It's Hard To Be Patient...

Hi!


How's everybody hanging in there?


As time ticks on, the more I am grateful for living where I live.


I am fortunate to live in a place that has, though not perfect, a health care system wherein we definitely don't have the added stress of worrying how much getting tested and being treated for Covid may cost. We can simply focus on getting well.

I am fortunate to live in a place that has, though not perfect, politicians that understand that Doctors and scientists need to take the lead in this situation. They understand that following the science is, in the long run, lighting the way to the quickest and best path to the other side of this.

I am fortunate to live in a place that has, though not perfectly, put financial safety nets in place. It is understood that as this goes on, needs are changing and policies need to be ever-evolving to try and fulfill them. We all know it's expensive, but it is understood that roofs over heads and food in fridges have to happen.

I am fortunate to live in a place that has, for the most part, citizens that understand the gravity of the situation and are doing their part to slow the spread of this thing, therefore keeping our hospitals from getting overwhelmed.

I am fortunate to live in a place that has, though not perfect, plans in place in case the worst of scenarios happen.

I am fortunate to live in a place where people don't protest for their right to spread this thing at will. Unlike our unfortunate neighbours to the South.


They have politicians and Fox News promoting protests against being made to stay home.

The thing is they should have to force you. It's common sense.

They have a president who is willfully and deliberately ignorant. Or, at least I hope he is, because if he isn't, and is bolstering these misguided protests anyway, that's just plain evil.

He is putting people at risk, on purpose.

I've seen the signs they carry. That Covid-19 isn't real, that it's some kind of conspiracy to get control of them and the economy. That 5G is trying to control our thoughts or some such nonsense.

It's lunacy. Dangerous lunacy.

Let's say, for arguments' sake, that all of these conspiracy theories are correct. What exactly is the end game for whomever this omnipotent, Marvel level villain is?

I mean, to have control of all of the world's leading doctors and scientists is freakin' impressive. To have the vast majority of world leaders either in your pocket or bamboozled is also incredibly impressive.

The conspiracy theorists talk about "they' alot. I have no idea who this 'they' is, and when asked, the theorists can't name the "they" either. The "they" seems to be some all-encompassing entity. Maybe it's Thanos.

Look, I can't pretend to understand the intricacies of everything that drives the conspiracy theorists.

But, I can tell you this.

Everybody deals with fear in different ways. A lot of people get angry, look to blame someone, anyone, a "they" for that fear. A lot of people deny reality because it will make them face what, in actuality, is going on.

The true villain here is the virus itself. Plain and simple. Flooding streets in protest, congregating in groups at beaches or in churches due to lack of intelligent leadership puts not only the protestors at risk, but every single person they come in contact with, and, in turn, every person they come in contact with, and so on.

It's hard to be patient.

Not seeing our kids. Not seeing or hugging our grandbabies. Having to be hyper-aware of what 6 ft of distance feels like. That knot in your gut that seems to have taken up permanent residence.

I am fortunate to live in a place that, for the most part, deals with hardship by excavating the humour from it. The humour may be a bit dark in places, have a twist or two, be deeply steeped in irony, and is never meant to diminish the seriousness of said situation. It's how we survive long stints of super harsh winters and anything else that is incredibly difficult to get through and lives beyond our control.

I am fortunate to live in a place that, for the most part, can, and will survive pretty much anything. Not by denying the truth, not by protesting logic, but by embracing workable solutions, and supporting each other in what we know we need to do.

We will get through this mess, and end up stronger for it.


This horrible pandemic is shining an unforgiving light on the leaders of this planet. Unforgiving light highlights excellence, highlights proficiency, leaving no shadows in which to hide incompetence.



****************************************************************

For those who choose to protest...

May you understand, really understand what you are fighting for, it's not the freedom you think.
May you see that flooding the streets will only throw you further into the drink.

May you see the flame from which you light your torches is one of noxious gas.
May you see that to this delusional Emporer, you are but a means to his cash.

May you see he's willing to feed you to the virus as he sits on his self-proclaimed throne.
May you understand that if you are truly a patriot, you would protect your neighbours by simply staying home.



*****************************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com

The Trees Might Be Naked,But The Sky Is Still Blue!

Hi!





How is everybody doing?



Different parts of the world seem to be slugging through different levels of hell right now. Our skillsets, helpful... to a point. It isn't a simple 'this' happened, so I'll do 'that', my trusty correction move, and all will be well again. Coping mechanisms are being tested. We are all getting a thorough tour of the 'twilight zone.' All of us are getting through in our own ways. We all feel vulnerable. We all feel stripped.

