Housebound and Seeking Distraction

Housebound

Greetings, dear readers: Today in Ottawa, there is a downpour, and I have been mostly housebound for a week with all the symptoms of Covid,  RSV, and a summer cold – you name it.

I tested negative for Covid multiple times, and always negative. But who knows? What I do know is that I am a fortunate woman to have gone so long without catching anything. I forgot what it’s like to be penned up, hemmed in and feel like you have been run over by a caterpillar. Not the friendly little one you see in the driveway.:-))

By last evening, I was looking for a serious distraction, so I dropped by the Democratic Convention on my phone, where I remained for the next three hours. I am not about to talk politics, but I will say that it was an incredible event to witness, even as an outsider. I seemed to pick the right moment as I arrived just as they were starting the Roll Call- new to me- and essentially, where a calm moderator calls out each state alphabetically, and two or more representatives brag a little and affirm the number of delegates for Kamala Harris from that state.

Sounds boring, right?

Far from it. Accompanied by a rousing soundtrack, hand-picked to reflect the state, it was a stirring joyride across the continent. To my surprise I learned all kinds of interesting facts about my neighbours to the south.  Each state prouder than the one before. Furthermore, I witnessed and was touched by joy, hope, love, extraordinary enthusiasm, and support for Kamala and her running mate. It was infectious.

Next, I listened to speeches from Doug Emhoff, Kamala’s husband, and both Obamas—spellbinding. This was history in the making, and I was honoured to be a witness. I enjoyed them all, but Michele Obama is probably the most powerful orator of our time. Flawless.

Aunt Ruth’s 100th

Tonight, I will devote myself to writing a toast for my Aunt Ruth’s 100th birthday this Saturday. I was disappointed to cancel my flight to Halifax today because of my illness. But this is what we face every day – the unplanned adjustments we are all required to make while still alive.

As poet Marge Piercy states in her poem The Spring Offensive of the Snail

…for nothing living
resembles a straight line,
certainly not this journey
to and fro, zigzagging
you there and me here…

Reminder

If you have just encountered a bewildering turn of events,  do your best to remember that this is not the end of the story. None of us knows the end of the story. Also, we don’t have to like it, and we are bound to need a helping hand but bear in mind that you can manage whatever it is. It has nothing to do with whitewashing difficulties; we can indeed face brutal facts. And we learn to tread carefully, stumble, get up and keep going. Action will always be necessary, and we can all do something even when we can’t do what we want. And we do this in the company of loved ones – not the time to be a stoic.

Notes

1:) Bob Dylan’s father gave him this advice: “Even if you don’t have all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don’t have that you don’t want.” (I rather like that pragmatic advice)

2:) I love children’s books, and I consider their wisdom equally helpful to adults, or at least to me. One of my many favourites is written and illustrated by Jon J Muth. It is called The Three Questions and is based on a story from Leo Tolstoy. I was delighted to find Meryl Streep reading an illustrated copy on Storylines and I played it in my Wellspring webinar at the end of July. I want to share it here with you. It is about ten minutes. Click here for The Three Questions.

3:) If you have favourite children’s books, please post them in the comments. I would love to discover new surprises.

4:) Ten days left in August. May you enjoy them wherever you are. Thank you for stopping by and see you next week. All my best summer wishes, Trudy

PS Flower photos from Rob in Vancouver and banner photo is from Gottfried on Gabriola Island. With thanks.