Wandering Thoughts While Stitching and Trying to NOT Watch the News

For the past two plus years I have tried not to rant and rave about world events. I watched in horror and tried to stay silent as things happened in America that affected so many family members and friends. Then I was glued to the tv on Jan. 6th in disbelief that that could actually be happening. A year and a half ago I made a conscious choice to try to not watch the tv as my DH watched 6, 8, 10 hours of news (Canada, USA and even England). It’s difficult since the tv is about 8’ from my sewing table. I discovered that I can wear earbuds for almost 3 hours before I need to take a break if it’s a traumatic world news day. For some reason, today I need to share some of my thoughts. Please feel free to stop reading now if you don’t want to read my very Canadian (read polite) rant.

I am spending a lot of time, thinking, reading and watching documentaries about my country’s path to Reconciliation. As a young teenage girl I became aware of the existence and horror of the Residential Schools and the sixties swoop. I am fortunate to have several friends who are indigenous so it’s always educational to spend time with them and their families to hear first hand of their experiences. With the unmarked graves being found of so many children it’s good to see more Canadians are becoming educated and learn of the atrocities. I can only hope with this knowledge there will also come a sense of how deeply prejudice has become a normalized part of our society. I’m hoping soon our Federal Government will step forward to help with the financial burden of searching the grounds of the past residential and day schools.

Have you noticed how so many of the bloggers we follow have been feeling drained and suffering from a lack of inspiration, both for writing or creating? I’ve been talking with a few of my on line community and they seem to be suffering more from Covid Brain and the Covid Slump more since the late fall, than any other time in the past two years. One person described it as drifting along. I know for myself, that if I didn’t have commitments, deadlines and challenges or goals, I likely would just sit in my chair and keep preparing the pieces for my two EPP projects that I’m working on (or just pretending to be busy hand sewing).

I have been fortunate these past couple of years, having a decent stash and plenty of ideas to keep myself busy and staying calm. Having some fun Blog Hops and great pattern tests to do seemed to be the motivator for me.

With the Truckers Freedom Convoy here in Ottawa, Canada we have been seeing some very un-Canadian behaviour. The on line chatter was making statements that we would have a Canadian version of the January 6th March on the White House. Thousands of trucks and people arrived in Ottawa. The downtown area around the Parliament Buildings were blockaded basically. Businesses were put in the position of having to close because the staff were being bullied and harassed. Politicians lives were threatened. The statue honouring the Unknown Soldiers was urinated on. The Terry Fox Memorial was also vandalized. Homeless Shelters were targeted when the “truckers” went there to get meals (since restaurants which were finally being allowed to open with Covid restrictions starting to lift) had to remain closed because of safety concerns. A couple who had a rainbow flag on their home found human feces in their yard. There were not only American Rebel flags, but also Natzi Swastika flags flying on the grounds of our Parliament. As the daughter of a Canadian Veteran, I was deeply offended and so very glad my father didn’t live long enough to see how deeply divided our country is.

The border crossing at Coutts in southern Alberta has been blockaded for several days now. Trucks have not been able to cross the Canada/USA border. How many of these loads of produce are now spoiled from having to sit on the road waiting to move? The impass was supposed to end today with the RCMP informing the drivers that they were in fact breaking the law by blocking the roads. At one point there was an agreement to end things, but something happened and mistrust seemed to be the most prevalent emotion. Some of the trucks did leave, but another group that had been in Milk River quickly made their way to reinforce the blockade. I suspect that it will be crazy there tomorrow.

My ex husband was a truck driver. For over a decade I worked in the freight industry. I have a tremendous number of friends who are either truck drivers or work in the offices of freight and/or courier companies. I watched in dismay during the worst of the Covid lockdowns when drivers could not get coffee or a meal (only drive through were open and big rigs don’t fit in those lanes), no truck stops had washroom or shower facilities open. Even the roadside rest stops were closed. Still these hardworking, dedicated professionals kept driving; moving their necessary loads from point A to point B.

Not one person I know that works within this industry has expressed any interest in attending any of the protests. Why is that? Perhaps because even if these protests would end the Canadian vaccine mandates to cross the border, America requires that drivers be vaccinated.

Then we watch the situation in Ukraine. Again I am a veterans kid. My family had several postings overseas when I was a child and I have so many memories of the respect my father and his comrades were accorded when in uniform. My children’s stepbrother is on active duty. He survived several tours in Afghanistan, but is now posted in Ottawa. The Conspiracy theorists are stating that Canadian Armed Forces are so ill-equipped that we would only be able to send 35 armed personnel to help if we are needed. It’s heartbreaking to know that even this institution is being assaulted by lies and false stories.

Add to all of that my oldest great granddaughter (4 years old) was diagnosed with Covid just over a week ago, resulting in her Mom and brother being quarantined with her at home. We were lucky and she recovered with a fairly mild case. Today her brother got his test results back (tested on Sunday) and he is now sick. He’s having a more difficult time because he has underlying conditions (severe asthma). Now-Lee tested negative so she has gone to her Dad’s for a week or so. Luckily her father was able to get vacation time to be home with his daughter.

So it seems my son might have the right idea when he says changes are coming and our world is going to have to readjust to the new normal. What exactly that will be, time will have to show us the way.

Thanks for reading my post. I’ll try not to rant again for another year or two. 😳 Carol