Day 58

I was talking with my mother on the phone this afternoon, and she mentioned how isolation time can direct you toward the things that are most important. How you realize some of your usual activities are being observed out of tradition, and you realize you’re ready to give them up, while others are harder to go without, and you get to see how they’re important to you.

It makes me think about what things I’ll be ready to give up, and which I know I’ll want to build again when I can.

The Front Lawn
Ironically it’s time spent with, rather than without the front lawn that helps me know what I want in regards to it. The back lawn is useful for closing ones eyes in the shade. The front lawn is little besides a source of guilt. There could be strawberries, grapes, and blueberries instead.
Verdict: Give up

Third Sunday Group
In 2002 I started singing with a trio of delightfully snarky singers at St. Ignatius Church. I suppose I stopped being very religious about the same time, but that never seemed like a good reason to stop singing. Over time we’ve added singers, and now we have enough voices to sing some of the great polyphonic music of the ancient church and the modern repertoire. I try not to define myself by my activities, but singing with other people is one of the ways I know who I am. Yet the experts report that singing transmits the Dread Virus with special efficiency. It will be a long time before people sing together that way again.
Verdict: Keep, however long we need to wait.

Spanish Lessons
I do very much want to learn Spanish, but I’ve been crap about doing my homework. A couple hours every other week is an interval optimized for pain—I make no progress, but feel like I should be making progress. The lessons are exercises in pain and futility. Having my Tuesdays back has felt remarkably spacious.
Verdict: Hasta Luego

Working From Home
I miss my workmates, some in particular. And it’s not as if I mean to stay away all the time forever. But I get so much more accomplished in my own space. The commute is difficult to beat. The Emergency Command and Control Vehicle is my one-person clubhouse. I can put up whatever posters I want. For now that means no posters, but I could change that tomorrow if I wanted.
Verdict: Keep, at least sometimes, if I can.

Smoked Chicken Biscuits
The Milwaukie Bottle Shop has re-opened for pick-up service. I can’t even tell you. It’s the only walkable restaurant, and it’s the absolute best. This place has no business operating on 32nd St in Milwaukie, Oregon. We got smoked chicken biscuits this morning, the first time, save one delivered sandwich, that somebody else has cooked our food in 58 days.
Verdict: Never leave me again!