Perspective

I doubt I'm the only one...who, considering themselves well-read and prepared for whatever this virus had in store, got their asses kicked; mentally and emotionally, if not physically. My first trip to the grocery store following a self-imposed, "pre-Gavin For President 2024", state-wide, "shelter-in-place" mandate, brought me to my knees. Three days later, my failure to find a thermometer (ours having died the first time we tried to use it - god damned digital crap!) when our fifteen year-old Riley got a fever, had me in tears, going into and out of each of the 11 stores in which I tried to find one. A week of processing these two experiences, finally led me to understand one thing. How we deal with this situation each of us now faces, is all about perspective...

And here's the wisdom (?) I've stumbled upon...
* "We can only do what we can do". We can't do anything about the incompetence coming out of D.C. or down the street at the Capitol in Sac. And getting our boxers bunched up because of daily circus we see on the tube is a bigger waste of time than ordering a diet Coke with a large plate of linguine. The only thing ANY of us can do, is follow the protocols for keeping ourselves and our families virus free, sane, and active. When safe and possible, we can look in on our elderly neighbors, family members, or those with pre-existing physical conditions (those being the most susceptible to catching the damned thing); if we're going shopping or running errands, see if they need anything. Keeping them out of a store, even one time, may save their life. Perspective...

* "Find something of purpose to occupy your time". Call your mother. Everyday. Send a message of support to a friend or family member who's in a rough patch (they should be easy to find). Maybe find a virus-friendly service project in your community. Sew masks for your local hospitals, friends and neighbors. Make batches of homemade anti-bacterial soap. Bake me a batch of cookies or some banana bread. The more productive you can be, the more control you'll feel you have over this situation. Beat the bastard. Perspective...

* "It could be worse". I've found it always helps me get through the day if I do the "three-minute-drill". I take a piece of binder paper or stationery, set the timer on my iPhone (shut up, Dorri!), and for three-minutes, without taking the pencil off the paper or stopping writing, I make a list of all the things that come to mind, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant they may be, that I am grateful for. The feeling you'll have after you do this the first time, is, embarrassment. For most of us, we'll realize how much we actually do have, and how the incessant whining of the last two weeks, because we cant get our nails done or get a tee time, made us sound like spoiled brats. If nothing else positive comes from this viral kerfluffle, I've been given the blessing of getting to hit the reset button about what things are truly important. And what, isn't. Today IS a great day to be alive, and with all that's going on around us, my friends, THAT is perspective...

Three-dot-info...Nothing new on the virus-specific horizon today, but I did just see a new report with some interesting things we can do to literally help prepare our bodies to fight the virus, should we get it. It's pretty sizable and I don't have a link, so I'll go through it tonight, fact-check it all, and post it tomorrow, or maybe the next day...

Thank you, Greil...many moons ago, back in the day when there was only one of me with twice as much hair, an author named Greil Marquis (brother to famed SF/Pleasanton chef and former BGP stage warrior, Neil Marquis) penned an interesting book entitled "Stranded"; it's premise was that, stranded on a desert island (that had an unlimited power and food supply), with only a photograph and ten records of your choice, that would be the only music you would ever have to listen to again, what albums would you choose. Which gave me an idea. I have posted a list of my entire digital music collection. It is comprised of studio releases and board recordings I have gathered over the years, as well as a few compilations I have put together for my own enjoyment.

And, to help pass the seemingly endless days, simply go to: https://www.dennisjonesphotography.com/music-library stroll through the collection, choose a combination of ten (10) albums, shows, or compilations, and e-mail that list to me at: daj0410@gmail.com and I'll have them to you within 24 hours. Then, enjoy. And be safe.

Until next time (and pardon the typos!),
Den