Photo: L. Weikel

Deluge

I didn’t realize it was supposed to get as nasty out as it has tonight. It sounds like we’re experiencing a deluge.

I’m sitting here at the stroke of midnight and I can hear water rushing through the downspouts and spattering angrily on the layer of leaves blanketing the flowerbeds. It’s hypnotic, to tell you the truth.

But it would be so much more pleasing if I were sitting here periodically checking on the depth of the snow falling outside instead. I love being in the midst of a true nor’easter blizzard – especially when I’m toasty warm.

Virus

I’m sitting here with thoughts of viruses and pandemics and incompetence swirling in my head. I’m constrained to admit it: I’m struggling to discern something – anything – I can write about that’s not either political or morbidly depressing.

My usual go-to in situations like this is my cache of photos. Almost always, I can find an image or two that will lead me on a merry chase of writing about something or another, usually a topic I had no intention of addressing only minutes before. Or at the very least, I can find something that will make either you or me (ideally both of us) smile.

The best I can come up with tonight is a photo from when I was crossing the Williamsburg Bridge in NYC a few weeks ago. Even though it’s blurry, there’s something right about it. It captures a weird sense I have about life right now.

Distraction

It feels like this is a time to allow ourselves a little distraction. In fact, in some ways, it feels like allowing for occasional distraction may be the only way any of us will survive what’s coming.

Yes, we need to wash our hands. Yes, we need to pay attention to what’s going on in the world so we can at least take the necessary steps to keep ourselves aware enough to avoid most of it.

But give me some distraction. Maybe not a deluge of it; but enough to keep me going.

(T-639)