A distancing diary seems like trivial fluff in light of recent news / current events, but I’m using this in part to share something that may make you smile, giggle, shed a tear – and haunt you with its profound truth.
It’s a documentary about Jane Elliott called “A Class Divided” – also known as the Brown Eyes-Blue Eyes “experiment”. It was actually a rather simple exercise she used with her third-graders the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. In my own teaching I used this film countless times in a course that focused on self-concept, self-esteem, and prejudicial treatment that fosters “otherness”. I was reminded of the film when she was interviewed by Jimmy Fallon on June 1, a week after George Floyd was killed. If you’re busy, give up 7 minutes of your time to watch that interview. In it, Jane refers to the horrible consequences suffered by her and her family once she became a full time diversity educator. Then try to find an hour to watch the PBS documentary. It will change you and sensitize you to the power of even subtle interactions. (Note the link to the doc is in the top right of the PBS page.)
And now the diary…
Films, PDAs & Father’s Day
A memory triggered by the above… When I first began to teach, the College had film rooms. A projectionist had a full-time job running the projector and students had the attention span to watch films running at least an hour. In my last years of teaching, it was risky to show a film clip of more than 10 minutes. Distractions quickly ruled. Teaching usually mature students, I once showed a film to younger students and was alerted to some PDA in the back row. I’m a techie. I thought “PDA” meant Personal Digital Assistant. Not so. Now it means public displays of affection.
Eventually the projectionist was made redundant and we had to roll a projection cart into a classroom and run it ourselves. I never had a problem with this and could even repair films. I share this story now as a Father’s Day tribute. I have always felt that I owe all my techie inclinations (which includes being a master IKEA furniture assembler) to my sweet father.
Born on Father’s Day, always a Daddy’s Girl
As a footnote: Some friends might recall that Mr. KB and I used to have film parties – borrowing a 16 mm projector to show films borrowed from the library. Bambi Meets Godzilla was screened more than once. At 1.32 minutes it was hardly worth threading the film.
Beloved among the films we screened was Munro - also linked to our current political climate. It won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short (Short. Get it? You have time to watch it.) With the absurdist plot of a 4-year-old being drafted into the US Army, “Munro tells (this story) entertainingly and sweetly… and particularly when you see the film, you feel your stomach knot up because of the obvious abuse and ignorance of authority. And people connected to their own situations with authority in or out of the Army when no one listens, no one believes you. They know, you don't, and they may even start to convince you, as they do Munro, that they're right and you're wrong."
Spotify & Ina Garten
Speaking of tech… Life is better with a soundtrack, don’t you think? My first record player (inherited from my uncle after his tragic death) was for 78 rpm records, so I have lived through every recording phase since. Through buying tracks and “burning CDs” I got music on my iPhone. I always felt it frivolous to pay monthly for a music service until…
To cheer people up, Ina Garten (who could not do her usual spring trip to Paris – c’est domage) shared her “Trip to Paris” Spotify Playlist. Irresistible right? Ok, so I downloaded Spotify with the intention of enjoying the playlist for the free month. The month ended. I confessed to Mr. KB that I was caving and signing up. He announced that it was intended to be my b’day prezzie. We got the family deal and that looks after our June/July birthdays! I have to admit that being able to listen to any song I fancy is at once spooky and delightful.
Tech-ing at a Distance
I’ve now helped with several Zoom encounters – friends, book club. Weekly my yoga class is via Zoom and I just “attended” a Zoom cooking class. Have also used the competition – Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
It’s surprising how “sheltering at home” no longer cuts you off. Although we never used services for grocery shopping, we did order several things from books to watchbands to underwear – and their arrival was unpredictable. Sometimes the next day. Another item ordered 24 days ago just arrived as I’m writing. I had to make a checklist to ensure I remembered what we had ordered lest we end up like the man who received his order 8 years later.
One of the best things I ordered? After getting Purdy’s Chocolate Survival Kit they invited me to purchase a large box of their “seconds” for a bargain price. They were fab - hardly noticeable that they were seconds.
BTW, ever heard of Second Grade Asparagus? Perfectly fine except each piece is not ramrod, perfectly straight. Cheaper, but rarely seen in grocery stores.
