Leaves and Living

This weekend, I was mowing the yard in front of our house. 

It was more of a tidy-up job than anything.  

With patches covered with fallen leaves and an occasional dandelion stem sticking up, I knew the lawn would look so much better with a manicure.

At one point, after I had made several rounds around the outside of the lawn, a breeze began blowing. 

Right before my very eyes that tidy, uncluttered area was covered with leaves blowing from a wind row that my mowing had formed.

I'm learning to restrain myself these days when such things happen, so I just kinda sighed and kept on mowing.  

While watching that new mess wipe out my earlier efforts, I thought about the Pandemic which we have been experiencing and enduring since March. 

The sight I had just witnessed clearly illustrated how the Pandemic is acting around this country AND throughout the world. 

For those who think it's gonna end on Nov. 4 because it's all political, a quick check of that "fake news" will remind you that it's happening all over the world, not just the United States. 

I also don't think Democrats started the Pandemic to unseat Trump.  After all, their agenda usually involves world involvement and getting along with our allies. 

Tonight at midnight, the entire island of our beloved Ireland will once again be under restrictions, lasting for three weeks to slow the spikes that have been happening across the country.

Just when the Irish thought everything was going to be fine over there, a gust of wind blew all their plans into more health-related chaos. 

I was mowing my lawn back here at the Lovestead on a day just after Donald Trump been airlifted to Walter Reed Military Hospital. 

As I watched those leaves blow all over my mowed patch of lawn, I also was thinking and hoping that maybe we'd see a change in attitude from the top--- maybe he would start taking this virus seriously and maybe he'd actually begin to lead by example.

I also could have cared less that such an epiphany on Trump's part while he was receiving world class treatment would gain him some extra votes.  

After all, the health of each and every citizen of this country is more important to me than political outcomes.

Well, forget that! 

We have now witnessed yet another spectacle of "the showman" and have read the words of his tweets suggesting that we need not worry about Covid, that we must go on with our lives. 

It's obvious that the lesson this old school teacher was so hoping to see with Trump's hospitalization did not happen and probably will not happen. 

Campaign officials suggest that Trump's Covid diagnosis makes him a better candidate for President because he's had the experience of the disease where Biden has not----so absurd! 

There is much I'd like to say about last night's astonishing reality show at the White House but much that I'll keep to myself and to my friends and family who share my perspective.

What I will say, however, is to all the Trump faithful, go ahead and vote for your candidate, but for the sake of yourselves and those around you, please respect the guidelines designed by health experts to keep us alive and well. 

I have both selfish and altruistic reasons for harping away at this point. 

People should not die alone needlessly. Families should not have to endure such painful heartache when they can't even say good bye to their loved ones. 

The election may end Nov. 3 or not, but when it does, we all still have to live with one another in this country.

 The longer we flaunt the guidelines aka thumb our noses at them, the longer the Pandemic will continue for all of us who don't necessarily have access to the best doctors in the world.

And, during the winter time, as this goes on, it's bound to get really ugly. 

Liberty comes in ways other than choosing to wear provocative clothing or not to wear a bra or a mask.

Liberty aka freedom (and don't forget 'pursuit of happiness' and 'life') also comes when we can mingle with family and friends without concern, travel wherever we wish or simply stay alive.  

My selfish reason: I'm 73 years old and in relatively good health for an old goat.  

I still have dreams and goals, even though they've been severely clouded through these past several months. 

In essence, my goals probably reflect those of most others in this country:  places to go, people to see, mountains to climb, etc. 

That mythical bucket list we all talk about is probably getting mighty dusty as we wait and wait and hope for safer times. 

And, so for the safety and sanity of yourselves and for all around you, please listen to and follow the simple guidelines we hear virtually every single day.

They have been proven effective many times over, and when they are not followed, the Covid spikes around the country begin anew.  

I always love days when the wind doesn't blow while I'm mowing the lawn.  

It takes so much less time, my stress level is minimal, and the feeling of satisfaction is so sublime. 

Can you imagine how good it will feel if the day ever comes when Covid cases are but a blip in our memories. 

It takes collective responsibility. 

Hope that happens.   

Happy Tuesday.