Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 7/8/20

Looking Back
It has been four months since we started our quarantine at home, with limited trips to the grocery store, a couple of local restaurants and outdoor pubs. We ran into local friends whom we had not seen for months. It was good to see that they are safe and doing well.

Whenever we go out publicly now, wearing our masks and keeping socially distanced, I still feel ill at ease; almost as though I am doing something wrong. There are so many people who don't wear masks, don't social distance and probably don't believe that the virus is real. When we're around them, we are tempted to let our guard down.  But we can't.

It's the Real Deal
We don't want anyone to tell us what to do or how to feel. But we have to go by what we think is right for us and others around us. So, if staying a safe distance, wearing a mask and washing our hands makes us and others safer, why shouldn't we? These are very simple steps that can help save lives.

I think that the obstacle here is disbelief that the virus is out there and that it can kill us.  Since we can't see, smell, taste or touch it, so many aren't believing that the news reports we hear and see are true. But there are so many reports from so many credible global sources. If you look at the data and information and think about it, I hope you believe it.  It's real folks.

The other day, I had a thought, which sadly may become reality.  That is that we will all be infected with Coronavirus at some point, in the coming months. The question is:  will we survive it?  Will we be asymptomatic carriers?  Will we get sick?  Will we die? It is difficult to contemplate.

I pray that we will have a vaccine by the end of 2020.  In the meantime, our lives are on hold. Four months later, we're still stuck in place.

It's a Mad World (Pardon My Rant)

I am so tired of this virus.  With all of the technology, science and sophistication that we have, how could this happen? How could we let so many people die? How could we be so ill prepared? 

So many sad things happening, all at the same time: Coronavirus, COVID-19, sickness, death, crashed economies, rampant unemployment, divisive and corrupt government, innocent people killed in the streets, protests and riots, anger, despair, desperation.  I understand the passion that goes with all of this.  We are tired and angry, and we are showing it.  I just hope that everyone can keep it together and hang on until things get better, which they will. We just don't know when.

Being at Home with Our Dogs Brings Comfort

Our Safe Haven
We are so grateful that we have our safe place -- our home.  We have each other, our dogs, our friends and neighbors, which makes us feel peaceful during this time of uncertainty and unrest.

We had a poolside 4th of July weekend. The weather has been perfect. We've had a couple of friends here for a visit (safely). Gives us hope and helps us feel normal.  We did a road trip yesterday to Oceanside Harbor and Beach, the Strand, and our Carlsbad Village. After that, we stopped for a few groceries.

Generally, we end up poolside around 3-5 p.m., listening to our local radio station that plays 1970-1990 hits.  We talk and reminisce about so many things. We have so much time to think about the past, while we ponder our future and what lies ahead.

It's Like A Marathon
Over a decade ago, I did multiple marathon events with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training organization. They taught us how to incrementally increase our training efforts to eventually run a 26.2 mile marathon.  That training has helped me through numerous life events, from marathons, to losing loved ones, to these COVID-19 days.  It definitely made me tougher.

Me in the Lake Tahoe Marathon, 2009

We are all doing this marathon together, and we are stronger than we think.  Keep on keeping on.  Until next time, I wish you all well.  #staystrong #itwillgetbetter #holdfast

Sharing a Beautiful Full Moon