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Daily writing prompt
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
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Used to be, when I was being lazy, I hovered between feeling guilty and feeling glorious.

After I retired, it took almost six months before I could sit back and feel at ease with those days when nothing much was ever done or accomplished under my watch. Shortly after I left work – for good, on March 15th, 2017 – All Hail, the Ides of March! – I started keeping a WIAT journal: What I Accomplished Today.

Some days, the only thing I write down is the word nothing while some days there are several entries. Over the years, I’m increasingly just fine with that though truth be told, those nada entries, are pretty rare.

It’s all good. I’m at peace.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s your all-time favorite album?
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  • Jesus Christ Superstar (this one is probably top of the list!)
  • Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
  • Tapestry by Carole King
  • Breakfast in America by Supertramp
  • Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
  • Rumors by Fleetwood Mac
  • Close to You by The Carpenters

I know I’m missing some here. Probably A LOT!

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Daily writing prompt
Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
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Hate to be a downer here but this is something I despise, people tooting their own horns about something good & wonderful they’ve done for others. I remember the lesson we were taught in catechism about how if someone is compelled to share with others their good deeds, well, then, THAT is your ‘reward’ for doing so. Much better, me thinks, to act out of kindness, love and charity for someone and keep that to yourself.

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Daily writing prompt
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
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As someone with a compromised immune system, my husband and I took the threat of covid seriously from the very beginning. Unlike most of my family, I adhered to precaution and remained sheltered-in-place throughout much of the pandemic. Several of my siblings, cousins and aunts became infected with the virus. One of my sisters had it three times! Even my mother, who faithfully received her covid shots and subsequent boosters at the outset, lapsed into complacency. Residing now in an assisted-living facility, we believed it was just a matter of time before there was an outbreak there. Failing to get vaccinated last fall, despite my repeated urgings, she too ‘got covid’ in January of this year.

My husband and I steadfastly avoided large family gatherings, especially those in cold-weather months when the rates of infection increased, often dramatically. We missed graduations, weddings, funerals, family reunions. Discovering after these events that one or more individuals had been diagnosed with covid, I felt validation. Not getting sick was important to me. Not being hospitalized, was vital. Not dying, well. To us, congregating with family just wasn’t worth it.

My family relations, however, suffered due to our precautions. The dysfunction of my family, the toxicity was only amplified. While I’ll never know exactly what’s been said about me behind my back, what was said to my face, the insinuations, the accusations, the mockeries, were bad enough. So be it. I’ve moved on.

Fast forward to today, to the lives we’re living now. I have no regrets and I’m more confident about my health, more at ease. However, I still employ caution and common sense regarding where – and when – I venture out into the world. Large, open indoor spaces, especially during slow-traffic time frames, are okay. In doctor’s offices or anywhere that I have to come into close, sustained contact with others, I’ll wear a mask. There are no guarantees. I might still get covid. I understand that but I believe the prevalence of infection has substantially decreased over time. As my rheumatologist now tells me, get out there and live, Julie. And I’m doing just that. I have to be more focused and strategic about my comings and goings now but that’s okay. I can live with that.

I can live.