All of our trees are naked.

But the sky is still blue.



If you feel ill-equipped to handle this particular brand of chaos, welcome to being human. None of us have gone through this before. All of us are figuring it out as we go.

If you need routine. Create one.
If you cope better with a less regimented day-to-day, do that.

Sing, dance, bake, craft, DIY, watch movies, hell, make movies... do whatever you have always wanted to make time for. Or don't.

I guess my point is this.

The sky is still blue. It hasn't fallen. It may have dipped a bit, but it hasn't fallen.

When we once again, get to greet our neighbours without hesitation, when we once again get to hug our grandbabies, when we once again get to walk around without measuring distance, we want to be able to enjoy it.


Covid -19 is powerful. It steals your breath, it steals your time with loved ones, it steals your security, it steals your freedom, and it, at its worst it can steal your life.

Covid- 19 is powerful, but it can't steal our hope. It can't steal our spirit. It can't steal our compassion. It can't steal our kindness. It can't steal our resilience. We can't let it.

When this is over, the world will have shifted. If you look back in history very few world events have had the power to create such a shift.

The most recent, I believe, was 9/11.

It changed the way we travel. It shifted trust on a global scale. It created a shift.

This will change how the world works. It will create a shift.

Maybe the shift that will happen will be a good one this time.

Maybe it will create more global co-operation. Maybe it will shift the priorities of those in power. Maybe health workers will be valued more, maybe the same will go for teachers, grocery store clerks, EMT's, janitors, garbage collectors, pharmacists, food delivery people, and countless other people who actually DO make the world go 'round.

When it really hits the fan, who is truly essential becomes blindingly obvious. Let's not let them be swallowed, once again, by the shadows when we get through this.


Yes, the trees might be naked, but the sky is still blue.

We may feel exposed and vulnerable, but our clear, shining hope will get us through.

Better days are coming.

Be ready.

In the meantime... please,

Reach out to- but stay physically away from your loved ones.
Reach out to those you know may be struggling. Even if it's the first conversation you've ever had, maybe especially if it's the first conversation.
Be kind.
Be patient.
Be the best part of you.


Take Care.


**********************************************************
Until next time...


May you find a way through with as few scars as you can manage.
May you find and help those who may be at a vulnerable disadvantage.

May you find a way to smile, find a way to grin.
May you find a way to get to tomorrow, every day here is a win.

May you discover strength you never knew you possessed, never even knew was within.
May you find resourcefulness courses through you, merely lying in wait, for you to tap in.


****************************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com

Through A Wider Lens...

Hi,



First off, in all of this chaos, it's awesome to see just how amazing the human race can be. It's beautiful to see the cheers for the heroes on the front line of this thing. It's incredible to see the acts of kindness that are rippling across every imaginary line drawn in the sand.

It's hard not to think of this through a wider lens.

Beyond the nuts and bolts of the horror of the losses. The loss of loved ones, the financial loss, the loss of freedoms we take for granted every single day. Beyond the uncertainty, the stress, the anxiety. Beyond the threat against everything, we, as a global society, have been conditioned to deem important. Beyond all of the 'stuff', the wider lens takes in so much more.

We are being shown what kind of people we are.

Are we people who care enough about others to stay home?
Are we people who are capable of digesting facts and accepting them even though they aren't pleasant?
Are we able to embrace bizarro world level discomfort for the short term to help ourselves in the long run?



This Covid-19 thing has blanketed every news outlet across the globe for months. Yet, there are still those who want to claim innocent ignorance. I'm sorry, but if you still don't know how this is transmitted, how serious it can be, how overwhelmed the world's medical communities have become, that is willful, deliberate ignorance.


There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to precautions.

I would much rather look back a year from now and think we did too much than not enough.

I would rather be forced to close our businesses, and live in a tent than infect someone with this thing.

There are still way too many people out there not willing to take this thing seriously. They bitch and moan about what a pain in the ass all of these restrictions create.

I get it. This is the longest I've ever had to go without a hug from a grandbaby. No going to movies. No girl's nights.

I get it. I keep thinking about my mom. She's an eighty-year-old cancer surviving, diabetic with a heart condition.
I keep thinking about my diabetic sister who is immune-compromised.
I keep thinking about my daughter who is immune-compromised.
I keep thinking about my niece with auto-immune and thyroid issues.
I keep thinking about my cancer surviving neighbours.


Who would I be willing to sacrifice for a date night?

Who would you be willing to sacrifice?

I know that sounds dramatic, but that doesn't make it any less real.

There are still those out there that are spouting incredibly stupid and dangerous conspiracy theories about this. Trying to lessen its gravitas by spreading gravely stupid misinformation.

