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Cannon Blasts: What we’re thankful for

Posted on by Pale Dragon

2020 has been a trying year for everyone, and it appears some of the difficulties will continue through the holidays and into 2021. COVID fatigue is very real, and I find that it’s hitting me hard lately. I’m sad that the traditional gatherings with my extended family over the holidays have been canceled. One of my primary diversions — Blue Jackets hockey — will not return until January at the earliest.

With all the bad news, I find it’s important to search for silver linings in order to provide some mental health relief. In that spirit, I thought it was important to continue the annual tradition here at The Cannon of sharing what we are thankful for. Please feel free to share your own in the comments.

William Chase

I’m thankful for friends, family, and good health in an otherwise trying year for many. To say the least. I was also fortunate enough to get a raise and promotion at work and launch my own podcast (Cutting 2 the Chase heard everywhere you get your podcasts). In addition, I’ll be heading into year 4 with The Cannon and it remains a blast!

MrSwift13

This year, this extremely challenging year, I am thankful for several things. I am thankful for my health, and the health of those I care about. No one in my immediate family has tested positive yet, which is a great thing.

I am thankful for each visit I have had with my dad this year. Dad was diagnosed with cancer this spring, and I am thankful that he is home and we are able to spend this holiday season with him. It has been stressful and hard, but I am thankful for each and every opportunity to see my dad and spend time with him.

Finally, I am thankful for Riley. We adopted Riley in July as a quarantine puppy, and she has become the light of my life, the source of the purest joy I have ever had. She’s incredibly sweet and her face licks on the couch every night are a true delight.

This year has been harder than any other, but I am thankful to have had a wonderful support system, a wonderful family, and a wonderful Riley to help get through the darkness.

Elaine Shircliff

Despite the craziness of 2020, I’ve continually found myself reflecting on the little joys in life. From the way the leaves dance in the wind to the serene reflection of light off of the lake to the sound my cat makes when she begins to fall asleep, I am constantly surrounded by beauty.

So, this year I’m incredibly thankful for the minutiae of every day life.

Rachel Bules

In a year where so many negatives seem to constantly swirl around us, I’ve been grateful that these circumstances have thrown what I’m grateful for into even sharper contrast. First and foremost, I am thankful for my health – for my body that gets me where I need to go, even if that’s only from my bed to my refrigerator to my couch. I’m thankful for my family and friends, and I’m grateful that this year has only allowed me to deepen my relationships with those who matter, even if it’s over Zoom. I’m thankful for my rescue cats, Woody and Louise, who have been my constant quarantine companions and always make me smile. I’m thankful for the city of Columbus, which I’ve gotten to know even better this year as I walk, run and bike and explore new streets and neighborhoods – watching this community rally to help and support each other during the pandemic, during the Black Lives Matter movement, and during the presidential election was nothing short of inspiring to me, and it makes me proud and thankful to call Columbus home.

Finally, I’m thankful for the fact that this year has made me slow down and truly consider what matters to me. My life moved a mile a minute before the pandemic hit, and although I am confident that life will resume that pace when the pandemic is over, I do not think I will soon lose track of knowing how it feels for the world to stop moving and for me to stop moving with it. One of my favorite movies taught me that life moves pretty fast – if you don’t slow down and take a look around every once in a while, you could miss it.

Pale Dragon

First, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been very fortunate. I have stayed healthy. I have a job that allows me to work from home to limit my possible exposure to COVID. My parents have acted responsibly and have stayed healthy, so I can continue to spend time with them on a regular basis.

Like MrSwift and Rachel, I owe a big thanks to a pet: my dog, Rory (pictured above with Riley). Without him, I would have felt very lonely and isolated. I could have gone days at a time without seeing another human. Instead, I got to take walks outside several times a day and I got to interact with all of my dog-owning neighbors (at a safe distance, of course). These interactions helped remind me that I wasn’t alone. So many people in my neighborhood got puppies in the spring and summer, and I get to walk over to a nearby park and see them every evening after work. These are friendships I wouldn’t have made under normal circumstances, with my old work schedule.

Finally, I’m thankful for the community here at The Cannon, from the writers to the commenters to anyone who reads the articles or listens to the podcast. Hockey or no hockey, COVID or no COVID, when I can’t be with my family and friends in person, I can be here with my online friends.

The week that was

With the increased likelihood that there will be no fans allowed at Nationwide Arena this season, and with the statewide curfew and countywide stay at home advisory, popular Arena District hangout R Bar is in danger of closing its doors. A GoFundMe has been launched for customers to help out:

Cam Atkinson has joined the cause, launching a Cameo account to raise funds for local businesses:

In case you missed it, the NHL revealed new “Reverse Retro” jerseys for every team. Here is a mock-up of what the Blue Jackets’ one will look like in action:

Much of the comment discussion happened in last week’s Cannon Blasts. Resident jersey aficionado BurkusCircus shared his thoughts in this fanpost, and the gang discussed jerseys on the Cannon Cast as well.

The Canadiens blog Eyes on the Prize ran a poll for all 31 jerseys and you can find those results here. The most popular rating was 7/10 but the overall results averaged out to 54%.

Will wrote about the latest in rumors and speculation regarding the NHL’s return to play.

The Jackets 20 series continued with profiles of Vinny Prospal and Jack Johnson.

Ohio Sports Update

Your Columbus Crew scored a big win in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

The Cleveland Browns’ victory over the Eagles summed up in one tweet:

(also this tweet, but apologies for language)

The Cincinnati Bengals’ Sunday — and really their whole season — summed up in one tweet:

Play me out

Talking Points