With the COVID-19 pandemic in full-swing, we spent the days tending plants in the greenhouse, dealing with the pups, and had a (very cold!) campout in the tent.

April is always such an unpredictable month in Ontario. Snow and ice are possible. But so are beautiful warm days. With both the snow and our schedules cleared, we had the chance to explore in the woods around the lakes behind our properties. We found that the beavers had been incredibly busy. Tessa played in a “Salut d’Amour” contest and was recognized by Nicola Benedetti.

Everything changed in March. Spring break began; but it never ended. The pandemic quarantine stopped nearly every plan and weeks of complete isolation began. We did celebrate Tessa’s 3000th consecutive day of violin practice. Crews came and destroyed the old “Nazi” house next door. And there were the usual March snows. We started seeds in the greenhouse.

Febrary was a normal month. Snow. Cold. We made a trip to Toronto for a performance of Hansel and Gretel. We found out on Family Day weekend that Tessa was accepted to Interlochen for the summer.

A cold month. During the winter break, we made a trip to Toronto, where we discovered the Museum of Illusions.

December 2019 was dominated by Tessa’s solo performance with the London Community Orchestera on the 15th. She played the Romance in G, Op.40. What a memorable day!

A beautiful crisp October. Some hikes, a chance for Tessa to trick-or-treat dressed as a plague victim. A wonderful master class with Jerzy Kaplanik from the Penderecki Quartet.