I haven’t left my home to photograph since I returned to Michigan from our winter home in Florida. Even in Florida the only outing with camera after the middle of March was into the western edge of the Everglades, to Everglade City and Chokoloskee . There is a disconnect in my psyche. I love taking photos during the northern spring, when nature is sprouting soft greens, the tulips and daffodils are blooming (deer ate my tulips again this year, but not until after they had bloomed for a day or two.) There are flowering fruit trees around the neighborhood so there is no reason for not taking the camera out. But I don’t.
Instead I’m wandering through my photo files, looking for “delicate colors” for this week’s Lens-Artist challenge. What a perfect prompt because I need delicate as I watch news of the covid hot-spots across the country, see parts of the country open up and people flock to close places without masks, and ache with hurt and am enraged along with all the protesters over the latest deaths of Afro-Americans at the hands of police. What in the hell is going on when people don’t recognize that their racism is not okay? What in the hell is going on that people aren’t willing to sacrifice a drink in a bar for the well-being of others? What in the hell is going on when the president of the U.S. is too macho and too insensitive to wear a mask? What in the hell is going on when meat packing companies (and Amazon) put profits above human lives? What in the hell is going on when governments are hiding the number of nursing home and prison deaths instead of providing adequate help? What in the hell is going on when the president of the U.S. tweets damaging and inciting lies (with absolutely no factual basis) about a TV personality he is having an ongoing feud with and there are no consequences for him?
I should say “sorry” for my rant, but that felt so good – you can see why I need delicate colors in my life. Life is just f***ing crazy in 2020. Take another deep breath, Pat. And another.
Jim and I are making our moments of joy even as I feel battered by the social chaos. Yesterday we picked up a take-out from one of our favorite place to eat, the Cascade Manor House. Normally they only host private dinner events and wonderful public buffets on special days but are now providing take-out dinners on Thursdays. Last night they served honey roasted ham, glazed carrots, and their special corn casserole. We parked in their upper lot, between the golf course and the skating pond in the Cascades park. No, we don’t eat out of styrofoam boxes with plastic forks. I take real plates and silverware. Next week they are serving up turkey and dressing. Maybe I’ll take a quilt and sit on the lawn for our picnic. Or take folding chairs and sit in the gazebo. Maybe I’ll even grab a couple of cloth napkins as I pack for our outing.
Have you found ways to bring joy and gentle to your lives?
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Joy and gentleness is much needed. I have been going through my photo files too, but have also reconnected in a strange way with the place where I live. We have similar problems, although yours are under a magnifying glass at the moment. One of our top advisors has flaunted the shutdown rules, will not say sorry and so people who are naturally on the reckless side are using his actions as an excuse not to take this seriously. I fear this is not going to end well yet.
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Yup, sounds very familiar. I frequently ponder that the earliest immigrants who came to America were those rebelling against the crown and/or religious institutions. We also had a good number of people come because they were looking for the freedom that they felt came from “going west” where they could get lots of land and live as the wanted without interference or rules. I think it is still a part of our culture. And then throw in a bit of stupidity and immorality and we have a problem. We are not making any plans for camping or going south for the winter. There are going to be some nasty spikes as people push the opening of social places. Are you and your honey unable to travel to each other now?
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Yes, we are apart, sadly.
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Beautiful photos. I am so glad our governor just mandated masks in enclosed buildings like grocery stores, hardware stores etc
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Lovely photos, Pat. These are definitely trying times. I’m hoping for a few miracles come November. 😉
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Aaargh, I am truly worried by the behaviours of some, and I, like you, am finding my solace in being outdoors in nature, in the fresh air in peaceful surroundings
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Sue, don’t you feel sorry for those who don’t have a way to escape, to find safe places. So happy that you, like me, can find our place of peace between our periods of helplessness, fear, sorrow, and anger.
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Oh, absolutely, Pat
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Pat, I feel battered, too. We work for change and see what happens. The divisions are deep indeed.
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Hugs
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I think more people should be ranting and asking many of the questions you have asked…perhaps our single voices together can bring change….glad you’ve found a way to recalibrate parts of your life…peace be with you.
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Thanks, Charlie. I am working hard at finding a balance between distractions of doing things I enjoy and keeping up with what is going on. I need a balance for the crazies. Do you think writing letters would work? I can rant but I want to be heard in way that changes things. Do you think it possible to fix stupid???? Is it possible to change the social culture that have made the Black male an endangered species? Time to take another deep breath.
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Your delicate color images are exquisite, Pat and your rant is exactly how I feel. I’m also shocked and horrified by what is going on in all the situations you’ve mentioned. I find it all so disquieting and disturbing and so I, like you turn to nature to glean some comfort and sanity. Your take-out definitely does sound a ‘cut above’. Enjoy. *hugs*
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We will make it through this, Sylvia, but it ain’t easy. Hugs back and stay safe and healthy.
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