Category Archives: Commentary

Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Flying Above the Underside

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On my recent return to Canada, I took some photos of the sunrise as we chased it into the west.

As we flew above the cirrocumulus clouds, it really hit me that this experience – flying into the west above a layer of lake-like rippled cloud, or most any flying at all – would soon be coming to a screeching halt.

I wondered about how much of this virus situation we have done to ourselves. There is a densely packed underside to humanity, and we all know of it.

Part of that underside is our insatiability.

There never seems to be enough money, food, clothes, cars, trips, technology … toilet paper, to satisfy us. We usually seem to need more, more, more of whatever it is, and sometimes, because of this, we are releasing things that we do not understand or respect, even tiny little things, like viruses. Are we simply just ignoring this? Flying above it?

Is this Earth’s way of slowing us down? Of forcing a break? Is Earth finally getting a much-deserved rest?

What do you think?

Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

March 20’s Friday Flower

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I am safely back in Canada and almost at my work-home to start my 14 days of self-isolation. It has been hectic as I tried to handle all sorts of things from a distance and the concern about being able to get home at all was also in the back of my mind.

Thank you to everyone who wished me safe travels and good luck. That was so very much appreciated. 🙂

And now, something lovely to look at …

I love the variegated pink and white petals.

Whatever you’re doing, and wherever you’re from, I wish you a happy weekend, good health, and a better week to come. 🙂

Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Sing a Song of Social Distancing, a Pocketful of Hand Sanitizer

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I am in the midst of returning home after an overseas trip. I have a strong sense of getting back just ahead of the drawbridge being pulled up, even though no deadline has been given. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday in a press conference: it’s time to come home.

In common with many of my compatriots, I have travelled internationally a lot, have lived in other countries, and have served in the military. All of these experiences have made me very aware of how fortunate I am to be able to come home, especially to a country that cares about its citizens and that doesn’t see us a commodity to be expended. It’s nothing but an accident of birth, but that difference has given me multitudinous advantages and opportunities.

So over the next couple of days, I will be navigating airports and aircraft with lots of hand sanitizer, hand washing, and distancing. I feel fine, but I will need to go into self-isolation for 14 days to ensure my health and that of others.

And, for the first time ever, I will be working from home. A new experience.

I wish everyone clean hands and good health.

🙂