We’re friends and family from around the world, sharing our experiences and thoughts during lockdown, quarantine, and self-isolation. For some of us, it’s DAY 29. Important Note: WE DON’T ALWAYS AGREE – nor do we have to! We post our opinions, and those of our guest bloggers, with no censorship. No copyright infringement intended WRT photos in this post.
Today we have free-for-all posts.
Tomorrow we will rise to the WRITER CHALLENGE
we got from a loyal reader.
Moving on
Tina F., Fairfax, Virginia
I keep imagining how we will all transition back to our “normal” lives. I don’t know if we will even want the same life we had pre-corona.
It may not even be in our control. Everything in this world progresses and changes. Nothing ever remains the same.
The weather can start off beautiful, warm, and sunny in the morning, then end up with a deluge of rain and hail. The four seasons maybe predictable but some plants don’t make it from one season to the next. At times, perfectly healthy plants are eaten up by other predatory insects or animals.
I bring this up because now more than ever we need to understand that life is such a gamble. One day you could be on vacation in the tropics, not knowing there will be an earthquake or tsunami around the corner. “What incredibly bad luck,” we all say. Other times you could be attending the most boring party and suddenly you discover the love of your life. “What a lovely coincidence,” we all say.
Your money is safely working for you in the stock market, only to crash in a matter of days. Then the schools that keep our children safe and educated suddenly close. “WTF?” we all say.
So why can’t we just be happy and appreciate what we have? Why can’t we be kind to each other and to our planet?
When the world hits that restart button will we all run back and do exactly what we used to do? Even though we know the unpredictability of the world still exists and can change in an instant?
Will the return to our old life be enough? Will rushing to purchase the venti latte on the way to the crowded metro in the hopes that we make it to work on time be rewarding? Will we just continue to tow the party lines regardless of their power hungry politics?
I’d like to see people demand more. More pay for the everyday workers who have become “essential employees.” More reform in healthcare so it can be affordable for all. More attention to and care for Mother Nature, and more tolerance of others who look and sound different. We all saw on the news around the world how this pandemic took its toll on everyone. Hopefully we will pay attention, because now we realize that it can happen to us.
Maybe Papa Bernie had a point after all…
Love is in the air
Y., Barcelona, Spain
When I first heard about the #Coronavirus and before it became COVID-19, for some reason the first thing that came to mind was John Paul Young’s song “Love is in the air.” And I kept playing that song over and over on YouTube and in my head, imaging scenes of what’s going on. I even sent it to some friends on WhatsApp.
But these scenes, although they were filled with love, were completely different from “Google-image-search” type of love scenes. Instead of getting closer to those you love, suddenly you wanted to distance yourself from them. Instead of people out happily gathered celebrating a shared love, we saw people celebrate love by staying home. And suddenly the basics, the essentials, our love became clearer, as did its lack and absence.
I leave you with the lyrics of “Love is in the air.” There’s never been a better time for this song, in my opinion. Love is in the air, and it’s all around us. We just have to see it without getting too close before they discover a cure or vaccine. Basically, we’re gonna feel like dicks in a condom for a while, believing that love is in the air. You can sing it in your head using JP Young’s voice or the huskier Tom Jones remake.
Love is in the air, everywhere I look around
Love is in the air, every sight and every sound
And I don’t know if I’m being foolish
Don’t know if I’m being wise
But it’s something that I must believe in
And it’s there when I look in your eyesLove is in the air, in the whisper of the tree
Love is in the air, in the thunder of the sea
And I don’t know if I’m just dreaming
Don’t know if I feel safe
But it’s something that I must believe in
And it’s there when you call out my nameLove is in the air
Love is in the air
Oh, oh, oh, ohLove is in the air, in the rising of the sun
Love is in the air, when the day is nearly done
And I don’t know if you’re illusion
Don’t know if I see truth
But you’re something that I must believe in
And you’re there when I reach out for youLove is in the air, everywhere I look around
Love is in the air, every sight and every sound
And I don’t know if I’m being foolish
Don’t know if I’m being wise
But it’s something that I must believe in
And it’s there when I look in your eyesLove is in the air
John Paul Young
Love is in the air
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Outfits
RJD, Beirut, Lebanon
Today, Easter, was the first really beautiful day in Beirut, weather wise. Off to gardening I went. We have a beautiful roof overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with a 360 degree openness.
I took out my gardening outfit (shorts and t-shirt) and went to the roof to plant.
During these Corona times, I will not have to bring down my summer clothes since we look like we will be stuck at home anyhow. I will just keep things ready as they are for next winter!
After a nice long shower, I got dressed in my going-out outfit and joined our Eritrean housekeeper for our usual Sunday Eritrean coffee ritual.
When done, I changed and got into my lounge wear and did some chores around the house. I am now in my PJs and ready for bed.
Oh I forgot, I carried my handbag when I went “out” for coffee!
Oh, these Corona times are driving all of us crazy. Happy Easter and blessed Sunday!
BC-AC
RafifJ, Malaga, Spain
Some days I just don’t know what to write, but I feel that putting pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard – is part of what keeps me going during these CoronaDays.
My routine has evolved from BC (before Corona): now Clapping Time and frequent video chats with family and friends are sacred, and I plan my day around them. My inventory of basic necessities is different, too – having an adequate supply of soap is more important to me than my BC habit of owning shoes of every conceivable color and style. Even the old salon luxuries seem pretentious and frivolous – I mean, who do I think I’m kidding with the hair color?
As we near the end of our CoronaPrison – because surely lockdown will come to an end soon??? – I wonder how soon I’ll revert to my old habits, if at all. I suppose we all need to prepare for the new “normal” as we adapt to whatever social, environmental, and cultural rules that will inevitably accompany our journey to After Corona (AC).
Whatever happens, I hope that AC, I will continue to observe Clapping Time, even if privately. I hope that AC, I’ll always honor the heroes – not just the medical professionals, but the grocers and the truckers – who really did serve on “the frontlines” in the fight against this nasty virus. I hope that AC, we will not abolish human contact as a survival mechanism, or find out that we’ve become hermits.
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