Jeez-Luh-WEEZ!
This is real. Oregon is on "Stay at Home" recommendation from the Governor's office; only essential industry personnel are to be out and about.
I'm one of those. Today we served about 600 meals to students in the school district and are working on contingencies for weeks and months ahead.
As a professional challenge, I love it. From a humanitarian standpoint, this is devastating for our country and the world economy.
To be honest, as an American, I've always figured, "it's over THERE," wherever 'there' may be.
Not in the U.S. of A. Not here, we're above this Third World menace.
The sting of reality has set in as most everything is closed down.
Boulevards, hiways, Interstates are at 10% traffic.
An open sign in a shop indicates the keeper will unlock the door for you to buy something, then leave. Door locked.
People don't look at each other now; as if a smile or eye contact will transmit the COVID virus. This is what makes me most sad about this pandemic.
We are de-sensitizing ourselves to each other and avoiding any kind of contact, be it verbal, eye or God forbid, tactile. Orwellian or Twilight Zone, pick one.
Trails, parks, beaches, public places...all closed. Crime scene tape on playgrounds, like something horrendous has happened and an investigation is forthcoming.
But, there are no law enforcement, there is no wreckage or smoldering embers.
Only emptiness.
Except for Spring...
Spring has sprung and there is no holding her back! The vacant playground is ringed with precocious daffodils, the parking lot mulch pushes pinks, scarlets and purples of Hyacinth towards the sky in stubby clusters.
Her greenery, delicate textures and soft pastels will neither be hindered, muted nor squelched.
I see Spring as Octavia Spencer in a gingham dress and a floppy hat on a Sunday morning! Mmmm-MMMM!
Girl has got it goin' on an' she AIN'T goin' back ta' the house!
Mmmm-MMM!
If you find yourself feeling down, think of the actress in the movie, "The Help," or any other uplifting film character she has done.
We've all felt this adversity, but, let's find the beauty in it, too.
Maybe it's just your yard, or a neighborly greeting across the street, or even the sound of robins going to roost at night.
Find something to be grateful for, something in it's simplicity that was drowned out by our previous daily noise of a key strike, a news network broadcast or a 'need.'
Slow down, observe and listen.
We'll get through this; our parents and grandparents survived the Great Depression and WWII.
We'll be fine as we tighten our belts, assess our priorities and be forever thankful for what we are blessed with everyday.
Each other.
Take care, God bless and Remember:
"Food, Faith, Family and Friends,
the Best Things in Life Aren't Things."
chefbq
www.chefbq.com
