April 14, 2025Monday, April 14, 2025

Just a thought… There’s no such thing as being too busy. If you really want something, you’ll make time for it. [author unknown]

I’m so glad to make myself sit down and write for a bit, my diet A&W root beer at my side, dogs asleep at my feet. It feels good.

My friend, the word “whirlwind” doesn’t do justice to what the past and coming days entail. It’s a combination of volunteering for the campaign with just two weeks until Election Day in Canada, and the rest is been prepping for a plane trip to Ottawa in just two days. So let’s do this – with a few observations thrown in along the way. Grab a cup of what you love, and here we go.

Talking beverages: I used to drink about four cups of one-third caffeine coffee daily (Rob mixes the beans in advance). I am now down to ONE, the least caffeine I’ve taken in daily since I was pregnant. One one-third caffeine a day. And I’m still running on overdrive! I think it’s the first time since I left radio that I have so much energy, so much adrenaline, that anything added to my system is sending me through the roof.

Found out yesterday that today I’m introducing an MP (and candidate) from North Vancouver, who’s here on the island to chat with constituents at a rally and then door-knock with our guy. Rob cancelled his second-to-last hockey of the season tomorrow so he can come and do the PA system. We’re doing what we can to help. We’ve already voted but now we’re free to volunteer and drive people to the polls two weeks today.

Funny side note: on a long walk last week, I complimented a woman on the sign on her lawn. She and I chatted (she’s moved here recently from the GTA as well) and it turns out I had some interaction with her daughter, who’s in PR, back in my radio days. The woman said her daughter never forgot (it was positive) and we were trying to get the three of us together for coffee but this week is shortened. Maybe on daughter Meaghan’s next visit!

One more walking note: I was trying to gauge whether wearing a party’s button on my chest while I do my daily power hour of getting off my butt made a difference in eye contact. At first I thought people were avoiding me so that I wouldn’t try to proselytize or talk politics – which I would NEVER do. But then I did the same walk without the button on, and measured about the same number of smiles or averted eyes. Some people just don’t want to say “hello” as they pass by – even in friendly Sidney, BC. Still, I always have a smile on my face and if they want to exchange greetings, I’m there for them. Especially the seniors and fellow dog-walkers.

Of course, nearly everyone has a smile when they see me walking (on the shorter go-rounds) with Dottie and Livi. Dottie tends to be lippy and shout “Hello! Hello!” whenever she sees anything four-legged within a block. I’d like to change that, but right now we’re working on “SIT!” so one thing at a time.

We’re also training them to get to like their travel bags, in which they’ll be zipped and placed beneath the seats ahead of us on this Wednesday’s two-legged journey to spend Easter Weekend with our grandkids and their folks in Ottawa. The dogs LOVE being together in one crate, but we didn’t want to put them in the hold. So they’ll be at our feet.

They have little doggie downer pills to take, and I’m going to make sure I take something to; it’s going to be nerve-wracking. And in case you weren’t aware, we are absolutely forbidden to take them out and cuddle them, no matter how stressed they get. Many folks have offered to take the girls while we’re away, but this trip is a trial run for maybe taking them away for the winter when driving is no longer an option (as it is not). Wish us all luck!

So, in a nutshell, that’s this nut’s life this week: just trying to get everything done here in terms of our responsibilities, and ready for the trip. In addition to the brand new Drift with Erin Davis sleep story tomorrow (I’m going to try to lull you to sleep this time with the details from the British Museum about the Rosetta Stone), of course there’s a new Gracefully and Frankly Episode 123 this Thursday, and the one next week will be from our Ottawa hotel room. Ah, the glamour! The excitement! The decaffeination of it all!

Once the stress subsides, I’m sure the excitement about seeing Colin and Jane will actually sink in. But for now, just one day, one hour at a time, right? May you and your family have a Happy Easter if you celebrate, and time with loved ones no matter what the days ahead hold.