simpler-living report: CY21Q2

I’m happy to report I’m double-vaxxed!  Hurrah! It surprised me how different I felt after the second shot—not different as in side effects but different as in feeling like progress was being made, like a corner was turned.  At the end of June, the Nova Scotia border was re-opened to the rest of Canada*.  As of yesterday, 74.1% of the entire population here has had at least one vaccine dose and there are only 28 known active COVID-19 cases.

I was on budget again in the second quarter. Three areas of fondness and expense to call out:

Little Car.  This spring, my Toyota subcompact clicked over to a 16-year old car.  After the ouchy expense of wheel bearing repairs in March, the little car got more love in Q2: new summer tires, a fix for an oil leak (really obvious when you have a designated spot in a parking garage), and filling a rock chip in the windshield. Back in 2005, Toyota’s Prius was still new in Canada, was twice as expensive as my subcompact, and didn’t get much better mileage. I took the time recently to think about and research what I might do if I have to make a sudden decision on a new vehicle.  The longer I can wait to replace my beloved hatchback, the more technology for electric vehicles (and the infrastructure here) will improve.

Outdoor Gear.  I don’t mind that some of my outdoor clothing is old (10+ years) if it’s in good shape.  But my last bathing suit, which had started life as a beautiful turquoise tankini, had to be put in the recycling bag a couple years ago.  It seemed sad that I had bought that last suit in 2009, sad that I hadn’t replaced it, and sad that I hadn’t gone swimming all last summer. So I finally got around to buying a new swimsuit.  I also bought an item I have probably dissed in the past—a fanny pack.  Yes.  This thing is handy (and comfortable) when I don’t need to carry a backpack and is getting lots of use on hikes, bike rides, and urban walks.  And I finally found a stretchy ballcap that fits just right (and replaces three slightly uncomfortable hiking ballcaps that went in the recycling bag along with the old swimsuit).

Local Pottery.  My kitchen dishes were drastically downsized when I moved in 2017 and my preference is hand-made items (minimizing maven Marie Kondo would say it sparks joy for me) so I bought a few new pieces from Nova Scotia potters this quarter.  When I learned that a particular potter was retiring, I went to her workshop and enjoyed meeting her and buying a few items.  When I was living out west, I was gifted some of her pieces and, years later, I was delighted to realize they were by the same potter who had made a serving bowl I’ve had since the 1980’s. 

Here’s what happens when you are particular about the coloUrs you choose for gear and clothing: you end up unintentionally with a matching ensemble.  A biking buddy was quick to point out when my tee, fanny pack, and water bottle all matched my bike (teal).  I remember being on a hike out west, wearing a turquoise shirt and turquoise Gilligan hat, and a stranger saying “you don’t look like a matchy-matchy kind of gal.”  I’m not.  But, obviously, I’m not going out of my way to not make it happen. 

*Self-isolation restrictions depend on vaccination status.

References and related links:

• CY21Q2: Calendar Year 2021, Second Quarter (April to June).  Calendar Year distinguishes from a company’s Financial Year (FY) which may have a different start date than January 1^st.
• simpler-living report: CY21Q1 (post #160)