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In Normal Times...
5 years ago
Were times normal I would be driving up to Furnal Equinox right now. 
Salvestro and I would be chatting about Metamor Keep, the Catholic Church, the furry fandom, politics, movies, what we wanted to do at the con, etc... I'd have a bit of nervousness about crossing the border, but then we'd be picking up 
Fulminar on the last leg. We'd check into the hotel, worry about parking and snagging one of those luggage carts, and then wait for roomies and friends to arrive. It'd be a fantastic and exciting time as we chatted about our lives and got caught up.
We do not live in normal times.
I am currently home from work for a few days, figuring out how I'll be able to do some simple telecommuting and the like. My daughter is home from school for the next two weeks at least. I suspect it will be longer than that, but I'm not sure how much longer. None of us really are.
We all know the name of Dr. Fauci now, somebody we'd have never heard of before. Glad to know he's out there helping direct my country's response and going into all the media to give us good information. Too much of the media reads like a guy setting his hair on fire and running around screaming. I'm glad to see politicians in both parties working together and praising each other. There is still plenty of partisanship out there, but I feel a little more confidant that the folks actually doing the work are doing the work and looking past party labels during this crisis.
One of the students in my class is currently being tested for COVID-19; we should know the results on Sunday. So yes, I may have been exposed last week (the particular student sits in the back of class, but he did hand in homework and I graded it, so there ya go). Do I have any symptoms? No temperature right now and I've checked the last few days. I had a small sore throat a couple of days ago but that's already feeling better. I have an occasional cough, but its Spring; I often have an occasional cough in Spring. I'm trying to be careful, but honestly I just have to wait to hear the results or see if I develop any other symptoms. Until then I'm staying at home. Need to do more cleaning. Hand washing is happening so much some of my knuckles have actually chapped; gotta balance it out with hand moisturizer.
My wife and daughter are currently fine.
Last night we ordered Chinese takeout from the local family-owned place. If you can, that's a good thing to do to help the small business owners stay afloat in this challenging time.
I know things are going to get back to normal again. Naturally I hope they'll be back to normal before Anthrocon; missed one con already, I don't want to miss two. I suppose if Anthrocon is kiboshed, I should look into attending some other con later in the year.
There is so much conflicting information going around, it's hard to know what to take seriously. But we can hope. I will be doing that and praying too. Everyone, keep yourself healthy. Keep of good cheer, chatting and finding ways to laugh is a great idea! We watched "The Court Jester" last night and that helped. Had also been watching "Rocky & Bullwinkle" with my family; and boy did Angie love that! Be not afraid; this too shall pass. Worry will tear you apart and make you more susceptible to all sorts of illness. Do not look at your 401K if you have one.
Spring is here and warmer weather is coming. That also improves our overall health. I don't know if it will be effective in blunting COVID-19 like it is with the Flu; I've seen studies saying it will and saying it might not, so I dunno. But I do know that almost everybody is going to survive this. The Mortality Rate is dropping every day as we confirm more and more cases.
These are not normal times. We did not choose this. But, to quote Gandalf, "It up to us to decide what to do with the time we have been given."
COVID-19 is not forever. Furry cons will come back. Stores will open. Life as we once knew it will return. Will there be changes? Sure; I hope we have more diversified supply-chains for one! Now let's beat this thing. Hunker down and don't despair. Laugh! Pray! And wash your paws!
Dominus vobiscum
Salvestro and I would be chatting about Metamor Keep, the Catholic Church, the furry fandom, politics, movies, what we wanted to do at the con, etc... I'd have a bit of nervousness about crossing the border, but then we'd be picking up 
Fulminar on the last leg. We'd check into the hotel, worry about parking and snagging one of those luggage carts, and then wait for roomies and friends to arrive. It'd be a fantastic and exciting time as we chatted about our lives and got caught up.We do not live in normal times.
I am currently home from work for a few days, figuring out how I'll be able to do some simple telecommuting and the like. My daughter is home from school for the next two weeks at least. I suspect it will be longer than that, but I'm not sure how much longer. None of us really are.
We all know the name of Dr. Fauci now, somebody we'd have never heard of before. Glad to know he's out there helping direct my country's response and going into all the media to give us good information. Too much of the media reads like a guy setting his hair on fire and running around screaming. I'm glad to see politicians in both parties working together and praising each other. There is still plenty of partisanship out there, but I feel a little more confidant that the folks actually doing the work are doing the work and looking past party labels during this crisis.
One of the students in my class is currently being tested for COVID-19; we should know the results on Sunday. So yes, I may have been exposed last week (the particular student sits in the back of class, but he did hand in homework and I graded it, so there ya go). Do I have any symptoms? No temperature right now and I've checked the last few days. I had a small sore throat a couple of days ago but that's already feeling better. I have an occasional cough, but its Spring; I often have an occasional cough in Spring. I'm trying to be careful, but honestly I just have to wait to hear the results or see if I develop any other symptoms. Until then I'm staying at home. Need to do more cleaning. Hand washing is happening so much some of my knuckles have actually chapped; gotta balance it out with hand moisturizer.
My wife and daughter are currently fine.
Last night we ordered Chinese takeout from the local family-owned place. If you can, that's a good thing to do to help the small business owners stay afloat in this challenging time.
I know things are going to get back to normal again. Naturally I hope they'll be back to normal before Anthrocon; missed one con already, I don't want to miss two. I suppose if Anthrocon is kiboshed, I should look into attending some other con later in the year.
