How’s Your May Going So Far?

Potted Plant, May 2020I hope that all the moms out there enjoyed a lovely Mother’s Day this past weekend, although I’m well aware that it must be exceedingly difficult for some, for a variety of reasons. This was my first Mother’s Day without Mom since she passed away last June, and I thought about her a lot on Sunday and Monday. I went out and weeded around the little rose bush that we planted in her memory. The pink blooms haven’t appeared yet, but there are buds!

On Sunday, I saw my daughter in-person for the first time in two months. She’s now in her last trimester and really blossoming. The six of us practiced handwashing, social distancing, and ensured surfaces were clean. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the steaks and chicken burgers my son BBQ’d.

White FlowersSpring and even summer-like conditions hit BC’s lower mainland last weekend. As you’ll see from the photos, nature is far more oblivious to COVID-19  than people are. My hubby has planted most of our vegetable garden and as my cat also passed last June, we’ve now hung a hummingbird feeder in the yard.

I’m really hoping that BC continues to be on the right track as it prepares to slowly open up after the coming long weekend. Unfortunately, we saw TV images of crowded beaches last weekend, with few masks or social distancing. One beach-goer who was interviewed said that if people are that worried about COVID-19, they should stay home. Even the reporter called this a selfish remark, but there you go. There are plenty of emotions and different attitudes everywhere.

Rhodos, May 2020I’m also waiting to hear if my employer will allow staff to return to work, perhaps on a rotating basis. Office workplaces are on the list of places that can re-open. It would be nice to see staff before my final workday on May 29th, but we’ll see how it goes.

On the writing front, I’m working on editing and promotion stuff, but I’m also reading a lot both for pleasure and/or research purposes. I’m taking part in my first Zoon panel discussion on Thursday, May 14th, at 7:15p.m. (PST)  through the Port Moody Art Centre. We’ll be discussing how to promote and market in times of self-isolation. If you’re interested, the Facebook Link to this event is:

https://www.facebook.com/events/230349908253190/

I think there will be a link somewhere on youTube after that night, but I’m not sure.

Meanwhile, I’d like to know how things are going for you in your part of the world? Are you venturing out of your home a little more? Making plans for the summer, or taking it day by day? Are you more productive than usual, less so, or about the same?

I think it’ll be a long time before we can put COVID-19 behind us, but every day is one step closer to resolutions, and don’t we all look forward to that?

Author: debrapurdykong

I'm a British Columbia author who's been writing for over 30 years. My volunteer experiences, criminology diploma, and security work inspired me to write the Casey Holland transit security novels set in Metro Vancouver. I'm also a part-time facilitator in Creative Writing Workshops through Port Moody's Recreation program. Feel free to contact me at dpurdykong@gmail.com

15 thoughts on “How’s Your May Going So Far?”

  1. Hi Debra, if I lived in Port Moody I would be signing up for creative writing for absolute certainty. I have recommended you to a friend of mine who does live in Port Moody and is now retired. Mother’s Day I remembered my Mom, she passed in June 2018. She was a wonderful Mom, generous and kind. My Dad & I shared some tears on the phone.
    My garden took some leaps forward in the last ten days. More dirt, more plantings, bulbs are coming up, little green cherries can be seen. The lakes look inviting but I haven’t tried a quick dash and splash yet, I am brave but it’s still too early especially when the creeks are full adding more freshly melted snow water every day. I did try a cold shower to get ready for the first day I try, you might have heard me down on the coast! LOL
    I always look forward to your posts, I hope the steak and burgers were a big hit! – David

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    1. The food was all a hit, thanks. My son is an excellent cook! I think we’ll always remember our moms on Mother’s Day, and that’s as it should be. Thank you for the recommendation and who knows, I might meet your friend one day! We are in the midst of forming a monthly Port Moody writers online FB group to discuss the business side of book marketing, etc. but we also hope to host virtual and in-person events over the coming months. I’m also hoping to take some online courses over the coming year. There’s so much to learn and do, even with self-isolating, that it’s all quite exciting! So glad you look forward to the posts!

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  2. It sounds like you had a great Mother´s Day. Good luck with the Zoom panel discussion. I´ll try to catch it. Will you post the Utube link in case I miss it due to the time difference? I hosted a Zoom writers meeting yesterday for 14 people and it went so well. Zoom is my new best friend. Stay safe. xo

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  4. Zoom’s rise is astounding. Like most of us, I’m using it to connect with family, friends and other writers. It’s one of the good things to come out of this pandemic, but it’ll never replace meeting up in person. I’m glad you had some family time on Mother’s day.

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  5. Everyone’s on Zoom, even me. My critique group had its first Zoom meeting last Saturday. I can’t say I love it, but it worked. My garden is at its peak right now, I think. Once the warm weather comes and the rain stops, it loses that lushness. I’m glad you were able to get together in person with your daughter.

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    1. Thank you, Audrey. Yes, Zoom can’t replace in-person contact, but as you say, it does the job. We spent a little time weeding the garden today and planting tomatoes and squash. The slugs ate the baby squash planted a couple weeks ago, despite my hubby’s efforts to stop them with an egg shell barrier, and then beer. Neither worked.

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      4. Yes, my hubby’s been reading up on this & very little works. They don’t even recommend digging them up because the roots are a metre and a half long. Best just to keep them trimmed with a weed wacker, I’m told. So, that’s our next step.

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