So… this is how life under the shadow of Covid 19 has shaken out! In mid-March things began to close down, as daily announcements clenched their teeth around life in Nova Scotia. Restrictions in access, visits, travel, and life in general happened by the hour on some days. With the closing of schools, both public and university, we also saw Janie and I transition to teaching online and the simultaneous tumbling back of our kids from StFX to their own stark reality… distance learning classes, unknowns with summer employment and life with Mom and Dad. All kinds of chicks back to feed in the nest. Needless to say, social change was afoot!
Suddenly, we had a lot of time on our hands. With the temptation of goodies on the internet, and the expanded opportunity to hone my “Online Shopping” skills, I found some “Unauthorized” purchases in several “Shopping Carts”. I thought I might share some of the more interesting items I’ve had in my sights for a bit! Firstly, I’ve been looking for a safer way to attack kindling cutting for the new wood stove. I so remember Elias Nicholas behind the camp (I was not very old), sitting in the middle of the woodpile with his hatchet. He has long since passed, but I did find a solution that is safer for everyone… follow this link (Kindling Cracker). Another search I’ve begun is for a “Scotch Auger”. I’d like to try a few bush craft projects at the camp and it looks like a fun tool to try! I ordered a beauty 2″ diameter bit from Black Raven and have some benches in mind. Maybe I’m just dreaming, but I’m in a head space (like a lot of the country) that has me wanting to be as independent as possible… and the off grid cabin has all the features for that!
Ah… and this happened. I host my web photo galleries (found with most travel pages on this instance of WordPress) with a company called jAlbum. In the shuffle of revised work e-mails I did not get a notice for renewal of service and, of course, the links to over a decade worth of pics were abandoned. Even some that I’ve forgotten about! However, after several quick e-mails, and an online renewal, all was replaced and what would have been days of online work was fixed in a snap! As I scrolled back into some of the work I’d done, I thought it might be nice to drop a few links here just for fun. We did an online Christmas card for a period from 2010-2013… fun to look at!
To add further carving to the ol’ bank account, a regular check-up in regards to oil/tires for the Rav4 revealed (in cousin Mike’s words) “It’s time“. We got on that pretty quick and took the advice to heart. Resultant, we picked up a “new to us” Rav4 and hope to get lots of parts free & reliable years / kms with the purchase. All in, March / April became several expensive months at home!
Unfortunately… camp seems a “no go” with this “self-isolation” on. I get that… I think! More people out and about, more chance for transmission… especially in the case of an accident and the involvement of emergency folks. However, it also kind of seems to me that some camp time, away from everyone else and totally off grid, is exactly what’s required as transmission is quite improbable. I will need to access at some point this month to check on property/battery system. Regardless, I will do my best to follow the rules! 😩