Today’s Daily Stoic writing prompt: How am I preparing in the off season for what is to come?

“We can’t do this life thing halfheartedly”, says the associated meditation.

But, to quote the Tragically Hip:

“First thing we’d climb a tree
And maybe then we’d talk
Or sit silently
And listen to our thoughts
With illusions of someday
Cast in a golden light
No dress rehearsal
This is our life.”

There is no off season for life. Especially right now, in the ninth month of the year 2021. We are still under siege, as much as a lovely early September day full of sun and mini golf, and the prospect of an SCA event tomorrow might convince us otherwise. Right now, the coming months hold such hope and promise, but they also hold anxiety and fear. I’ve said it before: These next few weeks are an inoculation of sorts, a chance to perhaps drink my fill before the siege lines tighten again. And should it turn out that the measures being put in place right now–at least here–bear fruit, then the caution and the worry may slowly dissipate. The good news: Canada has, each time these challenges have come, been willing to step back from the brink. Alberta, flirting with a US red state-style approach, appears to be softening and reimposing restrictions; will they have the courage to do the rest that’s needed?

And with vaccine passports coming in, it will be interesting to see what happens to the “non-essential” activities that would have, in the past, been likely threatened by a fourth wave. Will restricting these activities to the vaccinated lower the risk and perhaps allow them to proceed? This is probably what’s on my mind most with both upcoming concerts and SCA activities.

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Scrolls are now photographed and packaged. Assembling food to take with me, pulling out my chair, my embroidery (which I may work on tonight as well–I think the first Cat of Brutalism is close to being done), my clothing, and probably my parasol. Found the shoes I want to wear, realized I’m missing a lace, found something to use. Realizing that I had been using a particular bag as a satchel at events.

I’ve also started reading Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. So far, I like it much more than War and Peace–the fact that it’s only about 1/3 the length may have something to do with that, but I’m genuinely intrigued by where the story is going.