For the last few months, I’ve been focused on nothing more than getting my vaccinations, so that I could do my part in keeping the community safe and bringing back a degree of normalcy to our lives. Now that I’ve received both doses, and once my symptoms subsided, my attention turned quickly to next steps. Vaccine passports are definitely on …
Tips to help book your very own ‘nearly painless’ process
Thursday I received my first vaccination for COVID-19, and I feel like I have joined a secret club; that of those who beat Sault Ste. Marie’s vaccination registration system. It’s frustrating when you know that other regions and provinces aren’t facing the same difficulties, and when you learn that your twin city across the border has vaccines available … if …
Afraid to say pandemic brings on phobias
Today I experienced a new form of anxiety, dare I say, even a phobia. As a placeholder, I’m going to call it engytitaphobia. While I am an introvert, this fear (phobia in Greek) of nearness, or closeness, or proximity (engytita in Greek) is new to me. It’s been brought on by the pandemic, the health threat that others have potentially …
Misinformation, hypocrisy make COVID weigh more heavily
I may not be sick, but I’m tired. I’m tired of COVID. I’m tired of misinformation from all levels. I’m tired of feeling like not enough of us are taking this seriously. I’m tired that the weight for so much of this is on the shoulders of us to personally figure out what to do since we aren’t getting enough …
No need to sugar-coat COVID realities
Ontario’s response to COVID-19 has, at times, seemed restrictive, other times appropriate, still other times too lenient. Overall, there seems to be a lack of information and a lack of evidence-based decision-making leading to questionable pronouncements benefitting certain stakeholders, while those preaching the rules feel that they are above them. Let’s start with the fact that the province was locked …
2020 not such a bummer of a year after all
Dear 2020, You’ve been getting a lot of flak, but I want to say that I see method in your madness, and I am choosing to focus on the positives you’ve brought us. Firstly, I’d like to thank you for an even closer bond with my teens. I didn’t think it was possible, but our quarantine time strengthened us as …
For the love of buying local
As snow starts to dust our rooftops, thoughts of shopping for the holidays are like subtle sugar plum fairies dancing in my head. The pandemic accelerated our rate of online shopping this year, and that trend will likely continue, but take a minute to consider what happens if we don’t support local. Also think about what will occur if we …
What exactly is the end game for COVID-19?
It’s October and with that comes a renewed passion for scary movies. For me, the increasing polarization of society is horror movie scary. Aside from race relations, one of the top polarizing issues right now is COVID-19 and how we should be acting and reacting to keep ourselves, our friends and families, and greater communities safe. Opening schools was one …
Making most of time during pandemic
Staying at home during COVID-19, while challenging, offered opportunities for those of us who used the time wisely. When it all started, my teens had dreams of our time at home being an extended vacation. I told them that whatever this time was, we would make the best of it. I wrote up a guideline for our time, saying that …
Food baby nesting offers delicious sense of satisfaction
When you’re pregnant, you enter a nesting phase where you have a palpable need to get your house ready for the impending bundle of joy. Setting up a beautiful, functional room for the baby is top of mind, including cleaning, painting, and buying a lot of gear. My nesting right now is kitchen-related, as I seem to be getting ready …