This is not political. This, at its core, is not economical. This is medical. Period.


So, stay home.

It's not a prison sentence. For most of us, it's an inconvenience. A big one, but an inconvenience all the same.

For some, it's a hell of a lot tougher. Be a helper, not a whiner.

If you are able, donate. Food banks are being taxed to their limits right now, meal delivery charities need help,

Through all of this, please remember that it's okay to laugh. It's okay to create fun within your walls. Call people who are weathering this alone. Check in. Tap into your goofy. Get creative.

Virtual birthday parties using group video chats. (Our grandbaby turned four this week!)
Dance parties!
Make movies, make cookies, make crafty things, make clean-out-the-fridge soup.
Make memories.

Take care. Take care of you, those you love, and those you have never met.

We got this.




**************************************************************


May you stay safe, stay healthy, stay diligent in doing what we all need to do.
May you see beyond the discomfort, this is the best thing for you and all who love you.

May we all do our part to help this horror become history.
May we allow ourselves to accept that how to do that is not some fantastic mystery.

The way through this is really very simple, it requires nothing further than what is already known.
The quickest way through this is candidly, honestly, easily, stay the hell at home.


***************************************************************


www.margyreidbooks.com

Define Hard...

Hi



Well, another week has passed. Another week of social distancing, another week of not going anywhere you don't absolutely have to.



Is it hard?  Well, I guess that depends on your definition.

To me, hard would be having a loved one suffer from the worst of this virus and not being able to be at their side.

To me, hard would be being the one to infect someone else, anyone else, and have them get sick.

To me, hard would be having to continue this for months instead of weeks.


So, staying home unless absolutely necessary, missing grandbaby cuddles, not going for date nights, though none of this is fun, I don't know if it qualifies as hard. Not really.

The more we stay at home, the quicker this is over.

The virus can't survive without a host. We quit providing the hosts, it dies. Period.

So yes, our privileged lives have taken a turn toward the boring, I think we'll be okay.

My heart goes out to those who were already vulnerable.

The homeless. The abused. The kids who depend on school for their meals.

These are the ones for which this is truly hard.

Please reach out in your community, wherever it may be.

There are charities that deliver meals, there are charities that help provide wellness checks, there are charities that can always use help.

Hard times shine a light on who we are at our core. Turn your talents into something that will help.

Be one of the helpers, as Mr. Rogers would say.

This experience is going to have a profound change in the way we look at life. It's going to change the way we walk through it.

Better or worse. Positive or negative. Grateful or bitter. Do you let it break you or build on who you know you are?  The choice is yours.

None of us are going through this alone. The distancing need only be physical.

Until next time. Take care.

We got this.


***********************************************************


May you allow yourself to witness the kindness that is apparent in our midst.
May you see that, although serious, although scary, this is not the Apocolypse.

May you keep your distance from those not living within your walls.
May you keep connected with others, using all of the tech, even old school phone calls.

May we all do what's tough to do now, no matter how tough we find it.
May we all do what's tough now, to stomp this virus, kill it, grind it.

May we do what we have to so the veil of this thing can be lifted.
May we, when this is over, cherish the lives that we have been gifted.



*************************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com

Another Week Of Crazy...

-

Hi!



Well, another week of this craziness has passed and, for the most part, we are still here.


How are you?


The stats seem to come at us at warp speed accompanied each time with new and more constricting rules of conduct.

Common sense dictates that we keep our distance from each other, wash our hands more than we would normally do, and stay at home unless we absolutely have to.

With the closing of schools, restaurants, bars, and pretty much every other social gathering place, it's easy for it to feel pretty doomsday adjacent.

You see photos of abandoned streets, and closed signs. We are being bombarded, hit over the head with everything we can no longer do, all of the things and activities we are having to give up.

Although menopause would like to make a liar out of me at times, at my core, I'm not an anxious person, and as OCD goes, well, whatever the opposite of that is, that's probably what I have. I mean, do I like my counter full of dishes? No. Is it a big deal if dishes wait until the next day because I'm playing with my grandbabies? Also no.

I do, however, have family members who do suffer from different aspects of these disorders and I can tell you, this is super hard on them. On the upside, they are already very accustomed to wiping down grocery carts before using them, not touching public handrails on stairways or escalators, rarely using public washrooms, well, you get the idea.

They, under normal circumstances, already feel certain levels of anxiety when traveling, or dealing with being in a crowd.

Under normal circumstances.

Those of you who love these people, they are going to need you. Those of you who are these people, please reach out. (In a social distancing responsible way, of course.)


