On Day 21 we ate the squirrels

OK, not really.  We have plenty of things in the cupboards, and WalMart, Costco and Target have kindly instituted an early opening prior to their usual start times for us 'older adults' (see previous post).  And yes, at some risk from the neighbors, we admit that we're OK on toilet paper.  For the moment.

Stating the obvious, the methods of avoiding further spread of the coronavirus have caused big changes in everyone's lives.  Many, many folks have lost their livelihoods; sadly, this is especially true among those who didn't have much to begin with. 

In an instant, an economy that seemed to be heading upward forever has quickly withered.  Untold wealth has been swept away by something you can only visualize with an electron microscope, something that passes unseen between us on a cough or quietly on a shopping cart handle.

For Paula and I, among other things it has meant the loss of sociality with friends and with members of the Young Single Adult church congregation over whom we have a degree of responsibility.  Our own kids all fled from home years ago and most of our communication with them has been via the internet anyway, but we yearn to draw them closer, and prayers in their behalf are ever more earnest.

Call me naive, but I'll give many leaders of the nation credit for honestly trying to help, albeit with resources grabbed from the future.  My heart is swollen as I read of those caring for the afflicted at the front lines of this struggle, upholding their oath of service with deadly seriousness. 

If I were God and wanted to get someone's attention that wasn't listening, and to get them to think about what really matters and who is dear to them, this would probably be among the tools I could find rummaging around in the shed.  I know that He loves us, and wants us all to be concerned for one another.  It is imperative in this troubled moment that we be nice.

We pray that you and your loved ones, and even your not-so-loved ones might come out of this OK, and that perhaps we might learn some humility and perspective from all of this.

With love,
Dave & Paula

Dang! Really?!

I guess it had to happen, and as they say, it's better than the alternative, but when I read the cautions about the coronavirus and "at risk" groups, it hit me - that's ME!

"The CDC says 'older adults' and people with severe chronic illness are more likely to become severely ill from Covid-19.  

OK, so how did they define 'older adults?'

"Infectious disease experts define 'older adults' as anyone age 60 and up, so people in that age group should be cautious."

Well, crud.  While I appreciate all those who congratulated me on my 66th birthday a couple of days ago, I guess I should start making some adjustments and being more cautious.  Like maybe putting the training wheels back on my bicycle.  

Or remembering the water wings when I'm in my boat.  

And maybe putting an airbag or two on my kiteboard.

I will not repeat what Paula said or did when I suggested sponge baths, but it should only take a week or so for the black eye and other bruises to disappear - well, huh, maybe a bit longer now that I'm an older adult.  
Dave