The usual goal in this column space each week is to touch on one singular theme, topic or event, but there are just far too many moving parts in my head this week and things that I want to get off my chest.
Just some random mulling and musing as we approach the end of May in a few days.
By the way, ‘Mullings and Musings’ sounds like a great weekly column title in and of itself. If there are any aspiring columnists out there who want to use it, all I ask in return is credit in your debut edition – and a toonie a week until the end of time! (is that what Donny Boy calls ‘the art of the deal’?)
Let’s start with that fact itself I just mentioned above. The end of May is only a few days away. Seriously? It feels to me like we just got rid of March, and you’re telling me May is walking out the door? If I blink too slowly, is it going to be August? Time is going by too quickly for my liking, especially during a pandemic.
I really don’t know if we in this province are ready for Phase 3 and the ensuing phases of the government’s reopening plan. My confidence in my fellow Saskatchewinners took a major hit last week when I was in Saskatoon following an appointment. It was the Tuesday after the May long weekend, signalling the beginning of Phase 2 and therefore, retail stores were opening back up. The sheer entitlement and childish behavior I witnessed by grown adults was nothing short of infuriating: honking at each other in two-lane drive-thru traffic at fast food joints because traffic wasn’t moving fast enough; shouts of “Let’s pick up the pace!” and “Should’ve called in more cashiers!”. The cherry on top had to be seeing people ignore the re-routed entrance into Walmart and instead enter through the exit door, prompting a mini lecture from the over-worked security guard who shouldn't have to tell such things to those of the baby boomer generation.
By the way, I hereby make claim that I own the term ‘Saskatchewinner’. I never liked ‘Saskatchwanian’, and quite frankly, I just like my term better. You live in Saskatchewan, you’re a winner, aren’t ya?
I’m both anticipating and dreading the news coverage that is sure to come out of June 8 when Phase 3 kicks in. That’s because Phase 3 means restaurants can reopen at 50% capacity. The line-ups will be insane, the tension will be so thick you could cut it with a machete (the Saskatoon criminal’s weapon of choice these days), and I can just see a brawl or two break out because someone cut the line at Red Lobster or Mano’s on 8th. Me, personally? I’m a very patient man, and I’m waiting it out. I’ll get there eventually, but I’m in no rush.
A couple of weeks ago, one of the most heartwarming events to happen in Outlook in quite some time took place when a Mother’s Day car parade was organized and went past the senior residences in town. It was a hit with attendees, the video clip I shot racked up thousands of views, and it was seen as something sorely needed right now. Soooooo, I can’t help but think it begs the question – What do we do for Father’s Day? Another parade, this one adding farm equipment to the mix, perhaps? Hmmm, might have to stew on this one…
Speaking of events, I wonder if anything can be done at all when it comes to Canada Day. We know that major events in Ottawa and Toronto aren’t happening, same goes for anything official in Saskatoon and even in the neighboring community of Elbow, but surely we can come up with something to mark the day, albeit in a safe manner?
Evidently, a Facebook post by the Town of Outlook about implementing a strict watering schedule for residents (see the ad in our issue) got people talking and voicing their opinions. Personally, I question such a rigid regiment at a time when the water has risen on the river and more is headed our way courtesy of some rainfall in Alberta, but all the same, that’s the kind of engagement I like to see, regardless of whether you're making taxpayers happy or irritated. It's great to see immediate response on any matter. It shows that people give a damn about what's happening in their own backyard......like when they can use water in their own backyard.
I may be in the minority, but I think I may prefer these late spring conditions over flat-out summer. July and August have a tendency to roast everything in sight, but late May and early June is that “greening up” period where everything looks serene and calming. Plus, you’ve got farmers in the field kicking up dust, or rather, ‘prairie perfume’. Yep, I own that phrase too.
Thanks for reading my rambling thoughts. Sometimes a guy just needs to unload.
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
