A long day, a long month, a long summer.
My routine is simple. I rise early, spend hours a day writing for various publications, clean house and mow the lawn when these tasks demand my attention, and go into town every day or two to hear human voices and see human faces.
It's not a bad life right now. Given the circumstances of many workers and small business owners, I count myself lucky. And I'm accustomed to isolation, so no big deal there, though I do talk to myself more than I once did and occasionally summon up for the amusement of family and friends Miranda, my invented maid, chauffeur, masseuse, and all round go-to girl.
But given the mess of the last six month--the virus, the lockdowns that have destroyed tens of thousands of small businesses, the riots that have wrecked a billion dollars in damages and killed some of of our fellow citizens, the blathering of many politicians from all sides of the political aisle, the fear inculcated in so many Americans, the attacks on our Constitution and our culture--my own life and how I live it is small potatoes.
So what does count, in my estimation? What's important? What is truly vital? Just take a look at the picture above. A mom with her two kids laughing over a book. That's it. That's the essence of being as I see it these days. That sums up what is important to me: my children and their spouses, my grandchildren, books, laughter, love. Add in a few beloved friends and a raised glass of wine, and the formula is complete.
When we're in rough waters, and we are, it's important to cherish and support the ones we love, and to treasure the basics.
So I do.
My routine is simple. I rise early, spend hours a day writing for various publications, clean house and mow the lawn when these tasks demand my attention, and go into town every day or two to hear human voices and see human faces.
It's not a bad life right now. Given the circumstances of many workers and small business owners, I count myself lucky. And I'm accustomed to isolation, so no big deal there, though I do talk to myself more than I once did and occasionally summon up for the amusement of family and friends Miranda, my invented maid, chauffeur, masseuse, and all round go-to girl.
But given the mess of the last six month--the virus, the lockdowns that have destroyed tens of thousands of small businesses, the riots that have wrecked a billion dollars in damages and killed some of of our fellow citizens, the blathering of many politicians from all sides of the political aisle, the fear inculcated in so many Americans, the attacks on our Constitution and our culture--my own life and how I live it is small potatoes.
So what does count, in my estimation? What's important? What is truly vital? Just take a look at the picture above. A mom with her two kids laughing over a book. That's it. That's the essence of being as I see it these days. That sums up what is important to me: my children and their spouses, my grandchildren, books, laughter, love. Add in a few beloved friends and a raised glass of wine, and the formula is complete.
When we're in rough waters, and we are, it's important to cherish and support the ones we love, and to treasure the basics.
So I do.