Chapter 13

Hello Everyone,

Here we are, from the three H's of summer to almost winter in Canada, coming to you through my Update. It is long overdue, for that I am sorry. As you are all immersed in the spectacular Autumn season in Japan, our leaves have fallen to the ground and flurries are in the forecast. However, we did enjoy the beauty of nature, and along with it I have hiked, cycled, and taken in the arts. Sit down with your favourite Autumn drink and come listen to my adventures.

Without any hesitation, let me say that COVID is continually affecting us, but for the most part we have grown accustomed to the ever-changing regulations and conditions that curtail our activities. As I sit down to write on a cold afternoon we have been placed into lockdown once again for twenty-eight days. This latest confinement will keep us out of the shopping malls, gyms, restaurants, cinemas, and other such non-essential businesses. We have come to understand our responsibilities attached to these COVID times. On the other hand, we realize that this virus has actually only touched less than one percent of our population in Canada to date. So out of 37,873,946 people we are reaching 350,000 positive cases so far. The importance of even just one life cannot be diminished, though some would argue that the government should not shutter the economy just the same. Of course, if COVID has struck down someone dear to you, the economic status does not matter in the least. Okay now that I have the current situation of this pandemic in Canada stated, allow me to tell you about Autumn in Canada for me.

Hiking was undertaken by me on a few occasions over the last few months. There is no shortage of gorgeous hiking trails in Ontario. From the city trails to the country trails, beautiful scenery can be found all around. One particular hike was discovered in the heart of Toronto. We started in a cemetery which dated back to the latter half of the 1800s, that's old for us in North America. From the cemetery, there were many trails with running/hiking paths extending out to a ravine, to green areas that meander throughout the city, and on a course that weaves through a very high-end area showcasing wonderfully unique and expensive homes. The richest of rich in Toronto live on these streets in the Tudor, Edwardian, and Victorian-style homes. We are certainly influenced by the British. Another such hike was a surprising location for me. We ended up parking the car right across from one of my old high schools. A small but splendid waterfall was the first piece of nature on the trail. From there a three-hour arduous hike up and down, and through forests and fields, while all around magnificently coloured leaves revealed the vibrant Fall colours. We did earn our sweat that day as exhaustion set in when we finished. But what better way to acknowledge our feat than source out a patio on the waterfront for our belated lunch/early dinner. A cold local brewsky (beer), served with a homemade style hamburger and sweet potato fries while listening to a marching band practicing outside as the sun began to set. A picture perfect, sound perfect, comfortable end to a great day.

This brings me to an Immersive art exhibition by Van Gogh that I have been fortunate enough to see twice, not once, to date. First time was an outing to celebrate my sister's birthday, a requested destination by her. It was a drive-in, socially distanced, mask wearing exhibition with art and lights on the warehouse walls. Van Gogh came alive in front of our very eyes with pictures and sounds to take the viewer into his world of creations through 600,000 cubic feet of projections, 60,600 frames of video, and 90,000,000 pixels. Again, we went back for a second viewing, this time with the same three, Rachel and my sister, and now her daughter, who is an elementary school teacher. We needed to take the stressed-out teacher who is facing the educational system during COVID, away for a break. It is difficult to say the least to teach first graders at the best of times. However, while wearing masks and attempting to socially distance for an entire day takes the hardships to the next level. She happens to be a big fan of Van Gogh so absolutely loved the art experience. Apparently, this is a completely new way of encountering art during the Corona Virus situation. Not to mention that those employed in this industry can continue to be employed during these uncertain times. I loved it as well and would go back a third time if the opportunity presented itself.

We have hiking, art, and COVID taken care of, how about hearing about the latest cycling adventure? A plan was in place to do the G2G Rail Trail cycling path. This is an abandoned rail trail where once the trains ran, linking two places, the city of Guelph to the town of Goderich on the shores of Lake Huron. We were going to challenge ourselves for Rachel's 27th birthday. We had it all planned out and were ready to begin on Sunday morning, wearing our brain bucket (helmet) and bundled up in mitts, hats, and coats. We started out while light snow flurries were beginning to appear. We cycled 11 kilometres to the trail and 15 km on the trail, with our cadence very low. The flurries began to descend on us in the form of real snow, no longer light flurries. It was cold and the sun was not shining. The snow continued to fall, never ending. We were well into the three-hour mark on the clock, with every pedal rotation feeling like torture. I love cycling, but this journey was onerous, burdensome, strenuous, relentless, gruelling, do you get my sentiment? The trail was picture perfect especially in the snow, but that was the extent of any pleasurable sense. Our death grip on the handlebars was too much as we tried to stay in a narrow trail left by an electric snow bike that had long passed us. We finally crossed a road to continue along the path, and we chose to end the journey, cashing out or bonking(in cyclist's terms). This is not like us once we start a cycling challenge, and it was the first one that we have had to abandon during execution. We were exhausted, cold, and low on laughter, so sent out the emergency call for family to rescue us on the side of the road. Never were we so happy to be off the bikes and back in our warm and cozy inn. Feeling a bit defeated but common sense had taken over. As it turned out that was a record-breaking snowfall for November in Toronto and area with 24.5 cm of the white stuff falling. The previous record was set back in 1940 with 33.5 cm. I guess that we might try again next Spring but definitely not again this year. Our muscles are still sore today from carrying the backpacks and trudging our bicycles through the snow-laden trail.

Christmas is coming, one month from today in fact. It will be very different this year with celebrations small and inclusive of only household members. No sharing the festivities with any others outside one's home. Of course, we still have Skype and Zoom and other platforms to connect on. How does Christmas dinner sound sharing only the sight of, no longer, the smell or the taste of the Christmas Turkey? Something is missing, but oh well, the new normal prevails. Hope that everyone is alive and well out there. The last month of the year is almost upon us. I remember well that December is a very busy and stressful time for my Japanese friends and students with following all of the customs and traditions prior to welcoming the new year in. As the Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving Day Weekend at this very moment, we can all be appreciative and grateful for every single moment that has been given to us. Stay healthy, and let's look to a promising future without COVID affecting our daily lives.

Love Rosemary🌹