Learning to Live With Social Distancing

   My big task today was to go to the hardware store which has just been allowed to have customers inside. Previously it was just curbside pickup. I needed some gardening supplies and was able to get everything I wanted - in and out in ten minutes, wearing my mask.

   So now I can get started on weeding, feeding and seeding the lawn, clipping bushes and generally tidying up the property. It has finally warmed up and I was out with just a sweater today. I didn't buy any plants or veggies yet as we may still get frost but the garden centres are also opening this week. Now we just need to be allowed to get back on the tennis courts. I am really missing tennis and my friends at the club.

   I also went to the bulk food store and, although I had to wait to get in for a few minutes, that also went smoothly. They have an assistant do the bagging for you to cut down on contamination which I think is a good idea. 

P.S. I got yeast today!!

Significantly Distant Mother's Day

   Judy came over on Sunday with a Mother's Day treat - afternoon tea in a box. I just had to boil the kettle!

   An enterprising local tea shop came up with the idea as they are only allowed to operate take out. It was delicious! Of course, we had to eat on the front porch to conform to the current restrictions and it was a bit chilly. We were both in our winter coats, but at least there was no snow. It has been very cold here recently. Saturday overnight set a record of -4C!

Cards from the grandkids and tea in my French Press.

There were sandwiches, scones, shortbread cookies and fairy cakes.

The scones came with little dishes of clotted cream and jam.

The loose tea was "Mother's Day Blend" Delicious!

Polar Vortex

   It has been extremely cold (for May) here recently, the result of a polar vortex which has brought frigid arctic air down as far as the Great Lakes region. Today's temperature has barely budged above 0C and there have been flurries of snow pellets off and on all day. Last night has supposedly set a record for the coldest May 8 in a couple of decades. I will have to check the weather report in tomorrow's newspaper. 

   Just short walks for me the last couple of days due to the cold wind. I am just glad I haven't planted any flowers or vegetables yet. I did work in the garden yesterday but today was just too chilly! Everything that has come up so far seems to be surviving and it should be slightly warmer tomorrow. Now I'm off to cozy up close to the fire with my book!

Zooming Around

   Today I took part in my first Zoom meeting, and I found it rather underwhelming. It was arranged by the Big Bridge group (not to be confused with the small Bridge group which is just four of us) which meets on Tuesdays and has around 40 members. 12 took part so that was part of the underwhelming bit. I hardly spoke at all - just a bit shy, I guess - plus my picture was upside down so nobody recognized me! Maybe a smaller group would be more my style. Someone suggested that my laptop camera had been installed upside down. I will look into that.

   Still chilly but, thankfully, sunny with below seasonal temperatures. I did my usual routine - exercises before breakfast followed by some light housework in the morning, a stroll down to the post office in the drug store to check the PO box, a nap this afternoon after Zoom and a fairly good walk later on. Leftover lasagna from the freezer with a fresh salad and garlic bread for dinner. I might even have a piece of the sweet potato brownie from yesterday. It tasted much better when I spread it with cream cheese.

This may be my last puzzle unless someone will trade with me. It was an easy one, just 500 pieces and only took me a couple of days.