Photography by Lori K. Tate
I’ve always liked the number seven, but as we’re halfway through our seventh week of quarantine, seven is losing its luster. Folks, I’m sorry, but it’s time for a rant. Maybe getting all of this out of my system is today’s Wink because it’s no secret that this is getting old.
Before anyone points out how important it is to quarantine, know that I am with you. We have to do this, we need to do this and we are doing it. Our healthcare workers and educators are superheroes in my book, and my heart goes out to anyone suffering from the virus, anyone who has lost a loved one to the virus and/or anyone who has lost employment because of this virus.
As discussed in earlier posts, there is so much for which to be grateful. My family is lucky in this pandemic in that we’re not sick, and we’ve been able to stay employed. We also have a hammock, which is essential during a pandemic.
In addition, I like spending unstructured time with my family, being outside, reading and working on embroidery projects, but even though all of these things bring joy, I am slowly but surely going nuts.
Begin Julia Sugarbaker rant here:
I’m tired of logging into five million sites a day to accomplish tiny tasks that I never used to think about. (Passwords are from the devil and so are screens.)
I’m tired of being my children’s secretary. (On top of that, last week was Secretary’s Day, and they didn’t even bring me flowers!)
I’m tired of wearing workout clothes every day. If I ever have to dress up again, I’m going to need Garanimals because I have no clue as to how to put an outfit together anymore.
I’m tired of loading and unloading my dishwasher multiple times a day. (Now I totally get why people put two dishwashers in their kitchens. Brilliant!)
I’m tired of feeling like I’m in a science fiction movie when I go to the grocery store. I’ve wasted so much time standing in the aisle weighing the pros and cons of reading labels. (What if that can of diced tomatoes is the one someone with COVID-19 touched? Is it really worth risking my life to know the salt content?) These are actual conversations that take place in my head. Oh and fun fact, the n95 masks that are all the rage this spring leave lines on your face for hours after you take them off — hours.
Speaking of face lines, aka wrinkles, we now have Zoom to magnify every single negative aspect of a middle-aged woman’s skin. So not only am I stuck in my house, but I’ve now discovered at least four (big) wrinkles on my face that I didn’t know about when I simply texted people. Sure, I’m glad it’s a way for my children to continue their education and for my husband and I to continue working, and I’ll also give it props for fulfilling my dream of being on Hollywood Squares (I always wanted the top middle square on the show, and I scored it the other day during a Zoom meeting!), but I want people.
People, no matter how flawed they are and boy, there are some doozies out there, are the best. I want to hug people, shake hands with people, joke with people, shop with people and sit close to people. I need to move to and from places to see said people. I need to walk with people. I need to have dinner with people. Heck, I even need to disagree with people from time to time. I need people!
End Julia Sugarbaker rant here.
Y’all this is a hard situation any way you look at it. Maybe we’re getting close to the end of it, who knows? That’s the hardest part for me, the not knowing part. I’m deadline driven, and there’s not an exact moment when we can say that this is going to be over. The light at the end of the tunnel keeps flickering on and off, and I struggle to keep it in sight.
Nevertheless, I’m looking for goodness, and I see it through neighbors delivering meals to homeless folks, churches collecting canned food, classmates driving by a friend’s home to wave “Happy Birthday”, a friend starting a nonprofit to refurbish old computers for disadvantaged youth (message me for details) and community leaders creating foundations to help our essential nonprofits survive (check out the Davidson Community Foundation – www.fftc.org/Davidson). Sure, I might pitch hissy fits along the way, but I’m human. We all are, and we’re all dealing with this the best way we can. That’s all we can do.
Thanks for letting me rant. I feel better and am ready to jump back into quarantine, wrinkles and all. Stay well!