Anyone?

Perhaps I should first note that holidays, and I mean real vacations, are probably not at the top of the gotta-do list for most folks. Nor should they be. I’m sure you’re aware of the cabinet ministers and various other officials who have been roundly slapped and/or fired and/or not-reelected for flying off to luxurious, or at least warm, locations.

There is also a big chunk of the population who simply cannot afford to zoom away, and I suspect that chunk is larger than it was pre-COVID.

Saddest of all are those who have become ill or lost loved ones or had their lives turned upside down in so many other ways by this blasted virus.

For those of us hanging grimly on in the middle of it all, however, there’s also this mental health (not to mention physical health) element that must be considered. Some of us are front-line workers in the pandemic. Others are business owners, busy employees working from home, parents trying to manoeuvre kids through weirdness and school.

All of us need a break.

A break, right now, is the hardest thing to get unless you’re not sick but quarantined anyway, and how much fun can that possibly be?

Hubs and I are not big travellers, but we’ve been fortunate enough to experience a few holidays away from Saskatchewan winters. I’m betting we were not the only ones pining for other climes in the misery of last month.

When’s the last time we had minus 55 with the windchill? Has that ever happened in living memory? Let’s just say it froze my brain, which is good because otherwise I might have gone insane and run outside, clothing-free, screaming, “Nooo! Make it stop!”

One bizarrely icy mid-February night, we reminisced about a trip to Mexico — our first, I think. There was a spectacular deal on flight, accommodations and four rounds of golf at Las Hadas in Manzanillo. We couldn’t resist and off we went.

What I remember most was the heavenly smell. The resort consists of bright white buildings, and the red bougainvillea grew everywhere, spilling in lush fragrant madness over the flowerbox sills. The golf course was gorgeous (and difficult). The food was okay — sometimes good — and the nearby nightclub drove me bats, but generally the vacation was fabulous.

Sigh. Will I ever go back? Will I ever go anywhere ever again in any season?

Summer holds some promise, when we can escape for a time to the province’s many lakes. Otherwise . . . until all this vaccination business is over at least . . . mostly we’re staring at staycations. Maybe for some time. I mean, you can’t even get a flight to Mexico or the Caribbean right now. They don’t exist. Even if you wanted to risk being stuck in another country, or were able to quarantine for 14 days on either side, forget about getting there. Besides, the risks are pretty high.

So back to my basic theme which, to reiterate, is that we all need a break. How to get one is the question.

There may be a bundle of stalwart souls out there doing intelligent physical activity such as cross-country skiing and then falling exhausted into a warm bed. (Is this a holiday?) I personally loathe outdoor winter activities, but greatly admire those who engage. My daily walk is absolutely the best I can do on that front. (I missed only two days during the deep freeze, although the walks were shorter, and I’m proud enough of that to feel I must mention it.)

But I’m really talking about a week-long (at least) break. A real one. The kind where you’re far enough away from work and daily stressors to truly relax and do a little healing.

And all I’ve come up with so far is this (and you’ve heard it all before): if possible, book a week off. Plan some kind of socially-distanced but fun activity for at least four or five of the nine days (bingeing Netflix not a great idea. We’re all doing that anyway).

Walk the Forestry Farm, weather permitting. Sure, go skiing. Head down to the river and check out the ice sculptures. Should you not fear being enclosed in public spaces, go for a lovely dinner. Maybe visit the Remai Modern, where you can see the incredible photographs of Thelma Pepper, who sadly recently died at age 100. Maybe try to see the bison at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

I’m sure there are other things to do in this mid-winter like no other. Speaking strictly for myself, it’s hard to get motivated and get the heck out of the house. But that’s the problem. I’m feeling mired to this chair and that couch, turning a delicate blue from boredom and the awful sensation of being trapped.

If you’re feeling anything like the way I am . . . it’s time for a holiday.

-Joanne Paulson