Year Four, Day 279: Pandemic Times Day 28, "Stay Home - Stay Safe" Day 16: Hope and Resilience

Hello Friends!

What a difference a day makes!

There I go spewing out song title again! Man, I love this song. Especially sung by the great and might Aretha!




Today, my daughter and I stuck to our routines. And I was so happy to find out she had gotten her guitar out of storage! I tried not to look too happy when I found her sitting by herself in the living room, strumming along to a YouTube tutorial. My granddaughter was taking a nap, so I tiptoed into the kitchen to make my lunch with just a nod her way.

But I was happy!  She has musical talent, but as the daughter of a piano teacher, she has not really applied herself. Must be akin to being a preacher's kid, or something.

Anyway, I cooked, I watched my granddaughter, I cleaned, I practiced piano and ukulele, I prayed, I read, I walked in the park.

My newest culinary success:  Sweet potato flatbread! (Roti)  I found the recipe on youtube.  I embedded it down below my psalm of the day.

It is a glorious spring day outside. It always seems so ironic to have such lovely weather in pandemic times.

Speaking of which, Governor Brown cancelled public school for the school year.  Which could explain the hoards of children I encountered in the park today. That and, of course the weather.

I was, as usual, the only one wearing a face covering. I covered my face with a scarf when I was within 6 feet of anyone, and then took it off. It is so hard to breath in there - especially as an asthmatic.

My ducks were out. I manage to get a snippet of them on my video.  But everywhere I turned, there was the feeling of hope in the air.  In the park, in my home, on the phone - my mom called and was just gushing about the wonderful people from Meals on Wheels. They used to deliver lunches to my parents every weekday. But since the pandemic, they have changed to a weekly delivery. Today they brought them prepared meals for a week, plus several bags of grocery! Milk, produce, snacks. She was practically in tears. Not only do they deliver food, they call her with a "happy check" once a week to ask her how they are doing and if they need anything.

I chatted with my mom about how we will get through this pandemic. The peak is approaching.  But then, when we go back to our "new normal", perhaps people will be more cautious.  She told me she had worried about being stuck at home. She misses her daily Starbucks routine. But  she told me my dad actually likes having her around 24/7 and she is realizing being home is not so horrible after all.

My piano students are actually doing amazingly well with Skype lessons. They seem more focused and are practicing really well.  I wonder if more people will be doing online school when this is over?

And working from home?  Less pollution, less traffic?

My granddaughter is so happy that we are all home with her. And she is fully potty trained! That is one thing I can thank the pandemic for!

Also, I sat down and watched the Ellen Degeneris show over lunch. I've always loved her show. But I actually enjoyed it more, watching her broadcast from her living room, sitting in a comfy chair, with very casual clothes.  I caught "At Home With Jimmy Fallon" yesterday. His little girls are so adorable. It was like seeing an old friend, watching him in his home. And he and his wife just seemed to happy!

I am still studying epidmics in my epidemiology course. I am still fascinated by epidemics and diseases in general. But I am even more fascinated by this human resilience. And our ability to adapt!

On that note, I need to get ready for a video visit with my son in prison.  He is also enjoying the spring weather. They are able to go out in the "yard" and play basketball. He is staying current with the news, especially since the governor is talking about releasing some prisoners. He told me he doesn't expect early release. He is young and healthy.  But it would free up some space in the prisons, and insure that the older and health compromised inmates would hopefully not contract the virus.

The numbers go up. People are still suffering. People are dying. The people on the frontline have enormous stress.

But there is still hope. There is always hope.

Happy Wednesday.

Be blessed.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Love,

Zita

Psalm 70 New King James Version (NKJV)

Prayer for Relief from Adversaries

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance.

70 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
Make haste to help me, O Lord!

² Let them be ashamed and confounded
Who seek my life;
Let them be ^[a]turned back and confused
Who desire my hurt.
³ Let them be turned back because of their shame,
Who say, ^[b]“Aha, aha!”

⁴ Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”

⁵ But I am poor and needy;
Make haste to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay.