I am wondering if we can see the good in the chaos bestowed upon us in the wake of our current way of living demanded…social distancing. The term itself, social distancing, is not really new for the medical profession has always encouraged the practice of removing self from others when sick or coming down with something. I can think of this scenario playing out multiple times whether at home, at work, an event and be asked “why are you here?” as you look or sound sick; or jokingly a person, making a cross with their fingers, stepping away from you saying, ” Stay away from me, I do not want to get sick.” Funny. Well let me see…NO. At this very moment, the non-practice of social distancing can have ramifications of epic proportions beyond human comprehension…and that my friends is the new. Funny…not so much. So how does one see the good in all this? The beauty of the human condition is that we are social beings by our very nature, and l -o – v – e to be with others (or most do lets just say). And in that, there is the rub. It is not to be. We have to practice that which is not in our nature… .to be on our own, alone in many cases (my girls would say to me mom must be loving it – I really like my own company – just saying). Nevertheless, the selfishness of wanting to be with others, and I mean that in the most gentlest of ways, we cannot ignore what is being asked of us. Of course I feel like breaking out like… I really want to hold my 8 month old granddaughter in my arms and give her a scooch; I want to play with my 9 year old grandson who likes to play jostle with his Rara (my grandma name); and yes I want to see my family who live eight minutes around the corner from me. What else? Well..oh…Okay. I would like to go to Coles, spend time in looking at the latest book releases or sit and be served food at the Starlight Cafe because I want someone to spoil me. Sorry daughter J, but I do not want supper prep to be my turn. AGAIN. And no daughter N, I do not want you to come over and walk around my home with your family so I can see them and not touch them. Love you for that but that hurts my heart. Love you though. So, not today, Karen, not today.

Thank goodness for cell phones, landlines, Skype, FaceTime, social media tools, and such to at least feel connected to family and friends, colleagues, and whomever, wherever. My self-isolation has another week to go and I am not sure what comes next. Putting things in perspective…I am praying for strength and knowledge. I can be a part of the solution. HOW?? Stay at home…I can do that. Wash hands…I can do that. Respect the wisdom being given…I can do that. Walk in my own yard only…I can do that. It is not about me. What is that phrase, ‘there is no I in team’; no there is not. So if being on my own (or at least living with my youngest of daughters is it for awhile – oh Lord give me strength (just kidding) – then so be it. If I have to stand away from others (to other side of sidewalk) then so be it. If I am limited to social outings, then okay. If I go for a walk , I greet with a wave or go the opposite way (not funny). Be on my own, I can do that.

Pondering for the day – Let us pray to have the courage and patience to do what is being asked of you and I. There has been so much that has changed as we do not know what we do not know. On the island, as in everywhere else, real hurt and fear have been taking place and I cannot even begin to fathom the extent of the suffering and loss. But there is good coming out of this for you can see it in the practices and messages all around. And for that, we have to believe it is all good.

Not sure if you live near a large body of water but in the winter time here on the island, there is a quiet silence that comes with the stillness of the waves from the sea. Just like so many other signs of winter, the movement of the water ceases in its roll. But yesterday, and certainly today, I smile to myself as I can hear the roll of the waves coming in along the north shore, as it echoes its dance on the sand and rock, over the cliffs, beating its own drum. That sound is oh so welcomed. And with it comes the knowledge that the ebb and flow of the season of spring has begun once again. Of course you would not know it based on the surrounding fields nearby or around my own little home nestled amongst the woods; the snow spreads and covers steadfastly the ground. And I do not mean a skiff. Regardless, I hear the waves and so very thankful. For soon the build up of ice along the shore and cliffs, will melt away and once again I can do my daily walk with Maggie May, my little gray schnoodle. She loves to walk and she is a great companion as long as you do not mind the hundred stops along the way. For me I just keep going as Maggie May does her thing for I know that she will not let me out of her sight for long. But all of that is put on hold for now, as I wait in self-isolation. Even when that is done, what next?? You do not really appreciate things until such time as they are taken away or not available to you. Not complaining here but accepting a reality. Life as we know it changes in a blink of an eye at times.

Right now being confined to the markers of my lot and not beyond, I am going to listen to the waves echoing their song. Hoping that one day soon I’ll be able to make that trek down my lane toward the sandy/rocky shore of the bay, then climb up the side of the cliffs to walk along the tractor trail of old, following it until I can’t. Before I turn to retrace my steps, I will look across the largeness of the sea toward the top of the cliff across the craggy inlet, that holds a century old Cape lighthouse standing tall and erect to its duty. I look forward to that day.

Pondering for the day – Let the waves roll in, listen to the sounds around you. It is amazing when you just stop, pause to hear and be still.

