MAY 2020
If there was ever a word that best depicted a mood or a mental state, ANTICIPATION would be the one. It's been about a month since my last posting and not much has changed. As of this writing, it's been over two months since I've "sheltered in place;" "isolated" in my apartment. Since mid-March our lives were impacted as never before. Every aspect of our being had to adjust to a new paradigm. We look with more scrutiny at our "germ-phobic index." Mandates, policies, rules, suggestions and orders from "experts" in all fields have flooded the media and our conversations. All of it has been met with a variety of responses on the part of the populace. In the coming days, weeks and months, the Monday morning quarterbacking will be intense and non-stop. What we "coulda/woulda/shoulda" done differently will be as varied as the people you speak to. Listen and see how many have become "experts" in fields of science, medicine, immunology, epidemiology virology, economics, or even....running a country. And the conspiracy theories? Prepare yourselves, they will overwhelm you. The best piece of advice I've come across for dealing with this pandemic is to free yourself from stress. Reduce your time reading/listening to the news and connecting with social media. Instead, turn your attention and focus on the more pleasant activities you enjoy. And here I am reducing my stress by writing a blog entry.
I've got the Instacart process down pat. I'm also pleased with how my ordered-on-line case of wine is placed in my trunk without having to get out of my car. When out and about, I'm finding people are more friendly, more accommodating, more patient. I've observed this through my steamed glasses; the result of breathing into a mask. My view of the world is very limited. As a retiree, my sources of income continue. My savings have not disappeared. I'm okay and comfortable but know too many others are not. I'm optimistic and pray that things will work out for the best for all of us.
I've developed new hobbies. I create garbage, recyclables and dust. Don't know where they come from but they just appear and must be dealt with. I have greatly broadened my collection of memes, cartoons and videos on the subject of Covid-19. I've become paranoid because my collection of recyclables is piling up and there are no machines that will allow me to approach to get rid of them. I'm going to ruin the planet if I just throw them away in the regular trash. I solved the problem by bringing them to a redemption center in Hopewell Junction. Whew!
I never considered myself an introvert but turns
out not only am I, but I like it. I never considered sticking to a routine
as negative but I'm feeling it now. From the time I awake until the time I go to bed, there's an order to things that I do. Ugh. Right
after Easter, I completed my Lenten obligation of fasting or denying myself simple pleasures. I had given up being with friends and socializing,
shopping, driving, dining out, eating sushi, watching television, going to the
movies and working out at the gym. (find the joke)
The sacrifice has been difficult but I'm
doing it and it looks like I'll continue as States begin to go through their
"stages" of opening up for us to enjoy the life to which we've been accustomed.
Herein lies the subject of my post...Anticipation.
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| Going without a haircut for three months was interesting. |
JULY 2020
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| Dakota a.k.a. Kota |
I've been to Lake George in 2016. If you missed those blogs, they can be viewed at:
Day 1 and Day 2
Thanks for reading, see you in July.