Thanks, COVID-19!

This week I recorded 120 days in isolation during which I've had no outside contact, excepting 5 necessary trips to a grocery store. It doesn't feel difficult or dull to me, living the hermit life in Maine, since it really is not all that different from my usual day to day life in retirement.

I am amazed, though, at how much more available it's made the world to me! Seriously. Instead of making me feel more distanced, it's brought me closer to the things I love by delivering them to me over the Internet, in my home.

For the first time, I have been able to buy tickets for my lighting-designer brother in South Africa's plays, and view them! Without taking a flight across the ocean, going through Passport control, renting a car and finding a place to stay. This year, his work for the Grahamstown Arts Festival was filmed and broadcast virtually. For once his work was available for all around the world to see. What a treat! That is something that I have to thank COVID-19 for ... weird.

It has also allowed me to participate in the Lake Stewards of Maine's programs and training events since they have became available online. I am now on my way to becoming a certified Invasive Plant Patroller (an IPPer, as they're more fondly known), a cause very close to my heart. It has broadened my connections with like-minded people.

Today I'm 'participating' in the San Diego Writers Festival on my phone, from my sun-room, overlooking the lake. I can watch the duckling families, Muskrats and Herons while learning more about the craft of writing. The costs involved in flying there to participate would have made me second-guess this opportunity. Sharing it online has made it a certainty for me this year.

The pandemic, and sheltering in place orders have made these things possible. It has expanded some horizons, while shrinking others. I know it's clichéd but yes, there is always a way to see the good in something - sometimes you just have to look a little harder or deeper to see it.