The New Normal—Reflections and Stories from the EAT Family

As the world shifts and changes below our feet right now, EAT thought it might be a good time to check in with our family of contributors, supporters, and friends to see how they are dealing with daily life in this new reality.

The world’s population is cocooning, and Mother Nature is one of the few to see the benefits—like many places worldwide having blue skies again with the reduction in air pollution (something younger people who live there may never have seen). Or that after 10 years of zoo keepers unsuccessful attempts to make it happen, the zoo became quiet with no people gawking, and the pandas are mating.

This is a temporary stage in the world timeline, we realize, but one few of us will forget. Read on for the first story in our series.

Right Now Things

by Gillie Easdon

My brother has, with a few friends, three high-end Mexican eateries in New York City, Mesa Coyoacan, Zona Rosa and Guadalupe Inn. They’ve pivoted to cook food for a 40-bed hospital but had to lay off most of their very much-loved team.

My father is 86 and will not deviate from his morning walk to Oak Bay Village for his Globe and Mail. He’s contributed much in his work and life. Maybe it’s the thing he can control, so he must control it.

When I consider, and now have explored, homeschooling with my ten-year-old, I’m reminded of bribing a classroom with McDonald’s French fries when I taught in Taipei—I don’t bribe my child, but I’m an impatient, shitty teacher.

These are my initial impacts, large and small. Life will not be the same.

A few weeks ago, I signed up my son and me for two online meditation classes (both 10-15 min a day). We also get outside every day. Nature’s the only thing thriving right now. To not take advantage of where we live and lie in the grass, walk, breathe deep and smell the cherry blossoms, magnolias, hyacinths, not to mention the pungent manure in gardens right now, seems crazy (if you are not compromised). Just don’t walk arm-in-arm with new people, or lick or sneeze on anybody. Wash your hands.

Most days, I write and exercise and cook and have a beer, wine or a gummy. There’s low-lying anxiety, though. Subdermal, I’m scared, not terrified. Depending on how things unfold, terror’s in the wings, watching. I’m lucky I have writing work moving forward. I have a great place to live. No, I don’t own my home, have a massive bank account or a partner to share all this with – but I do have a solid co-parent team member. I’m not marginalized, homeless, in domestic abuse or challenged in all the other ways that are handily amplified at this time and tomorrow and the next tomorrows.

I was training for a sprint triathlon and had booked a sweet spring break road trip through Baja with my son and his dad. The summer plan included booking a trip to finally visit where a bestie Kristine has been living in Costa Rica for more than 20+ years. Then no, nope, non, 没有 (Mandarin).

Preoccupied with things we cannot enjoy and do right now, I started a blog. Fact & Feeling for Now explores and holds a tight focus on past experiences. Of course, Wild Mountain in Sooke and soup dumplings are fast frontrunner topics. My aunt, who just published “Nanaimo Girl,” suggested I detail what’s happening right now. That seemed too easy and probably ubiquitous. I wanted to inspire memory, spark the gorgeous and create communion from beautiful events, moments and morsels—not fan this desolation. So far, it’s been curious to see what memories surface, and which might be interesting, or appropriate enough. Feedback’s been positive, so I hope it’s helping a little, encouraging a fond pause in the day.

https://www.gillieeasdon.com