We'll return to normal—when we're ready

As everyone knows, the big story these days is the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic that we're going through. The other day I was thinking about the word "pandemic" and realized that thankfully we don't have a "potdemic" going on. In the world of cooking, pots are generally bigger than pans, which would mean that a potdemic would be a much more serious issue.

Hear those crickets? Yeah, so did I. Next time I'll try to be witty on my own time.

Meanwhile, back in Seriousville, things are starting to return to normal. Some of the local restaurants have begun to reopen with the restrictions put into place back in March. This includes provisions to maintain the social distancing standard of people at least six feet apart set up by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with everyone wearing a face covering, and frequent hand washing.

No matter how hard we try to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we can't stop it completely. But it doesn't help when people flout the guidelines that have been set up to help keep us safe. Some people have taken on the attitude that closing public areas like beaches and parks, requiring face coverings and so forth are violating their rights as Amurrricans. We've had our freedom to do pretty much what we please since 1776. But I wonder when we took on this "I don't give a damn about others. Don't take away my right to do whatever I want" attitude? This is not a Repubican vs Democrat, Christian vs non-Christian, racial or cultural thing. I've seen a nice mix of people from all of the above groups pissing and whining over this.

Remember: this is temporary. Normal life will return when the experts have determined that it's safe to do so. We need to follow their lead. And lose the attitude.

Your mouth runneth over

Right off the bat, the title of this post might have brought to mind someone stuffing so much food into their mouth, failing to swallow it, and having it spill out onto the table all icky and gooey—like a giant waterfall of yuck cascading out of their mouth.

Sounds like something I'd write about, but rest assured, today's post is far from that. Regardless, I hope you weren't reading this over a meal.

It just so happens that half-chewed food, loogies, spit, saliva and vomit aren't the only foul things that come out of our mouths. With many people, words can be as obnoxious as anything listed above. Words can make or break relationships. They can hurt and offend. They can threaten someone's safety and well being. And some people have no apparent control over what they say.

I like to say that we have two ears and only one mouth as a reminder to listen twice as much as we speak. A few people who know me have said that in my case I have one mouth, but four or five ears because I listen well to most people and don't say very much. Extra ears to lend, I guess. I also must admit that I passed on the opportunity to listen to loud music throughout my life, so I haven't suffered the hearing loss that many people my age have. But I'm wandering away from what I set out to write. Maybe I need a little bell around my neck.

You would think that by the time you have six decades in your rear view mirror people would stop monitoring your whatabouts, whereabouts and whenabouts, and trust that you will put on your clothes with the tags on the inside, your shoes on the right feet, and your hair combed before leaving the house. For reasons unknown to me, as of late I've been hearing an awful lot of "So-and-so* (*not their real name) told me that you [fill in normal activity in past tense]." Really?! Is your life so pathetic that you need to know everything that Eric does?

And not only me. I listen to people rip others to shreds needlessly, and for what? I can't say that I've never done that. We all have at one time or another. But I've been making a conscious effort to back away from that. What others say or do is none of my business. Sometimes I will discuss what someone is doing or has said, but it's from a "taking note of poor behavior and trying to correct it if possible" standpoint more so than one of whining about it and doing nothing else.

As for other foul mouthly discharges I was going to touch on the unnecessary and very excessive profanity in our language today, but remembered that I have already done that. Read here for that postfanity.

The Bible warns us about gossip, but we need to define exactly what gossip is. To me, unnecessary crap talking about someone with no intent other than, well, talking crap is idle gossip. Who CARES what Eugenia wore to church or that Henry's car has a mismatched hubcap? If those were safety issues or something that could embarass them, then speak privately with that person and share your concerns. Otherwise, shut up!

It may be human nature to verbally criticize and condemn others, but I think we can do better. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have spoken these wise words: "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."

Something to think about.

Something—anything—besides COVID-19

COVID-19. How many times a day do we hear that word? Seems like the only thing going on these days. Whatever we do, wherever we go, it's all about that darned coronavirus disease.

For your inconvenience, here's an illustration of this nasty old planet-wrecker:

Ugly little bugger, isn't it? Kinda looks like a cross between Aunt Harriet's famous Eggy Souffléggy and Karen's Boiled Vegetable Balls that she brings to Every. Work. Potluck... (And takes back home, too. LOL!)

But, oh the damage this pest has caused. And it certainly toots its horn about it because it has a lot of horns to toot. I imagine that if this virus actually made any sound, that sound would be somewhere between an air raid siren and an Amtrak train blasting its horn while hauling at full speed trying to make up time. And all of that racket in your very own bloodstream.

My imagination runs wild. Fortunately, everyone knows that and makes the necessary accommodations. Running away screaming into the night seems to be most effective.

I took note of the fact that while I got off to a good start writing this year, for some reason a steep downward trend of writing has taken place. It doesn't help that the library is closed—like practically everywhere else—but that just about everything happening at this time revolves around the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While certainly understandable, one can write just so much about it. Sheer boardom has set in. (I spelled "boredom" the way I did because I feel like I've been nailed to home.) I shouldn't complain, though. It's all for the best. I can write blog posts on my phone (as I'm doing now), though it's easier with a computer.

Staying home keeps the virus from spreading. Even when we're out, we're supposed to stay at least six feet from other people. Both food and retail places have marked off six-foot intervals on the floor so that people maintain proper "social distancing." I even sprung for some sporty face masks to wear when I'm out terrorizing the town. If you would like to pick up some well made facewear made locally (in Chino CA), check out Garment Decor's website.

When all is said and done, we're going to emerge from this just fine. As long as people take care of themselves, keep their hands washed and help others, we'll all be OK.

But so much for writing about something besides COVID-19, huh?