It's now or never

to do the things you want to do. Here are the first buds on the apple trees behind the Benjamin Caryl House. Fresh air, nature, bird song seem to calm my nerves during

this pandemic. I was at the Middle School substitute teaching when the World Health Organization categorized this as a pandemic. Teachers are always on high alert when it comes to germs and viruses because you don't want to get sick so you wash your hands a lot.

Each morning, I am blessed by bird song and a visit by one of the many cardinals calling their mates. I try to focus on nature and my surroundings but it isn't easy.

I have a morning routine that helps. I chant to Lord Ganesha as I feel the 109 beads and hope that the remover of obstacles works? My cat Smokey usually sits in the sun on top of his cat pedestal and looks at me like...

I usually laugh at myself and then talk to the cat. And then I check my various social medias. One page that I am particularly fond of because it gives me a laugh is effenbirds, my friend Guthrie turned me on to it.

I try to limit my social media and tv streaming of news conferences to a minimum because it does make me anxious. I have no real estate for anger in this situation because the world went to hell and a hand basket awhile ago. I have my Greek worry beads to help ground me.

And now I have to be even more vigilant and make sure my one method of grounding also gets wiped down along with everything else.

This is part of my bug out bag. I keep it simple, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, two dust masks (left over from a DIY project), a bone and water. I kind of laughed when the CDC and everyone started talking about social distancing because I have been doing that for awhile. Yup, I am a firm believer in Shelter in Place and I am fortunate to be in a good place to do just that. I instituted a bug out bag back in 2015 when I was on the frontline of the refugee disaster on the Island of Lesvos, where I used to live.

Fast forward almost 3 and a half years later and I live here and I am responsible for the herb garden above. Yesterday, I got outside and cleared the winter growth off of the gardens. A great distraction full of accomplishment and fresh cold New England air.

I have a routine that helps in this time of social distancing. One thing I focus on is what I have and not what I lost. This is my first blog entry in almost four years. Stay tuned...