Featured Refresh
Text & Image
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This is the scene of utter luxury. It’s early dawn. I have the house—and the world—to myself. I’ve opened both screen doors to let in the sounds of birds and breezes before the sounds of people intrude. There’s an occasional streetcar sound—much fewer lately, because who really wants to get on public transportation in the middle of a pandemic. Few cars—many of us are still working from home, or simply staying put, because that is what is called for these days, four months into quarantine, going on five. Our gardens this year flourish with cucumber leaves measuring 10” across and down. They climb the deck’s trellis more than seven feet high, protecting tomatoes, zucchini and, of course, cucumbers, from the hot sun which will soon burn away the clouds. Once the sun emerges, I’ll have to close those sliding doors, and rely on a/c to keep the summer heat from making this room unbearably hot. For now, the doors remain open, blowing gentle breezes across the chair. See that book on the side table? It’s the first paper book I’ve read in a long time, as opposed to opening the kindle app on my iPad. When it drew me into its story, I felt the familiar comfort of losing myself in pages, where I meet interesting characters, and forget the news, the void, the universe. We built this room just last year, replacing a dilapidated deck with structure designed to be totally opened to feel the fresh air, and yet closed to — while still being close to — the elements when necessary, which is most of the time in New England. We used to access this space only a few weeks a year. Enclosed, it has become my favorite hideout—day and night, and especially really early morning. We built it as a room for company. In lockdown, it is a room for reflection, for conversation, for writing and simple breathing. A space to think. A place of my own, before the day begins.
July 29, 2020
Text & Image
We’re seeing dramatic differences in rates of COVID infection, illness, and death in different places. What do you think about these differences?
I think we have too many individuals who either can’t or won’t get out if their own way, and who are making selfish decisions. People who are blowing in the wind trapped by an invisible net of fear which is clouding their judgement. It’s not necessarily a new phenomenon, but unfortunately has either become more visible, or more acceptable in the last 4 years. No one likes what’s happening, the world has turned upside but it could be much worse. And it could be much better... unlike our forebears who had no clue how the plague spread... we now know... it’s airborne... so wear a mask, wash with soap, don’t touch your face, social distance. Those are actually pretty simple things to do. We don’t have to sterilize clothing, fumigate rooms, boil water, avoid certain foods, use harsh chemicals to wash with, or keep temperature or humidity at certain levels. With all the problems in the world, all the evil to be overcome, all the opportunities to shine why would anyone chose to expend so much energy creating chaos. We’ve seen the videos of those refusing to wear a mask for a few minutes in a store. Why take it out on employees just doing their job, or the companies open for your convenience, that are there providing a service to you? How about a little gratitude and respect for these people as well was health care workers who you will then expect to cure you should you fall ill. Instead of pushing boundaries and screaming personal freedom we should be comforting each other and asking how can I help make it better?
December 9, 2020