NUDGINGS: a journey into the unknown

“Canadians are used to layering.” so says Dr Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. Dr Tam followed up this pronouncement with a reiteration of the public health measures she was encouraging Canadians to take . Wash your hands often. Keep your close contacts to those living in your household while keeping  your social distance of at least 6 feet from all others not in your household. Wear a mask when this can’t be done. Not one of these by itself will give you protection from COVID 19, but when layered together they make a real difference. And so she was encouraging Canadians to layer up! It is near the end of November now. The days are getting shorter. Snow is in the forecast along with wind chill warnings. As they have done for centuries, Canadians bring out the sweaters, the vests, the scarves and  the woollen hats. We layer up in other ways as well. Fireplaces are made ready, stews cook on the stoves, extra blankets are on the beds, Yes, Canadians are used to layering

  As you may or may not have noticed, this blog has been silent over the past 7 months. This wasn't because there was nothing to write about but rather because there was too much! As with everyone else, my mind was struggling to find a place to rest, to find some normalcy and continuity in the day-to-day events. I heard from a friend this past week that she has used the last 8 months to write and published her first book! I was able to go on Amazon and  immediately download the ebook format on my iPad... before she had even seen the first print copy. Truly miraculous!!! Our lives have been turned upside down first with the closing and then the cautious re-opening of non-essential work  and gathering places. Churches developed a  digital presence (if they didn’t already have one) that allowed them to  post sermons and other material online. Once  the churches were finally allowed to reopen, it was with a limited number of people in attendance and stringent rules for how things ar