Columns and Letters

Column: Plenty to do

-by John Gillis

    In this era of constant COVID-19 news one should heed the updates daily, but seek to find something positive to do to combat the isolation depressing news we hear daily worldwide.
    Many people are reaching out to friends and family, even strangers by phone, internet, or Facetime or Skype.
    Musicians are putting on concerts to entertain people and to earn a little extra money in these uncertain times when so many gigs have dried up for them with no end in sight.
    One of the most ridiculous things I heard last week was that Donald Trump was considering posting troops near the Canadian border.
    You would think with all that is going on in the world that The President would have bigger priorities.
    What was he worried about? That Canadians are going to begin flocking to the United States during the COVID -19 crisis? Why would anyone in Canada want to go to the epicentre of the virus, to a country without universal health care, especially now?
    Sad news in the country music world this week with word that Nashville country and folk singer/songwriter John Prine is fighting for his life due to coming down with COVID-19.
    I saw that Joan Baez paid a nice tribute to Prine by singing his song Hello in There on video to wish him well. Baez is one of the few songwriters and artists that has been around longer than Prine and she noted that in all her years of performing that song is still her most requested by her fans.
    Everyone has their favourite John Prine song and I have difficulty picking a favourite because I have enjoyed so many of his songs over the years and seen him perform live countless times. I think of Paradise, Angel From Montgomery, Bruised Orange, Sweet Revenge, Sam Stone, The Great Compromise, and many others. Prine’s stories were almost as funny as his songs in most cases, which made the live shows really worthwhile and he always had an excellent band backing him up and usually a good opening act in people like Todd Snider, Jason Isbell, Iris Dement, or Jimmy Rankin at various times during his tours.
    Another piece of sad news for country music fans this week was that US country singer Joe Diffy passed away this week due to complications from COVID-19. I wasn’t familiar with his music, but I’m sure with all the hits he had there are some fans of his across Inverness County country music circles.
    Many people looking to get outdoors while maintaining social distancing this week have been going ice fishing. I saw countless numbers of people in Whycocomagh and Little Narrows last weekend on the ice trying their luck and catching some fish.
    Many people have been turning to a good book to pass the time. No doubt, most people are catching up on their reading list.
    It’s also a great time to develop a hobby whether that’s arts, crafts, music, or learning a new language.
    Many people are also trying to find entertaining things to do with their children, especially now that we’ve learned that school will be out at least until May 1st. Premier McNeil assures grade 12 students that they will graduate this year, but it will make for quite a challenge for some and it’s certainly no way to spend your graduation year but here we are.
    Then there’s Netflix, which has been a favourite for many during this period. Pick your favourite movie or tv series or favourite actor and look up all the movies they’ve played in. I once did that with the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman and found so many great movies that he was in.
    Do a favour for a neighbour.
    And of course there’s always the honey-do list and I’m sure those lists and home improvements will be on many people’s minds during this period.
    Can’t wait for spring to finally spring and this raw wind to die down and the mud to dry up on the trails and the scenic back roads so that walking will be more pleasant in the coming weeks.
    Enough of winter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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