Keeping active and amused!

Every day we go for a walk.  We've been walking since the spring and it's really helped with weight loss.  Cec will only walk for 30 minutes because that's what the doctor told him to do.  My brother-in-law Richard is missing golf so he joins us.  We leave Cec at the 30 minute mark and continue on for a longer walk.  Our weather has been amazing.  When it rains, we have rain gear.  Walking in the rain is really refreshing.  We don't walk when it's below zero as we don't want to fall in black ice.

My travel buddy and longtime friend Laurie told me yesterday her and other friend did a 29K bike ride to Mud Bay!  Way to go Laurie!

I've seen wonderful videos from Europe of people going on their balconies and singing or playing an instrument.  We can't take the piano out, but waiting for Richard to walk this morning, I took this video.  Cec rarely plays for friends.  He just sits down and plays from his heart.  I studied music for a few years.  I wrote the Grade 6 Royal Conservatory of Music exam.  I am a mechanical pianist and haven't played for years.  Cec took lessons for two years!  His father played by ear and he got the gift.  We hoped Cheryl or Lexie got it, but so far it hasn't shown up.  In the background of the video you can see his paintings.  Another gift he discovered in 2001 when he retired.  Our house is full of his paintings.  He didn't know I video'd this until the end. 

Cec playing the piano

Thank you to everyone for sending the humour!  Let's stop watching the news and enjoy a laugh.

Time for some humour!

Travel between Canada and US is suspended

My grandfather attended this ceremony!

Canada and United States closed their borders except for trade and essential services.   I was hoping this would have been implemented earlier but at least they've done it now.  Many snowbirds have received notification from their insurance companies, their coverage is terminated in ten days.  Lots of them are flocking to the border.

Many countries have also closed their borders and many countries have closed their ports.  Here is the latest information:

Ports Currently Closed to Cruise Ships

Australia: Tasmania closed on March 15. Other ports are allowing ships currently sailing to return; if the ship sailed via a foreign port, all passengers must self-isolate for 14 days. International cruise ships are banned for 30 days from March 16.

British Virgin Islands: On March 14, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, the Government of the Virgin Islands announced the immediate closure of the Tortola cruise port, allowing no cruise ships to call on the territory for a 30 day period in an effort to protect the Territory from potential contamination. At present there are no confirmed cases in the islands.

Canada: All Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships with more than 500 passengers through July 1, 2020.

Cayman Islands: As of March 16, the Cayman Islands will close to cruise ship traffic for 60 days.

Chile: Chile cruise ports have blocked cruise ships from calling, but there is no word yet on when the ban will be lifted.

Cook Islands: All cruise ships and yachts are banned from entering Cook Islands waters until June 30, subject to weekly review.

Czech Republic: Beginning March 16, a ban to entry is extended to all foreigners.

Denmark: All of Denmark's cruise ports are closed to ship traffic from March 14 until at least April 13, 2020.

Doha: Qatar's capital, Doha, has closed its port to cruise ships until further notice.

Ecuador: From March 16, foreigners will not be allowed to enter Ecuador, including by cruise ship. Anyone wishing to visit the Galapagos must first undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in Ecuador before being allowed to proceed.

Estonia: Cruise ships will not be permitted to dock in Estonia until at least May 1.

Fiji: All cruise ships are banned from entering Fiji.

Hong Kong: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong has shut both its cruise terminals until further notice as cruise lines cancel sailings and adjust itineraries to avoid calls on several Asia ports due to the coronavirus outbreak.

India: The Government of India will no longer allow entry to cruise ships to its ports.

Israel: Israel is closing itself to tourism, asking tourists to leave the country and automatically quarantining any foreign visitors for 14 days upon arrival.

Italy: The entire country of Italy is in a government mandated lock down. No cruises are permitted to visit.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: The Malyasian port of Kota Kinabalu has closed itself to all cruise ship traffic.

Malaysia: The country has closed its cruise ports to cruise ships following a decision taken by the Health Ministry and Transport Ministry.

Maldives: The Government of Maldives announced new precautionary measures on February 26 that include a temporary ban on all cruise ships from entering and docking in the Maldives.

Marshall Islands: Borders closed to all international travelers arriving by cruise ship until March 22.

Mexico: Borders closed to all international travelers arriving by cruise ship until April 20.

