We Have Bigger Fish To Fry Now

It’s been some time since my last post.

I have to be honest, I haven’t been very motivated to publish new posts. It’s not that I lack content – I was busy working on the house during quarantine – but does my DIY content even matter?

I can’t help but ask myself if the time of “aspirational” content is over? Don’t we have bigger fish to fry now? I don’t even know if people still care to read blogs. That said, I’m not sure if and how to continue. I certainly don’t want to come across as tone deaf.

The main reason for starting this blog, was to motivate people. I wanted to let them know that if I can install a toilet, they can too. If I can build a table, so can you. Try small, but try.

But right now, the world is utterly hideous. Is there still room on the internet for the “lighter” content? Maybe. Time will tell, I guess. I’d love to get your input. Do you still read blogs? Do you care to know how to DIY a small awning during a time when cities are being burned down? Does it matter how I built my inexpensive planters when so many people are without a job?

And what about the never ending Covid crisis? How are you coping?

Here’s what’s been going on in our neck of the woods.

Luckily, we have all kept healthy. I live 20 minutes north of Nashville where schools opened on August 3. Only middle and high school students remained on a hybrid schedule until after Labor Day. For my son, a senior, this meant going to school twice a week, the rest was done via Google docs/Zoom, none of which replaces an in-person experience. Our county also offers a full time virtual learning option for students who choose to learn from home.

Our special needs preschoolers are so happy to be back in the classroom. We missed them so much. Masks are still required for all school staff as well as middle and high school students. Elementary students have the option to wear masks. Temperatures are taken daily.

I’m thrilled to be back with our little students and happy to report, that since the start, we have had perfect attendance. I absolutely adore these little souls. Every progress they make motivates us to work even harder. My heart aches for the children who still haven’t been allowed to go back to school.

Seeing the kids every day and having a daily routine has been such a blessing for all of us. The most simple, mundane task feels wonderful to us and them. Once again, we have consistency and normalcy (aside from the masks). People need each other… in person.

Our county’s mask mandate was lifted last week. However, schools and government buildings still require masks as do most private businesses. So nothing has changed much in that regard.

The city of Nashville isn’t doing well. Businesses are closing daily… music is dying. I read somewhere that over 100,000 businesses in the country have shut down permanently, in just the past few months. More than 50% of New York’s bars and restaurants have shut down. As of now, Broadway will not reopen until May 2021. Are we past the point of no return?

Our church hasn’t had an in person service since March 17. My heart aches for the elderly members.

I’m grateful for employment and a roof over our heads. Both my daughters and son in law have also stayed employed. Praying this doesn’t change. I do worry for their safety as they live in New York and Chicago.

With everything that has happened in this country, I’m not worried for me, but for my children’s future. My 16-year-old high school senior is on the verge of applying to colleges. He has a sharp mind, perfect grades and test scores, excellent letters of recommendations, as well as several passion projects under his belt, for which he’s worked tirelessly, for the past four years.

His goal was to attend an Ivy League college where he hoped to have many great dialogues/debates with fellow students and professors. Things have changed these past few months, and his passion for attending an Ivy League institution has diminished drastically. As someone with conservative views and a love for Jesus, he doesn’t think he’ll ever have a “voice” on a college campus. He believes he will be “shut down” the minute he opens his mouth.

Then what is the point of college? A piece of paper that won’t even guarantee employment after graduation? Four precious years wasted on being told your opinion is “invalid” and doesn’t matter.

Sadly, colleges have abandoned true diversity: Diversity of thought and opinion. But an open and productive dialogue is essential to a free society.

In my opinion, unless colleges create a learning environment in which diverse ideas are accepted and celebrated, a greater segment of the population will be turned off from academic life and will unlikely pursue academic careers. There will be consequences, however, and a great number of colleges will be forced to shut down.

In addition, the crime rate increase in New York and Chicago has me worried. The number of shootings rose in every borough of New York, and murders are up 52% in Chicago. Are my kids safe there? How is all this going to end?

I’ve noticed I find a lot of comfort in nature. Trimming bushes, digging in dirt, going on lots of walks… Even mowing has a calming effect on me. I’m obsessed with our current fall temperatures, beautiful foliage, and the glorious sun. I walked barefoot on grass yesterday and it felt wonderful.

Also, being around small children is one of the best things anyone can do right now. Their souls are so pure, their spirits so bright they light up our days.

God help our children and their future children.

We’re in a crazy time and I tell my kids someday they will tell their grandchildren about this. We’re in this together, so let’s lookout for one another and pray for humanity.