A Different Summer by Janice Carter

Several weeks ago I wrote about the possibility of experiencing a different summer this year. I guess that sentence applies to almost everyone in the world, doesn't it? But in late April, the chances of my family and I returning to Garden Island where we spend most of May to the end of October every year, were remote. Our province (Ontario) here in Canada was still in lock-down; seasonal rentals were banned and docks and marinas closed. When you rent a cottage on an island, you really need to have those things up and running!
    So we made plans for a hot summer in an even hotter big city, planting a teensy garden in our compact backyard and planning backyard visits with out daughters, their partners and our toddler granddaughter. You can imagine our joy when lock-downs in the area where we cottage eased into Phase 2, which allowed the opening of seasonal rentals (our long time cottage of 38 years!), docks and marinas. Garden Island was a 'go', and my husband left for it the very next day! I was wrapping up a Heartwarming for deadline and stayed in the city for another week. Wheelbarrowing a load of groceries and possessions down the long lane to our cottage, I encountered this sign:

---an indication that despite being back on the island, the summer was going to be a bit different.
    The gardens, started late, still haven't reached any stage of picking and eating. All three of our bee hives perished over the winter and because my beekeeper husband was unable to replace the hives and supply new ones with sugar water until the spring flowers were in abundance, there will be no honey this year.
      The community of Garden Island is as close as ever. Well, as close as six feet will permit.We have our weekly Sunday morning coffee gathering in the lane, but it's strictly six feet apart, bring your own coffee and snack style. We get together with friends, sitting apart, with individual appetizer trays and drinks.

Some islanders still like to play pranks and devise mysteries. After this big old tree was felled because it was rotting inside and near power lines, a couple of mischief makers created this after dark one night. It is now the 'go-to' photo site for small children.

Before

A magical wedge

    But there was no July 1st (Canada Day) whole island cocktail party and it's unlikely there will be an annual Thanksgiving potluck supper in the sail loft. These changes are fine with me because my husband and I have had the opportunity to 'share our bubble' with one of my daughters, her husband and their two year old for a month- a delightful if exhausting experience! We are all healthy and our children employed. For now, getting back to the 'old days' is a waiting game. Perhaps we will never really get back. This is a realization slowly creeping up on all of us, I think. For now, I'm content to wait - and write, read, cook, enjoy family - as long as it takes. I'm privileged and lucky to be able to still have some kind of summer on Garden Island after all and I count my blessings every single day.
    I hope you are adjusting and finding pleasure in your own different summers. Stay well and thanks for joining!

Janice Carter