Looking for light

Every one of us is struggling to find solutions to the “new normal” as we social distance, try to work from home, stress about income, limit grocery store trips, homeschool, stay away from yet try to stay connected with our family. It’s difficult. All the things we’ve trained ourselves to do when the going gets tough – work harder, be more efficient – are essentially useless during this pandemic. Doing nothing has suddenly become an action.

My intent was to try and focus on what positives might come out of this, and I will, though with manufactured enthusiasm today. I’m finishing my editorial on Monday, April 20, as citizens of our beautiful Nova Scotia deal with the aftermath of an event so shocking and horrific, COVID-19 seems like an afterthought. I’m feeling heartbroken by the unimaginable and senseless loss of life, and also by the bitter irony of families and loved ones grappling with this profound loss, during a time when being wrapped up in love and support is required to happen at a two-metre distance or from the other side of a computer screen. There is a saying, “Things can always be worse.” This must be it.

In the midst of it all, we keep going. Horse people tend to be a resilient bunch, accustomed to bumps in the road. Small things like a cheap rail in the big class, a thrown shoe or abscess on show day, or bigger things like a colic or injury that leads to the death of a beloved horse. At some point most of us have been knocked down a peg or two by life with horses. We realize not everything, or even much, can be totally managed or controlled. Add to that an Atlantic Canadian sensibility, and we may have a leg up on fumbling through this. The giant dose of perspective levelled on us by the unimaginable events of the past weekend should ensure we are well equipped to overcome the impact of COVID-19.

Ironically, this issue has a career focus, just as the working world has ground to a halt, or become increasingly challenging. The two young businesswomen profiled in this issue are just starting careers in the horse world. “Maritimer Helps Horses Fly the Friendly Skies,” was written before the skies became quiet. “Freelance Training During Covid-19” is about life turned upside down in the midst of it. The question “Is a career in the horse industry for you?” is an especially loaded one at the moment.

In this issue you’ll also find updates from businesses from across our region. We’ve reached out to our loyal advertisers to see how they are coping through restrictions in our four Atlantic provinces. How, or if, they are managing to still serve their customers. These business owners and employees are the same individuals who support your shows, clinics, and events. Be there for them. And be thankful that for the most part, the things that we need are mostly still available to us, even if the process of obtaining them is more complicated. Adapting and creating solutions for customer and staff safety has no doubt been tiring, stressful, and costly.

This issue of HP looks, and feels different, like everything else in our world at the moment. Advocate Printing in Pictou, N.S., was helpful in working with DvL Publishing to find ways to ensure HP went to print. By switching to a made in Nova Scotia paper, we were able to cut costs and also support a local company at a time when they need it most. The paper, manufactured by Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP), is a supercalendered paper. Instead of being coated to give it a shiny finish, it is smoothed and polished between huge cylindrical rollers – calenders – that run at high speed to glaze the paper. PHP has about 300 direct employees, plus some 400 contractors, sourcing timber from private woodlots and from a 523,000-hectare Crown licence area that is managed under certification by the Forest Stewardship Council. We’re pleased to support local industry and we welcome feedback from our readers.

As many of you are home with children of all ages, we’ve included a timely new addition of a kids’ pull-out section, which will hopefully lead to a bit of fun and learning, and maybe create a little break for the teacher of the house. It’s chock-a-block with puzzles, word games, equine-related reading suggestions, and more. We also welcome your photos of how you’re passing the time with or without your horses. You can email them to dvlproduction@eastlink.ca or post them on the Horse and Pony Facebook page.

In this dark time, we need to look for the light. If you are feeling particularly blue there is never shame in asking for a hand, or advice. Otherwise, grieve, stomp around, or scream into a pillow. Give yourself that, but then take a deep breath, maybe bake some bread, or make a list of everything we have to be thankful for. Our young people need to see us persevering, to reassure them: this too shall pass. Hold each other up (in whatever safe form that takes) – adjust, let go, be kind, be generous.

“We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment,” mused author and humanitarian Sonya Renee Taylor about life after COVID-19. So, in the spirit of Facebook’s “Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party (COVID19 edition),” put on your pajamas (if you’re not already in them), and sing in your sock feet. It doesn’t matter your skill level. What matters is you care enough to try, and that others are listening.

In this kitchen, we dance.

Take care.