Happy New Year! I am sure many of you will be glad to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. It was a challenging year, of course, dominated by COVID-19 and the many adverse effects of this terrible disease. Not only did the virus cause death, pain and suffering but it exposed the many (too many) underlying weaknesses in our society. Whether that be the treatment of the elderly in long term care or the horrendous conditions that migrant farmworkers are subjected to. The lack of equity and decency in the way we treat many front-line workers whether they be personal care workers in long-term care, retail workers in grocery stores or workers in food processing plants. The homeless, underprivileged, COVID-19 exposed the many areas of society that have so little leverage and power and that the rest of us, including the government, largely chose to ignore.
Although I continue to strive to be an optimist I am very concerned that once the virus is contained our focus will shift to "getting back to normal" and as governments deal with the exorbitant costs and deficits associated with COVID-19 we will quickly forget these at-risk groups and the danger and uncertainty that many of these people live in will continue.
It was with much of this in mind that I posted my most recent blog - My 2020 list of ... What frustrates me the most. I highlight my concerns and frustration with the RCMP, The Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls report and the treatment of migrant farmworks. Hopefully, you will take the time to read the post and like me try and press for improvements in these three areas in 2021.
I also posted my final article on Teresa and my trip to Japan, Our Journey to Kyoto (and a little time in Tokyo and Seoul). This was the final leg of our month-long vacation in February of last year. Many consider Kyoto the most beautiful city in Japan and is certainly a historical and cultural centre. We loved our time there and hopefully, the article will give you a sense of this wondrous place and ideas for your own travel.
I read six books this month, 5 non-fiction and 1 fiction. I worked my way through Barack Obama's new book, A Promised Land. It is 1200 pages so it is a commitment, but given I am a big Obama fan, not surprisingly I thought it was excellent. It is only volume 1 of his presidency. Well worth reading. I also read Caste: The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson. It is a fantastic book that will force you to examine how you view racism. I love books that are thought-provoking and this certainly meets that criteria. I only read one fiction book this month, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. I almost quit on this book as it starts very slow. But I stuck with it and was glad I did, rated it 4 stars. Teresa also liked this book so it has a double endorsement.
My books of the month are - non-fiction - All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation. Although the title would seem to imply an anti-marriage book, it is not. The book documents how women have stayed single for longer and how this has improved the situation for all women, married and unmarried. My fiction book of the month - The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a fun, easy to read, murder mystery. Definitely a page-turner you will not want to put down.
The six new books plus the two books of the month are highlighted in red within the What to read post. I have also added the two books of the month to the Books of the month - an easy way to find great books to read post.
With the holiday season, I ventured out to the LCBO and purchased 5 new wines we had not tried before. You will find them highlighted in red in the Great Wines under $20! post. Of the 5 we really enjoyed the Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz from Australia and Teresa's favourite, Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State (you have to wait until it goes on sale to get it for $20 but it is well worth the $23.95 regular price). I picked a sparkling wine for the December wine of the month. Bottega Vino Dei Poeti Prosecco DOC is great value at $15.95 and can be enjoyed on its own while celebrating or added to a festive cocktail. Enjoy!
I want to thank Teresa again for editing my posts. It definitely takes her longer to edit than it takes me to write (definitely my fault). The articles are definitely more readable because of the time she takes. Thanks, Teres!
I thought I would end by highlighting a year-end message that Teresa posted on her Facebook page. She correctly pointed out that despite the challenges and tragedies in 2020 we are very lucky to have great children, family, friends and each other!
Cheers to a great 2021!
As always if you have any comments or suggestions, let me know at thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com
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