In the middle of the quarantine, seclusion, sheltering.......

Will we look back at this period of six, eight, twelve weeks of social distancing, of social quarantine, of mind numbing seclusion as anything but a time of fear and confusion?  Will there be revealed a benefit to these days of isolation when it's over? Well, if one escapes the virus, that will be a benefit of course. But at this moment, trying to both absorb the daily news, the body counts, the lack of services for all of us while at the same time trying to avoid all of the above, the possibility of a benefit seems remote. 

However, I have already seen more voice-to-voice communication in my small world than I would have imagined. Friends are calling. I am calling them. My siblings are chatting on the phone, we are all trying to enjoy the power of a voice if we cannot enjoy the power of a hug, of company.  Maybe that will continue, maybe those of us who are spared the dire consequences of this viral Grim Reaper will hold hard on our promise to "let's keep in touch, let's talk in a few days" that we are now making.  (Well, at least I am and some of my friends. Can't speak for the millions out there.)  Sometimes the sound of a friendly voice on the phone is all it takes to change the course of a depressing day.

Music, too.  I am listening to a Pandora channel right now, as I have for a while, that features Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and the indomitable Patty Griffin, and Adele and so many others. For me, lyrics seem to figure into this imposed isolation and they often mean more than what's written on the page. Google "Patty Griffin Be Careful" and listen to it and pay attention.  It's powerful.

Still, we are in a vast, frightening unknown territory of possible darkness and death. Anything we can do to help our minds, hearts and psyches and health right now are fair game. Running in place, listening to loud music, eating noodles with garlic and cheese, walking and walking on empty roads, having a beer at 9:00 in the morning, whatever it takes, just do it. Learn to bake bread, bake a cake, clean out your closets and toss things you won't need once our metaphorical (and real) doors to the world reopen. Dance alone in your house or with your partner if that partner isn't a dog, like in my case. Sit outside in these days and sip some whiskey or wine and read a book. Read several.

OK, time to make some dinner with all the supplies I have stored up. Sesame noodles with leftover chicken and thinly sliced cucumber and carrots.  Or something like that.

With all this time, I will be writing more, just so the two people who read this will pay attention..... check in often.

Stay safe.  I love you all.