This is my first real post on my blog website so let’s give this a go. What can I say? There are so many things whirling in my head right now because of the mass chaos weaved in with celebration that has happened over a period of one month. Thanks March for providing a spread of life’s paradoxical nature. Sidebar, I am in self-isolation for 14 days (on day 5 now) so I have the time to sit and have a mind bomb of thoughts swirling in my head. Where to begin? Well let’s start with the month of March. You did not come in like a lamb at all with your 40 cm+ drop of snow and me shovelling off the deck and lane, over a period of two days. Thank goodness for the snowplow guy and his John Deere snowblower and blade. But you did go out like a lamb, with a few snowflakes mind you. I’ll take that. Then Spring came quickly but do I see the sprouts and tips of buds of branches?? Not so much. Spring has sprung in Ontario and Quebec but not really in New Brunswick nor PEI. How do I know that? Well I just got back from Ontario, driving 18 hours straight, to get home because of the coronavirus-19. While driving along the highway (even in the darker part of the early morn) you can see evidence of a barren ground, no snow to be found until I got to Quebec city area and beyond heading into New Brunswick and lastly PEI – yep snow everywhere. However breathing in the air, you get a note of spring air with its little bit of warmth and freshness coupled in the crispness of the day. Favourite by far, rolling down my window and sticking my hand out to grasp spring in my palm. But that is for another time. Anyway, I had to leave Barrie ON after three weeks because it was time. Why you ask? Well the most precious paradox in the midst of the chaos of the pandemic, my eldest daughter just gave birth to her first child, a baby girl…celebration. paradox. coronavirus-19. She was due on March 12 so I came the Sunday before because you never know with babies. Thankfully I did because if I came any later or flew in, I would not have been with her because of the seriousness of the spread of the virus 19. It was like in one week, the week I came, chaos spread…hospital no visitors at all, social distancing enforced, grocery shelves depleted of toilet paper and disinfectant, senior hour at grocery store, gloves on, businesses shut down or closed, lay offs abound, essential and non-essential services identified, taped symbols on floor to tell you where to stand, schools and day care centres closed indefinitely, gates on businesses locked and chained up, and highway signs STAY HOME and WASH HANDS shout at you as you travel down the highway. Chaos!!!! Yet here I was, holding my granddaughter in my arms, a miracle of life – God’s reminder of the graced moments we are given. All the joys and gifts of new life held in my arms but also watching and feeling my daughter and her partner scared (me too) of how to make sense of what is happening. Scared of infecting baby and themselves as they begin a new chapter of life. So yes March you have brought with you a crazy joyful chaotic scary unbelievable no words kind of month for me and my family. Here I am now in self-isolation, disinfecting and washing my hands, in a self imprison on own my property for two weeks (probably longer), unable to see my daughter’s family or sister’s family now for who knows how long. But thanking God and being so grateful for the governments across the provinces for being proactive, moving beyond reactive, to find ways to make sure we all play our part. For the grocery stores and other services that are out there, allowing people to have what they need but also putting measures in place, enforcing them if you will, to get on board. This is a real issue beyond the scope of human comprehension. Patience is a virtue and being well informed (not social media frenzy kind of informed) but keeping up on what is asked of us and why.

Pondering for the day – Is this the new norm?? I do not know but it certainly has provided me with questions about the preciousness of life. And maybe even food for thought in how we live this life given. It’s all good, it has to be and so I welcome you April.

How does one introduce oneself to another? Do you start with funny or witty or quick or brief to the point. Let’s give this a go and read fast.

My name is Karen Pond (note my blog site) with six decades under me of lived life. My three daughters had in their own gentle way indicated that Facebook is not the platform for lengthy narrative writing and said I should create my own blog site. They see me as a writer. And let me tell you that is quite humbling.

I thought about blogging and its purpose. It allows a person to put out in to the universe, or wherever it goes, own thoughts and/or images, visibly. That takes courage. But also, in blogging readers bounce back to the writer, their own response. I like the idea that people and circumstances can be my companions, awakening me to pay attention (or at least to consider).

Having been an on-line instructor, one of the gifts of reading the participants posts and in turn, writing a response to said posts, I can ‘hear’ and ‘see’ the person through their thoughts written down. And that there is a way of conveying messages that can be life-giving even when the writings may not be so encouraging. We do not come with a blank slate.

Why now?

I have come to a point in my life as a recently retired educator that I have some time and believe I have something to say. I want to capture some things in a meaningful way for me and hopefully others receive a nugget or two.

What would the blog be about? Well for starters I know a little bit about how to be a mother (or not), grandmother, friend, colleague, sister, daughter, widower, homeowner, city and rural dweller, walker, photographer, reader, parishioner, planning events, caregiver, nature lover, woes of cooking, living with dementia, growing older, weddings and baby showers, pet owner, ….zerotohero. I am inspired by life around me, being present to the moment, and listening to experiences of others while living on the island as I have moved from Ontario to Prince Edward Island when I retired. Who would have thought?

Who would read this blog?

You.

And maybe share you with me if something connects in what I write about and bring me to a new pondering. You’ll find that I love to ponder on things and enjoy narrative writing. That is what you will find here…not fiction so much.

Prompt me. Just a little bit of a background story. I have a “red pen” companion that reminds me why I am writing in a public forum. When I was younger as a child and teenager I think many of my teachers had a preoccupation with using red pens to highlight the wrongness of my writing. There must have been a big sale on each year (I love post-it notes, just saying). I might not have been the best writer, technically or otherwise, but I had something to say. And I took those red circles and double edged red lines to heart. In those moments, those red markings were like permanent scars etched deeper into my hands. It took a long time to see hope.

Let me just say… delivery is everything, word and deed; it impacts you.

Welcome to Karen Pondering.com.