I’m going to try really hard to stick to the “quick” aspect of these takes, something I’m not good at. Maybe other people who do 7 Quick Takes Friday are more self-disciplined than I am, or maybe they just have less to say in general.
1
After losing their first four games, Peter’s hockey team has won their last two, the most recent of which was a shut-out (Peter wasn’t the goalie). He was the goalie for the last game they lost, but it really had nothing to do with him–the other goalie was very obviously distracted while Peter was focused and tried hard, but the other team’s offense was better.
2
I am enjoying having energy and being healthy again after having a nasty flu-like illness from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening last week. I actually took two days off work because I was pretty much incapacitated. There’s nothing like being sick to make you appreciate how great it is to be healthy.
3
Since I was home sick and unable to do much other than lie on the couch, I watched the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa on tv. I appreciate this annual solemn day for reflection, with its traditions. Veterans Day never really meant much to me when I lived in the US; Remembrance Day seems more deeply ingrained in Canadian culture. I think it’s partly due to the wearing of poppies, which are seen everywhere from late October until November 11th, and also because (in Ontario at least) all the public schools have Remembrance Day ceremonies (it’s in the law), so kids grow up with it as a part of their culture. It’s the main November holiday here. (Peter was looking at an American children’s book just the other day and exclaimed, “Thanksgiving isn’t in November!”)
4
Peter came home from school on Remembrance Day and shared his experience. ”We had something like a Mass in the gym. We watched a movie about war. I liked the bombs! Especially the new one they only used in World War II, that went up and went like this [gesturing like a mushroom cloud].” What can I say? He’s only six. He’ll get it when he’s older.
5
Don’s in Boston for a conference, so I’ve been doing the single mom thing again since Wednesday. Thankfully, it’s been going well so far. I’ve needed help from friends for child care; one had to get Peter to his school bus on Thursday morning because Don usually takes him after I leave for work, and other was kind enough to watch him this morning because it was a PD Day, so I had to work but Peter didn’t have school. We’ll be picking Don up at the airport in Detroit on Sunday evening. It’ll be a long day of driving and Peter seems to have given up sleeping in the car, so he’ll probably be up late. Monday morning will probably not be any fun.
6
The beginning of next week will be busy. I have a midwife appointment on Monday afternoon and a dentist appointment on Tuesday afternoon, then I’m taking Peter to the doctor on Wednesday afternoon. I’m going to have to get some grocery shopping done at some point as well.
7
We have not finalized baby names yet, so don’t bother asking. We won’t know if it’s a boy or a girl until it’s born, so we need names for both possibilities.
