Home

There's no place like home!  I just returned from a wonderful three day jaunt with a college roommate and good friend. She has family in west Chicago so we combined the trip to see a museum and outdoor park with family visits.  It was grand.

I have wanted to stop at a favorite store for Greek olive oil at the border so we were both in hog heaven.  We saw the Ikea store coming and going but decided it was so huge we needed to make it another day to lollygag there. 

Now, reality must hit and I begin making my lists again for what needs to be done this week on a daily basis: work in the yard, get some groceries, pick up something in storage, write bills.

I sit here writing this post and even at that am thinking that I really should take my suitcase upstairs and act like I am home! This is Memorial Weekend and the rest of the world is taking a long few days to vacation somewhere.

Courtesy of Pixabay

This time is not one of rejoicing nor celebrating like it was Christmas but one thing that is appropriate to do is to honor and mourn all those in the military who have died in action while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

I choose to have a "staycation" and not go anywhere.  Like my dad used to say, "happy as a pack o' hounds full of rabbit!" I will take these few days to stay put and to realize there's no place like home!  

A Book

I just read a book given to me by a very good friend.  One thing in it said, to the effect that, it's not so much what happens to us on the outside but what happens to us on the inside.  That really got my attention. Have you ever had so much on your mind that the future got closer and closer to you that without even getting to those bridges you were crossing them already?!

The "what if's" creep in, doomsday thoughts...you name it. And, who knows what might happen in the meantime, it may not be the scenario in real time at all! It's at times like this that I need to hold myself by the tail and stop this kind of thinking and catastrophizing. 

Taking stock of what's right here and now helps.  Being grateful helps. Living in the present helps. Praying helps. It even helps to call a good friend especially in the wee hours of the night when a panic attack hits out of the blue.  If there isn't a good friend who is up at that hour, it just might help to get up, turn all the lights on and realize the nightmare is over, that reality is right here and now.

Courtesy of Pixabay

 Yes, our reaction and what goes on inside of us can tip us nearly over but there are things each of us can do to get back to center. Lots can go on outside of us but what can each of us do to keep our insides in good company?  I'll read that book again:  "The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse" by Charlie Mackesy. Excellent!

 

India

I just heard on the news today that "herd immunity" will not be achieved because of the hesitation of so many to receive the vaccine. Then I see what is happening in India, the sights and sounds, the horrific suffering there! To think, 120 deaths per hour there!  Yes, that could be us right here!

So many folks, when I ask them if they have been vaccinated, also try to encourage others to "just go get it" but the resistance is so high. No one ever resisted this way when polio threatened in the 1950's.  

Wearing a mask, social distancing, avoiding large crowds, etc. etc. is really getting old.  Do I tell those who have not been vaccinated to stay away? What is the answer? Of course, there is the camp that believes the science, but others make up their own theories. 

If the numbers spike in the USA every unvaccinated person has a responsibility in these deaths!  What will it take for these individuals to change their mind and get vaccinated? Yes, we could be the next India.