Matt's Journal

Quiet this AM.
  I slept in Will's bed, couldn't sleep.
Quiet this AM.
  No noise from the 50/80 exchange 1.5 mi away.
Quiet this AM.
  I hear birds.
Quiet this AM.

Mom made us take noon naps. I hated them then. But the smells and sounds and quiet and freshness of them remain in my memory. They sweeten many a moment to this very day. In spite of myself.

Let us not spite the quiet of this strange season; may we relish it, appreciate it, be renewed by it. For it will not last long.

Last night, a class at the church on racism. Taken online with Zoom. I miss the in-person contact, but with a few changes this could become a workable option. I learned this stuff at work where it was part of life.

I hope we can do more classes like this. I’ve enjoyed it. It could become a way of life.

We took a walk around the park. Lots of walkers out. Partly cloudy. Remarkably clear and fresh. No vultures today. Haven’t noticed them lately.

Freeport traffic very light; easy to cross this usually risky road. Lots of strollers, more than usual. Dogs with owners. News feature about how the dogs must be happy with owners around. People are actually getting dogs to keep them company while things are shut down. What will happen when they start up again?

Observation: some people put up their Christmas lights. It’s a fad to chase off the doldrums during this lockdown. I also noticed several houses with chalk art on the sidewalks in front. This too must be a fad. Some of it is pretty and charming. One had encouraging words. This is a national trend. I found imilar references from Cleveland and Boston to the below.

In one Northern Californian community, neighbors have made an outdoor “community art museum” while social distancing. The sidewalks of Mountain View now have some very elaborate chalk drawings. CNN