“We are here,” said the calendar. The arrow pointed to Fool’s Spring. That’s the season that comes just after Winter, and just before Second Winter. Then comes the Spring of Deception, the Third Winter, and Mud Season, before finally arriving at Actual Spring, and Summer.
It sounds a bit like the parade of seasons leading to the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, doesn’t it? As the vaccines approach on the horizon, we go through all the shades of our winter of discontent, leading up to a summer made glorious by herd immunity. Oh wait, might that be a glorious autumn?
I have an appointment, now, for my first vaccination, on March 26. My friend, age 90 in Sherbrooke, got her first vaccination today, and an appointment for the second one on June 30, three-and-a-half months later. (In contrast, my sister, age 80 in Virginia, got her second vaccination yesterday, a month after her first one.) So my vaccine-radar tells me I could be waiting until mid-July for my second shot. And the others in my household, still later. So my goal is a glorious autumn.
And we still don’t know what the various coronavirus mutations will do. So, like I said, as the ice slides and crashes off our roof: We are in Fool’s Spring.
We need to just keep on focusing on our gardens.
Gardening calendars, like temperate zones, vary from hill to valley. That’s why I’ve turned to an ancient system of observation, phenology. Brought to us by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it has to do with observing nature and following nature’s timing.
So, when my apple trees bloom, I’ll plant bush beans. When my apple blossoms fall, I’ll plant pole beans and cucumbers. When lilacs are in full bloom, I’ll plant annual flowers and squashes. I’ll find my lilies-of-the-valley, and when they flower, I’ll transfer tomato plants to the garden (or maybe I’ll just leave them in our greenhouse). When maple leaves are full-sized, I’ll plant morning glories. When bearded irises bloom, I’ll transplant peppers. And when peonies blossom, I’ll transplant cantaloupe.
And then! Our glorious autumn! No guarantees, but we can hope.
SWEET SEASON
Now we can visit a sugar shanty virtually. This new initiative lets one order a gourmet box of reheatable or ready-to-cook dishes from Quebec sugar shacks, of which many are in the Eastern Townships. Info: Visit www.macabanealamaison.com in either English or French.
DEMENTIA: TIPS
Insights and tips for people with loved ones who live with dementia, offered by Carole Arbery: She is a Licensed Practical Nurse who teaches in the Health Assistance and Nursing Care program at Lennoxville Vocation and Training Center. She has worked in seniors’ care for 27 years, including many in an Alzheimer’s Unit. Arbery is interviewed on Townshippers’ Association’s channel on YouTube, in English.
JOB SEARCH
Job Links is offering a series of online workshops for job seekers, especially young job seekers. “Get ready to apply for the best summer jobs” is the topic for the March 24-25 workshop. On April 27-28, the topic is “Self-knowledge, the key to your dream job,” and on May 26-27, a “Survival guide for anxiety.” For information, visit joblinks.etsb.qc.ca or Facebook.com/Job Links Eastern Townships, or contact 819-566-2422 or joblinks@etsb.qc.ca.
ST. PAT’S FESTIVAL
A virtual Irish Heritage Festival is available from the St. Patrick’s Society of Richmond & Vicinity. On March 17 at 7 p.m. is planned an “At Home” Kitchen Party with songs, music and dance. On March 20 at 2 p.m., Rebecca Taylor will tell stories for children. That evening, at 7 p.m., Louise Chapdelaine will show how to bake Irish Soda Bread; Julie Miller will tell the story of the harp in Ireland; and Nick Fonda will tell the story of Maggie Murphy and her life growing up in Richmond in the 1800s. All the events are free. Details and links are at www.richmondstpats.org.
BUSINESS OF ARTS
Business Skills for Creative Souls: A new online conference for artists on re-imagining the arts is on March 22 and 23. It is free and in English. A combination of networking and panel discussions is designed to open new possibilities for participants. For details, visit www.yesmontreal.ca.
BURY HISTORY
Looking forward to its 20th anniversary next year, the Bury Historical and Heritage Society is taking a look back at the years since its founding in March 2002. The Society has just published a little 12-page Souvenir Yearbook 2002-2020. The bilingual booklet is chock full of details and photos of the Society’s annual accomplishments, and its movers and shakers. For information or to buy it, contact Edward Pedersen, 819-872-3400, or Bury1803@gmail.com.
CHURCHES
United. Home worship services are available for pickup Fridays after 2 p.m. at Sawyerville United Church (box on top of freezer in porch), at Trinity United Church (in plastic bag at basement door). To receive services by mail or email, or for pastoral care, contact Rev Tami Spires at 819-452-3685 or spiresta@hotmail.com. Facebook info: United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge.
Baptist. In-person Sunday services have begun again for 25 or fewer persons with Covid-19 protocols in place (wash hands at the entrance, maintain a 2-metre distance from others, use assigned seating, wear masks, do not sing, do not shake hands, and leave via the exit door). The service in French is at 9 a.m., and in English at 11 a.m.
A mask is provided for persons needing one, and a list of all the attendees is kept, in case of infection. Persons with flu symptoms are asked not to attend services. The pastor’s message is also available on YouTube: For the link, contact Pastor Michel Houle: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Bishop Bruce Myers continues to offer Home Prayers at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on Facebook, and at quebec.anglican.ca (Worship Videos). Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@gmail.com by March 22 for publication March 31, and by April 5 for April 14.