Friday, June 19, 2020

A Day Out


So yes, we did go kayaking yesterday.  All the stars aligned into good weather, high tide (a must for kayaking the estuary as it is too shallow at low tide), and low wind.  We committed to booking off from work at 1pm and hit the water.  

I was feeling pretty good healthwise - I think when you have something to look forward to you just feel better and getting out on the water was what we both desperately needed.  We didn't push it.  We took lots of breaks so I wouldn't tire too quickly.  We were blessed with lots of wildlife.  I hadn't had time to charge my underwater camera so the first 3 shots came from that then it promptly died so we dug hubby's cell phone out of our waterproof bag and he took the others.

We came upon this adult eagle just hanging about.  He sat there for a full five minutes while we fumbled around with cameras and enjoyed the scene.  He even peeked down at us a couple of times but after determining we had nothing to do with groceries he pretty much ignored us.  We see eagles almost every day here, the only other place I've ever seen so many eagles was Alaska.  We rarely get to see them so up close and for so long, usually they are flying far overhead the house.  We just floated under the tree he was in until we were ready to move on.  As soon as we started paddling again he flew off.






We also saw five belted kingfishers and two seals but all were too quick for us to get a camera on them.  Sometimes it is just nice to enjoy wildlife without taking pictures.  Seals are so funny, they are just like dogs, always curiously hanging around at a safe distance, popping their head out of the water to look at you when you least expect it.  Kingfishers are a very shy bird and one that generally doesn't like humans.  At the animal shelter if injured they rarely recovered as refused to eat around the presence of humans.  So to see five in one day was a real treat and their call is beautiful.  

We arrived back home to an anxious Buddy, certain that after two hours away from the house we were never coming home.  Yes, even people who work from home all the time have anxious Covid animals who insist their humans be home now 24/7.  After barking at us on return (a sign of happiness/pissed off-ness at the same time) and throwing toys at us he settled down fairly quickly.

Last night we got a call from hubby's brother.  It was a call to come see his Mom for what is likely the final time.  Urgency is unknown but her organs are starting to shut down and protocols must be discussed.  Hubby and I got very little sleep last night.  BC and Alberta are opening back up and likely next week for travel across Canada.  Hubby is going to make a solo road trip, 2 days there and 2 days back to say goodbye.  Originally I thought we would both go but he has asked me to stay home due to my health.  A road trip would definitely be detrimental to me right now and eating takeout food while on the road would not work.  I think he is relieved I agreed to stay home.  At first we tried to see if we could get care for Buddy but that won't work as where we normally keep Buddy they can't take him due to just having a set of new puppies and don't want any other dogs to disturb that (or she is afraid of Covid and just didn't want to say it, either way, I get it).  Then there is the issue of Mom, taking care of our house, our dog and the topper being my health we both agreed, I will stay and he will go.  There will be a funeral at some point at which time we will both go.  In the meantime I will try and find alternate dog-sitting arrangments for down the road.    I wouldn't have been able to see her anyway, it seems the care center where she is at is only allowing a maximum of 2 family members for a special courtyard visit under these circumstances.  Hubby has to fill out a questionnaire first and we are asking for it before he leaves to make sure he won't be refused a visit once he gets there.

Flying was out of the question - for now, we don't want to take that chance.  Hubby has asthma so we have been super careful to date.  He will stay in hotels, not with family and he has always disinfected hotel rooms when traveling so will go overboard this time with disinfecting. Taking our own vehicle will eliminate further exposure from a car rental.  He will eat takeout and ready meals from the grocery store and not eat in restaurants.  He will see our 3 kids that live in Alberta but outside and socially distancing as they are all out in the public working unlike us who work from home.  

It is what it is.  She has had no quality of life for a couple of years and everyone has made their peace with that - but hubby would like to see her one more time.  The pandemic is just making things so complicated right now.  I would like to see her one more time as well but that isn't in the cards.

That's it for today.  Hopefully, we both get a better night's sleep tonight now that we've figured out the plan.

