How is everyone faring? Have your gardening plans or activities been affected the pandemic? Never would I have thought the world in 2020 be turned upside down and put on pause like this due to the COVID-19.

I've read garden centres & nurseries have been deemed essential businesses in the province of Alberta, and notice many have adapted shopping protocols and curbside pick up options. Although I miss the days of plant shopping, I am nervous to go out more often than needed. I observe a spectrum of responses to the pandemic, everything from some I know not leaving the home base at all unless absolutely necessary, to some occasionally leaving the home, but with modified activities & with social distancing.

I was hoping to visit Aspen Greenhouses just outside of the city of Red Deer, I learned they are the main supplier for all the Superstores across Western Canada, but I think I may put this on hold until next year. It makes realize how special the experience of obtaining a new plant is - seeing a plant that catches my eye, picking it up, and feeling it's it's leaves, smelling the flowers - it's impossible to fully mimic this experience online.

I'm fortunate to have gotten my seed orders in early before the seed companies became swamped. I love hearing about an increased interest in gardening & I've never seen so many families outside on walks. Baking bread at home also seems to be on the rise. Most of all, I'm grateful that the health of my family & myself is okay so far, but with both my parents in a long term care facility and my brother in a group home, I worry.