New Caledonia: Three New Caledonian ports -- Lifou, Mare and Isle of Pines -- remain closed after tribal chiefs made an unprecedented decision to bar cruise traffic. Cruise lines are in communication with the local chiefs to attempt to find a solution to the disruptions.

New Zealand: All New Zealand ports are closed to cruise ships through June 30.

Norway: All visitors coming into Norway will have to quarantine for 14 days, making it impossible for those coming by cruise ship to visit the country.

Poland: From March 13, non-Polish citizens are banned from entering the country.

Portugal (including Azores and Madeira): Portugal is no longer allowing cruise ships to disembark, with the exception of residents of Portugal returning home. Madeira is not allowing cruise ships to dock at all. The Azores has mandated that cruise ships receive approval from health authorities in order to dock. (An end date to the ban was not announced.)

Peru: Peru is prohibiting cruise ships from docking at its ports for at least 30 days starting March 16.

Russia: Russia has temporarily banned all foreigners from entering the country. The measures take effect on March 18 and run through May 1.

Samoa: All cruise ships will not be granted entry into Samoa until further notice.

Singapore: Singapore is closed to all cruise ship visits until further notice.

Slovakia: Passenger cruise vessels are not allowed to enter harbors in Slovakia as of March 13. They can, however, sail through without stopping.

South Korea: South Korea has implemented a temporary ban on all cruise ships docking at its ports. For February, the only ship scheduled to call in was Holland America Line's Westerdam, which was barred from entering mutiple ports.

Spain: All cruise ships have been banned from stopping at any of Spain's ports from March 13 until March 26. An exception will be made for passengers disembarking before March 15.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has closed to all cruise passengers, however it is allowing ships to dock to take on supplies and refuel.

Tahiti: French Polynesia has closed its cruise ports to cruise ships as of March 12. Tahiti remains closed until April 11, 2020.

Taiwan: Keelung and other cruise ports in Taiwan closed their doors to cruise traffic on February 6, (making one exception on February 7 for a ship called Super Star Aquarius, which had a large number of Taiwanese passengers onboard).

Tasmania: Cruise ships are banned from calling on Tasmania until June 30.

Trinidad and Tobago: The government has suspended all cruise ship visits to Trinidad and Tobago through the end of this cruise season (April 24, 2020).

United Arab Emirates: It was confirmed on March 8 by Celebrity Cruises that the UAE, which includes the ports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has closed its ports to cruise ships.

USA: In California, Monterey has closed itself to cruise ships through the end April, forcing the cancelation of visits from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. Santa Barbara has also closed itsk cruise ships until further notice. Bar Harbor, Maine has closed until the end of April, forcing the cancellation of a visit by HAL's Zaandam.

Vietnam: Two ports common on Mekong River cruises are closed. Halong Bay closed March 12 and will remain closed for at least two weeks (no day or overnight cruises permitted). Lan Ha Bay is closed until further notice.

Thursday already, my time flies when you are having fun!

Yesterday when we went for a walk, we saw a family with young children, biking.  They looked like they were really enjoying themselves.  Another boy was jumping on his trampoline in the back yard and we saw a cul de sac with two hockey nets!   It's great to see kids out playing.

I had relatives who lived in London during the blitz in World War 2.  They talked of hoarding and rationing.  They told us what it was like to live without many essentials while bombs dropped all night.  Anne Frank and seven others stayed in 450 square feet for 761 days and we all know how that ended.  Being quarantined in our homes with all the conveniences and electronics is not suffering.  Now is the time to count your blessings.

I'm hoping all our entitled children and grandchildren see how things can go sideways.  They are now being helped by our Canadian Government for their financial needs.  My friend in South Surrey goes to a church that yesterday went to neighbourhood houses and dropped off letters.  They told them if they need help the church is there for them.  Along with the letter came a flower, such a wonderful gesture.  This situation is bringing out the best in our community.

Dr. Bonnie Henry is so reassuring when she comes on TV every day.  Her moto:

BE KIND, BE CALM, BE SAFE

David Abel the UK gentlemen who was doing a You Tube broadcast while being quarantined on the Diamond Princess is now back in the UK.  He's recovered and did an interview with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain yesterday.  I thought it was very interesting.  I'm glad I found it on You Tube.

