Dear Sunday Letter friends,
What a week.
The coronavirus continues to spread, the stock market is vacillating, we survived Friday the 13th, and today is the Ides of March.
Oh, and I launched my second book!
Even with all the craziness, my Gene, Everywhere book launch week has been a thrill for me! If you participated in my virtual book launch party—thank you! If you have already purchased a book (or two or three)—hardback, paperback, or ebook—thank you! And if you’ve already posted a review on Amazon and Goodreads, YAYYYYY!!!
But seriously.
Everything feels surreal right now as events have been cancelled and people are told to practice social distancing. Until this week, I’d never heard the phrase social distancing. Confession: Not to minimizing what’s going on, as an (extroverted) introvert, I’ve been doing this my whole life:))
Calming Effect of Nature
Thank goodness for nature.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, a silent walk does wonders. The greening of the trees reminds me that no matter how dire things may seem, spring follows winter. The birds keep on chirping. Listen and feel your spirits lift.
In two days’ time, our daffodils have exploded into blooms, delicate yet strong. This variety is my favorite. It’s called Thalia. I pretend they are named after me (only spelled differently).?
A few months ago, we were convinced a critter of some sort had eaten all our newly-planted tulip bulbs. Despite our doubts, tulips are poking their heads up all around. I love walking the flowerbed borders and studying each one.
All throughout the neighborhood, clematis vines spiral along fences and trellises, their tiny buds holding tight and growing stronger each day. Soon petals will unfurl until they stretch wide open, strong and brilliant, with no regard for human or economic condition.
Bees and butterflies are busy. Even though we don’t always treat them as we should, they work tirelessly for the benefit of mankind.
The lessons of nature are more important now than ever. If you can, get out and take in the calming effects of nature.
Thank goodness, nature is still open.
Panic at Walmart
We learned in school that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
I believe the opposite of nature’s calm is the widespread panic at Walmart. I’m no sociologist, but I have a theory.
In my opinion, we are seeing a breakdown of consumer confidence. During times of worry, times of concern, people need to feel like they have control over something. And so we stockpile items like toilet paper. Really, we aren’t that different from squirrels hoarding nuts for winter.
We stockpile fear and spread it lickety split. From end of times to conspiracy theories, various opinions and beliefs run rampant in my Facebook feed. It’s exhausting. And it adds fuel to the fire, y’all. We don’t need it.
Here’s some good news—toilet paper is not something we import. Since we manufacture it in the United States, we aren’t at risk of a supply chain interruption of toilet paper. Empty shelves happen because people make panic purchases.
Annabelle in 2015, before TP became a commodity…
No one knows what’s going to happen, but I believe this—there’s a virus for which we have no vaccine, no protocol, no treatment. If we look at what’s happening in Italy (and it happened very quickly), common sense dictates we take measures to keep it from spreading. I don’t have to see it on my street to believe it.
Call me crazy, but I trust science and the World Health Organization and the CDC. I trust common sense too. And I want to understand the facts. Taking precautions seems smart to me to protect the elderly and the immunocompromised.
I hope those who have panic purchased are doing it because they plan to stay home and do their part to stop the spread of coronavirus.
In the meantime…
I’ll be doing what I always do.
Walking Lucy and Annabelle.
Watching our tulips grow.
Digging in the soil and preparing for spring gardening.
Reading.
Writing.
Looking on the bright side.
Checking on my neighbors.
Watching Outlander and a few movies I’ve been wanting to see.
Washing my hands better than before. (I’ve begun saying the Lord’s Prayer as I wash to make sure I wash long enough.)
For the immediate future, I won’t be going to large gatherings mainly because I don’t want to spread the virus to my Momma. Most have been canceled anyway.
The Flip Side?
Small businesses will quickly feel the pain of this pandemic. Now would be a great time to start your online Christmas shopping and purchase a few gift cards from local creators and area restaurants.
Now would be a great time to do some of those things you’ve been wanting to accomplish at home. Organize. Clean. Rest. Read. Spend more time with family. Play board games. Read. Visit with a neighbor. Limit your coronavirus news intake. Read.
Maybe in the end, some good will come from this.
Look for the silver lining. It’s usually there.
Things Momma Says
I have eaten a whole pan of cornbread, last night and today.
***
In other news, the new season of Ozark starts tonight! I highly recommend it.
See you next time, Sunday Letter friends. Be safe, smart, and kind.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
I have to say that I have been encouraged in the wonderful humanity and kindness I have been seeing. I had to cancel 5 airline tickets (two different airlines), a rental car and accommodations. While the hold time was long, the people were so patient and nice. I wasn’t expecting that. I found the same thing at Walmart and Whole Foods. They may have been out of hot dog buns but the cheerfulness and kindness made up for that. I am looking at everything with a bit less apprehension.
Yes, I agree. The kindness that is revealed is heartwarming. Reminds me a bit of post 9-11.
That picture of Annabelle always makes me laugh out loud. It really puts things in prospective. ( I am making more corn bread today!)
haha. I hope you don’t run out of cornmeal.
This is a very uplifting letter! Calming even! Thanks! My daffodils are peeking out through the snow. Maybe I’ll make some cornbread today. ?
Love the idea of praying the Lord’s Prayer thru hand washing. I’m praying for Christians to model sanity and peace thru all of this.
Enjoyed this very much- your flowers, things Momma says, washing your hands while singing the Lords Prayer. Thanks so much!
I love the new things that are popping up as well. I have about 6 petunia babies that are growing in the pot with a still healthy petunia plant. We had some rain this week and I was able to water my petunias and herbs that are out my front door of my apartment with rain water I collected from a nearby downspout. They enjoyed that as much as I did.
I also got to play monopoly, War, UNO, 3-4 times apiece when I got to sit with my grandson on Friday. Was so fun to greet him when he got up that morning and experienced him finding what the tooth fairy left for him. That was a first. At 8 years old he knows way too much about Coronavirus. Glad we had games to play.
Since I read your letter, I’ve been saying the Lords Prayer while I wash my hands! ?
Yay! I think it’s a great way to make sure you wash long enough plus, a prayer!
You captured all my feelings in your letter from the joy I felt when we came home from Navarre to find the bulbs in our porch flower pots in glorious bloom, to trying to stay home and not contribute to the panic. Our young physician neighbors have checked on us, which made me remark to Terry that they probably see us as being older than dirt, but I appreciated her offer to pick up anything we needed.Sunday I was found empty shelves where T. paper and frozen vegetable should have been at Kroger. Fortunately, we weren’t in dire straits!
I’ve put away the last of my winter touches and broken out spring decorations, read a lot, and probably watched way too much TV. My next project is to cut off and hem some drapes that are out of style but still nice. Then I’ll break out a puzzle. Gene’s on my must read list.