Beans!! I know it's a weird way to start this entry, but during quarantine and staying in my dorm, I try and find happiness in the little things. As I feel I have little control over the world around me, I do things that I have complete control over to try and remain sane. The newest escapade of mine involves growing black eyed peas on my dorm window ledge. Being able to turn the sprouts away or towards the sun and water them regularly is about as much control I have over anything at the moment. They are also representative of my home and family. On my way out after visiting my mom for Passover, I quickly grabbed a small ziplock bag and tossed in a dozen or so beans. Throw in a little water and boom! A few weeks later I have plants coming in at around 5 inches tall. I've grown beans in the past. My fourth grade science teacher did a demonstration in class when we were learning about photosynthesis. Reflecting back on it now, it's one of the earliest memories I have where my fascination with biology started to bloom. I remember so vividly rushing back home after school that day and starting my very own bean-growing setup. And not to toot my own horn, but I remember them growing tall enough to the point where my parents were gladly surprised. As I'm writing this entry and staring at the two sprouts planted in a recycled coffee jar, I think these beans provide the perfect metaphor for a world post-covid. Rebirth.
April 15, 2021
... what better way to describe this week than look at how the new bull is growing. His one year old and what a year it’s been. I’m wondering how I’ll feel when we get the all clear... I am so used to avoiding, to isolating, to being safe.... I see videos of old people getting blindsided and knocked down - a new wave of hate crimes. We like to travel. We’re not Asian, or Jewish, or any other targeted group, but we are older. I’m not sorry Trump and Rush are gone... both made bullying and name calling ok... more than ok... Acceptable? Expected? We tolerated it... How we can expect our young people (well, all of us) to seriously address bullying when we allow and even encourage it in adults, and from our so called leaders. Those men may be out of sight, but there’s others who are waiting to step up, especially in the name of “entertainment”. We’ll know we are serious about addressing bullying when it means facing danger because you and a large farm animal are in close proximity probably because you chose not to stand behind a fence in a farm yard, and not because you are making some pronouncements over the airwaves or on social media.
March 15, 2021