Dry spell

Dealing with Covid19 has become a way of life, we are figuring out how to live with the restrictions and the precautions the virus has inspired, we are beginning to settle into that new normal many of us have been reluctant to accept.  And I have nothing to say about any of that – my creative well has runneth dry.

There was a sense of adventure back in March at the onset of the shutdown – suddenly we were living in a science fiction movie and I was inspired six ways to Tuesday.  Households had to designate a shopper, a hunter/gatherer with nerves of steel and a strategy. Toilet paper became a hot commodity – hunters got up at the crack of dawn to stand in line outside retailers who would soon learn to put a limit on the amount of T.P. a hunter could gather.  I had a lot to say about that. 

There were a few shifty entrepreneurs who tried to make a quick buck selling toilet paper and hand sanitizer from the trunks of their cars – they were quickly shamed out of business on social media.  Self isolation became a challenge for some, the city had to fence off the ocean. I had a thing or two to say about people who broke the rules. 

The weeks accumulated – soon we were a month into lockdown.  People were baking like pros, chocolate chip cookies and scones were being consumed at an alarming rate. Eating became sport.  Daytime drinking was commonplace, happy hours were hosted remotely anytime after noon.  We were stuffing our emotions, drowning our sorrows and packing on the pounds.  And everyone was growing wearing of the news and the virus and the isolation.  I felt that story.

The lockdown continued and Covid Hair made the news, blondes were becoming extinct and grey roots commonplace.  People took matters into their own hands – dog clippers were brought in from the garage, kitchen scissors made their way into the bathroom and social distancing began to be appreciated in ways never imagined.  There was humor in that.

Now the world is beginning to reopen and health officials are holding their breath.  Will the numbers rise?  Will we need to lock down again?  Things are less funny and less frustrating – we aren’t learning how to cope anymore but the coping has become routine and boring.  I can’t find a spin to put on the story and this dry spell isn’t helping…..