When you're forced in isolation it's good to keep some sort of structure. He'd feed his dog Sam a healthy meal, eat his grub, watch the news reruns (from before the world ended as he knew it), exercise, and even go hunting in the city. But, but, but there's another problem. Focus. I am finding myself keeping busy but doing different things--not staying on track with one project.
But I set it aside to finish an assigned health article. Then, I put it away to clean my fish aquarium to make me and my fish happy. And I am thrilled to report Mr. Snail Jr. is alive! All my goldfish, and catfish are happy. They do not know that world is sick...
Day to Day Life
Despite of all the politics, people in denial, sick, dying, overwhelmed healthcare workers and people living in fear--life goes on. I've been brushing my Australian Shepherd's coat and his teeth, and cleaned the microwave. I am getting ideas of spring cleaning, gardening, sunshine and...BAM! I realize things in Coronavirusland are not getting better. I am just adapting to a nightmare I cannot control. In fact, last night I slept only to be awakened by my dog and cat--barks and cries to eat breakfast. They keep me going even though they probably sense I'm off.
It's strange. As an author and introvert--my life has often been one of isolation and that's okay. But when I got cabin fever I'd go swim, gamble, book a trip to Canada or do a book signing. Those days are over for now and nobody knows how much longer life will go on like it is. I did see June where we might get a feel for real life. But nobody knows for sure.
Talk of quarantining New York and other Northeast states is happening. Our county now has nine COVID-19 confirmed cased. Both my publishers and we Californians are in hot zones. Political fights about ventilators that patients will likely need. There is a vast shortage. And Easter Sunday doesn't look like it will be a beautiful day of church gatherings. I see the big circles on the US map. We are near SF...and may be a hot zone as a tourism hub and tourists keep coming up here to take our food and invade our town.
Medical experts to fellow intuitives sense a second wave of the virus will hit hard in the fall... Worse, medical experts talk of several more outbreaks.
But I am powerless.
At times I feel like Anne Frank must have felt...cooped up, hiding, and waiting for the grim inevitable. We all have expiration dates but I'd rather go traveling or be blindsided quickly not grab a ticket and wait to be called. "You're infected." If that happens I'd rather stay at home...be in my cozy cabin with my loved ones. I do not want to go to a containment camp and be with strangers or rely on a ventilator. Maybe I should write a will. Or not.
One Day at a TimeFor now, I'll start writing the article on seasonal allergies, and perhaps take a few calls from people around the world. Nowadays, 3 out of 5 share how they're coping with the virus in their world. And I am chill like a nurse on shift. It's not that I don't care. I do. But there is nothing I can do except read and dish answers for their immediate concerns about love, work, and money.
I can't help be wonder. Was my adventure to Alaska--the trip that tanked with erratic weather, rough air on the flight, isolated in my hotel room to later experiencing the dog's home quarantine foreshadow and preparation of this Coronavirus event?
And so it goes. The sun did not shine today. That is normal for Lake Tahoe in the early spring. In a few weeks, more snow will melt, birds will fly around the deck and I will get feeders. A garden, warmer weather, and maybe by June we'll feel a since of hope until autumn--my once favorite month. One day at a time. How would it be if fall never arrived? One day at a time. Be in the moment. Hanuka Matata.