Fall is here although this week we are enjoying some warm, sunny weather. Who would have thought we’d still be dealing with this pandemic at this point and that the U.S. would be doing so poorly compared to other countries? My husband and I still mostly stay at home. We had planned to go to the Oregon Coast a couple weeks ago but we cancelled because of the fires and the smoke.
We have been pushing to complete outdoor projects before the
cold weather hits. Sprinklers have been
repaired, the driveway regraded and graveled, and the rotting timbers around
the front yard replaced with new cherry timbers. Today the landscape company we hired finished a new
brick pathway toward our front door. I
have added new plants. Our acre lot has probably never looked so good. And there is more to do.
These home projects have served as a good distraction from the
reality of our lives. In many ways
things have ground to a halt. I know we
are much luckier than others. But I miss
people. Zoom meetings are not the
same. I can’t look people in the
eye. I can’t hug them. I am glad to be able to go back to the zoo as
a volunteer in a limited capacity—but I miss interacting with the giraffes and
other animals. I miss worshipping as
part of a congregation together in one place.
I miss the in person interactions with my interfaith community. I miss being able to safely go wherever I
want to go.
I am frustrated that we haven’t gotten this virus under
control in our country, in our state, and in our county. This is a failure of leadership but also a
failure of our population to take this seriously. I do appreciate all the people who work hard
for the community, often at great sacrifice to themselves. These wildfires in the west have been
horrifying. A childhood friend had to
evacuate her home for a few days.
Luckily, her home is okay and she was able to return. However, she is not safe yet because the fire
is not under control. She went through
this 3 years ago; her daughter and family lost their house. This is traumatizing.
Last night I watched the first presidential debate. The American people lost. What a disaster! The president couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He interrupted constantly, bullied and berated his opponent. His performance was horrendous. The most alarming part was his refusal to condemn white supremacy. Instead he encouraged the Proud Boys who took it to heart and stand ready with their guns. This is truly frightening. And then there is the Republicans’ rush to confirm a Supreme Court Justice before the election. Marginalized people worry about what will happen to them when conservatives have a 6-3 majority.
My mind is a jumble of all of these things and more. An election is coming up so we must pay
attention but watching is so depressing.
What do I do? How do I get up
every day? It’s not easy. I find joy in everyday things.
Tonight I read a chapter of Winnie-the-Pooh to my 5-year-old grandson via FaceTime. His smiles and silliness warm my heart. My Siamese cat jumps on our bed most mornings to have her head scratched. The black cat jumps up on my desk while I am on the computer, stands in front of the screen and then flops down to be petted. They make me smile. We take our dog for walks along the river; it is so peaceful there. Yesterday we spotted a juvenile red-tailed hawk in our yard. The sight of this beautiful bird lifted my spirits. Every day I learn about people working to improve our world, who spread love instead of hate. When I think of these things I have hope. I know 2021 will be a better year. I pray it will be a better year.
