HOPE AMIDST THE CHAOS

With little warning, COVID-19 has quickly turned our world upside down.

Schools and libraries are closed, sporting events have been cancelled, social distancing has been mandated, and every day seems to bring new restrictions in an attempt to stay the course of this pandemic. Life as we knew it, is no more, and many people are panicking and trying to cope with the uncertainty by hoarding. And yet, despite the chaos and confusion, and the scary thoughts that try to take over my mind, I know God is in control.


The evidence is in the new birth all around me, reminders of truths that never change, symbols of hope this crisis has been unable to destroy. Spring's beauty is filled with signs of His faithfulness.




* Trees still budding

* Flowers still blooming

* Birds still singing

* Canada geese still crossing the road

AN INTERESTING "FIRST"

I'm so amazed at what technology can do.

Today, in keeping with the COVID-19 social distancing directive, I had a TeleMed visit with my doctor for what would have been an in person routine appointment. It even included a virtual waiting room.

MASS HYSTERIA

Today I was in cleaning mode, and ran out of paper towel, so I went to the store (two stores actually) to get another roll, as well as some Clorox wipes.When I got there, I could not believe my eyes. Panicking people had stripped many of the shelves bare, and though I was able to find two rolls of paper towel for the very inflated price of almost $8.00, items such as bleach, wipes, and hand sanitizer were nowhere to be found.














































Fueled by media scare tactics, Coronavirus-covid-19 has caused incredible mass hysteria in my neck of the woods.  Events have been canceled, schools and government offices closed, athletic events suspended. And yet, from what I've read in articles such as this one, it's just a flu, and not likely to be fatal unless you're in a high risk group.

My age, and the fact that I have an artificial heart valve, puts me in the high risk category, so I do not take any type of flu lightly, and am all for being cautious, but this is insane.

Here's another link with a lot of good information that can help put things in their proper perspective.

Influenza (the flu) has caused five times more deaths worldwide than has Covid-19, and yet no such drastic measures have been taken to try and prevent its spread.



On a more positive note, this beautiful sunset caught my eye as I exited the second store.  An awesome masterpiece created by the Master Artist Himself, and a reminder that no matter how things may seem, God is a good and faithful God.

A LENTEN CHALLENGE

This Facebook memory made me think of a challenge our pastor gave us nine Lents ago--Instead of giving something up for Lent this year, do something radical.

My response was to write a blog post entitled Sincerely Wrong, in which, for the first time since becoming a Christian, I openly shared about my New Age past, and about having authored a book on numerology.

As I wrote, I became convicted that this was not enough. It was time to bring all the other things I didn't talk about into the open as well, because just maybe, there was someone out there who needed to hear it.

At first the thought was daunting, because I was a very private person, and in order to tell my whole story there were things I would need to write about that I had been too ashamed to tell anyone. But what I learned through the process was that once you bring the hidden things out into the open, they lose their power over you. It's a very freeing experience.

By that September (2011), I had penned and published a memoir that included the full testimony of how the Lord rescued me from the darkness I'd immersed myself in. It is available in paperback and electronic formats from Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com, and Google Play.

FEELING WAY BEHIND THE TIMES

Yesterday my daughter and I went to the movies to see Little Women. It was the first time I'd gone to a movie theater in years, and I was dumbstruck at the changes that have taken place since then.











No more sitting wherever you please.  Seats are assigned when you buy your ticket, or can be reserved in advance.










No snacks or drinks are allowed in the auditorium other than those purchased at the concession stand--not even water, which is outrageously priced at almost $5.00 a bottle.








And the concession stand is no longer just a stand. The choices are flabbergasting, and include a full food and liquor menu.

Is this how it is everywhere else as well, or just in my neck of the woods?































The auditorium held some surprises as well. Cushy reclining chairs on rows raised high enough that no one has to worry about not being able to see over some tall person's head--a most welcome feature for short people like me.








I really enjoyed the movie, and the scenery was gorgeous. Definitely two thumbs up!

A MILESTONE EVENT

Thanks to my daughter who did the driving, I was able to attend an 80th birthday brunch for my friend who lives two-and-a-half hours away.








She and her sister and I have been friends for 65 years.

When we were very young, we decided to act out Bizet's opera, Carmen.

I played the part of Carmen, my friend was Escamillo, her sister was Don Jose, and their little brother was the bull. We painted backdrops, improvised costumes, and when we were ready, her older brother recorded our production on an old time movie camera.

It was a fun surprise to see some of those pictures included in the slide show at the brunch, and also to hear it described as one of their fond memories in the tribute my friend's sister wrote and read to her.

GREAT DAY FOR A WALK

If it weren't for reminders like these, I'd think it was spring.


















January started out balmy, with temperatures in the 50's. Birds everywhere--perched on towers, chirping in trees--and the pansies in the strip mall, so huge and bright.

Great day for a walk.