I feel as if we're all back in kindergarten and being punished because of a few miscreants acting up, so none of us get to go out for recess!
I'm not serious.
I KNOW we're coming from a place of privilege because we have homes to stay in, food to eat, soap and water to keep clean. But, honestly, when I look at the news and see people ignoring the physical distancing mandates it just pisses me off! The arrogance is startling and yet, not surprising. As a society, we've become blind to the suffering of others and the inequality that exists. I am hopeful that this crisis has exposed the ugliness that is just below the surface.
This is sort of a downer post, but I've come to realize that we need to roll with the ups and downs of this sequestration and if that means tears, screams, curses, and blessings are contained in one post, well, as BGM says, "Oh well, sorry, boys..."
I'm off to make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!
xoxo
Monday, March 30, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Be kind, be strong, and take care of one another
Those were the words from Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, just now.
I can't think of anything better to remember today.
We will get through this together.
I can't think of anything better to remember today.
We will get through this together.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
What day is this? I don't know anymore
Man, it's getting strange around here.
But, seriously, we're inside, we have food, WiFi, we're not alone, and this ain't a damn warzone by any stretch of the imagination!
But, it really does help to have a place to just talk/vent/whine or whatever! I've had some off moments that I know come from watching too much news/talking heads. Like so many others, I look at our family and friends and wonder what lies ahead. There are moments where tears will suddenly spill down my cheeks and just as quickly, stop. I think I'm not alone with that particular experience.
All we do know is that it will get worse before it gets better.
Stay safe, practice physical distancing, keep in touch via whatever platform you use, and wash your damn hands! xoxo
But, seriously, we're inside, we have food, WiFi, we're not alone, and this ain't a damn warzone by any stretch of the imagination!
But, it really does help to have a place to just talk/vent/whine or whatever! I've had some off moments that I know come from watching too much news/talking heads. Like so many others, I look at our family and friends and wonder what lies ahead. There are moments where tears will suddenly spill down my cheeks and just as quickly, stop. I think I'm not alone with that particular experience.
All we do know is that it will get worse before it gets better.
Stay safe, practice physical distancing, keep in touch via whatever platform you use, and wash your damn hands! xoxo
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Love in the Time of COVID-19 (with apologies to Gabriel García Márquez)
(In all honesty, I am not going to even attempt to write anything as gorgeous as his, but I figured the title was too good to pass up!)
Like everyone else around the world, we're staying home and watching the news/movies/Instagram/Facebook/Twitter. I'm working my way through the stack of books I was planning to read eventually. We're taking advantage of all the virtual museum tours, historic house tours, and national parks. The Krewe has started hosting "The Shenanigans Club" online for all the littles (as they are called, as opposed to the "olds" which is us!) every day after "school" ends. Big Boy Choas is visiting with his school pals via FaceTime. Big Girl Matrix has taken to just standing on the sidewalk and yelling/talking to her pals up and down the street! The kids are adapting to homeschooling without too many issues. I know they are fortunate that their schools have sent home packets for individual study. It also helps that Stretch is a teacher and super nana a former teacher! Local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) stations are, as I think all PBS stations, are providing not only the usual educational programs but also sending newsletters filled with ideas for combating "cabin fever" and maybe a little mental health break for parents/caregivers!
Here in L.A. and across our state, we're a half step away from the shelter in place order that Gov. Cuomo released, but unless idiots who continue to flock to the hiking trails, beaches, and open areas quit and stay inside, that's the next step. We have a chance to flatten the curve right now here in L.A. to protect not only the "olds" but those in the medical field, the firefighters, EMS, police, grocery store workers, pharmacists, and everyone else who continues working to provide essential services for the rest of us! I'm guessing that the same is true for all y'all around the world.
I don't know what's coming next, but I do know that we will, as global citizens, get through this together. It will not be easy, nor will it be without human loss, but it will happen. Or as Annie sang:
UPDATE: there's something new here in Blogville! There's no hyperlink because I seem to have forgotten how to do that, so check out:
https://write-panic.blogspot.com/
Second UPDATE:
Jon is right. Grace Jones version is WAAAAAY better!
Like everyone else around the world, we're staying home and watching the news/movies/Instagram/Facebook/Twitter. I'm working my way through the stack of books I was planning to read eventually. We're taking advantage of all the virtual museum tours, historic house tours, and national parks. The Krewe has started hosting "The Shenanigans Club" online for all the littles (as they are called, as opposed to the "olds" which is us!) every day after "school" ends. Big Boy Choas is visiting with his school pals via FaceTime. Big Girl Matrix has taken to just standing on the sidewalk and yelling/talking to her pals up and down the street! The kids are adapting to homeschooling without too many issues. I know they are fortunate that their schools have sent home packets for individual study. It also helps that Stretch is a teacher and super nana a former teacher! Local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) stations are, as I think all PBS stations, are providing not only the usual educational programs but also sending newsletters filled with ideas for combating "cabin fever" and maybe a little mental health break for parents/caregivers!
Here in L.A. and across our state, we're a half step away from the shelter in place order that Gov. Cuomo released, but unless idiots who continue to flock to the hiking trails, beaches, and open areas quit and stay inside, that's the next step. We have a chance to flatten the curve right now here in L.A. to protect not only the "olds" but those in the medical field, the firefighters, EMS, police, grocery store workers, pharmacists, and everyone else who continues working to provide essential services for the rest of us! I'm guessing that the same is true for all y'all around the world.
I don't know what's coming next, but I do know that we will, as global citizens, get through this together. It will not be easy, nor will it be without human loss, but it will happen. Or as Annie sang:
UPDATE: there's something new here in Blogville! There's no hyperlink because I seem to have forgotten how to do that, so check out:
https://write-panic.blogspot.com/
Second UPDATE:
Jon is right. Grace Jones version is WAAAAAY better!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
In times of trouble...
I copied this from our friend, John's blog "Going Gently" (I seem to have forgotten how to do links, so check his blog out on my blogroll/sidebar). The comment below is a gentle reminder about what we're all experiencing on some level right now.
Stay safe, stay calm, and remember to wash your hands! I love all y'all and we will get through this!
Brother Richard, of the Capuchin Franciscans
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Stay safe, stay calm, and remember to wash your hands! I love all y'all and we will get through this!
Brother Richard, of the Capuchin Franciscans
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
things that have happened since we last spoke
the MITM had shingles
then he had a cold
now he has deep muscle pain from the shingles
there was a baby shower for our niece
he missed it
his brother and his wife were in town
they came over
his sister and her husband were in town
they came over
our 51st anniversary came and went
exciting shit, right?
then there's
Big Girl Matrix playing golf
and
Big Boy Chaos playing with his Hogwarts Lego days after his 8th birthday in the early morning hours
then he had a cold
now he has deep muscle pain from the shingles
there was a baby shower for our niece
he missed it
his brother and his wife were in town
they came over
his sister and her husband were in town
they came over
our 51st anniversary came and went
exciting shit, right?
then there's
Big Girl Matrix playing golf
and
Big Boy Chaos playing with his Hogwarts Lego days after his 8th birthday in the early morning hours
see y'all soon!
Thursday, March 5, 2020
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