The children were like wild animals today–happy, cheerful animals, but animals nonetheless. Hospitals are firing doctors for speaking out on lack of PPE. Trolls are disrupting online classes, thesis defenses, and more by “Zoom bombing” them with obscene imagery and chats. Scientists are discussing how to relax the lockdowns without leading to a second wave […]
We went for a walk, and saw that a small little boutique near our house had gone out of business. The space was already emptied, stripped bare as if it had never existed. Wifi speed is suffering some and hindering video calls. Not everyone believes in the threat.
We went on a longer walk today, up to the “schoolyard playground” near our house where we’ve whiled away countless hours. We knew it would be closed, but seeing the play structure wrapped up in caution tape and the gate locked really brought the change home. On the way home we did the social distancing […]
I heard a couple sirens today–it felt unusual, though perhaps I am just over-sensitized. It brought to mind one of my favorite pieces of writing, John Donne’s famous Meditation XVII: Perchance, he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him… As therefore the bell that […]
Our youngest started fussing off and on at 5 am, so I was falling over tired all day. Even in these unusual times, normal things keep happening. Not that it slowed the youngest down any! His latest game is taking flying leaps off of the couch. Nerve-jangling! And a good way to get hurt. Heaven […]
A chilly, rainy day here. Though it felt awkward I sent a message of support to an old friend who is an ER doctor on the East Coast–and I’m glad I did. Dispiriting news continues from Washington. Large-scale stimulus passed late last night (with all the sausage-making that entails), but there is apparently still no […]
Another virtual conference finished today. It was nice in that I wouldn’t have gone in person–it was international–but I found it hard to participate in any kind of sustained or meaningful way with the kids’ schedule and other work meetings. My oldest is starting to resist “family school” activities, complain about boredom, and repeatedly ask […]
Today felt like an inflection point to me. Already so much has happened in the last month; situations that seemed impossible weeks ago are now commonplace, and our thoughts and emotions have evolved accordingly. I want to remember how each day felt, after it’s over. How did we get here For me, and for many […]