It has been a bewildering 6 months since the first known American has been diagnosed with a virus we are now learning to live with. With this comes a daily roller coaster of emotions. From crying in a locked bathroom, to the elated joy a Amazon delivery brings, every day (what day is it?) brings with it challenges and newfound mental health challenges. That is why in an attempt of levity, I am posting some things I have found encouraging. I am thankful for these things (even if just sarcastically). These are my Pandemic Joys.
Birds
Yes, these winged creatures of joy have been around for millions of years (or thousands if you’re Baptist), but it seems as they have became more meaningful with the lack of human interaction. I never thought I would be rushing outside to refill the 17 bird feeders – all carefully filled to attract a hodgepodge of feathered friends – but this is the new Pandemic me. Trips to meander down the aisles of Target, have now been replaced with seeing if I spot a Blue Jay, Woodpecker, or the elusive Oriole. But alas, as all great cinema, our protagonists are faced with a menacing challenger – the squirrel. In order to combat these crafty beasts, I have started feeding them as well. Of course I cannot not feed the occasional chipmunks, groundhogs, and raccoon. Slowly, I am becoming Snow White. The jury is still out on if this is a good thing or not.
Coffee
In fairness, this could make the list on any thankful list I do throughout the year. Yet, with the world seemingly burning outdoors, the warmth of a handcrafted cup of joe makes things feel just a little more manageable. Did you know it is cheaper to buy coffee yourself and brew it in one of a million ways? Well I am learning just that! Sure, it doesn’t necessarily taste the same and you don’t get to chat up your barista friend who we can safely assume is a philosophy major, but we all have to make do. I have lovingly started to call my at-home blend Mattbucks.
Classic TV Reruns
The cliche is that everyone is spending more time on Netflix and while I am sure this is correct, I typically spend two hours of searching for every 15 minutes of viewing. Besides, why attempt to slay the dragon of streaming infinity when you can watch reruns of Frasier or The Simpsons? Sure, I have seen all these episodes countless times already, but sometimes you simply need to laugh at a joke you’ve heard a 1,000 times before.
What makes your list?
I’ll be sure and add more in the coming days. Hope you are well. Remember to wear a mask for the safety of others, wash your hands, and take care of your own mental health.
Matt simon blog 
Hey that’s a fun list. My favorite idea is that, if you have to be imprisoned somewhere, what’s better than Home Sweet Home for most people? Love how you’re becoming an ornithologist. The weather was so mild and just the right amount of rain here in Austin this spring, that our live oak trees abound with baby blue jays. Our mascot, Lulu the cat, has been having a terrific time climbing the trees trying to catch them. It’s funny how she never gives up, even though she must know how futile it is.
On a side note, I’m not sure how to take the Baptist humor. Are you trying to maybe tick off 50 million of your potential audience? I don’t think you’ll find many that don’t accept some level of the Gap theory, so it’s kind of a straw man joke that Baptists think birds have only been around 1000s of years. Just seems so 20th century, my friend, but no worries, just a little ribbing.
Thanks for sharing and glad you’re able to feel the joy of some creative efforts and that fine tasting Mattbucks! Best wishes – TK
LikeLike