In case you missed these barely-noticed elements of daily life in COVID-19 times, let me share below some things I’ve noticed lately. They may not warrant the full treatment of a blog posting, but still might deserve just an iota of your attention!
*Iota
Are there any large iotas? Could they add flavor to a kale salad? Is iota another name for dust bunnies? Will most iotas survive this pandemic? Are iotas-run-amuck the cause of all that we’re facing?
Dutiful algorithms
As we sleep or surf—or surf in our sleep—the technologies of commerce continue churning out marketing messages. For example, an online men’s underwear company—I am not kidding here—now offers special deals for its state-of-the-art boxers. Even without their human handlers’ presence, our machines keep informing us about iota-like matters we would otherwise miss.
Start planning now
A hopeful question for all of us: What are we going to do with the CARES-Act 2020 gift of Federal money that will be coming to our mailboxes or bank accounts? We can think right now about available options, so that we can put our plans into action the day the check arrives.
Do not try this at home
A well-meaning but un-informed county politician in an un-informed state recently claimed that COVID-19 could be cured by using one’s hair dryer on one’s nasal passages. I am told by well-informed hair-persons that this idea is both unscientific and dangerous. (Who would want to use that hair dryer after a nose-and-virus-drying episode?)
People zoos?
Are the birds, animals and insects in our world now watching more than one-third of humanity caged in our homes? Are our friends in the natural world impressed by how well we are doing in captivity? Are they secretly thumbing their noses, beaks or proboscises at us? Do they have food to share?
Grumpy Google
Our favorite Web gurus have called off this year’s April Fools Day pranks. Perhaps the ever-zany Rush Limbaugh, Judge Judy or Ralph Putin – Vladimir’s nephew in Poughkeepsie—can pick up the slack? Goodness knows—and Goodness DOES know—we need some humor these days. (Thankfully, Google offers substitutes on its search engine: Enter “COVID humor” and see what comes up.)
Free palm fronds
You might be able to pick up free palm fronds from local churches right now. The cancellations of Palm Sunday services mean that palm branches might go to waste! (Our church is putting out recently delivered palm fronds in our church parking lot the day before Palm Sunday.) Dexterous children could refold the palms you obtain into thousands of palm crosses. Something to do, something to give away—while avoiding personal contact, of course—on Easter?
Surprise someone with gratitude
The list of heroes during this pandemic grows longer each day. (Perhaps you are one of them?) Some of them go to work every day without knowing how grateful the rest of us truly feel. Letter carriers, law-enforcement personnel, food pantry volunteers, truck drivers, checkout clerks, medical workers, custodians, counselors, caregivers and pastors come to mind!
Finally
What all of us are facing now is both a problem and an opportunity. As you face even the smallest components of this pandemic, keep in mind your capabilities as an older adult who’s trying to live fully!
One iota at a time, right…?
*Yes, I am aware that an iota is the ninth letter in the Greek alphabet, and that the word also describes very small quantities.
