The Saturday Before Monday

 It is the Saturday before Monday when masks will be mandatory and there will be no longer be groups larger than 10.  Bars, restaurants, gyms, churches, and casinos will remain open.  One reporter asked Dr. Roussin about attending a wedding with 50 people next weekend.  Dr. Roussin said it would now be a wedding with 10 people.  But, if a restaurant can still be open to capacity, can't they just say it is a coincidence that they are all gathering for a wedding?  Last evening, I went to get groceries and noticed a line more than a block long for people to get into the liquor store.  I don't know if this is people preparing to spend more time at home or what?  I note that the City can not enforce the bylaw on smoking so how is the mask mandate going to work?  There were 65 new cases announced in Manitoba.  September sucks big time.  One of my facebook friends sarcastically asked for more pictures of leaves to be posted, but, truly, they are beautiful and we need all the smiles we can handle.  

None of us have had a real holiday since March. I know that sounds a little bit elitist but seriously it is difficult to feel energized when we don't have a holiday planned for to look forward to.  Whatever you think of Brian Pallister, he has seriously aged this year.  I think we are all looking forward to some joy.  

Our grandson has started pre-school which is attached to an elementary school.  When he went to school on Thursday, he ran into a group of 6 graders on the playground saying "Hey, everyone, Ollie's back."  The little man brings us so much joy.  It seems all we do is talk about him.  He is in another province so we haven't seen him so it is just not the same.  

Meanwhile, I am watching my husband slowly die.  I mean, we are all dying, that is one thing we all have in common.  We are all living and dying at the same time.  So, I don't mean that my husband is going to be dying soon, but, he is dying a little quicker than I would like.  One of the ways my husband prospers is by volunteering.  He volunteers for so many organizations and causes and we had a rich social life.  Our calendar used to be filled with commitments and now we use our calendar to track our toilet paper usage.  Sports was such a big deal in his life and now some sports or back, but, it is not the same.  

Also, I may not be blogging as much which is how I keep myself healthy.  My laptop is also quickly dying. I really don't know what to do about that. Do I buy used or go shopping for new?  It seems like a huge decision and one that I don't seem to be able to contemplate.  At the same time, we are all slowing down, I feel this great sense of urgency for life.  

My husband had one social outing recently.  He went to trivia night at Wee Johnny's in the Exchange.  Wee Johnny's is a great neighbourhood bar.  It is small venue and has a commitment to making our city better.  They support local and is a little spot that few people know.  He went to trivia night.  His team of 4 were the only team wearing masks.  There were seven teams in total.  He sat next to the wall so he was over 10 feet away from anyone other than his team. (His team won, by the way.)  I don't know if you have ever been to a trivia night, but, I can tell you that they don't attract big drinkers.  Trivia night is about an hour and a half and most people will have one 7-Up.  So, I think Wee Johnny's takes a loss on trivia night.  Anyway, it appears that there was potential exposure that night, so trivia has now been cancelled.  He completely understands, but, it is so disappointing.  It seems like you can do everything right, but, your efforts might be for naught.  

Happily, we have both had a lot of strife in our lives.  We know what difficult times look like, so that makes it easier.  People who have led charmed lives are having more trouble with the pandemic.  Those who have lived with money and privilege throughout their lives have been spared from the consequence of developing a conscience. 

I define myself as a social justice warrior and that is becoming a hard gig right now.  There is so much divisiveness now.  It is weird that there is so much that divides us.  Things that are just basic common sense.  

So, it is hard even to know what to say.  If I continue blogging will depend on the kindness of my laptop.  Again, something out of my control.  I can assure you, though, if I continue to blog, there will be leaf pictures !!!