So many things have had to be cancelled this past month. First was our July trip to Central Europe planned around four different home exchanges. We kept waiting and hoping that things would open up but when KLM cancelled our June 30th flight we saw the writing on the wall. It looks like we will end up with a voucher that we can use to book something next year. Fingers crossed that some travel will happen by then.
The other cancellation was our planned trip on the Esperanza up the outside coast of Vancouver Island. This was something that we also hoped might happen but since the itinerary brings us to some remote First Nations villages it couldn't happen. These small communities are taking great caution to prevent transmission of the virus and they remain closed to any visitors. We're on the waiting list to do this trip next summer. Hopefully the company will still be in business.
The third thing is that my solo art show at the Gage, scheduled for the last week in May and the first two weeks in June, was postponed. I've got a dozen paintings ready for it and if all goes well the show will open the last week of September. But for now I've dismantled the painting alcove in our living room. and restored it to just a desk in front of the bay window. I've been using it to do some work in a sketchbook on a daily basis. This is something I've thought of doing before but never followed through. I've done a minimum of two pages every day since May 17th.Here are a couple of pages. They're just for fun and exploring with no pressure to produce anything.
The good news this weekend is that Vancouver Island was yesterday declared Covid-free. The last patient has been discharged from the hospital and there have been no new cases for a couple of weeks. We're all cautiously rejoicing but everyone is aware that relaxation of these rules brings the possibility of another surge.
Meanwhile we're working in the garden, transplanting and moving things around a bit and I've planted some vegetables in pots on the sunny side that are doing well. Gradually we're beginning to invite friends over and it's so wonderful to be able to visit in person after all these weeks alone. We are looking forward to some summery weather so we can enjoy June, July, and August--the best months here on Canada's west coast.
We hope that you are well and in good spirits wherever you happen to be at this moment.