Good Morning Britain

When I lost a close relative, tragically, I saw a grief counselor.  It was not my choice, it was done for me.  I've never been in counselling but I must say her words still resonate with me.  She said, turn off the news, watch the comedy channel.  I've stopped watching news all day as it never stops and it's disturbing.  I do watch the 6 o'clock news and then we put on the Comedy Channel or a nice PBS musical tribute.  If we can't find anything on TV, we turn to Netflix.  It's helped me through some rough times.

If you want a good laugh, watch The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Home Edition.  He did his show last night from his kid's play room.  His wife is the camera woman.  His two beautiful daughters climb all over him.  He then interviews Lin Manuel Miranda who films from his house.  He's home schooling his kids and does a lovely song from his living room.  Very relaxing and very funny.  If you can't find it on your PVR, I found it on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOS7e6UTNPI

Today, I'm doing "take out dinner".  I've sent emails to my non-vegetarian friends.  I am making a huge batch of chili and you can come over and eat at a distance, or stop by the door with a casserole dish.   If you didn't get an invite and want chili text me and if there is some left over I'll call you.  Whatever is left will freeze and that's another night I won't have to cook!

Let's hope this isn't me in a month!

Wednesday

Our May coach trip to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore was cancelled.  It was a good call and although we are disappointed we are also relieved.  They are going to reschedule for next September or May 2021.  I hope they chose May as if this is over I'll be in South Africa in September.

I've wanted to go to Costco.  I've seen the videos online about the long lines and mayhem and I've stayed away.  Yesterday I went to King of Floors to get a key and talked to Leslie.  Her brother works at the Costco in Abbotsford and he told her not to go at opening but later in the day is okay.

We got up early, went for our walk and around 10 decided to drive to Abbotsford.  It's a nice drive and we took the scenic route.  To my surprise there were parking spaces!  Gas was lined up as it was 99.9 cents a litre.  We didn't need gas as I filled up Monday night at the Chevron station close to home and paid $1.129 which thrilled me at the time.

Inside Costco was normal.  No on pushing, running or fighting!  Everyone was pleasant and no one appeared to be hoarding.  Apparently I missed the toilet paper by 10 minutes according to the lady in the line ahead of me at the check out but I don't need it.  The only thing on my list I couldn't get was chicken thighs.  They had lots of chicken breasts but Cec prefers thighs.   I got all the fruit and and vegetables that I normally buy.  There were only two people ahead of me at the cash register.   I overheard a Costco employee tell a customer toilet paper would be available the next day, be there early.  Apparently they line up around the store to get in at opening. 

We are not eating out.  I notice every time I cough.  I don't have a cold but my throat gets dry so I'm drinking more water.  I can't believe how itchy my face is!   I'm sure it always was but I am only noticing it now.  I need a manicure....oh well, I guess I'll have to do it myself.  I'm glad I had my hair cut a week ago because if I cut my hair that would just be a catastrophe.

I don't need to worry about roots or eyelashes, but nails and eyebrows are going to suffer!

Staying at home?

I am enjoying it at home.  We went for a long walk and saw many of our neighbours!  Some we've never met on our walks.  We all say "good morning" and wave at each other.

I already have a "to do" list but if I get bored, I'll check some of the boxes on this one.

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

     And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

    And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed." ~Kitty O'Meara

Is Social Distancing in our future?

 

It's been a very quiet weekend.  On Saturday we went to a family dinner at Cheryl's for Lexie's 15th birthday.  The other grandparents who live in Courtney decided to stay at home which was a good call.  I don't blame them as the ferry sailings are being scaled back.   Cheryl made a wonderful Irish Stew and had a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.  

Yesterday we went for our usual morning walk and then walked to Big Ridge for dinner with Richard.  Richard told us he walked to Dollartree and most stores in the mall are credit and debit only, no cash sales.  When we got to Big Ridge there was a sign on the door, no cash, debit or credit only.  I made a reservation and although it wasn't full there were a lot of tables taken.  I did notice all the tables were bare.  No salt, pepper, condiments or the "flip" menu of drinks were on the table.

Business as usual

All the flip menus were sitting on a table in the section they closed off

Our waitress was worried about her job.  The Federal Government announced anyone laid off will receive unemployment benefits immediately.

Tomorrow at 10 AM, our Prime Minister is making a "significant" announcement.  Let's see what the next step will be.