While I’ve been somewhat sedentary over the past few months,
I’m trying to get at least some exercise every day, to clear my head and to keep
the heart pumping. We have a vast array of under-used exercise equipment in the
house, including some device that attaches to my ten speed and allows me to train
on my own bike. Still, when the sun is shining, and even sometimes when it isn’t,
nothing beats a vigorous walk outside. I climbed our long driveway and walked about
a half mile down the road, encouraged to see that most of the snow has melted,
and that the spring runoff appears to be less severe than it was last year. As
I usually do, I had my pocket voice recorder on hand to make notes for a song
which has been rattling around in my head for weeks. I have an album of songs
on paper, but only 4 are completed so far. The other night I performed one of
those songs, “Better” live on Facebook. Ironically, the theme is contentment
and love. As much as I wish I were an authority on the subjects, I am anything
but. If the muse will co-operate, I hope to complete at least one of these unfinished
works during these trying times, simply because it is such a challenge to explore
those emotions right now. When I finish those songs, I might put down the pen
for a while. I have plenty of songs in the demo folder which have yet to be re-written
and recorded. I think I will leave it to the vast field of more eloquent
songwriters to record the events unfolding today.
Anyhow, I was on my mental health walk and I heard a non-car
motor approaching me from behind, and slowing down. I looked back and there was
my old friend Harvey in his side by side ATV, with is dog Spud in the passenger
seat. He and Spud were going a little shack whacky and needed to get out of the
house, just like me. Spud was somewhat insistent about going for a ride, and sat
in the side by side until Harvey complied. Harvey and I had a pleasant conversation
from across the road, adhering to social distancing directives outlined by our
health experts. We discussed the challenges of this current crisis, how our
respective families are dealing with it emotionally, and we both agreed we did
not see this one coming (although apparently Bill Gates and some others did).
While socializing in groups and in close proximity to each other is verboten, I
must say it was nice to talk to someone face to face, albeit from 8 feet away.
Finally, I tip my hat to Hunters Bay Radio. First of all,
kudos for the shot in the arm to some of our local musicians currently unable
to gig. Hunters Bay Radio, in collaboration with Lake Of Bays Brewing Company/
Huntsville Brewhouse, is sponsoring live streaming concerts on Facebook, paying
local musicians to perform live for an hour. The shows have been dubbed “QuaranTunes Facebook Live Concert Series”.
I’ve never been more proud to be involved with our radio station, and I commend
our fearless leader Jeff Carter, as well as Grant Nickalls, Jacob Kriger, Sarah
Coombs, and all the other paid staff and volunteer hosts at Hunters Bay Radio
for doing the great job right now. Not only are we fulfilling our mission statement,
to provide informative, community-based programming and great music, but in
these trying times, we are instilling our community with a re-assuring sense of
solidarity. It’s not always easy to put on a brave face, but I see so many people
doing just that. I give thanks for our frontline health care workers risking
their lives daily, the first responders, the check out clerks at supermarkets,
and everyone else who is working overtime to help the rest of us remain safe.
If ever there was a time for people to think of others, it is now. If you can,
offer to help an isolated senior or person in need, adhere to the hygiene and
distancing guidelines essential to controlling this plague, and turn the other
cheek. Now is not the time to be divisive and selfish. Actually, there is no right
time for that. Stay safe, and “stay the blazes home!”
Written by Jamie Oppenheimer ©2020
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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