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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The 17 year cicadas are overrunning my area. Their empty nymph casings are all over the place. The grown cicadas are clogging the airspace and trees. They are so noisy its hard to believe. I read one cicada is as noisy as a lawn mower. Having thousands of them buzzing at once is like listening to dozens of leaf blowers at the same time. I found this just hatched adult cicada in my home this morning. I know it just left its casing because the wings are still partly folded up, not fully formed and straight. I managed to catch it safely, without damaging it, and put it on the outside edge of my balcony in the sunlight. I checked and its gone so hopefully its flying around buzzing and trying to find a mate. For me this cicada is a metaphor for how I and others in my community feel about life right now. The strict mask and social distancing requirements are gradually being relaxed. So I see people out walking in the spring sunlight. For me its strange to see their whole face, instead of mostly covered by a mask. They’re like the cicada, being reborn to life as it was before the pandemic. Free to walk around while still practicing social distancing. I see everyone carrying a mask with them out of habit, and just in case. It’s wonderful to see a group of bare faced walkers, conversing and laughing as they walk together.
June 3, 2021
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Talk about how the events of recent months have affected either your work or your ability to work.
Days just blur together. If I didn't look at my calendar almost constantly I would not know what day or month it is or what I need to do today. There is a sameness to everything. My "work" is managing the home which doubled in size when Covid hit. Instead of just my husband and I, we now also have my millennial son, and 95 year old mother in law. I also have a number of volunteer activities, all now conducted via Zoom. I use to have the house to myself during weekdays; now I share with others, and am constantly searching for the best quiet place to work. I'm also constantly planning meals and grocery orders. We have gotten into a rhythm of sorts, and it is certainly easier now than in the beginning, but still it feels never-ending. Everyone does chip in, but still I miss going out to dinner and not having any dinner dishes. More importantly, I miss not having to take into account so many other's needs and wishes. I rarely feel "alone" here in the house. So, thank goodness, for long walks. Spring is truly finally here, and we will be able to use our patio once again, which will expand our house, and work area. The wifi works out there and sometimes one of us will take our laptop and sit outside for meetings or work. Two of us are vaccinated and hopefully the rest of us will be soon, also. In a few weeks, my mother in law will return to her home a few hours away. And in a few months, my son will start a graduate program elsewhere. Then the household will shrink in size, and we will establish new work patterns again.
March 26, 2021