Now, we are, for the next while, going to have to spend a lot of time in close quarters with those we love most, with little to no physical interaction with pretty much anyone else.

Having kids at home and trying to make up for what they are missing at school is going to be tough if not impossible. Unless you're a teacher, but even then...

I've seen a bunch of free resources available online, which will help, for sure, but please cut yourself some slack. Kids absorb everything that's going on around them at a level most adults are unaware of. They are soaking up your worry, your stress, your fear. It's okay to have fun.

Follow a recipe.

It's reading, it's science, it's math, it's developing life skills. Boom.

Build a fort.

It's physics, it's geometry, it's architecture, it's space-awareness. Boom.

Play dress-up.

Okay, this one's just straight-up fun, but developing and encouraging imagination is good for the soul. There, ethics. Boom.

Go outside.

Backyards can be magical places if you let them. Nature studies. Boom.


The point is, even if this feels like the end of the world at times, it's really not. It's simply a struggling stretch of time that history books and humanity will reflect upon and hopefully, learn from. 

The way in which we choose to walk through it will be indelibly etched upon our children, becoming a big part of their stories, a chapter of profound importance.

They look to us, the adults. They'll have questions. Answer them, but don't over-answer them. Give them the information they are looking for using clear, age-appropriate language, but don't give them more than they are asking for. Same basic guidelines as questions about sex.


If you are working from home, don't feel guilty about a cartoon babysitter. Hell, even if you're not working from home. These are weird times presenting unique problems that need to be solved creatively.

Nothing about this is normal. You don't have to try to treat it like it is.

Just do your best.

Let's all just do our best, and give each other a reassuring hug when it's over.

For my part, I'll be throwing a bit of entertainment in the direction of your littles by way of a Facebook live storytime on Monday, March 23 at 9:30 am CST. It will be coming to you from my living room on my www.margyreidbooks.com Facebook page.


See you then!


************************************************************


May you find new and creative ways to settle the squabbles of your offspring.
May you keep yourself zen, as you peel spaghetti off the ceiling.

May we all support each other, leaving every single judgment at the door.
We got this.

***********************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com

CoronaVirus....A World Wide Humanity Exam

                                    (Don't know who to credit this to, just know it isn't me)


Hi!



Well, what a year this week has been!




This pandemic is scary. It's unpredictable. It's crazy.


When Mother Nature takes it upon herself to throw a curveball she doesn't play around.

How we respond to the terrifying magnitude this virus carries, is at it's least, a test of our world leaders, and at most a test of our humanity on a global scale.

World leaders - For the most part, they seem to be doing pretty well. Acting responsibly. Listening to scientists and doctors, you know, the actual experts, weighing options, doing what's necessary to keep their citizens safe. They are having to make tough and, sometimes, pretty unpopular decisions. They are, as is a sign of any good leader, leading by example. For the most part, this is what leaders are doing. For the most part.

With a contrast that slaps you in the face at every turn is Trump. I really wish they would quit referring to him as the leader of the free world. He most definitely is not.

The free world did not vote him into that position. The free world didn't get a say in the matter. I'm not even 100% sure America got a legitimate say. Would he be in the Whitehouse if Putin hadn't put his thumb on the scale? We'll never know.

Leader of the free world.


This term, from what I have been able to find out, was kind of tacked on to whoever occupies the Whitehouse since America is kind of the 'big kid on the block' as far as free countries go. Pretty shaky criteria for such a prestigious and important title.

As a member of said free world, I, for one, would require better qualifications of a leader.

Maybe the criteria should go a little deeper than whoever carries the biggest stick. Maybe the leader of the free world should have to prove actual leadership skills. Maybe they should be able to genuinely show empathy, humility, kindness, you know, humanity. Maybe they should be a person of character, someone who puts other people's needs above his own, someone who strives to uplift, someone who is willing to sacrifice for the greater good, someone who knows right from wrong and proves it with their actions.

By sacrifice, I don't mean donating your $400,000/year salary as some fake gesture of generosity when you turn around and cost the taxpayers $300,000,000 in golfing expenses during that same 12 months.


Our Humanity.


To the few asshats who want to single out certain ethnicities as somehow being responsible for Coronavirus. Really?!

I'll give you three guesses as to who planted that little hate seed. Yup, the so-called leader of the free world. (seriously need to rethink the qualifications for that title)

To the toilet paper hoarders. One question. Why?

This isn't the Apocolypse. If things get really bad, you may have to spend some quality time in your home for about a month. How much toilet paper does your household use in a month? I'm guessing it isn't 100,000 rolls.

