My mojo is in the toilet because of Covid isolation – for the second time given the Delta variant going around strongly here in Tucson. Because I’m 82, even my good friends and family, who are daily out in the world –including one who is a teacher and had had six students come down with Covid within a week of school starting – are staying away from me.
I’m a social person and it is getting to me. And then there is what’s going on in the world with war and politics. Keeping up with current events is a downer, but closing a blind eye is not an option for this former journalist.
Ok. Enough is enough.
It’s time to start counting my blessings. That always helps.
Beginning with the basics: I have a comfortable roof over my head, more than enough food to eat, air conditioning to keep the Sonoran Desert heat at bay, money enough to at least buy a book when I want it, decent health insurance, and I’m loved.
I have a fantastic canine companion, beautiful views of both sunrises and sunsets, heated water for a bath every night, internet access to the world, birds to watch from my third-story balcony, and an inquisitive mind that usually keeps me from ever becoming bored.
I’m the last person in the world who should be feeling sorry for herself.
Even isolation hasn’t been all bad. It’s given me time to learn how much I do enjoy my own company. I just don’t want it to go on forever. Plus, I still believe in silver linings.
One has to be out there — somewhere.
Pat Bean is a retired award-winning journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie available on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited), and is always searching for life’s silver lining.
Pat Bean's blog 
Pat, a good reminder to count my blessings amid this mess of a world right now. Thanks. I too have much to be thankful for, much that I take for granted.
Covid really puts a strain on us, doesn’t it? I’m glad you can still count your blessings, though. I do that every evening. There’s so much to still be grateful for.
Have a great weekend, and stay healthy,
Pit
Great Reminder to Count Our Blessings 🙂 Covid is a strain/drain on the whole being. I knew my mom was preparing me for life by giving me 30-minutes in my room growing up to do what I wanted to do – relax, rest, read, play, listen to music, etc. I think her sanity thanked her too – ha! Take Care and Be Safe
Sorry you are going through this and I appreciate how you are focusing on gratitude for what you do have right now.
As always a great post, Pat. I have great empathy for you, my wife and other very social people. I have found out over the last two years that I am a professional social distancer. Be that as it may, your adventures do take me to Walter Mitty kind of places and I’m very happy to know you are feeling like getting out and doing things even though there are cautious limits because of the big D. Your drawings are amazing. Here in our little backyard on the historic Ogden Mill Creek, we have wild mallard ducks that raise families, hummingbirds, crows and magpies, finches of every stripe, and doves with their haunting call. Keep on keeping on, Pat. 🐕