Never a dull moment!

 July 12 2022

 

July has been a stressful month for me. Nothing compared to the folks living in a war zone in Ukraine or those still struggling with the effects of Covid 19, or without work. And there are many looking for the next meal. 

My stress is none of the above. As a woman of a certain age and being profoundly deaf it can cause all sorts of issues. 

 

I live in a condo and the condo board decided to search for a water leak that was happening in the underground garage. Yes, my unit is directly over the garage and in their wisdom, management had jackhammers break up my patio and dig out the lovely garden that is in front of my bedroom windows. I moved all my patio furniture and they barricaded me in!

That was three weeks ago.

 

So, I decided they didn’t have enough water issues to contend with and I managed to flood my kitchen. Not only did I have my kitchen under an inch of water I flooded the garage! I’ve never been known to do things by half. 

 

How did this happen? I ran the tap water over a few dishes in the sink with the plug inserted, as you do. I picked up my coffee cup and sat down to watch the morning news. So, maybe 20-25 minutes later I took my cup to the sink… This is one of the hazards of being hard of hearing or deaf. I never hear water running and was probably still half asleep. That's my story and I’m sticking to it.

 

This means, I now have workmen outside pouring tar and drilling. Industrial-size blowers went for 48 hours to dry everything around the sink area after the contractors lifted the sodden floors.  This is a work in progress but the one highlight of all this commotion and upheaval is, that I can take the hearing aids out and I don’t hear a thing. I hope it all gets done before the summer is gone.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we had the Friday debacle with Rogers. I was cut off my phone the same as the rest of the country. I have Fido for my cell phone and don’t use my landline anymore. Personally, I don’t need to be connected 24 hours to folks but as it caused untold hardship to some who use Interact for business it must have been a worry.

 

On Sunday I took myself off to a book fair that I saw advertised. I needed to get out of the house and it was a beautiful day for a drive. I’ll tell you about the Bookfair in our August Blog-Letter.

 

When I returned later that afternoon tired and hot, I sat at my computer to check if Liz had been nagging me to get the lead out as she was waiting on an update.  No computer and no lights would come on in either my office or the bedroom!! NO INTERNET! Tragedy. The air was blue! If you know me you’ll understand that I’m not tech-savvy and anything electrical is beyond me. 

 

I texted Liz who walked me through lots of scenarios. I kept talking about fuses and was corrected. They are now called breakers. I fiddled around with the electric panel and did as she directed. No, go. I said I’d call an electrician in the morning. I went off to bed in the dark.

 

This morning I gave it one last try and moved the “breakers” and low and behold everything came back on. Must have been my magic fingers. So I’m back in business.

 

So what are these workmen doing now? They’ve sprayed all the outside with, what looks like snow and ice, and are testing to see if it melts into the garage I guess.

 

 

I smiled nicely at them and offered coffee and asked when I’d get my patio back. Maybe next week I was told. Hmm, we shall see.

 

Yes, 1st world problems. Still stressful but with Liz’s expertise not just with the writing but as an electrician I should be fine. Now back to the writing.

 

 

Retirement, The Virus, and Isolation. Oh My!

By now I don’t have to do a background on COVID-19 do I?  We’re probably all weary of the news, numbers, and how everyone is coping with being isolated from family and friends. Basically it sucks!  But if my staying put means I keep one medical staffer safe, or reduce the strain on emergency supplies, then it’s a small price to pay.

So, ‘nuff about COVID – other than to say it took the wind right out of my retirement sails!

No Description Required!

Yes, my long anticipated day of freedom from the corporate world was to be March 31 2020. But global events put a crimp in that date!  Began the first week of March, when our whole floor (approx. 200 people) was quarantined for 14 days due to one staff member testing positive for COVID-19. The push was then on to have everyone geared up to work from home. Something so many of us had wanted for years and if in place earlier might have meant I would have stayed a little longer.

Back at work on Monday March 23 with only a handful of us on the floor. As I was due to be gone the following week it was decided working from home not an option for me.  Vacation time was owed me, so my last official day was Thursday March 26.  Hardly anyone to say good bye to, and definitely no hugs. We all walked around each other at arm’s length and waved goodbye from a distance. A deflated, anti-climactic end to almost 22 years with the bank. The planned retirement celebration lunch was cancelled. Apparently to be re-arranged at a later date – perhaps by Christmas???

And oh the irony. Pam has been anxiously awaiting my freedom from 9-5 so we could have regular “JT days” and now we can’t get together!  We have video conferencing as next best option. And it’s been working with our Genre5 Author group to provide the 5 of us with a weekly chat. Video conferencing has been a great option for family gatherings as well.

Have to admit though I’ve been finding it hard to settle down to write. Our work in progress, “Beholden To None” is under edit now. We’ve had great feedback from two  beta readers and are working through the suggestions for the third draft. I’m grateful that Pam and I do have the ability to work online, but it doesn’t compare to the face to face environment.

It’s so hard not being able to get together with family and friends. But at least my linen closet, pantry, and CD collection are now organized. I may have to do a toothpick inventory later this week – depending on my schedule of course.

Our Genre5 group are participating in a group writing exercise for fun. Will let you know how that turns out. I liked the idea so much, I started a similar activity with some willing family members.

Genre5 Author Group - Donna Warner, Liz Lindsay, Donna Houghton, Gloria Ferris, Pam Blance

And I’ve taken to journaling this past month. Wish I’d started sooner, but am finding that it’s become both a good outlet for my writing and satisfying as a potential documentation of these historic days we are in. And there you have it – right back to COVID-19 again!

I rest my case. This pandemic colours everything we do right now. So I’ll finish by reiterating my appreciation for front line workers. Hospital medical staff, emergency responders, transit operators, truck drivers and retail workers. 

I have a beautiful daughter-in-law who is a nurse in our city's General Hospital, and my wonderful husband drives a city bus here as well. Both literally risk their lives each day they work. Love you both so much.

When will normal return? No one knows, but I will do my part and know that the sun will shine, social distancing will end and books will be read!

Stay safe, keep healthy.

Liz