There is so much conflicting information going around, it's hard to know what to take seriously. But we can hope. I will be doing that and praying too. Everyone, keep yourself healthy. Keep of good cheer, chatting and finding ways to laugh is a great idea! We watched "The Court Jester" last night and that helped. Had also been watching "Rocky & Bullwinkle" with my family; and boy did Angie love that! Be not afraid; this too shall pass. Worry will tear you apart and make you more susceptible to all sorts of illness. Do not look at your 401K if you have one.
Spring is here and warmer weather is coming. That also improves our overall health. I don't know if it will be effective in blunting COVID-19 like it is with the Flu; I've seen studies saying it will and saying it might not, so I dunno. But I do know that almost everybody is going to survive this. The Mortality Rate is dropping every day as we confirm more and more cases.
These are not normal times. We did not choose this. But, to quote Gandalf, "It up to us to decide what to do with the time we have been given."
COVID-19 is not forever. Furry cons will come back. Stores will open. Life as we once knew it will return. Will there be changes? Sure; I hope we have more diversified supply-chains for one! Now let's beat this thing. Hunker down and don't despair. Laugh! Pray! And wash your paws!
Dominus vobiscum
Though I won't get to do that this year, I resolve to do so next year, and to help the organisers in making FE 2021 better than ever! Everyone will have been looking forward to it, after all, and with that anticipation will surely come a resolve to enjoy and make the most of every moment of the con. ^__^
Dominus tecum
Stay strong, keep on doing what you're doing and try to keep positive. The best things in your life are right there at home with you.
We'll all do our best to stay healthy right along with ya and continue to look forward to a return to some semblance of normalcy.
*Hugs*
Swift & Sil and the pups.
Dominus tecum
Things are still quiet here in western Illinois. Our county got its first case on Monday. I expect the numbers across the US to ramp up especially in next week. The best thing I can do now is be on the lookout for ways to volunteer locally and help other people more vulnerable than me, and to keep things positive and hopeful for everyone.
Our county is up to four cases now but that was inevitable as testing spread. And yeah, the numbers are going up a lot right now because of the increased testing. Good idea on looking for ways to help out. My daughter just made a bunch of cards for our neighbors to cheer them up. It cheered me up too!
Dominus tecum
Yesh hope other cons will be ok this summer
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Dominus tecum
I'm hanging in there; health seems okay right now. Weary from the anxiety is my worst issue, but I'm getting better about keeping that under control and in perspective.
Dominus tecum
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My fingers are cross that Anthrocon is able to go on; I'm set up to stay in a suite this year and will get paid time off for my little furry vacation. I am eagerly awaiting the return of consistently warm weather, even with the allergies that come with it. If nothing else, seeing consistent sunshine should brighten our moods.
I think now or very soon is actually a good time to be getting in because the stock market is going to bottom out and purchases now or very soon will grow great in the next five years.
I have my Anthrocon registration and my Rodents! panel set up for AC. I figure if we've flattened the curve by the end of April things are going to start to happen again. If not, then I just don't see AC happening. But perhaps the return of warmer weather will blunt COVID-19 and help bring the lockdown phase of this crisis to an end for now. We should be much better prepared for it when it returns because you know it will.
Dominus tecum
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Other than that, I had a bit of an existential crisis yesterday but I'm trying to do better today.
Glad to hear you are doing better. Remember, we're Zebras here, and that's a great existence!
Dominus tecum
I recommend it to anyone, maybe even non-Christians. It seems like they were called to release it right on time, just as this mess was about to start. God's timing is wonderful when you learn to walk with him, isn't it?
https://www.pauseapp.com/
Please share this around. You do need a mobile device to use it, but it's worth it. Even if you can't use it, reading up on the practice of Benevolent Detachment, and other practices to help you regain your life, will do much to help you on the road to peace, and a firmer trust in God.
May he look upon you with favor, and give you peace, Brother.
It does seem like a really good one though! I know I need to spend more time praying and more time detached from all of the worries of the world.
Dominus tecum
Since you don't have a smart phone though, I'd suggest going to the Ransomed Heart website directly, maybe once a week, to check on their blogs and various readings. I don't know how often they post things, but they often have great insights, and their readings are useful. And they have some of the best prayers free to download and print out. They're real focused on pragmatic, practical results, feeling out what spiritual practices are good and which are nonsense or even harmful. If you can, pick up some of their books and give them a read. They feel like water for my soul. I really need to immerse myself in their stuff more. It's good for me.
In any case, I pray God will help you walk closer to him every day, teach you to hear his voice, and train you to fight evil whenever is it needed.
God be with you, Brother. Let us live so that world may see his light reflected in us.
Thank you for you prayers! I pray we all get through this time!
Dominus tecum
"And it came to pass..."
Very few things come to stay with us. It's why eternity is so important to keep in our hearts, to anchor ourselves to the Rock of Ages so that we might weather the storms of life. This too, shall pass. Good times pass as well, but what of it? Enjoy things as they come, and endure the hard things until they are gone.
This pandemic came to pass. It will not stay with us, not forever. We're working on curing it and finding effective treatments. And already things are looking to turn out better than predicted, which is a huge relief. God will keep us safe through this crisis, so long as we stay faithful to him, and don't do anything stupid.
And it came to pass... that this message popped up in your inbox. =P And now, it's gone! Hope you enjoyed it! =D
"Now you may let your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen the salvation prepared for the whole world."
"My grace is sufficient for thee, for power is made perfect in weakness."
Dominus tecum