Welcoming a socially distant summer on the Fjord

Rachel Hansen | Fjord editor

Well, wow. Hasn't this been a new experience? When the world was about to change our team was in Vancouver BC with a booth at a travel trade show. There we were, dousing every surface and post-handshake with a gallon pump of Purell. We thought we were being weird as we forced a cheery smile and greeted potential customer after customer. Ha! Little did we know.

Fast forward four months and its a new world – masked and socially distant. For us, two kids graduated -- one from St. Martins and the other from high school with an AA in Biology giving us so many reasons to celebrate – quietly as a family. It wasn't just isolation that caused uncertainty. My husband is an airline pilot. At first is was fear as he landed in all the "hotspots." Now he just wonders when he will be able to get behind the controls again.

Despite this we adapt. The sun continues to shine on our beautiful Pacific Northwest. The tides go out and come back in again on the fjord. We have planted an apple orchard, built raised beds (to feed the deer apparently), and finally made repairs on the oyster farm that had been delayed for seasons. Our biggest accomplishment these last few months was re-siding our home. It's an older rambler with "good bones" but short on insulation and character. The project became a palate for intricate marine designs. The medium: cedar shakes. We also developed a gentle companionship with our neighbor. As we finished a wall; she quietly arrived in her "staining" clothes and followed us with an oxen brush.

Now, as the world slowly creeps back to "normal," we jokingly refer to our Covid Projects. Maybe our kids will look at these walls in years to come and say, "Remember when Mum and Dad made that octopus during the Quarantine?" These times will be a hardship for many. We will continue to feel the effects and maybe never be "what it was;" however, I hope we never forget how it feels to slow down and enjoy each other and just be together as a family.

This issue of Tracing the Fjord has no event calendar for obvious reasons. Fortunately this will not be a problem because there is so much to do on the Canal during the summer that is both socially distant and revives the spirit.

We hope you will join us in supporting all the wonderful community events - when they return – until then have a wonderful summer with your loved ones and stay safe and healthy!

Publication is produced quarterly by IMAGE IN ACTION | nwevent.org (360) 427-5599 or email:rachel@nwevent.org PO Box 622, Shelton, WA 98584 AVAILABLE FREE THROUGHOUT THE NW © 2020 | no reprint without permission.

Editor, Rachel Hansen and neighbor, Jill Jeffery put the finishing touches on a giant humpback whale in the shaking project of COVID 19.