eastern Townships. But the pandemic was still forefront in our minds and we continued to practice safe distancing, washing our hands constantly and wearing our masks. These face coverings were now becoming more and more personalized as they became a normal part of our daily attire.  With October on the horizon bringing colder weather and flu season, fears were now mounting for a second wave of Covid.  Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations were suddenly in doubt.  gws

September, another beautiful weekend on the lake

September, our new boat parking lot

September, siding being up in carport

September, fall colours

September, trying out the new tender

September, and a last walk to our lake

September, garage exterior finished!

And six months later...part 1

It is now October and over a million people have succumbed to the Corona-19 virus that has changed the world forever. We are prisoners on our own planet, afraid to touch or touch out to one another, reluctant to travel across town or to laugh, love and live like we did just six months ago. Although we constantly think about and remember the good old days it is still hard to accept that life might never be the same again. If we can embrace the words of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who said ''that which does not kill us, makes us stronger" we might even maintain a positive outlook for the future. Here then is a summary of life for us this unforgettable and unbelievable spring and summer of 2020....

April, when we thought we could still gather together at Tony's with some degree of safety

April, a last fling at winter to remind us nature is in control

Winter , which had refused to depart this area finally succumbed and with the arrival of spring new hope for a better world filled our hearts. We were told to be safe and follow the governments guidelines as we tried to cling to a sense of normalcy. Life for a while went on for us here as per usual, social distancing and the wearing of masks not yet the norm. Hand washing seemed to be the order of the day. And lots of it. We often thought of our cancelled European trip and wondered if we might do it the following year, unaware of how unrealistic that dream would soon become. But how refreshing to leave behind the cold and suddenly bask in the hot sun again at our little lake property and start a garden for the first time in many years. And with the arrival of three Rhode Island Reds, Loretta, Patsy and Dolly, we were feeling like part time farmers once again!

May, the time of new growth, hair included

May, when we decided to raise chickens for eggs

May, the time of new life as a baby goose

May, and the ice has finally gone from our lake

May, Marie starts a garden on the deck

As spring gave way to summer the pandemic swept around the world, throwing lives into turmoil. Fear and the possibility of someone you knew or loved becoming a victim became a constant threat hanging over our heads. We shopped from home and kept to a small circle of friends, apprehensively visiting Phil and Fer in Montreal for mine and William's birthday, then later driving into the country north of the city for a most delicious picnic in a real apple orchard. We brought the two grandkids home with us for two weeks, promising to be safe and to have as much fun as possible. Which we did - kayaking on our lake, swimming, catching snakes, butterflies and frogs and going for daily rides in our VTT. 

June, and a wonderful experience for William and Amy at the Cabane d'a Coté

June, a celebration for William and Gary 

June, time to replace our old house batteries 

June, and everything is growing to Marie's delight

June, time to get reacquainted with my frogs

June, the garage is an ongoing endless project

June fun in Lac Megantic

June is the time for Amy to catch butterflies

June, two weeks with Grandmama and Grandpapa

June, three eggs a day collected by William

June, at our swimming hole

July arrived with no let down from the hot, dry weather or the creeping, silent killer that was infecting all levels of society and the way we lived. How different and strange life now seemed six months ago. We all still held hope a vaccine would soon be developed and the trials begin. The news became grimmer each day as the bodies piled up. The numbers in Quebec were improving though and we felt we were doing something right. Fernanda and Phil drove up to pick up the grandkids, but before they returned to Montreal we all went to a local you-pick, Ferme Marichère Roy in Nantes, and picked three large containers of strawberries. Later in the month I finished the fence on the north east side of the property and began clearing brush and trees on our lake property. We spent a few nights camping there, safe from anything and everyone, thankful we were not yet confined to home. The cedar siding for the garage was delivered and I spent every day for the next two weeks staining it. 

July, snake hunting with brave Amy and William

July, strawberry picking at a local farm

July, saying goodbye to Grandmama and Grandpapa

 

July, our lake property, a good place to relax and be alone

July, camping

July, staining cedar siding for the garage

to be continued.....