Comparisons

In order to have valid comparisons, you need equal variables. That is a no brainer. Our economy has drastically changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Comparing statistics from previous years gives a false sense of being. Yes, unemployment is at its highest. That is because people are not allowed to go to their jobs. The economy is dipping. Yes, because people without jobs spend less. Stores are closing. Yes, because if you are forced to shut down your business, how do you make money? How can journalists compare to previous "regimes" when the variables do not match? Articles that make those comparisons do a disservice to the public. It is like charting blisters on your feet. If one person is barefoot walking on sharp rocks, his feet will blister. If we do a comparison with a second person who is walking through the same rocks wearing socks and work boots, the outcome is not real. We cannot blame the shoeless man, can we?

Turning The Corner

We have all had a "Turning the Corner" moment in our lives. Most of us have had many. It is that feeling that everything will be alright again. It is the moment in time when you see a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a feeling of peace and comfort and serenity. I have no idea why our brain turns from positive to negative, if the variables are still the same. All I know is that I got up this morning and feel like everything in the world is going to be okay. Maybe it is the beautiful sunshine. Maybe it is the change of season. Whatever it is, I do not care. All I know is that I feel good and happy and hopeful.

Fire Drill

Yesterday I spent most of the work day standing outside in the parking lot. One of the other offices had an autoclave that started to smoke. The fire department was called, as were the building managers and hazmat units. The machine was taken outside to cool off. The office staffs were also taken outside to "chill out". We stood in the misty rain under a small awning waiting for the fire department to slowly evaluate the situation. If the machine was outside and the fans blew away the smoke, why did we have to stand in the cold for 2 hours as the men controlling the situation chit chatted? My workload is now a day behind.

No Frills

My husband needs his tooth pulled. He needs a no frills dentist. A few weeks ago he went to an oral surgeon who said that if he did not start a bone graft procedure that day, he  would not take out his tooth. Years ago barbers did oral surgery. They got a plier, put it into your mouth and pulled. He is almost up to that point. This morning I will call a list of providers to see who can help him.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day 2020. It is a different Mother's Day than we have ever had. New roles have been added to the title of Mom. Besides everything they had to previously do, mothers have become teachers, activity planners, cooking instructors and much more. Their  daily routine is now a solid 16 hour day. There is no time off like before, when the children were in school. Moments of "me" time, even if they were used for grocery shopping, are now gone. Even if they go out on a solo shopping trip, they know the  children are at home, even if they are safe with another adult. A mother in 2020 is a super mother that has assumed her new demanding role with love and grace. Of course the Dads are also doing great, but today is Mother's Day, so the focus is on them. Happy Mother's Day to all, and remember that the best gift we can ever get is to stay healthy during these troubling times.

Poignant

As I was driving to the food store yesterday, I heard a Barry Manilow song. I thought I knew every song he ever sang, as I am a big fan, but I guess one got away. I put the radio on replay and listened to it for the entire drive. It had such meaning in this time in my life. It is titled, "When the Good Times Come Again". The lyrics are below. If you want to hear him sing it, its on You Tube. It is even more powerful that way.

Every rainbow has to have an end
A pot of gold or dreams foretold
May not be there my friend
In this high and mighty world we live in
Sometimes we have to break
Sometimes we have to bend
Until the good times come again 

I'll see you then
When the good times come again
When you and I have made it back
From the people and the places we have been 

I'll see you then
When the good times come again
The door that we go out of
Is door that we come in

When the good times come again
When the good times come again 

Hope we both survive the world out there
You'll never know what wind will blow

So don't forget I care
And don't forget the way we felt together
Sometimes we have to hold
To all the good that's been 

I'll see you then
When the good times come again
When you and I have made it back
From the people and the places we have been.

Dick and Jane

What ever happened to Dick and Jane? They used to be so active. See Jane run. Run, run, run. See Dick jump. Jump, jump, jump. They used to have Spot go with them. He ran while they jumped and hopped. Now they are in quarantine like the rest of the world. See Jane sit. Sit, sit, sit. See Dick nap. Nap, nap, nap. I miss the days of Dick, Jane and Spot.