Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Hi Kids,
If this was a dystopian novel I would not read it. I much prefer Day of the Triffids, a movie in which humankind, most of which are blind due to watching a spectacular meteor shower, is saved from carnivorous plants by—SEA WATER.
Dad and are are coping as best we can. He is pretty hooked up to media of all kinds, especially Twitter. He sends clever and snarky messages to various politicians in this state, where money and power are more important than life. He enjoys sitting out back and watching the pelicans dive into our retention pond. So do I. Pelicans are pretty special when you come down to it.
Last week I attended three meetings on Zoom. I look terrible on the videos, which is depressing and I am not in any mood for meetings. Meetups on Zoom, like the one we had are much better, but I still look old.
Dad’s hair, on the other hand, is really long. I have consulted various videos on hair cutting, and realize that we have no sharp scissors. That’s my excuse and I am sticking to it. For now.
In other news, I have discovered I can use way less toilet paper by being mindful.
I have given up Diet Dr Pepper because I ran out. I have not given up wine, and I treat all the chocolate left in the house as if was only to be used in an absolute emergency, which happens about twice a day.
A kind neighbor has shopped for us during senior citizen hours at Publix. And today I went to Walmart where they put my order in the trunk.
I feel fortunate to live in a beautiful place, warm and sunny with a breeze every day. I have so much that others do not. I ride my bike and walk. I sew on my quilt, watch diverting TV and work in my plant beds.
I read. The book I just finished, In Pursuit of Disobedient Women by Dionne Searcey made me realize how lucky we are. She reports from West Africa where she was bureau chief for the New York Times from 2015-2019. Her beat: Boko Haram and other terrorists, women kidnapped and trained as suicide bombers, and women who, before being brutalized by their captors, watch as their families are slaughtered. Searcey reports and reports and makes their stories matter. And tells her own as well. Mom, wife, and believer in survival. And truth. I really admired her book, but it gave me some sleepless nights. Perhaps it’s time for Jane. Jane Austen.
Hope you are all well and know how much we love you. I have no words of wisdom to get us through this. Love is all.
Keep on Keeping On by Curtis Mayfield says it best of all.
Keep on Keeping On
Everybody gather round and listen to my song
I’ve only got one
We who are young, should now take a stand
Don’t run from the burdens of women and men
Continue to give, continue to live
For what you know is right
Most of your life can be out of sight
Withdraw from the darkness and look to the light
Where everyone’s free
At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be
We just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there’s still a lot of love among us
And there’s still a lot of faith and warmth and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Before we dismiss, one thing I insist
When you have your young, remember this song
And our world surroundings, its leaps and bounds
Ups and downs, is reality
Teach them to be strong, and when they are grown
They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy
For all the wrong now is right
This nation’s people are now united as one
And we just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there’s still a lot of love among us
And there’s still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Keep on keeping on, y’all
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Keep on, keeping on
(Keep on, keeping on)
We got to move on up, y’all
(We got to move on up)
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Some years back I remember
Still in my mind so well
My mama made this ?
And I found it never fails
Never worry too long
(Worry too long)
About what goes on
(About what goes on)
Today it’s sorrow
(Today it’s sorrow)
Look like joy tomorrow
(Look like joy tomorrow)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
Keep on, keep on
(Keep on, keep on)
We just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on
Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there’s still a lot of love among us
And there’s still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust
When we keep on keeping on
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh)
We’re gonna move on up
(We’re gonna move on up)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
Move on, move now
(Move on, move now)
Keep on keeping on
(Keep on keeping on)
Floridawoman 