To those hoarding household cleaners. Again, why?!

Yes, you will need to clean your surfaces a little more often than normal, but just how dirty can your house possibly be?! Again, at worst, a month, just sayin'.

To those hoarding with the intent of reselling these products to those unfortunate enough not to have the means to stock up at will, turning some astronomical profit or profit of any kind for that matter, I hope your Mothers are proud of your philanthropy. Let me guess, you got your ethics degree from Trump University.

Mother Nature has most definitely thrown a curveball. One for which we won't know the entire impact for some time to come.

For now, let's look at it for what it is.


Yes, this is going to be a financial hardship for a whole lot of people. Paychecks will be diminished or missed altogether. Payments will get behind. People who suffer are already in financial stress will be pushed even closer to their limits.

But.

It's temporary.

Protecting the most vulnerable is the most important thing we, as humanity, can do.

Let's do what we have to do to slow the spread of this thing as not to overwhelm our hospitals, their staff, and first responders.

There isn't much about this that we can feel in control about, but we can control staying away from crowds, being extra diligent with cleanliness and handwashing, not hoarding so everyone can get what they need, just being good humans.

This is a forced slow down. Nothing to hurry off to. The hectic has been lifted. Maybe for a month.

You may be working from home, but you're home.

Your kids may not be in school, but they are together and safe.

You're not running to soccer/hockey/dance/meetings/living in traffic.


A forced slow-down. The reasons are scary and can be anxiety-inducing as hell.


I, for one, am going to do my level best to take this time of distress and shape it into a time to de-stress.

Take care of each other, fellow humans!

***********************************************************************

Until next time...

May we all get through this, passing with flying colours, this test of our humanity.
May we get to the other side, intact, with some modicum of our collective sanity.

May compassion shine brighter than greed, and push us to help everyone we can.
May those who have in abundance, share with those in need, sans a repayment plan.

May those who can provide relief to those who live on the razor's edge.
May they use this as a means to build a bridge, not a wedge.

May we simply love each other through this overwhelming scare just as we should.
May we do it, like we were family, caring for our own, our global neighbourhood.


*************************************************************


www.margyreidbooks.com

Well, I've Never Been HERE Before...Hello 54!

Hi!




Well folks, as I write this on the eve of my 54th birthday, I can't help but smile. Life is pretty good.


I mean, it's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good.

Does gravity seem to pull a little harder with every passing year? Yup
Do my joints make noises that I never knew existed 20 years ago? Yup
Is putting on eye make-up more of a challenge now that my eyelids are developing an attitude? Yup
Is putting on eye make-up more of a challenge now that my eyesight is developing an attitude? Yup
Is this menopause thing coming up with new and exciting ways to kick my ass every frickin' day? Yup
Has my BS detector developed superpowers? Yup
Am I more at home in my own skin than I've ever been? Yup.
Am I okay with not feeling the need to explain myself for every freakin' thing? Yup.
Has my priority list reorganized and become crystal clear? Yup
Am I an angel hair away from wearing white pants any time I friggin' want to? Yup

Leading up to this birthday, I made a decision.

 I quit dyeing my hair.

I've dyed my hair for fun for at least 25 years. I've been a blonde, a brunette, a redhead, and everything in between. Over the past few months, the idea of colouring my hair went from being fun to being something, I don't know, not fun. It took a bit for me to figure out why.

Colouring my hair was something I did because I enjoyed it, something I did simply for the hell of it.
After I hit 50, it started to feel more like it was something society figured I should do. Something that was expected.
I've never been someone who lets society dictate my choices. It's something visceral. It just doesn't sit right.

So I quit.

In doing so, I started to do a bit of snooping. I knew I couldn't be the only one feeling this way. As it turns out, I'm far from it. There is a silver movement out there. There are several groups on Facebook and Instagram. There is a full-on documentary, "Gray Is The New Blonde."

Who knew?

Does this mean I think everyone has to or should quit dyeing their hair? Absolutely not! Everybody should do exactly as they want to. It's hair. It's your hair. It's you. You get to do you however you see fit.

So.... 54. I plan on celebrating it. I plan on enjoying it. I so appreciate the fact that I'm able to do so. Too many don't get the privilege.



************************************************************

Until next time...


May you celebrate all of who you are in whatever way you see fit.
May you, with each passing year, step into more of who you truly are, owning every single bit of it.

May you celebrate your silver, if that's what you choose to do.
May you celebrate all of your colours, let them shine, do you however you want to.

May you dance through this shimmering time, noisy knees and all.
May you see that life, even if not perfect, is pretty good, might as well have a ball!


**************************************************************
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