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That R.E.M. song lyric keeps playing through my head. I heard it on the radio during a comedy show doing its best to make light of the current state of world affairs. It sums up nicely the surreal nature of world affairs at the moment.
I remember the song coming out in the 80’s, and back then a pandemic wasn’t even a topic for a sci-fi movie. (It wasn’t until the 90’s that we saw Stephen King’s “The Stand” and “12 Monkeys” using diseases as the villains in apocalyptic films.) Now of course, end-of-the-world scenarios have been played out with numerous plot-lines, and a sense of doom is much more pervasive in pop culture. That doesn’t make me feel any better, though.
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What does make me feel better is remembering to laugh amidst the absurdity of this new reality. Watching the silly people fill their shopping carts with toilet paper, Hubby and I calmly proceeded through the store stocking up on perishables. Being people who cook real food on a regular basis, we have a running stock of canned food, pasta, baking supplies.
I am happy I began a new sourdough starter (great series of videos through Northwest Sourdough if you’re interested). We also have our Tower Garden which allows us to have fresh herbs and lettuce indoors even in winter. If we won’t be working in the next short while then I might as well be busy cooking!
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My heart goes out to all my friends in the hospitality biz right now. People are scared to go out at all, and many health officials have said they should avoid any contact except with people they know. Dining out is way down the list of reasons to disregard the advice, and staying in hotels is even scarier for most.
I’ll do my small part here and say please do your best to support your local businesses. Corporate chains have a much larger capacity to weather any kind of business storm, and this one is a doozy. Your neighbourhood bakery, butcher, greengrocer, coffee shop and even restaurant need your help to stay afloat.
If you aren’t comfortable going out or can’t, consider buying gift certificates to local places. They won’t expire, so you can use them sooner or later. If you can get out, then do. Follow necessary precautions and don’t panic. Remember these are your neighbours, the businesses you trust to help you live well. They will be doing their best to maintain that relationship, and they are hoping you will, too.
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Once you’re back home, relax. Catch up on those things you’ve been meaning to do but forgot with all the hustle and bustle of regular life. Board games with the kids, reading a book, creating that photo album, contacting a far-away friend… there are all kinds of activities on that “never got ’round to it” list we all have. Not to mention all those recipes you have bookmarked?
Oh, and don’t forget the humour. The Sirius comedy channel, YouTube videos, a funny movie on your streaming service… or even a funny book. I humbly offer a few of my favourites below.
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- Stewart Maclean’s Vinyl Cafe, a classic CBC radio show
- Ellen’s “Relatable” comedy tour, on Netflix
- for something kid-friendly (although I still love them) – any of the Muppet movies or episodes of “The Muppet Show”
- if you want a funny read, try a classic and read something from Erma Bombeck
- for those not minding a bit of naughty British humour, Ricky Gervais’ bit on the funniest leaflet ever made
Whichever way you manage to spend your days, remember there are plenty of quotes to keep us going:
“Just keep swimming.” – Dory, Finding Nemo
“There’s no place like home.” – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz
“It will be alright in the end so if it is not alright, then it is not the end.” – Deborah Moggach, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
And for us foodies:
“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” – Peter Clemenza, The Godfather