WFT turns 21 - how is that possible?

August 3

Started the day with over a hundred email. Ended it with less than 30. Alice was welcoming and it was nice to be back. Talked with A this morning - some real serious stress there, physical pain and bad emotional reaction to the cortizone, makes people so aggressive. Had a nice lunch from Taco Bell and then asked for indian food for dinner - Jamie was there and it was so very nice to see her! Last episode of "I'll be gone in the dark" Such a powerful love story, story about obsession, survival, fear, and grit.

 World: 18,224,253 - 692,679
US: 4,713,500 - 155,402 dead
Sweden: 81,012- 5,744 dead
Russia:

Florida: 491,884 - 7,157 dead

Texas: 456,624 - 7,016 dead 

August 4

Lots to do but I did make progress. Ended with only 15 emails. Stomach upset and angry and me a little feverish (99.7 as opposed to my usual 97.7). Had a nice long conversation w the brother. I am so privileged. They are doing well, even talking about bringing mom over later on. I think she would like that. Couldn't find anything to watch so ended up with Kristen Bell Momsplaining - hilarious.

 World: 18,469,834 - 699,250
US: 4,768,829 - 156,771 dead
Sweden: 81,181- 5,747 dead
Russia:

Florida: 497,330 - 7,402 dead

Texas: 465,456 - 7,261 dead 

August 5

The official long day. Comet giving day - gave to the library, the comet cupboard, and A&H. Fever down and stomach better, but still a bit weak. My oxygen is good though and I think I will be just fine. Jim found Chimay red so we got that after work. Playing Rock the Casbah and Sometimes it snows in April in my head. I wonder what Tracey would say if he was with us still and I am glad that Cecelia is not, but I strangely miss her. She was obnoxious in so many ways, but she cared deeply for her friends. In September 20 million people will become homeless in the US. Schools cannot, should not open, but students will not learn from a shelter.

I panicked for a bit, but I figured out that it is my job to keep the faith. I cannot fix the world but I can hold out for goodness and joy. People made music in the camps, dammit, and I can hold steady.

 World: 18,738,350 - 706,342
US: 4,821,296 - 158,170 dead
Sweden: 81,540 - 5,760 dead
Russia:

Florida: 509,739 - 7,627 dead

Texas: 476,999 - 7,706 dead  

 

 

August 6

Another long day. Got to talk to mom for 10 minutes. Needed work on the TA orientation. Put together a side table for me. Tony back from the hospital and much better and stronger - they don't know why, but we are grateful

 World: 19,021,922 - 713,813
US: 4,882,270 - 160,091 dead
Sweden: 81,967 - 5,766 dead
Russia:

Florida: 510,389 - 7,747 dead

Texas: 483,920 - 8,569 dead 

 

 

 

August 7

My godfather died yesterday - choked on a bun at the hospital. Several of my co-workers got RIFed - scared, angry, and sad that my world is not safe and they are hurting.

So much past running through my head as I go, the peppermint tea took me to Paris and the cafe and the arabic center, Eurythmics takes me back to everywhere. Driving in the car with Jim takes me back to being little and going with dad to assignments where he would work and I would sleep in the car.

 World: 19,306,868 - 719,830
US: 4,941,635 - 161,347 dead
Sweden: 82,323 - 5,763 dead
Russia:

Florida: 518,075 - 7,927 dead

Texas: 491,304 - 8,847 dead 

 

 

August 8

Absence - the pandemic shows up in absence, of companies leaving blank windows behind when they go out of business, of people leaving a gaping hole when they are RIFed, of whole parts of your life going blank when someone dies. Absence - the void is terrifying and it leaves the web of your world unraveled. 

Talked to Inger today and I know now where the funeral will be and where he will be buried. I can see it on Google earth and pull up pictures of the church and surroundings.

Worked hard to figure out the syllabus and recording and stuff and Rachel called at ten to say she will not be ready for Milton in the morning. She calmed me down and helped me prioritize. I love her.

 World: 19,637,506 - 726,781
US: 4,997,929 - 162,422 dead
Sweden: 82,323 - 5,763 dead
Russia:

Florida: 526,577 - 8,109 dead

Texas: 497,632 - 9,058 dead 

 

 

August 9

A fair bit of cleaning of paperwork from the nook. Move the stuff around in the book shelf so we could move the chair back in front of the book shelf. Moved the safe. All in all - progress. For the rest I talked to mom and to Jonas and the kids (who wanted to see the refrigerator where luckily there were pictures of them!) Class prep and more class prep - eek. Some stuff for SSEMWG that was panicky at first - lost the password and had no record and took a while before I got the idea right, but I think I did it.

I realize how little I write about politics - because it is even scarier than death. There is no longer a shared sense of good will.

 World: 19,792,519 - 730,089
US: 5,044,821 - 162,938 dead
Sweden: 82,323 - 5,763 dead
Russia:

Florida: 532,806 - 8,186 dead

Texas: 503,328 - 9,157 dead