24 comments:

  1. Super nice pictures! Love the eagle pictures.

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  2. Sorry about the bad news, thank goodness your lockdown has been relaxed enough for your husband to be able to join the rest of the family.
    I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better and that you had a lovely day out. That eagle is stunning - we only ever see them in India. I love kingfishers but have never heard of a belted one, thanks for the link, he's a beauty!
    Poor Buddy being all anxious about you leaving him for a few hours, I suspect our boys will be the same. xxx

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    1. Yes, previous to this we had kind of accepted that there would be no final visit but since things opened up again they are doing very careful "courtyard visits" in dire circumstances like this. Hubby will be super careful for all of us.

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  3. Love your eagle pictures. So sorry about the sad trip your husband must take. I will say a prayer for him..well for all of you really. Do take care of yourself. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie, can't wait until he is back safe and sound but he doesn't leave for a couple of days.

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  4. I am so sorry for your news. Saying goodbye during this pandemic is so difficult for everyone, but I am very glad you opted to stay home to limit exposure.

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    1. Yes Anne, you completely understand this. Hubby said he is much relieved I am staying. Now we both just have to worry about him. :(

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  5. Saying goodbye is very hard but your decision was necessary - hugs.
    Joy

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    1. Yes and I know hubby would regret not going if that was the decision we made. We are not sure how much time she has left the but home can't let anyone inside and this is the last time she likely will be in a wheelchair so they wanted to ensure the family had an opportunity for a final visit.

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  6. Amazing photos. Glad you got that experience before the tragic return home. Thinking of you both.

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    1. Thanks Mitchell. A shitty time for everyone every where in the world, that is for sure.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear the bad news. Losing someone is never easy, but these days are even harder with the limits on visiting. I wish your husband safe travels.

    The time out on the water sounds wonderful. Seeing the wildlife is a special treat.

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    1. Yes, so sad. Hubby told me last night he is going to be super careful as he is freaked out himself (never told me that before) about bringing the virus home. Time by the ocean and the wildlife are two of my favorite things about living here, so glad we did it when we did versus waiting. Now we know it was for sure the right timing

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  8. A great day with a sad ending. Such is life these days. It sounds to me that you have it all thought out. I am glad you have decided to stay home.

    Might I suggest that your husband FaceTime you when he is there so you can at least see her and him together and tell her you lover her if you want to do that. I was a able to do that and it gave me some peace. The only regret my husband had was that his brother never left him alone with his mom. He really wanted some private time with her.

    Hugs to you both.

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    1. Facetime was an option if there was no live visit but the rules for the live visit is 2 metres away, cell phones put away (germ carriers) and not out. That is ok, I prefer to remember her in her fiery days versus what Alzheimers has done to her.

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  9. I must have missed something as I don't know who is your hubs' family member that is seriously ill. Very sad in any case but I think you are right not to go. What beautiful wildlife you have around you though. Just stunning!

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    1. Hubby's Mom. She hasn't known us for a couple of years. We saw her in December together and hubby saw her in February. The home doesn't think any further inside visits will be permitted before she passes so this is it. It could be a few months before she goes or it could be next week and I know hubby would regret it if he didn't go.

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  10. I'm sorry for what your husband is experiencing and like others, agree you are making the safe choice. That sounded like q wonderful two hours of recharge. Again-so right that sometimes just being in the moment is what is important.

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    1. Yes recharge is the perfect word. It was a wondeful few hours and what we both needed.

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  11. Gorgeous pictures of the eagles.

    I have seen lots of both Alberta and Manitoba license plates in Saskatchewan this past week. Hope that your Hubby manages to see his mother to say good-bye.

    I will be thinking and praying for the two of you.

    God bless.

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    1. I am not as concerned about out of Province than I am about out of country. At least now we can call police if we see them to get checked out (there were a few RVing Americans who came prior to lockdown, each situation is different)

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  12. It's a difficult time with ill parents, but especially now. I hope the trip goes well with a visit allowed. When we are able to come home we will drive and take the ferries rather than fly, especially in one of the tiny Pacific Coastal planes. Glad you got a chance to kayak on a perfect day. - Margy

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