COVID Navigations

In the past year, my world has shrunk down to fit in this corner. It’s become my office, theater, conference center, reading nook, and kitchen table. As the neon lights of Las Vegas turned off last year during the shut down, this ring light turned on when my life became largely digital and work meant endless zoom calls and remote tv interviews. I’m hoping to leave this chair vacant soon, run the ring light off, and venture out again into the wider world.

I have a cat. A COVID kitty, as it were. She showed up on my doorstep one nondescript Tuesday morning last September. It was barely cool enough to have the door open, but I was desperate for a breeze and a glimpse of the outside world after months of lockdown and a stiflingly hot summer.

And there she was, sitting as pretty as you please, like a guest waiting to be invited inside. It was one of the sparse bright spots in a doom-tastic 2020.

This is Poppy.

Giving herself a thorough bath as she’s curled up here with me on this cool evening— I have a moment to reflect on the hot mess express that has been the last year..

How I’m staying sane:

• Puzzles.

• Plonking on the out-of-tune antique piano I got off Craigslist. Sorry, neighbors.

• Sewing. I’m officially a crazy old cat lady.

• Exercise?

• Books of all kinds except thrillers. I don’t need any more adrenaline.

• Calls with friends.

• Cheeky, socially-distanced road trips.

• Lots and lots of hiking. I don’t wear shoes much anymore, but my boots have gotten the most use of all.

What’s fallen off the radar:

• Responding to messages in anything resembling a timely way.

• Weirdly, photography.

• Putting on make-up.

• Sourdough. I was going strong for awhile, but I couldn’t keep up with the requirements of regular cab intakes.

• Haircuts.

• Obviously all gratuitous entertainment in public places.