Get A Grip

Okay, we're mostly all staying inside or, if you're lucky to have a yard there, too. I'm not a backyarder any longer, out of choice, but if you are, you have a great place to rid yourself of cabin fever. Out in the east, I guess you call it "cottage fever". Today I tried to get my usual, for years and years, grocery delivery order and lo and behold, there are absolutely no reservations that go even up to ten PM, available. What? Yes, and when I tried to call the store I like, the line is constantly busy. The latter is because they have it "off-the-hook" due to the overload, they say, of multi calls for phone orders. They don't, and shouldn't care, that I have been a grocery delivery customer for many years and my orders are never the fearful, fearsome kind that some people are making foolishly out of panic. What is the panic? It is those who are piling up all sorts of things that if they didn't, would be available the same as usual. We are not experiencing a famine. I notice a lot of weird things about my last fortunate order that could be delivered. Flour is unavailable unless you buy those tiny sacks of it that someone created for the folks who must have the unique, most fashionable kinds to brag about. I passed that stage long ago since too many of my former friends who persisted in this odd behaviour, didn't live any longer than, or better than, those who just ate the ordinary stuff. But fads are fads. Rice is a better choice than some carbohydrates for storage. It keeps far longer than the flour you can't find on the shelf these days. Flour can go bad and noticeably. It will smell and taste ugly even if the old bags of it, don't have those little flies. Ugh. This toilet paper idiocy is the one that makes me laugh. Why? We have paper mills in Canada. Remember? Because we heard that certain other countries that may not be able to boast as many trees to slaughter, have caused some continents to begin loading up on bathroom tissue. Again, there is no actual reason to do this here. Furthermore, only a small percentage of people will develop the Covid19 virus and of those, relatively few will die. Check the stats and do it with a level head. What we are all doing these days, by being at home as asked, and as is the respectful thing to do for the sake of all, is so not to give the dangerous virus a garden, us, to grow on, and that it will hopefully, die of "starvation". So what to do? Stay in and consider it a time to catch up on more rest, more time to do the games and hobbies and all the matters you have been moaning about not having time to do. Here it is, the time to play. So the kids are at home. How good is that? You finally have time to give your kids a listen without your phone in hand. It's an opportunity to tell them about  your background, the family history, and for them to tell you their feelings and hopes and plans for the future. Time to build family in a time to really listen, and have dialogue about what you are actually working for in your life. Some people are using their at-home time to tidy the basement, garage or back shed or the many too-full drawers, to bag up the giveaways for later and to make plans for whatever future home improvements or additions they dream of.  It is a time to ponder your personal environment.  Lots of people haven't kept in touch with their far-off relatives and friends for decades. You know, the pals and cousins you used to play ball with down the street or swing with in the park and all of you are old now? Pick up the phone and give them a chat. It will brighten your day and your life. And theirs,too. It's a time to be with those who count with more distancing than a mere two metres.