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Setting sail
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” ~John A. Shedd Sometimes it’s wise to put safety first — such as crossing the street in rush-hour traffic. Likewise, we should check the expiration labels on our food, wash our hands frequently, and never share personal information with strangers on the phone. Playing it safe isn’t such a bad thing — unless we get so complacent (or agoraphobic) that we rarely leave our own harbor. Earlier this week, a friend told me that pandemic isolation nearly turned her into a social loner. She got a little too cozy staying home, she said, so she’s…
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Deep roots
“True friendship withstands time, distance, and silence.” ~Isabel Allende During my recent bout with COVID-19, I had to cancel all social plans until I recovered. Being in isolation for nearly a month was hard, but I was cheered by the “check-in” messages from friends and neighbors who worried about Doug and me. Sometimes I took car rides while in quarantine — just for a change of scenery. Driving back home through my neighborhood, I got to thinking about all the friendships I have within blocks of my home — friendships that have grown richer through shared history and experience for more than 30 years. Even when I don’t see these…
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Sticky songs
“We become what we repeatedly do.” ~Stephen R. Covey Cher won’t stop singing “Dark Lady” inside my head. The pop tune — which was released in 1974 but happened to be playing on my car radio last week — now repeats itself on an endless loop in my mind while I’m drying my hair in the bathroom each morning. Then it starts all over again, later, while I’m chopping veggies in the kitchen. And it’s not like I’m a huge fan of Cher. What is it with sticky songs? According to my online research, sticky songs (otherwise known as “earworms”) have a scientific label: Involuntary Musical Imagery, or INMI. “According…
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A compass for everyday living
“Leave the road, take the trails.” ~Pythagoras When I’m in a hurry to reach a specific destination, I don’t mind driving the expressway. But my favorite vacation memories usually involve exploring country back roads, where greener landscapes or small towns await discovery. Side streets and backstories — even those near our own hometown — are too easy to miss when we’re speeding down the interstate. Today’s quote also serves as a direction for everyday living. Wherever your journey takes you this weekend, why not take the scenic route? ~CL
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Strange places
“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” ~Robert Hunter, of the Grateful Dead It’s amazing what a couple of weeks of illness and isolation will do for you. You realize, for starters, how many things you’ve taken for granted for so long. The ability to taste and smell your food. The company of good friends. The freedom to run errands or go anywhere you please. Last month, Doug and I were hit with unrelenting cases of COVID-19. As I write this, I’m on Day 11, still testing positive with mild symptoms. But there are glimmers of hope.…
