Walking through Tudhope Park this week, home of the Mariposa Folk Festival, was a surreal experience for Sue and me.

The festival, cancelled due to Covid, should have celebrated its 60th anniversary and been full of magical moments.

Having trouble making sense of emoji’s and texting abbreviations?

In these trying times, when we depend more than ever on digital communications, the distance between us is amplified by our struggle to interpret text exchanges with members of the next generation.

It was a comment Sue made. One that I only half heard, but the tone indicated that I ought to take action. I think it was about flexibility, middle-aged bulge or maybe mindfulness.

Whatever the case, after a quick and superficial reflection, I enrolled in a yoga class.

“Flesh and blood needs flesh and blood and you’re the one I need.” Johnny Cash

The day will come when we are asked to tell our stories of these trying times.

“Bampie, what did you do during the Great Pandemic?” Some doe-eyed grandchild dressed in a one-piece flannel pyjama shall ask me.

When did I go from being my dog’s master to being her “Daddy”?

There is something odd and uncomfortable hearing Sue tell the dog to “Go ask Daddy” when she is begging for a treat of some sort. That would be the dog begging – not Sue. (Not going to happen. Not ever.)