The autumn equinox was Tuesday which signifies for me that Nova Scotia has now had two entire seasons since COVID-19 restrictions began. We remain bubbled with the other three Atlantic provinces and require anyone coming in from outside the bubble to self-isolate for two weeks. I swear I am receiving emails from every hotel I’ve stayed at in the last ten years with deals to lure me away from home. I was planning to do a yearly road trip to Ontario in October. No go. Nova Scotia currently has only one known active case of the virus. I know how fortunate I am here.
The weather this month has been spectacular for hiking and the coloUrful fall foliage has started. But September also means hurricane season and we had to prepare this week for the arrival of Teddy. I spent an afternoon battening down the hatches on the rural property and was happy that the strength and duration of Teddy (landing as a post-tropical storm) was much less than forecast. Last year Hurricane Dorian caused a lot of damage and long power outages so I thought we deserved a Bye Year but there’s no negotiating with Mother Nature using sports analogies. This is September in Nova Scotia.
Earlier in the month, I took an Adventure Day and drove to Annapolis Royal, a small town I hadn’t been to since at least the early 1990’s. I did a hike, sipped a coffee sitting on the boardwalk, meandered through Fort Anne National Historic Site, and visited the Historic Gardens. Unexpectedly, Fort Anne turned out to be the highlight of the day because of my history. I was overwhelmed with memories of being there as a small child rolling down the steep grassy embankments. With nothing to roll into, we kids were free to run and roll. I walked the grounds with a big smile on my face.
The Adventure Day was part of my plan to have more fun and get out and enjoy the warm weather before it’s gone. But I’ve also been formulating a plan for winter. A 5-6 month Nova Scotia winter during a pandemic needs a mental health plan. Here’s what I have so far:
- Schedule hikes with friends and put it on the calendar. If we can’t have coffee afterwards inside or on a patio, bring a thermos with a hot drink, stay bundled up, and enjoy it sitting outdoors.
- Buy a book on the National Parks in Canada to plan hiking and camping trips next summer inside the bubble.
- Buy a just published coffee table book on the US National Parks to refresh good memories of my trips and to dream of new ones.
- Buy a 2021 desk calendar with a beautiful new photo of nature or parks every week.
- Visit friends and family where weather and physical distancing allow. Plan more frequent video calls with friends.
- Try a new hobby—quilting.
- Sign up for a video-streaming service.
- Join a weekly video call to meditate with sangha.
What’s on your pandemic winter plan?
References and related links:
- Sangha: a Buddhist community.
- Fort Anne National Historic Site (Parks Canada)
- under my nose (post #148)
- storm (post #123)
Dad says
Always interesting. Present day adventures and childhood memories. Your pandemic plan seems to be working well for you.
back is the new forward says
I’m glad you continue to enjoy : – )
Marlo says
Wow, Sheri, you have inspired me to create a winter plan myself. I will let you know what I come up with…..can’t keep up the wine much longer (or did I mean whine?).
back is the new forward says
Exciting! Can’t wait to hear what you contemplate. Yeah, wine (and whining) may be short term : – )