I’m exhausted.
Yes, it was a very busy summer and fall season at the studio – and for that I am always very thankful. And, yes – adding the new wool pellet product line is also exhausting as it has been, at times, an exercise in frustration due to issues like equipment malfunctions. Then there is the added responsibility of entering into my third year as President of the Central Coastal Tourism Partnership, our region’s local tourism association for businesses involved in the Island’s tourism industry.
Yes, it was a very busy summer and fall season at the studio – and for that I am always very thankful. And, yes – adding the new wool pellet product line is also exhausting as it has been, at times, an exercise in frustration due to issues like equipment malfunctions. Then there is the added responsibility of entering into my third year as President of the Central Coastal Tourism Partnership, our region’s local tourism association for businesses involved in the Island’s tourism industry.
But what’s noted above is not what is at the root cause of this feeling of fatigue. It is the constant bombardment of news dealing with the repulsive actions of certain political leaders.
It’s been less than 10 months since Trump assumed the role of US President and, in that short period of time, he continues to threaten to destroy Canada’s economy in order to gain unfettered access to Canada’s critical minerals and water. His “ICE” force, supposedly there to keep US citizens safe from illegal immigrants, is nothing more than masked Gestapo agents who are permitted to violently arrest and detain citizens and immigrants at will. He has ordered military strikes on, to date, 16 boats supposedly smuggling drugs, killing at least 66 people. All without the approval of Congress. His behaviour is that of an autocrat who decides what direction the government will take on any given day based on his personal whims through the use of Executive Orders. If his mouth is open, a lie is forthcoming.
Canadians have their own delightful political leaders. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, went into the 2025 federal election under the assumption that he would become the next Prime Minister of Canada as his party held a 20 point lead over the Liberals. Not only did he not win the election, he lost his own seat in the Ontario riding of Carleton, a seat he held for 20 years. He had to boot out another Conservative MP in what is likely the most right-wing riding in Canada and run for election there in order to secure himself a seat in the House of Commons. Since then, he has been a constant volcanic eruption of divisiveness and anger. He is now threatening to bring down PM Carney’s minority government over a budget that has been developed under the leadership of a highly experienced world economist. The vast majority of Canadians do not want to go through another federal election not even 6 months since the last one. We are looking for stability, cooperative leadership, and might I even add adult behaviour in the House of Commons.
I can’t even begin to touch on the horrors of the wars between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Gaza. Suffice it to say we are witnessing some very dark days.
Is it any wonder that I am feeling a sense of emotional exhaustion. And I know that I am not alone.
I truly believe that is why there was such unabashed joy as my fellow Canadians and I watched the Toronto Blue Jays take on the L.A. Dodgers in the World Series. The Dodgers were last year’s World Series champs while, in 2024, the Blue Jays were the team in dead last position. The general consensus (outside of Canada) was that the Dodgers would easily sweep the series, but they only managed to eke out a win after going into overtime in Game 7. While Canadians would have dearly loved to have seen the Jays win, they have nonetheless been inspirational. They played with heart, with tenacity, with an unmatched level of team spirit. There was a true camaraderie among the team members. They demonstrated the value in fighting the good fight and never giving up even when the odds seem to be stacked against you. They were a shining light in these dark days.
It’s been less than 10 months since Trump assumed the role of US President and, in that short period of time, he continues to threaten to destroy Canada’s economy in order to gain unfettered access to Canada’s critical minerals and water. His “ICE” force, supposedly there to keep US citizens safe from illegal immigrants, is nothing more than masked Gestapo agents who are permitted to violently arrest and detain citizens and immigrants at will. He has ordered military strikes on, to date, 16 boats supposedly smuggling drugs, killing at least 66 people. All without the approval of Congress. His behaviour is that of an autocrat who decides what direction the government will take on any given day based on his personal whims through the use of Executive Orders. If his mouth is open, a lie is forthcoming.
Canadians have their own delightful political leaders. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, went into the 2025 federal election under the assumption that he would become the next Prime Minister of Canada as his party held a 20 point lead over the Liberals. Not only did he not win the election, he lost his own seat in the Ontario riding of Carleton, a seat he held for 20 years. He had to boot out another Conservative MP in what is likely the most right-wing riding in Canada and run for election there in order to secure himself a seat in the House of Commons. Since then, he has been a constant volcanic eruption of divisiveness and anger. He is now threatening to bring down PM Carney’s minority government over a budget that has been developed under the leadership of a highly experienced world economist. The vast majority of Canadians do not want to go through another federal election not even 6 months since the last one. We are looking for stability, cooperative leadership, and might I even add adult behaviour in the House of Commons.
I can’t even begin to touch on the horrors of the wars between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Gaza. Suffice it to say we are witnessing some very dark days.
Is it any wonder that I am feeling a sense of emotional exhaustion. And I know that I am not alone.
I truly believe that is why there was such unabashed joy as my fellow Canadians and I watched the Toronto Blue Jays take on the L.A. Dodgers in the World Series. The Dodgers were last year’s World Series champs while, in 2024, the Blue Jays were the team in dead last position. The general consensus (outside of Canada) was that the Dodgers would easily sweep the series, but they only managed to eke out a win after going into overtime in Game 7. While Canadians would have dearly loved to have seen the Jays win, they have nonetheless been inspirational. They played with heart, with tenacity, with an unmatched level of team spirit. There was a true camaraderie among the team members. They demonstrated the value in fighting the good fight and never giving up even when the odds seem to be stacked against you. They were a shining light in these dark days.
It is that very light that gives me hope. It helps me to see that perhaps the tide is turning. In yesterday’s US mayoral and gubernatorial elections, every Trump-approved candidate lost. And also yesterday, a Conservative Member of Parliament crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, expressing his disillusionment with the tone and leadership of the Conservative Party. He feels that the decisions being made by the Conservative Party were not aligned with what his constituents want.
Will we get through these dark days? I hope so, but we will not emerge unscathed. There will be scars; trust has been broken. But I must believe that good will ultimately overcome the evil of greed and narcissism. And, in the meantime, I will do my best to take deep breaths and to remain so very thankful for good friends, family and the knitting community who supports Knit Pickers PEI through your purchases, your referrals, your promotion and your wonderful companionship.
Will we get through these dark days? I hope so, but we will not emerge unscathed. There will be scars; trust has been broken. But I must believe that good will ultimately overcome the evil of greed and narcissism. And, in the meantime, I will do my best to take deep breaths and to remain so very thankful for good friends, family and the knitting community who supports Knit Pickers PEI through your purchases, your referrals, your promotion and your wonderful companionship.
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