“yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm,
and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”*
Clematis
(Clematis patens, Ranunculaceae) Buttercup family.
Last week, one of the infectious disease doctors who was interviewed for the evening news mused that obeying the stay-at-home order was selflessness, patriotic even and wondered why so many people didn’t get it. Or care. Two weeks into this lockdown and very minimal progress at flattening the curve has happened and worse, more than three thousand Ontarians have now lost their lives to this malevolent virus, most of those dying alone. Both the original and variant strains of the coronavirus are out of control so badly here in Ontario that the Ontario Solicitor General — Sylvia Jones — begged Ottawa for military and Red Cross help to cope with the more than 870 COVID-19 patients currently in our ICUs.
At this precise moment we’re precariously balanced atop the pandemic fulcrum and every one of us has a choice to make — right now — how will we overcome? Specifically, what part can I play, where can I stand that won’t I do very much harm?
Marsh Violet
(Viola palustris L.), an herbaceous perennial native to Canada.
And then this weekend happened…
Here in Cobourg there was another in what has become a series of loud, disrespectful, weekly anti-lockdown protests and again, more tickets were handed out. But in Peterborough, two knaves — Maxime Bernier and Randy Hillier — issued invitations through their social media accounts, to all of the pandemic-disenfranchised and COVID-bored to attend an anti-lockdown rally. Unscrupulous behaviour, really; neither are from nor trying to represent Northumberland-Peterborough South and worse, both were asked not to visit Peterborough by Her Worship Diane Therrien, Mayor. Horrifically, over 600 anti-vaxers, anti-maskers and anti-lockdowners crowded together, most without masks. What on earth were Hillier and Bernier thinking – 3,000+ Ontarians have died, for f**k’s sake! – and they hosted what may end up being a super-spreader event. Truly, guys, you’re quite right, our Charter does guarantee you the right to hold an unpopular opinion and freedom of speech guarantees you the right to shout it from the hilltops if you must, but what is not your right is to put other lives in danger whilst doing it! Choose a place where you won’t do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth!
Common Sallow
(Salix caprea L.), fancifully known as Pussy Willow.
April has already been another horrible, beautiful, month with soul-crushing lows and soaring highs: The lows are painful – how could losing a sweet friend not be torturous? Most of the highs are thanks to our garden and the Cobourg Creek clough where there is new growth everywhere, and I saw my first ladybug of 2021. Today it is sunny, the rustling of the leaves and branches in our garden akin to the reverberant acoustics of a grand old church and the first Spring-vetch blossoms of 2021 have already opened.
Spring-vetch
(Lathyrus vernus), an herbaceous perennial of the Pea family.
I probably shouldn’t complain when Mother Nature is showing off so beautifully but oh, what a labyrinthine year it’s been; last February, who could possibly have imagined that fourteen months later we’d still be finagling a thus far graceless and clumsy end to lockdowns and physical distancing? But the stress of one long, frightening month last year spilled over into many more long weeks, becoming long months – fourteen of them – and counting. It’s betimes caused me to contemplate driving my skoroskoro Rogue off that infamous cliff into the canyon at Dead Horse Point State Park**. Maybe my Louise (J.G.) would even have joined me?
(Houstonia longifolia), an herbaceous perennial of the Aster family.
Nature is symbolic of human life and is endlessly inspirational in all its wild beauty – yes, even in our wee clough. I hope that you’re able to find your own sweet slice of nature to soothe your soul and ease your stress during this second lockdown. Stay safe. Be well. Take great care of you!
“yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm,
and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”*
’Til next time, y’all…
Common Lilac
(Syringa vulgaris)
*Edward Morgan Forster from his novel A Room With A View (Part Two, Chapter 15: The Disaster Within). Full quote:
“There is a certain amount of kindness, just as there is a certain amount of light. We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won’t do harm – yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”
Mr. Forster wrote six novels, I’ve read and reread five of those, adore them beyond measure and highly recommend: Where Angels Fear To Tread, The Longest Journey, A Room With A View, Howard’s End (my fav), and A Passage To India. I’ve not yet read his final work, Maurice, which was published after his death but I will. One of these days…
**Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab, Utah is the place where Susan Sarandon (Louise) drove herself and Geena Davis (Thelma) off the cliff.
(Puschkina scilloides), an herbaceous perennial of the Asparagus family.
Summer At the Shores, a Presqu'ile Experience 