Monday, March 22, 2021

I had several cards to get in the mail today, a library book to return and one to pick up. When the cards were ready I set out for the two errands.

When I went to the drive-by mailboxes at the post office the slot for packages (which I generally use rather than the letter slot) was jammed and wouldn’t open completely. It was the same story on the second one. Fortunately everything was able to fit through the letter slot.

When I got to the library I realized that I had forgotten the book that was to be returned. I picked up the new book and I know I have a few days before the other book is really due.

When I came home I thought I should let the post office know about the mail box. I found a local number online and called; press 1 for the directory, 2 for customer service and 3 for the supervisor. I picked #2 but the message just told me to call a 1-800 number which I knew wouldn’t be local. There was no way back to the main menu so I dialed again and picked #3 for the supervisor. No one answered, I got a message that no one was available to take me call, but there was no way to leave a message.

I went to the website for Canada Post and noticed they had a Chat option but they also had a virtual assistant. I tried with that but all it wanted was my name and address, whether I was the sender or the receiver and then the address for whichever of those I wasn’t. So I gave up and decided I’d try the Chat section. After about half an hour of searching I found the Chat area again but all it did was give me the 1-800 number.

So I braved the 1-800 number and waited on the phone as “due to the high volume of calls” they couldn’t answer the phone. There were a series of questions and numbers to press before I got into the actual queue for support.

The fellow I was talking to was very hard to understand. He wanted my address and when I gave it to him he wanted me to start over with my postal code and then the address and my name. I did as he wanted and was finally able to tell him what the issue was. There were more questions (what colour was the mailbox, what was the address of the post office, was it a maintenance or security issue, etc.). I’m sure every time he didn’t know what else to do he asked for the address again.

After more than an hour of futzing around I told him I was going to hang up and he asked me for my name, which I already gave him, and then he wanted me to spell it. Leave it to say that the call did not end well and I have no idea whether or not they reported the problem to the post office. Next time I will get out of the car and go inside to report the problem; even with a line-up outside as there was today it would have been faster.

We may never get mail delivered again but I’m okay with that as long as I never have to call Canada Post.

I worked off my frustration on some weeds in the yard this afternoon. The orange bush is wonderful and I couldn’t help but work my way down that side of the yard just so I could enjoy the smell. I hung clothes out on the line (a sure sign of Spring) and in my weeding I see that the peonies are starting to send up shoots.

Saturday, March 20, 2021

After about an hour and a half on the phone we got through and have our Covid-19 vaccine booked for March 29th. Pat spent most of the time redialing but when he passed the phone to me to make himself a sandwich it was no time at all before I got through. In fact Pat didn’t even have time to put his sandwich together.

I’ve been working on blocks all day and managed to get two done. The blocks are sixteen inches so they are big and I don’t feel too bad about my slow progress. I also have almost enough leaders and enders put together for another postage stamp block.

I think I have time to put the postage stamp block together and then I’ll need to organize another bunch of squares for more leaders and enders.

Friday, March 19, 2021

I’ve had a great day!

Last night I finished a book so this morning I picked out my next one. It wasn’t much of a choice because the one I finished is due back at the library, the next one is a library book, and I have another one waiting at the library for me to pick up.

I finished some paperwork while I waited for a call this morning and after the call I sat in my chair and got the bindings stitched down on my last two projects. When that was done I made a cake; once it is cool I will ice it.

The best news of the day came at lunch when Pat was online and noticed that we can register for our Covid vaccine tomorrow afternoon. I’m only eleven days past my second Shingles vaccine so I hope that doesn’t interfere. I guess if I have to wait I at least know I’ll “get the jab” soon.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

We are getting brief spots of sun today between wind and showers so weather-wise it isn’t feeling very spring-like.

But I was out getting a couple of birthday gifts this morning and the cherry trees behind Walmart are coming into blossom. They aren’t entirely pink yet but they will be very soon.

I was at the drug store after lunch and the trees beside the medical clinic are also out. They are a much brighter shade of pink and, I think, a little further ahead than the Walmart ones.

When I pulled into the driveway after being out the forsythia in the neighbours yard is starting to come out.

And if those weren’t enough signs the birds are out in numbers. Today as I stood at the window by the deck I saw two ravens fly by and both of them had something trailing from their beaks – nest-making time I guess.