Masks & Breathing
Week by week we are moving closer to compulsory mask wearing. I’m still seeing great variations in this practice. My collection is growing and those that worked in colder weather are now annoying. I still cannot fathom how care providers wear these for an entire shift. Sweet friend Jane just delivered some gorgeous home-made versions that are super comfortable and even have a nose wire. That has turned out to be important to me as one who wears eyeglasses. Squeezing the nose wire helps a lot in preventing my glasses from fogging up. Experts say “fogging” can be minimized by breathing through the nose, not the mouth.
Speaking of Experts
I’m definitely in the camp of science vs nonsense, but the nonsense end of the spectrum picks up some fuel from the reality that not every “scientist” is competent, ethical, reliable, responsible, trustworthy, or even correct. The scientific process involves asking questions and conducting research to seek answers. There are many missteps and research must be replicated and, before being accepted, peer reviewed – which involves analysis and interpretation.
Hence the barrage of scientific opinions that are often contradictory - not just because they are learning more about this coronavirus each day, but because scientists too can have biases – and worse, ulterior motives. In the May 29 Toronto Star, Rick Salutin quoted past-Premier Bill Davis saying “he could always find an expert to say what he wanted to hear. This sounds contemptuous of expertise, but on the other hand makes clear that real decisions always remain in the hands of elected leaders”. Mind you, repeatedly saying you are taking your ideas from the scientists will be a handy cop-out if required later. Meanwhile we must muddle through the jungle of science news.
Long Term Care
As of June 18, LTCs can permit family members to visit, though the list of conditions is long. The family member must have had a negative COVID test result within the two weeks prior to the visit. I ran out to get tested – waited 70 minutes and paid $7.50 parking for sitting in an examination room for 4 minutes. Will have to do this every two weeks if I want to see my mother. I think testing centres will be overwhelmed. Meanwhile her LTC has made no announcements. This test result could expire before I get to visit.
Stage 2 & Relaxing Restrictions
My area has just moved into stage 2 and all that means. Mind you, it mainly means even greater individual risk management responsibilities. I have had two visits with friends - in the outdoors, at a six-foot distance. I wonder what might change in the weeks ahead? Will I, by this time next month, return to a restaurant patio?
The new mantra is the 3 Cs – or maybe the 4 Cs – be careful about CLOSED spaces; about being too CLOSE; and too CROWDED; for too long CONTINUOUS.
I must admit I have also welcomed the “relaxing” of the media. Hurray that CBC returned to regular programming such as Q at 10 a.m. Endless hours of repetitive COVID overage became tremendously repetitive and emotionally draining. The entire planet was affected by the pandemic, but international news seemed to disappear – yet we know things were/are happening – things deserving attention. The almost giddy coverage of the launch of the Space X snuck in on May 30 just days before attention shifted to rights and racism.
Blessings
While listening and learning we also count blessings. The worst thing that happened in the last month was that a squirrel ripped through our kitchen screen and was barred entry seconds before gaining access to a cooling strawberry rhubarb crumble. YouTube instructed us on how to fix the screen. This happened two years ago. Could it be the same squirrel? (How long do they live?) Or is this behaviour now in the genetic code of her offspring? Update: Screen damaged again even though there was no cooling baking.
The Garden
Situated near Lake Ontario and its cool breezes, weather has swung from a blazing 40 C to mid-teens which feels a bit chilly for gardening unless you dress warmly and work hard. On the whole, year by year, my incredibly complex garden feels burdensome at times.
My garden insight this year? When you visit you cannot “see” all that I have done. You can only see what remains to be done in terms of trimming and tidying. Though some have said only I can see that and I should lighten up, lower my standards.
For years I have been pondering how cool it would be to have a garden party – a “working” garden party. I figure 4-5 friends (or family) working for 4 hours could whip the place into shape and then I’d feed them with a bounty of food made blissfully in the kitchen. Not going to happen in this year of the pandemic.
Markets
Thrilled that markets have begun to open. Last year we discovered the Red Barn owned by the Tigchelaar family. My parents picked strawberries there for years. Their current ever-bearing crop delivers the best tasting berries I’ve had since childhood. Had my fist delicious berry from them on June 3. This new Crumble/Crisp recipe will be appearing weekly in my kitchen using whatever fruit is in season. Here’s the recipe - try it!
PS Want to make your own Penguin book cover? Click here.
