- I work a part-time gig at a hardware store. The state considers hardware stores "essential" to daily living while most other workplaces are closed and Illinois residents are under a stay-home order. The store gets a fair number of visitors, but most seem to be looking for two general products -- paint and or propane for their gas grills. Seems many figure if they have to spend a few weeks indoors they might as well be looking at a freshly painted wall. Important, I suppose, for mental stability, but is it really an essential product, say like milk or bread?
- I miss the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. I missed the upsets that make the first round of the tournament so unpredictable an fun. We really could have used some bracket busters this month.
- I used some of my quarantine time to clean up my friends list on Facebook. It's been interesting. I found a few on the list that had closed their accounts, others that had not posted for several years, and two that passed away in recent years. In total I unfriended 14 individuals. The group included two individuals who regularly commented on my posts, but often only to criticize my opinions. I sometimes enjoyed the subsequent exchanges, but recently noticed the two only commented when they were in sharp disagreement with me. One never agreed with anything I offered. Life goes on.
- If you are on Facebook, you probably have an idea what I mean when I state there's been some funny memes posted during the virus crisis. I try to limit my time on social media, but I am thankful for the funny stuff posted there. If you're responsible for some of it, thanks.
- I've also been enjoying Youtube during my quarantine. I like the variety of content. Also, the site does a good job of finding videos for me, based on what I have viewed and liked in the past. I recently caught a recording of The Association's "Never My Love," a song I first heard when I was just a sprout and something of a forgotten favorite for me.
- I am as frustrated as most with some aspects of the the stay-home quarantine, but one thing that troubles me in particular are the individuals and groups that attempt to politicize the virus and routinely share misleading information. I believe there is a time and a place for everything, and I think there will be plenty of time for finger pointing and recriminations after the crisis. In the meantime, I think we ought to be focused on sharing accurate information, meeting the challenges of the virus, and keeping as many as as possible as safe as possible.
-- Thanks for reading. Leave a comment or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com. Stay healthy
